Part 2 "The Butterfly Who Loves Him"
In the richest sector of the elite residential area of Edepfalz in Akansis stood a mansion that inspired both awe and awe. The grand Davenport estate made no attempt to hide its prestigious history.
Unlike other modest-sized outbuildings, this mansion boasted an extensive garden and even a backyard. Its paths were so impeccably maintained that one could doubt whether rain or snow had ever touched them. Carefully planted flowers and trees looked as if they had been grown according to patterns from the very beginning.
However, in the depths of this magnificent mansion, hidden from prying eyes, there was a room that was its complete opposite.
- How... how could you do this to me?
In contrast to the elegant aromas above ground, the underground chamber, accessible only through several layers of doors, had a cold, musty smell. While the bricks above shone warmly in the sun's rays, the underground stones exuded only a damp coldness.
- How dare you do this to me!
A woman with tangled red hair was kneeling on the damp prison floor, screaming and thrashing in despair.
“Even if you did this to others, you shouldn’t have done this to me!” Even if you betrayed everyone else, you shouldn't have done this to my family! Do you know how much I helped you? How many times has my father come to your aid?!
The woman, who was shaking the iron bars in frustration, suddenly changed her behavior when she saw that the man standing in front of her did not move.
- W-we had a good time together, Ilex. I've always been on your side, haven't I? Do not you remember? Three years ago, when were you trapped here? How I helped you then...
- I remember, Cecelia Clayton.
In response, the man moved elegantly, making sure that her outstretched hands did not touch his leg.
- I remember how disgusting it was.
His voice, echoing through the prison, was alarmingly carefree, belying his words. He was as immaculate as the impeccable clothes he wore.
“You have no idea how many times I had to wash my hands before meeting Tilia.”
The moment that familiar name reached her ears, Cecilia's watery blue eyes flashed with rage. Despite her pitiful state and the appearance of a disheveled beggar in her prison cell, the sheer malice on her face was undeniable.
Damn Tilia Ambrose, that pathetic woman! Even if she were torn into pieces, it wouldn't be enough!
Hearing the name that had made her writhe with jealousy for so long from the lips of the man she loved, Cecilia felt a far greater rage than when her father became a cripple.
- I'm really glad you remember, Cecelia Clayton.
Ilex's indifferent blue-gray eyes slid over her trembling body as if she were nothing more than dirt.
- Thanks to this, your life was saved.
Unlike his father and brother.
A faint smirk played on his lips, causing Cecilia to raise her bloodshot eyes with a furious gleam.
-...I will reveal everything.
Her poisonous blue eyes glowed with eerie madness.
“I will tell you about all the atrocities you committed to take over the name Davenport.” How you got rid of your own blood and pushed them off the cliff!
- Speak!
But her bloody anger barely reached Ilex's ears. It just rushed past him like a fleeting breeze.
- If they believe you, of course. Ah, but you have to choose your words carefully.
Glancing casually at his pocket watch, Ilex responded in an almost dismissive tone.
- I don’t know if anyone will believe you.
- For that matter, I think Tilia Ambrose will believe me.
At these words, Ilex's blue-gray eyes tore away from his watch and stared at her through the iron bars. Feeling his gaze on her, Cecilia curled her lips into a grin, her voice dripping with anger.
- I'll tell her everything. Whatever it takes, I'll make sure she knows. About what you did to your family. No, before - what did you do to her family!
Instinctively, Cecilia knew that she had touched Ilex Davenport's weak spot, that she had just struck his most vulnerable spot.
Cecilia's excitement increased so much that she fidgeted impatiently and screamed.
- Does she know? Does she have any idea how obsessed you are with her? How often do you receive messages about Tilia Ambrose...
- Speak, Cecilia.
With a quiet click, Ilex slammed his pocket watch shut, his voice gentle.
- Say whatever you want.
The dimly lit prison barely contained the encroaching darkness, illuminated only by a single flickering light. When this weak light illuminated Cecilia with its weak radiance, another shadow loomed over her.
- That is...
Feeling the shadow of Ilex Davenport envelop her, Cecilia involuntarily shuddered.
