Chapter 24
The room was lit only by the faint glow of a single candle; not even moonlight slipped inside. In that dimness, a pair of golden eyes and a pair of blue eyes gleamed with an eerie light.
“Tell me why you came.”
“Is it because you don’t want to hear me speak that you’re talking to me like this?”
“…”
“Fine. That suits me better anyway.”
“Tell me why you’re here, or get out.”
I jerked my chin toward the window. If he didn’t obey, he could leave that way. Kendrick pulled off the black hood he was wearing and gave a mocking smile.
“Why I’m here? Don’t you think you’re the one who should speak first?”
“…Will you stop this nonsense?”
“My father always says I live on nonsense. Looks like he’s right.”
“…”
“You hate me, don’t you? The feeling is mutual.”
“And?”
“This political marriage. I’d rather die than marry you.”
Kendrick’s blue eyes flashed with a terrifying light. They were enough to send chills down the spine.
Then he turned his gaze toward Mother’s jewelry box. I finally exhaled and clenched my fists.
My opponent was someone whose next move was impossible to predict. I couldn’t lose focus for even a second. I had to keep control of the conversation. Otherwise, who knew where things might go?
I leaned against the table and spoke directly to Kendrick.
“I understand you hate me. But do you have a plan? Or are you just spouting pretty words with nothing behind them?”
“A plan? Do I need something like that?”
“Then how do you intend to ruin the marriage?”
“Luckily, no one is watching me right now, and the guards can’t detect me. In a situation like this, should I just sit still?”
Kendrick spoke casually, as if tossing aside a boring toy.
But his words sent a wave of shock through me.
‘If I understand him correctly, he intends to do something to his father while he’s here on Ginever land.’
Whether it was a threat or anything else, that must never happen in Ginever.
If something happened to the head of House Regulus here, war would break out immediately.
My eyes widened as I straightened my posture. I almost raised my voice, but held it back, afraid Kendrick’s presence in my room would be discovered.
“…Have you lost your mind?”
“My father has never seen me as sane.”
“…”
“Everyone says I’m crazy. Do you think so too?”
Kendrick shifted his gaze from the jewelry box to me. For some reason, his expression looked sad. I couldn’t say anything.
Because I, too, thought he was insane.
Kendrick rose from the bed and walked to the jewelry box. He tapped it with his fingers, then opened it and began rummaging inside as if searching for something.
I was about to scold him, but he was faster.
“Fine, whatever. I really am crazy.”
But right now, the jewelry box wasn’t the priority. I had to stop Kendrick from doing anything on my family’s land.
“…Fine. Whatever the case, no killing on my family’s territory.”
“Why?”
“I like peace. There’s no need to start a war.”
“Really? When things are too quiet, I can’t stay still.”
“Even if that’s true, don’t do anything on my family’s land. If you want to ruin the political marriage, stay quiet.”
Kendrick looked at me for a moment, then slowly nodded.
“Not hard. But ruining the political marriage is your job.”
“…Fine. Don’t do anything and keep your mouth shut.”
“You want that too?”
“Yes.”
Rather than letting Kendrick ruin my plans with his reckless words, it was better if he stayed silent.
His way was far worse than anything I had planned.
Especially since Didier would be here too, Kendrick had to completely hide his presence.
“Fine, then…”
Kendrick, who had been staring at me, laughed and stood right in front of me. Then he extended his hand, holding something, and said:
“By the way, who does this belong to?”
His voice was serious and full of curiosity.
I looked at his hand and let out a soft laugh.
What he was holding was Mother’s necklace.
‘I’ve been seeing this necklace a lot lately.’
I had spoken about this necklace with Priscilla in a secret meeting, and now I was talking about it with Kendrick, a complete stranger.
How could I not laugh?
Why wouldn’t they leave Mother alone? One out of nostalgia, the other out of curiosity—both trying to pull Mother’s precious memories out of me.
For a moment, I lost control of the atmosphere I had been leading. When I realized it, I snatched the necklace from Kendrick’s hand and gripped it tightly.
“Why do you want to know?”
“…It felt like it was calling me to find it. First time I’ve ever felt that. Won’t you tell me?”
“I’m not obliged to tell you.”
“Oh, really?”
The corner of Kendrick’s mouth rose suspiciously.
“If you tell me who this necklace belongs to, I’ll stay quiet like you asked.”
“…Is this a threat?”
“Maybe. But the choice is yours: war or peace.”
He spoke in a fierce tone. And as everyone knows, I had only one choice. He had forced me into it from the start.
“My mother.”
“Hmm, alright.”
Contrary to my expectation that he would ask more, he quickly lost interest and began opening the window behind me.
“I told you, so stay quiet. I’m more serious about ruining this marriage.”
“Fine. A deal’s a deal. But if you fail, I’ll move my way. Keep that in mind. The unwanted guest is leaving now.”
Kendrick left the same insolent way he came. He moved so fast I didn’t even think to stop him.
And I was alone in the room again.
“Phew, exhausting. I hope no more visitors come to my room.”
I’m busy trying to find my own path, yet they come to me demanding what they want. Everyone needs me, yet I feel abandoned.
“What a farce.”
I felt lonely and bitter. It would have been better if Didier were here.
I took Mother’s necklace to the open window, where it sparkled in the moonlight. I stared at it for a long time, then closed the window and held it tightly.
It was time to think again.
* * *
“So you came to me this quickly?”
“It seems like the right timing. Otherwise, I won’t get another chance.”
“Very well. Then tell me your plan. Time is not on our side.”
The next morning, I was in Priscilla’s room. Why visit someone I hate?
‘Because Priscilla needs to know part of my plan so we can coordinate during the regular meeting.’
And after Kendrick’s nighttime visit to my room, I needed to coordinate even more in advance.
Even if Priscilla was clever and quick-witted, if she didn’t act properly at the meeting, Kendrick would move on his own.
So I had to arrange everything perfectly.
“All you have to do is support me at the regular meeting—you and all the elders.”
“Does your plan really need that much backing?”
“To ruin the political marriage, yes. And after I ruin it, I will leave the family, so I have to secure everything.”
Priscilla looked at me in surprise and asked:
“Why do you think I would assume you won’t leave?”
“I thought you might think I’d wait until Father loses his power.”
“…That’s something I’ll think about later. I haven’t decided when I’ll leave yet.”
At first, I had planned to leave the family the moment the marriage was ruined, but now that was just a dream.
‘I have to keep an eye on Kendrick too.’
And most importantly, I have to watch Father so he doesn’t do anything. I will stay in the palace until Father becomes a toothless wolf. I’ll get Didier’s approval for that too.
“Really? Think carefully. I won’t interfere afterward.”
Priscilla smiled brightly and covered her mouth with her fan. She looked genuinely happy, but who knows how sincere she was?
I looked at her, slowly closed my eyes, then opened them again. Then I shifted my gaze to the three maids behind her.
“By the way, Priscilla, lend me those Owls.”
That was the real reason I visited Priscilla so early this morning.
