In the quiet time when all things were asleep, Erich was listening to Heit’s report.
“Marquis Arzen and Archduke Tarrant have swayed the majority of the nobles. They will support Medelin Arzen’s innocence. And…”
“And?”
When Erich asked, noticing Heit’s hesitation, Heit sighed and continued.
“They have included the leader of the Blue Wolf Mercenary Group on the witness list. It seems they are aware of your identity…”
Heit couldn’t finish his sentence, but Erich already understood what he was trying to say.
‘They plan to make the Grand Madam confess and present the contract as evidence that I’m a fake.’
Erich lifted the corners of his mouth, wearing a disdainful expression.
“It’s fine. I expected this.”
Then Erich turned to Heit and said, “I’ve already altered the contract, so there’s no need to worry.”
Heit was amazed.
He knew the Duke’s infiltration skills were exceptional, but he hadn’t expected him to handle things so discreetly!
Moreover, the fact that he had anticipated Rainhart’s plans and had already taken countermeasures was astonishing.
“You’re truly impressive, Milord. You’re indeed the first branch of our guild!”
Heit’s nostalgic words brought a bittersweet expression to Erich’s face for a moment.
“Now, there’s no chance your identity will be exposed. The Assassins’ Guild was erased by the previous Duke, and all the surviving brothers sincerely follow you.”
As Heit continued, Erich recalled those he had shared life and death with in the Assassins’ Guild.
‘Heit, Janet, and the Shadow Knights—they are all under my control. But…’
However, there was one thing that troubled him.
Erich brought to light the presence that had been feeling like a thorn in his side.
“How is the Grand Madam…”
Heit quickly understood Erich’s intent and replied.
“Don’t worry. Although she seemed to be suffering from the aftereffects of the medication, her mind was clear. I explained to her what she needs to do to secure a reduction in her sentence during the state council meeting, so she shouldn’t say anything strange.”
Even with those words, Erich felt lingering unease inside him.
‘What if she reveals my true identity to Cornelia…’
Just imagining it made him feel terrified, as if his blood was drying up.
However, he couldn’t show any agitation in front of his subordinate, so he merely nodded without revealing his feelings.
“Good, and I think I gave you a task to complete.”
“Yes, I have the documents you requested.”
As Erich took the documents, a cold smirk appeared on his face.
The document contained evidence that Xenon belonged to the mercenary guild, the Blue Wolf.
Moreover, it clearly indicated that the mercenary guild within the capital was under Archduke Tarrant’s control.
“Good work. You can go back and rest now.”
Heit bowed his head and spoke.
“Your Grace, you should rest as well.”
As Heit withdrew, Erich once again scanned through the preparations he had made.
Contrary to his worries, everything was perfect.
At that moment, his gaze fell on the vial of medicine that Cornelia had given him.
He recalled her worried expression and the way her hand had gently caressed his.
Of course, that concerned look was something she had also directed at the dirty boy from the slums.
However, it was only because he was her husband, Duke Blant, that she had applied the medicine and touched him.
Without realizing it, Erich clenched his fist tightly.
‘If everything is revealed, she will surely despise me.’
Erich gazed out the window at the rising sun.
‘So I will never let her discover my true identity. I will stake everything on it.’
His blue eyes, reflecting the red sun, looked as fierce as if they were on fire.
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
Morning had arrived.
I was hurriedly preparing to attend the state council meeting.
“Wow, Mom looks beautiful!”
As I smiled at my child’s compliment, the maids who were helping me get ready smiled and spoke to Demian.
“Doesn’t she look truly beautiful, young master?”
“Yes, she looks like a princess!”
The maids then laughed cheerfully.
“Madam, the young master says you look like a princess too.”
“We’ve decorated you just as you instructed, like a princess.”
What I had actually requested was to be adorned like royalty, but indeed, my face now looked suitably elegant like a princess.
Moreover, in line with my usual tendency to avoid heavy makeup, all the colors were fresh and delicate, like spring.
I was about to nod unconsciously, but I opened my mouth.
“I’d like the lip color to be a bit more intense. If possible, a dark red.”
The maids looked surprised, but as always, they adjusted the makeup without any complaints.
“All done!”
