It was a Political Marriage, But I’m Being Loved - Chapter 96

The glass door to the balcony was left open. Charlize had turned off the lights and opened it, anticipating Achilles’ arrival.

“Your Highness, the Princess.”

Creaaak…

The door had been well-maintained and oiled, so the hinges shouldn’t have made a sound. The noise came from Susanna dragging a paper knife along the edge of the door as it opened.

“I’ve been longing to see you.”

Susanna’s eyes gleamed with madness as she looked at Charlize. Charlize had seen eyes like that only once in her life.

Those eyes… I know what they mean.

She didn’t just know—she had nearly died at the hands of someone with that same look. The assassins who had tried to kill Oscar had eyes like that. Charlize had nearly forgotten, comforted by Oscar’s vow to protect her. But now, it all came rushing back.

“Why that expression? Is it because we didn’t make an appointment…?”

“Lady Leroy. Why are you here?”

Charlize understood Susanna’s intention, but couldn’t grasp why she was actually here. Susanna had attacked Joan Weaver earlier that day. The city guard was searching for her, and the Marquisate of Leroy had also dispatched people to hunt her down.

“You shouldn’t be here. Go back to House Leroy—”

“Shut up!!! What do you know?!”

Suddenly, Susanna exploded in rage and lunged at Charlize, wildly swinging her paper knife. Just as Charlize froze in momentary shock, a dark shadow darted forward from behind her.

“Eek!”

A longsword was about to pierce through Susanna’s body when she vanished using a magical device. Charlize quickly recognized the figure standing protectively in front of her.

An automaton? Did Achilles hide it here?

The automaton had emerged from behind the curtains. Charlize had seen a maid draw those curtains earlier in the day, so it must not have been stationed there regularly.

In truth, Achilles never trusted the Imperial Palace’s security. Since he snuck into the princess’s chamber every night, his distrust was only natural.

So he had hidden an automaton to guard Charlize.

The automaton didn’t flinch at Susanna’s sudden disappearance. Not being human, it simply turned its head to scan the surroundings for her.

Did she… escape?

Charlize wasn’t sure. She picked up a nearby candlestick, and lit it with magic.

The small flame cast long shadows in all directions. Unlike a chandelier, which scattered light broadly, this flame deepened the darkness in corners of the room.

The idea that Susanna might be hiding in that darkness sent a chill down her spine. But Susanna was no professional assassin. If she made any noise, the automaton would detect it.

No… I won’t let fear control me.

Charlize didn’t hesitate. She ran toward the summoning rope to call the maids and guards.

Just then, something emerged silently from the shadows. Susanna appeared behind Charlize, just as she reached for the rope.

But the automaton was faster once again. It lunged at Susanna without delay. Anticipating this, Susanna reappeared directly in front of Charlize.

Clang!

The blade rushing toward her face was deflected by the candlestick she swung on instinct. Susanna’s face twisted in frustration, clearly not expecting resistance.

She tried to use her magical device again…

Crackle!

Sparks erupted as backlash from a failed spell scorched her left sleeve black—right where the magical device was strapped beneath her clothes.

“Ahhh!”

Susanna screamed, thrashing as if trying to tear the device off her arm. Charlize glanced toward the floor and saw a glowing red magic circle. Then, she looked back at the balcony door.

Achilles was stepping into the room with an icy expression.

“Your Highness! Are you hurt?”

Bang! Bang!

The bedroom door shook from the force of pounding fists. The automaton had pinned Susanna to the ground as she screamed in pain. Her ruined makeup streaked down her tear-soaked face.

Relieved, Charlize ran to the door. When she opened it, the knights looked visibly reassured to see her safe, only to be stunned by the scene unfolding inside the room.

“That woman…”

“She tried to kill me.”

“No! I—I only meant to leave a scar on her face…”

The arrogance and pride Susanna had shown when entering through the balcony had completely vanished. Now she trembled, her voice shaking as she tried to deny it. Charlize was stunned.

So she only acts strong against the weak? Does she seriously think scarring someone’s face is nothing?

