Chapter 125
It was at that moment, as I swallowed the words I couldn’t bring myself to say and waited for Pierre’s response.
Alferen spoke up.
“If you promise to stop seeking revenge, I’ll return the Dragonheart to you.”
At the mention of returning the Dragonheart, Pierre jerked his head up and blinked in surprise.
It was the decisive evidence from the incident six years ago.
“With that, you could dispel the curse and extend your remaining life a bit longer, couldn’t you?”
“…That’s right.”
For him, who had failed time and again in his attempts to infiltrate the Magic Tower over the years, it was an enticing offer.
Pierre asked with a look of incomprehension on his face.
“But if you do that, you’ll never be able to expose Daven Ainluk’s deeds.”
“There are so many other flaws in that guy anyway.”
Alferen let out a scoffing laugh, as if it were beneath him.
From the matter with the consort to the one with Cesare—evidence was pouring out everywhere he looked, so he was confident he could afford to let that one slide.
“And to me, the people by my side are more precious than revenge.”
Alferen gazed at me with eyes full of affection.
Since I felt the same way, I returned his smile, and that’s when Pierre spoke.
“…I’ve always wondered what choice I’d make if a moment like this ever came.”
He rose slowly to his feet.
“You’re right about everything, my lady. The consort has no interest in restoring the Serak clan’s honor, and Prince Cesare isn’t fit to become emperor. In fact, he’s the type who would only tarnish the Serak clan’s reputation further.”
Before long, his gaze had returned to its usual calm composure.
As if he’d only just realized the truth after having it confirmed by someone else.
“All of this stems from my own futile dreams. If this is the result of ignoring what I knew all along, then I have to accept it. Maybe deep down, I was hoping someone would stop me.”
Even the sharpest minds could be blinded by delusional dreams.
I was grateful that he’d come to his senses now, at least.
The one most delighted by Pierre’s words was Edwin.
“You’ve made the right decision, Sir Pierre!”
As he smiled more joyfully than ever, Pierre couldn’t help but let out an awkward laugh in response.
To shift the mood, I spoke up cheerfully.
“If you’re talking about the trap set on the Founding Festival stage, it’s fine now. I’ve already disarmed it and retrieved the Ice Dragon’s egg.”
“No. There’s one more besides that.”
“There’s more?”
“Yes. It’s a curse that Prince Cesare cast himself. And the target is you, my lady.”
At Pierre’s declaration, Alferen’s expression hardened.
“Tell me more details.”
His tone suggested that if Pierre dared to lie, there would be serious consequences.
* * *
On the day of the Founding Festival events.
Cesare was dressed in attire befitting the occasion, wearing a meaningful smile.
Once today was over, he could dispose of that thorn in his side once and for all.
His reflection in the mirror was impeccable, without a single flaw.
The hairstyle that fully exposed his forehead accentuated his facial lines even more, and his gleaming golden eyes were brimming with confidence.
As he admired his own beauty, he twisted his expression into a sneer.
It was because of the humiliation he’d endured at the banquet hall not long ago.
After the courtesan incident, his reputation had plummeted to rock bottom and was recovering only sluggishly.
The women he encountered at banquets now looked at him with pity rather than excitement, which grated on his nerves.
At least his engagement to Jessica Miranda had somewhat quelled the rumors.
‘I can’t let this slide like this.’
His mother had cautioned him to lie low, but that didn’t suit Cesare’s temperament at all.
He still hadn’t come to his senses and was plotting something sinister.
Why should he, a member of the imperial family, have to tiptoe around nobles?
If anything, he ought to get revenge on Alferen for publicly humiliating him.
His plan was proceeding smoothly.
He intended to target Rodellia amid the chaos caused by Alferen’s mana outburst.
Cesare quietly tightened his grip on the brooch in his hand.
‘Lately, you’ve been meeting with Pierre quite often.’
‘Nanael, what does it have to do with you? Mind your own business while I’m asking nicely.’
‘Why wouldn’t it concern me? It’s obvious you’re trying to pin something on my personal maid.’
‘…So now you’re worried about your personal maid?’
‘Worried? Hardly. I just mean handle it cleanly so it doesn’t make things tiresome for me too. If you mess up like last time, I won’t sit idly by.’
It had irritated him when Nanael, who had caught on to the signs, warned him.
Fortunately, it seemed she had no intention of tipping off Jessica and ruining things like before.
He’d only learned later that she’d blocked Jessica during the opening of the Ainluk ducal residence.
Thanks to that, he’d avoided a messy love triangle scandal, but he hadn’t been able to preserve his honor.
“She’s got sharp instincts, that’s for sure.”
Cesare tucked the brooch into his inner pocket with an annoyed click of his tongue.
Just ending Alferen wouldn’t satisfy him.
At the very least, he needed to see Rodellia Peris kneeling before him, begging for mercy, to feel content.
Having finalized his sinister plan, he headed to the Miranda count’s residence.
Just then, Jessica, who had been waiting in front of the mansion, gave a light curtsy.
“Cesare.”
She’d been so displeased when he’d had his fling with the courtesan.
But now that she was his official fiancée, she was fawning over him as if nothing had happened—what an irritating woman.
Having no intention of catering to her whims anymore, he replied indifferently.
“What are you dawdling for? Dressing up won’t change anything anyway.”
Jessica bit down on her back teeth at the insulting remark.
The days when he’d sweetly fawned over her felt like a distant past.
Even as he spat out such nasty words, he still sought her out every night.
He was fairly affectionate during those acts, but even that repulsed Jessica.
It felt like he was treating her no better than a courtesan.
Of course, she couldn’t openly show her displeasure.
If she did, he’d obviously threaten to break off the engagement.
Jessica bided her time in silence, and he was already ensnared in her trap.
“I put in some effort because I wanted to look good for you, Cesare.”
He led her to the carriage, barely listening to her words.
As the carriage set off, Cesare, who had been sulking the whole time, suddenly handed her a gift box.
“What’s this?”
“Can’t you tell? It’s a gift.”
Despite his curt response, Jessica welcomed it with a bright smile.
Inside the box he gave her was a brooch.
“Oh my goodness. It’s so beautiful!”
Jessica held up the brooch, her face flushing.
“Will you pin it on for me?”
“How annoying.”
Contrary to his grumbling reply, Cesare obediently fastened the brooch to the left side of her chest.
The ruby brooch gleamed unusually brightly.
Unaware of the trap hidden within it, Jessica giggled happily.
“Look at that—it matches my dress perfectly.”
Then, fidgeting with her fingers, she murmured with blushing cheeks.
“Could we meet briefly after today’s event? I have something important to tell you.”
“Why not just say it now?”
“I’ll wait.”
At her insistent urging, Cesare shrugged.
The event was going to be a disaster anyway, so they wouldn’t meet.
Besides, if his scheme went as planned, today would be the last time he saw Jessica.
“Fine, come to my room later then.”
As Cesare readily agreed, a flush of delight colored Jessica’s face.
* * *
Prince Cesare really is an irredeemable piece of trash, a total thug.
I quietly mulled over the words Pierre had relayed.
‘He intends to turn Jessica Miranda’s grudge against you to his advantage. He’s cast a curse that amplifies anger.’
‘Amplifies anger?’
‘It means exactly that—she won’t be able to control her rage upon seeing you.’
I never imagined he’d turn Jessica into someone with anger management issues just to have her harass me.
Since our relationship was already bad, everyone would just accept her outburst as natural.
And he’d slip away unscathed, using Jessica as his pawn.
The more I think about it, the angrier I get.
‘What is the devil doing? Why hasn’t he scouted Cesare yet?’
