Chapter 67
Chapter 67
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: Deviation
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Daphne blinked. What was this man saying? A painting out of nowhere? As Daphne looked at him in bewilderment, Yohannis said,
“You’re said to have a knack for painting, Miss Daphne.”
“…….”
Daphne couldn’t find the words. It was because she thought what good was painting now. She gave a bitter smile and said,
“I can paint small pieces for practice, but I’m not skilled enough to enter them.”
It was painting she’d only learned for a few months. How could she dare enter an art festival? Yet only Yohannis could notice the way Daphne’s eyes sparkled.
“Couldn’t you enter a small painting?”
“Well…… it takes time for the paint to dry…….”
Oil paintings took a long time to dry.
“It’ll take a long time for the paint to dry.”
Yohannis chuckled at Daphne’s feeble mutter.
“That won’t be a problem. Truth be told, the reason I came here wasn’t as your guard, but to deliver a gift.”
Come to think of it, Yohannis had brought a strange box. When she opened the wooden box, she saw glass bottles filled with paints of every color. Daphne looked up at him in surprise.
“I’ve heard this paint dries remarkably fast. It’s apparently going to be commercialized in the Pheneios Empire soon.”
This was new paint……. Daphne’s eyes sparkled. Watching her show clear interest, Yohannis asked with a puzzled expression,
“Why are you still hesitating?”
Daphne smiled awkwardly and said,
“And above all, His Majesty doesn’t want me to.”
“…….”
“His Majesty doesn’t like me painting. I can’t risk upsetting him.”
Daphne said this with a self-mocking tone. For a moment just now, she’d really felt like the emperor’s lover. The paint was incredibly thoughtful. But…….
Yohannis gazed at Daphne’s face. Her eyes sparkling over a mere hobby of painting, the vivid energy blooming across her delicate face like a small wildflower.
Like a flower blooming on a dying old tree, that lively expression was miraculous, rare, and beautiful. And that intense vitality was what Asherad disliked. The sight of Daphne happy because of something other than himself.
“His Majesty can be awfully childish.”
Daphne’s eyes widened. She hadn’t expected Yohannis, who seemed utterly loyal to Asherad as his knight, to describe him that way.
Childish—of the great His Majesty, no less, like a child. Unaware or uncaring of Daphne’s shock, he furrowed his brow and spoke firmly.
“Paint. I’ll have a studio prepared in another room.”
“Huh?”
“I won’t report this to His Majesty. Oh. You should meet Lady Leski if you’re going to paint.”
Daphne was so thrilled she nearly let out a cry of joy.
That was right. Asherad was always busy, and his visits followed a routine. He didn’t search every room in the Imperial Palace, so if Yohannis turned a blind eye, Daphne could have her freedom.
“Yohannis, thank you!”
Daphne truly came to like this man. She’d thought him rigid, but he had just the right amount of flexibility. Yohannis smiled at Daphne, whose face was flushed with delight. It was less a smile of fondness toward her and more one tinged with guilt.
* * *
“You seem in a good mood.”
Asherad stroked Daphne’s hair. Daphne shook her head vigorously. She feared what attitude Asherad would take if he learned she could paint again.
No matter how close friends they were, it couldn’t avoid causing trouble for Yohannis.
“Why? Are you happy that those women are desperate to win you over, regardless of who you are?”
Daphne’s face stiffened. His voice sounded mocking. You, a criminal and a palace maid—highborn ladies are frantic because they can’t get close to you. Is that enjoyable? Daphne shook her head. The fatigue she’d forgotten came rushing back.
“I’m…… tired.”
“Tired?”
“Yes.”
Asherad stroked her hair. It felt as if he were soothing her. While receiving that gentle touch, Daphne watched his expression. She feared he’d gut her heart again with words sharp as blades.
But Asherad burst into laughter.
Why?
It was strange. He stroked her hair and burst into bright laughter.
As if the situation were utterly ridiculous. For a moment, Daphne wondered if he was mocking her, but it wasn’t quite ridicule.
“For ‘tired’ to come out of your mouth. Those women must have worn you out.”
“…….”
