Marsden was locked in a relatively clean, solitary cell, but he could not feel at ease. It wasn’t because of the fear that he might die soon. He was desperately worried about Olivia.

“I can do it.”

“If you get caught using magic again in the royal prison, you’ll really die. I’m a genius, you know. I can handle it.”

“But…”

“You said we’d face the danger together. You’re the one who said that.”

Yet, when Marsden recalled the moment they had discussed this, his anxiety seemed to calm.

Olivia, who had returned, was as brilliant, strong, and impressive as ever. Her personality had become even more intimidating, but in his eyes, she was still the beautiful Olivia he adored.

And as they spent more time together, Marsden felt his admiration and love for her deepen.

“Olivia can do it.”

Even though he was currently stuck, he couldn’t just sit there helplessly. Marsden straightened up and started thinking about what he could do for her.

According to the plan, Olivia would use teleportation magic to sneak into the Count’s manor. Then her comrades would create chaos there.

“What I can do is…”

Marsden got up and stood near the bars. He then called out to the guard stationed to keep an eye on him.

“Is there something you need?”

Although his title had been stripped, the guard still treated him politely since he was part of the Marsden family.

“I would like to see His Majesty.”

“But that’s a bit…”

“If you pass along this message, he’ll understand: The Duke’s manor has only half of a forbidden book, but I think I know where the other half is.”

“Pardon?”

The guard was startled by the unexpected weight of the information.

“And tell him that the owner of that other half is also the one who killed Olivia.”

***

Gael took painkillers to avoid the unsightly image of being in a wheelchair at a young age. He was in a state where lying down would have been no surprise, but he didn’t want to show weakness after enduring such humiliation from that woman… no, from enduring it twice.

Instead, he personally prepared the food for Ronae and headed to her room, the place where she would live for the rest of her life.

Thanks to his perfect counterattack against Olivia and Marsden, Gael had avoided the disgrace of being banished from the capital. In time, Ronae would be able to reenter society as well.

“Ronae, I’m coming in.”

Though there was no response, Gael opened the door, pretending not to care. He could feel his body creak with every step, but he forced himself to endure the pain.

Ronae sat blankly on the bed, clutching her stomach. Gael stood by her side, holding a silver tray.

“You haven’t eaten anything all day. For the sake of the child, you should at least take a bite.”

“It seems you care about the child now.”

Ronae shot back without even looking at Gael. Her eyes were still hollow.

“You once said you weren’t sure it was your child, or that even if it was, it didn’t matter to you.”

“My dear Ronae, that was in the past. I’ve been reflecting.”

“Don’t you think it’s a bit late for reflection?”

Emotion flickered in Ronae’s eyes, soon turning into a cold gaze aimed at Gael.

“Even if I’m at fault, you’re not in a position to bring me food so calmly. You still haven’t told me where my sister is or what happened to Vivi.”

The smile faded from Gael’s lips. He tilted his head and looked down at Ronae with a crooked posture.

“You wouldn’t believe me anyway, so why do you keep asking?”

“What I want is proof that they’re safe. Right now, I feel like I’m suffocating!”

Even as Ronae pleaded, Gael didn’t blink.

“You love me, Ronae. As long as I’m here, who else do you need?”

Ronae, recoiling as if disgusted, pulled the blanket closer. Gael’s patience began to wear thin.

“So, are you going to eat or not?”

“I won’t take a single bite in front of you. I’d rather lick food off the floor.”

She no longer even called him by name. Gael stared at her for a moment, then flipped the silver tray over. The food and dishes crashed to the ground, and Ronae gasped in shock.

“How about now? Do you feel like eating?”

“You… You’re really insane.”

“Perhaps we’re both insane, Ronae. Anyone would think you’re the innocent victim here.”

Gael laughed and kicked at the shattered dishes.

“It must be hard to pick out the glass. Should I help you?”

Despair clouded Ronae’s pink eyes.

Gael was overwhelmed with mixed emotions. There had been a time when her gaze was filled with nothing but affection for him. The smallest gesture of kindness or tenderness would fill her eyes with happiness.

The foolish woman had lived as if her every emotion depended on his slightest movement.

But now, it seemed as if she needed him to disappear to survive. She found his gestures unsettling and watched every move with suspicion.

“Ronae, I’m already holding back a lot.”

“…..”

“Every time I think about how you conspired with Lottie Bartram and teamed up with Olivia and Marsden, my blood boils! So, until those two scum are completely dead, at least pretend to listen!”

Gael’s loud outburst made Ronae’s face go pale. He stomped on the food that had already been crushed on the floor, as if his rage hadn’t subsided.

“Then I’ll let your sister live.”

Gael spat out the words and turned away.

“I heard the Duke of Marsden has the forbidden book.”

Ronae’s unexpected words stopped him in his tracks.

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

Gael glared at her, but despite her fear, Ronae met his gaze steadily.

“I know you killed Olivia.”

“…..”

“Before she died, Olivia told me all about the terrible things you did with magic. The thing I regret most is that I didn’t believe her back then.”

Ronae gripped the blanket tightly.

“After Olivia died, the Duke of Marsden showed me her body. He told me that although he had the forbidden book, it was only half of it, so he was relying on a sorcerer’s help.”

“What are you trying to say?”

Sensing something was off, Gael moved closer to Ronae. She forced a smile.

“You’ve been too busy harming others to notice, but I’ve made allies too. You know who they are, don’t you?”

“What are you talking about…”

Just as Gael was about to press Ronae further, the ground shook. It was as if a bomb had gone off, and the world swayed violently.

Boom!

Instinctively, Gael reached out to protect Ronae, but she pushed his hand away. Instead, with surprising agility for a pregnant woman, she jumped out of bed.

“Ronae!!”

Gael’s body refused to move properly, still reeling from what Olivia had done to him.

‘D*mn it! That wretched woman!’

To make matters worse, he had fallen onto the shattered glass on the floor, doubling his pain. Gael yelled towards the door.

“Is there anyone out there!?”

The sound of multiple explosions echoed. Someone was clearly attacking.

‘No way.’

Gael shook his head. No matter how crazy that woman was, she wouldn’t do something like this…

“Count?”

“Yes, help me up quickly.”

As Gael struggled to gather his senses and lifted his head, he saw a face that shouldn’t have been there.

“Poppin! What are you doing here?”

Poppin was a child who had come under Gael’s control when young and had grown into a sorcerer. He had nominally made him a knight, but that was just a cover. With his lowly origins, Poppin had no business being in the Count’s manor.

“Oh, actually, my employer has changed.”

“What?”

“After working with you, I realized that at this rate, I’d either end up captured by the royal family or die a horrible death. So, I found myself a new employer.”

Poppin clicked his tongue as he looked down at Gael. Gael flailed his hand, but there was no way he could reach Poppin.

“You know, you really lived in a terrible way. Anyway, I’m off to find my kidnapped employer now!”

“You don’t mean to say—”

Gael couldn’t finish his sentence. Poppin kicked him in the face, and Gael, weakened by his injuries, collapsed.

Poppin swiftly left the room. He needed to find his new employer, Lottie.

****

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