Translator: Nox

Chapter 80

Episode 80

====

"I want to burn it."”

Dielo said, bringing the letter to me.

Magical Power flared for a moment at his fingertips, then disappeared.

I flinched, but the letter was fine.

“But it’s from Krua, so I can’t dare to do that.”

He handed me the letter.

Then he subtly approached me.

“May I read it with you?”

I nodded at his words.

“Of course.”

What was there to hide? It was a letter from the enemy anyway.

At my words, Dielo walked around the desk and came to my side.

I opened the letter at a slight angle so it would be easier for him to see.

[To my lovely daughter, Krua]

And I began to have my patience tested from the first line.

I raised my eyebrows.

After more nauseating flattery, the main point came.

[It’s already been a month since we met. Won’t you come and tell me what’s been happening?

I’ve heard and seen enough about you having a good honeymoon with Argenta, but I want to hear new stories from you.]

Putting aside all the other words, it was just a message that it was time to visit.

I narrowed my eyes.

It was a very timely contact from Alloze's point of view.

Anyway, since it wasn't outwardly known that Alloze was after Argenta, calling me to Alloze meant...

“It seems that he wants to engrave his name and get information about Argenta since it’s been a month…”

Dielo frowned slightly at my words.

He clearly had a similar thought.

“…Krua.”

His fingertips touched the back of my neck.

His hand, which had gone up to behind my ear, spread a soft warmth and touched the back of my neck again.

Dielo, who stopped his hand where his name was engraved, said.

“Are you going?”

At his words, I looked up at him.

Of course, I had to go.

A look of regret looked at me. As if he knew my answer.

“It’s a promise to go every month, but we’re preparing for war now. What if Duke Alroze is targeting Krua?”

He seemed to sincerely want to stop me. But I shook my head.

“I won’t be taken hostage. Then there will be no one to get rid of Dielo’s Lily.”

At my words, Dielo narrowed his eyes. I shook my head repeatedly at him, who seemed about to say something.

“More than anything, I’ll be suspected if I don’t go.”

Duke Alloze was surely convinced that he could attack before Argenta's battle lines were ready.

There was no point in exposing that we knew Alloze's plan.

Besides, Duke Alloze would try to engrave Dielo's name on the back of my neck again.

I had been pretending to follow his plan until now, so I would be suspected if I suddenly didn't cooperate with him.

Of course, I would surely suffer terrible pain.

But I couldn't help it.

“Duke Alloze will be curious about how many Lilies have disappeared this time. It would be strange if there was nothing different compared to last time, so I’ll say two have disappeared.”

I said, trying to soothe him.

“Then…”

I took Dielo's hesitant hand and lowered it.

And holding his hand tightly, as it seemed somewhat cold, I continued.

“He’ll be a little angry, but I can’t help it.”

My gaze reached the place where his Lily would be and then fell away.

“If I say all of Dielo’s Lilies have disappeared, he’ll attack, thinking it’s the right time.”

Dielo's mouth closed in a straight line.

“If I say two, I can buy time, so we can finish preparing for the war during that time.”

So that he can’t achieve his goals.

I gently pressed Dielo's tightly closed lips with my fingertips.

Relax, relax.

“Duke Alloze will think he’s in a superior position as he finds out the number of Lilies, but,”

I said, looking into his blue eyes.

It would be a lie to say I wasn't scared or afraid.

Especially when his rough hands grabbed me and forcibly engraved his name, the pain, like putting a flame under my skin, was really hard to endure.

But if I could get a chance for perfect revenge with that.

I clenched one hand tightly without realizing it and said.

“Think of it positively. In other words, this war is a war we can decide the timing of.”

“…In the form of Alloze moving his troops when Krua contacts him saying a Lily has disappeared.”

Dielo's low voice echoed.

I nodded.

“Yes. I can endure the pain for a while for the sake of victory. Dielo too, right?”

“……”

Dielo closed his eyes.

“I wish I was the one in pain instead.”

He opened his eyes after saying that quietly. His eyes met mine, and he gently wrapped the back of my neck.

“I’ll make this the last time, Krua.”

Please don’t be in pain.

It will hurt, but I hope it doesn’t hurt too much.

“It would have been much easier to prepare for the war if there was a real Pero, it’s a shame.”

I sighed briefly.

I also hoped that Dielo, that this Argenta, would not be in pain.

Of course, the episode in the original work where Argenta and Alloze clashed, and the current situation, were very different.

Argenta was united, রেডিয়া্স was alive, and I was there, so it was a much better situation than in the original work.

But I couldn't help but feel uneasy.

“…I think I’m making things too hard for Krua.”

Dielo kissed the back of my neck with a regretful face.

He shared his warmth with me for such a long time.

As if that would make me not hurt.

* * *

“Please speed up the war preparations for Argenta as well.”

Krua urged before leaving.

It was clear what she was talking about.

“…Be careful, Krua.”

Dielo clenched his fist tightly, watching the carriage heading to Alloze.