“How about it, Daphne? I like this situation.”
“What situation?”
“Those haughty women squirming around you.”
“…….”
“They all look utterly ridiculous. The nerve.”
The nerve? The rest went unsaid, so Daphne couldn’t know. But as if her discomfort still amused him, traces of laughter lingered on his face.
“So, Your Majesty…… what should I do?”
She’d asked Yohannis, but gotten no answer. Wouldn’t it be better to discern Asherad’s intentions instead? Seeing her troubled face, Asherad let out another sly chuckle before whispering,
“Enjoy it for a while, then squeeze them for whatever you can.”
“…….”
“Choose either one. It won’t cause you any harm either way.”
His attitude was lighthearted. Daphne bowed her head and said weakly,
“If I choose someone…… will Your Majesty back that woman too?”
That was the real issue. Whether Callista or Veronica, if she chose a woman, would this man lend her his power?
As far as Daphne knew, she held no such value. Asherad stroked her hair.
“Of course, Daphne…….”
“……Ugh!”
The stroking hand turned rough. Daphne let out a groan.
As she looked at him in pain from her hair being gripped, he lifted his red lips into a smile.
“Of course I have no such intention.”
“…….”
“Know your place.”
Looking down at her with arrogant eyes, Asherad said this.
Daphne stared at him with wide eyes—the one who’d said he loved her, cherished her.
Again.
Whenever hope and happiness welled up, on the verge of expectation, Asherad shattered it mercilessly. What hurt even more was that he observed Daphne’s face darkening with despair with clear satisfaction.
Yes, of course. When a dog tries to climb, the master has a duty to crush it and discipline it.
Making her weakening heart strong again. That’s what Daphne thought.
No matter how much those women fawned over her, there was nothing to gain.
Suddenly, Yohannis’s voice came to mind. He’d said the emperor would back whatever choice she made…… Yohannis viewed Asherad far too positively.
Well, it was understandable. When Asherad had rushed to her side after she was hurt, Daphne had thought it was love. There was no such beautiful emotion.
Only sadistic control and submission remained between them.
Daphne closed her eyes in resignation. The pleasant glow faded from her face. Like moonlight on her face hidden by clouds, it darkened once more.
“Open your eyes.”
At Asherad’s command, Daphne looked at him. Her tear-wet, resigned face was beautiful too. He released her hair and stroked her head. He knew it would hurt her feelings.
In an instant, he shattered their frozen relationship with the violence of command. This time would be no different.
“If you say that…….”
“…….”
“If you say that…… it hurts, Your Majesty.”
But this time was different. Daphne looked at Asherad with resentment.
Suppressing her despair, Daphne dared to defy him.
Asherad narrowed his eyes. Why was that? It felt more insolent than her taking those women’s side and complaining at his bedside.
Yet when he met those blue eyes that seemed to draw him in, such thoughts vanished. This wasn’t so bad.
“What hurts?”
“If I’m insolent, just say I’m insolent. I can understand that.”
“…….”
“Your Majesty, I’m ignorant because I’m by your side. So don’t hurt me like this.”
Ha. Asherad let out a hollow laugh. Daphne’s body trembled after speaking.
Rather than shutting her mouth and taking his mockery, she chose to stand against him. Others would die for less, but Asherad wouldn’t kill her. She knew that lesson bone-deep.
So this provocation would be fine too. You’ll find my defiance amusing.
“What’s wrong with you hurting?”
“Your Majesty, if you say that…… I get sad.”
“Sad?”
“It makes me sad to be by your side.”
Tears welled in Daphne’s eyes. It felt like long ago, she’d wanted to say such things.
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
Asherad’s face hardened as he watched without wiping them, not treating her crying as mere amusement. He was troubled by her tears.
Asherad reached out to Daphne. Her slender body fit perfectly into his large, firm arms.
“…….”
He pulled her into an embrace. Both the embracer and the embraced widened their eyes in surprise.
“I get it.”
“…….”
“I get it. I won’t.”
Asherad whispered tenderly. Looking at the startled Daphne, he smiled and said,
“You can be cute too.”
Daphne narrowed her eyes.