MHR 18

Chapter 18

Duke Lakten’s ambitions went beyond trying to grasp the empire in his hand—he wanted to live forever, young and healthy.

The grimoire of Lochten, which contained the method for that, could only have its seal broken using the blood of a pure-blooded Lochten with abilities.

But since he believed all the Lochtens had been killed, he could do nothing but lament.

Demon withdrew his hand from the table and surveyed his surroundings.

“Then the grimoire should be somewhere nearby.”

He knelt and pressed his hands to the floor. A fleeting image of maids chattering as they diligently rubbed melted candle wax crossed his mind and vanished.

Erasing these useless images, he thoroughly scanned the floor, but felt nothing of the grimoire’s power.

As he stood and gripped the window frame, the curtain shifted slightly.

Through the gap, he saw maids approaching Clarissa, who was standing in the garden.

“It’s not poison, it’s an aphrodisiac. If she runs at any man, it’ll be hilarious. Hohoho.”

He even saw the maid making that comment.

Demon clenched his fists.

Clarissa was already more beautiful than a single flower today.

Every time her golden hair fluttered in the cool breeze, his chest stirred.

He had danced with her only to appear kind in front of Duke Lakten.

Yet, when he held her waist and surrendered to the stringed instruments, the moment her flushed cheeks brushed his own, irritatingly, his heart throbbed.

A woman who meant nothing to him was holding and shaking his heart.

He thought to dismiss it as a momentary desire. He had no intention of being swayed by such pitiful feelings.

So even if Clarissa went wild after taking the aphrodisiac… it didn’t matter.

Even if she were confined to her room afterward, never able to go out again, it wouldn’t be a major problem.

Perhaps it was even for the best. Her recent habit of getting under his skin would finally be curtailed.

And if she caused a commotion, Duke Lakten would stay far away from the bedroom, too.

Yet, for some reason… Demon couldn’t focus on finding the grimoire.

“The grimoire is right within reach…”

Frederick was standing diagonally behind Clarissa, clearly looking for another chance to flirt with her.

“Damn it!”

A low curse slipped from Demon’s lips.

After Demon had gone into the mansion, a commotion broke out in the spring garden.

Prince Valentine had arrived.

At Duke Lakten’s urging, everyone moved to the garden entrance to greet him. Late, Aileen came out of the mansion holding a floral necklace.

‘My dress color clashes with hers?’

At the palace tea party, Aileen had chosen a white dress, so I had worn pink to avoid overlap.

But today, Aileen wore a deep pink dress.

My dress was a lighter shade, but it still bothered me. Aileen had scolded me many times for trying to follow her.

Fortunately, she seemed determined to act modest today. She walked gracefully toward the palace carriage.

The crowd made a path on either side, and Aileen came to a stop right in front of the carriage.

The door opened, and Valentine appeared, dressed in a white royal uniform.

‘Oh!’

The soft, warm impression of his white attire was accentuated.

“Your Highness, Prince Valentine! I sincerely congratulate you on your engagement with Aileen of the Lakten family.”

“Congratulations, Your Highness!”

The nobles’ excessive congratulations continued, all trying to make a good impression on Valentine and Aileen.

At the edge of the crowd, I stood quietly, bowing slightly to Valentine.

“I’ll give my congratulations at the engagement ceremony.”

Valentine spoke as if throwing cold water, then took the floral necklace from Aileen’s hand.

“Shall we go, Princess Aileen?”

“…Yes.”

Valentine held the bouquet carelessly and led the way, making Aileen’s face turn bright red with anger.

Some flowers from the Bode Malin necklace, a symbol of fertility and abundance, fell to the ground.

Valentine, looking tired, moved under the canopy, and Aileen had no choice but to follow.

The atmosphere turned awkward, and the rest returned to their places.

‘Why hasn’t Demon arrived yet?’

Aileen kept glancing at me with a displeased expression.

Seeing Aileen openly display her dislike, even the elderly lady at our table moved elsewhere.

Alone at the round table, I actually felt quite comfortable. I leisurely chewed the cookies for guests.

The Lakten mansion turned out to be excellent for cookies—savory with a perfect sweet-salty balance.

Because previous house mistresses hadn’t cared for the household, Clarissa had handled everything before marriage.

Although it wasn’t in the original, I had memories of Clarissa developing cookie recipes, which explained why they suited my taste.

‘After divorce, I could sell these cookies and become wealthy.’

While thinking that, Aileen’s maids approached.

Three of them, likely scheming something strange again, walked toward me. I secretly felt a thrill.

‘This might be a perfect opportunity.’

If Demon had told me to stay put, any mischief could lead to an immediate divorce on the spot.

‘Oh, yes!’

I waited with a tingle of anticipation as the maids approached.

“Long time no see, Clarissa. You look really pretty today.”

“Indeed. The honeymoon period is over, so what’s got you so cheerful?”

“By the way, Clarissa, why don’t you come to social gatherings? We were childhood friends, remember?”

Aileen’s maids sat to either side and across from me, chattering.

“Princess Aileen told you to come, didn’t she? Which one of you is planning to slap me, or spill wine on my dress? Fioretta… are you hiding scissors inside your sleeve?”

