73. Kalista's Mistake
Kalista's face turned even paler than Asherad who had been poisoned. Why, why is the Emperor alive? Why is he...? The poison she had prepared was so toxic that even one sip would send one to the underworld.
“I, I...”
“Are you really going to make excuses? Mother, I have eyes and ears too.”
Asherad smiled broadly. Kalista's whole body trembled.
“I, you misunderstood me just now...”
“Misunderstanding? What do you mean I misunderstood?”
When Asherad asked instead, Kalista was speechless. As if he knew, Asherad spoke instead.
“You were trying to poison my lover?”
“...”
“Or maybe I ate that?”
“...”
“Or did you put the blame on Princess Thalassa?”
You heard everything correctly. Kalista's body trembled at Asherad's words.
“No, no! It’s a misunderstanding!”
Kalista screamed, but Asherad's expression remained unchanged.
That was even scarier. If Asherad had been angry, he might have felt human. Seeing Kalista trembling, Asherad approached her and placed a hand on her shoulder.
He held Kalista's shoulder tightly for just a moment. Before she could scream in agony as if her arm were going to be ripped off, Asherad released his grip.
“But Kalista.”
Kalista's eyes opened wide. It was because he was whispering sweetly in her ear.
Kalista's vision revealed Asherad's dizzying Adam's apple and jawline.
“I will take a look.”
“...”
Asherad turned his head and brought his face closer to Kalista. Kalista held her breath. Was it because he had turned pale from the poison? Asherad's face became even more sinister.
But Kalista was more captivated by the enchanting beauty that survived the poison than by the gloomy darkness and innate danger. Pale skin and lips. The sense of danger as her once strong teeth grew weak.
“As... Asherad.”
Tears flowed from her eyes without her knowing it. Asherad lowered the corners of his lips at Kalista's tears.
“Why are you shedding such precious tears?”
Is it because she feels relieved? Kalista bursts into tears. Something is wrong, messed up, and ruined. But she doesn't know what is ruined.
“Why, why are you looking at me?”
She thought she was going to die. So why is this man showing mercy now?
“...Isn’t that obvious?”
“...”
“Because I like Kalista quite a bit.”
Why are you saying that? Why... What is the reason? Then Asherad answered.
“Anyway, aren’t we comrades?”
“...”
“I always feel sorry for you. Even to the point of giving up your life...”
Ah. Ah.. Tears welled up in Kalista’s eyes. It was because he had pinpointed exactly what she felt uncomfortable about Asherad.
Yes, he guessed he must be mistaken. Asherad did not hate her. He may not have loved her, but he pitied and cared for her.
“Instead of asking me about this, please do me a favor.”
When he continued to say something, Kalista screamed. Kalista couldn't bear it anymore.
“This, this is...!”
“I believe you will listen.”
Asherad looked at Kalista with wide eyes and spoke coldly.
“Mother, I beg you, please do not touch my lover anymore.”
“...”
“Otherwise, my mother would be able to enjoy movies for the rest of her life.”
Asherad touched Kalista's cheek. Kalista bit her lip.
“Can’t you like me?”
“I already like you.”
“I was asking if you could love me like that woman.”
As soon as she decided that she could rely on Asherad, she started to feel slimy.
As a result, she crossed the line again, not even thinking that the Emperor almost died because of her and that she barely escaped the punishment that would have cost her ten lives.
“Asherad, we can do it.”
“...”
Instead of answering, Asherad nodded and passed her by. Kalista chewed on her hand as she watched Asherad's back.
“Ahhhh!”
She screamed nervously. She didn't want to grant Asherad's request. She didn't want to, but she had to!
For a week, the situation in the empire and surrounding countries changed rapidly. The attempted assassination of the Emperor was revealed to have been committed by Veronica. The youngest Princess of Thalassa denied the charges, but the maid who delivered the poisoned tea revealed the Princess's crime after severe torture.
Asherad expressed regret over this incident. This made the relationship between the Kingdom of Thalassa and the Empire of Peneus more delicate. The one who mediated this was Kalista.
