“Celiya.”

Vincent, with his light brown hair and purple eyes, was waving his hand toward Celiya.

It was a face she hadn’t seen in a long time, and one she wasn’t at all glad to see.

Beside him was Baron Brillion, Vincent’s father.

‘It’s the Brillion males.’

Celiya’s eyes turned cold.

‘Last time Hariel and Gabriel came and caused a ruckus, and now this.’

Celiya seemed utterly disgusted with the people of Brillion.

“This elder brother just heard that you went to the Imperial Palace. You must have had such a hard time all alone, haven’t you?”

Saying this, Vincent naturally tried to stroke Celiya’s hair.

Just before he could touch the silver hair, Dietrich roughly grabbed Vincent’s wrist.

“Kuh!”

Vincent let out a pained groan as his wrist was seized.

“Don’t touch her carelessly.”

Vincent’s spine chilled at Dietrich’s cold voice.

“Duke Calypso, Your Grace. I underst…”

Dietrich released the wrist he had gripped as if shaking it off.

Vincent massaged his sore wrist and glared at Celiya with resentful eyes.

“Celiya. Aren’t you glad to see your elder brother? Even at the resort, I was always thinking of you.”

“…”

“My body was at the resort, but my mind was always thinking of you. When sleeping, when waking up. Even when doing something.”

Vincent’s eyes shone greedily.

Celiya didn’t feel it was worth responding.

“Dietrich.”

Dietrich, whose name was called, nodded and then swiftly picked Celiya up in his arms.

Celiya wrapped her arms around Dietrich’s neck.

Dietrich, carrying Celiya, took long strides.

“Celiya! Why are you turning your back on us?”

The baron’s voice, filled with grief, was heard.

Celiya shook her head from side to side.

Dietrich moved his steps towards his own mansion.

There was one gloomy shadow watching Celiya from behind a tree.

Cain muttered to himself, holding the aphrodisiac he had received from Reina.

“That guy… I can’t possibly beat him. To reclaim my Celiya, I need to find a way to make her drink this…”

“…Your Celiya?”

Someone suddenly popped out of nowhere.

Cain was so startled he didn’t even dare to scream.

“Your Celiya? Huh? Who decided that?”

The man who appeared was a very splendid person, in contrast to the gloomy Cain.

The man’s golden eyes sparkled like stars beneath his platinum hair.

The identity of the tall, slender man was none other than Arthur.

“While I was away for a moment, all sorts of trashy flies are swarming. Well, beautiful flowers tend to attract many insects.”

Arthur muttered to himself, then cracked his neck and snatched the vial from Cain’s hand in an instant.

Cain, who had the potion suddenly stolen, reached out in shock.

“Gi-give it back!”

“What’s this? If you tell me, I’ll give it back.”

“If, if I really tell you what it is, will you give it back?”

“Of course.”

Arthur smiled, showing his even teeth.

“Bu-but the person who gave it to me said not to tell anyone.”

“Well, then I’ll keep this.”

“No, don’t. I’ll tell you! Please!”

Arthur gestured with his chin as if to say go ahead.

“It’s, it’s an aphrodisiac.”

“…An aphrodisiac?”

“Yes. They said it takes effect within 1 minute. It’s a very strong aphrodisiac that makes people lose their minds with excitement.”

“Hmm.”

Arthur looked at the vial containing the red liquid.

“Who gave you this?”

“The person who gave it to me said not to tell.”

“Then I’ll keep this potion.”

“I’ll tell you! It was dark so I couldn’t see well, but it was a woman with pink hair and blue eyes.”

Arthur’s pupils contracted and dilated repeatedly.

“I, I told you everything, so give that back now.”

Arthur nodded. And instead of returning the potion, he pressed his index finger firmly on Cain’s forehead.

With Arthur’s single gesture, Cain’s body collapsed to the ground like a marionette with its strings cut.

“How dare an ugly thing like you try to violate my Celiya.”

Arthur trampled on Cain’s body lying on the ground with his shoe.

Cain lay motionless under his feet.

It was no wonder, for Cain’s heart had stopped beating the moment Arthur pressed his forehead.

“No, my Princess Anastasia.”

Arthur threw his head back and laughed like a madman.

Arthur put the aphrodisiac in his bosom and headed towards Ileon’s palace.

Dietrich only put Celiya down when they reached the room.

Celiya, safely settled on the floor, sat on a long sofa.

