CHAPTER 58…………..
Yesterday’s kiss had been sudden, but what if deeper contact continued from now on?
Unsure how long he could endure, Asterios clenched his fists tightly.
“I’ll be sending Izeph soon, so Maria, look after As a little more.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Only after hearing Maria’s polite reply did Roziana finally step back from Asterios, looking relieved. Raising one corner of her lips into a captivating smile, she whispered,
“Just so you know, As must keep coming to me every three days, competition or not.”
The contest was now barely a week away.
“……Understood, Your Highness.”
Just as she was about to leave, Roziana turned back again.
“Oh, and Mephisto has just arrived. Both of you should be aware.”
“Just now, Your Highness?”
Maria asked again with a startled face. Not only had she felt no presence of darkness, but also, candidate entry was not to begin until tomorrow.
“My apologies. In such a situation, I failed to remain by Your Highness’s side.”
Both Asterios and Maria looked stricken as they spoke.
“Never mind. As, you focus on recovering quickly. And I was the one who sent Maria to you, so don’t blame her. He only greeted the three companions with me and left, so don’t worry.”
Roziana waved her hand dismissively. Still, she was surprised herself. Though he had announced his visit, she had never imagined Mephisto would appear late at night, and with the alluring Nea at his side.
“I couldn’t refuse him just because he came a day early, so I guided him to one of the prepared candidate chambers. Mephisto was surprisingly forward and polite.”
At those words, Asterios furrowed his brow for a moment, then quickly regained calm composure.
It was no time to blame his weak body.
The ruler of the demon realm.
He had arrived.
And soon, even the Holy King would as well.
That thought pressed on his chest with urgency.
But before he could rise, the princess’s arms stretched toward him.
“Do you intend to come to me tomorrow in such a feeble state?”
Roziana laid Asterios back down, then turned her back and left, forcing him to remain in bed.
Leaving Asterios’s chamber, Roziana recalled yesterday.
She had called him out deliberately and kissed him.
She had whispered sweetly that she would forgive all, then commanded him firmly:
Desire me more.
It was obvious how such words would drive him.
‘If he still has feelings for me, he’ll stake everything on this contest.’
But when he collapsed, the long scars visible beneath his loosened shirt had frozen her in place.
They had been carved from his chest down his side—wounds earned when he had shielded her from Mephisto’s attack in the demon realm.
The inner injuries might have healed, but the marks had not vanished.
‘He’s already proven his sincerity toward me enough.’
Roziana had reached out with trembling hand over the scars of the unconscious Asterios.
It was not the first time he had risked himself to save her. And yet she could not rejoice.
“…Why do you insist on shouldering everything alone?”
I never wanted to be your burden.
She knew he was stronger than her, knew he spared no thought for his own life when it came to her.
But that did not mean he had the right to sacrifice his body and life recklessly for her sake.
‘When you wound yourself and choose death, I end up despising my own helplessness.’
The one she was most furious at was not him, but herself.
‘That’s why, As. The reason I seek to become the strongest being…’
It was the choice to protect the man who would sacrifice even his life, even the world’s end, for her.
She had vowed to become Demon King if that was what it took—to protect her sisters and him.
‘But what is this “Broken Goblet”?’
Lost in thought, Roziana collected something from her chamber and immediately headed for the Tower Master’s quarters, her three companions trailing behind.
Moments later.
The princess’s sudden visit at such a late hour sent Edwin rushing out.
“I did not expect Your Highness at this time.”
It was already deep into the night. She would not have come herself unless the matter was important.
“I realized I never properly thanked you for your great help with the contest preparations. Once more, I sincerely thank you.”
Entering his chamber, she spread her skirt gracefully and curtsied. Elegant and beautiful. Edwin shook his head.
“It is my honor to be of service to Your Highness.”
Surely she had not come merely to say thanks.
Offering her a seat, Edwin had a servant bring tea.
Roziana sat and produced a small box she had brought.
“A perfume I blended myself. It is humble compared to the help you’ve given me, but I hope you’ll accept it.”
Perfume?
Edwin’s eyes lit up.
In the Empire and across the continent, perfume was a traditional gift to express affection.
To receive such a thing from the princess right before the contest—he could not keep his lips from curving upward.
