Chapter 5
Chapter 5
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Death and the Boy
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Daphne was led by Asherad's hand toward his room.
"Oh dear, you must be freezing."
The boy seemed lost in thought as he gazed at Daphne, who was shivering violently.
"What to do about those chattering teeth."
Unlike Daphne, who was trembling so hard she looked about to faint any moment, Asherad was utterly relaxed.
The cold night air was bitterly frigid. The only small mercy was that this place—Asherad's room—was warm.
Yet even though warmth circulated through it, there was something inexplicably chilling about the room. Daphne stood rigidly in the pristine space, while Asherad sat observing her—an odd sight indeed.
But Daphne was too busy shivering and thinking about the boy before her to give any thought to his behavior.
She remembered this boy from her first time in the Imperial Palace. To think that this boy might have been her big brother...
His voice and gaze brimmed with what seemed like all the goodwill in the world, and his refined features were beyond anything she could ever hope to match.
Was she really of the same blood as someone so extraordinary? Did they truly expect her to believe such an obvious lie? How pathetic a falsehood had her mother told? There was no way she shared blood with him in the first place.
What if he recognized her? He would surely rage at her like the Emperor. Unable to even lift her head, Daphne felt Asherad drape a blanket over her. It was overwhelmingly gracious. As he did so himself, their faces drew close.
"Why were they bullying you?"
"......"
"What's your name?"
His words stuck in her throat like a stone—she couldn't utter a thing.
"You're not saying anything."
At that voice, Daphne squeezed her eyes shut.
"Say something already!"
The attendant shouted. She huddled under the blanket, trembling.
"Leon, I'm the one asking."
Despite his young age, Asherad spoke with refined poise. At his words, the attendant hastily bowed his head.
"Come on, speak up."
It felt like he wouldn't let her leave unless she gave her name. She squeezed her eyes shut.
"Daphne."
"......"
"Daphne. Daphne. It sounds familiar somehow."
Was it because of her different eye color? Or perhaps because she looked so utterly wretched compared to before? Asherad didn't recognize her.
For a moment, the attendant wore a strange expression, but she was staring at the boy's feet—at the splendid shine on his fine leather shoes.
"I don't remember at all."
"......"
A voice tinged with amusement reached her.
"Daphne. Then why were people bullying you?"
"......"
Daphne lifted her head weakly. If he learned the truth, would he turn like the others? Or become as cruel as the Emperor? She couldn't know. This warmth was so desperately needed. Yet her mouth opened on its own.
"My mother told a huge lie."
"......Is that so?"
His eyes widened. Daphne lowered her gaze again.
"You're suffering like this just because of your mother's sin?"
"My mother lied about me. And I lied too. That's the sin."
Like a confession, she squeezed her eyes shut. Unexpectedly, one of his eyebrows arched. The cold sneer masquerading as goodwill vanished, replaced by a glint of intrigue in his eyes.
"Lift your head, Daphne."
"......"
"From now on, I'll have you work for me a few hours each day."
"Yes? What do you......"
"How could a mother's sin extend to her child? Holding you accountable would be unjust."
Was it his upright character? Or the sharp glint in his eyes, unusual for a boy his age? He seemed righteous. Like a fair ruler.
"So don't worry too much, Daphne."
So naturally, he extended his kindness. Just like the courtesy he'd shown when they first met.
* * *
From the day she caught Asherad's eye, the overt bullying stopped. Still, she lived in the most dilapidated room infested with rats, and the food she was given was abysmal. Of course, the Emperor occasionally took pleasure in mocking her wretched state and sneering at her, but even so, a glimmer of hope had entered her hellish daily life.
After finishing all her tasks, she waited in her drafty room for Asherad's summons.
His attendant would knock roughly on her door with clear displeasure, and she would rise to follow him to his room.
"You're here."
While others were always tense in the presence of the prince, Daphne was different. Only in front of him could she finally relax.
