“Episode 18”
The Unending Love Triangle
Soon, Psysche’s red lips parted.
“Daphne, actually… Someone has been sending threatening letters to us since we officially announced our engagement, this is already the third time.”
She added that since the rebellion, security within the palace had become even stricter, and food could only be consumed after being thoroughly checked for poison.
“I didn’t tell Daphne because I was worried, but… That’s how it was.”
As Psysche spoke, her face gradually turned pale, showing signs of distress. Daphne tried to lighten the tense atmosphere somehow.
‘But I don’t know what to say.’
Seeing Daphne stuttering unexpectedly, Psysche smiled.
“We’re still investigating. It’s probably the work of the same person. So unnecessary trouble is dangerous. Let’s just say my fiancé drank too much today.”
Daphne understood the unsaid implications in Psysche’s words. Unnecessary trouble would be dangerous for Daphne. And in her words, ‘we’ no longer included Daphne.
“Romeo, can you get up?”
Romeo groaned and leaned on Psysche again, trying to open his eyes and stand up. Each time she saw his bruised head, she couldn’t help but feel sorry for him.
“I have to go to meet Daphne.”
“If the future crown prince treats the villainess like this, the nobles will dislike it. And I have companions…”
At the mention of companions, Psysche’s eyes dimmed. Daphne rolled her eyes, avoiding her gaze. Then, she thought about where Celestian might be in this villa. And belatedly, one premise came to mind.
‘What if he ran away?’
His sudden disappearance seemed too strange.
‘Why did I assume he wouldn’t run away?’
Letting out a sigh, Psysche helped Romeo up, and Daphne opened the window for them.
As they made their way through the nobles, who were now avoiding their gazes, some whispered under their breath about how Celestian and Psysche had left.
“I thought they left together?”
“I must have been mistaken.”
“I didn’t make a mistake, they were there, right?”
The burly guards quickly appeared among the nobles aiming for scandal, supporting Romeo.
Romeo greeted the people with a smile that seemed like he was pretending to be drunk. With telepathy, Daphne sent applause for her cousin’s mental strength.
After the nobles returned to their seats, Psysche gracefully lifted the hem of her dress and thanked everyone.
It was a dazzling smile that would please everyone.
—
They walked through the dimly lit blue corridor. Without any paintings hanging, it felt like being trapped in a small maze.
There were about three people in this kingdom supplementing Daphne’s humanity, with the biggest being Psysche’s compassion and their friendship. But every time she got involved with Psysche like this, she felt uncomfortable. Maybe it was because the official setup was that Daphne was the villainess and Psysche was the heroine.
‘I should really immigrate.’
The stares she received when leaving the dining room were still filled with curses. She said she didn’t care, but what she felt was clearly different.
Daphne wanted to leave this cliff-top villa as soon as possible. She swung open the door to the room where Misha was waiting.
And she discovered the two intertwined men in a bizarre position, and all the thoughts she had just had evaporated.
“What are you two doing?”
Celestian was holding Misha’s neck and pressing him down onto the desk. Misha was pushing his left hand away with all his might. But for some reason, he wasn’t budging, and his face was turning red.
“Master! Look! This traitor was trying to kill me!”
Misha struggled as if begging Daphne to spare him. As Daphne stepped into the room, Celestian gently released Misha’s neck and relaxed his grip.
“You didn’t put much effort, Misha. Don’t be so dramatic.”
Celestian blew a sigh and tidied his hair, which had fallen over his eyes. Then, he messily tousled Misha’s hair.
Misha stood up with a scream and quickly hid behind Daphne. His gray eyes kept darting towards the blond man on the other side, still full of hostility.
“Master!”
“Why are you raising your voice at me?” Daphne furrowed her brow, plugging her left ear with her index finger. Misha, after clearing his throat, adjusted his collar nervously. “Your breath smells strongly of wine. Have you been drinking excessively?”
“No? I just had a few glasses, that’s all. This is the blood of the noble scum I’ve been stepping on,” replied Daphne, lifting the hem of her dress slightly. Her sky-blue velvet shoes were stained entirely purple at the front. Misha glanced down at them.
