Ch#24

Episode 24

Earlier when I entered the palace with Arpad.

Evangeline was definitely glaring at me with those eyes.

And now I knew exactly what that emotion was.

'Jealousy.'

It was clear.

But at the same time, I felt puzzled.

'Wasn't Evangeline always having an affair with Ludwig?'

I'd already confirmed they were lovers in this life too.

Since I'd already seen and heard the secret romantic acts and conversations between those two.

Yet Evangeline's expression now seemed like she was glaring at her husband who'd brought home a mistress.

I suddenly realized.

'In my three previous lives, Evangeline never looked at me with those eyes in any situation.'

I was always Ludwig's wife.

Back then, Evangeline would mock or check me, but.

This was the first time I'd seen her looking so irrational, completely consumed by nothing but jealousy.

Only now, in this fourth life, did this thought suddenly occur to me.

'Could it be that who Evangeline really liked... was Arpad?'

Rationally, it might seem absurd.

But a strange certainty gripped me.

The gaze that had been hiding behind a pillar earlier, glaring at me, and the gaze directed at me now.

And the earnest, shy glances she kept stealing at Arpad.

'It's like completely different expressions, as if they were two different people. Like Jekyll and Hyde...'

It was utterly ridiculous, unbelievable, and infuriating, but.

Soon I could acknowledge it.

'Separate from having an affair with Ludwig, the person she truly had feelings for could be different.'

That's how human hearts are, right?

The more, the merrier. The more men, the better, or something like that...

'...Like hell!'

Anger erupted like a volcano, making my head hot.

'So that "thousand-year love" act she put on with Ludwig wasn't real either?'

'What could I do? I couldn't hide my true love.'

'A man doesn't confuse the woman he truly loves. He never confused me even once.'

Though slightly different each time, Evangeline would always look down on me, filled with a sense of superiority about that great love of hers.

But that great, true love was fake?

It was just desire and aspiration for power and glory?

'Then what was I sacrificed for?'

The anger that had been boiling like lava cooled as if thrown into a winter sea.

My mind felt chillingly numb.

Yet no emotion showed on the outside.

The many hardships I'd endured, three deaths, and icy revenge made that possible.

I smiled brightly and clung to Arpad's neck.

And though right after entering the palace I'd only glared, now was different.

The fact that my words, my answers, would truly wound and hurt Evangeline... excited me.

So, instead of Arpad, I answered Evangeline's question.

The answer to whether the Emperor had truly acknowledged Arpad and me.

"Yes, Marquis Lady Lus. Fortunately, His Majesty blessed us and permitted the use of the Artanoos Hall."

I deliberately emphasized not her name but the title 'Marquis Lady Lus'.

Because it was quite a complex for Evangeline.

I smiled like the happiest bride in the world.

I had an excellent model right before my eyes.

Trying to smile as similarly as possible to the Evangeline who mocked me before regression, I continued.

"The Emperor must have recognized our love too. I'm so happy. I'm happy I can share this joyful news with you first, Eva."

Ludwig heard it first, but since I never mentioned it, let's count it that way.

Using Evangeline's nickname I'd never called her before was to make her even angrier.

And.

The effect was tremendous!

"Is... that so?"

Evangeline's face flushed bright red.

Not from something like embarrassment. She was forcibly suppressing intense anger that seemed ready to explode any moment.

I demonstratively burrowed into Arpad's embrace and whispered.

"I'm so tired, darling."

Since she was standing close, it must have reached Evangeline's ears very clearly.

Because her shoulders momentarily but very noticeably twitched.

Arpad, who had been watching me and Evangeline as if observing for a moment, fortunately played along.

"Indeed. My Hilia."

My?

I momentarily froze at this unexpectedly sudden remark.

Given I'd just said 'darling' while clinging to him, it wasn't that surprising a statement.

But for some reason my ears, the word 'my' sounded so natural.

As if it were the kind of tone one would use with a real lover or wife... impossible!

This guy can act too.

And I had no time to be more surprised or impressed.

Evangeline was showing signs of being more hurt by this than by my 'darling' remark earlier.

