“Episode 49”
The moonlight, previously obscured by clouds, came in white through the window. Seeing the man’s face shining brightly even under such dim light, Daphne felt satisfied once again with the situation. His lips still faintly stained, she awkwardly brushed his face with the sleeve of her dress.
“You begging like this is awkward. You never even glanced at me before.”
Daphne had no resistance against such a handsome man. Every time they met at parties, she barely greeted him with a nod, quickly leaving to attend to her duties.
“He was always by Priscilla’s side back then.”
Of course, they only met when the situation was always bad. When Priscilla was angry with him or when Daphne was avoiding Romeo.
Just passing each other’s sides like passersby.
Still, Daphne was slightly moved by the fact that he unexpectedly remembered her.
“That was then~ Now, I’m in a situation where I can express my love for you.”
The goal, or rather, the villain named “Daphne” was essential for the happy ending of the novel.
“Liar.”
Celestian muttered with narrowed eyes and a faint smile on Daphne’s face disappeared instantly.
“Even if I kill you?”
“Why would you kill an innocent like me, Your Highness?”
Seems like he just picked a fight with me today. Daphne remained lying down, crossed her arms to protect herself.
“Even if I destroy your family?”
“There must be a reason for that. Just don’t touch my money.”
Celestian chuckled.
“Even if I wipe out this kingdom?”
“If you have the ability, go ahead. I won’t help, but let me know in advance.”
“Why?”
“To escape, of course.”
Daphne replied as if it were obvious. Destroying an existing country was what Sekradion did to Therios decades ago. It wasn’t on a societal level, but on a historical level. Nobody knew if the climate there was really awful or if only ghosts roamed around.
“I wanted to go see, but there was no way. No boats, no trains.”
Now, it was just gossip among those who were involved back then, but after a few generations, “Therios” might be completely forgotten. If he had the conditions to seek revenge, Daphne even prepared a few gold coins to flee to Airen.
“Uninteresting.”
Celestian added quietly, but he seemed somewhat amused.
He pulled the blanket between them. Thanks to that, Daphne’s body was pulled towards Celestian. Seeing the man’s face closer, Daphne instinctively pulled her head back in surprise.
“My head feels heavy.”
Celestian smirked lightly. Daphne thought her face was getting red and sat up straight.
“Come.”
“Don’t go.”
“No, I won’t. Where else do I have to go tonight?”
Daphne turned her head from side to side to cool down.
“Daphne.”
“Stop calling me, really. I’ll bill you ten million lions every time you call me.”
“Why did you save me? Even giving that price.”
The money she poured into this man so far could be converted into affection, and it was so huge that she would involuntarily say, ‘That woman must be crazy.’
“I wonder every night. Why did you save me?”
Celestian seemed to have completely deleted the word “love” from his reason list for saving Daphne.
“Did you go to a gambling den and hear something strange?”
“I’m curious every night. Why did you save me?”
Daphne briefly remembered when she was sixteen. With the titled prince Celestian, who was very elegant, it was indeed a considerable blow to her self-esteem to be ignored by him, but it didn’t matter anymore.
“Why did you have to be so harsh after ignoring me once?”
“Even if I remember you?”
Daphne replied, seemingly urging him to continue. It was a story that would only sink deeper the more she spat it out, but the feeling of having a man like Celestian cling to her, having lost everything, wasn’t bad at all.
Thinking about it, the reason this man lost everything might have been Daphne herself. Even though his face always seemed carefree, the fact that he was saying such things made her feel somewhat listened to.
“I’m still curious. Why did you save me?”
Celestian began to unbutton his shirt. Daphne grabbed one of his hands with both of hers, as if to say, “Don’t.”
“Look, you’re doing it again.”
“Why? Don’t you want to see?”
Daphne had the impulsive urge to answer, “Of course I want to see,” but she managed to hold it back.
“I’m cherishing it. Saving it for later…”
It was practically a lie. She was the type to always eat something delicious in front of her first. There would be nothing more frustrating than letting it go uneaten and having someone else take it.
“Saving it to eat later?”
Celestian chuckled softly. The thoughts of what to say to boost his ego quickly evaporated. Daphne sighed deeply and gently flicked his forehead with her palm.
“Ouch…”
“Sleep well, Your Highness.”
Judging people solely by their appearance distorts many things.
That’s why Daphne always tried not to look beyond what others showed her, as much as possible.
But how should she think about this man?
“I don’t like waking up to find no one there. It’s always been dangerous for you here…”
They had no past to remember properly. Yet he kept mentioning the “old days” to Daphne.
“Was the ship I was on the Titanic or something? Probably not. Prince, this is Page-Rene-Guy, so please sleep gently now.”
Daphne said softly, coaxingly. Celestian blinked slowly a few times, then closed his eyes gently as she commanded.
“Oh?”
Before she knew it, his hand was tightly grasping the hem of Daphne’s dress.
