Beguiling the Enemy’s Patriarch - Chapter 14

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 14
Had I not read the original work and been ignorant of that woman’s true nature, I would have fallen for her appearance entirely. No—even knowing the truth, I nearly forgot myself in the face of such beauty. She was beautiful, yes, but her beauty was as terrifying as it was exquisite. Calling her “sister” felt like an insult to the word itself.
I was not virtuous enough to admire that woman’s appearance even after receiving a death threat. Not at all! I was no fool! I clutched my spinning head and let out a sharp, mocking laugh.
She wanted to serve me? Did she think I was insane enough to follow her, this—(bleep)!
And with that, I collapsed to the ground.
“Aaaaahhh!”
“Princess?”
“Ugh… I’m dying…!”
I had never been particularly talented at acting. Yet I could still manage to convincingly buckle my trembling legs—a skill honed by past experience.
Besides, I had once been the queen of feigning illness. The number of sick days I’d managed to extract! I summoned Auredhian with every ounce of my strength, stretching my hand toward him with pitiful desperation.
“Your Majesty…”
“…There’s truly no moment to let my guard down.”
And as expected, a hand wreathed in clear, refreshing energy extended toward me. This time, Auredhian did not help me to my feet—he simply swept me into his arms.
Perfect. The plan was working flawlessly. I smiled with satisfaction and wrapped my arms around his neck. Auredhian issued a firm command.
“All forces of Belgot, you have labored well. Rest thoroughly this evening.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
As the order to dismiss was given, the soldiers bowed to their sovereign and moved with perfect unity. Only Soleia Elad and her single attendant remained, their faces etched with bewilderment.
Auredhian issued an order to leave in a tone that remained glacial.
“Lady Elad, I suggest you depart as well.”
“Your… Your Majesty—”
Soleia rushed to grab him, but Auredhian had already turned away with me in his arms. The moment his gaze left her, I directed a sinister smile toward her face, which had gone cold and rigid.
Did she truly think I would allow such a man to marry someone like her?
Every other woman in the world might be acceptable, but not her. Father!
Her fierce glare receded into the distance. Cradled in the Emperor’s arms, I craned my neck over his shoulder and fixed Soleia with the most withering stare I could muster.
She tried to cast me into hell without so much as a greeting upon first meeting? Beauty is everything, is it? You attempted murderer! Conspirator in patricide! The mastermind of the original story! Wicked woman!
The sensation of invisible corpses’ hands grasping at my ankles remained vivid. I had not known much about Decarve’s mother since she rarely appeared in the original work, but she was far more terrifying a witch than I had imagined. Her cold, piercing gaze was unmistakable even from a distance.
So what! What if you glare at me!
“…”
But truthfully, I was rather frightened. What if she dragged me to hell in the dead of night without anyone knowing?
Still, that woman would have certainly tried to harm me again regardless of whether I provoked her. Tch. I didn’t even know how long I would live in this body. Since I was going to die anyway, I might as well provoke her first—at least then my death wouldn’t feel so unjust.
Nestled in the arms of the Empire’s master, my courage swelled considerably. As a final gesture, I stuck my tongue out at Soleia Elad—
“Prin—”
When the man turned his head to look at my face, he caught me red-handed.
“…Eep.”
Reddish eyes gazed at me intently. I was so startled that I bit down hard on my extended tongue. Ow!
Seeing my contorted expression, Auredhian let out a hollow laugh. His handsome face was filled with exasperation.
“You really are quite transparent in everything you do, Princess.”
“That’s not true.”
I denied it shamelessly, at least for now.
“It is.”
“….”
I nod silently in agreement. So that’s how it is. My mood dampens slightly. The truth is, I’ve always been the type whose inner thoughts betray themselves on my face. Even during my part-time job days, I was scolded more than once for letting that constipated expression slip through.
But to hear the same criticism even in a world within a book? I laugh nervously to hide my embarrassment. Yet the moment Auredhian speaks again, my laughter freezes solid on my face.
“The first time was genuine. The second time was you faking it, wasn’t it?”
What? He saw through that too? I roll my eyes in panic. But his violet gaze clings to me relentlessly. I have no choice but to confess.
“Y-yes….”
“Why?”
“B-because I was scared of her.”
“Who, Soleia Elad?”
Even after realizing I was faking, Auredhian doesn’t put me down. I hesitate for a moment before nodding. We seem close enough, but would he dislike me for saying something like this…?
