Episode 50: Reversed Situation ( 2)
“Father.”
“Julius.”
At Julius’s call, the Emperor raised bloodshot eyes and stared at him. The empty bottle, held in a bony hand like skin stuck to bones, was thrown toward Julius.
“This wretched fellow. Why did you get stabbed with a sword there?”
Julius glanced down at the clattering sound on the floor. Normally, he would have trembled at the violence directed at him, but today, he could face it calmly. Greater anger surged within him.
“So, was this all your mother’s plan?”
“Yes, otherwise who would order someone to attack such an insignificant girl.”
To Julius’s question, the Emperor snorted and then hysterically blamed Julius.
“It’s all because of you. I planned to inflict some wounds and keep her forever confined to the palace, but thanks to your interference, Percy Stewart skillfully snatched her away.”
Julius replied coldly, “She’s your daughter. Won’t she leave her parents after marrying?”
“Nonsense! I gave her everything! If I gave her everything, isn’t everything hers? Leave? Then she should take her last breath and stay by my side.”
The Emperor seemed oblivious to the inconsistency of his words. Julius bowed his head. He had heard countless similar words before.
-Oh, Julius. When you become emperor, you will honor me, for I have given you everything.
The words whispered by the Empress were exactly the same as what she had said.
‘I was foolish. What have I done to Sienna, that child?’
The Emperor, who had tormented her, confused Sienna with Marigold, and now started to complain about Percy.
“Forgetting the grace of the ancestors, he’s dangerous and evil. Stewart should obey Zlatan!”
Julius, who heard the rotting words, blinked.
“…Then, why don’t you give ‘orders’ to Percy Stewart? He can’t refuse you, Your Majesty.”
“T-That’s….”
Upon Julius’s words, the Emperor’s gaze shook bewilderingly. It seemed like his eyes, previously cloudy and unclear, had returned to sanity for a moment. He coughed and spouted nonsense.
“Well, that’s an inhumane suggestion. Shouldn’t we abide by the will of the gods?”
Hearing his words, Julius narrowed his eyes.
“Are you saying you can no longer give ‘orders’ to Percy Stewart?”
“T-That’s absurd!”
“Does it mean you can no longer exert restraint? He is young, and Father has harbored the Dragon Heart for a long time.”
“Shut your mouth! You’re not the one to discuss it.”
He erupted in anger, but from the moment he got angry, the answer was already clear. Julius, who had been observing the raging Emperor, smiled cunningly.
“I have a good idea.”
* * *
After Sienna disappeared, changes occurred in the mansion, and the Count Bohan’s household also faced a problem. It was Daniel Bohan, the eldest son, who locked himself in his room after the hunting incident.
Although he had submitted a sick leave to the Imperial Knights due to poor health, Daniel’s servants were all anxious about his seclusion.
“He’s refusing meals now.”
“The maid went in to clean and got scolded and chased out.”
“Can we call that scolding? It was more like yelling.”
Is his mind deteriorating? That was the anxiety felt by those below him.
And the only person who could enter Daniel’s room was Beth.
Today, carrying a large tray, Beth entered Daniel’s room where he was sitting on the bed listlessly. His face looked exhausted, as if he hadn’t slept properly. Beth frowned for a moment, but then gently brushed his face with her hand.
“Still not feeling better?”
“Don’t worry about me.”
Even though his face looked pale, his body was still sturdy, and his eyes were sharp. With a few more days of care, he would shine brightly as before.
Sitting next to Daniel, Beth whispered softly, “Kiss me.”
Daniel stared at Beth with blank eyes. Beth’s voice was sweet, and her face, smiling softly, was beautiful like an angel, but her words sounded strangely poisonous.
“I said I would make you happy.”
“I…”
You can’t make me happy.
As he tried to draw the line, Daniel felt a sudden headache, as if something heavy pressed on his head.
“Ugh.”
“Daniel!”
“Get out of here.”
Daniel pushed Beth away. It was always like this when he was with her. Ever since he heard about the fate during the hunting incident, the headache never went away. Especially when facing Beth, the headache became severe.
