Chapter 66

Her remaining eye was like a burning sunset.

'So this is her true form.'

Now I finally understood who she was.

Libia Forgell.

The villainess who, out of her immense love for Duke Schuetz, committed evil deeds without regard for means or methods.

'In the original story, she appeared alongside Ashabel. Even then, she was in the guise of a priestess.'

I never imagined she would appear so quickly.

It was clear that information had leaked from somewhere.

"Who knows about Demian's story? How much do they know?"

"As soon as you came in, you asked about that. Normally... cough, people would ask about me first."

"I already know you're Libia Forgell."

My words made her smile fade.

"You're not an ordinary one, are you?"

She smiled, pulling up her bleeding lips.

"Does the emperor know about this?"

"That idiot couldn't possibly know."

"Then does your father know about this?"

"Even my father knows? Ha ha... impressive."

She laughed with satisfaction and then slumped to the floor.

"But... I'm so sorry. I'm already out of energy..."

Libia buried her face in the floor again.

"...I'm tired now. I don't have the strength to speak anymore."

"If you don't speak, you'll die. Would you feel a bit stronger if you talk?"

"Ha ha, now you're even threatening me... just like him..."

She laughed bitterly and then said something incomprehensible.

"The emperor doesn't know about this. There's no love pipe here for the viper."

'Viper? Love pipe?'

I was about to ask more but closed my mouth.

Smiling darkly, she muttered, "I'm glad I can die here," which made her seem like she wasn't in her right mind.

There was no point in asking such a person...

'I don't need to talk to her anymore.'

If the emperor hadn't heard about it, it should still be okay.

But with the temple involved, it was only a matter of time before the story leaked. I needed to prepare before he took any action.

I turned around without hesitation.

"Pretty one."

At that moment, she called me again.

Our eyes met, and she smiled.

"Ah... even now, your color is still so beautiful. He will surely regret it for a long time..."

Libia mumbled and then slumped weakly.

She rubbed her forehead against the floor and her breathing gradually faded.

I looked at her darkened body and then left the prison.

I returned to my room.

When the maids asked why I was so late, I just smiled.

I combed my hair neatly and changed into clean clothes for dinner with the duke. I was about to head to the dining room.

'What?'

As soon as I opened the door, I saw a pair of long legs.

Looking up, I saw the duke frowning down at me.

"Your Grace?"

"Do I have to come and fetch you every time?"

He said this and then picked me up.

"It's not my legs that are hurt, but my arm."

I can walk on my own. Even when I said this, the duke didn't blink.

"You're still light."

He even made a joke.

"But everyone says I've gained weight."

"Your eyes must be deceiving you. Looking at this paper-thin body, you say it's gained weight."

The duke sneered. Then, without thinking, he poked my cheek, and he paused for a moment.

He poked my cheek again, as if entranced.

"...I've been robbed of this all this time."

"..."

"I should have issued a ban."

As we entered the dining room, Baron Amantha and Jerrit were there. It seemed they were joining us for dinner today.

"Hello, Baron."

Just as I was about to step down from the duke's arms to greet them, Baron Amantha and Jerrit suddenly bowed their heads to us.

"Me, Baron? Sir Jerrit?"

"I apologize, Lady Eli. I failed to educate my children properly."

"I apologize, Lady Eli! I will never harm you again!"

'Ah... it's because of that.'

I met Oblivion with Jerrit and this incident happened.

Since Jerrit was the duke's vassal, he should have protected me. Failing to do so meant he deserved punishment.

But...

"It's okay. Both of you, please stand up."

I didn't reject Jerrit's suggestion.

'Jerrit couldn't have known such a thing would happen. Besides, we caught Oblivion earlier than in the original story.'

But the duke's attitude was firm.

"Eli, don't accept apologies so easily."

The duke looked down at the two men with a cold gaze.

"You are now going to become a member of the duke's family, and Jerrit is your vassal. Since Jerrit failed to protect you, punishment is inevitable."

"Ah..."

He was right.

To be part of the duke's family, I needed to act appropriately.

