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~Chapter 10~
She was Veseth’s birth mother, but not Etienne’s.
Etienne was the son of the late empress — the woman the current empress had long since replaced. According to the novel’s plot, the empress despised him. And really, who wouldn’t? No woman in her right mind could welcome the living proof of her husband’s betrayal.
Naturally, Etienne’s feelings were mutual. Being hated simply for existing—there was no way he could love her back.
Oh? So the real power struggle begins now?
My eyes gleamed with curiosity.
“There’s no need for me to attend. The crown prince alone should suffice.”
“Then come for me. I’d like to see you there.”
At Veseth’s easy, affectionate reply, my anticipation deflated like a punctured balloon.
So much for a royal duel—it looked more like a scene of brotherly affection.
What on earth is going on between these two?
If Veseth was so kind, why would Etienne ever turn against him? Truly, human greed knows no end… all that strife over a throne.
I snuck a glance at Etienne.
“Dahlia should come too, don’t you think? She hasn’t properly entered society since the wedding. Everyone’s eager to see her again.”
The question turned toward me. I quickly averted my eyes and replayed his words.
Society? The Empress’s birthday banquet?
I nodded without hesitation.
I didn’t know when it was, but I was absolutely going. After all the hardship I’d endured since landing in this world, I deserved a bit of glamour.
I mean, what’s the point of being in a fantasy if you don’t attend at least one royal ball?
I imagined the scene — ladies in opulent gowns, couples whirling gracefully under chandeliers, tables overflowing with delicacies.
And perhaps the most beautiful of them all… me, Dahlia?
What if every man there fell for me? What if they begged me to leave Etienne and start anew?
Hmm… I might pretend to hesitate before agreeing. Very tragic, very dramatic.
I was smiling to myself at this ridiculous daydream when I answered brightly,
“I’ll definitely go — with Etienne, of course.”
A sharp look pierced my side, but I ignored it with unwavering resolve.
After a lavish dinner, only Etienne and Veseth remained at the table.
“Thank you for agreeing to come,” Veseth said smoothly.
“You weren’t going to leave until I did,” Etienne replied dryly.
“Fair point. I’d planned to stay until you said yes. Now that you have, I’ll leave tomorrow.”
Veseth leaned back comfortably in his chair, his silver hair catching the candlelight. His gaze tilted downward, looking at Etienne from a slight angle.
“By the way, I heard something rather amusing.”
“What sort of thing?”
“That Dahlia’s changed.”
Etienne paused mid-sip, the ruby wine catching light against his lips.
It was true — she had changed. He had ordered the servants to keep her supposed “memory loss” secret, yet gossip had spread quickly within the mansion. That such talk had reached beyond its walls meant someone was whispering.
“Is that so,” he murmured coolly, already planning to find the source.
“It seems so. Seeing her in person, I can believe it. Anyway, I’m relieved to see you two getting along. She’s always been… rather spirited.”
Veseth laughed lightly. The comment scraped against Etienne’s pride.
“That’s part of her charm,” he replied with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
For a fleeting moment, something flickered in Veseth’s gaze — a shadow, gone before it could be named.
That night, exhausted from the long day, I collapsed face-first onto my bed. My bones ached pleasantly; it had been forever since I’d done so much socializing. Normally, I would’ve studied or read before sleeping, but tonight I surrendered early to the soft sheets.
I had barely begun to drift when a knock rattled the door.
“Veseth?”
“Forgive the late hour. Would you join me for a walk?”
My eyes darted.
A midnight stroll?
If this were a normal situation, I might have suspected romantic intent. But this was Veseth — a man so devoted to his destined heroine that the rest of the world barely existed. If he was here, it had to be for another reason.
“Just a moment — I’ll call a maid to accompany us.”
He reached out suddenly, catching my wrist.
“No. Let’s go alone.”
“Alone?”
That would look bad. Really bad.
While I hesitated, he tugged gently but firmly.
“It’ll only take a moment.”
Maybe he had something important to discuss. Despite the uneasy feeling in my chest, I followed him into the dim garden.
Even with lanterns lit, the paths were veiled in shadow beneath heavy clouds. Our footsteps crunched softly on gravel — the only sound in the stillness.
He said nothing. We walked in silence far longer than seemed necessary.
Seriously? Was this just… a literal walk? I could be asleep right now—or eating a midnight snack.
I was about to suggest turning back when he caught my hand, his fingers brushing my chilled skin.
“Aren’t you cold?”
“I’m fine.”
“Then… shall I give you my coat?”
I yanked my hand away as politely as possible.
“No, thank you.”
He hesitated, half-laughing, as if amused by my refusal.
What’s with him? He’s supposed to be sweet only to Sophienne, not me.
At this rate, poor Sophienne was in for some serious heartbreak later.
“Really, I insist.”
“I said I’m fine.”
Too firm, perhaps, but necessary.
We were, after all, in Etienne’s garden.
If Etienne happened to glance out the window and saw this scene — his wife alone with his brother, under the moonlight — I’d be finished.
Thief and adulteress? My reputation doesn’t need any new titles, thank you.
I took another step back. Veseth’s eyes softened.
“Do you remember the promise you once made me?”
“Of course.”
Of course not.
“Good. I thought you’d forgotten.”
His gentle smile made guilt prickle down my neck. Was it an important promise? Should I ask?
Before I could decide, his hand rose toward my face. I flinched instinctively, stepping back. He tilted his head, puzzled.
“Dahlia…? What’s wrong? You do remember, don’t you?”
“O-of course! Why would I forget? I may have changed after marriage, but that’s just growth, you know? Life-changing experiences… new perspectives!”
“Is that so?”
He studied me quietly, and under that piercing gaze, I lowered my eyes.
“But… were you always this beautiful?”
The buttery smoothness of his tone nearly made me choke. I looked up — his face was very close.
Excuse me, sir, that’s emotional assault. Heart battery.
His perfectly sculpted features were far too vivid in the dark. I forced a calm smile.
“I’ve looked like this all along, actually.”
“Strange. It’s the same face, yet somehow… different. I couldn’t sleep. I kept seeing you. So I came.”
Cold sweat slid down my temple. Even for the slowest of minds, this was either a confession or at least dangerous flirting.
Why me? Weren’t you obsessed with Sophienne?
Then a terrifying thought struck.
Wait. Is this one of those tropes? The man who once despised the villainess suddenly falls for her after possession? The obsessive reformation arc?
Dozens of novel clichés flashed through my mind.
Had I been targeting the wrong man all along? Maybe Etienne wasn’t the route — maybe this was!
After all, Etienne showed zero signs of being conquerable.
But if Veseth was the true “golden goose”…
No! That’s how the original Dahlia died — betrayed by this man!
My brain scrambled like a chessboard mid-game.
“Dahlia!”
“Y-yes?”
His voice snapped me out of my spiraling thoughts.
“What’s going through that head of yours?”
He bent down, bringing our faces close. His gentle blue-gray eyes searched mine.
Beautiful. Yes. But unsettling — like a smile on a mask.
When I didn’t answer, he cupped my cheek.
His long lashes lowered, his breath brushing my skin.
Wait—what?
Even from a blindfolded tumble, anyone could tell this was a kiss scene.
He leaned in. My pupils dilated. Panic short-circuited every rational thought.
Two options flashed: push him away—or let it happen. Which was safer?
Etienne’s scowling face floated before my mind’s eye. Even imagining his expression of betrayal made my stomach drop.
“W-wait!”
I shoved his shoulder just in time — his lips stopped a breath away from mine.
“I—I’m married! This… this isn’t right!”
When you can’t decide, stall. Always stall.