I carefully scanned the three maids, stopping at Fioretta’s hands on my left.

Clearly, she was hiding something inside the lace of her dress that covered her hands.

‘I won’t be an easy target!’

They had hit me, poured water on my head, cut my hair countless times.

Yet, having never resisted, they had always considered me insignificant, like a bug underfoot.

“Clarissa, aren’t you being too twisted over childish pranks? Why think I have scissors?”

Fioretta showed her empty hand. Had I misseen it? It looked like she was holding something.

Evelyn on my left, sensing my suspicion, said disappointedly,

“Yes, we came to become friends with you.”

“We just came to chat after a long time.”

Evelyn handed me champagne from a passing servant.

“To reconcile, shall we toast?”

The other maids also took glasses. I was parched after eating so many cookies.

I gulped down the champagne.

“Oh my, Clarissa. You must’ve been thirsty. Hohoho.”

Evelyn called the servant back to place another glass in front of me.

Then, Caslet, in front of me, pointed toward the canopy where Valentine and Aileen were seated.

“It seems the two will dance.”

“Oh, look at that. Clarissa, look.”

I looked apathetically at Valentine and Aileen walking out from under the canopy, about to dance.

Then it hit me.

‘I was distracted—they might do something weird to me!’

I quickly shifted my gaze. Luckily, my hair and dress were fine.

Feeling awkward, I raised the champagne to my lips.

Then,

“Madam.”

Demon gently took my hand. Shocked, I dropped the glass.

“De-Demon?”

Though he held my wrist tenderly, his eyes were fierce, full of contempt, irritation, and barely restrained anger.

It seemed he had attempted his important task, but it hadn’t gone well. Fearing I’d become the target of his frustration, I lowered my eyes and quietly said,

“I was wondering why you weren’t here. I’ve been waiting, darling.”

“Stand up, Clarissa.”

I felt as though I could hear Demon’s voice saying, Don’t associate with these idiots, geez!

Though I hadn’t called him, I didn’t want to provoke his temper.

When I rose, Demon pulled me close to his side.

Then, in a chillingly low voice, he said to the maids,

“I will remember your faces and names.”

“Baron Craig, are you planning to give us gifts for remembering? Actually, none of us dared approach Clarissa, so we showed sympathy.”

“Indeed. At a party celebrating Princess Aileen’s engagement, we couldn’t openly ostracize Clarissa, as she had been her maid before marriage.”

“But you know? It wasn’t because of marriage that she couldn’t be Aileen’s maid—it was because she stole something.”

“If Princess Aileen hadn’t let it slide, even you, Baron, would’ve been publicly humiliated.”

They chattered, falsely accusing her of theft.

Demon simply sighed and looked up at the tree right behind the table.

At that moment, something fell on the maids’ heads.

“Ugh, what is this? Bird droppings?”

“Squawk! Are the birds crazy? My hair is hot from bird poop.”

“Ptooey. It hit me square on the forehead.”

Birds didn’t suddenly all feel the urge to relieve themselves.

I looked up at Demon, who was holding me tight.

‘This ability is a level above even speaking with animals.’

I could control animals, but not enough to make birds relieve themselves simultaneously.

Wow. Jealous!

He had taken revenge by letting the birds target those who had been malicious.

I felt a small joy that he had avenged me. I smiled and wrapped my arms around his waist.

For Demon, pretending to be gentle, I thought I should at least do this.

“I left the engagement gift in the carriage. Shall we walk together to it?”

“Sure.”

Demon walked toward the path leading out of the garden.

‘Isn’t this the wrong side for the carriage?’

As we moved away from the crowd, to a secluded place where the strings were no longer audible, he suddenly shoved me.

“Enough of this!”

I tripped on a stone and fell hard. The pain wasn’t the worst—it was the shock and humiliation of being treated with disdain, even after he had taken revenge on my behalf.

“W-why are you doing this all of a sudden?”

“You were told to stay put! Not to irritate me!”

He bent over and grabbed my chin fiercely, unleashing his anger.

Because he hadn’t controlled his strength, my jaw tilted with every word.

I felt wronged. What had I done? I danced when he suggested, and sat quietly eating cookies when told to.

I couldn’t just drive away Aileen’s maids—they had family on their side. If I insulted them, their fathers, brothers, or husbands would punish me.

I had been glad Demon was my ally, but now… he looked at me with complete contempt.

“You think I would… give up the grimoire for someone like you?”

He released my chin and roughly brushed his hair back. His black hair, perfectly combed, became disheveled. His mind seemed as tangled as his hair.

“Go home, Clarissa.”

“I haven’t even properly greeted Prince Valentine yet…”

“Shut up, Clarissa! You’re bothersome and annoying to the point of driving me mad.”

Thunder rumbled. Rain began to fall.

Soon, heavy rain poured. Demon looked utterly despondent, not even noticing he was getting wet.

“If you can’t live like the dead, I’ll make it so with my own hands.”

Spitting threats as if fed up, Demon spun around. Watching him head toward the mansion, I shot up.

If I chased after him now and asked for a divorce, would he accept willingly? Or would he actually try to kill me?