#146. Midnight Duel
When Derek arrived, Daphne was fortunately awake. Derek strode over to her, intending to tell her the secret he had brought. However, in Daphne's room, Derek's eyes narrowed. It was because Asherad was by Daphne's side.
Why?
Derek was puzzled. Asherad looked at Daphne like a dog showing off, and gave Derek a sidelong glance. What the hell is this? Derek frowned. How can this kid come faster than me?
“So, Derek? What’s going on?”
Daphne asked, stroking Asherad's head. He must have felt humiliated, but he enjoyed the touch like a loyal dog. Derek sighed.
“This kid ran away.”
"...huh?"
Daphne looked at Asherad. But Asherad had a puzzled look on his face. He ran away? Derek thought it didn't make sense.
“Are you saying he left the room?”
“No, he met the Duke of Turbol outside the palace!”
“...How about the interest?”
“I deliberately let my guard down because he knew I would come into contact with the lottery forces. As soon as he got out, I immediately chased him down with my people.”
Daphne looked at Asherad. Daphne frowned. Her face was deep in thought. Derek gritted his teeth. He had to find proper evidence. He had to retrieve Daphne's father's body, or at least bring back the picture he had drawn. However, there were many of Duke Turbol's men there, and the report about Daphne came first, which led to this disaster.
In the meantime, Asherad returned first. That meant there was a secret passage.
“There must be a secret passage.”
Derek said calmly. Daphne asked curiously.
“Sir Pond. Then how did you track it?”
Daphne's question was persuasive. If there were a secret passage, it would be impossible to search in the first place. Derek was speechless. When Asherad left, he didn't use the secret passage. He just left as if it were nothing. When he left the palace, he didn't use the secret passage, but when he came back, he used the secret passage. It didn't make sense.
Derek looked at Asherad, who was smiling. She was laughing at him.
Could it be that this bastard knew that he was secretly chasing him? He deliberately chose this method because he knew that he was secretly chasing him, without revealing his absence. Furthermore, the deliberate neglect of surveillance was poisonous. The knights never looked into Asherad's bedroom, and they did not even know that he was away.
“Lord Pond?”
Derek gritted his teeth at Daphne's words. He wanted to scream that this demon had killed her father. But would there be any evidence? If he went to the murder scene now, everything would have been cleaned up. It was his mistake.
He got hit by Askeraad.
And the moment he saw Daphne's face, Derek was speechless. Daphne's face looked calm. Was it right to bring up her father's existence again? A father who was twisted, almost blind, and unable to hear? Daphne was officially the Emperor's daughter...?
This is absolutely not helping Daphne.
Should we separate Asherad? That's right. But Derek took a deep breath. This was something that had to be kept a secret. The more he told her, the less helpful it would be. It would shatter the peace Daphne had finally found. No. At least he could separate Asherad and Daphne.
No, can I take it off?
Derek looked at the two of them. Daphne was punishing him for revenge. If her hatred grew stronger here, would Daphne abandon or kill Asherad? Not at all.
Derek, too, seemed to be caught in a maze of hatred. He was as if he was caught in a spider web, unable to move.
“Asherad. I... am watching you.”
Derek glared at him with reddened eyes. Asherad smiled bashfully, leaning his forehead on Daphne's knee with the corners of his mouth raised. It was like a beast putting on a leash and showing off.
After Derek left, Daphne looked down at Asherad. She looked at Asherad, looking up at her.
“Asherad.”
As Asherad raised his head, Daphne struck Asherad's cheek without hesitation. Asherad was helpless against the sudden violence. He looked at Daphne with a humiliated expression. However, there was not a single trace of guilt on Daphne’s face. She looked down at him like a doll.
“I see you went out.”
When I told him to run away, he really did. Why did he run away? Daphne was furious. However, she didn't show her emotions. She thought this man would be happy.
“...Do you believe what that guy says?”
It had been a long time since she had spoken. Asherad did not use formal language toward Daphne. It was as if it were hid last bit of pride. However, Daphne knew how to make Asherad angry.
“I didn’t mix the two. We lived together as a couple for six years. I can tell when you're lying or telling the truth.”
At those words, Asherad's expression suddenly fell. Daphne lifted Asherad's chin. Yes. Asherad's eyes were burning with anger at that moment. Daphne laughed coldly. This man said he would let her go, but he couldn’t. So he must be acting like a dog. Daphne didn’t know that. Daphne pulled the rope around his neck. Then Asherad was dragged to her with a pained expression. Daphne bent down and brought her face close to his.
