Chapter 66
"Where to?"
"The Imperial Palace."
I stated the destination and boarded the carriage. No matter how skilled the coachman, he couldn't compare to Melek. The carriage rattled as it began rolling. Staring out the window to fend off nausea, I noticed the rain had stopped before long. Clouds parted, revealing the moon's soft glow. Marchioness Toten stared blankly at the sky.
"The rain's stopped."
The days-long downpour had finally ended. The moon was disgustingly beautiful.
"Marchioness Toten, do you know today's date?"
"Yes. Of course."
She looked puzzled at my out-of-the-blue question. I'd debated saying it, but decided to go ahead.
"Never forget today. We stole death from Rider. We took his chance to be mourned and even his eternal rest. So at least we should remember his death day."
I pulled a crystal flower jewel from my pocket and handed it to her. Misha had given it as practice for my ruby flower—didn't suit my debutante dress, so I'd kept it thinking of giving it to Gabriel.
Never imagined this use. It was my offering to Rider.
Marchioness Toten took the crystal flower, clutched it preciously, and burst into tears. She sobbed like a child.
Weeping bitterly, she poured out everything. Rider's five days of agony, his passing today. From his last words to desperately seeking me like grasping a straw.
"I'll never forget. It's the crown prince's birthday—impossible anyway."
She vowed through reddened eyes. By the time she finished, we'd nearly reached the palace.
"Almost there."
She looked far more at ease than before, baggage lifted.
Rain stopped, I opened the window. Whoa, the palace was across the river. Crossing the massive suspension bridge, the enormous main gate appeared. That a gate? Jaw-dropping.
Guards manned it, inspecting carriages one by one.
"Checking guest lists for palace entry."
Minus her reddened eyes, back to perfect noblewoman, Marchioness Toten explained the stop. Intense checks without crossing borders. Makes sense—palace, assassins possible. Our turn finally.
"Invitation please... Eek! This guy's neck is twisted...!"
Window open, voices carried in. Mumbled, hard to catch. Twisted? What? Ah, no invitation for coachman? Hena called a guard to redirect.
"Invitation here."
"No, not invitation—coachman, coachman's neck.... What? Did I see wrong? It's fine."
"What do you mean?"
Hena pressed; guard tilted head, took invitation, eyed Rohanson name suspiciously.
"House Rohanson? Count Rohanson already entered."
"Count Rohanson left first. This carriage holds Lady Rohanson for her debutante and chaperone Marchioness Toten."
"Lady Rohanson...?"
Guard peered in doubtingly, met my eyes. Smiled greeting; he paled, bowed deeply.
"S-S-Sorry!"
Evangeline's notoriety spread how far? Top villainess in capital. Guards trembling familiar now. Not kowtowing like maids—better.
Passed inspection, through gate, short ride to venue.
"Gorgeous."
"Right?"
Light-wreathed palace. Like gold-built. River-reflected glow majestic. No LEDs—magic?
Carriage stopped. Crown prince's birthday at Lion Palace—lion statue roared fiercely.
Hena descended to escort; another hand appeared. Long, straight fingers identified owner.
As expected, looked up: dark blue unlike me. No blue skies from rains; Gabriel's eyes cleared it. Ah, rain did stop.
"Sir Gabriel."
"Good evening, Lady Rohanson."
Felt ages since awkward parting.
Long lashes fluttered. Dramatic look today—styled hair? Anyway, male lead: filthy handsome.
Admiring, took his escort down. Crowded entrance, carriages; not red-carpet noisy—quiet, deathly.
Glad debutante mandates white gloves. Thin fabric: Gabriel's hand colder than usual. Waited outside?
"Wait long?"
Detoured marquisate—way late. Not chilled waiting, right?
"Saw House Rohanson's omen from afar, waited."
Omen? Bad one.
Rohanson symbol: split phoenix decalcomania. Unique bird halved. Dolliné taught.
"Today, blinding—thought star fallen."
Misha-taught flattery. Expected sulk post-rejection; cheeky today. Gabriel thick-skinned. Stressed no dating, just pond—fine?
"Remember last words?"
Just flirty. Got it?
"Yes. But many eyes today. Temple knows I adore you."
What? Spread rumors? Gabriel lives like no tomorrow. All-gas guy....
Made sense: soften my rumors, dodge temple suspicion by sticking with him. Plus catch summoning thieves using my low affinity.
"Then gladly play along."
Pushed last; pull now. Proper push-pull keeps pond Gabriel hooked. Dolliné training time. Old rofan knowledge shines.
Grinned wide. Practiced mirror two days post-shock-smile. Asked Daisy if Evangeline-like; hesitated, never saw lady smile. Villainess—no smiles, stiff muscles.
Evangeline-lover Gabriel stunned pretty; speechless. Dummy. Patted arm alert, pointed Toten descending.
"Sir, Marchioness Toten."
Gabriel greeted unsurprised, warmly.
"Long time, Marchioness. Worried no word."
"Sorry. Circumstances...."
Didn't pry considerately. Or canon: warm only to his girl, ignores others.
"With Marchioness, no need Archbishop Marik."
Together—no exorcist peril? I'm possessor, unlike ghost Melek—hypothesis. Scared casual exorcism.
