Chapter 23

“All done. No issues. Hwiaro, you remember the order of the clothes, right?”  

“Yes, yes!”  

“Make sure you don’t mix them up.”  

“I’ll keep it in mind, Your Grace.”  

Hwiaro, sweating profusely, spoke nervously. While Kallieon and Asterope were happily asleep in bed, he had been summoned by Tama. He was then forced to memorize the arrangement of clothes and accessories, something he had never done before. The warning that the Grand Duchess would become gravely angry if he made a mistake sent chills down his spine. The wrath of the Grand Duchess was something extraordinary. There were more than a few who had been shocked by her uncontrollable fury, with no one able to stop her.  

‘She’s definitely not someone with a gentle disposition.’  

Hwiaro thought this every time he saw her. Although she seemed to have changed a lot recently, the sharp gaze she directed at him still reminded him of those earlier times.  

“Rope!”  

“Yes!”  

When Kallieon called, Asterope immediately turned toward him. As Kallieon approached her, he pulled her clothing tighter around her. The large scarf made of white fox fur was so big that it almost swallowed her small face.  

“It’s suffocating.”  

“Your ears and cheeks have already turned red.”  

“Still, I want to see you off before heading back inside.”  

“Then we’d better leave quickly.”  

Kallieon was already fully prepared. After checking the state of the luggage and the knights’ readiness, he smoothly mounted his horse. His steed, a white horse, symbolized Serpiewood. Asterope stroked the horse’s mane and looked up at Kallieon. He leaned down briefly and kissed Asterope’s forehead before speaking again.  

“I’ll be back.”  

Asterope nodded firmly and replied, 

“I’ll be waiting. Take care and come back safely.”  

Kallieon felt a sharp pang in his chest. The thought of his beloved wife waiting for him in his territory filled his heart with warmth. With a burning sensation in his chest, he reluctantly turned away.  

“Let’s go!”  

At Kallieon’s command, the Serpiewood diplomatic delegation began to leave the castle. Asterope watched as they grew distant. Kallieon refrained from looking back, knowing that if he did, he might run back to her.  

“Your Grace, look over there!”  

Riddley, a knight who had recently been promoted to senior rank, exclaimed excitedly.  

“What’s all the fuss about?”  

Kallieon turned his gaze to where Riddley was pointing—the castle walls. Along the walls surrounding Serpiewood, beautiful flags fluttered in the wind. They were adorned with the intricate design of Gorgon’s emblem.  

“They’re stunning!”  

“It truly feels like we’re being properly sent off!”  

As the knights chattered excitedly, Kallieon smiled faintly and turned around.  

“Let’s get going.”  

Kallieon urged them to move quickly. The desire to turn back and return home surged within him the moment they departed.  

* * *

After Kallieon left, Asterope found herself with a multitude of tasks to handle. The first thing she needed to do was write a letter to Crown Prince Villish. However, Asterope, reluctant to begin, lay sprawled on the bed, almost melting into it. To coax her, Maria brought her a dessert—a tart topped with beautifully sliced peach preserves.  

The peaches of Serpiewood were a remarkable fruit that could be found in any season. Flat and wide in shape, they were incredibly sweet. So sweet, in fact, that they were nicknamed “the sweet flower that blooms in bitter cold” and were often specially ordered by the Imperial Family of Lenirune. The tart made from these peaches was Asterope’s favorite dessert.  

As Asterope smacked her lips in anticipation, Tama smiled at her.  

“Why not start with just one line, Grand Duchess?”  

“Do you realize how cowardly it is to bribe someone with food?”  

“This is all for Serpiewood.”  

Pouting her lips, Asterope glanced at the draft letter Tama had prepared in advance and began rewriting it in her own style.  

[To my most beloved and cherished Vill…]  

Asterope stopped writing at that point, crumpled the paper, and threw it aside. She felt utterly disgusted. As she discarded the paper, Tama handed her a fresh sheet, signaling that he had no intention of giving up today. With a sigh, Asterope picked up her pen again.  

