Chapter 19

Asterope had her suspicions. Crown Prince Villish had acted like a madman, eagerly awaiting her reply. Even during her walks, his messengers would appear.  

Asterope had ignored all his demands without telling Kallieon. Telling them to leave because she had no reply to send was the most polite response she could muster. She didn’t have the stomach to write a false reply. She simply hoped that her illicit connection with Villish would end here.  

Of course, when she first returned to the past, she had wanted to find him immediately and slit his throat. However, the more hastily she acted, the more everything fell apart. Her relationship with Kallieon also became twisted. Her heart did not want that.

Thus, she chose to slowly tighten the noose around Villish Numa’s neck. As long as Villish did not give up on becoming the Emperor of Lenirune, he would continue to move against Serpiewood. His deep-seated inferiority complex would not allow Kallieon to live. Asterope planned to wait for the right moment to kill Villish.  

‘Just as I need Kallieon to kill Villish, Villish needs me to kill Kallieon.’  

Asterope believed there was a high probability that Villish had orchestrated all of this. As her expression darkened, Tama spoke up.  

“Your Grace, what are you thinking about?”  

“Huh?”  

“Would you share it with this old man?”  

Tama’s gaze was directly fixed on Asterope. She parted her lips.  

Asterope hesitated. She instinctively felt that her choice in this moment could determine her future path. However, she decided to act according to the direction she had been contemplating all along.  

Though she was naturally intelligent, she lacked the experience in political intrigue or extensive knowledge. Cunning schemes didn’t suit her personality, nor did she know how to execute them. The only thing she could do was confront things head-on. So, she spoke honestly.  

“Until recently, I had been exchanging secret letters with Crown Prince Villish. They were mostly love letters, but I doubt he sent them with such intentions. Because the Grand Duke cherishes me, he must have tried to manipulate me to harm the Grand Duke.”

Tama’s eyes widened. While he knew Asterope had been exchanging letters with someone in Sodel, he never imagined the recipient was Crown Prince Villish. Tama quickly regained his composure and spoke.

“It would be better if the Grand Duke doesn’t know about this.”  

“I already told him. I even showed him the letters.”  

“How could you…?”  

“You must have noticed, Tama. I’ve changed. I no longer believe the lies of Crown Prince Villish. I now know who truly loves me. When I look into Kallieon’s eyes, I can see it.”  

When Kallieon held her, laughing softly in happiness, when he stroked her cheek and kissed her, Asterope felt that emotion becoming clearer and clearer. She was so happy—so happy that she never wanted to lose it.  

She didn’t regret confiding in Tama about this. On the contrary, she even revealed the unquenchable flame of vengeance burning within her.  

“I can’t explain right now what caused this sudden change. Just know… that I experienced a horrifying future brought about by my wrong choices. It was truly…”  

“…”  

“…hell.”  

Tama thought that the face of Asterope, who uttered the word “hell,” seemed to have aged several years in an instant. Her flawless, porcelain-like beauty remained, yet it felt as though she had returned from several years in the future. She continued to speak firmly.  

“I don’t want that hell to appear again. That’s why, as the Grand Duchess of Serpiewood, I want to protect this land and ensure that Crown Prince Villish cannot harm us.”  

“Grand Duchess…”  

“If you don’t believe me, Tama, there’s nothing I can do. But I’m sincere. The incident involving the magical tool might be Villish’s doing. I didn’t reply to his letters. He even sent reminders several times, but I just couldn’t bring myself to respond.”  

Asterope couldn’t hide the expression of torment that crossed her face every time she mentioned Villish’s name. She was transparent in nature. She loved beautiful things and detested filth. She avoided complicated or headache-inducing calculations, and even when she lied, it always showed on her face.  

The reason everyone knew she had no feelings for Kallieon over the past year was none other than Asterope herself. The acting she put on had been painfully awkward. Even Tama had suspected that betrayal lay at the heart of her intentions.  

However, the fact that she harbored something far greater than he had imagined—and that she had confided all of it to him—was shocking.  

“This situation might become even more complicated.”  