She was not harsh, as her crimes were hidden under Asherad's acquiescence. She criticized the youngest Princess's recklessness, and appeased the kingdom of Thalassa, or rather the Queen, by releasing Veronica in exchange for the most needed thing for the empire, the cornerstone, at a cheaper price.
Naturally, the exclusive supply of firearms was also reduced.
Thanks to this, the power of the Kingdom of Thalassa, which could surpass the Empire, was weakened. Then, the neighboring country of Pindus welcomed it with open arms. In any case, the country with the second strongest power after the Empire ended up like this.
Pindus, who had been somewhat insolent toward the empire, also began to be very friendly toward Peneus, perhaps because he had recently ascended to the throne.
He also began to step forward to make sure that he would keep a close watch on Asala, who was eyeing the border.
Rather than subjugating the country through war, Asherad effectively defended the empire from threats through carrots, sticks, and restraints on its neighbors.
Of course, such a threatening and serious situation was a distant thing to Daphne.
For Daphne, the priority right now was to eliminate the problem in front of her.
“Why, why on earth...”
She wanted to cry. Asherad pointed to the box on the table. She felt the awkwardness between Kalista and Veronica.
“Are you saying we should at least wear matching clothes?”
Daphne asked Ioannis. Ioannis also let out a low sigh.
“His Majesty's command.”
“What on earth is His Majesty doing?”
Ioannis burst out laughing at Daphne's words because it felt as if Asherad was causing trouble somewhere. As soon as he got up, he poured blood several times and pressured the kingdom of Thalassa to get the terms he wanted.
Kalista was a favorable hand for diplomacy with Thalassa. Also, didn't their relationship with Pindus, who had been at odds with them, improve?
“The government is busy.”
“...You’re sick.”
After that incident, Daphne visited Asherad and nursed him. However, he was away more often, and Daphne had not seen him for several days.
“His Majesty, is he attending the ball?”
“No. His Majesty is planning to recuperate, and will appear on the last day...”
“Then why on earth...!”
Ioannis laughed at Daphne's protest. It was because the bird seemed to be fluttering and getting angry. Ioannis cheered for Daphne and Asherad. Asherad, as expected, ignored Daphne's escape, and their relationship seemed to be amicable. If things went their way, the two of them would not be bad.
“Dress, do you hate it?”
“It’s not that I hate it.”
“It would be nice to join the party. Miss Daphne is the Emperor’s mistress.”
Daphne looked at it. She thought about the Raphael Festival. She wondered what the reputation of her paintings was, and she wanted to look at the masters' paintings in more detail.
“Aren’t you happy?”
Daphne did not answer Ioannis' question. Ioannis' face hardened. Why is this woman so unhappy?
He couldn't know.
The ball was a masquerade ball. She heard from Ioannis that a masquerade ball is a place where, even if there are some violations of etiquette, there is no big problem.
Because the face is covered, there is no sense of ethics? This is the masquerade ball, a place where people rely on anonymity and become more true to their instincts.
He also said that he had to be careful because there were a lot of men there who were after women. Why did he have to go to a place like that?
Daphne was lost in thought. What should she do here? She can't dance alone, she has to grab someone else to dance with her...
Is it that Asherad doesn't mind dancing with someone else? I couldn't understand this side of him, even though he was obsessed with Daphne.
'Let's just go back.'
As she was thinking that and turning her head, Daphne realized that all the masked people were looking at her.
They were all men. Their eyes were drawn to a woman with beautiful blonde hair and a neat dress.
The slender neckline, the exposed collarbone, and the slightly exposed, not-quite-white skin were attractive.
It was a body that was attractive to the eye.
Daphne flinched at the sight of him feasting on his prey. She could see the naked desire behind the mask.
Of course, they wouldn't just drag Daphne away. But shr felt an instinctive reluctance.
“The night is really beautiful, isn’t it?”
'Artemisia!'
Daphne almost shed tears at the welcoming voice. Artemisia, wearing a lavender cat mask, linked arms with Daphne and whispered.
