Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: No One on My Side
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Leti didn't answer this time either.
Swept away helplessly by the wave of emotions crashing over me, I stood there blankly, as if I'd forgotten how to breathe. Then I let out a hollow laugh.
...Wow, not a single person on my side, huh.
Even the connections I thought I'd forged with my own strength turned out to be lies. How ridiculous was that?
The stagnant emotions surged up in an instant. I took a deep breath and stared at Ryan.
"Crown Prince. Are you expressing hostility toward the marquis house out of personal grudges?"
I'd always disliked Ryan, but I'd never hated him as viscerally as I did now. I hadn't realized he was foolish enough to meddle in my personal relationships too.
To think he'd dare plant his own spy in the marquis house—blind fool in love or not, it was inexcusable.
"You're the one showing hostility toward me right now."
Ryan, flustered by my words, tried to turn the arrow back on me.
In the past, I would have responded sweetly to keep the conversation going somehow. He was someone I had to keep dealing with, after all.
Even after becoming the villainess everyone hated, I'd made the effort. Despite the wounds, I'd approached them, stepped up to mend relationships.
But everything had gone wrong.
I'd been hurt by Ryan, hurt by Kaisen, hurt by Resuan. And in the end, even betrayed by Leti.
Screw them all now.
I stared at Ryan with empty eyes.
"Crown Prince. Stop talking nonsense. You're the one who crossed the line first."
Ryan flinched at my sharp tone and irritably swept his hair back.
"Hah, finally showing your true colors."
"You're the one blinded by love, committing crimes. No different from a criminal."
"If it's to protect her—"
His sense of duty was laughable. Arrogant to think everything could be justified by claiming it was for someone else's sake.
"If you truly love Resuan,"
I muttered, glaring straight at him.
"don't abandon basic human decency."
I had no desire to prolong this conversation with Ryan or persuade him any further.
I looked at him with eyes full of disgust and stepped slightly aside.
"Go."
"...What?"
Ryan, who seemed ready to continue the argument, muttered in a dazed voice.
I couldn't keep him here forever. No matter how disappointed I was in Leti, she was still a patient. I couldn't just leave someone bleeding profusely.
This was simply what any person should do.
"In the same vein as me sending you away right now."
I stared him down, reiterating the facts I'd told him time and again.
"I'm neither the Marso who loved you, nor the one who tried to maintain a good relationship."
"..."
"It's all true. And it won't change going forward."
Ryan froze at my words, as if sensing something.
But it was probably just my imagination. There was no reason for my past words to feel different now.
The gaze Ryan fixed on me wavered.
"No, you have to keep being wrong."
It was like he was brainwashing himself.
Gritting his teeth, Ryan supported Leti and brushed past me.
As I watched his retreating back and let out a heavy sigh, I heard my name called again.
"Marso."
The clear voice settled over my ears like a balm.
"You're not weird. I like you for being you."
Darsi approached, saying exactly what I wanted to hear.
"You're not hurt?"
A unique scent, similar to last time, wafted from Darsi's body.
His slightly worried tone oddly made me smile. I shook my head.
"As if I wouldn't be."
I'd cherished Leti, so it hurt. If even she turned out that way, who could I trust?
"But I wonder if this is what you wanted—getting hurt like this."
I deliberately avoided calling Ryan "prince" in front of him.
Right. I didn't want to lose to him.
"Still, it's okay to be weak in front of me."
Darsi's finger gently brushed my eye corner. Only then did I realize tears had gathered there.
"You can trust me, right?"
I finally laughed out loud at his words.
But I couldn't answer easily. The person closest to me had been Ryan's spy.
And the one who'd brought Darsi, telling me to hire a mage, was Leti.
Recalling Darsi's appearance when I first met Ryan—he probably wasn't sent by Ryan, at least, but it was hard to shake the suspicion.
What if Leti had colluded with someone other than Ryan?
Having already experienced the worst once, such hypotheticals came easily.
What if Darsi's warm words were all fabricated lies for my sake?
To gain my favor and extract information. Or to inflict even greater wounds.
Before I possessed her, Marso had racked up plenty of grudges from others. It wouldn't be strange if one of them had planted someone.
For now, I had to assume the worst case.
That way, I wouldn't get fooled again.
Judging by how he kept demanding magic crystals, he seemed to have quite the spending habit.
