Chapter 66

“I will make a promise to Lady Blanche on the condition that I bring you here.”

“Tell me the main point quickly.”

“I don’t know if it’s been a while since I’ve heard your voice. It’s nice to hear a voice that is split like that.”

Elysia frowned.

It was because it had been so long since he had spoken to her, though he said that he liked things like this, and her head was pounding.

“One was to restore the Marquisate’s business, and the other was to win your husband’s heart.”

…Very kind and detailed explanation.

Business restoration. It was surprising that Peloit had that much money left, and she did not understand how the latter was possible. There was no such part in the original story, so it was unexpected, and there was no way to know if there was such a thing in black magic.

Meanwhile, Peloit, seeing Elysia’s puzzled expression, asked with his eyes shining.

“If you call me by my name in the future, I’ll tell you. Your husband has turned his back on Lady Blanche.”

She wanted to answer that she didn’t need his information since she didn’t want to think that was possible.

However, Elysia could not easily shake off her growing anxiety.

If Cassian was really standing next to Lumiere, he must have done something like that, so she was able to understand it with her head.

She later managed to calm down as she struggled to find a way to get back, but if that was why he wasn’t looking for her.

So, if she will never see him forever…

Even though she had to wait for Ramote and Ryan to find her, if Lumiere interfered with Cassian, that would be a problem.

Worst case came up endlessly and filled her head.

Eventually, Elysia opened her lips. What’s so hard about calling out just one name?

“…Peloit.”

“Good job. I think Pel is good as well.”

He stared at Elysia with a childish face, as if Peloit wanted to hear it, he smiled as if to tell her. Because of that, she grinded her teeth, vowing that she would hit him in the face after she was released.

“Pel.”

“Yes, Elysia.”

“Tell me.”

“Lady Blanche hasn’t used the potion yet.”

It was an ambiguous answer.

It must have been after Lumiere had done something, didn’t he?

It was awkward, but there was no way Cassian’s heart would turn to Lumiere unless she used something. Although it was a very natural conviction, the vague Peloit’s words made her feel anxious for nothing.

“Didn’t she use potion?”

“Yeah, she hadn’t used it, but I guess it’s effective.”

Peloit spoke in a friendly tone.

Elysia closed her eyes as she turned her head away, not wanting to see his face anymore. The longer he stayed, the more difficult it was to hold back her lust to drink blood.

“Aren’t you curious what happens if she uses the potion?”

“Hmm. I’m not curious.”

It meant she didn’t want to talk anymore. Seeing that, Peloit lowered his raised lip and lowered his eyes.

Feeling his cool energy, Elysia opened her eyes again.

“I hate lying.”

He then grabbed Elysia’s hair strongly and made her raise her head.

“You’d better keep your mouth shut. I’ll give you some slack this time.”

Then, he lowered his head and bit Elysia’s neck. Seeing the smell of fishy blood rising along with the pain, it seemed that he had bitten hard.

He was really crazy…

“My next visit will be a little late. You’ll have to starve for a few days, so eat well.”

Peloit said his last words and left the room. Immediately after, the maid pulled out a small table by the bed and left the food behind.

‘It’s okay. It will be fine.’

Elysia bit her lip as she sobbed.

It would be fine.

He will be… And, her, too.

***
After the morning meeting, the nobles exiting the Central Palace were noisy.

This was because the emperor had already been in bed for a long time, and Crown Prince Revos was entrusted with the authority.

Even though the Empress’s side and the noble faction responded with the excuse that His Majesty had not yet passed away, they were unable to support the remarks as it was revealed that the empress had tampered with the treasury and used it privately.

What was even more strange was that the Second Prince, who attended the meeting, did not respond.

Even after the conclusion of imprisoning the empress in the private palace, he remained silent on the matter of entrusting Revos with the emperor’s authority.

Rather, it was enough to cool the backs of the viewers as he smiled happily.

The nobles were busy looking to see if all the power was pouring into Revos like this. In reality, it was safe to say that Duke Esteban, who was close to Revos, had all the power. The nobles all withdrew, and the two remained in the hall.

Cassian and Peloit.

Peloit opened his mouth to Cassian with a relaxed expression.

“Did you have fun with Lady Blanche?”

“I guess you haven’t heard yet.”

‘…of what happened.’

The last words were omitted, although Peloit nodded as if he understood.

He then said, pulling his upper body forward and clasping his chin with his hand. “You should have left my mother alone, not the Marquisate of Blanche.”

Cassian raised an eyebrow.

At today’s meeting, the Marquisate of Blanche escaped anger. It was a choice that he had no option but to do because she knew where Elysia was.

“Lady Blanche can do no harm to the Duchess.”

“Why are you telling me that?”

Was he saying that he doesn’t have to listen to the threats Lumiere makes for Elysia?

It was questionable whether it would be possible to trust his words, which must have been related to Lumiere.

