"So? Are you prepared to take on her training, or do you remain... uncertain?"
Philip swallowed, his throat dry as parchment. Anthony's head hung in the balance. But the expense... The cost of proper tuition was truly staggering. And it wasn't merely the price. Finding a suitable teacher presented its own nightmare. Tutors renowned for their skills were in desperate demand among aristocratic families—especially with the entrance examinations only a few months away.
Time was bleeding out.
"Are you offering your assistance?" Philip's face betrayed his temptation. With the support of House Benvito, everything would become infinitely easier.
Calix lowered his gaze to Asella. Her eyes were wide beneath the veil, shimmering with desperate hope.
"You could say that."
"...?"
The man's cold features softened—though only those who knew the prince intimately would have noticed the subtle shift.
"Do you wish to take your sister with you?"
Asella's heart plummeted into her stomach. She nearly screamed.
_No!_
But mercifully, she managed to restrain herself. Thank the heavens her face remained hidden beneath the veil.
_Mariel!_
Asella couldn't control her expression. She trembled so violently that her teeth began to chatter. It felt as though even her bones were clenching with terror. A dying cough echoed through her memory, and her mother's final words flooded her consciousness.
_"Benvito... take care... of him... Promise me... Calix Benvito... Promise me you'll survive... and protect Mariel..."_
Her mother's dying request. But none of these promises could be kept.
She was married to Calix Benvito now—completely within his power. And Mariel remained in Philip's grasp. *You mustn't take Mariel with you. Calix will certainly kill her.*
But now... if she left and Mariel stayed in Philip's hands... Yet Calix was even more dangerous. Her mind spun wildly, unable to choose. Her head swam with vertigo. She felt as though she had tumbled directly into the devil's jaws.
_Come to your senses, Asella!_
With immense effort, she clawed her way back to clarity. She had to protect Mariel at all costs—even if it meant her own life. Asella struggled desperately to find the right words...
"This is unacceptable!" Philip suddenly cried out.
He *needed* Mariel. Without her, he couldn't blackmail Asella. This woman could fulfill any demand he made—as Grand Duchess—if he held Mariel hostage. Regardless of the fact that Asella and Mariel were the only siblings they had, Philip remained the girl's legal guardian.
"Please don't trouble yourself, Your Highness. I'll do everything in my power to ensure Mariel successfully passes her Academy examinations—"
"You're testing my patience," Calix snapped. The man's face reflected both boredom and sharp irritation. "No one asked *you*."
Philip's expression crumbled at words that contained not a shred of courtesy. He suddenly became acutely aware that Benvito's escort still had their weapons drawn. And the moment their master spoke the word...
Meanwhile, Calix turned to Asella and fixed her with an intent gaze.
"Asella. Tell me. What do *you* want?"
Confusion swirled in her eyes.
_You killed my mother. I have proof. A button bearing the Benvito coat of arms, stained with her blood. The dying woman placed it in my hands herself. You are guilty of the death of the person closest to me. Why do you need my sister?_
But he had been only fifteen years old then. Why would he have done it? And how? She had struggled to believe it for so long.
However, three years later, Grand Duke Benvito—Calix's father—had died under mysterious circumstances. Calix Benvito, assuming the reins of power as a young man, had ruthlessly eliminated the Empire's enemies, playing a decisive role in their ultimate victory.
Doubts had crystallized into certainty.
_I cannot take Mariel with me._
Having reached her decision, Asella finally spoke.
"Your Highness, I appreciate your generous offer. But—"
"Asella." The prince interrupted as though he had already anticipated her answer. "You should take your sister with you. You haven't been together for far too long. If it pleases you, I'll place her chambers beside your own."
_He's trying to convince me. Why?_
His persistence only heightened her suspicions. A chill slithered through Asella's body.
"Trust me." His voice was terrifyingly calm. "Mariel Charts is better off with you."
That measured tone frightened her even more. *What should I do? I cannot defy Calix Benvito. But to bring Mariel to such a dangerous place?*
Asella bit her lip until she tasted copper, consumed by bitter regret. She should never have mentioned Mariel's name. She had wanted to give her sister wings—instead, she had built her a cage. Her heart ached unbearably with belated remorse.
