"It seems like it’s hard for either of us to see each other, so I’ll just say what I need to say and leave."
Roselyn said.
In fact, Roselyn was also having a headache because she had a lot of things to sort out before leaving the capital.
She didn't really intend to get into a power struggle with her family.
She moistened her dry lips with wine and opened her mouth.
"I went to see His Highness the Third Prince a while ago, so I met His Majesty as well and discussed the broken engagement."
Duke Bellion shifted his gaze from his son to look at Roselyn.
“Permission has been granted.”
"...Wait, are you saying the Emperor allowed that?"
Duke Bellion frowned and retorted.
That sly Emperor, despite appearing so soft and promiscuous, is a calculating man.
If he decided to approve the annulment based solely on a conversation with Roselyn, without even consulting the Duke, there must have been a reason for it.
There is no way the Emperor would have gone out of his way to approve the breaking off of the engagement when there was no benefit to him.
'You got permission?'
Duke Bellion knew the Emperor better than anyone.
Marriage, love, and even brief private conversations are driven by thorough profit and calculation.
It was the Emperor who could lie low for over ten years for a single hunt.
He was a man who would hold his breath until everyone let their guard down, then draw his sword unnoticed and behead them.
Either Roselyn gave the Emperor what he wanted, or the Emperor took something without Roselyn knowing.
"...I don't think he would have just done it for free."
Roselyn obediently nodded at Duke Bellion's muttering.
"His Majesty said he would grant permission if I negotiate with Kaluta and resolve the unfortunate disappearance cases currently occurring in the capital."
"... What?"
At that moment, Duke Bellion and those seated at the banquet were left speechless.
"So I think I'll be leaving for Kaluta soon."
Regardless, Roselyn continued speaking indifferently.
"Marquis Garen ended up helping to solve the missing person case while serving as an escort."
"..."
"And the dresses..."
She trailed off, then picked up a glass of water instead of the empty wine glass to quench her thirst.
"I met Marquis Garen by chance when I went to the Imperial City to see His Highness the Third Prince. And previously at a banquet, Marquis Garen did something wrong to me."
Duke Bellion frowned at the words that flowed out so easily.
This is because he had never heard of any connection between Marquis Garen and Roselyn.
"Since the closet happened to be empty, I thought it was a good opportunity, so I asked Marquis Garen to hand over his clothes instead of apologizing."
"Huh? Niece, what do you mean the closet is empty?"
"It’s Lady Carmel’s doing. She takes or tears up everything good."
Carmel noticed that Rosalyn didn't want to tell her father useless things, so she used to torment her.
The desire not to cause more worry to the father who dislikes her.
If it were young Roselyn, she would have thrown it away with sheer willpower.
As if thinking that was some excellent means of defense.
Just because you pretend that the opponent's attack doesn't bother you doesn't make it a defense.
'So, it must have been shocking that I spoke my mind this time.'
Because they must have thought she would never say it.
However, Roselyn lived to be twenty-seven.
Twenty-seven-year-old Roselyn was so vile and cowardly that she could even use human lives if it meant using them.
"...How dare that woman...! What is she laying her hands on?!"
"It’s my fault for not saying anything, so there’s no need to be angry."
Roselyn lightly waved her hand.
Aegis, who had been angry at Roselyn, paused.
'Well, she talks about herself as if it were someone else's business....'
Both the voice and the gaze were dry and utterly indifferent.
All of these things seemed like just a nuisance.
"Anyway, it was resolved well."
After all, there are now several high-quality dresses.
"...You mean it was resolved well?"
Cherty's wavering gaze landed on Roselyn.
He struggled to suppress the emotions that were about to burst out.
It was because if he became angry, not only this dining table but also his daughter could be in danger.
"What do you mean it's resolved well..."
Cherty suppressed the rising emotions.
"Of course, Father wouldn't have liked it. But this is the best I could do."
"You should have told me."
Let's calm down.
Cherty thought.
"It's okay, I was able to handle it on my own."
Right, this isn't the child's fault.
'I'm the one who pushed you away from the start.'
So, naturally, he shouldn't get angry.
"Still, I don't think I deserve to hear that."
"..."
Roselyn let out a small sigh.
The nuance of extreme annoyance emanating from that expression made Cherty's heart sink.
"I will consult with you in advance from now on."
Roselyn took a step back.
It seemed like she stepped back not for her sake, but to avoid causing any more trouble.
So, for a moment, the distance between Cherty and his daughter felt a bit distant.
"Oh, and speaking of which..."
Roselyn spoke in a calm voice, smiling faintly.
"I heard that Marquis Garen owns a villa in the capital. Since I will be collaborating with him a lot for a while, I am thinking of staying there."
"..."
No, it is not something distant.
Cherty slowly closed and opened his eyes at the chilling sensation brushing against his back.
It doesn't feel real.
"I'm thinking of returning from Kaluta later, and if the engagement is broken off, I'll go over to the Kingdom of Del."
It is just like...
"That is all I wanted to say. Is there anything you don't understand, or is there anything I should be careful about?"
It was like a declaration that they were no longer walking the same path.
No.
I don't like it.
Why?
Have you started to dislike me too?
No, he pushed her away first. That's only natural.
Strangely, there is someone who likes him in the first place.
It’s only natural that that kid hates him.
You were trying to make me hate you, weren't you?
Me.
Because he took her mother away from Roselyn.
Me and no one else.
Because I killed your mother.
What filled Cherty's mind were such gloomy things.
At the same time, a purple mist began to slowly spread around Cherty.
Bang-!
Food spilled from the table as it began to melt, and those who had been nearby had long since stepped back.
The servants fleeing to a corner in panic came into his blurred vision.
'I need to calm down.'
Cherty slowly blinked his eyes, thinking that.
'Why do I live?'
His red eyes flickered.
He was born after killing his mother.
He killed the first woman he ever loved.
The only one left for him was Roselyn, but now even she has decided to leave him.
People were muttering something from all directions, but he couldn't hear it properly.
His father and Aegis's fierce voices were heard and then faded away repeatedly.
Cherty let out a hollow laugh.
He knew how miserable life is growing up without a mother's affection.
He also realized how deeply it hurts a person.
'But I took that opportunity away from you.'
It was only natural for the child to resent him.
He hoped her to resent him.
He didn't want her to come closer.
'What if... I kill you too?'
His body trembled slightly just from imagining it.
He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.
Purple smoke flowed like breath.
Roselyn was looking at him.
"...Father."
Cherty backed away hesitantly.
“Don’t look...”
Roselyn was looking at Cherty, holding the wine glass he had grasped before the table completely melted away.
“Don’t come.”
Roselyn stared at him blankly.
Cherty clenched his fist as he met her slightly dilated pupils.
I didn't want to show it.
I didn't want to show it.
I didn't want to show such a pathetic side of myself.
A devil-like appearance that killed its own mother because it couldn't even control its supernatural abilities.
'...No. This might actually be better.'
Then you will hate me even more.
Of course, it won't come any closer, but it will still be safe.
So, it would be better to back down at this point...
A viscous purple liquid dripping from the hand melted the floor.
Hiss, the surroundings died out in the rising smoke.
The flowers that had been in full bloom turned dark and vanished without a trace.
Even the tenacious weeds turned pitch black and melted away, and nothing survived around him. It was then.
Roselyn, who had been staring at Cherty, moved.
She took something out of her pocket and strode toward Cherty.
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