Dietrich lowered himself beside Celiya.

“Ileon has found out our identity. If I just use my ability to kill them all and end it…”

“Celiya.”

Dietrich looked at Celiya with worried eyes.

“Don’t worry, Celiya. Remember what I told you before? We’re always one step ahead of them.”

Celiya recalled one by one the things Dietrich had said to her.

−You said the three dukes were enemies. I’d like to hear a detailed explanation.

When she had asked that, Dietrich answered like this.

−If that’s what you want.

That day, Dietrich really did tell Celiya everything.

The real reason why the three dukes destroyed his kingdom, and all the facts Celiya was curious about.

−I know you don’t trust me.

That was the first thing Dietrich said as he looked down at Celiya.

−It’s natural that you don’t trust me. I… I didn’t give you a proper explanation.

After that, Dietrich’s story continued throughout the night.

−The Gredrick ducal family of Ileon has worshipped prophecies for generations. The head of the family is called the Apostle of the Snake and performs rituals at the Great Temple using people as sacrifices. Then, their god ‘Basilisk’ prophesies future events through the mouth of the executor.

−Executor?

−The executor is the one who sprinkles the blood of those sacrificed, whether living or dead. They usually use priests within the Great Temple as executors.

Celiya then realized that when Dietrich told dark stories, his red eyes turned a deeper shade than usual.

−When Ileon had just ascended to the position of family head, he received his first prophecy and immediately destroyed the kingdom of Shan. I recently found out the contents of that prophecy…

Dietrich’s eyes turned to Celiya.

−Apostle of the Snake. I see you losing everything you have. Your Abelon will burn, and your fate will meet a miserable turn. There, I see the people of the Shan kingdom. The brightest among them will kill you. The Guardian of Light will protect the light, but as you did to them, they will take everything from you.

Celiya held her breath.

Just because of one absurd prophecy, he destroyed her kingdom far away?

He must truly be mad.

−Ileon was reassured that he had burned everyone without a single survivor. At that time, he probably didn’t know about the existence of abilities at all. He had no idea we were alive.

Dietrich’s next words were quiet.

−Since it would be troublesome if it became known that he did it, he pinned all of this on the puppet emperor. He tricked the other two dukes into signing by telling them the emperor had led this war, and after that…

Celiya knew what Dietrich had left unsaid.

That was when her kingdom was destroyed.

All because of one absurd prophecy.

Her father’s head rolled on the ground, and she could only helplessly watch her mother die.

−It was all because of Ileon. If the other two dukes are innocent… Wouldn’t it be enough to just kill Ileon?

Dietrich shook his head at Celiya’s words.

−No, to completely destroy this Abelon, we need to bring down all three ducal families.

−…

−It’s impossible with my power alone, but together we can do it.

Celiya looked at Dietrich’s hand.

It was a large hand. Just looking at it made her feel at ease.

−We’re always one step ahead of them. At least they don’t know yet that we have abilities.

Celiya blinked her eyes slowly.

Dietrich was looking down at her with worried eyes.

“The fact that Ileon has found out about our identity means he acknowledges us as a threat to him.”

Dietrich was right.

If we weren’t any threat at all, there’s no way he would investigate so thoroughly to find out.

“Won’t he try to kill us?”

“It’s okay. Celiya, he can’t do anything to you right now.”

Celiya, who had been sitting, changed her position and lay comfortably on the soft sofa.

Dietrich naturally became a pillow for Celiya’s knees.

Lying with her head on his firm knee, Celiya let out a shallow sigh and said,

“I’m glad you’re here.”

Dietrich silently stroked Celiya’s hair.

The texture wrapping around his fingers was as soft as a veil.

“I hate relying on someone, but with you, it’s okay…”

With those words, Celiya fell into a deep sleep.

Peacefully closed eyelids, shimmering silver hair, soft and plump red lips.

Celiya was excessively beautiful.

Dietrich couldn’t even begin to imagine how much Celiya had endured alone.

He had at least been able to escape the hands of desire after becoming a Swordmaster, but not Celiya.

Celiya’s ability was strong, but because of that strong ability, it rather attracted men.

How must she have felt enduring day by day, using an ability that consumed her lifespan?

“I’ll protect you.”

Dietrich gently caressed Celiya’s cheek.

Celiya’s eyebrows quivered slightly, then she smiled brightly.

A faint smile spread across Dietrich’s face as he looked at Celiya like that.