76. Can't kill
“Therefore, I hereby grant you the title. Do your best to serve His Majesty.”
Only women of the royal family could bestow titles on women. Therefore, it was Kalista who bestowed titles on Daphne.
Looking at Kalista, who was trying hard not to look at her, Daphne felt an indescribable sense of rejection towards that human.
What happened to Veronica?
She heard she was tortured. Kalista framed Veronica.
Daphne was horrified at Kalista's cunning side. And on top of that, she tried to kill herself, and Asherad even took the poison instead.
Although she had no right to hate anyone, she truly loathed the Kalista before her eyes.
It wasn't that she liked Veronica. But unlike Kalista, Veronica didn't harm Daphne. There was an underlying disdain, but the difference was that she saw Daphne as a fellow negotiating partner.
Kalista tried to kill Daphne, Asherad almost died, and Veronica was falsely accused. Was that all? When she thought Asherad was dead, Kalista tried to kill Daphne. That alone was enough to make Daphne hate that woman.
Despite all this, the woman was not punished and was calmly given a title. Daphne couldn't understand Asherad.
“Baroness Ritter! Can you hear my words?”
"Yes."
Daphne bowed her head obediently. Kalista opened her snake-like eyes and glared at Daphne. It was the face of someone who wanted to kill someone.
“I thought you were ignoring me since you didn’t answer.”
“No, Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager.”
“Let me give you one piece of advice: Don’t forget that you’re lucky to be here.”
“...”
“I will not let you become a troublemaker to His Majesty, for Baroness Ritter is very clumsy.”
It was fortunate that it was not a place where nobles were present. Asherad had already declared that he would bestow a title on her at the ball, and Kalista's title ceremony was merely a formality.
In the audience room where only Daphne and Kalista were present, contrary to her expectations that she would spew out evil words, Kalista never looked at Daphne's face properly until the very end, and only gave her tolerable 'advice'.
“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your teachings.”
Daphne, who had given the royal family the ceremonial 'hypocritical' greeting, got up from her knees and tried to leave the throne room.
“Should I give you a warning?”
As expected, it doesn't just pass. When Daphne turned her head, Kalista raised the corners of her mouth.
“You had better think about what will happen to you when His Majesty’s grace runs out.”
Holy Grace. Daphne didn't answer and turned to leave, but then stopped. She hesitated for a moment and looked at Kalista. Daphne raised the corners of her lips and said.
“Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager.”
“...”
“I know my situation well.”
“...”
“His Majesty... when his grace runs out, he will not abandon me, but kill me.”
Why, Daphne felt like saying that. She looked at Kalista with a clear, contemptuous gaze. She knows. She knows that this is 'presumptuous' behavior.
But at the point where she almost died, and also because of that, Asherad almost died, she didn't feel like being polite to this woman.
'Maybe I know now.'
As long as Asherad loved her, she was superior to Kalista at the moment. Daphne realized this clearly as she watched Kalista try to stop Veronica from becoming Empress.
Daphne, who had officially become Baroness Ritter, left the audience room.
“You, you're crazy!”
When Kalista saw her back, a fire lit up in her eyes. It was as if Daphne was toying with Kalista, who had nothing to do.
“I’ll kill you first before that!”
Kalista gritted her teeth. She could not reach Daphne, who was vulnerable to Asherad. If she had the chance, she should have killed Daphne.
If that was the case, perhaps Asherad would have looked at her. That was Kalista's conclusion.
'He said I was fine too.'
If that's the case, then without Daphne, the only person Asherad would like would be himself. If only that woman weren't there...
Kalista chewed on the all-too-familiar murderous intent, then clenched her teeth in frustration.
She should have been a little more careful. More cautious...
She shouldn't have been so excited and gone to see Veronica then. If she had been more thorough, she wouldn't have made that woman a noblewoman herself.
'Instead of asking, please grant me a favor.'
'Mother... Please make that woman a noble. Become her most powerful supporter.'
