Between its pained eyes, the golden iris glittered. The elongated pupils, sharp cheekbones and nose, black scales covering its back and neck, and the slim, firm body – all bathed in the sudden moonlight, creating an awe-inspiring sight that overwhelmed even fear. A beautiful monster with her husband’s face was there.

“…….”

It stood upright, holding her, but did not harm her further. As Adelheit’s struggles lessened, it carefully removed its hand from her lips.

Adelheit clumsily escaped its embrace, clutching the front of her gown, and backed up to the wall, warily observing it.

“….Uh….”

When it staggered momentarily, Adelheit almost reached out impulsively.

But she overcame the urge and quickly regained her composure.

It was undoubtedly a monster. No matter how beautiful or impressive it was, she could not afford to be sympathetic or enchanted. It wasn’t human, after all.

Look at those shamelessly exposed scales and elongated pupils…

Confused, it looked at its own body, then finally lifted its head. Their eyes met, and it produced a faint smile.

“Adelheit….”

It called her name in a voice as melodious and sweet as her husband’s. For a moment, Adelheit blankly stared at its smile.

Why had it been Valentin? Was he cursed by someone? If resurrected, how did it know her name?

‘And why… was it so affectionate towards me?’

Realizing she harbored a corner of longing for Valentin’s kindness, she felt a deep revulsion towards herself.

It was dreadful. How she had cared for him without knowing, suspecting, doubting that he might be a monster.

Despite all her vigilance and caution, she had ended up becoming attached. Perhaps Padre had already perceived her feelings and sent a warning.

A sense of unjust anger swelled in her chest.

‘What did I do so wrong?’

Adelheit’s gentle eyes twisted tragically.
“I just wanted someone to rely on because I was lonely. Was it too much to desire even this small measure of affection that I received for the first time?”

Anger pushed out her fear. Adelheit barely managed to keep her trembling eyelids open. She asked dryly, “Who are you?”

“…….”

“What kind of abominable monster are you, to usurp the Duke’s body and engage in such acts?”

“…….”

“What’s your purpose? Did you, by any chance, harm him?”

“…….”

“Answer me!”

Tears, which had been welling up, now streamed down her cheeks. She longed for human connection, for unconditional affection that everyone is supposed to receive at least once in life. It only comes when it’s least expected, tearing at her soul.

Once she had tasted it, she couldn’t muster the courage to go back to how things were before. It wasn’t just anger that the creature before her was a monster. What made her most miserable was that the warmth mimicked by the monster felt warmer than anything she had ever experienced.

“Unknowingly, I…”

How much had it ridiculed her while she gradually let down her guard? A hollow laugh filled her lungs.

“Even failing to recognize my husband’s murderer, how much did you mock me? Thinking, ‘look at this foolish and dumb creature’…”

She bit her lip to suppress the surging emotions – betrayal, sorrow, regret, and self-loathing. Expressing them would only add to her misery.

“…….”

As it took a step towards her, Adelheit stood resigned under its looming shadow. She was doomed anyway.

Holy water, priests’ blessings, even Morrig’s veil had been useless. There was nowhere in the castle where this monster couldn’t reach, no sanctuary it couldn’t find.

“I’m tired of running away…”

Adelheit wiped her swollen eyes with the back of her hand. She raised her head high, looking directly into its golden eyes with a look that was either surrender or resignation. Her usually gentle eyes took on a different, colder light.

“So answer me, monster.”

“…….”

“What are you, what’s your purpose in doing all this, or whose bidding are you under?”

The ‘thing’ standing before her stared back with a calm gaze. Then, slowly, its head tilted.