TSPCOB Chapter 08

Chapter 08

Just as the pack of wolves lunged at Aselin—

“Wait! Look at this!”

She shouted loudly and raised something high above her head.

Claude’s eyebrow twitched at the sight.

The wolves were about to tear into her, but he raised a large hand to stop them.

“Where did you get a noble’s identity token? Did the one who sent you to assassinate me give it to you?”

His voice was as sharp as an arrow.

Good thing I brought this just in case… But does he think I’m an assassin? Is that why he wants to kill me?

Aselin’s eyes widened in shock, and she shook her head vigorously.

“I’m not here to harm you, Your Highness! And this place is outside the border! Why are you trying to kill me?”

“The entire Chaos Forest belongs to me. Borders mean nothing. And for someone who isn’t an assassin, you seem to know exactly who I am.”

His piercing red eyes were filled with hostility.

Even the slightest movement Aselin made—like stepping back—was met with his sharp gaze, following her every motion like a predator.

“Don’t even think about using black magic. The moment you start chanting a spell, the barrier here will tear you apart… just like your fallen kin beneath our feet.”

His voice carried such authority that Aselin felt frozen in place.

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she lifted her gaze.

“I’ve seen you before, Your Highness. That’s why I recognize your face. You are Claude, the Empire’s Little Sun. Let me formally introduce myself—I am Aselin Rondinella, daughter of the Duke of Rondinella.”

Claude’s eyebrow arched slightly at her response.

His expression tightened as if considering something, but before he could say anything, Aselin quickly continued.

“I’m not just a noble lady—I’m also an apothecary. I came to Chaos Forest to gather herbs. I was just about to collect Lazeren Mana Grass from the cliff over there.”

She pointed confidently at the steep edge below.

Mana Grass was an herb exclusive to the royal family, and since Claude was known to take Cytirien—a medicine containing it—this might just pique his interest.

Claude’s gaze swept over her face, studying her.

Then, his lips curled slightly.

“Rondinella… Duchess’ daughter.”

His deep, husky voice carried a hint of amusement, sending shivers down Aselin’s spine.

As he pulled back his hood, the moonlight revealed his face in full.

Jet-black hair fell across his forehead like obsidian silk.

He looked different from his past life—where his face had been drenched in blood.

He appeared pale, almost sickly, but his sharp eyes, straight nose, and defined jawline made him look striking.

No wonder women go crazy over him…

Aselin found herself momentarily mesmerized.

Noticing her staring, Claude tilted his head slightly, his gaze flicking toward the bag at her side.

“If you’re telling the truth, then prove it. Show me what’s inside your bag.”

His tone was cold and commanding.

Aselin steadied her breath, picked up her bag, and turned it upside down.

A pile of Madman’s Mushrooms tumbled onto the ground.

Claude’s expression darkened instantly.

“You came to gather herbs, yet your bag is full of Madman’s Mushrooms?”

His lips curled in disdain.

Before she could explain, he moved like lightning.

A blade pressed against her throat.

A faint cut formed, and a thin line of blood trickled down her neck.

“If you lied to me, you won’t live to regret it.”

His red eyes burned with lethal intent.

Aselin swallowed hard, her pulse hammering in her ears.

“I’m not lying! The Madman’s Mushroom is an important ingredient—it neutralizes poison in medicine. If you don’t believe me, check below the cliff for the Mana Grass yourself!”

Claude studied her face and hands carefully before giving a slight nod.

A silver-furred wolf sniffed the air and then disappeared down the cliff.

Moments later, it returned, carrying a clump of Lazeren Mana Grass in its mouth.

The wolf placed it at Claude’s feet and let out a deep howl.

Claude’s brows furrowed as he looked down at it.

“This… is the Mana Grass you mentioned?”

“Yes, the Lazeren Mana Grass I told you about.”

As she spoke, the dried mud on her face cracked, revealing strikingly large, sky-blue eyes beneath.

Claude’s gaze hardened.

She seems different from the assassins I’ve encountered before… But why is her face covered in mud?

Though his suspicion hadn’t completely faded, his hostility seemed to lessen slightly.

“Mana Grass is a royal-exclusive herb. Why does a mere noble lady need it?”

“Apothecaries are allowed to collect it for medicine. And besides…”

Aselin lowered her gaze for a moment before looking back into his eyes.

“I planned to offer it to you, Your Highness.”

Claude scoffed at her bold claim.

“You expect me to believe that? You weren’t planning to use it to kill me?”

His voice was sharp, his expression unreadable.

He must be anxious from all the assassination attempts he’s endured.

After all, he had been targeted since birth—losing his mother, the late empress, and his sister, Princess Flora, to murder.

Though Aselin feared him, she couldn’t help but pity him too.

Everything in his life led him to suspect betrayal.

She needed to take a risk.

Taking a deep breath, she looked him in the eye and spoke firmly.

“I have no interest in your life, Your Highness.”

Claude’s red eyes flickered slightly.

“No interest… in my life?“

He seemed momentarily shaken.

After a lifetime of people trying to kill him, someone not wanting his life must have been shocking.

Maintaining her composure, Aselin continued.

“I don’t care about your life. What I truly want… is—”

She inhaled deeply before locking eyes with him.

Meeting the First Prince of the Empire had been her goal all along.

And now, fate had handed her the opportunity.

Gathering her courage, she said—

“I want to be your wife, Your Highness.”

A long silence followed.

Claude blinked once, then let his sword drop.

Slowly, he ran a hand through his hair, staring at her.

“What… did you just say?”

“….”

“So… you’re saying… you want to marry me?”

Pressing his finger to his forehead, he let out a breath before his lips twisted into an amused smirk.

“You think you can become my wife… with just Mana Grass?”

His voice was laced with mockery, sending a chill down Aselin’s spine.

Still, she kept her voice steady.

“Have you been experiencing a rapid heartbeat, high fever, or even hallucinations lately?”

Claude’s gaze darkened.

“You seem to know quite a lot about me. And what exactly are you suggesting next?”

For the first time, curiosity flickered in Claude’s eyes, replacing his usual hostility.

Sensing this, Aselin quickly spoke up.

“I can cure Your Highness’s illness. It won’t be an instant cure, but with time, I can heal you.”

Claude’s expression, as cold and sharp as an ice sculpture, showed the slightest crack. His piercing gaze locked onto Aselin as if trying to see through her completely.

“The Duke of Rondinella family… Isn’t Duke Pierre the one running the household? I’ve never heard of the duke’s daughter making medicine.”

“That’s not true,” Aselin replied, her deep blue eyes steady.

“I’m the one who researches and formulates the medicine. My brother, Duke Pierre, only uses my formulas to run the production.”

Her heart pounded, but Claude didn’t mock her.

“If I have enough Lazeren Mana Herb, I can make a cure within a week.”

At Aselin’s bold statement—

Ha.

Claude let out a low, amused scoff.

“Everyone who claimed they could cure me failed. I personally cut their throats.”

“……”

“Are you ready to face the consequences?”

His crimson eyes burned fiercely, filled with an eerie, murderous aura.

Even though the pressure was overwhelming, Aselin didn’t look away.

“I can handle it. After all, I’ve already died once.”