He holds onto her weaknesses and asks her to support another woman, even though he has noticed her feelings.
His responsible attitude still thrilled her heart. Kalista wanted to get rid of Daphne, but she would have to leave her alone for the time being.
Kalista was a woman who did not reflect on herself and believed that her actions were justified. Even though she knew how much she had done wrong, she did not think it was wrong and was therefore a self-centered person who did not reflect on herself.
People become better through their mistakes.
However, this was done on the premise that ‘humans reflect.’
Kalista wasn't getting any better, so she made another of the biggest and worst mistakes of her life.
That winter was unusually cold. The temperature was lower than average, and the sea water froze over, a murderous cold.
The colder it got, the more they huddled together inside their houses, like animals that share each other's warmth.
That's why Daphne's winter was warmer than anything else.
The room was warm...
“Ugh!”
The warmth coming from the graft was so hot that it was sweltering. Daphne, who had been unable to sleep because her hands and feet were cold and her nose was itchy, was nowhere to be found.
Asherad was hot as firewood. He hugged Daphne and showered her with kisses, taking her body. It was almost addictive.
Whenever he had a chance, he would hug Daphne and smell her body. He seemed completely crazy about Daphne. To be exact, he was completely in love.
The bed was warm, warmed by a hot water bottle. A sweet sound came out as Asherad clenched her shoulders.
The golden threads, like a waterfall, spread and rippled on the white bed. Daphne was under him. He looked at the man looking down at her. The man who was absorbed in the relationship with her, who was absorbed in it, clearly belonged to her.
After his violent movements, Daphne flinched at the afterglow. Asherad lay down next to her and played with her hair.
“It’s gotten pretty good.”
“What is it?”
“I mean, hair.”
He pulled out a few strands and sniffed at their scent.
“It used to just smell musty, but I like it now.”
Daphne snickered. Asherad tucked Daphne’s hair behind her ear and stroked her cheek several times. Her flushed cheeks and moist, shining eyes. Asherad kissed Daphne’s forehead.
“If you didn’t like my smell, why did you hug me?”
Daphne said, complaining. Asherad twisted Daphne's hair in response.
“It didn’t really matter.”
Daphne buried her head in Asherad's arms. Asherad continued to stroke Daphne's head as he spoke.
“No matter what you smell like, you drive me crazy.”
The warm room, his bare skin wrapping around her body like a heated stone, warming her. It was truly like paradise.
It's perfect for blurring the purpose of wanting to run away from him...
“So, what did the Empress Dowager say to you?”
“I asked what would happen if Your Majesty's affection disappeared.”
Asherad snorted at Daphne's words. What was the meaning of that snort? Was it mocking Kalista, or was it mocking Daphne who said that? Asherad continued to stroke Daphne's head.
“So, what did you say...?”
There was a hint of sleepiness in Asherad's voice. Daphne was also starting to feel sleepy.
“Of course, I told her that if Your Majesty falls, I will die.”
The hand stroking her head stopped. Daphne looked up at Asherad, wondering if he had fallen asleep. Asherad was looking down at her without any expression. She opened her eyes wide in confusion at that gaze.
“Do you think I’m going to kill you?”
“You said so.”
“...”
Asherad snickered and moved the hand that had been strangling the back of Daphne’s head to her neck. It was as if he was going to strangle her. When Daphne looked up, tensing up without realizing it, he raised the corners of his mouth.
“I can’t kill you.”
"... Yes?"
“I can’t kill you.”
As he spoke, Asherad kissed Daphne on the forehead. The hand that had been on her neck had already moved down and taken Daphne’s hand.
“I can’t kill you.”
He buried his face in Daphne's shoulder. It almost seemed as if he was sobbing. Daphne felt strange. His words felt true. She seemed happy. No, was it happy?
Daphne governed herself.
This fragile and beautiful paradise would end one day. She had to run away to find her own paradise.
It was snowing outside the window.
The winter was cold that year. However, it was warm.
But it was cold again.
It was a few days before Asherad's inspection.