“Stop acting like that. Asherad.”
As Daphne spoke softly, Asherad said nothing. His face was filled with anger.
“Tell me what happened. And tell me about the secret passage.”
“...If I don’t say anything?”
Daphne felt an unbearable anger at the voice that sounded like a song. This guy is making fun of me. But Daphne smiled and said.
“Okay then. I’ll just let you go.”
"What?"
Asherad's pupils shrank.
“You can run away, I’ll let you run away.”
Daphne said with a smiling voice.
“I will abandon you.”
At those words, Asherad's pupils dilated this time. Daphne gently stroked Asherad's cheek. Asherad looked at Daphne's face.
It was such a confident threat. Asherad would hate it... It was as if he had read Asherad's mind, who had betrayed Duke Turbol.
“It would be better for me if you left me. This dog thing too...”
Daphne responded coldly to Asherad's words.
“I’m really going to abandon you.”
“...”
“I won’t look for you anymore. I’ll be happy without you.”
“...”
“You will never be mine again. You will never see Ian again.”
Asherad had no choice but to open his mouth at that threat. In fact, Daphne knew only one very important thing. Asherad could not let go of Daphne, and he still loved her. She did not know how deep it was, but the moment she realized that he was weak, Asherad could not help but become weak.
Daphne blinked as she listened to the story. Asherad spoke surprisingly honestly.
“I met the Duke of Turbol.”
“...”
“He set up a double for your father to tarnish your legitimacy.”
He once again mixed cunning lies with the truth. It was natural. It was because he did not want to be hated by Daphne.
“My father’s double?”
Daphne frowned at those words. Asherad muttered with shining eyes.
“Your father was killed by Belenus. I know that very well.”
“...”
“I knew right away that man was a body double.”
He doesn't know whether Daphne believes it or not, Asherad continued.
“That’s why I killed him. So he wouldn’t do useless things.”
"Why?"
You killed someone again? Shr wasn't even surprised anymore. When Daphne asked indifferently, Asherad opened his eyes.
“I am your dog.”
“...”
“How could a dog bite its owner?”
Daphne said, looking into those clear eyes.
“There is a secret passage that the Turbol family has.”
"I see."
Daphne nodded and touched Asherad's cheek.
“You are kind. Then you came back to me for my own sake.”
"Yes."
“Because you don’t want to be abandoned by me. Because you don’t want me to leave you.”
"Yes."
“Do you plan to be my dog forever?”
"Yes."
Daphne saw the cunning beast singing lies. Daphne believed in Asherad, yet did not believe in him.
“Are you going to tell me where the secret passage is?”
As he looked at her face, smiling and speaking affectionately, Asherad was unable to say anything for a moment. He missed her bright smile so much.
Did Daphne know everything? He doesn't know. However, Asherad was unable to reason with Daphne.
Asherad was a dog who didn't want to be abandoned by Daphne.
What kind of dog would argue with its owner? He was fascinated by Daphne's smile at him. He was going to destroy it anyway. He didn't mind giving it to Daphne. And... In fact, he expected to be questioned about this, too.
Asherad felt something was strange from the moment surveillance became lax.
The existence of the secret passage should have been eliminated, and it was good that Daphne knew about it. He had to be the dog that Daphne needed.
Duke Turbol entered the palace. He came here to carry out Asherad's last request. Once that was done, he would take Asherad away. That was his purpose. If Asherad would not go, he would drag him out by force. Oliver's double could be made as many times as he wanted. He had disposed of the body a long time ago.
The secret passage was in the horseshoe of the god Rurabda. When the button on the horseshoe was pressed, the secret passage opened. This statue was not well-maintained, and people rarely walked around.
The Duke could not give up like this. Asherad. How much he had wanted his son to become Emperor. That was why he showed loyalty to the rotten Belenus and pushed Ioannis into the battlefield.
He couldn't lose everything like this. He wanted it back.
“Be quiet and don’t make any noise.”
Duke Turbol looked at the knights following him and said, They were all dressed in black. It was then.
“Good night.”
A voice that should never have been heard was heard. Count Locania was standing there. Why is he here?
“How can a famous warrior come and go from the palace like a rat?”
It was a voice full of laughter. However, Duke Turbol, who had thought he would be embarrassed, raised the corners of his mouth. His hand holding his sword tightened. The target was here. How could he not be happy?
“I have come to kill you, you detestable traitor.”
Duke Turbol took up his sword. It gleamed in the moonlight.
