78. The day of departure
The day Asherad left was a snowy day. The people of the palace stood to bid farewell to the Emperor, who was leaving on a long journey.
“Take care on your way back.”
Asherad nodded at Kalista's words. Daphne stood still and watched Asherad mount his horse.
She already said hello yesterday.
Asherad hugged Daphne tightly without holding her and whispered that he loved her. They slept like normal lovers and greeted the morning.
So there was no need for greetings.
Shr didn't think it was necessary.
"Daphne."
But the moment he called, Daphne again became the dog she had always hated and tried to walk towards him. Realizing this, Daphne stopped.
At that moment, Asherad moved his horse and approached Daphne.
“Even if you greeted me all night, you really have to greet me today.”
He grimaced slightly in resentment and scolded her. Daphne smiled awkwardly at that.
Something had clearly changed. Daphne held onto his hand as he rode on horseback, trying hard to hold onto her fragile heart.
“Please have a safe trip.”
Hot hands and cold lips touched and pressed against each other. The clear contrast of temperatures made it seem as if time had stopped for the man and woman.
The sight of the woman kissing him was beautiful and pious, as if she were serving God.
The large hand wrapped around the woman's two hands was clearly hiding its ferocity and was wriggling quietly in Daphne's hand.
The man watched the ecstatic scene with bated breath. It was a wondrous scene, something he had always dreamed of.
How could that kiss, wishing for a safe return, not be pleasant?
When Daphne raised her head, she thought Asherad's ears were strangely red. As she tried to look at them more closely, Asherad called out to her.
"Daphne."
“...”
“Do you love me?”
At those words, Daphne looked up at Asherad with her mouth shut. Asherad snickered at her speechless, bewildered eyes.
“I’ll come back and listen next time.”
“...”
“If you want to draw, draw. For important matters, consult Ioannis.”
“...”
“If you write a letter, I’ll write back.”
As Daphne nodded with a faint smile, Asherad snickered.
He looked at Daphne's lips with regret, then rode forward. It was the typical appearance of a man who was regretful of a brief farewell to his lover.
The palace people had become accustomed to it, but the nobles still seemed unfamiliar.
Asherad, who took Daphne as his lover, was reluctant to show his affection in public. Not only did he give her a title, but he loved her so much...
Some looked at Kalista's face, but Kalista turned away with a more indifferent expression than expected and returned to her quarters.
They looked at Kalista and Daphne and thought. Kalista, who was so self-willed and hated the lowly things, and Daphne, who was gentle despite being the woman who had captured the Emperor's heart.
What will become of them?
The rich have already begun to chatter with interest.
But their expectations were spectacularly wrong.
Daphne also thought that Kalista would bully her right away. But Kalista didn't take any action.
Instead, she avoided meeting Daphne. In the week since Asherad left, Kalista and Daphne had kept their contact to a minimum, not even greeting each other.
Ioannis said to Daphne, who was puzzled.
“That woman will never bother the Baroness again.”
"Yes?"
“Because she has been treated badly by His Majesty.”
Daphne nodded. Unlike the previous hunting competitions, Asherad seemed to have left Kalista in his care. Daphne sighed. She felt bored after Asherad left. She felt frustrated because she didn't know why.
“Do you want to see His Majesty?”
“...”
Daphne smiled vaguely. Ioannis looked at Daphne with a puzzled expression. She let out a small sigh. Just, strangely, his face kept coming to mind. Daphne tried to erase the thought, thinking it was the mind of a dog.
Ioannis said.
“You two look happy.”
"...”
“Is it true that when Asherad returns, he plans to welcome you as his Empress?”
"Yes."
Ioannis snickered as Daphne nodded.
“There was a reason why he postponed welcoming the Empress after saying so.”
"Yes?"
“Asherad said. The coronation of the Empress was deliberately postponed.”
“...”
“The incident at the ball was also covered up because of the attempted poisoning.”
“...”
“Once he takes the Empress, it becomes difficult to take the consort. He has to get permission from the highest-ranking woman in the imperial family.”
Daphne nodded at Ioannis' explanation. I see, Daphne nodded. He was also steadily devising a way to take her as his wife... An Empress. Just thinking about it was strange.
Then Daphne flinched. It was because she had forgotten that she was trying to run away again. That was how sweet the future that Asherad had shown her was.
“Miss Daphne, I have something to apologize for in advance.”
"Yes?"
