Chapter 60
At that moment, an invitation arrived in front of Rasiel.
“This is an invitation from the Imperial Palace.”
The butler handed Rasiel an invitation stamped with the royal crest.
Rasiel nodded nonchalantly.
“Read it.”
By now, he had expected Cedric to send him a challenge first.
He must be eager to confirm whether my red eyes are real or fake, since I’ve never shown myself outside the Magic Tower.
So, he would have likely set up a plausible trap to draw him out.
However, what came out of the butler’s mouth was different from Rasiel’s expectations.
“They plan to open a dimensional rift at the palace today.”
As the butler read it aloud, Rasiel frowned while watching the invitation burn to ash without leaving a trace.
He had expected a trap, but he never thought Cedric would use his own home as the stage.
Even though he knew that such an incident at the palace would severely damage the royal family’s prestige and reputation.
Cedric was undoubtedly insane. Yet, through this, Rasiel could see Cedric’s Achilles’ heel.
Cedric was so cautious of him—the one with the “red eyes”—that he was willing to cut himself just to provoke him.
If he was that desperate, there was even less reason for Rasiel to fall for his trap.
“It’s clearly a trap. He wants to lure you and pin everything on you, all in front of the watching nobles.”
Upon hearing the butler’s words, Rasiel suddenly recalled what Elsez had said yesterday.
“There’s a banquet at the palace tomorrow. I was invited, and since it’s from the Crown Prince himself, it’s difficult to refuse…”
“I’ll send someone to the palace to prevent things from escalating—”
“No need. I’ll go myself.”
“Huh?”
The butler stared in surprise as Rasiel draped his robe over his shoulders, ready to leave.
“You know better than anyone that it’s a trap. Since you’ve decided to stay in this world, you shouldn’t get involved.”
“Step aside.”
“Rasiel!”
Ignoring the butler’s protests, Rasiel drew a magic circle and vanished.
The butler stared at the fading magic circle in despair.
Rasiel had always been rational, meticulous, and calculated, acting strictly according to plan.
Yet recently, he had begun doing things he normally wouldn’t.
Specifically, ever since he temporarily took in a woman disguised as “Elsez Lohain” under the identity of Anna Ritz as his assistant.
A few days ago, he even abandoned a three-year plan to open a dimensional rift.
And today, he had made his first impulsive choice.
What consequences that choice would bring, the butler could not foresee.
The atmosphere of the banquet had reached its peak.
Slow-tempo music flowed through the hall instead of fast-paced tunes.
Nobles, slightly tipsy, danced or chatted with their spouses, partners, or lovers.
Many had already left for home or wandered into the gardens for private moments, making the hall feel quieter than before.
Ha, this is exhausting.
Elsez took a swig of wine as she surveyed the hall.
Thanks to being accompanied by Tezette, she had handled far more people than those who had approached her at Count Lort’s estate.
Instead of scouting for suspicious people, I feel like my soul is about to leave my body.
As Elsez exhaled, Tezette leaned slightly toward her, as if to say something.
It was unusual behavior for him, but it was the result of Elsez’s insistence that he act like a lover in front of Cedric.
Elsez looked up at him curiously.
With a devilishly handsome face and his characteristic calm voice, he asked,
“Can I kiss you?”
Huh?
Startled by the sudden, unexpected question, Elsez widened her eyes.
He didn’t drink wine, so that’s not it.
Just as she blinked in confusion, she saw a couple embrace, pressing their foreheads together and whispering, pretending to be in love.
Ah, he wants to act like a couple.
So he had learned to observe his surroundings. Elsez felt pleased that her insistence on pretending to be lovers had paid off.
Moreover, unlike before when he would have acted without consent, he now considered her feelings first, as she had instructed a few days ago.
Feeling proud, Elsez nodded willingly.
A forehead kiss isn’t a big deal.
At that moment, his strong arms wrapped around her waist.
Underneath slightly lowered long eyelashes, his deep, swamp-like eyes drew her closer.
For a man, he has a beautiful face.
As Elsez admired his face in the awkward situation, she felt his warm breath against her lips.
Suddenly, her body stiffened.
Something was wrong.
Wait! It’s the forehead, not the lips!
Just before his lips met hers, Elsez’s hand shot up and blocked his mouth.
A question mark appeared in Tezette’s eyes, pressed against her palm.
Elsez removed her lips from her hand, relieved at narrowly avoiding a disaster.
“Not on the lips in front of so many people.”
“They do it.”
Tezette gestured toward a corner of the hall.
Elsez finally noticed couples kissing lightly while chatting in a secluded corner.
“They’re drunk and can’t tell right from wrong. Normally, you shouldn’t do that in public.”
Tezette, still keeping his lips pressed lightly against her palm, moved them slightly as if asking,
“So… can I do it somewhere private?”
The moist warmth of his lips and his hot breath pressed into her palm, every cell in her body seemingly focused there.
His persistent gaze demanded an answer.
Or rather, it seemed to say he didn’t care what the answer was.
He means in a normal situation, it’s okay, right?
Though the question seemed innocent, why did it feel like he was hinting he’d try it later?
Before Elsez could answer, a voice interrupted:
“Your Grace, the Duke.”
Turning to the source, she saw the steward approaching.
“The Prince wishes to see you privately.”
Tezette released his embrace and followed the steward.
Elsez turned her gaze toward where Cedric and Rinael had been.
Both were gone.
As she stared at the empty spot, a question formed in her mind.
If no one was watching, why did he try to kiss me?
Elsez shrugged, but a black aura rose from the brooch near her chest.
“Human… I want to taste something delicious…”
Only then did she remember Lerti, whom she had momentarily forgotten.
Elsez had tried not to bring Lerti to avoid conflict with Tezette, but Lerti, sensing she was attending the banquet, had followed.
His goal was the luxurious desserts at the banquet.
Elsez approached the dessert table while observing the surroundings.
She lowered the brooch containing Lerti toward her waist.
“Here, eat.”
Lerti took the closest piece of Stollen, his black aura rippling as he muttered:
“The human king ate this alone? What a bad person.”
“Right, very bad. You made us work hard while eating this alone.”
“I must conquer this world. I’ll become king, make people make these delicious things, and only give them to those who obey me.”
Elsez laughed at Lerti’s grand ambitions.
As she watched over Lerti enjoying the desserts, his black aura suddenly froze.
“Lerti? What’s wrong?”
“This is strange, human.”
“What is?”
“Isn’t this where the human king lives? It shouldn’t be… but it feels different.”
A sense of foreboding washed over her.
Holding the brooch, she asked,
“What is it?”
“I can strongly sense the presence of another world nearby.”
“…Another world’s presence?”
“Just like when we crossed into this world, I can sense the energy of the world you originally lived in.”
Elsez’s eyes wavered, unsettled by Lerti’s words.