“Therefore, I hereby grant you the title. Do your best to serve His Majesty.”
Only women of the royal family could bestow titles on women. Therefore, it was Kalista who bestowed titles on Daphne.
Looking at Kalista, who was trying hard not to look at her, Daphne felt an indescribable sense of rejection towards that human.
What happened to Veronica?
She heard she was tortured. Kalista framed Veronica.
Daphne was horrified at Kalista's cunning side. And on top of that, she tried to kill herself, and Asherad even took the poison instead.
Although she had no right to hate anyone, she truly loathed the Kalista before her eyes.
It wasn't that she liked Veronica. But unlike Kalista, Veronica didn't harm Daphne. There was an underlying disdain, but the difference was that she saw Daphne as a fellow negotiating partner.
Kalista tried to kill Daphne, Asherad almost died, and Veronica was falsely accused. Was that all? When she thought Asherad was dead, Kalista tried to kill Daphne. That alone was enough to make Daphne hate that woman.
Despite all this, the woman was not punished and was calmly given a title. Daphne couldn't understand Asherad.
“Baroness Ritter! Can you hear my words?”
"Yes."
Daphne bowed her head obediently. Kalista opened her snake-like eyes and glared at Daphne. It was the face of someone who wanted to kill someone.
“I thought you were ignoring me since you didn’t answer.”
“No, Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager.”
“Let me give you one piece of advice: Don’t forget that you’re lucky to be here.”
“...”
“I will not let you become a troublemaker to His Majesty, for Baroness Ritter is very clumsy.”
It was fortunate that it was not a place where nobles were present. Asherad had already declared that he would bestow a title on her at the ball, and Kalista's title ceremony was merely a formality.
In the audience room where only Daphne and Kalista were present, contrary to her expectations that she would spew out evil words, Kalista never looked at Daphne's face properly until the very end, and only gave her tolerable 'advice'.
“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your teachings.”
Daphne, who had given the royal family the ceremonial 'hypocritical' greeting, got up from her knees and tried to leave the throne room.
“Should I give you a warning?”
As expected, it doesn't just pass. When Daphne turned her head, Kalista raised the corners of her mouth.
“You had better think about what will happen to you when His Majesty’s grace runs out.”
Holy Grace. Daphne didn't answer and turned to leave, but then stopped. She hesitated for a moment and looked at Kalista. Daphne raised the corners of her lips and said.
“Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager.”
“...”
“I know my situation well.”
“...”
“His Majesty... when his grace runs out, he will not abandon me, but kill me.”
Why, Daphne felt like saying that. She looked at Kalista with a clear, contemptuous gaze. She knows. She knows that this is 'presumptuous' behavior.
But at the point where she almost died, and also because of that, Asherad almost died, she didn't feel like being polite to this woman.
'Maybe I know now.'
As long as Asherad loved her, she was superior to Kalista at the moment. Daphne realized this clearly as she watched Kalista try to stop Veronica from becoming Empress.
Daphne, who had officially become Baroness Ritter, left the audience room.
“You, you're crazy!”
When Kalista saw her back, a fire lit up in her eyes. It was as if Daphne was toying with Kalista, who had nothing to do.
“I’ll kill you first before that!”
Kalista gritted her teeth. She could not reach Daphne, who was vulnerable to Asherad. If she had the chance, she should have killed Daphne.
If that was the case, perhaps Asherad would have looked at her. That was Kalista's conclusion.
'He said I was fine too.'
If that's the case, then without Daphne, the only person Asherad would like would be himself. If only that woman weren't there...
Kalista chewed on the all-too-familiar murderous intent, then clenched her teeth in frustration.
She should have been a little more careful. More cautious...
She shouldn't have been so excited and gone to see Veronica then. If she had been more thorough, she wouldn't have made that woman a noblewoman herself.
'Instead of asking, please grant me a favor.'
'Mother... Please make that woman a noble. Become her most powerful supporter.'