Even though it was just a change of lip color, my previously soft and gentle impression had transformed into something sharp and fierce.
‘Now I look like a witch.’
They didn’t say anything, but the maids and Demi looked quite surprised.
‘But I can’t help it. I need to look strong today.’
I had committed a crime, and in many ways, I was in a position to be ignored by society.
Moreover, the nobles were very likely to side with my uncle and slander me.
That’s why I was dressed in a way that showcased my imperial status, with a tiara on my head and a grand dress that gives off an intimidating aura.
‘Furthermore, today is the day I must prove that I am worthy of being the crown princess.’
At that moment, a knock sounded at the door.
“Master, it’s Sardin.”
“Come in.”
Upon my permission, Sardin entered, dressed in his knight’s uniform.
“Master, I have a report…”
Seeing Sardin staring at me with a blank expression, I couldn’t help but smirk.
“Why? Do I look like a witch?”
Sardin hurriedly shook his head.
“No, not at all. You definitely don’t look like a witch.”
Sardin’s strong denial was echoed by the maids who had been helping me get ready.
“Exactly! A witch? What nonsense is that!”
“It’s just that you’re so beautiful that we’ve lost our words!”
Demian also nodded in agreement.
“Right! My mom is the prettiest in the world! Earlier, she looked like a princess, but now she looks like a queen! Awesome!”
They say a strong denial is a confirmation, but they were all trying their best to sugarcoat my appearance.
‘Even I think I look like a witch…’
Still, I couldn’t disregard their sincerity and reveal my true feelings.
So, I smiled.
“Thank you all. Now, I need to have a conversation with Sardin, so could you please step out for a moment?”
Finally, with just the two of us left in the room, I spoke to Sardin.
“So, how did the task I assigned to you turn out?”
He reported on what I had instructed.
“I’ve obtained the candles and the evidence from the Archduke Tarrant’s estate as you ordered. Parakel is also ready. And regarding the additional matter you secretly instructed me on, I’m still verifying the information.”
“Thank you for your hard work. You should get ready as well.”
“Yes, understood. I’ll see you shortly.”
As Sardin left, I looked at myself in the mirror with a bitter smile.
‘I really do look quite sinister. Honestly, it suits me.’
I suddenly recalled Medelin’s pure and angelic face.
‘This is why I’ve always envied her; pink looks so good on her fair skin.’
Given the occasion, Medelin would appear in a sorrowful and delicate manner.
‘Perhaps, in contrast to her, I might look even more like a villain.’
As I was lost in these thoughts, I heard a knock.
“Cornelia, are you ready?”
Hearing Erich’s voice from outside, I hurriedly replied.
“Yes, come in!”
Erich opened the door and entered the room.
I worried he might comment on my makeup, but he showed no change in expression.
‘Right, he has no interest in me, so he wouldn’t notice my transformation.’
At that moment, Erich walked over to the couch where I was sitting and extended his hand to me.
“Shall we go?”
I stared at his hand intently.
Today, as always, his hand was covered by a glove. They looked as messy as that of the child from the slums.
‘It’s an uncertain memory from long ago. So, my doubts might be unfounded. But…’
As I was gazing at those hands, I suddenly asked him, “Are you hiding something from me?”
“I don’t understand what you mean by hiding something,” he replied calmly.
I sighed and looked him straight in the eyes. “I told you before. For our purpose, we need to share certain information.”
At that, Erich flinched and opened his mouth.
“Actually…”
I swallowed unconsciously, waiting for him to speak.
In that moment—
“Daddy!”
My child’s sudden appearance made me sigh.
‘Right, I can ask him in the carriage.’
I turned to Demian and said, “Demian, Mommy and Daddy are going out, so play with Janet, okay?”
Janet, understanding, quickly said, “Young master, let’s go play knights after a long time!”
“Yay, that sounds great! So, Janet will be the dragon, right?”
“Y-yes, I’ll be the dragon! I’ll try to breathe fire somehow!”
As the two of them disappeared, I extended my hand to Erich.
“Let’s go.”
He took my hand.
Feeling the firmness of his grip, I gazed at him.
‘I’ll ask him again later. After the state council meeting is over.’
