Chapter 78
Edin sliced his palm, letting the blood drip into an empty vial. Trey and the Shadows watched, frozen in place, unsure of how to react. Luigia, observing from a short distance, sighed softly, realizing anew the depth of Edin’s feelings for Lysei. A wave of hurt washed over her.
Her foolish sister had vanished without even attempting to understand the situation. It stung that Lysei’s trust in her was so fragile. In this world, Lysei was the only one who truly understood Luigia’s circumstances. The disappointment that Lysei had misunderstood and fled was profound. Luigia resolved to have a serious conversation with Lysei upon her return, explaining how worried she had been.
“Nyxna.” Edin, the vial now filled with his blood, clutched his hand, which Trey had bandaged. “Stay close to Trey and the Shadows. Keep them informed of the dark magic’s location.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“And stay by Sir Trey’s side. Do not leave him.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Some of the heretics will undoubtedly target you, Nyxna. You must never be alone.”
“Yes!” Trey and the Shadows responded in unison. As they spoke, Luigia called out to Edin, who was about to board the carriage.
“Your Majesty.”
Edin turned. Luigia hesitated for a moment, then spoke.
“You must tell Lysei about the current situation.”
“….”
“You must. Only then will she leave Duke Theor’s estate.”
Edin, one foot already inside the carriage, stepped back and looked at Luigia.
“Explain.”
At Edin’s command, Luigia recalled the original story: the heroine, hiding at Theor’s estate due to a misunderstanding with the emperor, learned of the heretics and the empress’s rebellion and then joined forces with the emperor to use her powers. The current situation was slightly different, and Lysei didn’t possess the ability to see dark magic. However, Luigia felt certain that Lysei, as she knew her, wouldn’t stand idly by. The way to bring Lysei back to the palace was to tell her about the current crisis and Luigia’s inability to fully access her powers.
“She won’t want to follow you, Your Majesty.”
“….”
“So, tell her about the gravity of the situation. And tell her that I haven’t fully presented as an Omega yet and can’t properly see the dark magic.”
“….”
“Then, she’ll definitely leave the estate and help us.”
“I don’t need Sei’s help. I have no intention of involving her in this dangerous situation…”
“I need her!”
“….”
“There’s something only she and I can solve. Please, Your Majesty, do as I ask.”
Even though Luigia knew the original storyline, the current situation wasn’t unfolding exactly as it had in the novel. Lysei seemed to be experiencing events more aligned with the original heroine’s role. They needed to work together. Since Luigia hadn’t presented as an Omega and couldn’t utilize her full powers like the original Luigia, she desperately needed Lysei’s advice, especially since Lysei also knew the original story.
“…Very well.”
Edin nodded at Luigia’s earnest plea and climbed into the carriage. He leaned back against the seat, closing his eyes, lightheaded from blood loss. He didn’t want to involve Lysei in this dangerous situation, but Luigia’s words—that Lysei would only leave Theor’s estate if she knew the truth—left him with no other choice. The thought of Lysei in a secret room within Theor’s estate, a room he knew nothing about, was deeply unsettling.
***
“Will you be mine, Sei?”
Lysei, flustered by Theor’s sudden question, averted her gaze. She had been pretending ignorance, but she’d long since realized the sincerity beneath his playful words. When she first arrived at the palace after her transmigration, she had grand dreams of experiencing all the potential male leads from the original story. Now, however, after spending time with Edin as his Nyxna, she had fallen completely for him, leaving no room for anyone else, despite the pain he had caused her.
“No.”
Her refusal was firm. She believed that leaving no room for doubt was the best way to avoid further complications. Even she thought she sounded harsh.
Theor sighed, as if expecting her answer.
“At least pretend to consider it.”
“There’s nothing to consider.”
“Am I truly that undesirable?”
“It’s not that you’re undesirable. It’s that I’m already in love with someone else.”
“…You still love Edin, even after all the pain he’s caused you?”
“If feelings disappeared with every hardship, no one would ever suffer for love.”
“….”
“Although, that might be a good thing.”
“There’s always the option of leaving someone who hurts you and choosing someone else.”
“I’m not ready to love someone else, not yet.”
“I can wait.”
“Theor.”
“Do you think I’m not serious? I haven’t been frivolous about you since the moment I brought you here.”
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