69. What will you do without me?
Sunlight streamed through the curtains. Asherad opened his eyes and sat up. It was a very languid morning.
The green eyes between his bangs blinked slowly and opened. He was lured into the temptation of a very sweet sleep.
Asherad had a lot to do. He frowned at the fact that he had to send a letter to the newly crowned King of Pindus. He also said that the Count of Locania wanted to ask for advice on new gunpowder weapons.
"Hmm..."
Asherad turned his head at the sound of snoring coming from beside him. He looked at the woman who was lying on her side with her back turned to him, and sleeping.
Turn your back.
He thought about waking up this annoying woman right away. The woman lying on the pure white bedding looked too peaceful.
Disheveled blond hair, red bare shoulders with traces of his presence here and there, swollen lips.
The sunlight was not a divine symbol announcing the beginning of the day, but merely a secondary means of illuminating her body.
Asherad stared at the sight as if he were entranced. Then, without realizing it, he smiled and covered her with the blanket.
The air was cool, so Daphne moved her body and pulled the blanket up over her. He thought she was awake, but her breathing was still quiet and shallow.
It was a relationship that had been so horrible in the past. It was a woman who would cry out in longing at his touch, but when it was all over, she would stare at him with an incomprehensible expression.
Then, at some point, she let everything go and drove people crazy. But at another point, she regained her light and began to rely on him.
At that moment, Daphne turned around. Asherad was very pleased with the current situation. Daphne, who had no intention of running away like before, was happily surrounded by what he had given her.
My bird is living in a fancy cage.
Daphne's long, fan-like eyelashes fluttered.
“It’s pretty.”
It was an unintentional remark. An exclamation that came out of one's own accord, not something that someone had told one to hear.
Now that he realized what he had said, Daphne was really pretty. Suddenly, he remembered their first meeting when he was very young.
A cursed green-eyed girl who has lost her way.
Asherad stroked Daphne's hair, erasing the memory. Her hair was soaked with sweat from the night's toil, and stuck to her face.
Asherad brought his face closer to examine each and every strand of hair in detail.
A soft scent of flesh wafted over him. The blush on her pure white cheeks was delicious. Without realizing it, he caressed her red lips with his hand.
As his hand pressed the red mark carved into Daphne's delicate neck, she let out a sweet sound.
He was an impatient man.
"Hmm..!"
Daphne opened her eyes to a clammy kiss that blocked her pores.
Asherad was probing her mouth. She writhed in surprise, then accepted his kiss. The clear, clean feeling of the morning disappeared, and a sticky silence settled down.
“Your Majesty... From the morning...”
As Daphne gasped for breath and protested, he lifted a finger and stroked her cheek.
"Did you sleep well?"
Daphne nodded. He chuckled and caressed the cheek of the woman in his arms.
“Ugh, huh!”
Asherad kissed her collarbone. He opened her legs and dug into her body. It was a rather sticky start to the morning. Daphne, still half-asleep, accepted him without resistance. It was just another ordinary morning.
“What will you do without me?”
However, there was one different thing. Asherad's question was asked. Asherad that to Daphne, who was out of breath.
“I, I, can’t do it without you... Ah!”
That alone was enough of an answer. He grabbed Daphne's outstretched wrist and tightened his grip. Once again, his hair turned white with pleasure.
What would happen if you weren't there?
Well then, I guess I'll just be free.
She will be free from all emotions, without feeling any helplessness, fear, or anger. The bird in the cage dreamed of escaping. In the arms of the hunter who had imprisoned her.
Daphne bowed her head like a sinner. She didn't understand why she was there. Fortunately, it seemed like everyone else felt the same way.
“I didn’t know Miss Daphne would come here.”
“That's what I'm saying."
Kalista and Veronica were the first to share the same opinion. This tea party was not of her making. It was purely Asherad's invitation. How could she refuse when Asherad had invited her?
The clear sky and autumn breeze were somehow dreary. Daphne had been in a good mood for just a few days, having completed and submitted her painting by the deadline, but today, with this teatime, her mood reached its lowest point.
