Noah examined her trembling arm. Erita frowned and tried to shake off his grip.
“Why are you suddenly asking that? Let go.”
“I guess so, seeing as how it’s been disposed of like this.”
Noah, seeing that she had forcibly rolled up her sleeve and wrapped it in bandages, thrust his face right in front of her. His ferocious eyes held her gaze with a stern gaze.
“Do you know when a well-trained military dog bites a person?”
“How would I know?”
"An order, or a situation where the target of protection is threatened. Since I wasn't in a position to give orders, it would be the latter."
"You're convinced I was the one who hurt Diana? No. I didn't. That's what I came to tell you."
"I'm not sure, but it's you. Even if you accidentally fell, there would have been a situation immediately afterward where the military dogs could have attacked."
“I didn’t do anything. That mad dog just suddenly ran at me, ugh!”
Erita's head tilted back in pain as he pressed hard against her injured arm. Noah, who was still pressing hard on the wound, smiled innocently.
“If you scream, I’ll break it.”
Her face contorted in agony, unable to even scream at the ominous warning. Blood seeped from her clenched lips.
“Stop, ah, it hurts.”
Noah released Erita's groaning arm, straightened his disheveled tie, and lifted his chin. The corners of his eyes, as he looked down at the woman who had fallen and collapsed, furrowed in a long, raised expression.
"I decided to live like a normal person. You know, what would a normal person do in this situation?"
Erita was oppressed by a strangely distorted atmosphere. She admired him and loved him, but she was equally afraid. Now, she felt as if she had been brutally crushed and trampled beneath the soles of that man's brogues. Seeing him stand in the vantage point, his face scorning her with a mad face, Erita reflected on it again.
That man is a beautiful madman and an elegant psychopath.
A stable life without any lack brings a sense of boredom and emptiness that threatens humanity. As the very meaning of existence fades, you become more and more drawn to the stimulating and dangerous. A sensual man, who was so captivated by it, asks:
"You didn't understand me the first time, so let me ask again. What punishment is given to those who break social norms and legalized morality?"
"Why do you keep asking me such strange questions? Did I break the law? There's been no verdict. I've been acquitted so far. Why should I be blamed for those lowlifes who are worse than livestock..."
Erita's face paled as he pulled a brooch from his coat pocket. It was a ruby brooch with a small royal emblem engraved on it. Diana was clutching it desperately, as if trying to convey something.
"A sentence that imprisons or banishes someone after determining they've harmed or are no longer useful to society? If they can avoid it, as they have in the past, it's a privilege. But if their abuse of power and corruption are exposed, they'll face even harsher punishments as a paragon of equality. Not even a single monarch can escape this. Like the incompetent King Eric VII of Francia, they'll be condemned by the public and die on the gallows."
If a situation arose that would harm the royal family's honor and authority, her mother might dismiss it, emphasizing fairness. She was still young and could even hand in a royal document to produce another heir. Noah, seeing Erita's faded lips tremble slightly, brimming with anxiety, let out a faint snort of laughter.
"Choose. Option 1 is to face the usual legal judgment. Option 2 is to be thrown into a slum on the outskirts of the fantasy road."
“Why are you deciding that?”
"Because it's entirely within my power. Should I also tell you Plan 3? From here on, I'll start with the premise that you'll be treated worse than a sausage. I'll skip the rest because it's so inhumane and horrific. My wife might hear about it."
Erita seemed to have forgotten how to speak, simply staring blankly. Noah gazed down at Diana, who lay motionless, with affectionate eyes.
"But I've decided to be a normal man, so I'll settle on option 1. Was it Olivia? The daughter of a Countess. The jewels from the dress you were wearing were found on the terrace where she fell to her death."
“Diana wore the same thing that day.”
"You already have an alibi, and if we link it to this incident, things will be different. The president of the Kappel Federal Kelheit Bank, which you frequently use to send down payments, happens to be a close friend of mine. Even if he doesn't reveal your exact identity or real name, he'll tell me which country you were in and when you transacted. If we compare the dates, we'll find a lot of things that match."
“No, no. Don’t frame me.”
“You imprisoned and drugged a maid named Ayla Delson to death. You bribed the maid’s husband to give false testimony, so she was framed as the culprit and sentenced to death.”
Erita, sobbing, finally turned her head and averted her gaze like a weakling. With no more excuses or justifications to offer, her lips clung to glue. Her mouth was dry, and the stark white walls of the hospital room alternated between black and white. He was driving her into a corner, step by step.