As if he had to listen to this woman’s words.
And it was clear that this woman wasn’t sane either. While a person writhed in pain before her eyes, instead of worrying, she firmly held Daniel’s face in her hands and whispered into his ear as if etching into his mind.
“I am your destiny. You were supposed to love me and break off the engagement with Princess Sienna.”
“No way… Princess Sienna because of me…”
Seeing Daniel in agony, Beth smiled kindly like an angel.
“You haven’t done anything wrong. When you think about it, it’s all because of that woman.”
“That woman?”
“Yes, it’s all because of that woman. She’s a villain, but she behaved unlike a villain and distorted everything.”
She acted unlike a villain even though she was one.
‘What’s the problem with that?’
Daniel couldn’t understand a single word of Beth’s since earlier. As Daniel fell silent, Beth smiled brightly, perhaps thinking he empathized with her words.
“But it’s fortunate. It seems like you’ve recalled your destiny.”
“I…”
What is destiny, anyway? Does it mean meeting and loving someone who has already been predetermined? Then what is the sharp pain he feels every time he sees Princess Sienna?
As Daniel was confused, Beth spoke calmly, emphasizing each word.
“I am your destiny, Daniel. I will understand you. I will comfort your wounds and be your joy.”
Beth’s words were contradictory. Daniel already knew what kind of person Beth was in this household.
“But you’re the daughter of…”
Haven’t you already refused to attend several external events with Count Bohan?
When Daniel mentioned Count Bohan, Beth’s eyebrows furrowed slightly before relaxing as if nothing happened. She firmly held Daniel’s face in her hands.
“In this world, only I love you. You’re a brave knight willing to risk your life for me.”
She spoke firmly into Daniel’s ear.
“That’s your destiny.”
* * *
When I opened my eyes, I found myself in the Duke Stewart’s room.
‘I remember the last thing.’
The rose gold-colored liquor looked so beautiful that I stared at it for a while, then cautiously sipped it, and the fragrance of flowers spread in my mouth.
“Is it good?”
So, I sipped more, and before I knew it, the glass was empty.
“Would you like another drink, Your Highness?”
“Yeah.”
Come to think of it, my tongue felt heavy at that time. While nodding, the drink was refilled. And I emptied it again.
※ Warning: Due to excessive drinking, the body has become uncontrollable.
Well, two drinks are considered excessive drinking. If Sienna were a real villain, she would have lived with wine in her mouth.
That laughter was the last thing.
“Ugh, my head hurts.”
I got up from the seat and pressed my forehead with my palm. Then, I pulled the string to call the maid. The maid came running as if the bell rang a warning.
“Oh my, are you awake?”
“Yeah.”
“You don’t seem to have a hangover?”
Is it because of the alcohol that my memory disappeared!
Without realizing it, I glanced around me. I thought Percy would be sitting there.
‘Well, that man wouldn’t stick around just by my side.’
Perhaps I had become accustomed to that man, so my heart felt empty. The maid, who was smiling mischievously, told me about Percy.
“His Highness stayed by your side all night. He’s in the council chamber for now.”
“I-I wasn’t particularly curious.”
Blushing, I turned my head quickly. Although the maid’s face, smiling cunningly, didn’t seem to believe my excuse, I was too absorbed in my thoughts to make any more excuses.
Clasping my fingers and resting my forehead on them, I smiled bashfully.
‘He stayed by my side.’
Thinking of Percy, who was sound asleep beside me, I felt a sense of peace unlike before.
Smiling for a moment, I pursed my lips.
‘But I don’t remember a thing. How did I get home?’
Since I got drunk, I might have seen a warning window saying the system was deactivated. After that, it was a blank slate.
‘If I made a mistake, what should I do?’
Since the system was deactivated, I wouldn’t know what nonsense I blabbered.
‘Well, of course, I shouldn’t worry. Sienna Riata is a villain. It was surprising that the alcohol was weak, but there wouldn’t be any injections. Where in the world would you find a villain who drinks?’
