Chapter 2 Part 7
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“…What did you say I shouldn’t do?”
Though I clearly heard him, I couldn’t help but ask again in disbelief.
Hyle’s expression remained calm as he looked at me.
“In exchange for my help, you’re forbidden from taking lives from now on. You need to learn to respect life.”
Forbidding killing to a Laté who values life less than insects – he’s coming on stronger than I expected.
I considered refusing but seeing his serious gaze, I accepted his proposal.
Well… anyway, in this life I only aim to survive, I have no plans to kill anyone, so it shouldn’t matter.
“…Fine. Is that all you want?”
“Break off your engagement with the Crown Prince too.”
Hm? Why is Abel coming up here?
Of course, I know House Feros disapproves of my engagement to Abel… but I didn’t expect Hyle of all people to make this his wish.
I thought Hyle only cared about eliminating monsters and holy power, showing no interest in politics, including my relationship with Abel.
“Why?”
“I have no obligation to explain.”
“No, you do have to explain. Our deal isn’t finalized yet, and I hold your knights’ lives in my hands.”
Hyle let out a bitter sigh at my rather forceful words.
I hadn’t intended to push this hard… but with my life depending on this deal, I couldn’t afford to be too casual.
Let’s be clear about everything’s basis and reasons.
After all, my ultimate goal is my heart’s wellbeing and happiness in life.
“The Crown Prince is using the authority gained from his connection to House Laté to arbitrarily control politics and the Grand Temple. Beyond strengthening imperial power, his personal power has become excessive.”
I quickly understood Hyle’s words. Abel had aggressively expanded his influence by wielding the power gained through our engagement.
It made even more sense considering how my divorce petition to the Grand Temple had reached Abel first instead of the relevant legal officials.
“Now he’s trying to bring even House Feros under his personal control rather than the imperial family’s. The one who can stop this is…”
“Me. A unilateral break-up from House Laté would deal a blow to Abel.”
“…Yes.”
This was a perfect condition for me, as I was already planning to break up with Abel.
This seems like quite a good deal, doesn’t it?
“But whose wish is this? Duke Feros? Or those at the Grand Temple?”
“The balance of power is just one of House Feros’s doctrines.”
“Oh? So not all your doctrines are boring. So, how will you give me the holy power? As you know, we’re not supposed to meet often.”
House Laté and House Feros had been sworn enemies for a very long time.
The relationship between the two houses was extreme to the point where they would fight viciously whenever they met, whether in public or private.
The current Young Lord Hyle was confirmed as the next head of such House Feros.
Moreover, as House Laté’s only noble daughter, I was the most noble woman in this empire without an empress, with my every move watched in both social circles and all existing spheres.
It was obvious that frequent private meetings between us, who each drew people’s attention, would be poison for both of us.
“That-“
“Ugh…!”
Just as Hyle was opening his mouth to answer, a sudden pain in my heart struck my entire body along with sharp chills.
A groan escaped involuntarily at the cruel pain, as if someone was slashing my heart with a knife.
After feeling a bit better earlier after that brief pain…
I should probably be more mindful that Raphla is a Grade 1 magical beast.
If I handle Raphla carelessly like a lower-grade magical beast like before, I might die before even fixing my heart…
The pain came rushing in like merciless waves crashing at the bottom of a steep cliff.
It took less than 10 seconds for the unbearable pain to spread to every corner of my body.
I had no strength to stand against the magical backlash that hit so strongly without even giving me time to catch my breath.
I soon collapsed to the floor.
Since controlling high-ranking magical beasts requires more magic power with higher intensity, we usually borrow power from contracted demons first, then deal with the consequences later.
And that ‘later’ happened to be now.
“Rosiel? Why suddenly…!”
Startled by my powerless collapse to the floor, Hyle hurriedly supported me.
Wait, did Hyle just call my name? He must have been really surprised.
When we were young, he wouldn’t even look at me, let alone use my name.
Despite being enemies, Hyle and I had numerous points of contact since childhood.
At various balls, parties, and in social circles.
Of course, thanks to our immature fathers who were quick to bare their fangs and fight whenever they met, Hyle and I were so distant that the times we exchanged words up close could be counted on one hand.
My ears grew distant from the unbearable pain.
Through the buzzing vibrations, Hyle’s low voice calling my name echoed.
“I’m not dead yet… so stop making such a fuss.”
How many minutes had passed? When I painfully regained consciousness, I found Hyle had somehow ended up holding me as I lay collapsed on the floor.
Complex emotions seeped chaotically through his green eyes as he looked down at me.
He must find this absurd, right? Finding out that the kidnapper who had been making all sorts of bold threats was actually someone far weaker than himself…
This is why I wanted to finish quickly and leave.
“Is this because of your heart?”
When our eyes met, Hyle’s lips formed a worried question.
To be this concerned just because I collapsed. I guess a supporting male lead is still a supporting male lead.
Although Hyle rarely appeared in detail in the original story and was an unpopular side character… was he this gentle with Hertiana too?
I smiled slightly and raised my hand to Hyle’s worried cheek.
“I guess I overdid it by kidnapping you. Used quite a bit of power tormenting your friends.”
Hyle’s face crumpled nicely at my mischievous words.
Unlike Abel, Hyle’s emotions tended to show clearly on his face moment by moment.
“I’m joking. You’re so serious.”
Look at him feeling relieved after my teasing, when he looked about to cry just moments ago.
Really, he’s just so entertaining.