Suddenly, a sweet, unfamiliar scent filled her nostrils. Warmth brushed against her lips.
"You don't need to bite so hard."
Before she could process what was happening, his fingers touched her lips with unexpected gentleness.
"Are you worried about your sister's safety?"
Asella, trembling from head to toe, finally managed a slow nod. Still hesitant to open her eyes, she heard Calix release a soft sigh. Due to her short stature, he could see only the crown of her silver head.
"There's no need to worry so much. I don't know what troubles you so deeply. But I promise—Mariel Charts will be safe with you."
"Why would you make such a promise?" Her eyes slowly opened, fixing him with a questioning stare.
He felt his throat constrict unexpectedly. His mouth went suddenly dry.
"Because from this day forward, you bear my name."
For reasons she couldn't explain, she wanted to believe his sincerity. Perhaps it was his expression? Should she trust his words?
But even if she didn't—would everything truly be safer if Mariel stayed with Philip?
The thought struck her like lightning. *If Calix Benvito decides to kill Mariel Charts, her location won't matter.* She simply had to hold out until her sister was sent to the Academy. Only a few months remained before the examinations. *If I can survive that long...*
Asella finally reached her decision.
"Promise me you will keep your word."
"Will you believe my promise?"
"I will."
"Then only one matter remains." The man's gaze turned glacial once more as it settled upon Anthony.
---
"Ask for forgiveness."
"What?" Anthony's swollen face contorted with confusion.
"Is it not appropriate to ask forgiveness when one makes a mistake?"
"I'm very sorry, Your Highness," Anthony stammered hastily.
"Still haven't come to your senses?" Calix approached with deliberate steps, drawing his weapon from its sheath with a threatening whisper of steel.
"What? Why?" Anthony blanched.
"I'm not the one who requires your apology."
"But to whom—" Anthony's frantic gaze darted around the corridor before finally settling on Asella.
"But why... wasn't it enough that you decided to send Mariel to the Academy?" Anthony whined, as though he were the victim of some grave injustice.
"So you refuse?" Calix's cold eyes flashed with dangerous light.
Suddenly Anthony's chin began to tremble violently, and the hair on his arms stood on end.
"Forgive me!" he cried. "Forgive me! Please—*forgive me*..." He was significantly shorter than Calix, so he lifted his battered face obsequiously, shaking like an aspen leaf in a storm.
"On your knees," Calix commanded.
"What?" Anthony froze, utterly stunned.
*Kneel before this worthless girl?* That was impossible! *She* was the one who should be crawling on her knees before *him*.
"Are you deaf? You were ordered to kneel."
Anthony's face flushed crimson with humiliation. But the moment he met Calix's gaze, his legs buckled beneath him of their own accord. He looked desperately toward his father, clutching at his last remaining hope.
But Philip merely shook his head.
"You have no choice."
The reality of his situation finally crashed down upon Anthony. His legs bent with agonizing difficulty, and his body sank heavily to the cold floor.
"I'm sorry, Asella," he said through trembling lips. "I was so angry. You simply... got in the way."
He spoke in a rush, desperate to conclude this humiliation as quickly as possible.
"Lower."
The tip of the sword flashed before his nose and came to rest between his splayed palms.
Anthony's eyes darted wildly before settling on the blade. His own face—frozen in shock—was reflected in the polished steel surface.
"Who permitted you to so casually omit my wife's title?"
Anthony swallowed hard. A primal fear seized the back of his skull. Pride, anger, and dignity retreated in the face of death. Now, only the raw instinct for self-preservation spoke through the man.
"Forgive me, Your Highness! Grand Duchess!"
But there was no answer.
He carefully raised his head. Asella stood motionless, frozen like a marble statue upon the stone floor. He glanced toward the Archduke again and, horrified by that menacing grin, immediately dropped his head once more—his forehead striking the floor with a sharp crack.