Unlike the petite Daphne, Asherad had a large frame. He lounged in the armchair by the fireplace, gazing up at her languidly. His face was breathtakingly handsome.
Compared to the filthy rat-infested hovel where she curled up to sleep, this place was paradise.
"You don't seem to have been bullied too badly today."
"Yes."
"That's good."
He gave a faint smile, then gestured with his eyes toward a book and beckoned her over. Daphne beamed and opened the book. Kneeling on the plush carpet, she began reading aloud.
He leaned back in the chair with his eyes closed in relaxation, resting his hand atop Daphne's head as she knelt at his feet.
His long fingers stroked her hair. Gently, tenderly. The tickling sensation felt wonderful.
Daphne truly cherished these moments. This place wasn't freezing cold or moldy and filthy. It always smelled nice. And Asherad always watched over her with a smile.
"Aren't you hungry? Eat while you read."
A cookie was held to her lips as she sat. Daphne stared at it. The scent of sweet chocolate and nutty aroma wafted from it.
"Here, ahh."
Following Asherad's lead, she parted her lips. Daphne accepted it gratefully with her eyes. A flicker lit in Asherad's gaze.
"Eat plenty."
His stroking hand remained soft and affectionate. He made no effort to hide the blade-like chill or the mockery, but she was oblivious.
"Kh, khahaha!"
Daphne startled at the sudden burst of laughter and looked up. The Emperor stood at the door, face flushed red with mirth.
"Have you come, Father?"
Asherad gave her head one last gentle pat before rising. Daphne thought foolishly,
Could Asherad be in trouble with the Emperor for protecting her?
"You mad child! What a masterpiece, a true masterpiece!"
But the Emperor was laughing heartily at something.
* * *
"Sara, what's that hairpin?"
"My brother just gave it to me."
"Your brother is so sweet."
As Daphne approached, the maids glared at her. Only Sara smiled and nodded slightly.
Daphne backed away and moved to another area.
It had been seven years since she came to the Imperial Palace.
Daphne had grown bit by bit.
It was a world of utter isolation where no one approached her. If she found someone kind, they'd either have heard "that rumor" and turn cold, or vanish.
Even animals she tried to love were the same. As if they hated her touch, the stable horses and the little birds she fed all died.
How lonely a world without anyone to love. The only one she could love was Asherad.
He was always kind and considerate.
Asherad always pitied her situation. As if drawn by an invisible thread, he never forgot her and sought her out.
"Big brother."
Daphne murmured the unfamiliar word.
If she had a big brother, would he be like Asherad? Would he have gifted her a hairpin like Sara's brother?
If I truly were His Majesty's child, Asherad might have done that.
We could have been a wonderful family. He would have punished those girls who bully me.
Daphne thought of Asherad. Her cheeks flushed.
As he grew, Asherad took on a manly bearing. The elegant curves of his face were shadowed deeply. His straight-lined body grew impressive too.
A rapturous existence. Everyone admired, revered, and loved him—and rightfully so. As the Emperor's sole legitimate child of noble blood, Asherad lived up to every expectation.
His hardening gaze grew arrogantly cold, yet he was a gentleman. Unlike the aloof aura he always exuded, he was gentle with women, children, and those beneath him.
There was nothing he couldn't do. While everyone chattered about the elegance of his dance, the beauty of his voice reciting poetry, the ecstasy of his smile, Daphne wore a smug smile of quiet superiority.
How fortunate to see such a man up close. Daphne alone was the only one Asherad allowed near.
Asherad cherishes me. He loves me. He shows me favor. He is special—to me.
But... that's all it was.
Daphne brooded gloomily over rumors of who Asherad's fiancée might be.
"Daphne!"
"......"
"Daphne?"
Daphne looked at the one approaching her. It was strange. No one spoke to her anymore—they only mocked.
But when no one was around, this brown-haired man, Noel, quietly showed her kindness. Today was the first time he'd spoken to her directly.