The fragrant scent of the peach tart seemed to mock her, making her feel tormented. Closing her eyes tightly, she resolved to write as if she were her past self, crafting a letter that she might have written long ago. Yet, her heart remained colder than ever.  

Tama observed her quietly.  

Every day, she was proving herself—proving that she was no longer the Asterope Lunette Onyx tied to Crown Prince Villish. She was someone new. Someone more independent. But there were still so many people who needed to understand this. Tama couldn’t help but think that the road ahead was far too long.  

After finishing a very short letter, Asterope happily indulged in the peach tart.  

‘Still, everything is better than before.’ 

She thought.  

Tama believed that this land, Serpiewood, was a blessing from the god who loved it.  

* * *

Asterope headed toward the back gate for the first time in a while. She carried a basket filled with bread and milk. Since Tama had already informed Chester in advance, Chester was lying in wait nearby, ready to jump out at any moment if something happened.  

The old man had remained there all day after not receiving a reply. As there were few people passing by, no one found it particularly strange, though it seemed he had been chased away by the guards a few times. However, the old man somehow managed to return.  

“Oh, I’m so hungry. I’m going to starve to death like this. Please, give me some bread. Please, give this old man some bread…”  

The old man, hearing signs of someone approaching, spoke the code phrase. Asterope handed over the basket containing bread and milk. Inside the basket was a secret letter.  

“Oh, thank you. Thank you so much.”  

The old man ravenously devoured the bread with his dirty hands while glancing at the letter beneath it. He quickly tucked the letter into his sleeve.  

“These days, it’s so hard to see you, Madame. You were the only one who took care of this old man’s hungry stomach.”  

Asterope frowned at the old man’s insincere gaze and said, 

“It’ll be even harder to see me in the future. You’d better find another way to survive.”  

“There’s no better job than this. Has something happened?”  

The old man’s bulging eyes moved in circles, his pupils spinning in the opposite direction of his gaze. For the first time, Asterope looked directly at his face, as she hadn’t paid attention before while hurriedly taking the letters. The large wart on his nose caught her eye.  

A wart? That peculiar voice, the magic circle. 

Asterope clutched her head as memories of death suddenly surfaced.  

The old man, unconcerned with Asterope’s reaction, continued speaking.  

“Things won’t always go the way you want them to.”  

“You…! Who are you?”  

There was a sound of movement behind her as Chester stirred. Hearing the noise, the old man stepped back and said, 

“Still, I’m glad you made a much wiser choice. May the blessing of the god remain with you until the end.” 

The old man cackled and walked away at a surprising speed—unbelievable for someone his age. He moved quickly and soon disappeared without a trace.  

“Y-Your Grace! Are you alright? Who was that man? Was he a mage?”  

Asterope couldn’t utter a single word. He was none other than the person who had killed her—the one who had drawn the magic circle that would end her life, mocked her, and burned her to death within it. 

Recently, all the peace and happiness Asterope had felt seemed like nothing more than a fleeting dream. As she imagined darkness tearing her apart, she collapsed on the spot. Chester caught her as she fell and shouted,  

“Your Grace! Your Grace!!”  

Chester opened the magical artifact he wore on his arm. Black powder was scattered across the spot where the mage had disappeared.  

“D*mn it!”  

The old mage had cast a spell on Asterope and fled while Chester had let his guard down. Fearing that it might not be a simple spell, Chester lifted her in his arms and headed straight for the Mage Tower. Asterope, who had turned pale in an instant, couldn’t regain her senses.  

“What has happened, Sir Chester?”  

“The one who came to receive the letter was a mage. Judging by the reaction of the magical artifact, it seems Her Grace was attacked with magic.”  

“There’s a barrier around the castle that prevents most magic from being used. He must have been an exceptional mage. Where is he now?”  

“He escaped. He was capable of spatial movement as well.”  