Her complexion was ashen, her two hands clutching her skirt trembling faintly.

Arpad seemed surprisingly completely uninterested in such an Evangeline.

Even his words seemed like they'd have more sincerity toward a servant or maid.

"Since my wife is tired, let's postpone the audience for another time."

"Ah, an audience?"

"Yes. From your position as a Marquis Lady, greeting the Crown Princess is an audience."

"Th-that's... right."

Her voice and shoulders were trembling pitifully.

And of course, I felt not even a little! Not at all! Sorry for her!

Quite the opposite!

'Ah! So satisfying!'

Ludwig had received physical damage earlier, and Evangeline's reaction seemed like she'd been mentally slapped, so it felt refreshing.

Thus, after achieving quite good results from the Emperor's audience and dealing blows to the two adulterers, I returned to the Crown Prince's palace.

Note that Arpad carried me the entire way back.

'His stamina is insane.'

Because of this incident, I only learned later that strange rumors were spreading throughout the Imperial Palace.

That Arpad loved me so much he didn't want my feet to touch the ground, etc.

Later when I found out, I burst into laughter finding it absurd, but that was still far off.

* * *

Only after arriving at the Ivory Room in the Crown Prince's palace could I finally set foot on the ground.

Because of that, this question came first.

"Aren't your arms sore?"

At that, Arpad gave me a look as if examining an incomprehensible being.

"That's your first question?"

"Well... you carried me like that when entering the palace earlier too, and you carried me such a long distance, so I couldn't help but worry if your arms aren't sore."

I answered while glancing at Arpad's thick arms.

Arpad crossed his arms and looked down at me, then let out a small sigh.

"Is that all your questions and things to say?"

"What more is there?... Thank you for carrying me?"

For some reason, Arpad's sigh this time sounded openly long and loud.

Before I could say anything about that, Arpad's words continued preemptively.

"Seems you hold quite a grudge against Evangeline, that's one thing..."

"Well, that's..."

I did openly mock and try to hurt her earlier, so it couldn't not show.

I was grateful he supported me even without me giving any prior signal.

Then one question arose.

'Come to think of it, does Arpad know about Evangeline's feelings?'

And one more advanced question surfaced.

'What are Arpad's... feelings toward Evangeline?'

At least it was clear he didn't seem very interested.

Moreover, seeing how he took my side when Evangeline and I were arguing...

While I was carelessly analyzing things quite positively.

Arpad hit me from behind.

"Earlier before the Emperor, you said you received Artanus's blessing, right?"

"...!"

Hatred or revenge toward Evangeline.

And idle thoughts about what Arpad might think of Evangeline all froze solid.

A chill ran down my spine as if an icy tongue were licking up it.

Reptilian, inhuman eyes were staring straight at me.

Like a snake looking at a bird trapped in its coils.

"The words you said to me in the Catacombs, about helping me become Emperor without going mad—did they come from that?"

I forcibly hid the tension that had momentarily frozen my body.

And retorted, pretending composure.

"Of course it's a lie! Why would Lord Artanus bless someone like me?"

This was true.

The Emperor didn't seem to completely believe it either. It was an absurd statement for anyone to hear.

"I lied to persuade His Majesty the Emperor and gain recognition."

Cold sweat trickled down my spine.

"My story must have been quite plausible, right?"

Arpad's gaze was still sharply constricting me.

"Ah, but don't worry. That I have a way to prevent Your Highness from going mad is true. I even proved it with a Divine Oath, didn't I?"

Arpad's eyes narrowed.

The man's white, well-shaped fingers tapped his chin.

He seemed lost in thought for a moment, then brought his face very close to mine.

"...!"

So surprised that heat instantly rushed to my face.

'I thought he was going to kiss me!'

Fortunately, there was no unfortunate incident of his lips colliding with mine.

But Arpad very slowly, like a predator savoring its prey's scent, buried his face in my neck.

My neck, collarbone area, shoulders.

As if examining various spots, he took a deep breath and muttered lowly.

"By the way, why do you smell so delicious? As if I want to swallow you whole in one bite."

A shiver ran through me.

Translator: Nox