If I acted too loosely, the duke's family would be ridiculed.

'I can't let that happen.'

I nodded.

"From now on, I'll do better."

"You answer well."

The duke said this and poked my cheek again, with a crooked smile.

"Baron Amantha."

"...Yes, Your Grace."

"This can't be overlooked."

"I understand."

"Then hang Jerrit's head outside the castle immediately..."

'No, really?'

I clutched the duke's sleeve urgently.

He looked down at me. I widened my eyes and shook my head.

No!

"I'll only let it go this once. I don't want Jerrit and the baron to suffer."

Without them, the blacksmith shop wouldn't function!

"Huh?"

I looked up at him earnestly and leaned in.

Soon, my plump cheeks were squished by the duke's fingers.

"Your Grace..."

"No."

But his attitude was too stern.

"...Then I won't eat."

The duke's eyebrows twitched at my petulant words.

"Put me down."

"..."

"Put me down."

I stomped my feet, and the duke sighed and muttered.

"...I'll let it go this time."

"Thank you, Your Grace! Thank you, Lady Eli!"

"Thank you, Lady Eli."

Sir Jerrit bowed repeatedly without showing any signs of fatigue, and the baron expressed his gratitude with a more serious face than ever.

The duke looked at me as if to say, 'Is that it?'

I shook my head again.

"Please release the maids too."

The duke's eyes twitched. He seemed to be wondering how I knew.

'At first, I didn't know.'

But as soon as I heard about Jerrit's punishment, the faces of the three maids naturally came to mind.

"They are kind people. I want to be with them."

"Eli."

Before the duke shook his head firmly, I pouted.

"Fine, then put me down."

"..."

"Put me down."

The three maids in the duke's castle were the ones who treated me kindly. The thought of not having them made me feel choked up.

'I didn't even give them the gifts I bought on my first outing.'

If I had known, I would have given them right away.

Thinking I might never see them again made me feel sad.

"Alright, I'll do as you say."

At that moment, the duke sighed and nodded.

"Cheer up."

"Really?"

"Yes. Pouting makes your cheeks puff up even more."

The duke tousled my hair. Even though my carefully combed hair was now a mess, I finally smiled.

At that moment, a growling sound was heard.

'Oh no. Why now...!'

Embarrassed, I clamped my mouth shut, and the duke smiled, raising the corners of his mouth.

"You said you gained weight, but you must be hungry."

"...Children need to eat a lot to grow tall and strong."

"Yes, that's true."

The duke poked my cheek and sat down.

Then he placed me on his lap.

'What? Why is the seating like this?'

While I was just blinking, the door opened and Demian came in.

"Demian!"

Thinking this was my chance, I quickly got off the duke's lap.

I pointed to the seat next to me, and Demian sat down beside me.

"Demian, did you wake up early today? I didn't see you."

"Ah... yeah, I had some business with the duke."

It seemed there had been some progress between the two.

Good, good. I patted Demian's head, and he smiled silently.

The duke's expression darkened, but I pretended not to notice.

Finally, the meal began. I picked up a juicy steak with my fork.

During the meal, the duke spoke.

"I intend to register Eli in the Amantha family."

I widened my eyes.

Already? Isn't it too fast?

Moreover, we had a conflict with the temple this time. Would the baron easily agree...?

I looked at the baron and Sir Jerrit, but they both nodded readily.

There was no sign of coercion in their actions.

"We were planning to discuss when would be a good time."

"Will the wedding be held immediately after the registration?"

"Yes, it must be."

The duke nodded.

"The information has already leaked. We need to take action before they start their dirty tricks."

"As you wish."

The baron answered respectfully and looked at me.

"Please take care of her, Lady Eli."

"Please take care of her!"

The two of them smiled.

It was the first time I saw the baron smile, so I nodded.

"I also ask for your care."

"Let me make it clear—"

At that moment, the duke said firmly.

"It's only on paper."

"..."

"After marriage, you will bear the Schuetz name. In other words, you will be a part of the Schuetz family in reality."

The duke's face was very serious as he said this.