How many times had he endured his subordinates’ nagging, mocked as a tower master obsessed with experiments, never once in love?
He recalled them pitying him, even weeping theatrically.
A mad tower master who never loved?
And yet here he was, winning the favor of the very woman he desired.
How he wished they could see him now.
“Is there some particular matter Your Highness wishes to discuss?”
Heart swelling, Edwin asked.
Straightening her posture with elegance, the princess answered,
“It is true I came to thank you. But also, there was something I wished to ask privately, so I beg your pardon for the intrusion.”
Her personal interest thrilled him, swelling his heart further.
But—
“I hear you borrowed something from Duke Tenebres.”
Edwin’s face darkened at once.
‘Ah.’
So she had not come for him.
Not out of interest in him.
The bitter taste of disappointment filled his mouth, matched only by the bitterness of the tea he sipped to hide it.
‘Damn.’
“I ask that you return the Broken Goblet, so my knight-commander can perform his duty to the fullest.”
Her violet eyes shone brilliantly as she fixed her gaze upon him. Something about that transparent force enthralled him.
That look felt strangely familiar. Where had he seen it before?
‘Ah… is this what they call “falling in love”?’
Edwin mused.
Roziana was objectively beautiful and gifted. There was no one in Dreath or nearby lands more alluring.
Of course he had fallen for her, of course he coveted the hand of such a woman.
Besides, the late Emperor had already granted him the chance to be her consort.
“To be honest, I had no intention of returning the Broken Goblet to the duke…” Edwin let out a dry chuckle.
“But since Your Highness asks, I cannot refuse.”
He had not wanted to return it. If Tenebres regained his full strength, then no matter his own claim to the late Emperor’s promise, defeating Asterios would be nearly impossible.
So, knowing it was cowardly, Edwin had made excuses when Asterios requested its return.
But never had he expected Asterios would send the princess herself to demand it.
“It was my will to come, not his. Sir Tenebres overstrained himself defending me and is not yet recovered.”
She added quickly, as if reading Edwin’s thoughts.
“In that case, since Your Highness insists, I will send word to the Tower and have it brought at once.”
With obvious reluctance, Edwin agreed and issued the order through his communicator.
“You have my sincere gratitude. You have helped us greatly, and one day I will repay the favor.”
“This contest is the process of winning the imperial family’s favor. I already feel under judgment. But I believe this will work to my advantage.”
Ultimately, the contest was about being chosen by the princess and her family.
“Thus, to aid Your Highness and the Dreath house is my joy.”
Edwin kissed the back of her hand with a bright smile.
Roziana returned a dazzling smile.
“I am grateful for your words.”
“By the way, Your Highness,” Edwin said, tilting his head, eyes locking with hers.
“Do you know what the Broken Goblet truly is?”
One thought had been nagging him.
‘For the princess herself to come seek what her knight needs—that is excessive.’
She could easily have sent another.
Could she have feelings for Asterios?
‘Asterios seemed to have found a new lover… Was it her?’
If they cared for each other, the contest would turn against him.
‘Then I must shake the princess’s heart.’
Edwin did not know the Goblet’s full truth. But he did know that centuries ago, Asterios had left behind his remains and faked death—for Erica.
How would the princess react, knowing Asterios once had a woman he loved?
“No. I have not heard. Do you know, Tower Master?”
She asked readily, curious.
Since it was an item to be fetched from the Tower, she had guessed it was some healing artifact or material.
“In the past, Asterios cut away part of himself, sealed it in a box, and named it the Broken Goblet. He divided his strength into it.”
Cut away part of himself?
Roziana’s violet eyes widened.
‘So it’s not just a healing relic?’
Her mind reeled.
To sever flesh and seal one’s power was a life-risking act.
Even for Tenebres, once the Dragon God.
“…Why?”
“As I know it, for someone he cherished.”
Yes, in an ordinary bond of master and vassal, she would not ask who.
But she, as if caught in his snare, asked the fated question.
“Who was it?”
Edwin’s brown eyes narrowed slightly.
“…The woman he loved.”
At that, the princess’s lips parted in shock.
And Edwin, seeing her stricken face, became certain.
‘So. She truly does have feelings for Asterios.’
And that he had just thrown her into turmoil.
