Episode 17

“…Are you wary of me, Celia?”

“What did you say?”

At Russelin’s unexpected question, Celia frowned, displeased.
In that moment, Russelin felt her heart sink reflexively.

‘…That expression is exactly the same.’

It was the same look she had when she plunged the blade into me.

That indifferent face that only twisted with displeasure when irritated.

Russelin felt a dull ache in her chest, making her momentary resolve to confront Celia feel meaningless.

“Hah… haa…”

When Russelin let out a strained breath and leaned forward, Celia’s questioning voice reached her.

Oh no, this wasn’t good.

If she gave Celia a reason to be suspicious…

“Oh my, are you not feeling well? Pathetic, unable to use divine power and now even physically weak.”

Celia’s cynical voice snapped Russelin back to reality.

The mocking tone, tearing at her already wounded heart, was painful but somehow reassuring as well.

‘It seems like Celia still doesn’t suspect me.’

When she thought about it, it had always been that way.
From the start, Celia had never considered Russelin a threat.
What could a woman who could hardly resist properly ever accomplish?

That careless arrogance had given Russelin a brief opportunity.

“What’s wrong, miss? If you’re trying to play on Aydin’s sympathy…”

“Ha… You know, don’t you? That I forcibly absorbed Aydin’s magic during the imperial banquet.”

“Oh, that.”

“It must have taken a toll on my body. It’s nothing serious, so don’t inform Aydin, alright?”

“I didn’t need you to tell me that. There’s no reason to trouble him unnecessarily.”

Celia replied to Russelin’s words with a smirk.
Normally, she would have used Russelin’s struggle to absorb Aydin’s magic to mock her.
Seeing Russelin’s unstable state seemed to please Celia.
Russelin cautiously took a step back from Celia without dropping her guard.

“…Why have you come to see someone as helpless as me, Celia?”

“Oh, right. I came because I have something to say to you.”

Celia’s red lips curled into a chilling smile.

“I met someone at the recent banquet.”

“If you mean…”

“Yes, Grand Duke Leonard Estere.”

Celia mentioned a name that Russelin was also familiar with.
It was still a name that startled her, unfamiliar and unsettling.
She could still remember the moment Aydin had exploded with rage after her brief encounter with him.

“Why are you bringing that up suddenly…?”

“It seems like my warning didn’t get through, so I’ve come to relay it once again.”

With a sharp clack, Celia took a bold step forward, her heels echoing loudly.

“Ah!”

Without realizing it, Russelin took a step back.
If Celia kept closing in like this, it felt like that nightmare would repeat itself.

Fortunately, Celia didn’t move any closer, but even this distance made Russelin uncomfortable.

This involuntary reaction created an opening in Celia’s stance.

“Yes, stay like that, silent as a mouse. Looking frightened suits you well.”

“What are you…”

“I’m telling you not to even think about associating with Grand Duke Leonard Estere.”

Russelin didn’t understand what Celia’s warning implied.
Why was Celia wary of Leonard?

Celia was in love with Aydin, after all, so wouldn’t it be in her best interest for Russelin to leave Bert?

As Russelin’s expression grew uncertain, Celia observed her with satisfaction.

“I’m only telling you because I pity you, seeing how pathetic you look, stirring up trouble by bothering him.”

“…”

“Remember my words.”

Leonard Estere—do not get close to him.

* * *

That day, Russelin, unfortunately, couldn’t even touch the meal Lilly had thoughtfully brought.

Concerned, Lilly came to check on her, but Russelin only wore an unusually flushed expression.

‘Lilly, will you follow me no matter what I do or where I go?’

It was a question spoken in a moment of frustration, yet it held her genuine feelings.

She was so dazed she couldn’t even remember what Lilly had answered.

“Miss, are you listening?”

“…Ah, sorry. I was just lost in thought.”

At the sound of Lilly’s voice, Russelin finally came to her senses and turned her gaze toward her.

Ever since Celia had left, Russelin often found herself staring blankly into space.

‘Celia is quieter than I expected.’

Considering it was the first time Russelin had shown her hidden claws, she had been tense, anticipating Celia’s immediate retaliation.

But contrary to her worries, neither Celia nor Aydin, who was constantly around her, had shown any particular reaction.
She should have been relieved by the peaceful atmosphere, but instead, Russelin couldn’t shake the sense of unease.

It felt like the calm before a storm, waiting to erupt at any moment.

Russelin sighed quietly, her nerves prickling.

“So, what did you want to tell me?”

“…The message you entrusted to me—I successfully delivered it.”

At Lilly’s cautious words, Russelin, for once, couldn’t hide her surprise and revealed a startled expression.
But only for a moment—soon, a subtle smile appeared on her face.
It was an unusual look for Russelin, who always wore a lifeless expression, but Lilly chose not to question it.
Unaware of Lilly’s inner thoughts, Russelin herself was also feeling rather conflicted.

‘The preparations are complete.’

