Chapter 93 …
I’m Troubled Because I Can See the Villain’s Future
Her wavy, wheat-colored hair was half tied up so that the rest fell naturally down her back, secured with a ribbon decorated with tiny jewels. Around her neck hung a necklace with a strangely shaped gemstone.
That was all.
Unlike the other women, she wasn’t dripping with jewelry, yet people’s gazes kept drifting toward her.
Jasmine found that even more infuriating.
Of course, Shiraz—who practically controlled the empire—appearing with her played a part in attracting attention. But that wasn’t the only reason.
She had clearly heard the noble ladies who had just been chatting with her moments ago now looking at that woman with friendly eyes and murmuring small words of admiration.
‘How can they possibly acknowledge a woman like that as the Grand Duchess? Honestly!’
Even the countess who used to vent her frustration to Jasmine could barely restrain herself from rushing over to greet her.
A little later, when the couple came over to greet her, Jasmine had to struggle to maintain her composure. Fortunately, the polite smile that had become second nature to her came out naturally.
She tried hard to hide her true feelings, but what she had just seen was impossible to endure.
‘How dare she display such vulgar behavior at the Emperor’s birthday banquet.’
She told herself that was why she was angry.
But she knew better than anyone that it wasn’t the real reason her blood felt as if it were draining from her body.
Though she never wanted to recall it again, Shiraz’s expression wouldn’t leave her mind.
The way he had looked at that woman.
What the deep affection in his eyes meant.
Was it truly nothing more than curiosity?
She wanted to believe it wasn’t real—that she was mistaken.
But the emotions in his gaze toward that lowborn woman were undeniable.
They were so deep and burning that even Jasmine herself couldn’t fully read them.
* * *
More and more people entered the hall, when suddenly a commotion broke out near the entrance.
“My goodness.”
“Oh my.”
“Good heavens.”
Nearly every possible exclamation of surprise seemed to erupt at once.
Even the musicians who had been playing continuously lifted their eyes from their sheet music to see what was happening.
Naturally, I turned my head as well.
‘Did someone bring an incredible gift or something?’
But the moment I saw the center of attention, my curiosity turned to fear.
“Aaron?”
I was so shocked that his name slipped out between my teeth even though I was standing beside Shiraz.
Like the Red Sea parting, the crowd split apart as Aaron strode into the hall.
Despite everyone’s eyes being fixed on him, Aaron walked straight toward the Emperor and the Princess.
“H-How is this possible?!”
The princess looked back and forth between Shiraz and Aaron in bewilderment.
It was already widely known that Aaron had betrayed Shiraz and joined General Marcus.
So it was only natural that people were shocked to see him appear so boldly at such an official event.
“Happy birthday, Your Majesty.”
“Th-Thank you, Count Aaron.”
The Emperor replied with an awkward expression and a hesitant voice.
“General Marcus also asked me to pass along his congratulations. He said he is faithfully serving Your Majesty on the frontier.”
“……”
The Emperor couldn’t respond to that last remark and instead glanced nervously at Shiraz.
Noticing this, Aaron smiled faintly and turned toward Shiraz.
For a brief moment our eyes met as well—I was standing there frozen beside him.
Without hesitation, Aaron walked straight toward us, making my tension reach its peak.
I wondered if Shiraz might cut his head off right here.
But Shiraz merely watched him approach with a strange smile on his lips.
“It’s been a while, Your Grace.”
Aaron greeted him calmly, as though nothing had ever happened between them.
I was stunned.
It was as if they had simply parted after work yesterday and met again today.
“It has been a while. Have you been well?”
Shiraz responded in the same manner, his face devoid of warmth.
“Yes. Thanks to your concern.”
“I wasn’t particularly concerned. You’re the kind of stubborn man who would survive no matter whose side you joined.”
Aaron burst out laughing at the remark that could have been either an insult or a compliment.
“Thank you for the compliment.”
I had absolutely no idea what the two of them were doing.
“Did Marcus send you to spy on my movements?”
“No. As a loyal subject of His Majesty the Emperor, he simply sent me to offer birthday congratulations in his place.”
Not a single person around us even dared swallow loudly as they watched the exchange.
Aaron then greeted me calmly as well.
“You must be the Grand Duchess now. Congratulations.”
I didn’t say thank you.
The situation felt far too uncomfortable, and it seemed like Aaron was deliberately trying to torment us.
So I simply avoided his gaze.
