Chapter 43
The noble ladies nearby whispered as they looked at Isollen with pity.
“Oh my, it seems that ‘Mori’ girl took her partner’s spot. She always used to appear as the Grand Duke’s partner before.”
“Poor thing. Standing all alone like that—should we go talk to her?”
Isollen, hearing their murmurs, wiped away a tear and then began grinding her teeth in apparent rage. The noble ladies exchanged nervous glances—deciding not to approach her after all.
Finally, the first dance ended. As planned, Gremory and Cession only danced one song before leaving the central hall and walking toward Isollen, smiling warmly at each other.
That was when Isollen rushed toward them.
“Your Grace!”
“Isollen? Why are you crying?”
“You really don’t know? I couldn’t bear…! I couldn’t stand watching you dance with another woman!”
Cession’s expression hardened. Gremory clung to his right arm, looking down at Isollen with contempt.
Feigning confusion, Cession took Gremory’s side.
“What are you saying, Isollen? You agreed to this, remember?”
“I had no choice but to agree! How could I oppose Your Grace when you care so much for Mori?”
Isollen’s heartbroken voice echoed through the quietened hall.
Good, everything was going according to plan. It was time for the climax.
“You wretched witch! Get away from His Grace this instant!”
“Ugh!”
Isollen slapped Gremory’s cheek—not very hard, but enough for Gremory to fall to the floor as if struck down.
“…Sob.”
Pretending to be wounded, Gremory fled the ballroom. Cession and Isollen remained, continuing their fabricated love triangle.
“You called Mori a witch? Isollen! How dare you speak such vile words before me!”
“So you’re that furious over Mori being insulted? But when I was humiliated by the Duke of Ortega’s daughter, did you show the same fury for me?”
“I wasn’t nearby then—I couldn’t do anything!”
Even the orchestra forgot to start the next song, fully immersed in the drama. Everything was going smoothly. Now all Gremory had to do was reach the western tower and check on Seaira.
Gremory exited the banquet, pretending to sob behind her sleeve.
‘That should do it.’
Once far enough from the banquet, the surroundings turned dark and quiet. Security was looser, and faint whispers echoed around her.
This area was unofficially known as a lovers’ rendezvous point—where couples from the banquet came to be alone. Hence the lack of guards.
Not the safest place for a lone girl, but Cession had noted that very lack of security made it ideal for sneaking through.
‘Take the left path at the fork, right?’
Recalling Cession’s drawn map, Gremory navigated skillfully.
The tower was tall. Not keen on climbing stairs, Gremory simply leapt up and threw herself through a top-floor window.
With a loud crack, the flimsy wooden frame shattered as she landed.
And then—
“Eek! Alice! Someone’s here!”
A blond girl, around twelve years old—Seaira—screamed and threw herself into another’s arms.
The other woman had flowing black hair—Alice, the war-crazed witch.
“Damn it! Who are you? Wait… Gremory?!”
“…!”
Startled to meet Alice so suddenly, Gremory froze. Was the magical presence she’d sensed that morning actually Alice’s?
‘No time to space out.’
Her identity was exposed. If Alice revealed she was in the human world, the Demon Realm would come after her. Gremory had to silence her—now.
Just as her red eyes gleamed and fangs emerged—
Alice suddenly threw herself to the ground.
“I’m sorry! I deserve to die!”
Gremory stared at the top of Alice’s head in disbelief. Alice grovelled and begged pathetically.
“I know you’ve come to kill me! But I have a bunny-like contractor to raise until adulthood! Please spare me!”
“….”
Seaira sniffled and, copying Alice, threw herself flat on the ground too.
“I’m sorry too! Please don’t hurt Alice!”
Gremory’s red glow dimmed. She sighed.
“What are you two doing?”
Alice peeked up.
“Begging for mercy.”
“The kid—she’s Seaira?”
“Yes. Seaira Frilliant.”
Looking at the trembling child, Gremory noticed her violet eyes—resembling Cession’s.
“Explain. Why are you raising her until adulthood?”
“Because that’s what she wished for. A kind nanny until she comes of age. So I must be kind now.”
“You’re insane. And what did she wager for that wish?”
“Her soul.”
“Sigh. Kid, do you even know what giving up your soul means? You were tricked by a witch, weren’t you?”
Seaira’s voice trembled.
“I know. Once the wish is fulfilled, I can’t die. I’ll live like a slave forever, then vanish for good.”
“And you still made that wish? To a witch who feeds on others’ misery?”
“I just… wanted to be happy. Even if only for a little while…”
Tears welled up in Seaira’s eyes.
Gremory sighed again. She had to kill Alice—but did she really need to destroy this tiny, harmless child’s only lifeline?
‘No wonder the magical presence vanished. She was summoned, then forced to play nanny because of that wish. No wonder she’s so… irrelevant now.’
Seeing Seaira locked in a tower, Gremory could guess how she managed to summon such a powerful witch. She must have desperately craved a warm touch—enough to summon a high-ranking one.
‘When I was imprisoned… did I wish for someone to save me too? I don’t know.’
Feeling strangely heavy-hearted, Gremory sighed again.
“Alice.”
“Yes, Gremory?”
“Are you planning to reveal my presence here to the Demon Realm?”
“Heavens, no! Besides, I can’t even go there—I’m bound to Seaira 24/7. And I have to be a ‘kind’ nanny, remember? I can’t do bad things. Now eat up, Seaira.”
“Then fine.”
Gremory turned to leave. Alice blinked in surprise.
“You’re leaving… just like that?”
“What’s the point of bullying a nanny and a weak little kid? I’m out.”
“W-Wait!”
“What now?”
“…Even if you run, it won’t matter. Your turn will come again.”
Every 24 years, a sacrifice was offered to the Demon God. Gremory had fled to avoid that fate. But even if she escaped now, her turn would come again one day.
Gremory’s face tensed.
“That’s why I’m hiding here. I’ll stay in the human realm for 10 years… or 100. I’ll survive.”
“The Demon God may intervene directly.”
“Let him. Just feed the kid well. She’s clearly undernourished.”
As Gremory prepared to leap from the tower, comforted by the idea that Seaira would be safe for now—
Alice spoke again in a low, knowing voice.
“You spared me, so let me tell you a secret.”
“What is it?”
“Have you started to feel emotions lately? Joy, ease, loneliness, fear, pain?”
“What about it?”
“Your emotions were sealed by your mother. The Demon Realm couldn’t risk their strongest beast feeling and turning against them. But now… it seems that seal is weakening.”
“…”
“Be careful. The backlash is coming.”
Alice grinned. Gremory scowled.
What was the point of that creepy warning?
“You may go. Enjoy what little freedom you have left—before the enraged Demon God devours you.”
Gremory flipped her middle finger and leapt from the window.
She didn’t care if the Demon God came.
All she wanted was fleeting happiness, even if it would soon shatter.
‘Maybe… I’m not so different from Seaira after all.’
What fate awaited them? Gremory didn’t want to know.
Gremory flipped her middle finger and leapt from the window.
She didn’t care whether the enraged Demon God came for her or not. That wasn’t something she planned to concern herself with.
All she desired was fleeting happiness—happiness she knew might crumble at any moment, but one she’d grasp with both hands regardless.
A moment that would surely collapse someday.
That was all she wanted.
‘Maybe… I share the same goal as Seaira.’
What kind of end awaited her—and that small child?
Gremory imagined the future for just a moment.
And then, just as quickly, she gave up.
