Chapter 21
‘Good. One thing down.’
Thanks to Selina — who had basically sold her soul for money — preparations were going smoothly.
After leaving her shop, I glanced around the nearby street once more.
“Why?”
Matthias, who was walking beside me, tilted his head. Since I hadn’t gone straight home, he looked curious.
“Well, it’s been a while since we’ve been out.”
Of course, I’d technically only come out to run errands, but still — things had gone well, so I figured it wouldn’t hurt to take a short break.
“Let’s hang out a little before we head back.”
“…But…”
“You can just tell Sofia that something took longer than expected,” I said with a grin. “You saw how hard I worked to get that necklace ready, right?”
Including all the talking — and bluffing — that went into it.
‘I even stopped her from trying to trick me midway.’
Either way, it had been a tough negotiation. I’d earned this.
“Once everything’s done, we should rest a bit,” I said.
There were still so many things I wanted to teach Matthias — reading, writing, all the basics — but things had gotten busier than expected.
I hadn’t had the time to focus on the small stuff.
Thankfully, he was quiet and well-behaved.
If he hadn’t been, I might’ve had a real problem keeping him under control.
Still, once Xavier was dealt with, no one would be able to interfere with me anymore.
Then, I’d finally be able to focus on Matthias — and maybe even restart the family’s business affairs.
‘I need to raise him properly while I can.’
At least the boy wasn’t evil at the core.
His personality wasn’t twisted beyond repair — that was the one relief.
It was proof that early education made all the difference.
He’d been ruined by the environment he grew up in, not by nature.
So I wanted him to experience small, peaceful moments — the kind of happiness that would teach him what truly mattered in life.
Once you understood the value of peace, you’d fight to protect it.
“When all this is over, what should we do first?”
Education would be the main focus, of course, but before I could go on—
Matthias suddenly tightened his grip on my hand.
Startled, I looked up at him. His lips parted slightly.
“Stay with me.”
“…What?”
“Always,” he said softly.
Before I could react, he pulled me closer — so close our shoulders touched.
My lips parted in surprise, but no words came out.
“Why?” he asked, eyes searching mine.
“N-no reason.”
I quickly looked away, pretending to brush something off my sleeve.
“Nothing at all.”
***
That night — inside the Imperial Palace.
The long hallway was covered with a deep red carpet.
Walking leisurely along it, Marchioness Odilon looked unusually pleased.
She’d planned to act the next morning, but really —
‘How could I just sit still after a proposal like that?’
A small, delighted hum escaped her lips.
It had been so long since she’d felt this entertained.
‘Still can’t believe it.’
When Aria Renesti had first brought up the idea of exposing her husband, she’d thought the girl was joking.
Everyone in the capital already knew the Marchioness’s marriage was a disaster, but no one had ever dared to bring up divorce directly.
Most people only offered shallow comfort — things like, “Every couple goes through a rough patch” or “My husband and I rekindled our love after a few fights.”
So when the quiet, polite young lady who’d always kept to herself suddenly declared, “I can help you end your marriage,” it had come as a shock.
Still, it wasn’t a bad deal.
She had nothing to lose — and plenty to gain.
The plan was well thought-out, and Aria had given her confidence it would work.
There was no reason not to join forces.
‘And now I’ve secured the Imperial Guards, too.’
Convincing the Emperor had been easy.
As his cousin, she had no trouble entering the palace.
And just as Aria had predicted, His Majesty was more than willing to crush the slave market.
He’d been preparing to root out corruption for years.
So really, Aria could’ve gone directly to him — but perhaps it was safer through her.
After all, the Emperor’s time was precious, and Aria had wisely chosen the easier route.
‘She’s impressive.’
Even if the Renesti family was drowning in debt and shunned by other nobles, that wouldn’t last forever.
The girl was smart — sharp enough to turn things around once this was over.
And when that time came, maybe she’d even return the favor.
After all, helping a young noblewoman destroy her scoundrel husband wasn’t something she minded doing.
“Hmm?”
Her good mood faltered when she spotted someone walking down the opposite end of the corridor.
Her smile froze instantly.
Tall, cold, and exuding arrogance —
It was Grand Duke Frombell.
‘Oh, wonderful. What’s he doing here?’
He rarely got along with the Emperor.
So why did he keep showing up at the palace, acting like he owned the place?
Technically, they were both royals, but she could barely stand to look at him.
“What brings you here?” she asked coolly.
Frombell raised his chin, his tone dripping with pride.
“I could ask you the same, Marchioness.”
She let out a dry laugh, returning his arrogance with her own.
“Do family members need a reason to visit one another?”
At least I’m closer to him than you are, her words implied.
Her brows drew together in irritation. “And you? You’re not here for any meeting, are you?”
He smirked.
“Do I need a reason to visit family?”
…Was he mocking her?
He’d just thrown her own words back in her face.
How infuriating.
She huffed and stepped aside, clearly wanting to end the conversation.
That man had been a problem since the days of the previous Emperor.
A snake who didn’t know his place.
“You look quite displeased to see me,” he said lazily.
“I’m just surprised you can still read faces,” she shot back. “A shame you never developed a conscience.”
“You still talk to your elders without manners, I see.”
“And you still manage to live without shame,” she replied evenly.
Every word of his grated on her nerves.
After all, this was the man who had once nearly driven her cousin — the then Crown Prince — to his death, all for the sake of claiming the throne.
Thinking about it still made her blood boil.
Without another glance, she brushed past him.
Frombell didn’t stop her. He just watched her go, expression blank, before continuing down the hall.
He’d long stopped caring about most members of the imperial family.
They were weak, useless parasites — not worth his time.
But one person was different.
Her.
***
—“Are you insane?! How could a human do something like this?!”
She was the only one who had ever seen his humiliation — the depths of his inferiority and rage.
She had seen the part of himself he despised most.
And he would never forgive her for it.
“Th-then let’s just walk for a bit!”
Back in the capital streets, I clapped my hands together.
It was too late to buy tickets for a play or go anywhere fancy now.
There wasn’t much to do, but the marketplace was still lively.
Walking around was enough.
“Okay.”
Matthias nodded obediently.
I smiled awkwardly and loosened my hand —
but he only tightened his grip, our fingers interlocked firmly.
It was clear: he didn’t want to let go.
“…Fine. Let’s go.”
“!”
His whole face brightened.
That pure, unguarded smile made my heart skip.
I turned my head away quickly, pretending to look at the shop windows instead.
Why did he have to look that happy just from holding my hand?
