Chapter 39
After that, Alicia always accompanied Diana whenever she met Calypso.
She secretly seduced him, leaving her lingering presence behind.
Alicia moved like a predator approaching its prey. She knew if she acted rashly, she could ruin everything. She waited patiently for the right moment to snatch him away.
One day, with Diana and Calypso’s wedding fast approaching, Alicia felt it was finally time.
“Hmm, what should I do?”
Diana tilted her head, puzzled.
Alicia approached and asked what was wrong.
“Why, my lady?”
“Ah, His Grace left this behind… I still have more appointments today…”
Calypso had left his family seal on the table. It was too precious to entrust to a servant. Though it was best for Diana to return it herself, she was too busy with wedding preparations.
“I guess I’ll have to cancel something.”
Seeing Diana’s dilemma, Alicia’s lips curled into a sly smile.
This is a perfect chance to visit the Duke’s residence without raising suspicion.
“Then, I’ll deliver it on my way out.”
“No, I couldn’t ask that of you, Ally.”
Alicia insisted sweetly.
“Don’t worry. I want to ride the carriage and enjoy the scenery. The mana tunnel makes it close anyway.”
Diana hesitated but eventually agreed.
“Thank you, Ally. You’re the best.”
Alicia smiled kindly, but as soon as she turned away, her real expression twisted into mockery.
“Foolish girl.”
Soon after, she boarded the finest carriage Diana prepared. Her heart floated with excitement.
Today, I’ll see him without Diana.
Upon arriving at the Duke’s estate, the butler greeted her. She told him:
“I’m Alicia Blair of Viscount Blair. Lady Diana asked me to return His Grace’s seal.”
The butler reached out to take it, but Alicia insisted she deliver it personally.
“It’s a precious item. Lady Diana said it must be given directly.”
After hesitation, the butler led her to Calypso’s office. Just as he was about to knock, Calypso’s voice leaked out.
“I need the Marquis’s support. It’s unavoidable.”
“What about your fiancée?”
“What about her? Political marriages are all the same. There’s no love.”
The butler flinched, fearing Alicia had heard, but she showed no reaction. Relieved, he knocked.
But Alicia had heard everything.
So, he’s marrying Diana for support, not love. He’s just like me – using her.
This knowledge emboldened her.
Inside, Calypso was surprised to see her.
“Lady Blair?”
“Lady Diana is busy with wedding preparations. Here is your seal.”
As he reached for it, Alicia grabbed his hand.
“I heard everything.”
“What…?”
“Your talk just now. Don’t worry, I won’t tell her.”
Then, she boldly sat on his lap.
“I fell in love with you at first sight.”
“Ha.”
Calypso let out a dry laugh. He wasn’t blind to her constant flirtations.
“You’re attracted to me too, aren’t you?”
She wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing her lips close to his.
“Aren’t you?”
Calypso exhaled hotly and asked,
“What do you want from me?”
“Love. Your love. That’s all I want.”
Their eyes met, and unable to resist, Calypso kissed her fiercely.
Their lips entangled like beasts swept away by waves of desire.
Alicia secured Calypso’s desire through physical intimacy. Eventually, she became a doctor in his household and continued their affair after his marriage. Together, they plotted to kill Diana and steal her wealth.
Even when Calypso’s plan halted after Diana’s miscarriage, Catherine remained – his daughter who resembled him more each day.
With Catherine growing beautifully, their bond remained strong. They only needed to get rid of Diana to perfect their plan.
But everything went awry when Diana regained her sight and Icel, thought dead, returned as an adopted daughter.
Alicia whispered urgently to Catherine:
“We must stay focused, Catherine.”
But Catherine retorted sharply,
“It’s you who needs to focus, mother. Ever since Diana regained her sight, you’ve been useless.”
Alicia clenched her lips. Catherine was right. Her flawless plans were falling apart.
She warned Catherine about her upcoming magic test, fearing exposure of her lack of power.
“Do you really have a plan?”
“You’ll see. Stop prying.”
“Don’t you trust me?” Catherine snapped.
Alicia grabbed her shoulders.
“We must never underestimate Icel.”
“She’s just a servant girl!”
“No.” Alicia’s eyes sharpened.
“If we underestimate her, it’s not Icel who will be ruined. We will be.”
She hugged Catherine tightly.
“We must become the real ones. Do you understand? Answer me, Catherine.”
“……I understand.”
After calming Catherine, Alicia went out and ordered a carriage under the guise of buying herbs. In reality, she slipped away into a dark alley and entered a shabby building filled with shady people.
She approached a mysterious woman.
“I’m here to make a request.”
The woman demanded payment. Alicia gave her a precious pearl necklace. The woman then revealed:
“Using a family seal’s embedded gemstone, one can confirm blood relations.”
So Icel wasn’t lying about her heritage…
Desperate, Alicia asked if the seal could identify the father as well. The woman asked for more payment, and Alicia handed over a garnet ring.
“To identify the father, a blood test is necessary.”
Realising her plans were at risk if Icel’s truth was exposed, Alicia’s eyes hardened. She dumped all her remaining jewels on the table.
“I have another request.”
“Name it.”
“Kidnap the girl. And…”
“Kill her.”