“Eek!”

Though Achilles didn’t say a word, the automaton pushed Susanna’s back down with its knee and tore the sleeve of her left arm—right where the magical bracelet was attached.

Everyone in the room thought the automaton was going to remove the bracelet. But instead, it simply held her down by the shoulder and did nothing more.

“L-Let me go! I said let go!!”

“…Your Highness.”

As Achilles reached out his hand, Charlize quickly stepped beside him. He wrapped his arms tightly around her and gave a command to the royal guards stationed in the Princess’s Palace.

“Contact the Temple. Tell them to send the High Priest and the Holy Knights.”

“What?”

“Achilles, what are you talking about?”

Charlize looked at him in confusion, and he pointed to Susanna’s arm—specifically, the magical device she was wearing.

“That artifact… it belongs to the demons. And not just any kind—”

It was a Fragment of the Demon King, something so cursed that even speaking the name made people uneasy. The Mage Tower knew all about them. Any time one was discovered, it was immediately tracked down and destroyed.

This was one of the eight fragments of the Demon King.

But this isn’t something I can mention in front of everyone.

The fragment fed on its wearer’s negative emotions. It twisted their mind and personality, eventually driving them to commit terrible, irreversible crimes.

If Susanna learned the truth about what she was using, she would be overwhelmed by fear—and that fear would only feed the fragment more.

The Mage Tower had already destroyed two fragments. Several religious orders across the Empire had done the same, so there were likely only three or four left.

“…It’s something no human should ever use.”

A former Tower Master had destroyed one of the fragments using a vial of pure mana—the kind that held mana from the source itself. But the last remaining vial had been used to break Achilles’ curse. Which meant the Tower had lost its only method of destroying the fragments.

If I used Lize’s power, I could destroy it… but if anything goes wrong, the demons will learn about her existence.

Even if Charlize had become strong enough, this wasn’t a risk she could take now. The last time a fragment had been destroyed, Achilles had borrowed the Temple’s power. It was the safest option.

“Understood.”

The captain of the royal guards began issuing commands. Charlize looked at Achilles, her expression filled with concern.

Demons? All of a sudden?

Did Susanna Leroy really fall under a demon’s influence?

Her sudden violent behavior was out of character. Susanna looked just as confused when she heard what Achilles said.

Demons? That magician…

Achilles tightened his grip around Charlize. His eyes darkened with worry. He already knew the reason demons were after Charlize.

And knowing that only made his rage burn hotter.

It was such a beautiful night that Iaoros couldn’t help but smile. He landed quietly on the roof of the Weaver estate and looked up at the moon. Bright and full, the moon tonight looked like the smile of the Goddess herself.

Not ideal for thieves…

But it was a perfect night for murder. And in that sense, Joan Weaver was lucky—to die on such a beautiful night.

Your death will help “His” resurrection. You should consider it an honor.

He cast a detection spell, searching for any signs of life inside the mansion. The cluster of bodies sleeping together were clearly the servants. The ones using larger rooms were the nobles.

Those two adjacent bedrooms must belong to the Count and Countess. Their children’s rooms would be…

Daughters usually slept in safer parts of the house. Often with a handmaid’s small room attached nearby.

Iaoros located what had to be Joan’s room and silently entered the mansion.

Joan wasn’t alone.

Perhaps still shaken from earlier events, he had someone sleeping next to him. Iaoros knew it wasn’t a servant’s room—the bed was too large, and someone was sleeping close to him.

Killing one more while I’m here wouldn’t hurt. Especially if it all gets blamed on Susanna Leroy. Even better. Hm?

Suddenly, he sensed one of his familiars approaching. His eyes shifted to the window, where three or four crows flapped in a frenzy.

Realizing what they were trying to tell him, Iaoros vanished from inside the mansion.

Susanna Leroy! That foolish girl…!

He had assumed she would kill on her own, without needing interference. But he never expected her to head straight for the Princess’s Palace, on this night. Cursing, Iaoros took off at full speed toward the Imperial Palace.

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