CHAPTER 76…………………..
: Potion
Dietrich’s Mansion.
Inside a cage, the red parrot Popo was preening its feathers.
Overjoyed to see its original owner, Celia, Popo chirped and sang even when alone.
Having been well-fed and well-rested, its feathers shone with healthy luster.
At that moment, it sensed the presence of a stranger.
Popo stopped preening and stared at the door.
Screeeech—
The door opened, and Popo flapped its wings frantically at the sight of the man who appeared.
A corpse-pale hand reached toward the cage.
The golden bracelet on the man’s left wrist jingled.
“Danger! Danger!”
Popo’s warning prompted the man to reply.
“No. Not dangerous at all.”
He smiled, showing straight teeth.
His golden eyes glinted like a snake about to strike its prey.
His shadow fell fully over the cage.
Celia sat across from Ileon with a table between them.
Ileon took something from his chest and placed it on the table.
Thud.
A small vial, no larger than a finger joint, contained a red liquid.
“…….”
“Drink.”
At a glance, the potion looked like it would bring nothing good if consumed.
“What is this?”
“A potion to make you happy.”
Celia shook her head.
“I don’t know why you would give me something so precious.”
“…….”
“Perhaps Your Majesty should try it first?”
Celia suggested that Ileon drink it first.
But he did not move.
With an arrogant expression, he leaned back, twisting his lips toward her.
“Do you not understand your situation yet? I am not offering—I am ordering you.”
“……Isn’t it enough that I’m already here? Earlier you told me not to leave the room, and now you’re forcing me to drink a potion too.”
Celia spun the vial on the table with her fingers.
“……Could it be some kind of poison?”
Ileon leaned forward toward her.
“You know well.”
In one swift motion, Ileon snatched the vial from Celia’s hand and opened it.
“Would you like to smell it first?”
“…….”
“Or shall I feed it to you myself?”
“Why are you trying to make me drink this?”
Ileon raised one corner of his lips.
“Because it would be amusing to see you, who said I could never have you, throw yourself into my arms willingly.”
Celia stared at him coldly.
Feeling desire at her expression, Ileon roughly grabbed her chin.
He tried to pour the potion directly into her mouth.
But Celia’s ability activated faster than the liquid could reach her lips.
A scent of hyacinth spread from her fingertips, enveloping Ileon completely.
Overwhelmed by the intoxicating aroma, all of his movements froze.
The potion slipped from his hand and fell without ever touching her lips.
Celia caught the vial just before it hit the floor.
A few drops spilled, but most of the potion remained.
Fortune or misfortune, Ileon had already sent his subordinates out of the room to pursue her.
Celia touched her forehead with her free hand.
“Hah…….”
Using her ability repeatedly made her head spin.
Though she didn’t vomit blood, her stomach churned.
“I won’t kill you… yet.”
She glared at Ileon, whose senses were dulled and unable to perceive her words.
She had no intention of killing him—yet.
Still, she used her power because—
“Drink this yourself.”
Celia forced open Ileon’s mouth, as if time had stopped.
She poured all the potion into his mouth.
The liquid that he hadn’t yet consumed dripped down his chin.
Celia glanced at the door.
Ileon’s subordinates must be waiting just outside.
Tick-tock.
The large clock’s second hand moved steadily.
It had been five days since Dietrich had been imprisoned.
Celia knew he would escape eventually.
Not today, maybe tomorrow, or a week from now.
While Dietrich remained imprisoned by his own will, Celia acted.
She enlisted Balt to burn the Grand Temple.
And Balt had done so perfectly, reducing the magnificent temple to ash.
“—Now, is that done?”
Balt looked genuinely pleased with himself.
“Believing in gods is the mark of the weak. Humans who cannot fully trust themselves cling to gods. Just like that damned Ileon.”
Celia found Balt unexpectedly insightful.
He was the only one among the three dukes who seemed sane.
“—Honestly, I don’t care what tricks you used. You hurt me, and that is an undeniable fact.”
Balt’s eyes reflected deep guilt instead of desire.
“In my foolish days, I signed off on things recklessly and helped destroy your kingdom. I’m sorry. But this settles my debt to you. No second chances.”
With that, Balt left, his business done.
“……Ah!”
Dizzy, Celia leaned on the table.
She withdrew the hyacinth scent from her ability before she felt sick.
As the scent dissipated, Ileon’s focus gradually returned.
Blinking, their eyes met across the space.
Ileon gasped.
“You……?”
His cheeks and neck flushed red.
Ileon roughly grabbed Celia by the collar.
“When did you……!”
He spoke in broken phrases, struggling for words.
His face flushed further, and his gaze slid down to her neck.
Grasping her collar for control, he threw his hand aside to hold onto the last thread of reason.
“Ugh……!”
A pained groan escaped his teeth.
Clutching the table, he steadied his breathing.
“Ha, huh……!”
Despite regaining composure, his eyes darkened with a growing intensity.
“……You.”
Ileon stared at Celia across the table, his gaze a mix of hatred and desire.
His hands released the table.
Breathing heavily, he stepped toward her.
Celia neither avoided his gaze nor feared him.
Ileon placed his hand on her cheek.
“How dare you……”
His teeth ground together audibly.
His hand moved from her cheek to her lips.
Soft, lush, tempting lips.
The thought of her lips glistening with his saliva drove him wild.
He swore through gritted teeth, consumed with the desire to devour her from head to toe.
“Damn it…….”
Where confidence had been, only impatience remained.
Wanting her, needing her, nearly losing his mind.
“What trick…… did you use?”
His hand slid from her lips to the nape of her neck.
“Tell me.”
“…….”
Celia had no intention of revealing her abilities to Ileon.
“What trick? Don’t you remember drinking that potion in one gulp?”
Her calm eyes made Ileon stiffen.
Though his expression hardened, his eyes overflowed with desire.
“You’re hiding something from me……”
He buried his face in her collarbone, breathing in her scent.
Grasping her waist roughly, he spoke through his teeth.
“If you don’t tell me……”
He lifted his head from her collarbone.
A growl rumbled from his throat.
“I will make you tell me… even by force.”
He held her waist firmly with both hands, attempting to bite her pale, delicate neck.
Fragile, slender—the kind of neck that reminded him of a fawn killed in a hunting contest.
“……If I bite like this…… will you die?”
His lips descended onto her neck.