He holds onto her weaknesses and asks her to support another woman, even though he has noticed her feelings.
His responsible attitude still thrilled her heart. Kalista wanted to get rid of Daphne, but she would have to leave her alone for the time being.
Kalista was a woman who did not reflect on herself and believed that her actions were justified. Even though she knew how much she had done wrong, she did not think it was wrong and was therefore a self-centered person who did not reflect on herself.
People become better through their mistakes.
However, this was done on the premise that ‘humans reflect.’
Kalista wasn't getting any better, so she made another of the biggest and worst mistakes of her life.
***
That winter was unusually cold. The temperature was lower than average, and the sea water froze over, a murderous cold.
The colder it got, the more they huddled together inside their houses, like animals that share each other's warmth.
That's why Daphne's winter was warmer than anything else.
The room was warm...
“Ugh!”
The warmth coming from the graft was so hot that it was sweltering. Daphne, who had been unable to sleep because her hands and feet were cold and her nose was itchy, was nowhere to be found.
Asherad was hot as firewood. He hugged Daphne and showered her with kisses, taking her body. It was almost addictive.
Whenever he had a chance, he would hug Daphne and smell her body. He seemed completely crazy about Daphne. To be exact, he was completely in love.
The bed was warm, warmed by a hot water bottle. A sweet sound came out as Asherad clenched her shoulders.
The golden threads, like a waterfall, spread and rippled on the white bed. Daphne was under him. He looked at the man looking down at her. The man who was absorbed in the relationship with her, who was absorbed in it, clearly belonged to her.
After his violent movements, Daphne flinched at the afterglow. Asherad lay down next to her and played with her hair.
“It’s gotten pretty good.”
“What is it?”
“I mean, hair.”
He pulled out a few strands and sniffed at their scent.
“It used to just smell musty, but I like it now.”
Daphne snickered. Asherad tucked Daphne’s hair behind her ear and stroked her cheek several times. Her flushed cheeks and moist, shining eyes. Asherad kissed Daphne’s forehead.
“If you didn’t like my smell, why did you hug me?”
Daphne said, complaining. Asherad twisted Daphne's hair in response.
“It didn’t really matter.”
Daphne buried her head in Asherad's arms. Asherad continued to stroke Daphne's head as he spoke.
“No matter what you smell like, you drive me crazy.”
The warm room, his bare skin wrapping around her body like a heated stone, warming her. It was truly like paradise.
It's perfect for blurring the purpose of wanting to run away from him...
“So, what did the Empress Dowager say to you?”
“I asked what would happen if Your Majesty's affection disappeared.”
Asherad snorted at Daphne's words. What was the meaning of that snort? Was it mocking Kalista, or was it mocking Daphne who said that? Asherad continued to stroke Daphne's head.
“So, what did you say...?”
There was a hint of sleepiness in Asherad's voice. Daphne was also starting to feel sleepy.
“Of course, I told her that if Your Majesty falls, I will die.”
The hand stroking her head stopped. Daphne looked up at Asherad, wondering if he had fallen asleep. Asherad was looking down at her without any expression. She opened her eyes wide in confusion at that gaze.
“Do you think I’m going to kill you?”
“You said so.”
“...”
Asherad snickered and moved the hand that had been strangling the back of Daphne’s head to her neck. It was as if he was going to strangle her. When Daphne looked up, tensing up without realizing it, he raised the corners of his mouth.
“I can’t kill you.”
"... Yes?"
“I can’t kill you.”
As he spoke, Asherad kissed Daphne on the forehead. The hand that had been on her neck had already moved down and taken Daphne’s hand.
“I can’t kill you.”
He buried his face in Daphne's shoulder. It almost seemed as if he was sobbing. Daphne felt strange. His words felt true. She seemed happy. No, was it happy?
Daphne governed herself.
This fragile and beautiful paradise would end one day. She had to run away to find her own paradise.
It was snowing outside the window.
The winter was cold that year. However, it was warm.
But it was cold again.
It was a few days before Asherad's inspection.
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