"The royal doctor's opinion must have left a record of tetanus treatment and prescriptions. Changing clothes at the time means leaving irrefutable evidence at the scene. The Queen, unable to bear it any longer, must have given up. That's why she came to me first."
At Noah's question, Erita couldn't hide her characteristic anxiety. Her breathing became rapid, and her entire body trembled uncontrollably. Her eyes rolled in confusion, and she began to bite her fingernails. Panicked, she muttered helplessly.
“What do you want me to do...”
"You came to ask me a favor, didn't you? I knew you would, so I waited for you to come."
Noah lifted his chin and crossed his arms with an arrogant expression. Erita desperately grabbed his arm.
"My mother might abandon me, Noah. I'm telling you, Diana's injuries really weren't my fault. Please believe me."
“If I trust you, what will you do for me?”
"What do you want? Tell me. I'll give you as much money as you want. I'll even give you the position you want."
"Um, first of all, could you please let go of my hand? I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't touch me without permission."
"Haa," Erita sighed, letting go of Noah's hand. She lowered her eyes and waited for Noah to speak. He raised one corner of his mouth and added haughtily.
“Besides, that’s not the right attitude to ask for something.”
“...I am a Princess. Are you saying that I, a person of noble birth, should even bow my head?”
“In the end, you ended up in a situation where you had to kneel down and beg from others, right?”
“How dare you say such a thing, I...”
Noah raised a hand and cut off Erita's words, grinning. He gave an order in a voice filled with mockery.
“You have to beg. It’s pathetic and miserable.”
Beg? Like those little things did to me?
Erita's teeth clenched tightly, a deep furrow forming between her eyebrows. To be treated like this by the man she loved. A feeling of falling from a great height, along with shame and humiliation, washed over her.
Noah maintains a relaxed demeanor, using only words and expressions to lure her into the abyss's introductory scene. Even without entering the pit, the horrific vision of hell was eerily vivid.
The prospect of being confined to a monastery for the rest of her life, aging, or, in the worst case scenario, being executed as a mad Princess who had killed countless people, overwhelmed her with fear. Completely incapacitated, Erita collapsed to the floor, bowing her head.
"Princess Medea, Erita Spencer Grace, earnestly begs you to forgive me for my past transgressions. However, this wasn't my fault. So please forgive me just this once. I will thoroughly reflect on my actions."
Erita, who had been caught in an instant, reduced to the abject state of weakness, repeatedly wiped away tears. Without even the luxury of hoping for luck, she had no choice but to adopt a humble demeanor. Noah, standing by Diana's bedside, chuckled.
“You are a commoner and a livestock that follows my orders. Aren’t you?”
For her, who had lived her entire life as a Princess, these were unbearable words of humiliation. Her voice, as if tossed endlessly by the storm, tangled in pitch and pitch.
“Promise me you’ll keep quiet, I’ll do whatever you say.”
Noah, who was looking down at Erita, who was lying face down and crying while swallowing her misery, covered his mouth and laughed.
“And there’s something you have to do.”
“What is it?”
Noah's teeth, neat and white, were revealed through the cracks in his lips. The corners of his mouth rose curiously, and a faint dimple appeared. It was a satisfied smile, a smile that had achieved what he wanted.
"Marry the man chosen by Queen Grace II, and become an incompetent Queen. That's why I left you alone."
Erita's wet eyes widened at the unexpected command. She froze, her gaze fixed on the tips of Noah's shoes. Her thoughts were jumbled, and her emotions were awash.
“Weren’t you trying to pull me down from the throne?”
"I want to see a lowly being like you ascend to the throne. From your perspective, there's nothing wrong with that, right?"
He smiled calmly. Erita barely managed to suppress a scream. Was this all his plan? She'd be easily fooled, become Queen, and be used. She felt her mother's words about not trusting people were right, but it was too late. She'd thought she'd stepped into a puddle, but she'd fallen into a swamp of death, sinking deeper and deeper into hell the more she struggled. Tears welled up in her large, hazy eyes.
“So that’s why you seduced me and came to Medea. Frogen’s illegitimate son was also in cahoots with you.”
"You were just mistaken and hung on. It was funny how you made fun of me for giving me a cup of tea."
"Please, stop. It's so miserable. I deeply regret loving a man like you. How much do you intend to worry me?"