Kalista's face turned even paler than Asherad who had been poisoned. Why, why is the Emperor alive? Why is he...? The poison she had prepared was so toxic that even one sip would send one to the underworld.
“I, I...”
“Are you really going to make excuses? Mother, I have eyes and ears too.”
Asherad smiled broadly. Kalista's whole body trembled.
“I, you misunderstood me just now...”
“Misunderstanding? What do you mean I misunderstood?”
When Asherad asked instead, Kalista was speechless. As if he knew, Asherad spoke instead.
“You were trying to poison my lover?”
“...”
“Or maybe I ate that?”
“...”
“Or did you put the blame on Princess Thalassa?”
You heard everything correctly. Kalista's body trembled at Asherad's words.
“No, no! It’s a misunderstanding!”
Kalista screamed, but Asherad's expression remained unchanged.
That was even scarier. If Asherad had been angry, he might have felt human. Seeing Kalista trembling, Asherad approached her and placed a hand on her shoulder.
He held Kalista's shoulder tightly for just a moment. Before she could scream in agony as if her arm were going to be ripped off, Asherad released his grip.
“But Kalista.”
Kalista's eyes opened wide. It was because he was whispering sweetly in her ear.
Kalista's vision revealed Asherad's dizzying Adam's apple and jawline.
“I will take a look.”
“...”
Asherad turned his head and brought his face closer to Kalista. Kalista held her breath. Was it because he had turned pale from the poison? Asherad's face became even more sinister.
But Kalista was more captivated by the enchanting beauty that survived the poison than by the gloomy darkness and innate danger. Pale skin and lips. The sense of danger as her once strong teeth grew weak.
“As... Asherad.”
Tears flowed from her eyes without her knowing it. Asherad lowered the corners of his lips at Kalista's tears.
“Why are you shedding such precious tears?”
Is it because she feels relieved? Kalista bursts into tears. Something is wrong, messed up, and ruined. But she doesn't know what is ruined.
“Why, why are you looking at me?”
She thought she was going to die. So why is this man showing mercy now?
“...Isn’t that obvious?”
“...”
“Because I like Kalista quite a bit.”
Why are you saying that? Why... What is the reason? Then Asherad answered.
“Anyway, aren’t we comrades?”
“...”
“I always feel sorry for you. Even to the point of giving up your life...”
Ah. Ah.. Tears welled up in Kalista’s eyes. It was because he had pinpointed exactly what she felt uncomfortable about Asherad.
Yes, he guessed he must be mistaken. Asherad did not hate her. He may not have loved her, but he pitied and cared for her.
“Instead of asking me about this, please do me a favor.”
When he continued to say something, Kalista screamed. Kalista couldn't bear it anymore.
“This, this is...!”
“I believe you will listen.”
Asherad looked at Kalista with wide eyes and spoke coldly.
“Mother, I beg you, please do not touch my lover anymore.”
“...”
“Otherwise, my mother would be able to enjoy movies for the rest of her life.”
Asherad touched Kalista's cheek. Kalista bit her lip.
“Can’t you like me?”
“I already like you.”
“I was asking if you could love me like that woman.”
As soon as she decided that she could rely on Asherad, she started to feel slimy.
As a result, she crossed the line again, not even thinking that the Emperor almost died because of her and that she barely escaped the punishment that would have cost her ten lives.
“Asherad, we can do it.”
“...”
Instead of answering, Asherad nodded and passed her by. Kalista chewed on her hand as she watched Asherad's back.
“Ahhhh!”
She screamed nervously. She didn't want to grant Asherad's request. She didn't want to, but she had to!
***
For a week, the situation in the empire and surrounding countries changed rapidly. The attempted assassination of the Emperor was revealed to have been committed by Veronica. The youngest Princess of Thalassa denied the charges, but the maid who delivered the poisoned tea revealed the Princess's crime after severe torture.
Asherad expressed regret over this incident. This made the relationship between the Kingdom of Thalassa and the Empire of Peneus more delicate. The one who mediated this was Kalista.