But he shows no such sign. Auredhian answers readily.
“She is the second-greatest mage in the Magic Tower. Your fear is warranted.”
“Oh, you knew she was a mage?”
The words tumble out before I can stop them. He furrows his brow.
“Would it not be strange if I didn’t? The Belgot Magic Tower operates under the Emperor’s authority.”
That was unexpected. I thought she’d be hiding her identity entirely as a dark mage, yet she holds the second-highest position in the Magic Tower.
Dark magic was strictly forbidden across the Laigar Continent—a shadowy art practiced in darkness. It intercepts souls meant to return to the realm of gods beyond Udeta and puppeteers corpses with malevolent will. Discovery meant execution without question. Thus dark magic passed secretly from master to apprentice, apprentice to apprentice’s apprentice, and so on in hidden succession.
Yet Soleia Elad openly occupies the second seat of the Magic Tower….
Just how terrifying a person have I provoked? Every hair on my body stands on end. I glance at Auredhian cautiously and ask tentatively.
“So she must be incredibly powerful then. Wow…. But I had a strange feeling about her….”
He probably doesn’t know. That’s why they married in the original work. As expected, Auredhian answers without changing his expression.
“Warn Soleia Elad as well. She is not to use magic in your presence.”
“No, I mean, she’s cold, and damp, and those invisible hands….”
“Still, it would be best to avoid meeting her if possible. She is a woman who uses magic as habitually as breathing.”
I’m doomed. My attempt to probe gently bounces off an impenetrable wall. Auredhian definitely doesn’t know Soleia’s true identity. Where do I even begin to explain?
Soleia Elad—that mage he trusts—is actually a dark mage deserving of immediate execution. And how do I know this?
I read it in a book? Insane. How could I possibly say that?
“She is a woman who has made tremendous contributions to the Belgot Magic Tower’s advancement. Her mana itself is formidable, so what happened earlier was likely her doing.”
Moreover, Soleia Elad apparently enjoys the Emperor’s trust. I swallow my tears and seal my lips. If I babble carelessly, I might truly be killed horrifically by that terrifying beauty. And all of this is supposed to be for survival…!
Auredhian, seeing my expression, assumes I’m still trembling with fear. He adds in a calm, composed voice.
“In any case, she will not be entering the Imperial Palace arbitrarily like today anymore.”
Wow, Father. You’re the best. I gaze up at him with grateful eyes. His handsome face is as always slightly relaxed. The setting sun catches his silver hair, casting a crimson glow. Even his lazy eyes are tinged with red.
“Th-thank you.”
I begin my grateful greeting but pause, breathing weakly. Up close, his face is sculptural enough to be bad for the heart. There’s something mesmerizing about that languid, world-weary countenance. I’m genuinely struck anew by the thought—couldn’t someone conquer the world with a face like that?
While I entertain such frivolous thoughts, Auredhian reaches his destination. His steps halt.
I tear my gaze from that captivating face and look around. The Central Palace where all that commotion occurred is now far behind, and instead before me stands a palace that feels strangely familiar. An onion-domed structure painted entirely white. Small in size, yet somehow exuding an exotic atmosphere. The curved sides that slope gently remind me of the Main Fortress of Lebovni….
“Huh?”
My mouth falls open. The white onion-shaped exterior, the large windows. The ivory curtains.
I’ve seen this description somewhere before! I swing my legs excitedly.
“Could this be…!”
Isn’t this the palace where Tezebia and Brizni lived? A page from the original work drifted into my mind.
[Tezebia stood motionless, cradling her swollen belly as she gazed up at the onion-domed palace. Its appearance stirred memories of her homeland. Tears welled up. Was this an arrangement by the Belgot Emperor?]
“Please, put me down!”
As I thrashed about, Auredhian set me down. The moment I left his embrace, I bolted toward the palace. I remembered its name perfectly well. Bellirook Palace!
Upon entering, maids in uniform stood at attention in a formation of five rows and five columns. I hurried past them toward the stairs, then froze. The face of the maid standing at the front of the right column caught my attention. Light brown hair. Brown eyes.
[“Tezebia, how are you feeling today?”
The maid with light brown hair and brown eyes asked. Nimble hands gathered the curtains and tied them neatly. Tezebia gazed up at her blankly. She was the maid who attended to her most diligently in Bellirook Palace. She said she was from southern Lebovni.]
Tezebia smiled faintly.
“I’m fine, Marienne.”]
“…Marienne?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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