Chapter 91 …
The Villain’s Future Is Troubling
Marcus looked at Aaron with eyes full of suspicion. The reward for helping strike Shiraz wasn’t a high rank or wealth—it was just a woman.
He withdrew his unreadable gaze, leaving only a subtle smile.
He was certain that Aaron had ultimately lost his mind over a woman and betrayed his own lord.
If that was the reason, there was no need to doubt Aaron further. No motivation could be stronger than obsession and betrayal driven by twisted affection.
Whether it was reality or a dream, his vision was hazy.
Like watching an old silent film, tense moments unfolded in colorless shades before his eyes.
I followed the scenes in silence, as if I were watching a grim horror movie alone.
In the secret underground of the palace—or in a building resembling a monastery—people were rushing somewhere in a frantic hurry.
A few in black robes ran toward a pre-prepared black carriage, escorted by people in red robes.
“Hurry! This way.”
“Shh. Don’t make a sound.”
Even from just their brief conversation, the urgency of the situation was palpable.
As expected, the sound of soldiers’ footsteps chasing them thundered ominously.
The army, holding red torches, moved swiftly, ready to catch the robed figures, while the mysterious people fled desperately.
“There!”
At the sharp, commanding shout, one of the black-robed figures turned around.
Golden, wavy hair and frightened green eyes—this was Emperor Raphaello.
As Raphaello looked back in fear, arrows began to rain down from the pitch-black sky.
Those in red robes swung their swords to block the arrows, but one arrow pierced the chest of a black-robed figure.
“Argh!”
The black robe sank to the floor as if creating a small pool.
“Your Majesty!”
The person about to board the carriage screamed sharply.
Pale white skin and delicate, beautiful features—this was Princess Jasmine.
“Get up quickly!”
She shouted as if urging a sibling, but the fallen emperor did not move.
“Go ahead. I will make sure he gets there safely.”
A familiar voice came from the burly man escorting the princess into the carriage.
‘Aaron…?’
Observing them like a film from another dimension, his mouth whispered the name instinctively.
Sure enough, Aaron shoved Jasmine into the carriage, quickly set it in motion, then approached the emperor.
Slowly lifting the hood of his robe to cover his face, he examined the fallen emperor’s condition.
‘What is he doing?’
I watched anxiously, my heart pounding.
Aaron’s eyes flickered with a flash as he alternated his gaze between the approaching Shiraz army and the arrow-pierced emperor.
Kneeling, fiddling with the arrow lodged near the emperor’s heart, Aaron murmured:
“Regrettably, there seems to be no hope. Since the end is inevitable, I shall assist the princess and the royal family before closing his eyes.”
With those words, Aaron forcefully pulled the arrow from the emperor’s chest. Crimson blood gushed, soaking his hands.
Ah…!
I couldn’t help but let out a sound.
Aaron’s lips curled slightly as he looked at the removed arrow.
In that instant, his face twisted into a truly devilish expression, and my eyes widened.
“Haa…!”
The ceiling I always saw and the room bathed in a yellowish light.
Perhaps I had dozed off briefly, or the noises outside were gradually growing louder as the sun set.
‘What kind of bizarre dream was that?’
The scenes from the dream were still vivid, sending shivers down my arms and back.
It felt like watching a horror film, and the last moment—the demonic expression of Aaron—left an eerie impression.
That smiling face seemed as if it was grinning directly at me…
“This is so unsettling.”
I couldn’t dismiss this strange dream lightly.
Ever since learning that Aaron had betrayed Shiraz and sided with Marcus, a sense of foreboding never left me—and now it had even manifested in a dream.
‘The situation has completely changed. This is not the time to be complacent.’
The story’s original plot had shifted; the mines that would have led to Shiraz’s ruin had disappeared. The story wasn’t over.
If in the original work it was Marquis Carlyle who betrayed Shiraz, now it was Count Aaron.
This dream seemed to be warning me about something important.
‘Stay sharp. Whatever happens, I can’t make mistakes.’
Britannia being so close to Jasmine was not something to take lightly either.
Feeling that something ominous was about to happen, I braced myself once more.
The princess’s maids left the room, their eyes rolling.
Since Britannia had entered as a mere servant, the princess had kept her closer than the others.
Even though she had fallen to the status of a maid, she had once been the daughter of a powerful marquis, and that aura still made it difficult for others to confront her.
Moreover, with Jasmine siding with her, the other maids were at a loss.
Once the maids left, only Jasmine and Britannia remained.
Jasmine crumpled the letter in her hand.
“How could they do this to me? Send me to such a backward place?”
Britannia had expected this reaction as she watched Jasmine read the letter.
It was widely rumored within the palace that the princess would be sent away.
In truth, the princess had passed the age for marriage, and remaining in the palace unmarried had stirred considerable talk.
From the duke’s perspective, rather than bearing the stigma of keeping her as a hostage, it was better to marry her off—likely to a distant place where she would have no influence on the empire.
Britannia glimpsed the crumpled letter Jasmine had tossed on the table.
‘The Brakan Isles? No wonder the princess is angry.’
Britannia’s lips twitched.
“Since the duke married, Your Highness’s presence seems to have become a burden.”
Britannia made a daring remark, confident that the princess would not take offense. Jasmine likely shared the same thought.
“Still, to be so blatant… That woman must have encouraged the duke to send Your Highness away.”
Jasmine glared at Britannia in frustration.
“I’ve seen it firsthand. That woman’s cunning ability to manipulate people is astonishing.”
Britannia described Garnet as if she were a witch.
“The duke must have been enchanted by her tricks too, just like with Sevila.”
Jasmine, listening quietly, bit her lip and muttered to herself:
“I knew she was exceptional, but…”
Britannia seized the moment, recounting memories in a controlled voice.
“When I went to the duke’s castle to see the princess, that woman told me to behave well, claiming she would become duchess anyway. Otherwise, my father might face consequences. She even prevented me from meeting the princess.”
Britannia added imagined details to further slander Garnet.
“This time too, her influence will be at play. Even as duchess, she would dislike the princess remaining in the palace. So…”
“Enough. My head aches.”
Jasmine tried to maintain her composure.
But Britannia inwardly laughed, knowing exactly how frustrated the princess must feel.
I had felt the same not long ago.
“So….”
Britannia’s hushed voice made Jasmine glance at her sharply.
Looking around to ensure no one was listening, Britannia whispered into Jasmine’s ear:
“Count Aaron?”
Jasmine, who had been listening quietly, showed a hint of surprise.
“Could… that really work…?”
To Jasmine’s doubtful question, Britannia nodded confidently.
“Whether it works or not isn’t important. If we can create a rift between that woman and the duke… The emperor’s birthday party is the perfect opportunity.”
Jasmine nodded slightly, agreeing to Britannia’s plan.
In the coldest season, even as everything outside was frozen, the palace buzzed with activity.
Carriages crowded the entrance, and servants busily prepared for the feast.
The emperor’s birthday celebration would last three days.
This event, second only to the founding festival, drew many guests, especially after the duke’s recent wedding.
Those aware that the duke held the empire’s true power wished to make an impression on Shiraz by attending the emperor’s wedding.
Many who had missed the hurried wedding now used the emperor’s birthday as an excuse to attend.
“Has the duke arrived yet?”
Jasmine asked while adjusting her hair in front of a large mirror.
“Not yet.”
