Chapter 79
Theor’s voice shifted, taking on a serious tone. Lysei, accustomed to Theor’s playful teasing, found herself unexpectedly flustered by his sudden seriousness. Regret followed swiftly. She shouldn’t have used his feelings like this, no matter how desperate she was. She’d only grasped at him as a lifeline, desperate to escape the palace and the sight of Edin and Luigia. But now she realized she’d manipulated him, used his feelings to secure his help. It was a mistake, one she needed to rectify.
“I have no intention of pursuing anything with you.”
“….”
“Coming here wasn’t about accepting you or becoming your Nyxna. I just needed to escape….”
“I know.”
“….”
“I know. But you seemed so distressed, I thought I could offer some comfort.”
“….”
“Well, we have plenty of time. You can think about it.”
“No, I….”
“Just know that I have feelings for you. Genuine feelings.”
“….”
“Ha, how did I end up wanting you so much?” Theor sighed, the words a low murmur, almost to himself. Lysei flinched, and a small smile played on Theor’s lips.
“It would be ideal if you just gave in now, but you seem quite resolute. I’ll back off for now.”
“….”
“But if you ever tire of Edin, come to me.”
“…Yes. If I ever tire of him, I will.”
It was an empty promise, but she wanted to offer him something for his kindness. Of course, he likely knew she would never tire of Edin.
Theor seemed pleased with her response. He chuckled, lightly tapping her head before his expression turned serious once more.
“That day, nothing happened between Edin and the Nyxna.”
“….”
“It was all the Empress’s scheme. She confessed.”
Lysei turned to look at him. Theor, observing her unwavering expression, realized she already knew.
In truth, since arriving, Lysei’s mind had begun to clear. She’d suspected the Empress was behind everything. The letter with the vanishing ink, the suddenly activated communication device – everything had been orchestrated to create a misunderstanding. Edin and Luigia hadn’t even stirred when she’d ripped the blanket away, so she’d assumed they’d been drugged.
Yet, the anger lingered. The mere image of them lying n4ked together was enough to make her blood boil. It was pure jealousy, an emotion she never thought she’d experience before possessing this body.
“You knew…?” Theor asked, a flicker of surprise in his voice, noting her composure. Lysei simply stared at him, offering no verbal response.
“If you knew, why…?”
“Even if I know the truth, it doesn’t stop the anger.”
“….”
“I’ll probably continue to torment myself, replaying the image of Edin and Luigia n4ked in the same bed.”
“….”
“This jealousy will likely consume me.”
Especially because of the original story’s ending.
It was inevitable. Lysei knew Luigia and Edin were destined to be together. This world deviated from the original story only because she, the one meant to die, had survived. Many things had changed because of this deviation, but the overarching narrative remained the same. The climax of the story – Luigia, the savior of the empire alongside Edin, becoming Empress – would likely remain unchanged. As long as Luigia possessed the ability to see dark magic, her destiny as Empress was sealed. Luigia would ultimately be by Edin’s side, meaning Lysei could never truly remain there.
Perhaps this turn of events was for the best. That’s what she thought, at least, until Edin stormed Theor’s mansion.
***
“Take me to the secret chamber.”
Edin’s sudden, unannounced arrival and blunt demand startled Theor.
Even though they’d shared everything, their lives intertwined without secrets, Theor had never revealed the existence of his family’s secret chamber. It was a place only the head of the Prasetia Dukedom knew about, a tradition upheld through generations of rigorous training.
There were servants who maintained the chamber, but they were bound by magic never to reveal its existence, even in death. There was no way the secret of the Prasetia Dukedom’s hidden chamber could have leaked.
“How did you know?”
“What matters is that my woman is inside.”
“…And how do you know that?”
“Theor, my benevolence ends here.”
Edin’s expression turned glacial. Or perhaps, it intensified the coldness that had been present from the moment he arrived.
“Take me to the secret chamber.”
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