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Chapter 76
The Unfinished Test
Even at a glance, the conversation between Senelia and Demonic was not just about learning and teaching magic.
Venerucia could not bear the private conversation that only the two of them shared.
The best he could do was pretend not to care and ask casually.
“…Ah, so.”
Senelia was flustered and couldn’t answer immediately.
Demonic had asked her to keep it a secret from Venerucia that he was also a thorn of Cloracan.
Venerucia didn’t seem likely to harm Demonic over that fact, but it was not her place to reveal someone else’s secret on a whim.
“We were just talking about magic.”
In the end, Senelia gave Venerucia a clumsy lie.
She was not usually good at lying.
The reason she had been able to deceive him for eight whole years was simply that she had prepared thoroughly in advance and Venerucia had been so inattentive.
“…I see.”
Venerucia bit the soft flesh inside his mouth and nodded.
There was nothing for him to press her about—Senelia hadn’t actually done anything with Demonic—and he had no desire to scold her.
After all, it was he who had caused scandals with other ladies in the past. He had no right to question her.
“You must be hungry after learning magic all day. I already told the chef to prepare dinner a little early on the way up.”
Venerucia changed the subject, failing to get the answer he wanted.
It stung and frustrated him, but there was nothing he could do.
“…Thank you, Your Highness.”
Relief softened Senelia’s expression.
Had he pressed further, she would have been in trouble, so she was fortunate he let the topic drop.
“Shall we go?”
Venerucia extended his hand to Senelia.
The walk to the dining room wasn’t long, but even so, he wanted to confirm that she was by his side through the warmth of her hand.
He thought everything would be fine.
Yet, he was still uneasy about the possibility of her leaving him.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Senelia placed her hand over his.
Through that warmth, he forced himself to erase the memory of her smile that she had given to Demonic.
As Venerucia had feared from the start, once preparations for the hunting festival began in earnest, Senelia had to move constantly in and out of the palace.
From the very first day she was called to the palace, Venerucia followed her everywhere.
He had been worried about leaving her alone with Clifford and what treatment she might receive from her brother.
“You’re really clingy, aren’t you?”
Yet, for some reason, Clifford just watched the scene unfold.
During a tense tea time with Clifford, Venerucia, and Senelia together, Clifford teased Venerucia.
Not only did Clifford not prevent Venerucia from accompanying Senelia into the palace, he even reduced the Duke’s official duties, as if saying, “Go ahead, stay by her side as much as you like.”
“…It’s only natural, isn’t it? You don’t want to send your fiancée alone somewhere, so I appreciate your understanding, brother.”
Venerucia replied as if to say he wouldn’t lose to Clifford in wit.
Though his words sounded polite, they subtly criticized Clifford for summoning Senelia to the palace too often.
“My person is one of the empire’s few magicians—of course it’s special.”
Clifford said boldly while sipping his tea.
Venerucia frowned and retorted openly,
“She’s my person.”
“Everyone in the empire belongs to the Emperor, Ben—even you.”
Clifford casually countered.
Only Senelia endured the suffocating tea time between these two strong-willed men.
“Lucalina visited your mansion recently, my dear brother.”
As Senelia tried to wet her throat with tea, Clifford maliciously brought up the subject.
Cough, cough.
Senelia choked slightly, catching herself in a small cough.
Venerucia gently patted her back with one hand while shooting Clifford a sharp glare.
Senelia was already wary of Clifford, and the timing of his words was annoyingly malicious. Venerucia couldn’t help grinding his teeth.
“When we were young, the three of us—you, I, and Lucalina—used to talk often… yet I was left out. Quite disappointing.”
Clifford spoke brazenly, showing no sign of disappointment.
Whenever Senelia and Lucalina spoke, Venerucia had ensured that no one could eavesdrop.
So even Clifford would have no way of knowing what they discussed.
Had he actually known, he wouldn’t have dared make such a probing comment.
“You didn’t even tell me a single word, Seli…”
Clifford narrowed his eyes at Senelia.
Perhaps after hearing Venerucia’s warning, or for some other reason, he didn’t call her a “dog” this time.
Yet merely the Emperor’s gaze was enough to drain all color from her face.
Venerucia held her hand tightly.
“If you wish to hear something from Seli, shouldn’t you ask me, her partner?”
“It’s only natural for a brother to be curious about the lady who will become his beloved wife.”
“Do not be curious. I am a jealous husband; I will not tolerate another man showing interest in Seli, even if it is my brother.”
Venerucia’s words to cut off Clifford were sincere.
He truly disliked any man’s gaze on Senelia.
Honestly, what Venerucia appreciated most during their time as unofficial lovers was that Senelia hardly participated in social events.
He hoped she would remain forever uninterested in such affairs.
“Ah, how unfortunate.”
Clifford continued in a teasing tone, pretending to sympathize.
“I intend to maintain my interest in Seli in the future.”
His brazen tone hardened Venerucia’s expression.
“So… I’m going to give Seli a gift.”
Clifford added with a smile.
“No need—”
Naturally, Venerucia immediately countered.
But Clifford didn’t listen.
“Bring it in.”
Clifford gestured to his steward, who brought a luxurious velvet box with both hands and placed it on the table, as if carrying something incredibly precious.
Once the steward withdrew, Clifford gestured to Senelia.
“Open it, Seli. This gift was prepared for you personally.”
Senelia’s gaze trembled.
Anxiety surged as she wondered what could be inside.
Yet it was only a box—refusing the Emperor’s instruction would be disloyal.
“Hurry.”
Clifford urged calmly, and Senelia opened the velvet box.
Bang!
The moment its contents were revealed, Venerucia immediately knocked the box off the table.
The items inside tumbled to the floor.
Senelia’s hands shook violently.
Had Venerucia not held her ice-cold hands, she might have forgotten how to breathe.
“My brother grows more reckless by the day.”
Clifford sipped his tea as Venerucia scolded him.
Inside the velvet box was a golden tiara—delicately crafted, outwardly flawless, and beautifully designed.
Tiara was reserved for royal women, and a golden tiara could only be worn by the Empress.
“You, brother, seem to have lost your conscience entirely.”
Venerucia’s voice was icy.
“A ruler has no conscience to begin with. How else would I have reached this position?”
Indeed, Clifford continued to act brazenly.
His gaze weighed down heavily on Senelia.
“Whatever it is—a golden crown is worth more than a silver one, isn’t it?”
Clifford sang his words.
“I’m giving you a chance, Seli.”
Senelia felt a chill run down her spine at Clifford’s snake-like gaze.
When the Emperor looked at her this way, it never ended well.
“Do you think Ben could love only you?”
Clifford continued, giving Venerucia no chance to speak.
“For example… what if Lucalina were in danger right now? What would you do, Ben?”
Finally, his gaze shifted from Senelia to Venerucia—as if demanding a choice.