“General Marcus said he regrets not becoming in-laws with the Grand Duke. But he asked me to pass along his congratulations on your marriage.”
Instead of replying, Shiraz gave a faintly mocking smile.
“He must indeed regret it. He probably had a grand plan for that marriage. In any case, tell him I’m grateful. Thanks to him, I gained Garnet.”
Shiraz wrapped his arm affectionately around my shoulder and smiled with satisfaction.
For a moment, Aaron’s eyebrow twitched subtly.
“Well then, I hope you enjoy the evening. I’ll take my leave.”
After giving a brief bow, he disappeared into the crowd.
Just moments ago I had been happily watching the birds, but now I felt as though I had traveled between heaven and hell.
Even though they were enemies, I knew Shiraz wouldn’t attack someone who came as a guest to the Emperor’s birthday party.
Aaron must have known that too—that’s why he came on Marcus’s behalf.
But how could he maintain such a calm expression and attitude?
Shiraz was one thing, but Aaron’s completely different side shocked me quite a bit.
‘I knew coming to this party felt ominous…’
It felt like standing on a thin sheet of ice covering a deep lake.
‘I need to be careful.’
Until this party ended safely, I knew I couldn’t let my guard down.
* * *
While everyone else was shocked by Aaron’s appearance, Britannia was delighted.
‘This just made things more interesting.’
She cast a meaningful glance at Jasmine beside her.
The princess pretended not to notice, but she too seemed to be enjoying the situation inwardly.
Britannia’s mind began spinning faster than usual.
‘If I want the scene to feel more realistic, I’ll have to adjust the plan slightly.’
She narrowed her eyes, struggling to suppress the smile threatening to appear.
While Britannia’s mind raced, Jasmine simply sat alone drinking wine.
She quietly watched the people around her.
More precisely, she watched the Grand Duke and Duchess dancing together in the center of the hall.
Even at the Emperor’s birthday party, the two of them stood out the most.
Despite the woman repeatedly making mistakes while dancing, Shiraz looked completely pleased and entertained.
The way he looked at her grated on Jasmine’s nerves.
Unable to control her anger, she slammed the wine glass she was holding onto the table.
“Sister!”
The Emperor’s eyes widened as cracks spread across the glass and shattered pieces cut into her palm, blood beginning to flow.
“Quick! Call a physician!”
Jasmine didn’t feel the pain.
The tears forming in her eyes burned far more painfully than the drops of blood on her hand.
“I’m tired. I’ll take my leave first.”
“Sister!”
The Emperor called out to her, but Jasmine had already left the hall.
Her heels clicked along the long, massive golden corridor.
The noise of the party behind her gradually faded.
Because she was the Emperor’s illegitimate daughter, Jasmine had not even been properly acknowledged as part of the imperial bloodline when she was young.
Only after her father the Emperor and her half-brothers died did she enter the palace—only to become a powerless puppet princess.
No matter how much she tried to accept her circumstances, sometimes the emotions inside her exploded uncontrollably.
She was furious at herself for falling—like a spineless fool—for the person she hated most in the world.
She hated Shiraz.
And that woman who dared look straight at her despite being nothing but a maid.
She hated them enough to want them both dead.
“Oh dear.”
At the sound of someone clicking their tongue, Jasmine turned her head.
Standing like a ghost in a branching corridor was Count Aaron.
As if he had been waiting for her.
Jasmine stared at him with dry, emotionless eyes.
“It seems something has upset you.”
Aaron pulled a handkerchief from inside his shirt and slowly approached her.
He gently wrapped the cloth around her injured hand and tied it.
Though she said nothing, the dark look in her eyes clearly asked:
What is your intention in doing this?
Aaron leaned closer, whispering so only she could hear.
“It seems there’s someone you’d like to make disappear from your sight forever.”
Jasmine looked up at him, startled.
“I have someone like that too.”
His lips were smiling, but there was killing intent in his eyes.
Regaining her composure, she asked coldly,
“What is your real purpose for coming here? Surely you didn’t come just to celebrate the Emperor’s birthday.”
Instead of answering, he merely smiled.
“If Your Highness seeks me out again, I’ll tell you then.”
Jasmine frowned at his response.
“How can you be so sure I’ll come looking for you?”
“You should take your time thinking about that, Your Highness.”
With a slight shrug of his shoulders, he turned and walked away.
Left alone, Jasmine stared at Aaron’s retreating figure with a bewildered expression.