- If you still have a tongue left to speak.
Only then, meeting his murderous gaze, did she realize the full depth of her mistake.
She didn't hit Ilex Davenport's weak spot—she touched his back scales.*
(*P.P. In Asian mythology, there is a legend about the “reverse scales” of a dragon, which is different from other scales and, if touched, causes the wrath of the dragon.)
Tilia Ambrose was not the most fragile part of him, but the thickest and strongest shield.
-...You know what, Ilex Davenport?
But in the end it was Cecilia Clayton who found herself locked behind iron bars. Although she was now a tattered wreck, there was a time when she was called the most dazzling rose of Acansis, revered by the daughter of the Marquis of Clayton.
- Tilia Ambrose despises you.
Just as Ilex Davenport lusted after Tilia Ambrose, Cecilia lusted after him. Just as he wanted to win Tilia's heart, she desperately wanted to have him for herself.
“You went through all this trouble to send her to Ontario, but you didn’t receive a single letter.” To her, you were just a stepping stone to survival. Every time she had to rely on you, she was probably sick to death.
And at that very moment, Cecilia found the perfect words to crush his devotion.
“She already thinks you’re disgusting.” What do you think she will do when she finds out about the terrible things you have done?
If she couldn't have him, she had to destroy him. If he couldn't belong to her, then he shouldn't belong to anyone else.
- You better hide this well, Ilex Davenport.
Cecilia stared at him with bloodshot eyes, muttering something under her breath.
“I hope you can never win her love. I hope Tilia Ambrose leaves you in the end. I hope that, like me, you will eventually go crazy.”
- Otherwise, she will hate you with every fiber of her soul...!
-Your tongue is still too long.
Before she could finish cursing, a gloved hand grabbed her face. Although she knew that the pain that was about to come would be unbearable, Cecilia drooled while smiling.
She was pleased. See the cracks in his mask. The look of despair on his face.
The agony of tearing out his tongue could not compare with the sweetness of this moment.
***
- Clerk Ambrose?
Damn it. Tilia, who had ducked to sneak past, mentally cursed when she heard her name.
The boss was always late - why did she need to come early today?
Despite the irritation bubbling inside her, the face she raised remained calm.
- You're early today, boss.
- What, do you have problems with this?
As expected, the answer was exactly what she expected.
- Come here, Clerk Ambrose.
Suppressing a sigh, Tilia portrayed a sincere unhappiness on her face that did not require any play.
- I apologize.
She didn't make excuses. This would only make the situation worse.
- Why are you late?
But the one who wanted to scold her was clearly determined to hear an explanation. She seemed to have forgotten how, the one time Tilia was late, she had yelled at her for even trying to justify herself.
- Well...
Tilia bit her lip, wondering what excuse to come up with, but in the end, like a person who does not know how to deceive, she admitted the truth.
- I had trouble sleeping last night and overslept. I'm really sorry.
- Clerk Ambrose seems to take his job very lightly. I overslept and was late.
As expected, the swearing continued.
Accustomed to this kind of treatment thanks to her past, Tilia let the words flow as she cautiously looked around the office.
Unlike other institutions, the consulate began its working day at ten in the morning. More than half the tables, arranged in two long rows, were empty, meaning many employees had not yet arrived.
-Where do you think you are looking?
However, Alma Martin, the head of the department that oversees the administrative work of the Ontario Consulate, had a habit of singling out only Tilia Ambrose among all the latecomers.
“Just because you’ve been here for three years, you think you can start ignoring me?” Have you gained the courage to do whatever you want?
- Good morning, boss!
- Oh, yes.
While Tilia, head down, like a criminal caught stealing grain during a famine, listened to the lecture, her colleague Norbert Karel entered the office, greeting her with a disgustingly cheerful voice.
- You're early, clerk Karel!
- Well, if anyone is famous for his diligence, it’s me, chief.
At these words, Alma covered her mouth with her jeweled fingers and let out a sophisticated laugh.
Tilia's eyes, looking at the burning cheeks of the middle-aged woman, became even more like the eyes of a dead fish.