I knew how cunning people desperate for money could be. He might be the same.
But I wanted to trust Darsi. I wanted to believe in the man I'd seen so far.
His voice, warmer than a spring breeze, speaking only to me—those vivid memories.
Letting my heart open to his comfort felt like the natural progression.
I grabbed the hand brushing my eye. Darsi paused but didn't pull away.
I gazed at him steadily.
I wanted to speak while looking into his eyes.
His silver hair, swept back, fluttered lightly in the breeze. The color was like softly fallen first snow.
Through the rippling strands, his sharp nose stood out. Up close, his eyes were as clear as stream water.
I...
"What are you staring at like that?"
His lips parted. Darsi's eyes flicked down briefly before meeting mine softly.
I blinked at his face peeking through the slightly curved lashes. It was just a fleeting moment, but to me, it felt like an eternity of eye contact.
My storm-tossed heart grew calm.
Yes, I decided to trust him.
"You're beautiful."
I smiled and answered. Darsi startled, and his ears seemed to flush.
"So why'd you come back? Did something go wrong with your plan? If there's anything I can help with, I will."
Regaining my composure, I asked the question he still hadn't answered.
"Oh, that."
Darsi glanced around and whispered.
"How about we talk at your theater instead of here?"
"Good idea."
I'd been thinking of escaping the imperial palace and holing up in the theater anyway. It wasn't feasible to have a long talk here, so this seemed better.
My meal with Ryan had gone south midway... but it was over now, and so was whatever Ryan and Darsi had discussed.
I glanced at Darsi—no visible injuries.
"Then I'll lead the way."
I nodded readily, and Darsi guided me. We left the imperial palace right away.
I'd thought we'd take a carriage, but no. Darsi navigated the labyrinthine palace with ease. I'd visited a few times myself, but it still felt awkward; he moved like it was his own home.
Finally, we reached what looked like a ruined palace, where he stopped in the front yard overgrown with dead grass.
In his gaze upon the palace, I read an inexplicable longing.
...Was that where he'd lived? I wanted to ask but held back, sensing it was a sensitive topic.
"Hand."
Darsi extended his hand to me. What was this, training a dog...?
As I subtly frowned, Darsi protested innocently.
"No, we need to be in contact to use magic? It's been so long, don't look at me like that."
"Oh, right."
I awkwardly offered my hand. Our fingers intertwined.
"Destination is the reception room we always met in. And..."
Darsi paused, blinking. Suddenly, my vision flipped, and a headache hit. As I shook my head, Darsi chuckled and added,
"You're right about what you're thinking. That place earlier was where I stayed."
"You could switch to fortune-telling for real..."
No idea how he read my thoughts again.
To come and go from the imperial palace to the mansion this easily. Knowing the palace was layered with multiple spells, it was baffling.
...Was Darsi just that much of a genius?
As I moved to leave the reception room, I paused. I remembered how he'd avoided meeting people before.
"It's fine now."
His answer came quicker than my glance to check his intent.
A stark change from before. Was this related to whatever made him leave and return?
For now, we'd talk, and I'd stabilize my mind and body. I opened the door.
The servants startled at the sight of me suddenly back from the palace, emerging from the reception room with a man, but I didn't care.
Rumors might spread about me and Darsi, but whatever.
Darsi and I headed to the theater.
Seeing the familiar wallpaper and sofa calmed my heart. I rubbed my hands together in satisfaction, then solemnly proposed.
"Alright, how about we lie on the bed together and talk?"
"Sure."
At Darsi's ready agreement, I flopped onto the bed. I hadn't even changed clothes, but no matter. Days like this were necessary.
Heavy footsteps approached, followed by his voice and the creak of something being handled.
Soon, a familiar melody reached my ears.
"Your favorite, right?"
Darsi, who'd claimed ignorance of piano, had found and played the piece we'd listened to on his last day.
After he left, I'd avoided it briefly. It reminded me too much of his departure.
Now, whenever I heard it, I'd think of his consideration today. And then of him.
"Yeah, thanks."
"It's nothing."
Darsi brushed it off, and I heard him moving again. Probably getting into bed now.
I stared blankly at the ceiling, giving him time.
Moments later, a thud as he flopped down beside me. Startled, I rolled over.
Darsi was already lying on his side, propped on his elbow, gazing at me.
He grinned innocently.
"You said 'together' on the bed to talk."