Whatever he decides, I have no choice but to act now.
When Russelin rose from her seat, Lilly moved closer, standing by her side.
As Lilly’s resolute gaze flickered ever so slightly, Russelin gave a wry smile and held her small hand tightly.
Yet, why did it feel this way?
The comforting grasp of her hand should have been reassuring, but there was something strangely dangerous about Russelin.

“From this moment on, no matter what happens, don’t be surprised.”

“M-Miss, what do you mean…?”

Despite her resolve not to question Russelin’s actions, Lilly voiced her concern.
But she didn’t get to ask what she wanted to know.

Bang!
With a dull thud, Russelin’s bedroom door was thrown open, rough and unceremonious.
Startled by the sudden noise, Lilly flinched, while Russelin turned calmly.
Seeing the fierce, blazing eyes fixed on her, Russelin bit her lip slightly.

“So, you were here. I was wondering where you’d hidden.”

Not something one should say when barging into her space uninvited.
Russelin instinctively moved Lilly behind her, standing face-to-face with Aydin.
Aydin frowned, clearly displeased by Russelin’s defiance.

“I have no interest in your maid, so there’s no need for caution.”

“Don’t say that. Lilly is my person.”

“My person… is that so…”

Every word she spoke grated on him.

The woman who had once been listless, without any hint of will, had only recently started to change.

Dismissed at first as a fleeting whim, Aydin couldn’t shake his growing unease and came to confront her.

Striding up to Russelin, Aydin grabbed her chin roughly, tilting her face up to him.

“If you comply willingly, there will be no need to harm your precious maid.”

“…Are you threatening me?”

“It’s a proposal. Behave obediently, as usual.”

If you truly wish to protect that maid you treasure so much.

At Aydin’s cruelly twisted proposal, Russelin finally let out a faint sigh.

“At least here, I won’t defy your wishes, so leave Lilly out of this.”

Russelin’s resigned tone once again grated on Aydin.

The extra words annoyed him, but it was nothing he couldn’t crush quickly.

“Fine, if that’s how it is. Now, leave.”

Aydin spoke without taking his eyes off Russelin.

She knew it was meant as a warning to her.

Lilly hesitated, glancing around, but after recalling her earlier promise to Russelin, reluctantly withdrew.

“Haa…”

“It’s too soon to relax.”

As Russelin let out a heavy sigh without realizing it, Aydin sneered down at her.

But Russelin merely looked up at him silently.

“Not a hint of surprise, huh.”

“That’s not something to say after barging in uninvited.”

“Is there anything I’m forbidden from doing in my own estate?”

“Well, considering even your beloved fiancée isn’t an exception, it’s a bit disappointing.”

Russelin’s own words surprised her slightly, realizing what she had said.

Where had this come from?

‘What kind of man treats his beloved fiancée like this?’

…It’s nothing new.

Recalling a familiar voice, Russelin gave a bitter smile.

Then, Aydin seemed to think of the same thing, as he frowned, displeased.

For a moment, a strange glint appeared in Russelin’s eyes, but the situation quickly took an unexpected turn.

“Fine. Let’s see how long you can continue acting so brazenly.”

Aydin spoke with forced composure, feigning calm despite his uncomfortable expression.

This time, however, Russelin, slightly taken aback, frowned in return.

But it was only the beginning—Aydin held something out in front of her.

The familiar sight of the fluttering paper was all too recognizable.

“This is…”

“You’ve been waiting for this, haven’t you?”

Russelin couldn’t hide her trembling as she looked at what Aydin was offering.

The words “marriage proposal” filled her mind.

“Marry me.”

“…Aydin.”

“I can’t stand seeing you roam around so boldly anymore.”

It was coercive enough that calling it a “proposal” felt shameful.
Perhaps once, she would have been shaken by this sort of proposal, but not now.

No, perhaps the truth was she simply couldn’t afford to be swayed anymore.

‘If I can’t protect myself, I won’t be able to protect those I cherish.’

It was something she realized when she fearlessly stood up to Celia.
To safeguard what was precious, Russelin couldn’t falter here.

‘Yes, marriage is the only card Aydin has left to play.’

If I destroy that last card…

Russelin looked Aydin straight in the eyes.

“Are you saying you’ll take me with you?”

“Yes. Who else would take you besides me?”

Aydin’s voice grew more confident, as if he believed things were going his way.

Russelin slowly lowered her gaze, turning her eyes away from him.

She knew it would appear as if she were lowering her head submissively, which only made Aydin smile smugly.

He didn’t notice the expression she was actually wearing.

“Then… are you also taking Celia because no one else would accept her?”

“What are you…”

“You said it yourself, didn’t you? That I’m only a half-baked priestess, and that you’re the one who keeps me.”

Her soft, almost whispering voice somehow struck directly into Aydin’s ears with irony.

As he frowned, Russelin lifted her head and met his gaze, as though she had been waiting for this moment.

“Answer me, Aydin.”

“…”

“Do you… really love me?”