She was not harsh, as her crimes were hidden under Asherad's acquiescence. She criticized the youngest Princess's recklessness, and appeased the kingdom of Thalassa, or rather the Queen, by releasing Veronica in exchange for the most needed thing for the empire, the cornerstone, at a cheaper price.
Naturally, the exclusive supply of firearms was also reduced.
Thanks to this, the power of the Kingdom of Thalassa, which could surpass the Empire, was weakened. Then, the neighboring country of Pindus welcomed it with open arms. In any case, the country with the second strongest power after the Empire ended up like this.
Pindus, who had been somewhat insolent toward the empire, also began to be very friendly toward Peneus, perhaps because he had recently ascended to the throne.
He also began to step forward to make sure that he would keep a close watch on Asala, who was eyeing the border.
Rather than subjugating the country through war, Asherad effectively defended the empire from threats through carrots, sticks, and restraints on its neighbors.
Of course, such a threatening and serious situation was a distant thing to Daphne.
For Daphne, the priority right now was to eliminate the problem in front of her.
“Why, why on earth...”
She wanted to cry. Asherad pointed to the box on the table. She felt the awkwardness between Kalista and Veronica.
“Are you saying we should at least wear matching clothes?”
Daphne asked Ioannis. Ioannis also let out a low sigh.
“His Majesty's command.”
“What on earth is His Majesty doing?”
Ioannis burst out laughing at Daphne's words because it felt as if Asherad was causing trouble somewhere. As soon as he got up, he poured blood several times and pressured the kingdom of Thalassa to get the terms he wanted.
Kalista was a favorable hand for diplomacy with Thalassa. Also, didn't their relationship with Pindus, who had been at odds with them, improve?
“The government is busy.”
“...You’re sick.”
After that incident, Daphne visited Asherad and nursed him. However, he was away more often, and Daphne had not seen him for several days.
“His Majesty, is he attending the ball?”
“No. His Majesty is planning to recuperate, and will appear on the last day...”
“Then why on earth...!”
Ioannis laughed at Daphne's protest. It was because the bird seemed to be fluttering and getting angry. Ioannis cheered for Daphne and Asherad. Asherad, as expected, ignored Daphne's escape, and their relationship seemed to be amicable. If things went their way, the two of them would not be bad.
“Dress, do you hate it?”
“It’s not that I hate it.”
“It would be nice to join the party. Miss Daphne is the Emperor’s mistress.”
Daphne looked at it. She thought about the Raphael Festival. She wondered what the reputation of her paintings was, and she wanted to look at the masters' paintings in more detail.
“Aren’t you happy?”
Daphne did not answer Ioannis' question. Ioannis' face hardened. Why is this woman so unhappy?
He couldn't know.
***
The ball was a masquerade ball. She heard from Ioannis that a masquerade ball is a place where, even if there are some violations of etiquette, there is no big problem.
Because the face is covered, there is no sense of ethics? This is the masquerade ball, a place where people rely on anonymity and become more true to their instincts.
He also said that he had to be careful because there were a lot of men there who were after women. Why did he have to go to a place like that?
Daphne was lost in thought. What should she do here? She can't dance alone, she has to grab someone else to dance with her...
Is it that Asherad doesn't mind dancing with someone else? I couldn't understand this side of him, even though he was obsessed with Daphne.
'Let's just go back.'
As she was thinking that and turning her head, Daphne realized that all the masked people were looking at her.
They were all men. Their eyes were drawn to a woman with beautiful blonde hair and a neat dress.
The slender neckline, the exposed collarbone, and the slightly exposed, not-quite-white skin were attractive.
It was a body that was attractive to the eye.
Daphne flinched at the sight of him feasting on his prey. She could see the naked desire behind the mask.
Of course, they wouldn't just drag Daphne away. But shr felt an instinctive reluctance.
“The night is really beautiful, isn’t it?”
'Artemisia!'
Daphne almost shed tears at the welcoming voice. Artemisia, wearing a lavender cat mask, linked arms with Daphne and whispered.
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