AFRPR 41

Chapter 41

Estelle decided to tell the truth, even if she might be blamed for it.

“Even if it’s the Duke’s choice who to give it to, it’s still true that because of me, Glesia lost her chance.”

She had been feeling guilty about that. That was why she had read Glesia’s memories through the Magi and met her every day — all because of guilt.

“She’ll probably call me a hypocrite.”

Glesia lifted her head. Estelle expected a look of disgust…

But instead, Glesia simply said,

“So?”

“Huh?”

“That’s your reason?”

“It’s not a small thing. It was about your life or death.”

“Even if you gave it to me, I wouldn’t have accepted it.”

Estelle already knew that. Deep down, she knew she didn’t need to feel guilty.

“Glesia’s illness can’t be cured by mandrake anyway.”

“What exactly were you sick with?”

“My whole body was failing. They told me I didn’t have long to live.”

“What? Was it a chronic disease?”

“No. But I have one guess about the cause.”

Glesia had suffered from the same thing Estelle once had.

She said quietly,

“Before marrying the Duke, I planned to die.”

“…!”

It was depression.

“Once I decided, I secretly went to the market, bought cheap poison, and drank it without hesitation. It wasn’t even hard to get.”

Estelle remembered the time before her fifth marriage.

“Living is so hard, but dying… it was so easy. I just drank it.”

“And that’s why you were sick?”

“Yes. Probably aftereffects.”

Glesia didn’t know how to comfort her and fidgeted nervously.

“But I’m fine now. I’ll never make that choice again.”

“Why not?”

“Because there are things I don’t want to leave behind anymore.”

She didn’t want the people of Bellonsa to live well off the wealth she left behind.

“And after I met Duren… after I became his whole world, my world changed too.”

Just as Duren’s world was Estelle, Estelle’s world became Duren.

“Wasn’t it the same for you, Glesia?”

Glesia nodded slightly. Meeting Duren and Estelle had made every day something to look forward to.

“Glesia doesn’t need a miracle cure. She needs a reason to live — someone to laugh and chat with without thinking too much.”

“By the way, you once said you wanted me to divorce.”

Glesia nodded.

“The Duke’s away now, so I can’t do it yet. But when he comes back, I’ll talk to him.”

“You… will really divorce?”

“Of course. That’s what you wanted, right?”

This marriage was destined to end anyway.

Estelle looked at her and added,

“When I leave, please take care of Duren.”

“Me?”

“Yes. Duren likes you now. I think I can trust you.”

Part of it was guilt about the mandrake, but she also needed to get closer to Glesia for Duren’s sake.

“I can’t leave Duren entirely to the Duke. He doesn’t even tell Glesia important things, even though she’s the only one he shows family affection to.”

The Duke was just too indifferent.

So Estelle needed someone to care for Duren after she left. Glesia was the best choice.

“Please. Now, get some rest.”

“Uh, I…”

“Yes?”

The thought of Estelle really divorcing made Glesia’s heart sink. But she couldn’t stop Estelle from leaving this place.

“Fine. Divorce.”

“Okay, I will.”

In her heart, she thought only one thing — Run away.

Later that night…

“When will the Duke come back…?” Estelle lay on the large bed, thinking.

She felt a little guilty for making the divorce sound like a favor to Glesia, when it was going to happen anyway.

She also couldn’t be sure why the Duke had hidden the fact it was a contract marriage, so she couldn’t tell Glesia yet.

All she could do was wait.

“He can’t still be wandering around, right?”

She had given him directions to a place rich in holy relics and rare minerals — a treasure trove. She even drew a detailed map so he wouldn’t waste time.

While she was trying to fall asleep…

BANG—

The door burst open.

Estelle jumped up in shock.

“Who would come at this hour?”

Step… step…

A foul smell filled the air. A large, dark shape approached, dripping with sticky Magi.

Her eyes widened.

A monster?!

In the moonlight, it was hideous — not human at all. She reached for a weapon… but stopped.

It wasn’t a monster.

“…Duke?”

His usual handsome appearance was gone, but she recognized those red eyes.

“Duke.”

Growl—

Only a low, beast-like sound came back.

Estelle had seen something similar before — on their wedding night, when Magi had covered him.

But this time it was far worse. He looked more like a monster than a man.

“Can you hear me?” she asked softly.

Only growls answered. He stumbled forward, clutching his head in pain.

Their eyes met — and his were full of killing intent.

“He’s completely lost his mind.”

Some faint reason must have remained, because when he reached for her, his other hand pulled himself back.

But he was still dangerous. Estelle was about to run when—

“Duke!”

He collapsed, breathing heavily in pain.

“It’s the Magi.”

She approached him.

“It’s okay.”

She stroked his cheek, trying to wipe away the Magi. It stuck unpleasantly to her hand.

“It’ll be okay.”

Like calming an animal, she soothed him until the Magi slid off him like a receding tide.

“Go back to where you came from,” she whispered.

The Magi on the floor rippled, as if answering her, then slipped out through the window gap, down the wall, and into the ground.

That was why, when she killed her ex-husband with Magi, it had been a perfect crime — Magi could hide anywhere there was earth.

With the Magi gone, his breathing eased and his eyes closed.

“He probably didn’t see what just happened… and if he did, I can pretend he imagined it.”

Just then—

Cough!

Blood splattered from her mouth. She tried to cover it, but it was too late — it stained both her clothes and his.

“Why now…”

She had to change clothes quickly to keep her secret.

Growl—

“It’s nothing,” she murmured, even though he couldn’t understand.

Now that his face was clear, she could read his expression — worried, like a puppy with drooping eyebrows.

Somehow, his emotions showed more clearly than usual. He even reminded her a little of Duren.

Then—

“D-Duke!”

He pulled her into his arms tightly, as if to protect her from something.

“If I tell you to let go…”

Growl.

“…You won’t understand, right?”

She tried to pull away, but his strength was too great. Trapped in his arms, she rolled her eyes awkwardly.

Meanwhile, at the Central Temple…

“Lord Helios, Roman is dead.”

Helios was polishing a star-shaped amulet and didn’t even flinch.

“He was probably found out as soon as he snuck in.”

“I didn’t expect him to be a good spy,” Helios replied.

The Duke had refused priests entry to Winterlen, so Helios sent Roman to gather information — knowing he would be caught.

“You mean… you sent him to his death?”

“It wasn’t a meaningless death. Sometimes, when a little fish stirs up the water, you see things you normally can’t — like someone’s true feelings.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Do you think the Duke of Winterlen, famous for hating people, would marry someone out of love?”

“No.”

“Exactly. His marriage was probably for necessity, meaning there should be no emotional bond between them — like most political marriages.”

At that moment—

[Estelle! I heard a loud noise, are you okay…?]

It was the Duke’s voice, echoing in the prayer room.

Click.

Helios pressed a button — on a small recording device shaped like a button from Roman’s clothes. Roman hadn’t even known he was carrying it.

“But it seems I was completely wrong,” Helios said.

He had released the “little fish” to find Estelle’s true feelings — but got an unexpected discovery instead. And that was troubling.

Back in Winterlen…

The Duke’s head felt like it was splitting apart. It was like a hangover — something he had never experienced before.

When he finally came to his senses, his eyes went wide.

“…?!”

Estelle was in his arms.

Covered in blood.