Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: What Will You Do Without Me?
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Sunlight filtered through the curtains, illuminating the window. Asherad opened his eyes and sat up. It was a very languid morning.
His green eyes between his bangs blinked slowly open. He had fallen into the sweet temptation of sleep.
Asherad had a lot to do. He frowned at the fact that he needed to send a letter of congratulations to the newly ascended Pindus King. Count Rocania had also mentioned wanting advice on a new gunpowder weapon.
"Mm...."
At the sleepy murmur from beside him, Asherad turned his head. He gazed at the woman lying on her side, her back turned to him.
Turning her back to me.
He considered waking this insolent woman right then and there. The sight of her lying in the pristine white bedding seemed excessively peaceful.
Her disheveled golden hair, the red marks on her shoulders bearing traces of him everywhere, her swollen lips.
The sunlight was merely an accessory highlighting her body, not a symbol heralding the start of the day from the gods.
Asherad stared at her as if entranced. Then, without realizing it, he smiled and pulled the blanket over her.
Perhaps feeling the chill in the air, Daphne shifted and drew the blanket higher. He thought she might have woken, but her breathing remained steady and soft.
It used to be an act she found so horrific. She'd cry out desperately at his every touch, only to gaze at him afterward with an inscrutable expression once it all ended.
Then, at some point, she let everything go, driving him mad. Yet at another point, she regained her light and began to lean on him.
Just then, Daphne turned over. Asherad was thoroughly pleased with this situation. Daphne no longer thought of fleeing as she once did; she was content and happy, surrounded by what he provided in this peaceful cage.
My bird living in a splendid cage.
Daphne's long, fan-like eyelashes trembled faintly.
"Beautiful."
The words slipped out unconsciously—not said for anyone to hear, but a spontaneous exclamation to himself.
Realizing what he'd said, he took a fresh look at her, and Daphne truly was beautiful. Suddenly, memories of their first meeting from his distant childhood surfaced.
The cursed green-eyed girl lost on the road.
Asherad brushed aside the memory and stroked Daphne's hair. Strands damp with sweat from the night's exertions clung to her face.
One strand at a time. To examine each closely, Asherad brought his face nearer.
A soft skin scent wafted toward him. The flush on her pale cheek looked utterly delectable. Without thinking, he caressed her red lips, his desire igniting.
When his hand pressed firmly on the red mark along the delicate line of her neck, Daphne let out a sweet sound.
He was not a patient man.
"Mm...!"
Daphne's eyes flew open at the sticky kiss blocking her airway.
Asherad was ravaging the inside of her mouth. She startled and struggled briefly before accepting his kiss. The crisp, clean feel of morning vanished, replaced by a viscous silence.
"Y-Your... Majesty. It's morning already...."
Daphne panted, protesting, and he traced her cheek with his finger.
"Sleep well?"
Daphne nodded. He chuckled softly and caressed the cheek of the woman in his arms.
"Ah, ngh!"
Asherad pressed his lips to her collarbone. He parted her legs and entered her. It was a somewhat sticky morning beginning. Still half-asleep, Daphne accepted him without resistance. It was an ordinary morning.
"What will you do without me?"
But one thing was different. Asherad had posed a question. He asked Daphne, who was gasping for breath.
"I-I, without you, I couldn't... Ah!"
That alone was answer enough. He gripped her flailing wrist and applied pressure. Pleasure whitened her mind once more.
What would happen without you?
I'd simply be free.
Free from helplessness, fear, anger—all emotions—without feeling any of them. The bird in the cage dreamed of escape, cradled in the arms of the hunter who confined her.
* * *
Daphne bowed her head like a criminal. She couldn't understand why she was here either. Fortunately, it seemed the others were just as baffled.
"I never expected Miss Daphne to be here."
"Indeed."
For the first time, Calista and Veronica voiced the same opinion. This tea party wasn't her doing. It was entirely Asherad's arrangement. How could she refuse when Asherad himself had invited her?