The Emperor was bringing his former maid, a concubine, to a tea party. Kalista's face was blatantly displeased, and the calm Veronica was showing her displeasure by not being as friendly to Daphne as she usually was.
“Sorry I'm late.”
Asherad appeared with a big smile. Kalista and Daphne looked at Asherad with their eyes wide open.
He, who always wore dark-colored clothes, came dressed in pure white. The pure white color contrasted with his black hair and surprisingly suited him well.
Three women looked at the man who appeared. One woman looked at him with eyes of greed, one with eyes of love and hate, and one with eyes of fear.
Asherad sat down next to Daphne as if it were a given. Soon, tea time began. The tea was just what Daphne wanted. It was fragrant and sweet. The combination with the lemon madeleine on top was wonderful.
“It will soon be harvest time.”
Kalista took the lead in the conversation.
“How fortunate we are that the weather is good this year and there was no crop failure.”
Kalista, who had been leading the government for three years, led the conversation about state affairs. Asherad laughed.
“The weather was nice, but I heard there was a lot of damage this year.”
But Veronica was no slouch either. Daphne took another sip of her tea, feeling the lemon madeleine suddenly clog her throat.
“Was there a good piece of work submitted to the Raphael Art Festival?”
“I heard that there’s a new star coming out this time...”
Art Festival? Daphne opened her eyes wide and listened intently to their conversation. However, there was nothing particularly nutritious about it. It seemed to everyone that they were focused on the ball.
“I’d like to ask you guys for your opinions about this ball.”
“...”
“How about a masked ball?”
Kalista opened her eyes wide. Veronica also had a puzzled look on her face. Suddenly, a masquerade ball? Why? Asherad smiled mischievously at her gaze.
“His Majesty the late Emperor was ill, so even the Imperial Court was unable to do anything interesting.”
“...”
“I’d like to try it sometime.”
Daphne was also curious. A masquerade ball... She had no knowledge of it. But the women’s faces were intrigued. Veronica smiled and said,
“I want to wear a white flower mask.”
“A masquerade is a way to hide your face.”
Kalista spoke as if teaching. Asherad nodded to Leon, who was standing behind him, with a satisfied smile. It seemed like he was telling him to proceed.
As the commotion about the masquerade began, Asherad said:
“Yes. I hear Your Highness is very knowledgeable about tea?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“You said you brought some rare tea leaves...”
“Oh my, did the rumor get that far?”
Daphne then saw Kalista smiling brightly. Daphne made a puzzled expression.
“If you pour warm water, the tea will turn blue.”
“That’s really interesting.”
Veronica nodded at Asherad's friendly words. Then Veronica's maid appeared and started to get into the tea herself.
As the teacups changed, Daphne looked at her own teacup. It was the color of the blue sea. It was strange. But strangely, the tea in Daphne’s cup was the only one that changed color.
“It’s a little strange.”
Kalista spoke as if she were not amused. Asherad snickered and took the teacup Daphne was reaching for and observed it.
“Is there a difference in taste?”
“Yes? That’s right. The scent of flowers that turn blue...”
Asherad smiled as he looked into Daphne's eyes.
“I’ll try it first.”
Daphne nodded. It was interesting, but Daphne wasn't that interested in tea.
That was when.
"No!"
Daphne heard a small voice, clearly not knowing who was calling out. He tilted his teacup and seemed to be savoring the tea.
“The scent is so rich... ugh!”
Daphne opened her eyes wide. Asherad opened his eyes wide and suddenly spurted blood from his mouth. Daphne covered herself with the blood he had vomited. Asherad stood up, leaning on the table. The arm he was holding on to trembled, and then his body collapsed.
"Your Majesty!"
“It’s poison!”
His face turned red. Daphne looked at the collapsing Emperor and her lover with wide eyes.
It was a total mess.
"Daphne."
'What will you do without me?'
In an instant, the question flashed through her mind. Everyone rushed to Asherad. At the same time, Veronica's maid, who was pouring tea, was caught.