Lying in the Mage Tower, Asterope’s body burned like it was on fire. As Maria and Anne approached, Tama spoke with a stern expression.  

“Do not let Her Grace’s condition spread anywhere. Especially not to the Grand Duke.”

Maria nodded. Anne, standing beside her, bit her lips tightly, tears brimming in her eyes from fear. As a mystical yet murky energy lingered inside the Mage Tower, a black bird-shaped carving, signifying a warning, spun relentlessly in circles.  

* * *

Crown Prince Villish read the short letter that had barely made its way to him from Asterope. Normally, her letters, overflowing with expressions of affection for him, would span more than four pages, but this one was extremely concise. Even the handwriting appeared rushed. The letter itself had been torn several times during its delivery, indicating that the situation was dire.  

There had been reports from spies that the relationship between the Grand Duke and Duchess of northern Serpiewood had improved, but it seemed that was only on the surface.  

What would Kallieon do if he found out that his beloved wife was having an affair me, the Crown Prince? 

Just imagining Kallieon’s distorted face brought Villish a thrilling sense of satisfaction.  

The Grand Duke had personally headed to Babel due to the magical artifact discovered within the Serpiewood estate. Crown Prince Villish was unaware that the artifact contained ore from the Imperial Family.  

“Your Highness, what are you thinking about? Share it with me as well.”  

Hayes, who was walking alongside him in the Imperial garden, asked with a bright smile. Whenever Hayes smiled like she was completely oblivious, Villish felt slightly uneasy. He was well aware that she was secretly investigating him. Villish spoke as if unconcerned.  

“News came from the north.”  

“Oh my, is it about the matter you’ve been worried about? Was it resolved well?”  

“Yes, it turned out to be nothing significant.”  

“I thought so. That woman is like a sunflower that only looks at you, Your Highness. A foolish person who gazes only at the sun without realizing her stem has already been cut.”  

Hayes snickered, mocking Asterope. Villish felt a peculiar sense of disgust every time Hayes openly ridiculed Asterope.

‘Who are you, with the blood of a witch flowing through you, to insult Asterope Lunette, a noble aristocrat?’

But outwardly, he laughed along with her. She was someone he needed. Villish loved no one. Love was nothing but a luxury until he became the heir. Only after safely inheriting Lenirune and killing Kallieon Onyx could he afford such indulgences.  

For now, the love of these women was merely a tool for Villish. They were also elite warriors who could tip the scales in his battle. Villish knew his strengths and weaknesses well. He could never win by charging in headfirst, but this way, he could sever Kallieon Onyx’s neck.  

Whenever he imagined the arrogant Grand Duke of the North’s face rolling in the middle of Sodel Square, Villish felt a thrilling sensation coursing through his body.  

At that point, the position of Empress would go to the family most beneficial to him.

Unfortunately, Asterope Lunette, having been married once, couldn’t even be considered a candidate. Though beautiful, she lacked charm, like a flower without fragrance.  

And no matter how much Villish planned to k*ll Kallieon, his lack of combat ability meant he needed the Quartz family, who could supplement that with magic power.  

‘As long as she doesn’t act more arrogantly than this, marrying this woman would be the best option.’  

Villish gazed at Hayes’ face as she chattered on without a pause. Then, showing the most beautiful smile in the world, he briefly kissed her lips.  

“Oh my, Your Highness…”  

“The sound of your voice is just like birdsong—chirping and chirping again. It’s like a beautiful melody.”  

At his tender words, Hayes blushed. They held hands again and resumed strolling through the garden. Believing his words to mean he wanted to hear more of her lovely voice, she began to speak even more. Villish, however, let her words drift away, just like the birdsong that filled the garden. To him, her voice was nothing more than meaningless noise.  

‘What kind of expression did Asterope make back then…?’  

In his mind, he recalled her jet-black hair and her radiant smile. It had been a year since she got married, and her image in his memory was gradually fading.

End of Volume 1. To be continued in the next volume.