For Hari, this was unimaginable. Though they were gypsies, the Lagonian tribe wasn’t simply free-spirited and open. With an overwhelming female population, they held conservative customs regarding s*xual relations. s*x was a process of conceiving life, and thus resembled a sacred ritual. It was meant for two people deeply in love to meet, form a family together, and bloom new seeds. Acts driven by lust were no different from animals. Contrary to those beliefs, what she did with Achilleon… it truly was unavoidable.

The humiliation of that night had faded, leaving only rationalization. Had her beliefs always been this shallow? When she felt parts of herself changing, her guilt only grew.

“And I warn you, don’t meddle in others’ affairs anymore.”

Achilleon, who had been gazing at the rose-tinted fields, turned to the puzzled Hari and said.

“That old slave you gave water to. I mean don’t show unnecessary compassion and help her like you did with Ipea.”

“…You knew?”

“I thought there was a fifty-fifty chance. And you filled in the other half. It didn’t seem likely that Madalena would act for the sake of a single slave.”

Achilleon turned completely to face Hari directly. His expression, deeply colored by the backlighting, was difficult to read.

“Whether it’s solidarity or whatever, don’t interfere with other slaves’ affairs. Even if they’re beaten in front of you, even if they suffer unjust punishment, pretend you didn’t see it, didn’t hear it. Don’t step forward burning with a sense of justice.”

“How can I do that? It’s not some grand reason like justice. I had to do it.”

Achilleon’s brow furrowed.

“Can Your Highness remain indifferent? That child was even tortured because of me.”

“How are your thoughts so consistent? Just as Selina’s maid’s death wasn’t your fault, neither was Helotai Ipea’s situation. She packed her bags and followed you when you suggested running away, didn’t she?”

“…”

“What more did you do than respect that woman’s choice? You asked if I could remain indifferent. If anything holds me back, I would gladly abandon principles. In a situation where I lose nothing, I might consider lending a hand.”

His answer was coldly resolute without hesitation.

“You made some kind of deal with Madalena to get Helotai Ipea out of prison. Whatever the content, I won’t tolerate incidents like today’s a second time.”

“If you’re concerned about suffering damage, you needn’t worry. I won’t let any harm come to you. I can make that much of a situational judgment.”

“Damage? That goes without saying.”

Achilleon scoffed. Of course. This man would discard her without mercy if he thought she was a hindrance. There would be no exceptions under any circumstances. A supplementary tool for claiming the throne. Hari knew well that was exactly her worth.

“Then why?”

“Because I dislike seeing you entangled with other people.”

His voice, carried by the wind, sounded cold with its lack of inflection. Hari blinked blankly. It didn’t take long for her bewilderment to turn into anger.

“Don’t do that again.”

Though his admonishment came in an unmanly gentle tone, Hari failed to notice that subtle change.

“Do you want to push me away that badly? Isolate me from people, make me powerless, and then hold me in the palm of your hand?”

Just like when he made her an imprinting ceremony bride to throw to Karnos as prey. Hari’s eyes were fierce as she glared at Achilleon, who offered no response. Her eyes, which had remained dead while constantly looking at him, only blazed with life when filled with intense emotions like anger. Achilleon, who had been quietly meeting her sharp gaze as she struggled to maintain composure, narrowed his eyes.

“Perhaps.”

Hold her in his palm, she said. She was indeed a woman who concerned him to the point of annoyance. Then perhaps if he kept her within range of his sight, this unnecessary attention would disappear—such thoughts occurred to him. Was that it, then?

Having reached his own conclusion, Achilleon spoke in a monotone voice.

“Yes, I think that’s how I feel.”

It was contradictory that while his mind knew placing Margharita as a spy wasn’t a bad decision, it still didn’t sit well with him.

“So don’t get unnecessarily entangled with others, and don’t think about meddling like you did today.”

Transparent green eyes stared directly at her. Hari, who had frozen, unable to find a retort, made a strange grimace before laughing hollowly.