Sunlight streamed through the curtains. Asherad opened his eyes and sat up. It was a very languid morning.
The green eyes between his bangs blinked slowly and opened. He was lured into the temptation of a very sweet sleep.
Asherad had a lot to do. He frowned at the fact that he had to send a letter to the newly crowned King of Pindus. He also said that the Count of Locania wanted to ask for advice on new gunpowder weapons.
"Hmm..."
Asherad turned his head at the sound of snoring coming from beside him. He looked at the woman who was lying on her side with her back turned to him, and sleeping.
Turn your back.
He thought about waking up this annoying woman right away. The woman lying on the pure white bedding looked too peaceful.
Disheveled blond hair, red bare shoulders with traces of his presence here and there, swollen lips.
The sunlight was not a divine symbol announcing the beginning of the day, but merely a secondary means of illuminating her body.
Asherad stared at the sight as if he were entranced. Then, without realizing it, he smiled and covered her with the blanket.
The air was cool, so Daphne moved her body and pulled the blanket up over her. He thought she was awake, but her breathing was still quiet and shallow.
It was a relationship that had been so horrible in the past. It was a woman who would cry out in longing at his touch, but when it was all over, she would stare at him with an incomprehensible expression.
Then, at some point, she let everything go and drove people crazy. But at another point, she regained her light and began to rely on him.
At that moment, Daphne turned around. Asherad was very pleased with the current situation. Daphne, who had no intention of running away like before, was happily surrounded by what he had given her.
My bird is living in a fancy cage.
Daphne's long, fan-like eyelashes fluttered.
“It’s pretty.”
It was an unintentional remark. An exclamation that came out of one's own accord, not something that someone had told one to hear.
Now that he realized what he had said, Daphne was really pretty. Suddenly, he remembered their first meeting when he was very young.
A cursed green-eyed girl who has lost her way.
Asherad stroked Daphne's hair, erasing the memory. Her hair was soaked with sweat from the night's toil, and stuck to her face.
Asherad brought his face closer to examine each and every strand of hair in detail.
A soft scent of flesh wafted over him. The blush on her pure white cheeks was delicious. Without realizing it, he caressed her red lips with his hand.
As his hand pressed the red mark carved into Daphne's delicate neck, she let out a sweet sound.
He was an impatient man.
"Hmm..!"
Daphne opened her eyes to a clammy kiss that blocked her pores.
Asherad was probing her mouth. She writhed in surprise, then accepted his kiss. The clear, clean feeling of the morning disappeared, and a sticky silence settled down.
“Your Majesty... From the morning...”
As Daphne gasped for breath and protested, he lifted a finger and stroked her cheek.
"Did you sleep well?"
Daphne nodded. He chuckled and caressed the cheek of the woman in his arms.
“Ugh, huh!”
Asherad kissed her collarbone. He opened her legs and dug into her body. It was a rather sticky start to the morning. Daphne, still half-asleep, accepted him without resistance. It was just another ordinary morning.
“What will you do without me?”
However, there was one different thing. Asherad's question was asked. Asherad that to Daphne, who was out of breath.
“I, I, can’t do it without you... Ah!”
That alone was enough of an answer. He grabbed Daphne's outstretched wrist and tightened his grip. Once again, his hair turned white with pleasure.
What would happen if you weren't there?
Well then, I guess I'll just be free.
She will be free from all emotions, without feeling any helplessness, fear, or anger. The bird in the cage dreamed of escaping. In the arms of the hunter who had imprisoned her.
***
Daphne bowed her head like a sinner. She didn't understand why she was there. Fortunately, it seemed like everyone else felt the same way.
“I didn’t know Miss Daphne would come here.”
“That's what I'm saying."
Kalista and Veronica were the first to share the same opinion. This tea party was not of her making. It was purely Asherad's invitation. How could she refuse when Asherad had invited her?
The clear sky and autumn breeze were somehow dreary. Daphne had been in a good mood for just a few days, having completed and submitted her painting by the deadline, but today, with this teatime, her mood reached its lowest point.