So much that his hand bled.

“Lord.”

Rick approached with a surprised face and offered a handkerchief.

But instead of taking the handkerchief, Dielo gestured.

“What about the battlefield preparations?”

“Almost finished. We have calculated the routes Alloze can take and prepared enough oil-soaked items nearby so that supplies can be provided.”

Dielo narrowed his eyes at Rick's words.

Originally, Rick was also going to be sent to Alloze with Krua.

Just in case, just in case something bad happened.

But his resolute bride immediately opposed it.

‘The intelligence department has work to do.’

Dielo couldn't resist her, who was giving such a soft smile.

Even though he was furious enough to want to burn everything, he calmed down as if by a lie with just one of her smiles.

‘It’s for us.’

Krua said that. As if to soothe him.

Do you know what I’m thinking?

Do you know how darkly I look at you?

‘……!’

Very occasionally, when he saw Krua with her rabbit-like surprised eyes, he wanted to ask.

Do you know my true self?

Are you okay with someone like me?

But he didn't have the courage to ask an irreversible question yet.

Surprisingly, Argenta, the flame that fearlessly devours everything, was hesitating.

Afraid that if he touched her wrong, she would break, become distorted, or leave.

He let out a hollow laugh.

He wondered where the self who had been confident that he would seduce her had gone, and only the most cowardly person in the world remained.

‘I’ll only take Pielle with me. Like last time.’

Dielo, thinking of Krua, who was smiling and saying that she would be safe, let out a short breath.

“Let’s check one last time.”

He returned to his office and unfolded the map.

He had no intention of wasting the opportunity and time that his bride was creating by enduring the pain.

Absolutely.

* * *

―Thump!

The carriage, which had been speeding quickly, arrived at Alloze in no time.

“Lady Krua has arrived.”

The people of Alloze treated me very politely on the surface.

Anyone would think I was a beloved daughter in Alloze.

I tried hard to suppress the laughter that was about to come out.

“Duke Alloze is waiting for you.”

As we approached the Alloze mansion, a knight from the Alloze mansion approached and said.

Then they naturally surrounded the carriage.

It was an escort for the guest, but it was extremely unpleasant for me, who had no good memories of Alloze.

“……?”

But it would be strange to push them away.

As I was thinking that and waiting to arrive at the Alloze mansion, I felt something strange.

“Madam?”

Pielle, who was in the carriage with me, asked carefully.

She seemed to have noticed my unease.

“Is there anything uncomfortable?”

“No.”

Rather than uncomfortable…

I closed my eyes.

Then I felt it more clearly.

Those who possessed the aura of water surrounding the carriage.

I hadn't felt it when I came to Alloze before.

Certainly, my Water Manipulation was developing more delicately and strongly.

To the point where I could feel how much power those surrounding the carriage had.

They had much weaker power than me.

In other words, near water, just as I felt pressure from the water that followed Duke Alloze, they could also feel pressure from the water that followed me.

Then the fact that I had different abilities than before would be revealed.

“Hoo.”

I let out a short breath. And I suppressed the aura of water as much as possible.

So that they would feel my aura weakly.

“Madam. Are you alright?”

Pielle asked again. I nodded.

I organized my comfortable expression and created one.

“I’ll do well.”

I looked into Pielle's sharp eyes.

She didn't have those eyes when she came here with me before.

She was clearly hostile to Alloze. Even more than before.

The reason was clear. It was probably because she knew what I was going to go through.

And because she had become much closer to me than at that time.

A small smile unknowingly bloomed.

“Listen carefully, I’m Alloze’s lovely daughter right now.”

Disgustingly.

I couldn't help but have my smile disappear when I thought about that.

My very small voice echoed around. Still, Pielle was focusing on me as if she could hear me well.

“So, don’t get angry when they send me away. Got it?”

Pielle, who managed herself well, wouldn't make a mistake, but I was saying it just in case.

Pielle hesitated, then bowed her head briefly.

“I will keep that in mind.”

She relaxed her expression. It was a change like a lie.

But while looking outside, she briefly showed a cold gaze.

“Don’t worry too much.”

I patted her shoulder.

Those around me were getting more angry than I, the one who was actually suffering.

…I was sorry, but also grateful.

I felt anew that I was loved by these people.

“This is the last time.”

When I thought about it, Dielo was like that too, and Pielle, as well as everyone in the group, was worried about me.

They had stiff expressions as if they were the ones in pain, not me.

“Thank you all for worrying about me.”

When I said that, feeling a little embarrassed, Pielle bowed her head.

Then, a maid who was riding with me quietly covered me with a soft blanket.

“?”

And Pielle massaged my shoulders.

“If you face them without loosening your body, your muscles may get hurt.”

Her gaze was directed at my arm.

She seemed to be referring to the bruises on my arm from being subdued before.

“Then I’ll ask you to do it.”

I couldn't refuse that heart, so I willingly entrusted my body to them.

―Thump!

And finally, we entered the Duke Alloze mansion.