Erita burst into tears, lowering her head and covering her face with her hands. She couldn't accept this situation. She had only truly loved him, but she never imagined she would face such a miserable situation. Standing on the edge of despair, where everything had plummeted to the bottom, all she could see was a desperate, evil-driven outburst.
“If I ever find myself in a situation where I’m going to die, I’ll reveal everything.”
Her eyes were bloodshot. The words leaked out through her clenched teeth, making Noah sigh deeply, brushing back his bangs.
“Do that.”
“I will tell them everything, including how you tried to take over this country by using me as a puppet.”
“Yeah, do your best.”
"Yes, you're always so relaxed. But you'll never understand this. That woman was lying there like a corpse. No woman will understand and love your past actions, your cruel tendencies, your insane behavior."
"Well."
“I was that sincere, but you...”
"There's no reason you have to accept that, is there? And I wish you'd stop crying. Why are you crying, you little livestock?"
Noah, who was looking at Erita crying like a child, frowned and touched his forehead.
“If you don’t stop this right now, I’ll throw you out of the hospital room.”
Annoyance was clearly visible on his face. Erita, holding back tears and groaning at the soft, scratchy voice that came out of her vocal cords, pleaded once more.
"Noah. Just keep that promise to me, and I'll do whatever you say."
Noah didn't answer. He simply turned away without a word. The sudden silence left Erita speechless, observing the situation. A breeze blew through the slightly open window, making a strange, ghostly noise.
Erita, who had been staring at his back with a puzzled expression, felt a chill slicing away at her warmth and turned her gaze in the direction he was looking.
Beyond Noah's shoulder, a woman in a hospital gown sat upright. Her jet-black hair contrasted sharply against the pure white walls, creating an eerie effect. Beneath it, eerie, gray-green eyes stared intently in her direction.
“Ah!”
Erita screamed the moment she realized Diana was awake and looking at her. The pale woman's face was expressionless, devoid of emotion, like an empty shell. Erita hated her. No, it was almost frightening. Those eyes, those cold, motherly eyes.
“When, when did you regain consciousness!”
Diana's head tilted like a doll as she watched Erita swearing as if she were facing the devil. Then, a distinctive, subdued voice, neither high nor low, was heard.
“Since the moment you came here.”
“Why are you suddenly asking that? Let go.”
“I guess so, seeing as how it’s been disposed of like this.”
Noah, seeing that she had forcibly rolled up her sleeve and wrapped it in bandages, thrust his face right in front of her. His ferocious eyes held her gaze with a stern gaze.
“Do you know when a well-trained military dog bites a person?”
“How would I know?”
"An order, or a situation where the target of protection is threatened. Since I wasn't in a position to give orders, it would be the latter."
"You're convinced I was the one who hurt Diana? No. I didn't. That's what I came to tell you."
"I'm not sure, but it's you. Even if you accidentally fell, there would have been a situation immediately afterward where the military dogs could have attacked."
“I didn’t do anything. That mad dog just suddenly ran at me, ugh!”
Erita's head tilted back in pain as he pressed hard against her injured arm. Noah, who was still pressing hard on the wound, smiled innocently.
“If you scream, I’ll break it.”
Her face contorted in agony, unable to even scream at the ominous warning. Blood seeped from her clenched lips.
“Stop, ah, it hurts.”
Noah released Erita's groaning arm, straightened his disheveled tie, and lifted his chin. The corners of his eyes, as he looked down at the woman who had fallen and collapsed, furrowed in a long, raised expression.
"I decided to live like a normal person. You know, what would a normal person do in this situation?"
Erita was oppressed by a strangely distorted atmosphere. She admired him and loved him, but she was equally afraid. Now, she felt as if she had been brutally crushed and trampled beneath the soles of that man's brogues. Seeing him stand in the vantage point, his face scorning her with a mad face, Erita reflected on it again.
That man is a beautiful madman and an elegant psychopath.
A stable life without any lack brings a sense of boredom and emptiness that threatens humanity. As the very meaning of existence fades, you become more and more drawn to the stimulating and dangerous. A sensual man, who was so captivated by it, asks:
"You didn't understand me the first time, so let me ask again. What punishment is given to those who break social norms and legalized morality?"
"Why do you keep asking me such strange questions? Did I break the law? There's been no verdict. I've been acquitted so far. Why should I be blamed for those lowlifes who are worse than livestock..."
