Chapter 56
The Monster’s Truth
‘Well, I can’t exactly tell everyone to leave except one person, can I…’
“But this is way too grand. Even high nobles don’t travel with this much spectacle. People are going to gossip like crazy.”
At Dalia’s half-defeated grumble, Roy chirped cheerfully,
“It’s fine, Lady Dalia! Lord Aron said in his letter that it’s already too late anyway—rumors spread everywhere last night!”
“Huh?”
“Yeah. Apparently, the nobles were all bombarding the palace with questions, so the king decided to speak first.”
With Roy’s support, Khalid looked a little more relaxed as he explained,
“He announced that I’ll be receiving a title, and that you’re my partner.”
“Right! And he even praised you a ton during the announcement!”
“Wait—His Majesty talked about me?”
As a loyal subject of a monarchy, Dalia was understandably shaken when the king was mentioned.
“Of course. You’re my mate. People were curious, so I answered.”
“……”
“Did… I say something wrong?”
“Oh—no, that’s not it.”
She was simply amazed.
Dalia, who had only ever seen the king from afar as a viscount’s daughter, couldn’t help but feel surreal.
In her previous life, the king hadn’t even known her name. She had only entered the capital’s social circles to help Sirei manage her connections, but as the daughter of a minor viscount who’d married a commoner, she was nothing special.
“So, I thought since the news is already out, we might as well attract a bit of attention.”
Dalia grimaced but admitted, “That… makes sense.”
“Wait, what did you just say you’re becoming?”
“I’m to be appointed Grand Duke—the highest rank a human can hold under the crown.”
“Ah…”
Her eyes widened slightly as she nodded.
Khalid’s identity—rumored for so long among the nobles of the capital—had finally been confirmed when the king himself stepped forward to make the announcement. The capital’s old Grand Duke’s estate was now to be his.
It was astonishing, but recalling the moment she had discovered who he truly was, Dalia managed to keep calm. Instead, she imagined how many would despair upon learning who her “partner” really was.
‘Even if it draws attention, no one will dare target me. Not unless Sirei’s lost her mind enough to provoke the king-backed Grand Duke’s consort.’
Even if that wasn’t his true nature, it was more than enough protection.
“Fine. Alright. I’ll go—with everyone.”
In the end, Dalia agreed to the grand procession.
‘Thank goodness.’
‘Thank goodness!’
‘Really, thank goodness!’
Her consent made Khalid—and everyone else—beam with joy. Some even cheered out loud.
‘…Good grief.’
Dalia could only let out a helpless laugh.
It was probably all thanks to the power of wealth. Still, if everyone was happy, that was good enough for her.
After Dalia’s departure, the happiest person in Ahmad’s mansion was undoubtedly Mary.
After seeing her lady off, Khalid and Roy returned to their usual routines as if nothing had happened.
Mary, on the other hand, could barely stand upright—her heart was pounding so hard. Even Roy, who couldn’t stand her, had hesitated before asking, “Should I… help you walk?”
Of course, Mary refused.
Good heavens. The man my lady’s meeting is far greater than any rumor said!
Even after sitting down and breathing deeply several times, her racing heart wouldn’t calm.
“My word… I’d only heard he was a rich noble, but he’s got the looks, the manners—and now a title?! A Grand Duke, for heaven’s sake!”
Muttering the same words over and over in disbelief, Mary finally began to accept reality, her cheeks flushing red as she nodded firmly.
“Yes! A perfect husband for our Lady Dalia!”
She even felt guilty for doubting him the previous night, when Dalia had shown a slightly uneasy expression after Mary’s compliments.
“Forgive me for doubting you, my lord—no, Your Grace the Grand Duke!”
Just saying the title aloud made her heart swell with excitement again.
“Hurrah!”
Overcome with joy for her lady’s incredible fortune, Mary hopped around the room before straightening her posture.
“Right. As her most trusted handmaid, I need to be useful to such a wonderful couple!”
With Dalia away, there was only one person she needed to look after—Khalid.
