Translator and Editor: Maru and Aki

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Chapter 19

Since that day, the bond between Ravia and Tidwell grew stronger.

At least, on the surface, it seemed like so.

Tidwell genuinely expressed his affection for Ravia, and Ravia responded warmly.

However, what she truly felt was the exact opposite.

‘Why does he keep sticking to me?’

Never in her wildest dream did it occur to her that Tidwell may harbor any feelings for her.

Ravia felt something strange on the day she revealed her innermost thoughts to Tidwell. The next morning, Tidwell started talking to Ravia with a candid smile on his face.

‘Are you doubting me? Do you think I’m up to something bad?’

Ravia, who had no intentions of attempting to do something unnecessary, wrapped a shawl around her shoulder and grimaced.

Fortunately, today was the day of her appointment with Herod, otherwise Ravia would have felt her blood sucked dry by Tidwell.

He acted the same during their tea time a while ago.

-Today, my history teacher praised sister’s intelligence.

In other words, he must’ve been scolded by his teacher.

Ravia’s history teacher was also responsible for the education of the previous emperors. Her teacher always aimed for the best, so the young Ravia used to study through the night to meet his high standards. Even so, Ravia had been scolded many times by him, so there was no way Tidwell wouldn’t get scolded as well.

-My teacher said it was much easier for him to teach you, sister. I often hear about your greatness, but you never fail to amaze me every time.

However, what he told her must have been a warning.

Don’t yearn for the spot of succession.

Tidwell acted as if he truly praised her, saying that he was amazed or the like, but Ravia could see through his lies.

Everything was just an act that was imbued with a subtle warning.

Even though she always reacted positively and praised him back.

‘This tug-of-war should not go on forever.’ Ravia thought as she sneaked out of the residence using the secret passageway.

Fortunately, Letica’s financial problems have been resolved, so the only matter she needs to settle is to get a definite answer from Herod today.

Ravia headed to Velocio Theatre with much determination. Leticia’s stage today was [The Marriage of Figaro].

When she arrived, she saw a man waiting for her in the box seat as if it were natural. When the prelude began, Ravia, who saw the man’s appearance briefly, chuckled.

“Is masquerade the dress code for today?”

“As you can see…” The man wearing a wolf mask shrugged casually.

Ravia burst into laughter at his answer. His brazen side was quite amusing, but Ravia was reminded of the reason she chose him in the first place.

Aside from the fact that there were a limited number of aristocratic bachelors to choose from, she still decided to put her faith in Herod’s character.

Herod wasn’t portrayed in a good light as he was a member of a family that were all criminals. He was someone who laughed at the sight of a dying man, someone who enjoys watching others suffer, and someone who would step on the hands of a man hanging from a cliff. One couldn’t deny that he was also the main character of a 19+ romance novel.

‘He looked gentle on the outside, but…’

Herod was dangerous in a different way compared to Tidwell.

Tidwell, if one could describe, resembled a snake. An enchanting yet dangerous snake that made anyone wary of him. Aside from his beautiful appearance, he had a unique charm that attracted people’s souls. For example, his voice, which reminded one of the abyss.

Just like wild beasts that gave off a bloodcurdling sensation no matter how much you try to hide from them, Tidwell gave off the same imposing and bloody atmosphere.

But Herod was different. He was a lion. A lion with a full stomach.

He was just as dangerous as Tidwell. The only difference is that he looked so friendly on the outside.

A lion that hid its claws and licked its fur when its stomach was full doesn’t look that dangerous, does it?

Some people might even think that it was cute. However, the essence was the same.

He was a beast.

That’s why Ravia chose Herod instead.

‘If it’s him, he wouldn’t die easily in Tidwell’s hands.’

Nor would he let her die during their marriage. Above all, Ravia liked friendly people. Not because she was hungry for affection, but because her nature was more inclined on the friendly side.

‘Herod is only cruel to desperate people.’

As previously stated, Herod enjoys the despair of others. He even stepped on the hands of a man hanging from a cliff. It was such a vicious hobby.

For that reason, he began to get interested in Letica when she was distressed by Tidwell and wanted to get away from him.

Of course, long before that, he was already obsessed with spring users, but that’s when he truly started to fall in love.

He put Leticia into more despair and took full control of her. That’s how Herod showed his love.

‘In other words, as long as I don’t act so desperate, he’ll be kind to me even if it’s just a facade.’

That was enough.

So, Ravia carefully sat next to the masked mask and smiled. The position of the Leontine box seat made her unable to see her surroundings well.

“I should’ve worn a mask, too.”

“Don’t trouble yourself since it’s only the two of us here.”

The man’s answer was gentle, but it sparkled Ravia’s curiosity.

‘Did his voice always sound like this?’

His voice was as low as Tidwell’s before, but now it has a slightly higher pitch. Is it really him?

Ravia quietly glanced at the man.

I think his appearance is the same, but I’m not too sure because I’ve never seen his face clearly.

‘I’d better check it now.’

It’s quite unlikely that he’s Tidwell, and I don’t think Herod sent his substitute instead….. Even so, I have to check just in case.

Ravia smiled and gently opened her mouth.

“The play will start soon, so why don’t you take off your mask?”

Despite the blatant pressure to take off the mask, the man remained calm.

“It’s just for confirmation. It’ll be nice if you can do that.”

If he was Herod’s substitute, he might’ve hesitated for a moment, but the man took off his mask right away.

Red hair and red eyes. A slightly relaxed yet sharp face.

His dark red eyes turned toward Ravia, followed by his low voice and soft smile.

“Are you satisfied now?”

“…Yes, that’s enough.”

“Alright, the play is about to start.” He said, and put on his mask again.

Therefore, it was only for a short time that his face was exposed. But, at the same time, it was enough for her to recognize his distinct features.

‘He’s not as handsome as I thought.’

The novel stated that Herod’s beauty was extraordinary. I think the man he sent last time is more handsome…. Is it because of the writer’s taste?

Ravia tilted her head, and was lost in thought until the man next to her gave her the spectator glasses.

In any case, it was true that he was handsome, and even if he was just a substitute of his, all she had to do was make sure the contract was signed.

‘It’ll be okay.’

At that thought, Ravia used the spectator glasses and shook off her thoughts. Just as he said, the play was about to start.

But because of that, she didn’t notice the presence of a man watching the two of them as if it was absurd from a distance.

Another man with red hair and red eyes.

Herod let out a crooked smile.

“…What the hell was that?”

What are you doing?

***

One day, Herod noticed something strange.

Tidwell, who ran out in such a mess yesterday, somehow came back today with a much better complexion and held out his palm towards him out of the blue.

“Compensate me.”

It was the palm that touched Herod’s shoulder yesterday. Herod’s ability also caused the surface of his palm to suffer a couple of burns. Of course, they were caused by Tidwell’s impulse, but Herod opened his wallet nevertheless because he knew if Tidwell hadn’t done so, Herod would have lost control and gone on a rampage.

“How much? Do you want me to hand over Seirin Street?”

“I don’t think you can heal both my wounded heart and palm with only that much money.”

“Damn it. I was aiming for a cheaper price.”

“Those earrings, let me borrow them for a month or so.”

“Earrings?”

“The pair of earrings that’s a magical tool.”

What Tidwell requested were earrings that could change one’s appearance, which Herod received from a past summer user.

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