Chapter 123: A Crown of Venom, a Throne of Shadows
Chapter 123
— A Crown of Venom, a Throne of Shadows —
I stared down into Edward’s reptilian gaze, the corners of his lips curling into a deepening, hollow smirk.
“I believe I’ve finally understood something. It’s said that one instinctively senses mortal danger.”
“…So you’ve no intention of hiding it any longer?”
“Why should I? I toyed with him—he kept crawling upward, so now the game ends.”
He speaks of killing as if it were child’s play.
Edward’s cruelty sent a wave of cold dread through me. That uncanny smile never left his face as he turned to glance at Johannes, tilting his head ever so slightly.
“I heard you did something similar to Frederick? My body reeks of chemicals. From what I gather, I must’ve been a victim too. Thank you, by the way. If something like this happens again, I’ll know to be more cautious.”
“…”
“Taking a life without reason is such a tragic waste.”
His words were soft, almost gentle—yet each syllable was soaked in poison.
It was clear: now that his twisted nature had been exposed, Edward no longer bothered with the pretense of civility. His social graces had always felt off—as if borrowed from those around him. Every so often, I noticed echoes of others in the way he spoke.
As my face hardened, Edward let out a small chuckle.
“Perhaps I should’ve pretended to remain ignorant. But you keep scratching at the surface—how annoying.”
His smile turned to a sneer as he slouched lazily and lowered his voice, glancing toward Johannes.
“Then I suppose I’ll just have to make you like your father.”
His whisper was venom meant only for me.
“If you breathe a word to your husband, I’ll start picking off the weak ones around you—one by one.”
I clenched my jaw.
A threat so base, so vile—and yet, devastating in its simplicity. Were I in Edward’s shoes, I might’ve chosen the same.
Harming me would be predictable. But threatening those I held dear? Far more effective.
His gaze drifted to where Ahin had collapsed earlier. That grotesque smile returned, stiff and hollow like a mask.
If only this were mere posturing. But now that he had dropped the charade before me, I could feel his sincerity. He had spoken of my loved ones—he knew them. Studied them.
This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment intimidation. It was a warning.
‘I can eliminate what you hold dear at any moment.’
“Just so we’re clear, it’s not fear of Johannes that restrains me,” he added lightly. “I simply loathe being inconvenienced. You know how much those at Barberin Castle hate disorder.”
“…”
“If they get involved, these little warnings will be the least of your concerns. And of course, Johannes Schulz will be on the list.”
“You—!”
“If you wish to measure the weight of royal authority, then by all means… walk the same path as your father.”
He didn’t need to elaborate. I knew how vast the Windsor royal family’s power stretched. I had witnessed its might—how it decimated Johannes’s world.
I swallowed hard, feeling my pulse rise.
Perhaps sensing my tension, Johannes finally spoke.
“Enough of this pointless noise.”
His patience had frayed.
He stepped forward in long, silent strides and positioned himself between me and Edward.
Edward—still cloaked in mockery—laughed.
“You’ve grown quite restrained. Once upon a time, this room would be rubble by now. I suppose war has taught you patience.”
“And it seems you’ve grown more pitiful.”
“Ah, but a luxury remains a luxury, even if tarnished. I was merely educating your wife on that.”
Johannes’s brow tightened.
Edward pressed on without care.
“In a society of ranks, those at the top always triumph.”
“…”
“Even a duke turns into a lapdog before the royal crest.”
“Lapdog?”
Johannes drew me closer, his arm wrapping protectively around my shoulders. The warmth of his touch grounded my spiraling thoughts.
“When a mutt yaps at its master, you don’t punish it—you tell it a tale so ridiculous it might finally understand who holds the leash.”
“Then cease your drivel.”
Without sparing him another glance, Johannes turned, guiding me toward the museum exit.
Edward’s voice chased us—soft, yet sharp:
“The royal family will soon send an invitation to the Duchess. We’ll resume our little game then.”
I halted, but did not look back.
“Will the great House of Schultz defy a royal summons? In the meantime, do ponder my words.”
Edward Windsor had a talent for scraping at one’s soul.
I gently removed Johannes’s arm and turned to meet Edward’s smug gaze. His arms were crossed, posture tilted—a man intoxicated by his own sense of power.
‘So confident. So sure I wouldn’t dare challenge you.’
I tilted my lips in a mocking curve.
“Then, Your Highness, I imagine you’ll be quite anxious until then. Even after all my pondering… I’m still unsure if I’ll stay silent.”
Edward’s expression crumpled into something monstrous.
✧
On the carriage ride back to the duchy, I was engaged in what felt like a one-sided war.
Johannes sat beside me, silent, eyes closed—not asleep, but deep in thought. No trace of expression crossed his face.
Still, I found myself glancing at him… and cursing myself for admiring that cold, stoic beauty.
“I knew the Prince of Windsor would move exactly like this.”
He slowly opened his eyes. They were glacial—clear, unreadable.
“I believe I told you once before. No one else matters to me but you.”
He said it so plainly—so heartlessly. The weight of his feelings shifted. Was this coldness what love looked like from him?
My thoughts drifted to Ahin.
“But Ahin is part of our household.”
“I needed to see how Edward would play his hand. He wouldn’t dare harm a duchy servant directly. That was the calculated risk.”
I clenched my fists.
How could he speak with such conviction about Edward Windsor?
Didn’t he realize the monster we were dealing with?
Had he no idea that Edward was the serial killer who terrorized Mussen?
Surely, had Johannes looked into the case, he’d have uncovered the truth. But right now, I simply needed someone—anyone—to absorb my fury.
I straightened, my voice rising.
“And what makes you so certain?”
“Because I don’t think Edward has that kind of courage.”
“You’re wrong. He might’ve changed.”
“If that were the case, I’d be crawling at his feet by now.”
I stared at him, shocked. There was no meeting point between our thoughts.
I could no longer restrain myself.
“Ahin is just an ordinary worker! Like your precious Chatons—”
Johannes’s face hardened.
Chatons. I had said the word.
In my outrage, I’d uttered something I wasn’t supposed to know.
His eyes pierced into me.
“Edith Schultz. How do you know about the Chatons?”
I fumbled with my skirt. He noticed my trembling fingers. I turned to the window, avoiding his gaze.
“You’ve never been told. Did Windsor inform you?”
“No! I… I just happened to—”
He frowned, deepening.
“That’s no excuse. And I’ve tolerated more than I should.”
“What are you saying…?”
“I’m saying you’ve already exhausted my patience. I haven’t even asked what you and Windsor spoke about.”
“That was just… a poor joke.”
“Believe that if you must.”
I nodded faintly and fell into silence.
Just a while ago, I’d been threatened in the most terrifying way imaginable. Yet, I couldn’t speak of it.
How far did the royal family’s reach extend?
If Johannes knew that Edward was a killer—and that I was the next target—he’d never sit still.
He would fight. He would burn down the kingdom if he had to. But at what cost?
Though he was greater than the previous Duke Schultz… I couldn’t gamble his future.
In the end, I would need to act far earlier than Windsor expected.
“You have many secrets still, Your Grace. But must I bare all of mine?”
Johannes said nothing.
His expression remained unreadable, but I could feel it.
Beneath that cold exterior was pain—regret—for the lies between us. And fear for what tomorrow might bring.
And yet, he said nothing. Because he understood, too.
The moment when I must sever myself from Johannes Schultz…
…might be closer than I ever imagined.