"I beg you! Forgive me, Your Highness! *Spare me!*"
---
When the incident was finally resolved and Asella had nodded her forgiveness, Calix wrapped his arm around her waist and began to lead her away. The assembled nobles stepped aside respectfully, parting to make way for the newlyweds. As Asella and Calix Benvito strolled leisurely down the wide corridor, not a single person in the room dared even breathe.
"I beg your pardon," Philip hastily announced, requesting the guests' understanding as he declared the banquet concluded.
Servants arrived and helped Anthony to his feet, then dragged him away—supporting his limp form beneath the arms. It had been a truly disgraceful reception. That was the conclusion reached by every guest without exception.
"I have never witnessed anything like this before."
"Did you see how furious His Highness was?"
"Such horror."
"Do you think this will be in tomorrow's papers?"
"Undoubtedly."
"The fact that the wife of the Grand Duke himself was treated so horribly in this house... Of course, by tomorrow, every last person in the Empire will know."
---
A disdainful smirk curved across the Archduke's lips as he entered what was supposedly Asella's bedroom.
_Do they truly believe one can spend a wedding night here?_
Rebecca's former room was the most luxurious in the Charts mansion—it couldn't begin to compare with Asella's true quarters, which contained nothing but a creaking bed, a worn desk, and an ancient vanity. Even the curtains and carpets had been hastily updated for tonight.
However, Calix's lip curled with displeasure. After all, this man possessed wealth that rivaled the Emperor's own. Asella couldn't even begin to imagine how impressive his castle would be.
The girl lowered her head, uncertain what to say in response. Awkwardness settled over her like a heavy cloak.
_Does he truly intend to spend the night with me? Why?_
The arms that still encircled her suddenly felt like iron shackles—impossible to break.
"Raizen."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"We leave today."
Asella raised her head in surprise. "Now?"
The prince lifted her veil slightly. "You don't wish to?"
Asella considered the question. What difference did it make when they departed? If he disliked this place, it was better to accommodate his wishes. But she was worried about Mariel—her sister probably wasn't ready yet.
Finally, it occurred to Asella that she hadn't seen Mariel all day. Her sister had attended the ceremony, after all. The younger girl must have been waiting constantly for her older sister to acknowledge her.
But Asella had been too consumed by fear and tension to think of anything else. That was a poor excuse. Her heart sank beneath a wave of guilt. Only now did she fully realize how fortunate she and her sister were to be leaving together.
"I think you and your sister need time to prepare."
"You'll wait?" Asella's mouth fell open at the prince's unexpectedly gentle concession. "Thank you! Your Highness."
Calix's eyes narrowed at her surprisingly intense reaction. *What is wrong with this woman? How else could I have acted? Who does she think I am?*
"It's only right that I give you time."
The girl's eyes widened with surprise once more. And Calix found himself feeling even stranger.
"Still... thank you." Asella nodded slightly before slipping through the open door.
For reasons he couldn't quite name, the man stood rooted in place—unable to tear his eyes away from her retreating figure until she vanished completely into the corridor's depths.
---
Asella stopped before the tightly closed door, catching her breath. Just as she was about to knock, it swung open on its own.
"Sister!" Mariel threw herself joyfully into her arms.
"Mariel!" Asella's face lit up with pure happiness. The girl gazed up at her with large, sparkling eyes. "How did you know?"
"Somehow I just *knew* my sister would come soon. I missed you so much!"
Asella gently stroked the girl's soft hair. They hadn't seen each other for so long—despite living under the same roof. By Philip's orders, they had been forbidden from being together all this time. Asella had visited the mansion more frequently than usual during the wedding preparations, but all her attempts to even encounter Mariel by chance had been mercilessly thwarted by the servants.
"But sister... why are you wearing a veil?"
"Don't worry about it."
However, Mariel's expression suddenly turned grave.
"Did His Highness hit you?"
"No, Mariel."
"Then Father?" The child's eyes reddened instantly. She bit her lip, fighting desperately to hold back tears. "Let's go inside."
She grasped Asella's hand and pulled her gently into her room.
_She's so sensitive._
Asella's heart clenched painfully as she thought about what the future might hold for her precious little sister.