“Wouldn’t this be worthy of a scandal in the morning newspaper? Let me prepare a defense.”
A worried secretary noticed traces of wine splashed up to the waist of the blue dress. Daphne shrugged.
“Well, won’t it be similar to usual?”
—
It was indeed similar to usual. Not at all.
“How long do we have to carry around these rumors before our daughter feels relieved?” Daphne’s mother, Amber Green, peered over her gray faux jade, then slammed it down onto the table. Daphne jumped slightly and looked at what had fallen in front of her.
It was a freshly published tabloid, not even an hour old.
“It means that Mother’s daughter still has influence, but you just dismiss it as rumors, which is disappointing,” Daphne said calmly, pouring honey generously into a square whiskey glass. As Misha had feared, the newspaper had ridiculous headlines like ‘Broken glass, an unresolved love triangle’. It even included photos of Romeo leaning on Daphne.
Daphne glanced through the tabloid with a side glance. It was just criticism of such scandals, and there was no mention of poisoning at all.
‘Thank goodness it didn’t mention regicide.’
Amber, whose hair was gradually returning to its original color, entered the reception room and immediately began criticizing the future crown princess, repeatedly sticking out her tongue.
“That future crown princess is too beautiful. Romeo needs to meet a girl like Psysche, who is upright, strong-willed, and kind, to fix his violent tendencies.”
With each word, Daphne massaged her bruised shoulders and wrists. She lit a mint cigarette, took a drag, and blew out smoke.
Amber continued to puff out white smoke while holding a poem cut by maid Maril with a cutter in her mouth. Her left index finger gleamed with a snake-patterned signet ring, catching Daphne’s eye.
“You’re upright, strong-willed, and kind too.”
“Hmm, Amber Green, are you saying that sincerely?” Daphne raised her voice and raised one hand as if in a courtly manner. Amber lowered her head to hide her sardonic expression, grasping her throat.
She had praised Daphne for buying Celestian before, but now she was nowhere to be found.
“How are you going to repay the gold mine you bought with the value of that one golden pig?”
Daphne glanced at the cabinet, which soared up to the ceiling, filled with drawers and compartments full of jewelry. The main reception room was too extravagant for her taste.
“Who am I supposed to repay it to?”
Daphne cocked her head.
“It’s been Amber Green’s debt since her daughter was born.”
It took her breath away.
“Wow, Mom… What else don’t you like so much?”
Daphne giggled and shrugged one shoulder, pretending to be cute.
“There’s no point investing in someone useless. I’ll have to get back the interest, too.”
Amber was more obsessed with wealth and power than ten Daphnes put together. So whenever there was a hitch, she said something like this.
Daphne was long accustomed to smiling and passing over without getting hurt.
Amber sighed again as she looked at Daphne, who was smiling broadly.
“Prince Celestian Terriosa is also half Rosegaze, despite his impurities. Daphne, are you going to make him king?”
Amber gestured to the butler. Almost jet-black oolong tea was brought to her.
“Huh? No.”
Daphne widened her eyes and replied firmly. Amber nodded slightly, as if pleased, after sipping the rich red tea.
Maril retreated, pushing the tray.
“I’m not going to put my name on this dynasty. Naturally, I hate the idea of being queen even more. I don’t want to be a queen who waits for a busy husband and lives trapped in a palace.”
“Why don’t you have any ambition?”
Lack of ambition? Daphne raised her eyebrows.
“Mom, I have a title and even an engagement. The talk about the prince’s former fiancée has quieted down now. There’s no suitable match for me in the capital’s social circles anymore. Let’s just give up on everything and live well with the money, shall we?”
“Prince Celestian Terriosa divorced with mutual consent.”
“The prince? That’s quite sudden.”
“It’s a good way to become an empress in a bigger empire than the queen of this small country.”
Amber suggested another plan as if waiting for it. Daphne tilted her head, not understanding.
“I’ll request a marriage proposal, so marry him.”