Erita's face paled as he pulled a brooch from his coat pocket. It was a ruby brooch with a small royal emblem engraved on it. Diana was clutching it desperately, as if trying to convey something.
"A sentence that imprisons or banishes someone after determining they've harmed or are no longer useful to society? If they can avoid it, as they have in the past, it's a privilege. But if their abuse of power and corruption are exposed, they'll face even harsher punishments as a paragon of equality. Not even a single monarch can escape this. Like the incompetent King Eric VII of Francia, they'll be condemned by the public and die on the gallows."
His words echoed the queen's warning. Those who step forward to execute her would likely be fellow members of the privileged class, concerned about public opinion and fearful that the backlash might spread to them.
"Choose. Option 1 is to face the usual legal judgment. Option 2 is to be thrown into a slum on the outskirts of the fantasy road."
“Why are you deciding that?”
"Because it's entirely within my power. Should I also tell you Plan 3? From here on, I'll start with the premise that you'll be treated worse than a sausage. I'll skip the rest because it's so inhumane and horrific. My wife might hear about it."
Erita seemed to have forgotten how to speak, simply staring blankly. Noah gazed down at Diana, who lay motionless, with affectionate eyes.
"But I've decided to be a normal man, so I'll settle on option 1. Was it Olivia? The daughter of a Countess. The jewels from the dress you were wearing were found on the terrace where she fell to her death."
“Diana wore the same thing that day.”
"You already have an alibi, and if we link it to this incident, things will be different. The president of the Kappel Federal Kelheit Bank, which you frequently use to send down payments, happens to be a close friend of mine. Even if he doesn't reveal your exact identity or real name, he'll tell me which country you were in and when you transacted. If we compare the dates, we'll find a lot of things that match."
“No, no. Don’t frame me.”
“You imprisoned and drugged a maid named Ayla Delson to death. You bribed the maid’s husband to give false testimony, so she was framed as the culprit and sentenced to death.”
Erita, sobbing, finally turned her head and averted her gaze like a weakling. With no more excuses or justifications to offer, her lips clung to glue. Her mouth was dry, and the stark white walls of the hospital room alternated between black and white. He was driving her into a corner, step by step.
"The royal doctor's opinion must have left a record of tetanus treatment and prescriptions. Changing clothes at the time means leaving irrefutable evidence at the scene. The Queen, unable to bear it any longer, must have given up. That's why she came to me first."
At Noah's question, Erita couldn't hide her characteristic anxiety. Her breathing became rapid, and her entire body trembled uncontrollably. Her eyes rolled in confusion, and she began to bite her fingernails. Panicked, she muttered helplessly.
“What do you want me to do...”
"You came to ask me a favor, didn't you? I knew you would, so I waited for you to come."
Noah lifted his chin and crossed his arms with an arrogant expression. Erita desperately grabbed his arm.
"My mother might abandon me, Noah. I'm telling you, Diana's injuries really weren't my fault. Please believe me."
“If I trust you, what will you do for me?”
"What do you want? Tell me. I'll give you as much money as you want. I'll even give you the position you want."
"Um, first of all, could you please let go of my hand? I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't touch me without permission."
"Haa," Erita sighed, letting go of Noah's hand. She lowered her eyes and waited for Noah to speak. He raised one corner of his mouth and added haughtily.
“Besides, that’s not the right attitude to ask for something.”
“...I am a Princess. Are you saying that I, a person of noble birth, should even bow my head?”
“In the end, you ended up in a situation where you had to kneel down and beg from others, right?”
“How dare you say such a thing, I...”
Noah raised a hand and cut off Erita's words, grinning. He gave an order in a voice filled with mockery.
“You have to beg. It’s pathetic and miserable.”
Beg? Like those little things did to me?
Erita's teeth clenched tightly, a deep furrow forming between her eyebrows. To be treated like this by the man she loved. A feeling of falling from a great height, along with shame and humiliation, washed over her.
Noah maintains a relaxed demeanor, using only words and expressions to lure her into the abyss's introductory scene. Even without entering the pit, the horrific vision of hell was eerily vivid.
The prospect of being confined to a monastery for the rest of her life, aging, or, in the worst case scenario, being executed as a mad Princess who had killed countless people, overwhelmed her with fear. Completely incapacitated, Erita collapsed to the floor, bowing her head.