Roy takes care of most things perfectly… Hmm. What else might he need?
After some thought, Mary clapped her hands.
“He looked tired last night—there were dark circles under his eyes! I’ll get him a skin ointment!”
Then Lord Khalid’s already-handsome face will look even better, which will please Lady Dalia too!
“Both will be happy—a perfect couple!”
Humming cheerfully, Mary went out to the market in search of cosmetics, never once imagining that Khalid was a being who had no need for such things at all.
“Ugh, these shops look fancy but hardly sell anything good. Took me forever. Hmm, I made sure to buy plenty for the lady too.”
Mary unpacked the expensive cosmetics she had bought and lined them up carefully.
Although Dalia had given her a heavy purse, telling her to spend freely on herself, Mary hadn’t bought a single thing for her own use.
“These will go to the lady, and these to Lord Khalid… Perfect.”
Satisfied with her sorting, Mary smiled proudly.
Outside, night had already fallen.
“It’s late already…”
After hesitating, Mary decided to deliver Khalid’s box right away.
“He’s probably still awake. He didn’t sleep till dawn last night—that’s why he had those shadows under his eyes.”
She stepped into the hallway. The unlit corridor was deserted, filled with a faint chill.
“Hmm…”
But imagining Dalia’s joy at seeing Khalid’s radiant skin—and Khalid praising her for being such a thoughtful maid—quickly dispelled her unease.
“If he uses it a day earlier, it’ll work even better!”
With determined steps, Mary marched down the dark hallway.
“KYAAAAAAH!”
Khalid turned sharply at the piercing scream.
It was Mary—the maid Dalia always praised.
“Don’t be afraid.”
But his calm words did nothing. The maid, frozen on the floor, screamed even louder the moment their eyes met.
‘…Troublesome.’
Khalid’s expression twisted slightly.
He had let his guard down, thinking Dalia was safely away at the temple.
‘Right. The maid was still in the house.’
He understood now why Dalia’s peculiar circumstances were difficult to explain to ordinary humans.
At the same time, he felt a flicker of warmth—Dalia had shared her secret with him, even when she hadn’t with her childhood companion.
He quickly returned to his complete human form and grabbed a robe, but the maid’s screams didn’t stop.
“I won’t hurt you…”
He tried to reassure her, but Mary seemed far beyond hearing.
She dropped the box she’d been holding, drew a sharp dagger from her dress, and pointed it tremblingly at him.
Her reaction reminded him so vividly of his first encounter with Dalia that, absurdly, he almost laughed.
How endearing. She’s just like her mistress.
But he knew laughing now would only make him seem more monstrous, so he swallowed the urge. He was about to speak again when—
“MONSTER!”
“……”
The word stopped him cold.
“D-Don’t come any closer…”
Though her hands trembled violently, she kept the dagger trained on him. The fear and disgust in her eyes made even Khalid pause.
Normally, he would have brushed it off—but for a moment, Dalia’s face overlapped with the maid’s.
‘Come to think of it… she’s never seen my true form.’
How would Dalia react if she did?
Given how similar this situation felt, the answer was probably not much different from Mary’s reaction now—
Eyes that had just smiled at him… filled instead with fear and revulsion.
“……”
“M-my lady… my lady…”
He stood there silently, and the maid’s pale face crumpled as tears poured down.
“I won’t hurt you. If you’re frightened and just want to find Dalia—”
“Shut up!”
The sudden sharpness in her voice surprised even him.
Though trembling with fear, Mary didn’t lower the dagger.
Her tear-blurred eyes were bloodshot, blazing with rage stronger than fear.
“You filthy monster! How dare you lay a hand on my lady?!”
“……”
“Disgusting. I’ll do anything—even die—to protect her from you…!”
But before she could finish, her eyes rolled back, and she collapsed.
Khalid approached slowly and gently closed her eyelids.
He had put her to sleep with magic—he couldn’t bear to hear her accusations any longer.
‘If nothing else, her loyalty to Dalia is unquestionable.’
