Chapter 90

unedited

“Would someone who was worried about that rush for a taste of my blood?”

What’s the point of saying that now?

It wasn’t that he had bit me once or twice, so it was amusing that he was thinking of me being in danger when I even assured him that I’d give him hot if he were ever to lose his senses.

I playfully teased him and prodded his cheek. I’d rather see him get angry than have an expressionless face.

However, rather than being annoyed, Sihael forced his head into my hand.

“Please hit me again.”

Liliana’s story must have shocked him. He was even telling me to hit him again. Instead of hitting him with my knuckles, I ruffled his hair.

“I already scolded you a lot earlier, so I’ll let you go. Instead, get along with Liliana. I want you to get along with her.”

Aside from the purpose of connecting the two, Liliana was someone I wanted him to get close to as a human.

“It’s not that I hate the mage. But I have no intention of getting any more close to anyone. That would be the same for the mage.”

That’s right. Though they didn’t talk long, I knew for sure that if Liliana was a monster or a demon, it would have made his teeth tremble from anger. Sihael was cursed now, so he was treating her generously; otherwise, he would have killed her without remorse.

‘In terms of likability, wouldn’t I be higher than Sihael?’

No, I’m definitely higher. I arranged all the jewelries in Rosetta’s jewelry box.

“I don’t care whether you want to be close to her. But don’t force me to get along with her.”

Though he said it in a pleasant voice, it was tinged with a clear warning. I pushed him too far out of impatience, which backfired.

“Okay?”

I couldn’t help but nod quietly at the tail, brushing my cheek as though seeking for an answer.

‘It’s going to be troublesome if he gets irritated and erupts in anger, so I’ll have to make sure they get to know each other first.’

Just when I was revising the plan of bringing the two leads closer,

Bang!

The door flew open.

Sihael and I, who had been lazing together, were on alert one step late.

“My Lady!”

However, it was Nanabi who appeared nervously.

“Nanabi? What’s the matter with your face? ”

Could she have been hurt by the empress? As I approached, surprised by her messy appearance as if she had rolled on the floor, Nanabi grabbed my shoulder.

“That’s not a problem. Did you happen to find anything strange at today’s banquet?”

Her rapid, impatient breathing made my heart race, so I searched my memory.

‘There was nothing in particular.’

The only strange thing was the man who came out as Sihael’s substitute.

I said with confidence, “No, I didn’t.”

Nanabi did not relax her furrowed eyebrows. The atmosphere that had suddenly subsided was unusual.

“Nanabi, what’s the problem?”

“…… Your Highness, can you speak? Did you drink Her Ladyship’s blood?”

“That’s not important. Why are you asking about what happened to Rosetta?”

At the urging of Sihael, Nanabi silently took something out of her arms and held it before us.

It was a blackened mana stone.

“It’s alright. Liliana Manu already told us about it.”

“Then have you seen this, too?”

The second gem she took out was as red as blood.

“No, it’s my first time seeing it.”

Nanabi stared at the jewels with cold eyes.

“If the black stone is a mana stone that makes your mana run wild, then this is a mana stone that suppresses the deluge magic.”

Suppress a mana deluge? No way! It’s like someone expected this to happen…

“There’s someone who joined hands with the empress.”

I raised my head in surprise at the voice that pierced my ears. I could see Sihael’s eyes filled with confidence, not doubt.

‘Yes, Sihael is right.’

The unknown entity had joined hands with Empress and protected themselves with the jewel that Nanabi was carrying.

It was a ploy aimed only at Sihael.

“There’s a demon in this palace.”

“It’s probably a high-level monster, or close to a demon.”

What was the Empress thinking by bringing a monster to the imperial palace? What was she trying to do with Sihael this time?

I bit my lip at the empress’ relentless attacks, trying to harm Sihael at every step. Nanabi, who misunderstood my behavior as anxiety about my rare blood, warned me.

“Be careful, My Lady. No matter whether you have anything to do with this situation or not, the monster might be drawn to your blood.”

When I was told to go home as soon as possible, I nodded my head.

*  *  *

“My Lady, would you be really okay?”

“Yes, my home’s just around the corner. It’s okay because I have this.”

I knocked on the necklace, dissuading Nanabi’s request to drop me home. I was wearing a necklace with a defense magic spell and earrings with attack magic spell, so I just had to use them and run away.

“And it’s dangerous to leave Sihael alone behind.”

It was after all a short distance of about five minutes on foot, so it was enough if I hurried back quickly.

“Your Highness, then I’ll be going.”

“Go back carefully.”

I closed the door after bidding farewell to Sihael.

‘What kind of trouble is this because of the empress.’

Rather than being afraid of monsters hiding among people, I was more anxious about the empress’ persistent repulsive behavior until the end.