When Derek arrived, Daphne was fortunately awake. Derek strode over to her, intending to tell her the secret he had brought. However, in Daphne's room, Derek's eyes narrowed. It was because Asherad was by Daphne's side.
Why?
Derek was puzzled. Asherad looked at Daphne like a dog showing off, and gave Derek a sidelong glance. What the hell is this? Derek frowned. How can this kid come faster than me?
“So, Derek? What’s going on?”
Daphne asked, stroking Asherad's head. He must have felt humiliated, but he enjoyed the touch like a loyal dog. Derek sighed.
“This kid ran away.”
"...huh?"
Daphne looked at Asherad. But Asherad had a puzzled look on his face. He ran away? Derek thought it didn't make sense.
“Are you saying he left the room?”
“No, he met the Duke of Turbol outside the palace!”
“...How about the interest?”
“I deliberately let my guard down because he knew I would come into contact with the lottery forces. As soon as he got out, I immediately chased him down with my people.”
Daphne looked at Asherad. Daphne frowned. Her face was deep in thought. Derek gritted his teeth. He had to find proper evidence. He had to retrieve Daphne's father's body, or at least bring back the picture he had drawn. However, there were many of Duke Turbol's men there, and the report about Daphne came first, which led to this disaster.
In the meantime, Asherad returned first. That meant there was a secret passage.
“There must be a secret passage.”
Derek said calmly. Daphne asked curiously.
“Sir Pond. Then how did you track it?”
Daphne's question was persuasive. If there were a secret passage, it would be impossible to search in the first place. Derek was speechless. When Asherad left, he didn't use the secret passage. He just left as if it were nothing. When he left the palace, he didn't use the secret passage, but when he came back, he used the secret passage. It didn't make sense.
Derek looked at Asherad, who was smiling. She was laughing at him.
Could it be that this bastard knew that he was secretly chasing him? He deliberately chose this method because he knew that he was secretly chasing him, without revealing his absence. Furthermore, the deliberate neglect of surveillance was poisonous. The knights never looked into Asherad's bedroom, and they did not even know that he was away.
“Lord Pond?”
Derek gritted his teeth at Daphne's words. He wanted to scream that this demon had killed her father. But would there be any evidence? If he went to the murder scene now, everything would have been cleaned up. It was his mistake.
He got hit by Askeraad.
And the moment he saw Daphne's face, Derek was speechless. Daphne's face looked calm. Was it right to bring up her father's existence again? A father who was twisted, almost blind, and unable to hear? Daphne was officially the Emperor's daughter...?
This is absolutely not helping Daphne.
Should we separate Asherad? That's right. But Derek took a deep breath. This was something that had to be kept a secret. The more he told her, the less helpful it would be. It would shatter the peace Daphne had finally found. No. At least he could separate Asherad and Daphne.
No, can I take it off?
Derek looked at the two of them. Daphne was punishing him for revenge. If her hatred grew stronger here, would Daphne abandon or kill Asherad? Not at all.
Derek, too, seemed to be caught in a maze of hatred. He was as if he was caught in a spider web, unable to move.
“Asherad. I... am watching you.”
Derek glared at him with reddened eyes. Asherad smiled bashfully, leaning his forehead on Daphne's knee with the corners of his mouth raised. It was like a beast putting on a leash and showing off.
After Derek left, Daphne looked down at Asherad. She looked at Asherad, looking up at her.
“Asherad.”
As Asherad raised his head, Daphne struck Asherad's cheek without hesitation. Asherad was helpless against the sudden violence. He looked at Daphne with a humiliated expression. However, there was not a single trace of guilt on Daphne’s face. She looked down at him like a doll.
“I see you went out.”
When I told him to run away, he really did. Why did he run away? Daphne was furious. However, she didn't show her emotions. She thought this man would be happy.
“...Do you believe what that guy says?”
It had been a long time since she had spoken. Asherad did not use formal language toward Daphne. It was as if it were hid last bit of pride. However, Daphne knew how to make Asherad angry.
“I didn’t mix the two. We lived together as a couple for six years. I can tell when you're lying or telling the truth.”
At those words, Asherad's expression suddenly fell. Daphne lifted Asherad's chin. Yes. Asherad's eyes were burning with anger at that moment. Daphne laughed coldly. This man said he would let her go, but he couldn’t. So he must be acting like a dog. Daphne didn’t know that. Daphne pulled the rope around his neck. Then Asherad was dragged to her with a pained expression. Daphne bent down and brought her face close to his.