"Archbishop Marik inside?"
"No. Left before you arrived."
"Left?"
"Yes. Grand archbishop called. Said join with chaperone later."
"...Archbishop Marik knew Marchioness chaperone."
Why Gabriel unsurprised.
How'd she know? Surveillance confirmed. But Jelly/Pudding cleared stalkers.... Broke watch net? Exorcist untrustworthy.
Maybe on Toten. Knew seclusion, her volunteering chaperone.
"Archbishop Marik...?"
Toten murmured. Acquainted? Contacted then.
"Know her?"
"Hardly. She ordered no holy water sales to me."
Unlike guess, Toten bared hostility. Sharper than at axe Dies. Deep hate.
"Archbishop Marik banned holy water?"
"Yes. Post-bad rumors, can't give cursed more."
Gabriel mentioned briefly. Marik blocked. Suspicious, merciless exorcist as analyzed.
Understood Toten's disgust. Mansion relics showed sun god faith; priest labeled 'cursed child' sans investigation.
"Holy water useless anyway, she said. Now, her choice right. Rider ultimately...."
Toten self-mocked, lamented, uttered Rider unconsciously, startled, eyed Gabriel. Slip: no need meant dead.
"Rider ultimately healthy—no need. Right?"
"Y-Yes.... Will be."
I patched quick; Toten agreed.
Coordinated en route: hide Rider's death. Gabriel too.
Debated telling him; Toten wants few knowing truth. Plus holy knight—no easy ghost-possession acceptance.... Gabriel's blue eyes inscrutable, silent. Spoke.
"Rider...."
"Recovered!"
Toten cut loudly rare, eyed me pleading; nodded quick.
Gabriel smitten exception; Melek doomed. Good intent, help Toten—necromancy unacceptable rationally.
Toten shunned visitors; Gabriel knows. No Melek meet—fine unspoken.
Unaware or tactful ignore? No pursuit. Eye contact, smooth smile—realized?
Toten-Gabriel awkward glances; silence. Uniformed knight broke.
"Captain, sorry interrupt reunion, but inspect Lady Rohanson and Marchioness's belongings."
"Uriel."
Temple guard Uriel.
Pararos support: pre-entry checks. Strict for crown prince birthday. Assassination risk; gifts too.
"Pardon, Lady Rohanson. Beautiful today too."
Uriel deadpan flattery shameless. Prettier today... trained rote?
Knights service job. Sell holy water nobles—fancy water company? Blasphemy? Nah, possessor fine.
Gifts other knights; Uriel frisked us same gender. Gabriel turned away gentlemanly. Flirts tons, prude here....
Others complied meekly. Expected arrogant refuse—none. Original Evangeline role?
"Captain, all clear."
Uriel called.
"No weapons?"
Uriel disappointed? Want me armed? Expectations burden.
"Brought separately."
"Pardon? What?"
Teased slyly; Uriel flustered. Villainess fun, pointed silently. Knights unpacked crown prince gift. Hena-packed box: ornate dagger.
"D-Dagger?"
Knight trembled shocked.
"Captain, what now...?"
Looked up, saw Gabriel close—pupil quake, alternated us. Report boss—my partner: conflicted.
"Lady joked. Ornamental, bladeless—fine."
Gabriel shielded quick. Practiced smile, nodded.
"R-Really? Draw it."
Knight eyed me, deep breath, drew. Bladeless as said—handle/sheath only. Sighed relief, reboxed.
"Yes. As said, fine. Marchioness too."
Toten: fancy cufflinks. Safe gift.
I grabbed count's for prince—lazy prep.
Ancient relic kingdom; ornamental historic—no blade issue.
"Sir Uriel startled?"
"Yes. Heart dropped."
Uriel peak expressionless. Who believes serene "heart dropped"?
Post-check gifts to palace servant, not Hena. She to maids' wait; Uriel escorting—safe.
"I'll enter first."
"Yes. See inside, Marchioness."
No joint entry; Toten first. Usher boomed.
"Marchioness Kinder Toten of House Toten!"
Whoa! Name-call entry? Romance fantasy! Right, in one.
"Shall we enter?"
Our turn. Gabriel hesitant, offered hand.
Downcast gaze: dewy long lashes trembled. Cheeky star praise hid; Gabriel tense today. Dressed up? Full set: villainess pretty.
But not that tension.
"Unpleasant touching me... but promised match—endure today."
Weighted words; fingertips quivered resonance.
Not solo romance nerves. Mindful past words/actions. Casual mingle request: praised, acted normal.
Last parting no hand: assumed disgust contact.
Who crushed self-esteem? Me. Low posture guilt-stung. Gabriel overwhelming; octopus legs pond—conscience steel?
Push-pull exhausting....
"Not unpleasant. Said you please me."
Soothing, placed hand atop, gripped gently. No big change short time, but reflected harshness.
Gabriel complex gaze. Yeah... Confusing flip-flop? Pond management: measured distance. You understand.
"Because I know my place?"
"Pardon?"
"Nothing. Ignore."
Not nothing! Villainess—no filter, heard mutter vivid. Over-self-aware, rock-bottom esteem—guilt surged.
Unsure comfort or deceit, entered venue.
