Chapter 19
“Ga… I’m tired.”
“I’ll stay a little longer. I’m really exhausted.”
Briseis let out a sigh as Calisten rubbed his head against her thigh.
“If anyone sees this, they’ll misunderstand. Go away.”
“Just one minute.”
She considered how long it must have taken him to travel all the way from the Imperial Palace at this late hour, and her hand—about to push him away—stopped in midair.
“Brother Michael told me that House Philia will no longer remain neutral.”
“Yes, that’s right. I’m going to become emperor.”
“Then you’ll need the power of the Grand Duke of Maze as well.”
“I don’t need that.”
He spoke firmly and looked up at her. Then, smiling with an almost ecstatic expression, he said,
“What I need isn’t the Grand Duchess of Maze—it’s you, Bri.”
“More than me, you need Brother Michael and Father.”
“I do need them too. But I need you much more.”
“You’re quite good at lying. Did you only learn how to lie on the battlefield?”
“Hahaha.”
At her words, he laughed as if amused and stared at Briseis. His eyes were still vibrant, gleaming like red jewels.
“I won’t lie to you.”
Saying that, he took her remaining hand and placed it on his head.
“Ugh….”
He held his breath, trying not to react too strongly.
Seeing him look as though he were in pain, she deliberately stroked his hair.
“What did you promise my father?”
“A… title.”
“I see.”
Briseis suddenly recalled how wealthy House Philia was. Their vast grain-producing lands generated enormous income, already among the highest in the Empire.
In addition, they owned many mines and merchant guilds. Not only that, but the influence of House Philia extended into most businesses in the capital.
“If I help you, what will you give me?”
“I’ll give you myself, Bri.”
“You should give me something useful.”
Even as he trembled at her words, he forced a smile as if he were fine. Each time he moved, the sound of metal scraping from the chastity device made Briseis think he truly wasn’t in his right mind.
“I’ll help you get a divorce.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Come with me to Jerenis’s office.”
At Calisten’s words, she let out a small laugh and withdrew her hand.
“Why aren’t you patting my head anymore?”
“Your one minute is already over. Go back now.”
He sighed in disappointment, then nodded.
“See you tomorrow, Bri. Have sweet dreams.”
Saying that, he stroked Briseis’s cheek before leaving.
❖ ❖ ❖
Third period.
It was Administrative Welfare Theory class.
“Is there a student who can answer this question? A correct answer will earn one extra point.”
Since she had reviewed the material in advance, Briseis immediately raised her hand. Normally, she would have been the only one to do so, and the professor would have called on her right away.
However, this time Delilah had also raised her hand.
“This is the first time anyone other than Briseis has raised a hand,” the professor chuckled.
“Since Briseis usually earns most of the extra points, shall we let Delilah answer first today?”
“Yes.”
Briseis nodded, though she felt a sense of unease.
“Thank you, Professor!”
Delilah smiled brightly, and at the professor’s gesture to proceed, she began speaking.
“The difference between the two welfare theories lies in how they define who should receive welfare. The first theory considers whether a person is poor despite making an effort. The second theory takes into account those who have become poor due to social factors.”
“That’s correct. In your opinion, which theory is more appropriate?”
“I believe the first theory is correct. People who are not deserving of assistance should not receive help.”
At her answer, the professor nodded.
“Miss Briseis, which theory do you prioritize?”
“I agree with the second theory. Those who are socially disadvantaged find it difficult to escape the cycle of poverty. If grievances accumulate, it can even lead to riots.”
“That’s correct.”
The professor smiled with satisfaction and looked between the two of them.
“I’d like to award points to both, but since Delilah answered first, the extra point will go to her.”
“Thank you!”
Briseis forced herself to maintain a neutral expression as she sat down. Seeing Calisten casually spinning his pen as if he already knew the answer made her feel strange.
Delilah had often been described as a genius in the original story.
There was also Calisten, who could rival her intelligence.
