Chapter 24
Maia lifted her head.
Lich was staring out the window at the glittering lights of the banquet hall, seriously considering whether he should go back and slaughter everyone inside.
Startled by the ominous aura radiating from him, Maia quickly reached out both hands.
“Stop it! You already ruined the mood tonight!”
Don’t make it worse!
Recalling the earlier comment about impotence, Maia desperately grabbed onto Lich’s collar.
Lich looked down at her with a complicated expression.
But there was something even more important.
“So, what are you going to do about this?”
It was the most pressing issue that had been bothering her.
“Do about what?”
Maia bit her lip and explained again in response to Lich’s feigned ignorance.
“I mean, earlier you… kissed my hand!”
The memory of it came back to her again, vividly and in fine detail.
The Lord of the Magic Tower, who had never shown interest or respect to any of the noble ladies, had treated her with honor—out of hundreds of refined women, he alone had addressed her formally and kissed her hand as if showing reverence.
Crazy!
Maia ground her teeth.
Was this guy really trying to mess with her?
“What are you going to do? I’m sure ridiculous rumors are already spreading out of control…”
“I told you before, didn’t I?”
Lich cut her off mid-sentence.
Maia froze and looked up at him.
With a meaningful smile on his face, Lich leaned in slightly.
“I said I’d do it. Pretend to be your lover.”
His golden eyes sparkled brightly at close range.
His stance, the closeness, the golden eyes—it all reminded her of that night.
Maia shook as she quickly backed away, unable to look him in the eyes.
“Y-You weren’t joking back then?”
Lich straightened his back, clearly displeased.
“You think I have time to joke around like that?”
Of course not. He’s the Archmage, after all.
Feeling overwhelmed, Maia pressed her hand to her forehead.
“Just think of it simply.”
Watching the flurry of expressions on Maia’s face, Lich gently took her hand off her forehead and held it.
Maia looked up at him with trembling eyes.
“You want to get divorced, don’t you? Even when you were the subject of everyone’s mockery, your husband didn’t say a word in your defense. You want to be free from that chain.”
Lich gripped her hand tightly.
His warmth seeped into her cold fingers.
Like the comforting warmth from the light that appeared in her dream on the day she was poisoned and barely survived.
“As you know, I’m the Lord of the Magic Tower. There’s no one on this continent who dares go against me.”
Lich lowered his head.
“So before you let your life slip away caught up in silly fears over what might happen to me…”
His nose was nearly touching hers.
He looked into her eyes and whispered,
“Use me. Without hesitation, without fear.”
Maia closed her trembling eyes.
She didn’t know if this was truly right. She didn’t know if she should really go through with this.
But Lich’s words revealed her harsh reality with cruel clarity.
All the misery that had entered her life since marrying Lucas Weston—those two years had been nothing but suffering.
The longer she stayed married to him, the heavier that burden of misfortune would grow until it became unbearable.
And she… she no longer wanted her life to be swallowed up by that misery.
“…Let’s do it.”
Maia slowly tightened her fingers around Lich’s hand.
Then she opened her eyes and firmly met the brilliant golden gaze that remained only a breath away.
“An affair.”
The moment she said the word—
“…Alright.”
A faint smile began to appear on Lich’s pale face.
“You’ve given me permission.”
And that beautiful face finally bloomed into a radiant smile.
Maia looked up at his shining face for a while, then said,
“But I don’t like the name.”
“Huh?”
Lich looked confused by her firm tone.
“Calling it a contract affair… It just sounds so… unpleasant.”
Somehow, it made her feel like she was committing a crime.
A small chuckle escaped from Lich’s lips.
“Then let’s call it a contract relationship instead.”
“What?”
Maia flinched and fluttered her eyelids at Lich’s sudden suggestion.
Lich’s lips curled up mischievously.
“If you think about it, it’s kind of like a relationship, isn’t it? We have to act like we’re madly in love from first sight and can’t live without each other.”
A dangerous statement.
I read a line like that in a novel once—when I do it, it’s love, but when someone else does it, it’s cheating…
Maia shook her head to banish the thought.
“…Fine, then. Let’s call it a contract relationship. It’ll last until I succeed in divorcing the Duke of Weston.”
In the end, it was done.
Whether it was fake or not, she and her childhood friend would now act like passionate lovers—for a while.
‘Her Highness was truly beautiful. Her hair shimmered like melted pearls, her crimson eyes could make your heart ache just by looking at them… Compared to her, the new Duchess of Weston was nothing. Naturally, the Duke must still love only Princess Rebecka. Of course.’
“…Ah.”
Maia opened her eyes at some point.
She was lying in bed, blankly staring at the ceiling.
Sunlight was streaming through the curtains.
She sat up slowly.
Today was the day.
Maia quietly turned her head to the gently swaying curtain by the window.
The day of the chief maid’s execution.
She didn’t want to go. Honestly, she wasn’t even sure if her presence was necessary.
But the fate of the prisoner being executed today was something she had shaped.
“If I don’t show up, they’ll just gossip even more.”
She muttered bitterly, causing the owl that had delivered Lich’s letter to flinch.
After gently stroking the bird a few times, Maia unfolded the letter.
[I’ll be attending the execution today. You haven’t forgotten our promise, have you? Be prepared.]
“…Prepared for what.”
What ridiculous stunt is he planning this time?
She had a bad feeling. Maia looked up at the clear sky and let out a long sigh.
“Duchess, may I come in?”
“Come in.”
Maia quickly turned the bird back into a statue.
A maid entered the room and bowed politely.
“His Grace, the Duke of Weston, asked me to inform you that all preparations are complete. I will assist you with your attire.”
“Alright.”
Maia moved into the inner chamber and placed the small statue on the bookshelf.
The maid’s blue eyes lingered briefly on the tiny bird that glowed faintly.
The execution of Lady Helia Jabez Delphon, former daughter of a marquis, was held in the center of Ludcanvre Square.
The sight of the gallows and the masked executioner created a chilling atmosphere.
Maia walked up the platform with a fan covering half her face. The Duke of Weston had left to sit with the other nobles, leaving her alone.
Her seat had been prepared among the imperial family and highest-ranking nobility.
“You came, child.”
The Emperor, sitting at the highest seat, turned his head and asked kindly.
“I greet Your Majesty.”
Maia politely curtsied, lifting her dress. The Emperor smiled and waved his hand.
As she walked to her seat, Maia noticed how unusually empty the imperial family’s area was today.
The Crown Princess hadn’t been seen since that day. Who knew what had become of her?
Of course, the Crown Prince wasn’t present either. After all, the entire nobility now knew he was infertile…
Maia quickly brushed off the creeping guilt and took her seat.
Even the Empress wasn’t there.
The only one present was the Grand Duchess of Adelstein, seated beside the Emperor and sneaking glances at Maia.
“Maia.”
At that moment, the Duke of Weston returned. The Grand Duke of Adelstein also appeared and stiffened upon seeing her.
It wasn’t hostility—more like fear and unease.
“…It’s our first time meeting since the banquet. Have you been well?”
“…Yes, Your Highness.”
Why is he acting like that?
Maia looked at him curiously, then spotted the Duke of Weston next to him, gazing down at her with his usual icy expression.
…Why are both of them acting like this?
Maia furrowed her brow slightly.
“It’s been a while.”
Just then, a familiar voice rang out.
Maia instantly turned toward the sound.
At some point, a man with flowing silver hair had stepped onto the platform and was smiling at her.
Lich!
Maia inhaled sharply.
