Lesia averted her gaze from Ryuel’s eyes, which resembled those of a deranged researcher conducting sadistic experiments while observing reactions. He burst into laughter and spoke with a pretense of generosity.

“Miss Lesia, do you perhaps know about the Velius Curse?”

Lesia’s shoulders twitched at the mention of ‘Velius Curse.’

“So you do know.”

Despite her silence, Ryuel accurately interpreted her small gesture. He stroked his chin thoughtfully.

“How surprising. A mere commoner girl knowing about the Velius Curse. Ah, perhaps Ms. Luceru told you?”

“…Ms. Luceru?”

“Don’t you know? Oh, I apologize. There she was called ‘Grandma Lulu.'”

Lesia’s eyes widened enormously when this unexpectedly familiar name came from his lips. Seeing her reaction, Ryuel laughed heartily again. What a low-class human.

“If you know about the Velius Curse, this will be quicker. It’s simple: Young Master Cesar fell for you, and you’ve become the ‘Companion’ who will take on the curse in his place and sacrifice yourself. As for burning down the village and killing people, well…”

After pondering briefly, he snapped his fingers cheerfully and continued, “It was to prevent the annoying situation of you whining, ‘I want to go home, I miss my mom.'”

“…just for that.”

“Hmm?”

“You killed the villagers and my mother just for that…?”

When Lesia glared at him with disgust, slurring her words, Ryuel’s smile vanished. He suddenly changed expression and roughly grabbed her by the collar.

“Gak!”

Lesia struggled as her airway suddenly constricted. Ryuel coldly warned her.

“It may seem like ‘just that’ to a worthless commoner like you, but Velius must be perfect in every aspect without the slightest flaw. Even the most trivial matter cannot be left to chance. Well.”

Ryuel released her collar, and Lesia coughed harshly. His smiling face returned as he concluded lightly.

“For a mere creature, you certainly play a significant role, so until the curse is fully transferred and you die, you’ll be treated accordingly. Don’t worry too much. Rather, isn’t this fortunate from your perspective? When would someone like you ever experience such luxury otherwise?”

“…”

Lesia turned her head away, lacking even the energy to respond. Ryuel stared at her blankly before turning on his heel, seemingly having lost interest.

“Do eat the soup. It would benefit you as well.”

Just before Ryuel left the room, Lesia, who had been silent, asked in a small voice.

“What was Grandma Lulu’s relationship with the Velius Grand Duke family?”

Ryuel hesitated at the question. After a moment’s consideration, he answered briefly and left the room.

“She was family to the previous Grand Duke’s Companion.”

* * *

Proving Ryuel’s words true, Lesia was unable to leave her room but was provided with everything for her comfort. Rather than feeling comfortable, however, Lesia felt like livestock being fattened before sl*ughter.

About ten days after being brought to the Velius Grand Duke’s residence, late at night, Lesia was suddenly seized, her hands bound, and taken somewhere. The place was a room at the end of the corridor on the same floor.

As soon as the door opened, groaning sounds could be heard from somewhere inside. Once her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she could make out her surroundings.

The room was spacious but contained only a bed. With no other furniture visible, it felt more like a prison than a room.

Lesia resisted entering the cold, oppressive atmosphere, but the maids who had brought her pushed her inside and immediately slammed the door shut.

“P-please open up!”

Lesia immediately pulled at the door, but it remained firmly closed. As even the sounds of people beyond the door completely disappeared, the low groaning became more distinct.

The sound resembled someone being tortured, making Lesia swallow hard before turning around. The groaning came from the bed placed in the center of the room.

Though frightened, Lesia gathered her courage and approached. When she discovered the source of the sound, she collapsed weakly to the floor.

“…Cesar.”

The person groaning was Cesar. He was the occupant of this prison-like room.

Despite hating Cesar more than anyone, Lesia felt relieved it was him in this moment. She was certain Cesar wouldn’t harm her.

‘Of course, I’m his Companion. Because he loves me…’

Young Lesia didn’t fully understand “love” as an emotion more sophisticated than “like,” but she was certain that Cesar liked her. She observed Cesar for a moment.

On the spacious bed, Cesar was curled up, clutching his heart. The thin groan escaping through his tightly clenched teeth revealed how much pain he was in.

This was the second time Lesia had seen Cesar in such agony. By the lake that night, Cesar had been in similar pain.