"Daphne. Give me that bucket."
Puzzled, she handed it over, and he lifted it for her. She recalled the maids saying Noel was kind.
"People are so awful to you, aren't they?"
"......"
"Everyone toward you... poor Daphne. Really, you..."
Noel looked at her pityingly. Daphne stared at the bucket he'd carried. At least he'd shown her kindness.
"Thank you."
"......You can talk."
"Of course."
"I didn't know you could. Your voice is so pretty."
Noel beamed at her. Daphne's cheeks reddened. He was the first besides Asherad to compliment her. So she gave a small smile in return.
A day like this wasn't bad. How wonderful if every day were filled with such luck?
She watched Noel's retreating back.
Today felt like a good day.
But that night, Daphne's hopes shattered cruelly. Her footsteps quickened. Knowing it was rude, she rushed into the Crown Prince's garden—a spot where the moon shone clearly.
The entire Imperial Palace mourned a somber dirge of death. As the sun set, the Empress had passed. Asherad's mother was gone.
She didn't know what to say. Or how to comfort him. But she knew she had to be his solace.
As expected, Asherad sat alone, gazing at the sky.
Poor man, pitiful soul. I felt this way when I lost my mother too. Without thinking, she knelt before him.
"It's you."
Unlike his usual perfume, a fishy scent clung to Asherad. Contrary to her expectation of tears, his face was merely dark—he wasn't crying.
Moonlight seeped into his green eyes.
"Y-Your... Highness."
Daphne's voice trembled. Would even her comfort be a deception?
"You said you lost your mother too."
"Yes."
"I wonder if it felt like this."
He looked desolate. The cold night breeze tousled his fine brow.
"Tomorrow the Empress's funeral begins. I'll be busy."
"......"
"So you don't need to come until it's over."
Still considerate of her, his kind words. But he looked so lonely. Daphne treasured her own mother. Surely Asherad felt the same.
Carefully, she placed her hand atop his.
"Your Highness."
"Yes?"
"I'm here."
"......"
"When things are hard, I..."
"Well, now."
Asherad's eyes widened as he looked at her. For an instant, a chill ran through her. But the feeling melted into the night air. His long fingers brushed her hair.
The face of a beautiful woman just shedding her girlish innocence. Her blue eyes especially alluring.
"Eek!"
His hand gripped her hair and yanked.
"Sorry, did it hurt?"
He smiled brightly as he spoke.
"Yes, Daphne. Just stay by my side always."
"......Yes."
"Come when I call, go when I say."
Asherad lifted her chin. He seemed a little frightening now. Stroking her tearful face, he spoke beautifully.
"Stay by my side like this forever."
She nodded once more, and he smiled in satisfaction. Staring intently at her face, Asherad curled his lips.
"So you're mine alone, got it?"
"Yes."
The words slipped out without resistance, mechanical as if brainwashed. He brought his face close to her uplifted one. She flinched in surprise. Velvet-soft lips brushed her cheek.
She startled back, and Asherad chuckled softly.
"Go on."
Her face beet-red, she fled. Watching her go, Asherad chuckled again. He touched his lips where they'd met her cheek.
"Ah. It was hard to hold back."
Asherad turned and said. A pair of legs protruded from under a tree. With an indifferent expression, he approached. Beneath the tree lay a bloodied corpse. The brown-haired youth, Noel, lay dead with eyes wide in death.
"Should I show her this or not."
Asherad nudged the hand with his foot. The hand that had touched Daphne's. Unable to bear it suddenly, he picked up the sword plunged into the ground. The blade traced a cold arc, severing the wrist in one stroke.
No elegy. Only rage. A bizarre disgust. All he remembered were the blue eyes of that worm-like girl trembling with joy.
"Annoying."
Asherad muttered through gritted teeth. On the night his mother died, Asherad had personally killed a lowly servant boy.