“I will no longer be able to escort or visit Miss Daphne as often as I do now.”
Daphne opened her eyes wide at those words. Why, said Ioannis, looking at her gaze.
“Now that His Majesty is away, my father has become regent. There is no one left to take charge of the household affairs, so I must go.”
“...”
Daphne nodded regretfully. It was not often that she saw Ioannis, but it was true that his presence gave her support.
Although he was a friend of Asherad, he was also a cool advisor to Daphne and a warm confidant of secrets.
Daphne asked the knight with brown hair.
“What will happen when His Majesty returns?”
“I don’t know.”
Ioannis answered honestly. She felt a little empty. After Asherad, Ioannis also left...
“You don’t have to worry too much. As usual, the other knights will be guarding Miss Daphne.”
“...”
“In addition, I have brought with me loyal knights who have served His Majesty since the days of the Crown Prince.”
"Yes..."
Daphne answered listlessly. Ioannis smiled at Daphne's sullen face, because it looked just like a puppy's.
“Don't worry.”
“...”
“But I’m not breaking up with Miss Daphne.”
“...”
“I’ll come visit you sometimes when I have time.”
Daphne's face brightened again. Ioannis spoke with an awkward expression.
“I don’t have any friends except Asherad. It’s easier to talk to Miss Daphne.”
“Isn’t Your Grace popular with other people?”
“Well, I’m really awkward when it comes to dealing with women...”
Daphne burst out laughing at Ioannis' words. Of course, Daphne was of lower status, so he would probably be more comfortable.
It wasn't exactly unpleasant, but rather amusing. She meant to Ioannis that she was his 'friend', on par with Asherad.
“I tell you again, the Empress Dowager cannot harass you at all. She cannot even threaten your life.”
“...”
“But if anything happens, just tell me.”
Ioannis spoke forcefully. Daphne smiled, hiding her bitterness. It felt somehow reassuring and reassuring.
Daphne was given two new knights. Both were familiar knights whom Daphne would often see when she was a maid at the Crown Prince's palace.
They greeted Daphne politely, unlike before, and followed her.
“This way.”
"Yes?"
“You took the wrong road.”
At the knight's words, Daphne followed his guidance. Is this the right way? When she thought it was out of the way, Daphne realized something was wrong.
This was a remote place. She had let her guard down because she saw a familiar knight! Just as she was about to scream, a voice was heard.
“Tsk tsk, what if they notice now?”
“...”
“There’s no need to yell, kid.”
Daphne opened her eyes wide. Count Locania emerged from the shadows. Daphne breathed a sigh of relief.
“That guy is my man.”
The knight bowed politely as the Count nodded.
“I'm sorry for surprising you.”
He greeted Count Locania once, then walked further out as if to check the net.
“I had a hard time planting that guy next to you.”
Count Locania laughed heartily. The Count had been uncontactable for some time. She wondered why...
“How have you been? I was worried because I didn’t hear from you.”
“There’s a reason I haven’t contacted you. What am I going to do if you offer me up to the Emperor you loved so much?”
Daphne's heart sank at the Count of Locania's sarcastic remark. She was facing a reality she had forgotten.
“I understand. That’s how people are. After all, the Emperor gave you everything, so you probably wanted to settle down. Why did you want to run away?”
When Asherad truly loved Daphne and changed his attitude, she felt relieved. Asherad trusted Daphne, gave her everything, and did not hesitate to express his affection to her.
Are you suggesting that we run away from here?
Daphne's body froze without her knowing it, even though she wasn't mentally prepared yet. Count Locania watched Daphne's transformation with a cold smile.
“It’s a shame, but you're such a fool.”
“...”
“While I wasn’t in touch with you, I found out a lot of interesting facts.”
“...”
“I’ll tell you just one very important thing.”
“...”
“You are still being toyed with. The Emperor treats you like a dog.”
Daphne shook her head this time. Asherad was treating Daphne like a human being anyway. He even said he was going to marry her. But what good was that?
Escape...
I have to run away...
“If he changes his mind, you’ll be bullied again right away. Tsk... Have you forgotten about Fabian?”
Count Locania looked at Daphne with a pitiful expression. Daphne could not bear to look at his face.
“No, no, I wasn’t trying to blame you. If you choose to settle down, I’ll just kill you.”
“...”
“But I feel sorry for you, and I’d like to give you just a few pieces of information.”
“...”
“Why did your mother die so quickly?”