The clear sky and autumn breeze felt somehow chilling. Just days ago, having finished and submitted her painting by the deadline, Daphne had been in high spirits. But this tea time had plunged her mood to its lowest.
Bringing a former maid turned concubine to a tea party with the Emperor. Calista's face showed open displeasure, while the usually composed Veronica expressed her irritation by not being her usual friendly self toward Daphne.
"Sorry I'm late."
Asherad appeared with a bright smile. Calista and Daphne stared at him with wide eyes.
He, who always wore dark colors, had come dressed in pure white. The pristine shade contrasted strikingly with his black hair, suiting him surprisingly well.
The three women gazed at the one man who had arrived. One with eyes of greed, one with eyes of love and hate, and one with eyes of fear.
Asherad naturally took the seat beside Daphne. And so the tea time began. The tea suited Daphne's taste perfectly. It was fragrant and sweet. Paired with the lemon madeleines, it was exquisite.
"The harvest season is upon us soon."
Calista led the conversation first.
"With the good weather this year, it's a relief there's no famine."
Perhaps from her experience leading the nation for three years, Calista steered the talk toward state affairs. Asherad smiled.
"The weather was fine, but I hear the pests were severe this year."
But Veronica was no pushover either. The lemon madeleine suddenly seemed to stick in Daphne's throat, so she took another sip of tea.
"Will there be any standout works at the Raphaello Art Festival?"
"I hear a promising newcomer has emerged this time...."
Art festival? Daphne's eyes widened as she focused on their words. But there was no substantial information. Clearly, they were more focused on the ball.
"I wanted to hear your opinions on this upcoming ball."
"...."
"What about a masquerade ball?"
Calista's eyes widened. Veronica looked puzzled as well. A masquerade ball, suddenly? Why? At their stares, Asherad flashed a playful smile.
"With the late Emperor ill, the imperial family hasn't had much fun, has it?"
"...."
"I'd like to try it once."
Daphne was puzzled too. A masquerade ball.... She knew nothing about it. But interest sparked on the women's faces. Veronica smiled and said,
"I'll wear a white flower mask."
"A masquerade conceals the face—that's the rule."
Calista spoke instructively. Asherad smiled in satisfaction and nodded to Leon standing behind him. A signal to proceed as planned.
As talk of the masquerade grew lively, Asherad said,
"By the way, Your Highness is quite knowledgeable about tea, isn't she?"
"Indeed."
"You mentioned bringing some rare leaves...."
"Oh, has the rumor spread that far?"
That was when Daphne saw Calista smiling radiantly. Daphne looked puzzled.
"When you pour hot water, the tea turns blue."
"How fascinating."
At Asherad's amiable response, Veronica gave a look to her maid, who appeared and began brewing the tea herself.
As the cups were swapped, Daphne eyed her own. The tea was a deep sea-blue. It was odd. Strangely, only her cup had changed color.
"It's a bit strange."
Calista remarked disinterestedly. Asherad chuckled and took Daphne's cup as she reached for it, examining it.
"Does the taste differ?"
"Yes? Yes, the fragrance of the flower that turns blue...."
Asherad smiled at Daphne's eyes.
"I'll try it first."
Daphne nodded. It was intriguing, but she wasn't all that interested in the tea.
That was when it happened.
"No!"
Daphne clearly heard a small voice, though she couldn't tell whose it was. He tilted the cup as if savoring the tea.
"The aroma is quite uniq— Urk!"
Daphne's eyes widened. Asherad's eyes bulged, and suddenly blood sprayed from his mouth. Daphne was splattered with the blood he vomited. Asherad gripped the table and rose, but his supporting arm trembled violently, and his body collapsed.
"Your Majesty!"
"Poison!"
His face flushed red. Daphne stared wide-eyed at the crumbling Emperor, her lover.
It was utter chaos.
"Da... phne."
'What will you do without me?'
That question flashed through her mind in an instant. People rushed to Asherad. At the same time, Veronica's maid, who had poured the tea, was seized.