"Princess Medea, Erita Spencer Grace, earnestly begs you to forgive me for my past transgressions. However, this wasn't my fault. So please forgive me just this once. I will thoroughly reflect on my actions."
Erita, who had been caught in an instant, reduced to the abject state of weakness, repeatedly wiped away tears. Without even the luxury of hoping for luck, she had no choice but to adopt a humble demeanor. Noah, standing by Diana's bedside, chuckled.
“You are a commoner and a livestock that follows my orders. Aren’t you?”
For her, who had lived her entire life as a Princess, these were unbearable words of humiliation. Her voice, as if tossed endlessly by the storm, tangled in pitch and pitch.
“Promise me you’ll keep quiet, I’ll do whatever you say.”
Noah, who was looking down at Erita, who was lying face down and crying while swallowing her misery, covered his mouth and laughed.
“And there’s something you have to do.”
“What is it?”
Noah's teeth, neat and white, were revealed through the cracks in his lips. The corners of his mouth rose curiously, and a faint dimple appeared. It was a satisfied smile, a smile that had achieved what he wanted.
"Marry the man chosen by Queen Grace II, and become an incompetent Queen. That's why I left you alone."
Erita's wet eyes widened at the unexpected command. She froze, her gaze fixed on the tips of Noah's shoes. Her thoughts were jumbled, and her emotions were awash.
“Weren’t you trying to pull me down from the throne?”
"I want to see a lowly being like you ascend to the throne. From your perspective, there's nothing wrong with that, right?"
He smiled calmly. Erita barely managed to suppress a scream. Was this all his plan? She'd be easily fooled, become Queen, and be used. She felt her mother's words about not trusting people were right, but it was too late. She'd thought she'd stepped into a puddle, but she'd fallen into a swamp of death, sinking deeper and deeper into hell the more she struggled. Tears welled up in her large, hazy eyes.
“So that’s why you seduced me and came to Medea. Frogen’s illegitimate son was also in cahoots with you.”
"You were just mistaken and hung on. It was funny how you made fun of me for giving me a cup of tea."
"Please, stop. It's so miserable. I deeply regret loving a man like you. How much do you intend to worry me?"
Erita burst into tears, lowering her head and covering her face with her hands. She couldn't accept this situation. She had only truly loved him, but she never imagined she would face such a miserable situation. Standing on the edge of despair, where everything had plummeted to the bottom, all she could see was a desperate, evil-driven outburst.
“If I ever find myself in a situation where I’m going to die, I’ll reveal everything.”
Her eyes were bloodshot. The words leaked out through her clenched teeth, making Noah sigh deeply, brushing back his bangs.
“Do that.”
“I will tell them everything, including how you tried to take over this country by using me as a puppet.”
“Yeah, do your best.”
"Yes, you're always so relaxed. But you'll never understand this. That woman was lying there like a corpse. No woman will understand and love your past actions, your cruel tendencies, your insane behavior."
"Well."
“I was that sincere, but you...”
"There's no reason you have to accept that, is there? And I wish you'd stop crying. Why are you crying, you little livestock?"
Noah, who was looking at Erita crying like a child, frowned and touched his forehead.
“If you don’t stop this right now, I’ll throw you out of the hospital room.”
Annoyance was clearly visible on his face. Erita, holding back tears and groaning at the soft, scratchy voice that came out of her vocal cords, pleaded once more.
"Noah. Just keep that promise to me, and I'll do whatever you say."
Noah didn't answer. He simply turned away without a word. The sudden silence left Erita speechless, observing the situation. A breeze blew through the slightly open window, making a strange, ghostly noise.
Erita, who had been staring at his back with a puzzled expression, felt a chill slicing away at her warmth and turned her gaze in the direction he was looking.
Beyond Noah's shoulder, a woman in a hospital gown sat upright. Her jet-black hair contrasted sharply against the pure white walls, creating an eerie effect. Beneath it, eerie, gray-green eyes stared intently in her direction.
“Ah!”
Erita screamed the moment she realized Diana was awake and looking at her. The pale woman's face was expressionless, devoid of emotion, like an empty shell. Erita hated her. No, it was almost frightening. Those eyes, those cold, motherly eyes.
“When, when did you regain consciousness!”
Diana's head tilted like a doll as she watched Erita swearing as if she were facing the devil. Then, a distinctive, subdued voice, neither high nor low, was heard.
“Since the moment you came here.”
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