<11>

“Young lady is leaving after a brief conversation with me.”

When Kastiel nudged the guards, the words that popped out of their mouths were truly remarkable and unparalleled.

Kastiel sneered sarcastically.

“What does the heir of Ailis have to say to you?”

“She asked you to treat Florencia well. Other than that, well, she curses her own family a bit. She’s generally weak and can’t move around quickly. She said she’d talk more in the lounge next to the visiting room when Lord Hyzen comes.”

‘… Ha.’

Yes, the answer was smooth and flawless, without any noticeable flaws. Certainly, there seemed to be no corner where doubt could arise.

Therefore, Kastiel couldn’t help but marvel at the nobles’ schemes and eloquence.

Margaret Ailis was undoubtedly as clever as her sister, if not more so.

Perhaps, if he had been a little more indifferent to his subordinates, he would have accepted it as it was.

In the social circle, relying on the influence of his sister, she was unlikely to be surpassed by other nobles.

The responses of the guards were unusually prompt and detailed, which was not typical. Generally, they did not hold nobles in high regard, so they would likely have given disrespectful responses like ‘Just go out pretending to be high and mighty.’ or ‘I’m not interested. Even if the guide is momentarily absent, I can’t do anything.’

Prison guards detaining felons were generally ignorant of courtesy.

Even if the other party was a noble or a magnate, there were no exceptions.

Incidents where they discreetly vacated the area to select visitors because they disliked the person guiding them were not uncommon.

The indoor environment was poor, and, as is generally the case, the prison guards enjoyed flaunting their violence.

They often exercised excessive violence under the pretext of prisoners’ rebellion.

The more closed the prison, the more lacking in morality it became.

When Kastiel took charge of this place, the Crown Prince and Beatrice reluctantly accepted it for the reasons mentioned above.

Once respected knights, they had gradually degenerated to the point where they no longer cared about maintaining order outside.

They had become so corrupt that they commonly exaggerated the situations of prisoners and their own conditions to visitors without any reason, instilling fear as if it were a piece of cake.

If it were not for the absolute power of the imperial family, they would be scrutinizing their subordinates or even small cats.

Therefore, Kastiel could easily sense that the answers coming from them were instructions from Margaret.

Although the Crown Prince had talked about her acting, that fact seemed to be a decisive factor in his growing suspicion.

“Bribery is a crime.”

Kastiel accused coldly, but he sighed as if there was nothing he could do.

It couldn’t be helped in uncertain circumstances without evidence, and because there was no disturbance whatsoever.

Margaret had continued to visit for several days, and it had become a routine of exchanging light greetings between them.

Over time, Kastiel had suspected to some extent when he found out that she had spent time with the former Duke, Florencia, and the assassin of Alcatraz.

‘Is she crazy?’

It was absurd, but for heinous criminals, it wasn’t uncommon for there to be no visitors at all.

This could be seen in the fact that, despite being on death row, the former Duke occasionally had visitors, probably due to his unrealistic appearance.

Of course, Calyx had rejected them, but they still sought him out.

Perhaps out of pity for the love abandoned by Beatrice, or hoping that they could fill the void.

Margaret laughed, suggesting that it would be quicker to hang a portrait of the former Duke on a pillow.

If one were to ask why such a Duke accepted a meeting with her, it was probably due to some drug use during punishment, which was common among nobles, given their generally good privileges even during penalties.

However, what was ambiguous was Margaret’s intentions.

Kastiel had heard of the numerous good deeds she had done behind the scenes when Florencia was arrested.

This included sponsoring an orphanage, serving as a lord’s representative to resolve military issues in the slums, and more.

Kastiel Reload was convinced that Margaret Eilish did not consort with evil.

Why she showed such kindness to the assassins of Sinlore, well, that was unclear.

Even if the other party was family, nobles, if they valued their reputation, could easily reject such people.

Moreover, the prison environment was incredibly harsh.

As mentioned, both the guards and the prisoners were generally discourteous, and the conditions of the assassins in the lowest basement were so severe that even the guards were wary.

