Chapter 72
“Does Del Rose not enjoy admiring the scenery?”
The Grand Duchess’s keen eye could not be fooled, even by the gentlest smile. Theogrim raised his teacup without offering an excuse, covering his lips.
“Perhaps it’s just because I see it every day.”
“…I find it beautiful. I love it. Everything that breathes over there. The grass, the trees, the swaying flowers. All the small lives that live by the providence of the gods.”
“My.”
Daphne clasped her delicate hands together and let out an admiring sigh. Her expression looked moved by Theogrim’s picturesque holiness, though a trace of mischief could also be seen.
Theogrim continued calmly. He seemed unfazed by either the Grand Duchess’s admiration or her playfulness.
“And I think of the loathsome insects crawling through the marshes, the criminals hiding away in the harsh forests, the poor and lowly who cry hidden in the shadows of that lake.”
“……”
“They are all part of the scenery.”
Theogrim smiled. It was the same nearly perfect smile Daphne had seen countless times since arriving in this domain—one that, despite the repetition, she could never grow used to.
The people weren’t wrong. If angels existed—if God Himself had sculpted the form of an angel—it would undoubtedly look like this young man. No matter how cold-hearted or blasphemous one might be, meeting Theogrim in person would change their mind.
His grace and beauty were proof enough of the existence of God.
“How could I not love it? Please, Your Grace, take in the sight to your heart’s content.”
“…My noble betrothed does enjoy weaving thorns into his words.”
“Would it be sharper than the blade Your Grace planted in your heart? You covet the lord while being betrothed to me.”
“Indeed. That’s why we suit each other so well, isn’t it?”
Daphne smiled sweetly. To avoid interrupting the picture-perfect couple, the attendants had politely stationed themselves at a distance.
“So then, beyond that lake—is ‘it’ there?”
The two shared their conversation with perfect grace. As long as no one listened too closely.
The lovely and dignified smiles exchanged between the well-bred, elegant young couple brought a sense of contentment to the attendants standing far away.
“…That’s correct.”
“The bulbs you sent arrived well. The quality keeps improving.”
“They’re very difficult plants to handle. If you can even call them plants… In how greedily they devour blood, they’re more like vampires.”
“Or maggots feeding on corpses. Don’t you think so?”
Daphne smiled sweetly once again.
“Perhaps they really are.”
“……”
“They do start eating away at the weakest, most rotten flesh of humans, after all.”
Theogrim nodded slightly, eyes narrowing. He felt far more at ease now, when Daphne revealed her true thoughts, than when she pretended to be a clueless noble lady.
“Power, authority… they might be the same.”
“Is that so.”
“They grow by feeding on people’s fear, weakness, and servility.”
Daphne’s laughter rang out, clear like a bird’s. It was the kind of laughter that perfectly matched the transparent sunlight.
“That too must be the will of God.”
“……”
“If corpses didn’t rot, the entire continent would be covered in death, wouldn’t it? So…”
With her teacup in hand, Daphne lowered her head. As if sharing a secret, she whispered to Theogrim. The way she looked was utterly charming.
“The ‘things’ you sent will feast on the frailty and foolishness of humans. And atop that, we can triumph together.”
Theogrim nodded as he looked at Daphne’s glistening lips, as if glazed with syrup.
A gentle breeze blew. Petals, no bigger than a fingernail, brushed past her.
Theogrim reached out and plucked a small petal stuck to her lips.
“Thank you. How kind of you.”
“…A new batch of bulbs will be sent soon. The perfect cultivation method will be completed shortly.”
“I’ll wait with great anticipation.”
The beautiful pair exchanged smiles as they looked at each other.
The sunlight shining down upon the blessed of the gods was dazzling.
After finishing tea, Theogrim escorted Daphne back to her quarters and pressed a kiss to her fingertips.
Discussion
0 CommentsReactions
No comments yet.