The day Asherad left was a snowy day. The people of the palace stood to bid farewell to the Emperor, who was leaving on a long journey.
“Take care on your way back.”
Asherad nodded at Kalista's words. Daphne stood still and watched Asherad mount his horse.
She already said hello yesterday.
Asherad hugged Daphne tightly without holding her and whispered that he loved her. They slept like normal lovers and greeted the morning.
So there was no need for greetings.
Shr didn't think it was necessary.
"Daphne."
But the moment he called, Daphne again became the dog she had always hated and tried to walk towards him. Realizing this, Daphne stopped.
At that moment, Asherad moved his horse and approached Daphne.
“Even if you greeted me all night, you really have to greet me today.”
He grimaced slightly in resentment and scolded her. Daphne smiled awkwardly at that.
Something had clearly changed. Daphne held onto his hand as he rode on horseback, trying hard to hold onto her fragile heart.
“Please have a safe trip.”
Hot hands and cold lips touched and pressed against each other. The clear contrast of temperatures made it seem as if time had stopped for the man and woman.
The sight of the woman kissing him was beautiful and pious, as if she were serving God.
The large hand wrapped around the woman's two hands was clearly hiding its ferocity and was wriggling quietly in Daphne's hand.
The man watched the ecstatic scene with bated breath. It was a wondrous scene, something he had always dreamed of.
How could that kiss, wishing for a safe return, not be pleasant?
When Daphne raised her head, she thought Asherad's ears were strangely red. As she tried to look at them more closely, Asherad called out to her.
"Daphne."
“...”
“Do you love me?”
At those words, Daphne looked up at Asherad with her mouth shut. Asherad snickered at her speechless, bewildered eyes.
“I’ll come back and listen next time.”
“...”
“If you want to draw, draw. For important matters, consult Ioannis.”
“...”
“If you write a letter, I’ll write back.”
As Daphne nodded with a faint smile, Asherad snickered.
He looked at Daphne's lips with regret, then rode forward. It was the typical appearance of a man who was regretful of a brief farewell to his lover.
The palace people had become accustomed to it, but the nobles still seemed unfamiliar.
Asherad, who took Daphne as his lover, was reluctant to show his affection in public. Not only did he give her a title, but he loved her so much...
Some looked at Kalista's face, but Kalista turned away with a more indifferent expression than expected and returned to her quarters.
They looked at Kalista and Daphne and thought. Kalista, who was so self-willed and hated the lowly things, and Daphne, who was gentle despite being the woman who had captured the Emperor's heart.
What will become of them?
The rich have already begun to chatter with interest.
***
But their expectations were spectacularly wrong.
Daphne also thought that Kalista would bully her right away. But Kalista didn't take any action.
Instead, she avoided meeting Daphne. In the week since Asherad left, Kalista and Daphne had kept their contact to a minimum, not even greeting each other.
Ioannis said to Daphne, who was puzzled.
“That woman will never bother the Baroness again.”
"Yes?"
“Because she has been treated badly by His Majesty.”
Daphne nodded. Unlike the previous hunting competitions, Asherad seemed to have left Kalista in his care. Daphne sighed. She felt bored after Asherad left. She felt frustrated because she didn't know why.
“Do you want to see His Majesty?”
“...”
Daphne smiled vaguely. Ioannis looked at Daphne with a puzzled expression. She let out a small sigh. Just, strangely, his face kept coming to mind. Daphne tried to erase the thought, thinking it was the mind of a dog.
Ioannis said.
“You two look happy.”
"...”
“Is it true that when Asherad returns, he plans to welcome you as his Empress?”
"Yes."
Ioannis snickered as Daphne nodded.
“There was a reason why he postponed welcoming the Empress after saying so.”
"Yes?"
“Asherad said. The coronation of the Empress was deliberately postponed.”
“...”
“The incident at the ball was also covered up because of the attempted poisoning.”
“...”
“Once he takes the Empress, it becomes difficult to take the consort. He has to get permission from the highest-ranking woman in the imperial family.”
Daphne nodded at Ioannis' explanation. I see, Daphne nodded. He was also steadily devising a way to take her as his wife... An Empress. Just thinking about it was strange.
Then Daphne flinched. It was because she had forgotten that she was trying to run away again. That was how sweet the future that Asherad had shown her was.
“Miss Daphne, I have something to apologize for in advance.”
"Yes?"