“I did it because it was frustrating. What reason is there to suffer just because one isn’t Hitaisian? Of course, the noble Hitaisian royalty who live immersed in supremacy would never understand, even if they died and were reborn. Moreover, Your Highness is the very person who brought those prisoners here.”

Her boiling emotions soon subsided on their own. Hari, who had lowered her eyes seemingly upset, returned to her calm expression with emotions erased.

“I’ll take my leave now.”

The woman’s long shadow fell upon her heels as she turned away without losing her courtesy until the end. Achilleon, who had been staring with furrowed brows at the shadow touching his feet, soon made his way toward the castle gate. The landscape, darkened by the deep twilight, suddenly felt as suffocating as his role.

* * *

“I sent her safely outside. On the grounds that her body wasn’t sound.”

“Thank you so much for your help, Your Highness.”

“Now I can expect your results, can’t I?”

Madalena gazed steadily at Hari while holding her teacup.

“It will be as Your Highness wishes.”

Hari, wearing a gentle smile, answered without a moment’s hesitation. Of course, she had no certainty about guaranteeing the divorce of the royal couple who weren’t on good terms, but she intended to make it happen. Since the future was unpredictable, she needed to secure even one more ally. If that trust could last as long as possible, all the better. Hari still had something she wanted from Madalena.

“I’ll trust you. Oh, and this. Helotai Ipea asked me to give this to you.”

Hari tucked the worn parchment letter the princess consort handed her into her bosom and asked.

“What happened to Laodike?”

“House arrest.”

It was absurd that attempted murder, theft, and deceiving the queen only resulted in house arrest. However, it seemed impossible to expect harsher punishment for the child of an elder council noble.

After leaving Madalena’s palace, Hari unfolded the letter Ipea had left. It contained brief content expressing gratitude and revealing her destination. Folding the letter and putting it in her pocket, Hari looked up at the sky with a deep exhale. Now she had to fulfill Madalena’s request. Strong evidence of infidelity sufficient to bring this marriage to ruin.

For that, she first needed to approach Antor. Though Achilleon had told her not to get involved with others, he wouldn’t restrict her if there was benefit. Hari headed straight for Achilleon’s office.

Achilleon was in a private meeting with a robust man she hadn’t seen before, looking over documents. The large man with a body as muscular as a bumpy earth-colored rock wore armor lined with linen and held a long spear. His ashen eyes, deeply scarred, were sharp. The man noticed Hari and gave a brief bow.

“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. But I’m fine. I don’t wish for Your Highness to make more enemies. I’m grateful just for your recognition of my military achievements.”

‘A slave?’

He had shackles on his ankles. Only then could Hari vaguely recall the man’s face. The man, undoubtedly a hoplite (heavy infantry), was a slave of the 3rd class who had returned victorious from the Rodos continental war alongside Achilleon.

Achilleon isn’t friendly to slaves. With some hope, she looked for signs of abuse on Hoperon’s body, but before she could properly examine him, he left the office with a brief farewell. Hari, who had been blankly watching his retreating figure, swallowed a sigh. Now wasn’t the time to be distracted by other matters.

She got straight to the point.

“I’ll infiltrate the Sun Palace.”

“No.”

Achilleon rejected her flatly without taking his eyes off the documents.

“Why not? Didn’t you ask yesterday if I would do it?”

“Why, you ask…”

He stopped rolling his quill pen and sighed.

“You don’t trust me.”

“Think about how you behaved in bed.”

Achilleon slowly raised his head to look at Hari, who was pressing her lips tightly together. Her face showed much discontent.

“What’s the problem?”

He knew she had guts, but the declaration that she would seduce Antor with her body didn’t suit the woman. He had even warned her that she might have to engage in s*x outdoors, yet here she was again, saying the same thing, which made him wonder.

“I thought it would make things easier if I observed the 2nd Prince’s movements up close and reported to Your Highness.”

“So you want to spread your legs for Antor, ride him, move your hips, and act coquettishly. You want to do such things?”

He didn’t miss how the woman’s face turned pale in an instant. Yet she didn’t withdraw her proposal. This strange reaction deepened his suspicion.