Peloit snorted in a low voice as he suddenly made a straight face.

“Because I didn’t like the fact that she dared to mention her and threaten her.”

“Her…?”

Cassian raised the corners of his lips and swept his hair.

Peloit’s attitude was unbelievable. It was clear whom he was talking about without a second thought.

What does he not like about it?

From Lumiere to Peloit, he was perplexed as to which rhythm to match.

If only he could find Elysia… Cassian was just trying to cool his head down until then.

“If the Duke and I have anything in common, it’s like we want to protect her from Lady Blanche.”

He smiled bitterly, grasping all the expressions about to collapse.

It looked like Lumiere and Peloit were playing with them. If there was anything new he learned today, was it that Peloit had a heart for Elysia, and that he had a deeper heart than Cassian thought…?

The last thing he uttered was so genuine that he felt it.

He thought over and over in his head about why he kidnapped Elysia.

At first, he thought it was because Lumiere wanted himself, but it didn’t seem like one of them. It was crazy to show off that he had Elysia so openly.

He couldn’t do anything, and he felt so incompetent.

“She is safe.”

Peloit lifted his body up with a blatant sneer.

Cassian got up and moved his steps, watching him leave the meeting room. He had to find out what more he could do. He looked like he couldn’t stand it.

Eventually, he let out a long sigh and smirked.

Two weeks had passed since Elysia disappeared.

Cassian furrowed his brow, remembering that it had been a long time since she had drank from him. If she wasn’t found quickly, she could have revealed her identity to Peloit.

“Lloyd.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Tell them to hurry. We don’t have much time.”

***
Lumiere stood around the embankment with a look of impatience.

She has prevented what would have happened today, but what should she do in the future?

She could feel that her father was still trying to use her to raise the family. This time, Peloit blocked it, but not in the future.

Besides, she no longer wanted to ask him for help.

She was helped, and she was afraid of what else she had to offer this time. When she used the magic to summon Elysia this time, there was no way to check whether her own lifespan was really shortened or not.

She didn’t even know it was right to give just as much as Peloit had told her.

She only knew that she could only deal with the magic that Peloit taught her, and she did what he told her to.

The magic circles he drew were too complicated and difficult to recognize because they were different from the magic formulas she knew. There was no tool at all.

It was going to go wrong if she went on like this.

It seemed that he had a deeper love for Elysia than she had expected, though she was afraid that Peloit would target her.

If he does his best and Elysia’s heart turns to him… Then, what happens if she tries to get revenge on her?

Lumiere thought there would be no more places for her to get cornered. However, there was no end.

“Anything, I need a safety device.”

Cassian hasn’t been given the potion yet.

She thought that if he allowed one night, she might have a chance to take advantage of his sleep or give him something to eat, but she never thought that she would receive such a rejection.

He said it was impossible. It was shameful.

She saw her reflection in the mirror.

The bright blonde hair fluttered around her waist beautifully and richly. She also had flawless skin, and her eyes were curved in the shape of a half-moon when she smiles.

Even when she lowered her eyebrows a little, most people were flustered, so why doesn’t it work for him…? She’s so beautiful.

Lumiere took her steps to the dressing room.

She saw dresses with bright colors and innocent or lively styles hanging on them. It seems that the clothes she wore when she visited Cassian a while ago were the wrong choice, so what kind of clothes should she wear this time?

The dresses that Elysia wore were lined up in her mind.

Looking at the dresses hanging all over, a bright blue dress caught her eye.

“I have to use this.”

Yes, it could be because it didn’t suit Cassian’s taste.

It was not because she was not pretty…

His taste may not be that of an innocent and pitiful woman.

Just thinking about it now, she hurriedly changed into the dress and pulled the rope and called the maid.

“Did you call me, Miss?”

“I’m going out.”

“Can I help you decorate?”

Lumiere nodded her head and said what she wanted.

‘The corners of her eyebrows were slightly raised and pulled out, not touching her cheeks. Make her skin as pale as possible and red lips…’

The maid hears that with a slightly puzzled face, though she quietly moved her hand.

After finishing preparations, Lumiere quietly left the mansion and got into the carriage because it would be difficult to run into her father.

Then, she heard the voice of the coachman asking where she was going.

“Let’s go to Duke Esteban’s house.”

“Yes, miss.”

Lumiere took out the glass bottle she had in her arms and fiddled with it. She thought it was going to work out somehow when she got her hand on the potion.

Cassian was a master, so it was impossible to forcefully feed him by suppressing him. She could try to sneak it into his drink and feed it, but if she failed, that was the end of it.

A head-on break might be the way.

She had nowhere else to back down anyway, and she didn’t think it would be a bad idea to gamble, rather than having things go wrong while holding onto the potion without even trying.

As long as she knew where Elysia was, Cassian wouldn’t hurt her.

And, if she’s lucky, she might be with him right now, today…