If she made even a slight mistake, it was obvious she would not be able to maintain her current position.
In reality, Calisten’s composure came from the fact that he had already learned all the academy’s subjects in his childhood.
As her elbow touched a piece of paper, she turned. Calisten, sitting beside her, was once again sliding over an unnecessary note.
“Do you still have the key in the first drawer next to your bed?”
She ignored the implication behind his words and looked forward. He pulled his chair closer, pretending to sit properly, and leaned in near her.
“The core of this theory lies in how we view poverty. Whether poverty is seen as an individual issue or a social one…”
“Last night, I didn’t sleep at all. I thought the key to my lock might still be in the drawer beside your bed.”
She ignored the note again and quickly continued writing down the lecture.
“Solving poverty is essential to strengthening the Empire. For example, in the now-defunct Vieten, poorhouses were used to train people into mercenaries…”
At that moment, Calisten leaned toward her and whispered very softly,
“Those mercenaries—I killed them all—”
“Quiet.”
Briseis covered his mouth. He smiled at her, as though even that pleased him.
“Thus, the theory that practicing noblesse oblige benefits noble society as a whole…”
She sighed and pushed him away. Then, glancing into the distance, she saw Damian affectionately patting Delilah’s head with a smile.
Even though she thought she had sorted out her feelings, somehow seeing them always made her realize she hadn’t.
For a moment, Damian gently bit and released Delilah’s finger as she playfully touched his lips.
At that exact moment, Briseis met his eyes.
She quickly turned away and tried to focus on the lecture.
❖ ❖ ❖
“Where are you going, Bri?”
As soon as class ended, Damian stopped Briseis.
“I have something to do.”
“If it’s not urgent, let’s go to the estate. Mother will be alone.”
“Damian should go.”
“I’m going to the tailor with Dili. She doesn’t have clothes that fit her.”
Delilah had been wearing Briseis’s clothes continuously.
“Then have her get her own uniform. How long is she going to keep wearing mine?”
Briseis decided to consider that she had lent her uniform. Still, she felt uncomfortable. It wasn’t just dresses she was borrowing without permission—jewelry, shoes, and even her books.
“They’re just things. Don’t be so petty.”
Damian’s attitude irritated her even more.
“Go back to the estate and keep Mother company. She’ll be lonely by herself.”
“…Alright.”
Briseis said that and walked out first.
Calisten, who followed her, tilted his head in confusion.
❖ ❖ ❖
Once she got into the carriage at the main gate, she said,
“To Jerenis’s office.”
Calisten smiled, pleased that Briseis had chosen to ride in his carriage.
“I thought you weren’t coming.”
“Why?”
At her question, Calisten looked at her with a smile.
“Bri, I’m always watching you.”
At that, she felt a sense of unease—perhaps this perceptive man had already realized her feelings.
“Don’t say that.”
“Alright.”
The thought that he might fully understand how she kept being disappointed in Damian—and how hurt she felt by his actions—did not sit well with her.
She had thought she could cut off her lingering feelings cleanly like severing a rope, but emotions didn’t seem so easily sorted out.
“Bri, can you look at me?”
At his words, she turned to face him. Calisten met her gaze with that same innocent, almost madman-like smile.
“Actually, during my triumphal ceremony—”
Briseis recalled the ceremony she had not been able to attend.
“At that time, His Majesty promised to grant me one wish.”
“Oh, right. What did you wish for?”
She remembered something she had heard from Ella regarding Damian’s wish:
“My master asked to remain eternally loyal to His Majesty the Emperor!”
It had been a surprisingly normal wish. She had expected something like wanting to marry Delilah or officially keep her as a mistress.
“Curious?”
“I’m not curious.”
When she turned her head away again, he moved to sit beside her.
“It’s cramped. Move away.”
“My wish was to have you.”
At his words, Briseis snapped her head back in shock.
“Hah—”
Because of that, their faces were now extremely close. Their eyes met at a distance where his nose and her lips were almost touching.
