“What’s your plan?”

“I plan to provoke Gael’s anger.”

Ronae’s clear voice resonated in Olivia’s ears.

“One thing I realized while being with Gael is that he both loved and hated me. Whenever I looked the least bit happy or content, he would torment me, and it got worse when I was with someone else.”

“What a pathetic jerk.”

Lottie nodded in agreement from behind. Ronae looked a bit embarrassed.

“As Lottie probably told you, I plan to move to another country after the baby is born. I have a trustworthy distant relative who can help us, and we’ll have enough money to settle down if things go well.”

“And then?”

“I’m going to spread that rumor.”

“Huh?”

Olivia widened her eyes, and Ronae smiled as she patted her hand.

“Gael won’t be able to stand the idea of me being happy without him. If I only announce that I’m leaving without saying where, it will be enough to enrage him.”

“And then what? Are you planning to lure him somewhere…?”

“I plan to contact the most famous newspaper in the Empire and ask them to publish a huge story about me in tomorrow’s morning edition. I’ll say that I feel deeply responsible for living as the fiancée of a murderer and that I’m giving up all my rights as a member of the Bartram family. I’ll claim that the country I’m moving to is the Duchy of Morie.”

The Duchy of Morie was known to be quite welcoming to immigrants. As long as one could prove their identity, it was relatively easy to settle there compared to other countries. And most importantly…

“To go to the Duchy of Morie, you have to depart from Richmond Port, right?”

“That’s right.”

Finally, Olivia’s mind was clear. Ronae intended to reveal that she was leaving the Empire but add a lie about where she was going.

“So how about this? It’ll take a few hours for people to read the morning paper and for that vagrant to hear about it, so let’s schedule the ship to Morie for around 2 PM.”

“That sounds like a good plan.”

Ronae rubbed her sweaty hands, as if nervous.

“I’m not sure if it’ll work, but he never misses any news about me. He’ll probably take the bait.”

“Then we should clear the port in advance. Who knows what that lunatic might try?”

Marsden carefully outlined his plan.

“I’ll also make sure that all ships traveling between the Empire and the Duchy of Morie are canceled. That way, no one will get hurt, and everyone will be safe.”

“Is that possible, Marsden?”

Olivia asked in surprise, turning to him. Marsden smiled gently.

“The Grand Duke of Morie was my godfather when I was little. My parents supported his independence as a duchy, so he’ll agree to that request immediately.”

Such a pleasant display of collusion! Olivia was newly amazed at Marsden’s influence.

“I’ll go to the newspaper office myself. Even if not you, they’ll be thrilled to hear the story directly from your sister.”

“Uh… So, what should I do?”

Feeling somewhat like she was freeloading on a group project, Olivia awkwardly asked, and Marsden cupped her cheeks with one hand, making her lips pout like a little chick.

“You’ve already done more than enough. Just being here is reassuring, so just stay and supervise. We can walk around and snack on financiers together.”

“Is it even possible to walk around and eat financiers?”

Olivia asked, her words muffled as she spoke like a little chick, and Marsden laughed.

“Why not? We can do it.”

Olivia, unable to push Marsden’s hand away, blankly looked up at him.

His eyes were more beautiful than ever. In the black pupils, now free from fear and anxiety, her reflection sparkled like a star.

Suddenly, she felt that this was enough. She didn’t need gold, jewels, power, or fame. She was certain that as long as the people around her could live peacefully and this man was happy, that was all she needed.

‘Bay, just wait a little longer. I’ll defeat them and share many stories with you.’

With this determination, Olivia was able to prepare for what lay ahead with a resolute and unwavering heart.

* * *

The morning edition of ‘The Sorrow’, the largest newspaper in the Empire, sold out so quickly that they had to print additional copies.

It contained shocking news about a famous noble family. Lottie Bartram, the younger daughter of the Bartram family, admitted the crimes of her family’s involvement with sorcery and detailed the misery caused by Gael Abyss. She ended with the following message…

[My sister’s sin is not hers alone. I am equally at fault for turning a blind eye to it. We sisters fully acknowledge our sins and plan to leave the family.

We hope that such tragedies will not be repeated. Today, at 2 PM, we will depart for the Duchy of Morie to start a new life. We sincerely wish health and happiness to all who read this article.]

The morning edition sold out so quickly that the article was the talk of the town everywhere. Even a penniless drifter heard about it.

“But I heard that all ships bound for the Duchy of Morie have been canceled?”

“It’s not like there’s a typhoon or anything, so they must have some reason. And even if all the ships are canceled, she’s still the daughter of a baron, so they might make an exception and arrange a ship just for her.”

Two men leisurely sipped their beers in a café, completely absorbed in their conversation, unaware that a rat-like figure was eavesdropping nearby.

“Starting a new life…?”

Gael muttered as he stumbled forward, causing the people nearby to scatter as if he were a pest. Ignoring them, Gael picked up a discarded newspaper.

‘A new life. A new life without me?’

Gael let out a bitter laugh.

‘The man you claimed to love is lost in agony, and you’re going to start fresh? You’re going to leave for good?’

“Selfish b*tch. Look at what you’ve done to me.”

Gael tore the newspaper to shreds and threw it to the ground. Passersby whispered, unnerved by the sight of a deranged beggar.

In a way, the situation was lucky for him. After the wanted notice was issued, the posters depicted Gael with a clean and neat appearance, so no one suspected that the disheveled man before them could be him.

“Who gave you permission…? Who said you could start a new life…?”

Gael frantically ruffled his filthy hair, which was matted with all sorts of debris from days of wandering without a wash.

“You ruined everything, and you think you can just leave!!”

Losing his temper, Gael kicked a nearby barrel. The wine inside spilled out like blood.

“What the hell are you doing, you crazy bastard?!”

The furious shopkeeper appeared, brandishing a thick stick. He had tolerated the man’s presence until now, but losing his product was the last straw.

“I’ll beat some sense into you. No one will care if a filthy beggar like you gets killed!”

The shopkeeper raised the stick high, ready to strike Gael down. One hit, and Gael would be down for good.

But Gael had already abandoned any hope of surviving. He used his life force to cast a spell, attacking the shopkeeper the same way he had killed Bay.

“What… What the hell?!”

“Run!”

The horrific spell left onlookers in shock, and they fled in terror. Gael kicked the now petrified shopkeeper and snatched the stick from his hands.

“All this for some cheap wine. What a waste of time.”

Gael gripped the stick, testing its weight as if he were trying to get a feel for it.

“Sigh… Why is it so hard to get things back to how they were? Everything was going so well…”

Gael let out a hollow laugh and raised the stick.

“But there’s still a chance. A chance to drag her down to hell with me.”

In one swift motion, Gael ended the shopkeeper’s life. A scream rang out from somewhere, but Gael, who could no longer distinguish between good and evil, heard it as nothing more than ordinary noise.

TL NOTE: Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories