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CHAPTER 44:
A Blessing and a Poison
In the end, Dietrich reluctantly lay down on the bed.
Perhaps satisfied that Dietrich was lying on something softer than the hard floor, Celia soon fell asleep.
Dietrich looked at the sleeping Celia with an unreadable expression.
Seeing her asleep so deeply that even her breathing couldn’t be heard, he recalled what his mother had once excitedly said to him:
“Your fiancée, the princess, possesses an extraordinary ability. She can control a person’s mind—using a sweet floral scent, no less!”
Dietrich had once envied the unknown fiancée’s special ability.
His own ability was not for harming, but healing.
“Then why do I need to be her fiancé?” he had asked. “Why would the king of that nation choose me for her? With such a power, she should be able to protect herself.”
His mother had shaken her head.
“No, you must protect her. She’s so beautiful, she’s constantly pursued by many men.”
Dietrich had no interest in how beautiful his fiancée was. Marrying someone he had never met? It didn’t sit right with him. The mere existence of this fiancée felt like an obstacle in his path.
“A powerful ability may seem like a blessing,” his mother had continued, “but in many ways, it’s a poison. Those gifted with it often appear irresistible to others—attracting dangerous desires. And such strong powers often consume their user’s own life.”
It was then Dietrich understood why that kingdom’s king had chosen him as the princess’s fiancé.
“So he knew about my healing ability,” Dietrich said bitterly. “Wasn’t that supposed to be a secret?”
Everything about the situation annoyed him.
In the end, he was just a tool—to be used for healing.
“You and that child are very similar,” his mother had said gently, embracing him. “In all of the Principality of Inata, you’re the only one who possesses the power to heal. Please treat her kindly when you meet her. The two of you will understand each other better than anyone.”
Now, in the place where his mother’s words had once drifted away like fog, lay Celia, her thick eyelashes casting shadows on her sleeping face.
Dietrich quietly observed her.
When she had touched his cheek with her power in the prison, he hadn’t once imagined she was his fiancée.
No matter how powerful she was, she hadn’t been able to stop Avalon’s invasion. He had assumed she must’ve died in the war.
“You don’t need to worry. Just because you were once my fiancée, that doesn’t mean our relationship will change.”
The words were more a vow to himself than something meant for her.
He hoped—desperately—that nothing would change between them.
Because if she became precious to him, unbearably so… she would also become his fatal weakness.
Dietrich didn’t sleep that night.
Or rather—it would be more accurate to say he couldn’t.
The next morning.
Someone unexpectedly visited Illeon early that morning.
Illeon, who usually greeted everyone with a relaxed smile, now looked slightly troubled.
“What brings my one and only sister here?” he asked.
Reina stared coldly at him.
“Brother, what exactly are you scheming?”
“I have no idea what you mean.”
“Do you take me for a fool?”
Reina slammed her hands on the desk. Her wavy pink hair rose and fell dramatically with the movement. Illeon watched with interest.
“I said you could do anything else—but not touch Dietrich!”
“Why would you think I did something to that guy?”
“There’s a rumor spreading through the streets that Dietrich was the one who ruined the Crown Prince’s face. You planted that, didn’t you?!”
Quick on the uptake, aren’t you?
Illeon’s gaze fell on the red dress Reina wore—its airy fabric and the black ribbon cinched at the waist. One look at it, and someone came to mind.
“Even after being rejected, you still have feelings for that man?”
“Brother!”
“You can’t forget him simply because he’s the one thing you couldn’t own. Once you have him, you’ll tire of him just as quickly.”
Illeon smiled gently. Reina glared at him, her face flushed with anger.
“Do you think I’m trash like you?”
“Calling your own brother trash—how harsh.”
Illeon laughed cheerfully, clearly unbothered.
“Word is, you slapped someone yesterday at Écléan.”
Reina flinched.
“Someone from the Brillion family, wasn’t it?”
“How did you know that?”
“In Avalon, there’s nothing I don’t hear, dearest sister.”
Illeon tilted his head, resting it on one hand.
“Those lowborns said my name with my full name first.”
Reina started defending herself, but Illeon clicked his tongue.
“Funny how Dietrich’s the only one among those ‘lowborns’ that you don’t consider beneath you.”
“Brother!”
Reina shouted, incensed.
“And if you’re going to step on someone, do it from behind, discreetly. Why create such obvious grudges?”
“You know, you really are the worst person I’ve ever met.”
“Want to know why you’ll never have Dietrich?”
Though she hurled insults, Illeon was unbothered. Reina, despite herself, seemed curious—hope flickered across her face.
Illeon found that amusing beyond belief.
“It’s because you have nothing he wants. To him, you hold no value. You’re useless.”
“Why are you saying it like that?! What do you know about love? You hide behind a smile and plot like some creepy rat.”
“Love is useless in life. Especially one-sided love like yours.”
Reina’s face twisted in pain. Illeon knew all too well how jealous and greedy his sister could be.
She reacted the moment he provoked her.
And then someone else came to his mind—a woman who wouldn’t fall for his sweet words.
A fragile face, but a strong heart.
Though they’d only met briefly, she lingered in his mind.
Celia Brillion.
He would have to get rid of her.
Along with Dietrich.
Suddenly falling silent, Illeon drew Reina’s suspicion.
“Why are you suddenly quiet?”
“Reina.”
He called her gently.
“Your beloved Dietrich… seems to have already given his heart to someone else.”
Reina’s eyes trembled.
“What? Who?!”
“They call her the ‘Angel of Brillion.’ I’ve seen her in person—she’s beautiful. Didn’t like the Crown Prince much, so she’s staying at Dietrich’s mansion. Like a newlywed couple.”
Illeon smiled and stood up. Reina grabbed him.
“Hold on. After saying that, where do you think you’re going?”
“I’m in charge of preparing the Emperor’s coronation. Busy times. Mind leaving now?”
He dismissed her coldly.
“Where’s Dietrich staying? If you lied to me, I’ll kill you.”
Illeon chuckled and messed up her pink hair.
Reina jumped up, fuming.
Illeon, smiling serenely, answered:
“If you really want to know, just leave the palace and go left. His mansion’s that way.”
Without hesitation, Reina headed for the door.
“Shall I see you off?”
“No need.”
And with that, she left.
Illeon may have played the affectionate brother to Reina, but in truth, she was just another pawn to him.
A lucky girl born into the main line of the Grand Duke Gredrick’s family, spoiled and selfish.
Quick-witted, but otherwise unremarkable.
“I do hope you prove useful to your big brother.”
He muttered to himself, silver hair swaying behind him.
Just before leaving his room, he opened a drawer and pulled out a mask.
Click.
A golden mask, plain except for the misaligned eyeholes.
Illeon took the mask and walked out, calm and composed.
The Crown Prince’s Palace
“The source of the rubies is a secret auction house,” said a knight.
“If it’s an auction, then the buyer’s name should be recorded,” Jeremy replied.
“Unfortunately, both the date of the auction and the participants are kept confidential. This was the most we could uncover.”
Jeremy roughly grabbed the knight by the collar.
“Are you playing games with me? Why are you so useless?!”
“…I apologize, Your Highness.”
“If you’re sorry, don’t do things you’ll regret!”
Jeremy shouted before drawing the knight’s sword.
And without hesitation, he slashed the man’s leg.
“Aaargh!”
Thud!
The knight collapsed, screaming, his leg severed.
“It was useless anyway. Doesn’t matter if it’s gone. Don’t you agree?”
Jeremy looked down at the unconscious knight with a twisted grin of ecstasy.
That grotesque delight, smeared across his melted face, was a chilling sight.
His aide, watching in dismay, dared not say a word—only nervously watching Jeremy.
The other knights were no different.
“Well? Get this trash out of my sight.”
As if moving furniture, Jeremy gestured at the unconscious man.
Was he always this way? Or had his disfigured face driven him mad?
Whatever the cause, his cruelty had eroded the loyalty and trust of those around him.
The knights silently carried their injured comrade away, jaws clenched.
As they left, Jeremy called after them:
“Bring me my mistress today. If not—expect the same fate.”