“I will no longer be able to escort or visit Miss Daphne as often as I do now.”
Daphne opened her eyes wide at those words. Why, said Ioannis, looking at her gaze.
“Now that His Majesty is away, my father has become regent. There is no one left to take charge of the household affairs, so I must go.”
“...”
Daphne nodded regretfully. It was not often that she saw Ioannis, but it was true that his presence gave her support.
Although he was a friend of Asherad, he was also a cool advisor to Daphne and a warm confidant of secrets.
Daphne asked the knight with brown hair.
“What will happen when His Majesty returns?”
“I don’t know.”
Ioannis answered honestly. She felt a little empty. After Asherad, Ioannis also left...
“You don’t have to worry too much. As usual, the other knights will be guarding Miss Daphne.”
“...”
“In addition, I have brought with me loyal knights who have served His Majesty since the days of the Crown Prince.”
"Yes..."
Daphne answered listlessly. Ioannis smiled at Daphne's sullen face, because it looked just like a puppy's.
“Don't worry.”
“...”
“But I’m not breaking up with Miss Daphne.”
“...”
“I’ll come visit you sometimes when I have time.”
Daphne's face brightened again. Ioannis spoke with an awkward expression.
“I don’t have any friends except Asherad. It’s easier to talk to Miss Daphne.”
“Isn’t Your Grace popular with other people?”
“Well, I’m really awkward when it comes to dealing with women...”
Daphne burst out laughing at Ioannis' words. Of course, Daphne was of lower status, so he would probably be more comfortable.
It wasn't exactly unpleasant, but rather amusing. She meant to Ioannis that she was his 'friend', on par with Asherad.
“I tell you again, the Empress Dowager cannot harass you at all. She cannot even threaten your life.”
“...”
“But if anything happens, just tell me.”
Ioannis spoke forcefully. Daphne smiled, hiding her bitterness. It felt somehow reassuring and reassuring.
***
Daphne was given two new knights. Both were familiar knights whom Daphne would often see when she was a maid at the Crown Prince's palace.
They greeted Daphne politely, unlike before, and followed her.
“This way.”
"Yes?"
“You took the wrong road.”
At the knight's words, Daphne followed his guidance. Is this the right way? When she thought it was out of the way, Daphne realized something was wrong.
This was a remote place. She had let her guard down because she saw a familiar knight! Just as she was about to scream, a voice was heard.
“Tsk tsk, what if they notice now?”
“...”
“There’s no need to yell, kid.”
Daphne opened her eyes wide. Count Locania emerged from the shadows. Daphne breathed a sigh of relief.
“That guy is my man.”
The knight bowed politely as the Count nodded.
“I'm sorry for surprising you.”
He greeted Count Locania once, then walked further out as if to check the net.
“I had a hard time planting that guy next to you.”
Count Locania laughed heartily. The Count had been uncontactable for some time. She wondered why...
“How have you been? I was worried because I didn’t hear from you.”
“There’s a reason I haven’t contacted you. What am I going to do if you offer me up to the Emperor you loved so much?”
Daphne's heart sank at the Count of Locania's sarcastic remark. She was facing a reality she had forgotten.
“I understand. That’s how people are. After all, the Emperor gave you everything, so you probably wanted to settle down. Why did you want to run away?”
When Asherad truly loved Daphne and changed his attitude, she felt relieved. Asherad trusted Daphne, gave her everything, and did not hesitate to express his affection to her.
Are you suggesting that we run away from here?
Daphne's body froze without her knowing it, even though she wasn't mentally prepared yet. Count Locania watched Daphne's transformation with a cold smile.
“It’s a shame, but you're such a fool.”
“...”
“While I wasn’t in touch with you, I found out a lot of interesting facts.”
“...”
“I’ll tell you just one very important thing.”
“...”
“You are still being toyed with. The Emperor treats you like a dog.”
Daphne shook her head this time. Asherad was treating Daphne like a human being anyway. He even said he was going to marry her. But what good was that?
Escape...
I have to run away...
“If he changes his mind, you’ll be bullied again right away. Tsk... Have you forgotten about Fabian?”
Count Locania looked at Daphne with a pitiful expression. Daphne could not bear to look at his face.
“No, no, I wasn’t trying to blame you. If you choose to settle down, I’ll just kill you.”
“...”
“But I feel sorry for you, and I’d like to give you just a few pieces of information.”
“...”
“Why did your mother die so quickly?”
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