‘The Velius Curse…’

Despite her resentment toward Cesar, seeing him helplessly seized by the curse and suffering stirred feelings of pity within her. How long had Cesar endured this curse?

During these painful episodes, had anyone stayed by his side? Had anyone apologized for not being able to share his pain and kept him company through the night?

“Cesar, I…”

Hate you. Despise you.

Because of your selfishness, I lost everything.

Even now, I want to k*ll you.

Lesia reached out with both hands toward Cesar’s throat as he writhed in pain.

“Sob… I’m sorry…”

At that moment, Cesar apologized while shedding tears. Was he awake?

“Haa… sorry. Sorry…”

He wasn’t. Cesar was in a semi-conscious state.

Perhaps he was dreaming?

“…sia.”

At the final syllable of her name, Lesia’s hands froze on their way to his throat. Eventually, she squeezed her eyes shut and withdrew her hands.

She sat down right there, leaning against the bed, drawing her knees up and burying her face in them.

“I really hate this…”

The painful, lonely, desolate night passed. After that, Lesia spent one night a month with Cesar.

Each time, Cesar writhed in pain while unconscious, and Lesia silently kept him company. After three years had passed…

“…Lesia?”

Lesia, who had dozed off, raised her head at the voice calling her name. At that moment, her eyes met with ruby-red ones.

“…Why are you…”

For the first time, Cesar noticed Lesia’s presence. And on that same day, an unexpected visitor arrived at the Velius Grand Duke’s residence.

* * *

“That damned Velius! Velius!!”

The Emperor’s angry shout made the reporting vassal flinch and look around nervously. Though aware of his vassal’s discomfort, the Emperor could not suppress his anger.

For good reason—the Velius Grand Duke family had intercepted the maritime trade deal he had been working on for years.

“D*mn it!”

Bang!

Blinded by rage, he had no time to care about maintaining his dignity.

“They were quiet for so long, why now of all times…!!”

Three years ago, the Velius Grand Duke family suddenly ceased activities and went into seclusion. The public speculated this was due to dealing with the aftermath of a major fire incident in their territory.

Taking advantage of the Velius family’s inactivity, he had quickly pushed forward with his business plans…

“Since when have they been working behind the scenes?”

The Emperor’s eyes reddened with fury. It wasn’t simply about losing business.

The fact that the imperial family was pursuing maritime trade was common knowledge. Yet the Velius family had intercepted this business anyway—a clear sign of disrespect, mockery, and provocation toward the imperial family.

“Those cursed people, how dare they…”

Grind.

The Emperor’s teeth gnashed together. Since the founding of the empire, the imperial family and the Velius Grand Duke family had always stood on opposite sides, keeping each other in check.

This was natural. Two powers could not exist under the same sky. The only reason they had maintained balance was because of the curse that plagued the Velius family. Without that curse, the imperial throne would have changed hands long ago.

The Emperor had always resented this fact. And now his carefully cultivated prey had been snatched before his eyes.

Grind.

This was clearly a declaration of war.

“I cannot let this stand.”

“Your Majesty, do you have a plan?”

“First, we need to confirm whether there is a Companion.”

Sensing the Emperor’s ominous mood, the vassal swallowed hard before adding.

“However, Your Majesty, the Velius Grand Duchy is so closed and secretive that even inserting a spy is impossible. How can we find out?”

“…”

The Emperor was concerned about this point as well. At that moment, someone’s voice interjected between the two.

“I will go.”

Dazzling golden hair and forest-green eyes. The boy, who appeared to be in his mid-teens, was an instantly likable young man who entered the room.

The Emperor stood up to welcome him.

“Oh, Luxes.”

“I greet Crown Prince Luxes.”

As the vassal bowed his head toward him, Luxes nodded in acknowledgment and passed by. After the brief greeting, the Emperor asked him with a puzzled expression.

“What do you mean you will go?”

“I apologize, Your Majesty. I overheard your conversation from outside and have committed an offense.”

Indeed, eavesdropping on a conversation in the Emperor’s office was a serious crime, even for a member of the imperial family. However, the Emperor waved dismissively.

“Never mind that. Tell me quickly. What are your thoughts?”

It might seem strange to seek counsel from a young boy on important state matters, but the situation was different when that person was Crown Prince Luxes Palatium Aker.