I Was Meant to Be the Evil Wife, But the Cold Marquis Fell for Me - Chapter 43

“—Stand back!”

Leivis’s voice rang out, and at once a wall of light enveloped Liliana and the servants in the council chamber.

Elina’s magic slammed into the barrier, exploding in a violent clash. Papers flew in the wind, but none were harmed. Another barrier formed immediately.

“Die, die, die…”

Elina’s eyes blazed with madness as her violet aura swelled, distorting the air.

The clash of her rampaging magic against the wall of light shook the entire chamber.

“…So, she’s resonating two types of magic with the mana she generates within.”

Leivis’s voice carried restrained excitement as he analyzed her power.

“The claim of being a saint was not entirely false… but—”

He strengthened the barrier, yet disappointment flickered in his golden eyes.

“…This is all?”

The wall began to strain under her pressure. A shadow of tension crossed his brow.

Liliana gasped. He was risking his life to protect them.

(I have magic too…)

Power equal to his lay dormant within her.

—She wanted to protect.

Until now, she had only been protected. Always, always sheltered. But now she wanted to defend him.

She refused to die helpless. She wanted to be his strength.

“Lord Leivis!”

With resolve, Liliana ran through the storm of malice toward him.

“Liliana? Stay back—!”

He shouted, but she did not stop. She touched his shoulder—

Warm, gentle power flowed between them.

—Magic resonance.

Her dormant magic intertwined with his, creating a torrent of light that instantly repelled Elina’s rampage.

“Impossible… impossible!”

Elina’s aura surged, cracking walls and floors. Malice seeped in—voices whispering:

You are nothing! A wicked wife… a prop… an aberration… vanish… return to the script…

Darkness closed in. But Liliana did not fear.

Light—the sun—was within her.

Its warmth shone even in the coldest winds.

“I am not a wicked wife…”

Her magic pulsed with his, strong and steady.

“I am myself!”

The invading malice dissolved. Elina’s power faltered.

“Liliana—”
“This is nothing. Your magic is far greater, Lord Leivis!”

Her words made his golden eyes soften.

“…I see.”

He clasped her hand firmly.

“Liliana, as always—”
“Yes, my lord—”

She breathed deeply, releasing her power in harmony with his.

Their magic resonated, gold and violet filling the chamber, pushing back Elina’s fury like dawn breaking.

“This can’t be! The villain can’t defy the heroine!!”

Elina screamed, pouring out her last strength. But it was no match.

“No… nooo!!”

She abandoned attack, wrapping herself in a shell of magic.

Leivis released Liliana’s hand, strode forward, and brought his staff down.

Her barrier shattered. She was hurled to the floor. His staff struck beside her throat, cracking the stone.

“Twisted self-love, that is all you are.”

His voice was cold.

“We have no need of your power.”

Elina’s consciousness faded.

“Elina, for attempting to murder the marquis and his wife, you will be judged by the king. At best, you will never see sunlight again.”

He turned to Simon.

“Simon. You are demoted.”
“…Yes.”
“Never falsify accounts for personal reasons, even under Liliana’s orders. Start again as an assistant.”
“…Thank you for your mercy. I will begin anew.”

Leivis’s voice hardened.

“Your family’s illness—I will investigate and aid them. Do not betray my trust again.”
“…Yes. Thank you…”

Simon bowed deeply. Liliana exhaled in relief.

—Thus the judgment ended. The long night was finally breaking.

Aftermath

Elina was imprisoned as a criminal who had tried to kill the marquis and his wife. Her magic was sealed, and she was confined in the castle tower.

Her life was spared only because her magic was extraordinarily high—she might truly become a saint.

—High magic was precious. Noble blood often carried it, and only those with equally high magic could bear children together.