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chapter 13
The place Devaltin brought Celestine to was somewhere in the forest connected to the palace, just as she had said. It was a location with a large lake.
“……”
Celestine sat quietly by the lake, watching Devaltin as he immersed himself in the water, washing away the bloodstains.
What was Devaltin thinking right now?
What color of emotions was he feeling?
Lost in her own thoughts, Celestine’s gaze suddenly reflected the deep center of the lake, where the bottom could not be seen.
…Ah, so these are the kind of thoughts and feelings he has.
Sinking deeper in despair, not even knowing where the bottom is. So much so that one cannot even recognize what they truly feel.
After a while, Devaltin emerged from the water, water dripping from his body. He looked down at Celestine, who was sitting by a tree.
Even though their faces were so close, Celestine no longer felt fear toward him.
For the first time, he even seemed… human.
Especially when she realized that he was still forcing himself to appear indifferent, cold, and emotionless.
Devaltin brushed his wet black hair back carelessly, his hand trembling ever so slightly.
“…Even though it’s spring, it’s quite cold. Maybe because it’s night.”
Celestine took off her cloak and offered it to him.
“If you stay like that, you’ll catch a cold. It might look a little odd, but at least put it on. Or wipe off the water.”
But Devaltin didn’t take the cloak.
He just stood there in his soaked pants, his well-built upper body exposed under the moonlight, staring at her.
Celestine let out a heavy sigh and spoke slowly.
“As soon as I left the Crown Prince’s palace, I ran into Prince George. He showed interest in me and said that something very interesting would happen at tonight’s banquet and that I must not miss it.”
It wasn’t a lie.
“I just had a bad feeling. Everyone in the Yeshua Empire knows that Prince George is jealous of the Crown Prince.”
“So?”
“So I took Lete with me. I wanted to make sure she couldn’t attend. I spiked the drink in the carriage. The prince hitting his head with the blunt weapon was just an accident. He slipped and hit the wall himself.”
She couldn’t bring herself to tell the part about the silver tray, so she gave a different excuse.
“And… um… I hid my identity because, well, I had touched a royal, so I knew I couldn’t avoid punishment. That’s all I can tell you and all I know.”
“No, you didn’t give the most important answer, Celestine Winsel.”
Devaltin bent his knees and grabbed her chin firmly.
“Why?”
“……”
“Why did you try to help me?”
His eyes, shadowed like pitch-black, revealed countless emotions.
Yet Celestine wasn’t confused this time. She understood.
…She had never experienced anyone trying to help her without expecting anything in return. Not once in her life.
That’s why it seemed so strange to him.
In Devaltin’s world, no one had ever shown him kindness.
For someone born as a tool and raised for a purpose, only knowing a life of means and ends… such surprise was natural.
“Are you still going to talk about becoming Empress?”
Devaltin asked with a face as cold as ice.
“So, are you trying to help me when I don’t want it, waiting for a chance to threaten me?”
“No.”
Celestine answered calmly.
“I was only worried about the Crown Prince.”
Of course, the reason she approached George was because of that warning, but the real reason she couldn’t leave the palace until this late hour was because she was worried.
“Sometimes, people appear who offer help and kindness without expecting anything in return.”
“…What?”
“And I truly don’t expect anything…”
Her words were cut off.
Because Devaltin’s rough hand grabbed her by the collar.
“Stop saying nonsense, Celestine Winsel.”
Devaltin’s gaze was sharp and intense.
“I already told you I know what Greg Winsel is planning. And yet you say you expect nothing? Are you asking me to believe that?”
“If you don’t want to believe…”
Celestine gasped but continued.
“Just watch… Even if a knife is at my throat, I would never step forward claiming I want to become Empress…”
“….”
“And anyway… as you said earlier, I’m a fool with big dreams and no skills…”
Devaltin’s eyebrows twitched.
“Even if someone like that has plans… nothing would really change…”
She was right. No matter what schemes Greg Winsel tried, they would have no effect.
Then why did it irritate him so much?
Why did this woman, daring to speak of concern, seem so… impossible to ignore?
Celestine’s small, white hand grabbed Devaltin’s rough hand on her collar.
“I saw nothing today.”
She struggled to release his grip and continued.
“I heard nothing either. So my father won’t know, and in the future, neither will I once I return to the mansion.”
“……”
“But I hope the Crown Prince remembers… that there can be people who offer kindness, worry, and help without expecting anything in return.”
Devaltin Bacallar, facing her not as words on a page but as a real person, seemed pitiable, fragile, and tragic.
His heart must be its own hell.
Even if everyone misunderstood him, thinking he had everything in his grasp…
Still, I am the one who knows your heart best in this world.
I hope he won’t waste time in pain like this.
If he endures a little longer, after so many things have passed… he won’t have to be lonely anymore, with Asha by his side.
“…Of course, that person will never be me again, but anyway.”
“……”
“Please return safely, Your Highness. A carriage will be waiting at the palace entrance, but I’ll take the back path instead of crossing the palace directly. That way, I won’t be noticed.”
With that, she was done. Devaltin no longer held her, and Celestine slowly started walking without looking back.
And…
—Devaltin, poor thing.
—But what a jerk. Why does he get upset even when comforted?
The comments popped up as soon as she took a step.
—Isn’t Hela committing child abuse? Even if it’s a novel… the author is crazy, morals sold off;;
—Anyway, who is that Celestine? She couldn’t stop the ugly one, but she comforts Devaltin. That’s enough for me.
—So what about Asha? Where is she? Alone in the Crown Prince’s palace?
—When did Rio appear? Did I miss it? And isn’t there someone named Silence too?
《New readers came after hearing about it in the community.》
《15% of existing readers are new arrivals.》
Even the warning window appeared loudly, as if competing with the comment section.
‘Yes. Anyway, the original purpose was achieved. I couldn’t stop the incident, but I got attention… I did enough.’
Yes. That’s enough. Celestine comforted herself with that thought and continued forward without hesitation.
