IATVWAMOLS 73

73. Collaboration of Night and Day Personas

“What on earth did you do to Count Vermon?”

While Count Vermon was desperately courting Icart, I took advantage of the crowd’s attention being elsewhere and quietly led Kaien away.

I grabbed his arm and walked with him for a while until we reached a secluded corridor.

Once I confirmed that no one was around, I confronted Kaien.

“…Did I do something wrong?”

Despite my questioning, he blinked innocently, his red eyes—like warning lights I had feared—shining pitifully.

His expression was so pure and innocent that I almost let it slide. I forced myself to stay composed and asked sternly,

“Did you put something strange in Count Vermon’s wine?”

At first, I had been flustered by the sudden commotion, but after thinking carefully, the cause-and-effect of the situation seemed quite clear.

The love potion, which was supposed to be mixed into Seraphine’s drink, somehow ended up in Count Vermon’s wine, and the culprit was most likely Kaien.

This was just my deduction, based on the original circumstances and hints from the administrator, but there seemed to be no other likely explanation.

Kaien, who had been sulking, finally spoke.

“The one who first put a suspicious substance in the drink was that perverted man.”

“What?”

“I went to the kitchen to check the food I was going to serve you and saw that pervert secretly giving orders to the chef.”

“….”

“It looked like he was planning to tamper with the food, so I just swapped it out a little.”

Swapped it out… Should I be impressed by that sleight of hand?

I was at a loss for words in the absurd situation, and Kaien noticed my expression.

“At first, I thought it was poison. Since no one died, it seems it was more likely a hallucinogen or a mild substance.”

Bingo.

Kaien had hit the mark without even trying. Truly, when it came to detecting schemes, he was an expert.

“If someone is doing something that sneaky behind the scenes, who knows what they’d do to you? I was ready to kill him if necessary—”

“Where did you get that idea?”

Kaien pulled something from his coat, and I was startled.

It was the self-defense dagger that the Night Persona had borrowed from me long ago and never returned.

“When I woke up, it was in my hand.”

I pressed my forehead. That Night Persona of his… Could it be he actually intended to start a bloody incident?

“But since my master told me not to cause trouble, I returned it in the simplest way. Is that not acceptable?”

Kaien protested, pouting.

Despite his tall and somewhat unruly frame, his shoulders slumped. Like a puppy caught in the rain, he looked pitiful as he watched me nervously.

I let out a small sigh.

“Alright, you did well by not causing an incident.”

It wasn’t entirely trouble-free, but at least no blood was shed, so that deserved some praise. Besides, the love potion’s effects usually last about two weeks, so in time, this mishap would naturally resolve itself.

“But this has caused trouble for your brother. Next time, find another way—”

“Do I have to worry about others too?”

I was about to give a textbook lecture when Kaien’s eyes suddenly flashed.

“My loyalty is to my master alone. I don’t care if others get hurt.”

“What?”

“I will continue to serve my master faithfully, even if it means harming myself.”

Meanwhile, Evelyn followed Shylo into the Crystal House.

The Crystal House was a palace adorned with glass, crystal, and mirrors. Though small in scale, the construction costs rivaled those of the largest palaces.

Its upkeep alone was enormous, making it a symbol of luxury and wealth.

Originally intended as a residence for distinguished guests, it had recently become Shylo’s exclusive domain.

“Let’s start with some tea.”

Shylo smiled warmly, offering tea to Evelyn.

Evelyn hesitated, unsure of the reason she had been brought all the way to the innermost part of the Crystal House.

When Evelyn remained sullen, Shylo let out a soft laugh.

“You can’t hide your expression—you’re still inexperienced. I heard you’re from a noble family, but if serving me displeases you that much, you can return home.”

“Are you threatening to revoke my position as maid?”

Evelyn bristled. How dare this commoner act superior? She could not tolerate it.

From what Evelyn had observed, Shylo was free-spirited at best, and downright vulgar at worst.

Her revealing, reckless attire and wandering the palace made that clear. She seemed entirely focused on seducing men, without an ounce of noble dignity or awareness of her position as the emperor’s confidante.

Her laughter was loud, her behavior frivolous. She advertised herself as no different from a courtesan.

Many in the imperial palace subtly despised or gossiped about her. Evelyn could never endure living under such scorn, even for a day. But Shylo seemed unusually thick-skinned.

“A mere commoner…”

The words slipped out of Evelyn’s mouth in a burst of anger, irretrievable.

“…!”

After spitting them out, Evelyn clapped her hands over her mouth, fearing the consequences. She expected Shylo to rage, but Shylo only stared calmly.

“I am well acquainted with ladies of your type. They are shallow, relying solely on their status.”

Who’s calling whom shallow? Evelyn bristled, but remembered her own slip and dared not respond.

“Think about it. Whether a lady or I, we both live by clinging to someone else’s power. The difference is only that the lady’s luck allowed her to lean on her family’s prestige.”

Shylo sneered.

“And now you’ve been sent to cling to me—the so-called lowborn concubine you disdain.”

Evelyn’s face flushed at the truth of Shylo’s words. No matter how much she convinced herself of her inherent superiority as a noble, she could not hide the reality.

“I am not criticizing your arrogance. If a lady has her family, she should use it. I have used my beauty and charm to remain close to His Majesty.”

“….”

“Let me give you advice. If you’ve come to cling to me, you must abandon that petty pride, conscience, and sense of duty.”

At that moment, Shylo’s smile vanished.

Beneath the fully applied makeup that hid the marks of time, the thorns beneath her blossoming smile were revealed.

“Look at Countess Garcia. She was pushed from the Empress’s side to serve me, and I know she feels slighted.”

Shylo spoke plainly.

“Yet she performs her duties faithfully. She adapts cleverly to changing circumstances. That is excellent tact.”

“…Why are you telling me this?”

Evelyn could not understand Shylo’s intentions.

Shylo’s eyes, deep and calm, sank into an unreadable depth.

“I know my own position. I have no influential family, no backing, and the palace ladies call me extravagant, yet I cannot freely spend the budget without His Majesty’s permission.”

“….”

“I have held His Majesty’s favor so far, but if he turns, I will be cast aside. If conspirators decide to eliminate me, my life will end swiftly.”

Her gaze was serene yet unfathomable.

“My best response is to act as the emperor’s beautiful concubine, pliable as the tongue in his mouth.”

“….”

Only then did Evelyn realize. She had believed Shylo was frivolous, reckless, or spoiled by the emperor’s favor. The rumors she had heard had blinded her.

“Even if there seems to be no immediate threat, once the crown prince ascends the throne, my position will instantly become precarious. There is no heir between His Majesty and me, so the future is grim.”

Evelyn listened in stunned silence. She had never expected such words from this commoner concubine.

“Do you think I wouldn’t know the palace gossip?”

Shylo laughed mischievously.

“They think I’ve gained the emperor’s favor through beauty and smiles. But I’ve clawed my way up through sheer effort. Those born with a family’s prestige, who have never achieved anything themselves, can’t understand that.”

Shylo smiled slyly.

“But you are fortunate. You have what I lack, and I can give you what you desire.”

She whispered in a subtle tone.

“So, tell me—do you still refuse to be my ally?”