Chapter 4

“Please, give me some bread. Please, give this old man some bread…”

An old man lingered near the back door, muttering as though uttering some secret code meant for her. Asterope handed him a basket containing bread and milk. His grotesque hands, reduced to mere bones, with blackened fingernails, grabbed the bread and milk before slipping a letter into the basket from within his sleeve.

“May the blessings of the gods always be with you.”

The old man let out a cackling laugh as he shuffled away. Asterope felt that his voice sounded strikingly similar to someone else’s. 

Who could it be? 

But she couldn’t remember.

Since he was one of Villish’s underlings, it was possible they had crossed paths in prison. Or perhaps it was simply because it had been so long since she had last heard the old man’s voice. After all, it was a voice she had heard countless times before.

“Today is especially unlucky.” 

She muttered to herself as she took the letter and re-entered through the back door. However, she hadn’t taken more than a few steps before her path was blocked.

“Madame, surely you’re not giving bread to beggars?”

It was Chester, a knight and Kallieon’s right-hand man. Asterope checked to ensure the letter was well-hidden beneath the cloth covering the basket before replying nonchalantly.

“Yes, I am. Isn’t it my duty to care for all the residents of Serpiewood, even the lowliest beggars?”

“Of course, Madame. But it’s strange that you sneak out through the back gate to give food to that old man specifically, as if you knew he’d be there.”

Chester remarked sharply. However, it was crucial that Chester did not learn anything about Villish. Kallieon’s knights were loyal, and even if it cost them their lives, they would try to eliminate Asterope, who had betrayed their lord.

“Yes, because I do know.” 

“What?”

“The old man knows I’ll come. Every time the Grand Duke goes out on a subjugation, I always take bread and milk and secretly hand them out to beggars while wandering around the back or side doors.”

“Haha, don’t joke around. There’s no way you would do such a thing for the people of Serpiewood,Grand Duchess.” 

Chester said with a laugh, though his words were pointed. In reality, Asterope had no interest in the people of Serpiewood. They weren’t her people. Even after becoming Empress, she had thought of Serpiewood as an irrelevant region.

But there was no need to reveal her true feelings so plainly.

“Do you not see me as the Grand Duchess?”

Asterope coldly pointed out, causing Chester to furrow his brow.

“What an irreverent thing to say. If the Grand Duke hears of this, I’ll lose my head.”

“Then why ask such a question? While the Grand Duke is risking his life fighting on the battlefield, this is all that I have to do as the Grand Duchess. That’s all there is to it. I didn’t make a big deal out of it because there was no need to. The next time you meet that old man, ask him. Ask if the Grand Duchess has ever given him bread and milk before, and how often.”

Asterope spoke confidently, as if there was nothing to hide, and passed by Chester.

But at that exact moment, a strong gust of wind blew, uncovering the cloth on top of the basket.

The cloth fell to the ground with a light thud. Chester’s gaze landed on the letter inside the basket.

“What is that, Grand Duchess?” 

Chester’s voice had lost all traces of playfulness.

‘Damn it.’

Asterope clenched her teeth. Of all times, the wind just had to blow. When she couldn’t say anything, Chester stepped forward, picked up the fallen cloth, and handed it back to her.

“It must be an important letter, judging by how you were hiding it like this.”

He raised one corner of his mouth into a smirk. It was a clear sneer. His eyes were filled with distrust. Chester was one of the people Asterope most needed to win over to her side. Clearing her throat, Asterope held up the letter and handed it to Chester.

She had no idea what its contents were. However, whatever it contained, it was enough to reveal that she had been in contact with the Crown Prince of Villish. It could be instructions to spy on training schedules, to copy Kallieon’s ledger and send it, or even to steal meeting minutes.

But it didn’t matter.

This provocation would hold significance for Chester, whose trust in her was close to zero. More importantly, Kallieon Onyx would not abandon her even after seeing this letter. He couldn’t. Because he loved her.

Asterope was a woman who had succeeded in rebellion solely through the arrogance born of that love. Although, ironically, it was Villish who had used her in the same way and ultimately killed her.

But having experienced love to the point of death, she knew. She knew he wouldn’t easily cast her aside.

With a leisurely smile, Asterope extended the letter. Chester, seemingly unable to comprehend her actions, didn’t take it and instead hardened his expression.

“Take it and give it to Kallieon. I was going to give it to him anyway, but since you’re here, you can deliver it for me.” 

“Grand Duchess.”

“You all hate me. You don’t trust me one bit. I’ve already declared to Kallieon that I’m going to change. This letter is proof of that declaration. Kallieon will understand. He’ll see my sincerity.”

Asterope spoke with genuine conviction. It was true that they hated her. Of course, she had never shown any sign of noticing it. Chester, too, seemed shocked that she would say such a thing so openly, his mouth slightly agape.

“This isn’t a joke, nor am I testing you. I’m giving it to you sincerely, so take it. And when Kallieon returns from the subjugation, deliver it to him. I hope you won’t do anything disrespectful like opening it before then.”

“What on earth…?”

Chester rubbed his face with his hands and continued, his expression one of utter incomprehension.

“Have you taken some kind of medicine? Such words do not suit you at all,Grand Duchess. You’d be better off pretending to trip in front of the Grand Duke instead.”

“That would hurt. I’m not good at acting, you know.”  

“It’s strange that you’re only realizing that now!”  

“Pfft. That means you’ve noticed all my acting, haven’t you?”  

“Who wouldn’t notice? While the Grand Duke might pretend not to see it because he’s blinded by love, we…!”  

Chester, passionately speaking, suddenly realized his mistake and pressed his lips together. Asterope knew Chester’s weakness. He was excessively honest. Honest enough to blurt out things he had been keeping to himself the moment he stood before Asterope.  

“From now on, things will be different. I will survive for a long, long time as the Grand Duchess of Serpiewood. And not just Serpiewood—I’ll place the entirety of Lenirune beneath Kallieon Onyx’s feet.”  

“What are you saying? Are you trying to make the Grand Duke a traitor?”  

“That letter, do you know who it’s from?”  

“I don’t.”  

“It’s from Crown Prince Villish Numa.”  

“……!”  

“I think I’ve said all I need to say. Make sure you deliver it by today. If Kallieon doesn’t summon me today, I’ll assume you intercepted the letter.”  

Asterope took the cloth handed to her and placed the letter in Chester’s hand. Then, she turned away briskly, as if she had no regrets at all.  

“Ha…”  

After she disappeared, Chester sighed while holding the letter. He couldn’t understand it at all. 

Was this letter, with no seal or insignia, really from Crown Prince Villish Numa? What on earth was the Grand Duchess, thinking, exchanging correspondence with the Crown Prince?  

And, more importantly, why did she want Kallieon to see this?  

“Ah, to hell with it.”  

Chester tucked the letter into his coat. Complicated matters didn’t suit him. He trusted his lord, Kallieon Onyx—trusted his judgment and wisdom. Kallieon would know far better than Chester what to do.  

Moreover, keeping secrets and pretending not to know things was something someone like Sommer would do.  

As for Chester, he despised hiding things and acting. Perhaps that was why the Grand Duchess had chosen to give this to him.  

It was clear that Asterope had changed. She had transformed as if she were an entirely different person. During the week she had locked herself in her room, her tone had aged as if by years, and her actions became bold and daring.  

The fragile Asterope, who always seemed ready to collapse at any moment and only wanted to be adored, was nowhere to be found.  

Chester blew his nose once and slowly followed Asterope. It was to fulfill Kallieon’s order to protect her.