Chapter 36
The rebellion was set to be led primarily by the Northern Knights and the paladins of the temple.
The temple’s attack was meant to deliver a message: that the goddess had abandoned the Grire Empire, and even the emperor, thereby somewhat justifying the betrayal of the border count.
Even knowing all this, Aiden could not easily take the hand of the saint offered to him.
He was bound by chains—by the Covenant of Blood, a fate more pitiful than that of any beast.
So, he decided to reveal to the saint a truth that even his closest allies in the north barely knew. If he accepted the temple’s help, the uprising would proceed more smoothly, but he knew he could not be a useful asset to her.
Yet, the saint shrugged, saying she could easily provide him with at least one royal family member if necessary. Such a response was not one a woman, supposedly the most sacred in the empire, would typically show—but as a partner, she was perfect.
The next day, he delivered a marriage proposal to the temple, and now he was on the verge of betrothal to the saint.
“If our knights and paladins are joined by the mages as well, victory will be practically assured.”
Aiden was about to fall into thought again when Cecil caught his attention. Raising his head, Aiden looked at his subordinate. Despite his calm tone, Cecil’s eyes glimmered with faint anticipation.
Like others actively participating in the rebellion, Cecil also held considerable resentment toward Azer, so his feelings were understandable.
They had been hiding in the north, holding their breath, united by the sole determination to overthrow Azer. Finally, the day was approaching when the long, muddy period of waiting would be rewarded.
Having annihilated Astrid, the greatest sword of the empire, there were no knights more formidable than the Northern Knights.
The emerging noble families, now more powerful than the old aristocracy, had not been allowed to raise military forces under Azer’s command, so the only real threat to watch was the Imperial Knights.
Though the Imperial Knights were said to have been blessed by the goddess for generations, if combined with the temple’s paladins and mages, they would stand little chance.
Still, with everything proceeding more smoothly than expected, Aiden occasionally felt a vague frustration he could not explain.
It was a feeling distinct from the endless thirst that constantly craved blood.
It was a vague impatience, as if something more pressing required resolution before anything else. Whenever he found himself overtaken by this inexplicable unease, he felt unbearably miserable.
He could not ignore the fact that the object of his thoughts was clearly someone he could not avoid.
“Then I suppose I should throw a bait that would prompt the Tower to act personally.”
The words, uttered after a moment of thought, were merciless.
“Do you already have something in mind?”
“If it’s a royal, don’t we have one as well?”
“…You mean you intend to use Lady Theresia?”
Cecil asked, genuinely startled, but Aiden’s cold expression did not waver.
Theresia Lo Grire.
No—she was now simply “Theresia,” his possession.
Whenever he considered her usefulness, no sense of composure or calm would emerge.
All he could do was either indulge in his passion to spill blood or push her to extremes.
Whether it was the lingering legacy of Aaron Astrid or Aiden Phaylen’s own canine instincts, he had no time to consider—it swept over him again.
“Yes. I plan to take her to the banquet held by the Imperial Court.”
“Then, the Tower…”
“If they find out that the abandoned royal moves through Adeline Forest, keeping periodic contact with us, they will respond in some way.”
“So, in the end, you intend to give up Lady Theresia and ally with the Tower.”
Cecil frowned slightly, giving Aiden a questioning look as if asking if this was truly okay. His concern was not for Theresia, but for his master.
“If there’s a use for her, it’s best not to hold back.”
“Well, I’ve heard your vampire cycles are accelerating anyway. If necessary, we could swap her for another royal…”
Cecil glanced at his master again, but Aiden did not respond in the way he wanted.
Aiden frowned as if something displeased him and loosened the cravat tightly wrapped around his neck.
‘Alright, I’ll take your advice graciously.’
The image of Theresia’s upright figure outside the castle gates a few days ago resurfaced. Since that day, her elusive shadow had constantly lingered in his mind.
Aiden, who no longer felt any stirrings for her face, twisted his lips in a smirk. The reason he decided to take Theresia to the engagement ceremony with the saint was simple: to see her distorted expression once again.
Even Cecil, if he realized this, might tongue-lash his petty master. But Aiden had already made up his mind. Theresia would exist solely for him, always waiting for him wherever she was.
Not by her containing all her emotions first and turning away.
With a clearer resolve than before, he rose from his seat and commanded Cecil:
“Report any news from Anna immediately. I will inform Theresia myself.”
“Now?”
“Yes. She should have time to prepare as well.”
Cecil watched Aiden leave, sighing lightly at his master’s departing figure.
Recently, Theresia had not left her bedroom. She ate in her room and avoided even her only routine, walking, especially staying clear of the spire.
She wanted to avoid any encounters with Aiden.
Yet, her resolve crumbled easily before him. In the afternoon, when the sun had passed its midpoint, he arrived at her bedroom unannounced.
“Looking rather lucky, aren’t you?”
Aiden entered with a cold expression, casually scanning the simple room before approaching Theresia seated by the bed. His heavy footsteps were clearly felt beneath her.
“I thought you wanted to stay quiet and unnoticed.”
A shadow fell over her head, as if ready to swallow her whole, revealing his displeasure.
“That doesn’t mean you can forget your role.”
Theresia tilted her hair to the side, exposing her neck, as if prepared to endure whatever he did. Her lowered lashes remained steady, showing no tremor.
But her composure only irritated Aiden further. He frowned and placed a hand beside her. From a distance that seemed almost unreachable, he murmured:
“You’ll soon be going to the Imperial Palace. The Emperor will personally hold your engagement ceremony with the saint.”
“Then isn’t this the wrong time to be here? The saint will also be at the temple, so there must be much to prepare.”
“That’s why I came to you. You will be going to the palace with me.”
“…What?”
