TOOCM | Chapter 065

Chapter 65

Her fiancé, trusted by the elders, was scum.

So were his friends.

The night they assaulted her as a group, she became a Medusa.

And she turned her fiancé to stone first.

In the moonlight, her shadow slithered like a snake.

* * *

At the dinner, Michael doubted his eyes.

“Try this too.”

The famously stoic Duke of Crensia was cutting meat and feeding it to Reina.

Even more shocking was Reina’s ease—she accepted the bites naturally.

“It’s delicious.”

“Right? I told them to cook it to your liking—slightly rare, just how you prefer.”

“How did you know that?”

“I pay more attention to you than you think. You know that, don’t you?”

Reina blushed at Kaiden’s casual words.

To anyone watching, they were a sickeningly sweet couple.

Did they really marry for love?

The unbelievable sight killed Michael’s appetite.

This was truly unexpected.

“Ahem.”

His cough drew Kaiden’s attention.

“Is the food to your taste?”

“Yes. Northern cuisine is warm and comforting.”

“When are you leaving?”

Kaiden’s blunt tone implied he should go soon, but Michael smiled politely.

“My entourage is tired, so we’d like to rest a few days.”

He had no intention of leaving yet.

Kaiden, expecting this, said nothing more.

Then Michael probed, “I heard you had urgent business. Is it related to a demonic beast?”

Kaiden smirked at the prying question. “Come to think of it, you’ve never seen one.”

“The capital is a peaceful place. If the From family can help, please let us know. As the princess’s husband, I’ll assist however I can.”

The From estate, deep in the Empire, faced fewer beast threats and had ties to the Holy Nation due to its sacred stone mines.

Kaiden recalled Arteon’s words before he left.

“The delegation leader is the From heir. Watch him closely. When I investigated Jeffery, their family often interfered.”

Michael might know something about Reina’s brother.

Building a connection could be useful.

“We happen to need sacred stones.”

“Sacred stones?”

“For purification. I’d like some immediately—possible?”

Michael responded eagerly, as if he’d hoped for this. “Of course. How many do you need?”

* * *

Investigations revealed missing men and women in several villages beyond Gomel.

Not all cases could be tied to the Medusa, so thorough checks were needed.

Reina issued a notice to hire more servants at Crensia Castle, summoning village women to inspect them discreetly without hinting at the beast connection.

Examining a line of women, she shook her head. “None here.”

It was another dead end.

Initial meetings with suspects had yielded nothing.

“How many are left?”

“This was the last group,” Celine replied.

Reina’s face grew haggard. “That’s strange. It can’t be.”

Was it not a variant?

That would be a relief, but her past knowledge made her wary.

“Can you check again for anyone missed?”

“Of course, Your Grace.”

As Celine left, Reina sighed deeply.

Using her power extensively had strained her eyes.

Rose handed her an ice pack. “Thank you.”

Reina reclined on the sofa, eyes closed, applying the pack.

Some time later, a presence stirred her from a light doze.

“Rose?”

“It’s me.”

Startled by Kaiden’s voice, she sat up.

He was already beside her. “Rose came to me. Said you were overdoing it.”

“Oh…”

“Using your power tires you, doesn’t it?”

He touched her cheek, the light contact tickling her.

Staring at him, she said, “It’s fine.”

“You always say that, but I don’t believe it.”

“It’s true…”

Her petulant tone made him chuckle.

Her occasional childlike side, despite her maturity, was endearing.

“Did your talk with Michael go well?”

“The Froms are something else. Carrying that many sacred stones as travel funds.”

“They didn’t use a portal, so they’d have more than usual.”

“As you said, I told him to hand them over. We’ll need plenty going forward.”

“Well done.”

Her bright smile made him give her a playful look.

“Just words?”

“What?”

“Praise shouldn’t be just talk.”

His expectant tone made her serious. “Is there something you want?”

He grinned. “Give me some of your time. You’ve been so focused on finding the core, you’ve barely noticed me.”

He scrunched his nose, feigning complaint. Reina blinked, flustered.

“I just wanted to help you.”

“You don’t need to. Just stay by my side.”

His earnest words came easily, and they always stirred her.

Overwhelmed by his intense gaze, she turned away.

“Still…”

As she mumbled stubbornly, he gently lifted her chin, guiding her face to his.

“Show me that pretty face.”

“…”

“And a smile would be even better.”

His bright smile left her speechless.

His vivid purple eyes, peeking through dark hair, reflected her face.

She startled at her own expression in them.

Was I making that face?

She looked dazed, like someone enchanted.

She recalled him comparing her to a snow fox’s blank expression—likely inspired by this look.

Forcing a smile, she said, “Like this?”

“That’s a fake smile.”

“You told me to smile, but now it’s hard.”

“It’s fine. I’ll make you smile.”

He shrugged, unconcerned.

Calling the butler, he brought in a tray with shaved ice drizzled with red fruit syrup—a Northern treat Reina had recently grown fond of.

Holding the bowl, he scooped a spoonful. “Time for a snack.”

Reina ate it, muttering, “Michael’s not even here.”

“It’s practice. It’s got to feel natural in daily life.”