The Emperor was bringing his former maid, a concubine, to a tea party. Kalista's face was blatantly displeased, and the calm Veronica was showing her displeasure by not being as friendly to Daphne as she usually was.
“Sorry I'm late.”
Asherad appeared with a big smile. Kalista and Daphne looked at Asherad with their eyes wide open.
He, who always wore dark-colored clothes, came dressed in pure white. The pure white color contrasted with his black hair and surprisingly suited him well.
Three women looked at the man who appeared. One woman looked at him with eyes of greed, one with eyes of love and hate, and one with eyes of fear.
Asherad sat down next to Daphne as if it were a given. Soon, tea time began. The tea was just what Daphne wanted. It was fragrant and sweet. The combination with the lemon madeleine on top was wonderful.
“It will soon be harvest time.”
Kalista took the lead in the conversation.
“How fortunate we are that the weather is good this year and there was no crop failure.”
Kalista, who had been leading the government for three years, led the conversation about state affairs. Asherad laughed.
“The weather was nice, but I heard there was a lot of damage this year.”
But Veronica was no slouch either. Daphne took another sip of her tea, feeling the lemon madeleine suddenly clog her throat.
“Was there a good piece of work submitted to the Raphael Art Festival?”
“I heard that there’s a new star coming out this time...”
Art Festival? Daphne opened her eyes wide and listened intently to their conversation. However, there was nothing particularly nutritious about it. It seemed to everyone that they were focused on the ball.
“I’d like to ask you guys for your opinions about this ball.”
“...”
“How about a masked ball?”
Kalista opened her eyes wide. Veronica also had a puzzled look on her face. Suddenly, a masquerade ball? Why? Asherad smiled mischievously at her gaze.
“His Majesty the late Emperor was ill, so even the Imperial Court was unable to do anything interesting.”
“...”
“I’d like to try it sometime.”
Daphne was also curious. A masquerade ball... She had no knowledge of it. But the women’s faces were intrigued. Veronica smiled and said,
“I want to wear a white flower mask.”
“A masquerade is a way to hide your face.”
Kalista spoke as if teaching. Asherad nodded to Leon, who was standing behind him, with a satisfied smile. It seemed like he was telling him to proceed.
As the commotion about the masquerade began, Asherad said:
“Yes. I hear Your Highness is very knowledgeable about tea?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“You said you brought some rare tea leaves...”
“Oh my, did the rumor get that far?”
Daphne then saw Kalista smiling brightly. Daphne made a puzzled expression.
“If you pour warm water, the tea will turn blue.”
“That’s really interesting.”
Veronica nodded at Asherad's friendly words. Then Veronica's maid appeared and started to get into the tea herself.
As the teacups changed, Daphne looked at her own teacup. It was the color of the blue sea. It was strange. But strangely, the tea in Daphne’s cup was the only one that changed color.
“It’s a little strange.”
Kalista spoke as if she were not amused. Asherad snickered and took the teacup Daphne was reaching for and observed it.
“Is there a difference in taste?”
“Yes? That’s right. The scent of flowers that turn blue...”
Asherad smiled as he looked into Daphne's eyes.
“I’ll try it first.”
Daphne nodded. It was interesting, but Daphne wasn't that interested in tea.
That was when.
"No!"
Daphne heard a small voice, clearly not knowing who was calling out. He tilted his teacup and seemed to be savoring the tea.
“The scent is so rich... ugh!”
Daphne opened her eyes wide. Asherad opened his eyes wide and suddenly spurted blood from his mouth. Daphne covered herself with the blood he had vomited. Asherad stood up, leaning on the table. The arm he was holding on to trembled, and then his body collapsed.
"Your Majesty!"
“It’s poison!”
His face turned red. Daphne looked at the collapsing Emperor and her lover with wide eyes.
It was a total mess.
"Daphne."
'What will you do without me?'
In an instant, the question flashed through her mind. Everyone rushed to Asherad. At the same time, Veronica's maid, who was pouring tea, was caught.
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