“So, if you don’t have a sister, do you have a cousin with red hair and a face like yours?”
cough, cough,
The cough kept coming out of me.
After I coughed for a while, I asked, unable to hide my red face:
“What exactly do you want to ask?”
It wasn't much different than usual.
Cold looks devoid of warmth, the ones he looks at me during the day.
And a frozen face, colder than usual, as if he clearly remembered what happened the last time.
'But why does he ask such questions?'
While my heart was beating so hard that I felt it ringing in my ears, Casey said indifferently:
"You seem very sensitive.
Is this a question you shouldn't ask?"
How am I supposed to respond to this?
Why does he ask such questions!
'Did he see something inside the gate?
Is he… testing me now?'
I felt dizzy for a moment.
My heart was beating as if it was going to explode, I wanted to scream.
For a moment, I was stunned, but my will to stay was strong.
'I can't be found out like this.
I have to do something.
I have to say something.'
The system window did not show any warning and did not control my body, but I opened my mouth.
Cold words fit for Duchess Ariel flowed from my open lips.
“Even if I am Your Majesty, doesn’t your question carry a lot of doubts?”
“What do you mean?”
I laughed sarcastically, and raised my eyebrows as if I was upset.
Then I gathered all my strength to prevent myf from shaking and began to counterattack.
“I am the sole heiress of Duke Ariel’s family.
This is something that all the people of the empire know.
So why do you suddenly ask about me having a sister, are you trying to mock me?”
Perhaps Casey was trying, uncharacteristically, to say something confusing.
But I was faster.
“Or are you now doubting my abilities as the head of Duke Ariel’s family?
Is it because you think I tried to harm your precious brother?”
Come on, how are you going to respond now?
Say something.
When I thought about the recent events, I didn't want to lower my head, so I lashed out.
Our cold gazes collided.
At that moment, Caisis suddenly grabbed the report she had provided earlier.
And he shook it.
“This is the report you brought, isn’t it?
The urgent order you issued is to bring the Emperor’s guide.”
I swallowed my saliva.
Why is he talking about this now?
The wizards, and perhaps the Emperor's knights as well, are actively searching for the Emperor's partner.
Casey, as per our agreement, did not share anything suspicious about the woman who visited him every night with anyone.
In other words, many clever people are still wasting their time today.
Including me.
“Even a talented duchess like you couldn’t find the Emperor’s mentor.”
I don't know what he's trying to say, but I've had a bad feeling ever since I entered the reception hall.
“And you still can't even hold the end of the thread.”
I couldn't shake the look of suspicion that he had noticed something.
'If he knew the truth.'
If he knew that I, who was looking at him with angry looks, was the same partner at night.
'Maybe he might throw up.'
He will show a disbelieving expression, get angry, or deny it.
I always laughed at this fact inside.
But why, at this moment, did I feel so bitter about this contradiction?
Although I know that this kind treatment he shows only to his compatible partner is just an illusion.
'That's the difference.'
Very clear.
“How am I supposed to accept the Duchess’s impotence?”
I said with a cold expression on my face:
“The evidence is very scanty.
You should know that asking Your Majesty to find her in this way is sheer impudence.”
“Yes, the evidence is scant.
Is that the problem?”
“Yes.
The person who suddenly appeared in the banquet hall, treated Your Majesty and disappeared, is full of strangeness.”
"strange?"
“Yes.
Since the only witness is Your Majesty, you shouldn’t ask me to confirm it.”
Then Casey said:
“So.”
"Yes?"
“If there was more evidence, would that be enough?”
The Emperor, who seemed to be smiling softly, urged me to speak
“Why don't you answer?”
Because, you idiot, I feel like I got hit in the head!
‘This man intends to break our agreement and betray me.’
I felt really uneasy about feeling betrayed.
This has been my secret refuge all this time.
Didn't we say it was a deal between us?
We talked frankly.
Didn't he promise me not to reveal me?
He promised not to tell anyone...
And now, he intends to reveal everything like this?
“My partner.”
I clenched my fist tightly.
What will he say?
Is it because of his suspicions that he intends to tell the knights and wizards about me who comes to him at night?
“My companion is a light woman.”
Yes, light...
What, you bastard?
I held back my anger, and looked at Casey with burning eyes.
He was the only comfortable person in this room.
“Her accent is rude.”
Ah, okay.
I'm sorry my tone is rude.
“And her actions are bold.”
Because I am not from the world of class society!
“As if she was not of this world.”
Here I could not be sarcastic.
“Her clothes are elegant, and the condition of her hair and skin are very excellent.
She looks like a lady from a noble family who is well taken care of.
And yet, she has such an attitude.”
My heart sank.
“Isn't this strange?”
I didn't know what to say.
My standing silently in this way seemed as if I was scolding him for his irrational words.
“As if it fell from the sky.”
Casey looked at me with an incomprehensible expression.
“Of course, it can't be like that, but it's so strange.”
A shiver ran through my body.
Even though I was talking about myf carelessly, I knew that he was listening and remembering all my words.
'I didn't know he would analyze me to this extent.'
I trusted the system too much.
I knew he was a cruel man who tried to remember everything and even planted a magic stone in his hand.
'I've talked a lot.'
And what was most terrifying was not this.
“Why are you telling me?”
The man who looks at me with piercing eyes.
The meaning of those looks.
“Why do you tell me such things?”
What did you put your trust in... in me?
Not in your knights, nor in your loyal followers whom you call your right and left arms, but in me, your enemy.
Why am I the same?
What do you trust in me?
“You heard about it, didn't you?
That I was dragged into the gate.”
I was worried that my face would look pale now.
If I could see a mirror.
If I could make sure that I put on the mask of the cold and solemn Duchess well, I would feel relieved.
“I almost died.”
I knew better.
“And my partner saved me.
She was definitely inside the gate.”
Caesis rose from the emperor's chair, the high throne from which I must raise my head to look.
Fortunately, he didn't come near me.
“You witches call us monsters.
I know that you also hate and despise me.
And I am no different from you.
I hate witches.”
Why is he saying this now?
“But it was different.”
Why does he say such things?
“By holding her hand and taking one breath, all the pain disappears.”
Words he shouldn't say to me.
“Since the moment I realized my power when I was born, I have never felt comfortable breathing.”
I blinked slowly.
“She saved me.
With a boldness I don’t know where she got it from.
She was even willing to risk her life by jumping into the gate.
Always.
But, Duchess...”
Our eyes met.
“I saw.”
His blue eyes were piercing me.
“A face like yours.”
He pointed at me with his white fingers.
“And red hair like yours.”
And finally, to my eyes.
“And sparkling golden eyes.”
He pointed at me like an arrow.
“So, Duchess…..what do you think about this?”