Chapter 72

“That may be true.”

Demius replied calmly, but his lips curved faintly as if mocking something unseen.

“Lady Valenstein is highly regarded by society.”

Overly regarded.

His mouth twisted slightly.

Ines Lynn Valenstein.

She was known across the empire as the model of grace and virtue among nobles.

Her beauty, poise, and kindness were praised not only among the nobility but also in the temple and even among commoners.

Yet.

Demius’s eyes turned cold.

“From what I see, she is no different from her father.”

A sharp gaze hidden beneath a gentle smile.

The frightening insight and calm judgment that could read a person in only a few words.

People called her the embodiment of a spring spirit, showering her with admiration, but no one truly knew what lay behind that serene exterior.

“Doesn’t it strike you as odd?”

Demius asked with a bitter laugh.

“The woman who was once my brother’s fiancée accepted a proposal from his younger brother. Doesn’t that tell you she was chasing status, not love?”

He also suspected that the mysterious circus troupe, the one that had vanished without a trace despite the grand ducal search, was backed by one of those three powers.

And of the three, the most suspicious was the Valenstein Duchy.

If he listed the reasons one by one, the imperial family made no sense. The empire valued stability above all else to preserve its power.

Therefore, it was illogical to think the imperial family would spread an illegal drug like Smile of the Spirits, one that disrupted public order.

As for the temple, the idea was even more absurd. The priests served the Great Spirit. They would never distribute a drug named after such blasphemy.

Which left only one possibility.

House Valenstein.

If it was them, they could erase an entire circus troupe within mere hours of the search team’s arrival.

Especially under Duke Zachariel’s command.

“I see.”

Melissa tilted her head slightly, hesitant.

That’s strange.

Then why did Lady Ines make me that offer?

‘My request is simple. I want you to continue being the Second Lord’s wife. As close to him as possible.’

Her expression back then had seemed genuine.

While Melissa lowered her head, frowning slightly, Demius asked quietly.

“By the way, before I arrived, what exactly did that woman say to you?”

Melissa’s eyes darted away.

“Um, I spilled tea, and she offered to lend me some clothes…”

“Then why was your hair wet?”

“Ah.”

So he noticed.

Melissa’s eyes rolled nervously before she smiled apologetically.

“I’m sorry. I can’t tell you. I promised her.”

“Melissa.”

Demius’s gaze deepened as he spoke her name.

“Don’t believe her. She’s cunning as a serpent.”

“…But.”

If she didn’t trust Lady Ines, she couldn’t continue their contract either.

Melissa hesitated for a moment, then said carefully,

“Then would it be alright if I tell you after I speak with her again? With her agreement, I mean.”

“Again?”

Demius’s brow furrowed.

“Don’t tell me you plan to meet her again?”

“We haven’t finished our conversation yet.”

“Melissa.”

There was genuine worry in his voice.

“I’m concerned for you.”

Melissa had no connection to his family to begin with.

If he hadn’t dragged her here, she would still be living happily and freely in the Village at the Edge.

Just like before he appeared in her life.

If she were to get caught up in his family’s affairs and face danger because of it—

“I’ll be fine.”

Melissa smiled softly.

“We’re husband and wife, aren’t we?”

…Husband and wife.

The sweetness of that word only deepened the bitterness that followed.

A one-year marriage.

A contract that could be broken at any time.

Demius pressed his lips together, forcing the words out.

“But this matter is extremely dangerous. Even my brother, the heir of the Grand Duchy, disappeared because of it. It might be far worse than you think. I just don’t want you to—”

Ah.

Demius suddenly realized what he had been avoiding.

No, perhaps he had simply refused to face it.

All of this began because of his own selfishness.

If he hadn’t desired her.

If he hadn’t used a hollow contract to bring her here, Melissa would never have become entangled with the Valenstein family.

‘What have I done?’

He had brought the woman he loved straight into danger.

…Was he out of his mind?

He had already lost his brother. Was he going to lose Melissa too?

Because of his own greed?

For the first time, Demius regretted bringing her here.

The same crushing guilt he had felt when Asellion vanished, no, something even heavier, pressed down on his chest.

The suffocating weight of self-loathing burned deep in his throat.

“Lord Demius?”

Her gentle voice broke through the fog.

When he lifted his gaze, her bright green eyes were filled with concern.

“Are you alright? You look pale.”

“…I’m fine.”

His voice was strained.

He took a shallow breath, forcing himself to continue.

“I’m fine. It’s just that… I think you should—”

For a split second, it felt as though his heart shattered inside his chest.

If you leave, I’ll die.

But.

“I think… it would be better if you returned to the Village at the Edge.”

“…What?”

Demius felt the corners of his lips tremble.

Every part of him screamed to take back his words.

But this was the right thing to do.

The pain she would suffer was far greater than any desire of his.

Letting her go felt worse than dying, yet the thought of her in danger was unbearable.

Keeping her near for his own comfort while she risked her safety…

That was unforgivable.

Demius swallowed the cry rising in his throat.

“Please go back.”

His head lowered slowly.

A droplet that hadn’t yet dried rolled off the tip of his nose and landed on the back of his hand.

It blurred his vision.

His voice came out faint, almost breaking.

“You’ll be safe there.”

The Village at the Edge.

A place so far from the world that no one could reach it.

And within that remote haven were people stronger than anyone he knew, people who loved and protected Melissa.

There, she would be safe.

Within the strongest walls in the world.

Forever.

Silence fell.

The air felt so heavy it was almost suffocating.

Demius accepted the agony like one accepts a death sentence, waiting for her answer.

Then Melissa spoke.

“I won’t.”

“…?”

His eyes widened blankly.

For a few seconds he stood frozen before he managed to speak again.

“…What?”

Meeting his stunned gaze, Melissa spoke clearly.

“If the reason I have to return to the Village at the Edge is that I might be in danger, then I’m not going.”

“But—”

“You once said there were things you had to do after returning. But that you couldn’t do them alone.”

“That’s not what I—”

“I came here to help you.”

Her eyes softened, glowing with quiet strength.

The warmth and firmness in her voice pierced him straight through.

“That means I’m ready to face whatever happens during this one year.”

“…!”

Demius stared at her, speechless.

“N-no. You can’t. I never brought you here for that. I never intended—”

“But that’s exactly why I came.”