The sight of Taylor, even if it was caused by seizures, frowning due to bloodstains was one thing, but he was rarely in his right mind.

The guards felt threatened every time they approached him. Even replacing the iron bars was only possible when he lost consciousness due to exhaustion.

Therefore, Kastiel couldn’t help but feel some curiosity about Young Lady, who visited him without any shame.

When he first asked her the reason, Margaret had looked at him with a sullen face, then chuckled.

“Well, just because. It’s an opportunity to see your face.”

Before he could compare her attitude to Beatrice, Margaret tilted her head slightly and murmured softly before he could even think about it.

“I liked the innocence of the lord.”

Such sublime love is rare. Right after that, she smiled and added gracefully.

“So, I have one request. Please don’t harbor ill intentions toward my sister.”

You’re doing everything you can for love, but… my sister has tried everything.

Kastiel acknowledged his unrequited affection for Beatrice but couldn’t rejoice.

And the face of someone genuinely saddened by unrequited love.

He tried to erase that distress. He bowed his head to Margaret Eilish for the first time, using formal language since then.

“Um, that was perhaps the beginning of unexpected emotions.”

“Have a good day. If you’re lonely, just say so.”

“… Will you come again tomorrow?”

Or was it an urgent desire to avoid something.

Margaret nodded.

* * *

“Sigh.”

I languished listlessly in the secluded residence of the Star Palace.

There wasn’t much for me to do, as I had already muttered enough about that damned Crown Prince.

Beatrice and the Crown Prince had ultimately decided to confront me.

That much was evident from the fact that they had even prepared a residence for me in the Star Palace, typically used to confine the losers of a power struggle.

The discomfort grew as I imagined how this situation would be conveyed to my father.

I mulled over the words the Crown Prince confidently spat out when he summoned the caretaker for my residence.

‘There will be no more meetings with your sister. You will only see Florencia at the execution ground.’

The Crown Prince seemed to think he had won.

Beatrice seemed somewhat uncertain, but she only offered a small excuse, like, “Please forgive me, Young Lady.”

When I pierced her with an indifferent gaze, the only additional words she uttered were these.

‘I… I can’t even bear the thought of the possibility.’

Of course, she would.

I lowered my head.

If that was all you could do, it was actually a good thing.

I surveyed the meticulously decorated room, so white it could make your mind wander, except for a few luxurious furnishings aside from the simple bed. The only noticeable thing in the room was a chest placed in the corner.

Although it was permissible to bring in a maid from within the family, it was certain that my father would be angry and reject it. So, in reality, I was completely isolated.

If I had just one maid on my side, like other transmigrators, I might have felt better. I dismissed meaningless thoughts and chuckled to myself.

“It can’t be.”

After all, I was in a confined state. Even if allies increased, it wouldn’t change much.

Yet the situation wasn’t progressing so unfavorably for me. I smirked satisfactorily.

The order to lower my expression, distorted by a sense of defeat, was merely a bluff, evidence that I was still perceived as quite a formidable person by the Crown Prince.

The negotiations, which seemed to have collapsed, were only a prelude to a long game, and I knew very well what I could do.

So, I could spend the first day of clarity taunting the Crown Prince.

Thinking about why they were coming after me so vehemently, I laughed.

Honestly, I still couldn’t easily understand their stubborn attitude.

The original work clearly stated that Beatrice was in an absolute position of virtue.

Considering that the novel’s later part described how the emotionless Crown Prince was moved by her and became gentle, my proposed acting as the executioner’s daughter wasn’t an entirely implausible story.

They were angry that my minor role opposed the royal decision, complaining about my family being no more than a minor lord’s, a mere afterthought.

It seemed like the ‘happy ending’ was somehow trying to find its place.

“Supporting characters are always like this.” I closed my eyes and rested my head on the pillow.

The ending of the novel began to play in my subconscious, turning round and round.

I left my memories at that time to fill my mind.

My head became heavy.