“Stop acting like that. Asherad.”
As Daphne spoke softly, Asherad said nothing. His face was filled with anger.
“Tell me what happened. And tell me about the secret passage.”
“...If I don’t say anything?”
Daphne felt an unbearable anger at the voice that sounded like a song. This guy is making fun of me. But Daphne smiled and said.
“Okay then. I’ll just let you go.”
"What?"
Asherad's pupils shrank.
“You can run away, I’ll let you run away.”
Daphne said with a smiling voice.
“I will abandon you.”
At those words, Asherad's pupils dilated this time. Daphne gently stroked Asherad's cheek. Asherad looked at Daphne's face.
It was such a confident threat. Asherad would hate it... It was as if he had read Asherad's mind, who had betrayed Duke Turbol.
“It would be better for me if you left me. This dog thing too...”
Daphne responded coldly to Asherad's words.
“I’m really going to abandon you.”
“...”
“I won’t look for you anymore. I’ll be happy without you.”
“...”
“You will never be mine again. You will never see Ian again.”
Asherad had no choice but to open his mouth at that threat. In fact, Daphne knew only one very important thing. Asherad could not let go of Daphne, and he still loved her. She did not know how deep it was, but the moment she realized that he was weak, Asherad could not help but become weak.
Daphne blinked as she listened to the story. Asherad spoke surprisingly honestly.
“I met the Duke of Turbol.”
“...”
“He set up a double for your father to tarnish your legitimacy.”
He once again mixed cunning lies with the truth. It was natural. It was because he did not want to be hated by Daphne.
“My father’s double?”
Daphne frowned at those words. Asherad muttered with shining eyes.
“Your father was killed by Belenus. I know that very well.”
“...”
“I knew right away that man was a body double.”
He doesn't know whether Daphne believes it or not, Asherad continued.
“That’s why I killed him. So he wouldn’t do useless things.”
"Why?"
You killed someone again? Shr wasn't even surprised anymore. When Daphne asked indifferently, Asherad opened his eyes.
“I am your dog.”
“...”
“How could a dog bite its owner?”
Daphne said, looking into those clear eyes.
“There is a secret passage that the Turbol family has.”
"I see."
Daphne nodded and touched Asherad's cheek.
“You are kind. Then you came back to me for my own sake.”
"Yes."
“Because you don’t want to be abandoned by me. Because you don’t want me to leave you.”
"Yes."
“Do you plan to be my dog forever?”
"Yes."
Daphne saw the cunning beast singing lies. Daphne believed in Asherad, yet did not believe in him.
“Are you going to tell me where the secret passage is?”
As he looked at her face, smiling and speaking affectionately, Asherad was unable to say anything for a moment. He missed her bright smile so much.
Did Daphne know everything? He doesn't know. However, Asherad was unable to reason with Daphne.
Asherad was a dog who didn't want to be abandoned by Daphne.
What kind of dog would argue with its owner? He was fascinated by Daphne's smile at him. He was going to destroy it anyway. He didn't mind giving it to Daphne. And... In fact, he expected to be questioned about this, too.
Asherad felt something was strange from the moment surveillance became lax.
The existence of the secret passage should have been eliminated, and it was good that Daphne knew about it. He had to be the dog that Daphne needed.
***
Duke Turbol entered the palace. He came here to carry out Asherad's last request. Once that was done, he would take Asherad away. That was his purpose. If Asherad would not go, he would drag him out by force. Oliver's double could be made as many times as he wanted. He had disposed of the body a long time ago.
The secret passage was in the horseshoe of the god Rurabda. When the button on the horseshoe was pressed, the secret passage opened. This statue was not well-maintained, and people rarely walked around.
The Duke could not give up like this. Asherad. How much he had wanted his son to become Emperor. That was why he showed loyalty to the rotten Belenus and pushed Ioannis into the battlefield.
He couldn't lose everything like this. He wanted it back.
“Be quiet and don’t make any noise.”
Duke Turbol looked at the knights following him and said, They were all dressed in black. It was then.
“Good night.”
A voice that should never have been heard was heard. Count Locania was standing there. Why is he here?
“How can a famous warrior come and go from the palace like a rat?”
It was a voice full of laughter. However, Duke Turbol, who had thought he would be embarrassed, raised the corners of his mouth. His hand holding his sword tightened. The target was here. How could he not be happy?
“I have come to kill you, you detestable traitor.”
Duke Turbol took up his sword. It gleamed in the moonlight.
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