“…”  

“But it’s actually better this way. We might get a little closer to the truth. More than anything, the fact that you’ve shared such a secret with this old man is meaningful in itself.”  

“I’m just confessing my sins. And as the Grand Duchess, it’s the most blasphemous thing I could do. I’ve started something without any solution in sight.”  

Asterope felt suffocated by her own inadequacy. Even if Kallieon scolded her in his angry voice again, she wouldn’t have anything to say in return. Seeing her so utterly dejected, Tama smiled.  

“That’s not true. You’ve gained the most powerful weapon of all.”  

“A weapon? I don’t even know how to fight.”  

When Asterope responded as though his words were absurd, Tama continued speaking with the same smile on his face.  

“What I mean is that this conversation with me today is that important. Doesn’t it signify that you fully sided with Serpiewood, Grand Duchess?”  

Asterope closed her mouth at Tama’s kind words. That hadn’t been her intention at all. It was just that his interpretation of her words was far more perfect than her original meaning. Still, it made her feel good. Having someone understand her sincerity felt better than she had expected.  

“I’m worried that they won’t let you go so easily, Grand Duchess. The Imperial Family is not an opponent to be dealt with lightly. Perhaps you could send a reply, even if it’s false?”  

Tama neither rebuked Asterope nor pressed her for more details. Instead, he tried to discuss a way for her to feel a bit more at ease. Asterope nodded and spoke again.  

“But it’s so revolting that I can’t even write a single word.”  

“Your Grace, there are times when you must do things you don’t want to do.”  

“…”  

Asterope pouted her lower lip and turned her body to the side. As the youngest daughter who had been doted on all her life, she hated such words the most. Why should she do something she didn’t want to do? However, she always knew that she couldn’t avoid it. She kicked the carpet lightly with her foot in frustration.  

There had been times when she couldn’t endure torture and falsely confessed—so what was the big deal about writing a letter? Still, the thought made her chest feel heavy, and she couldn’t bring herself to pick up the pen. Tama, as if to soothe her, continued speaking.  

“How about writing that Grand Duke Kallieon discovered the letter? You could say it will be difficult to correspond for a while. That way, Your Grace, you will feel less burdened. You could also explain that you avoided writing to prevent the Crown Prince’s identity from being exposed or putting him in danger. That should make him more cautious.”

Tama spoke as if he could whip up a letter in no time. Asterope nodded, agreeing to do just that. It seemed like the only thing she could do in the current magical artifact crisis was to calm Villish’s anxieties.  

Asterope sighed, recalling Kallieon’s angry voice. While he had been surprised to discover her involvement, he hadn’t come out to hold her or speak at length with her.

‘It must have been because of an important meeting.’

Her mind understood, but her heart didn’t. A wave of disappointment swept over her. She had even gone to the hot, smelly kitchen, where all sorts of odors mingled—a place she had never set foot in before. Though she hadn’t made the food herself, she had given various instructions and kept herself busy.  

“For now, please rest. I’ll go and search for the spies infiltrating the castle.”  

“Alright.”  

“I’ll report back once I have results.”  

“Okay. Oh, wait, Tama.”  

“Yes, Your Grace?”  

Asterope casually received the smallest basket from Maria. She had already prepared Tama’s portion while making sandwiches.  

“I heard you often skip meals, Tama. Eat this. It’s not very good, but it’s better than going hungry.”

Asterope handed over the basket as if it were no big deal. Tama felt as though he might be moved to tears by Asterope’s thoughtfulness, even amidst all the chaos. Asterope herself, however, seemed to think nothing of it. She appeared unaware of how much she was changing—or just how kind-hearted she truly was.  

“Thank you for your kindness, Your Grace. This old man will eat every last crumb.”  

“It’s really nothing…”  

Asterope, feeling slightly embarrassed, finally took a sip of her now lukewarm tea. Once Tama expressed his gratitude again and left his seat, Asterope put on a thick outer garment and headed to the rear garden.  

There, she could see all sorts of plants that didn’t grow in Serpiewood. It was because Kallieon had cast special magic for her. Even the various flowers she used for her baths grew there. Asterope strolled through the garden, filled with birdsong.