Chapter 2
If he wanted to know my intentions... it might be simpler if he pushed me to reveal the nature of my scheme.
The compassion in his voice and the genuine mixture of bitterness and concern in his gaze left me unsettled.
"How do you perceive it, Your Highness? Whatever it is, rest assured, it won't harm you."
"Do you think I'm just idly consumed by such worries, no matter what the reason for my visit?"
"Regardless of why Your Highness chose to visit me..."
"I'm concerned about you. That's the sole reason."
Are you truly concerned about me? A wry smile involuntarily curved my lips. So, what do you intend to accomplish by meeting me like this?
"Thank you, Your Highness, for your consideration, but..."
"Frequently, it's said that greed is akin to cancer—a cancer that can consume one's spirit and leave them hollow."
Assad's words trickled out slowly, his eyes narrowing.
"No matter how many graves you dig, ultimately, you'll be left with nothing but emptiness. There's no respite in that. Do you grasp the kind of inferno you're stepping into?"
"For certain, I'm not walking into the flames. Revenge is best served cold."
"If you take vengeance into your own hands, will your milk sister come back to life? Will their parents, your mother, return?"
I was on the verge of getting up, but I halted and turned back to Assad. An aura of bitterness pervaded his purple eyes.
"There's a saying that leading a fulfilling life is the most potent revenge. I implore you... I wish for you to entrust this revenge to another and find solace in a tranquil existence."
"If I were to disagree..."
"I never imagined that Benya would involve you in this. Shouldn't I have intervened once again?"
This person, truly...?
"Your Highness... How do you expect me to lead a fulfilling life? Shall I settle down contentedly as Your Highness's lover? Is that your desire?"
As I inquired with a wry smile, he reacted as though struck by something sharp. Paradoxically, this sight only heightened the turmoil in my stomach.
Do I appear as someone who can entrust everything to your devoted hound and simply settle into a tranquil life with you?
To unload all the unsavory tasks onto him, akin to what you always did, just like you did in the original story, and luxuriate under the sun?
To that shattered soul, incapable of even savoring the gratification of revenge?
This is my realization. The Assad from the original narrative possessed full knowledge, yet he remained an observer who kept his distance.
Even the group that took his mother's life and the villains who carried out his bidding enjoyed his company until their eventual downfall.
He emerged unscathed, wedded the female lead without hesitation, and ascended to the throne.
One of the paths to living at one's best is feeling akin to an Emperor. Though my involvement here doesn't equate to your triumph.
Following a prolonged silence akin to ice, Assad eventually spoke.
"I harbor no intention... of treating you in such a manner."
His tone bore a trace of irritation. I shook my head and offered a smile.
"It's not that I'm ungrateful to Your Highness. It's merely that I don't warrant your naivety."
"Sasha, I..."
"This quest for revenge is wholly mine. It's not for anyone else, nor is it on another's behalf. Even though it appears Your Highness lacks the resolve to directly shoulder the cost of your mother's blood."
Hence, if you won't provide assistance, I no longer concern myself. While it might seem like he could discard anyone at any moment if I chose to press on, he also resembled a saint.
I pondered whether Assad would lose his temper and flip the table, but he didn't. Suppressing his anger, his chilly purple eyes seemed to desire to scrutinize my scornful countenance for an extended duration. Eventually, a surprisingly subdued voice broke the silence.
"The person I long to catch is the one who wielded the knife, not the one who forged it." (Assad)
"...What?" (Sasha)
"Ah, I'm conveying this due to a possible misinterpretation on your part... My aspiration is to exact vengeance for my mother. The predicament lies in targeting the wrong individual." (Assad)
Are you serious? Perhaps detecting skepticism in my gaze, the Crown Prince—the possessor of a world-class beauty—sought refuge by scratching his temple with a trace of hesitance.
"Of course, from a slightly distinct standpoint, my anger might be apparent, but..."
"..."
"How could the Serpentes have poisoned my mother without internal assistance? Their relationship wasn't even close enough to orchestrate such an act together. Would you believe me if I admitted doubting our Imperial Father for such a reason? That our benevolent patriarch could have been the perpetrator behind our mother's death, a consequence of a twisted love affair."
"Your Highness..."
"If I appeared indecisive, resembling a spectator while the fire raged on the other side of the river, it's all due to this explanation... Can I honestly confront the price of my mother's life when I am the offspring of a man who murdered his own spouse... It's simply absurd."
My heartbeat hastened. Swallowing dryly, I cautiously chose to speak.
"To begin with... I apologize for my presumptuousness. I hadn't even been aware..."
"Are you not angered by how Benya does what I please?"
"..."
"I was unceremoniously discarded regardless, and that's the crux of the matter. It seems I'm the sole individual who was rejected before even having the chance to confess."
Assad spoke in a tone tinged with shame and offered me a bitter yet self-deprecating smile.
His gaze held a sweet and kind expression, and it was so affectionate that a question slipped out of me without my conscious intent.
"When did… all of this start?"
"It might be a bit embarrassing to admit, but I think it began from that moment on the balcony."
"When I was hiding?"
"Yes, the memory of you during that time is etched into my mind. I tried to forget it… but seeing you again that summer was mesmerizing."
With a playful tone, he scratched his head shyly. It's been quite a while... I can't help but feel a little sympathy for him.
"I mean... Your Highness and Princess Parke..."
"What the Duke Parke desires is a prosperous future in alliance with the Imperial authority, not my blonde hair. If all the rumors were true, I would have been married a dozen times by now. There's only one woman I've ever dreamed of holding hands with and walking into a wedding ceremony."
Really? Even though I might have had an inkling, hearing his confession like this leaves me a bit flustered. It painted a picture of Assad and me that I had never even imagined. What should I say?
"You and I both understand that regardless of what may come, it's impossible."
"Even so, if you shared the same sentiments as me, you wouldn't be concerned about conforming to societal norms. Don't you agree?"
Silence settled between us, marked by the ellipsis.
"Damn it, I'm already thinking about how to make that stubborn man squirm in the future."
Even though my circumstances aren't exactly conducive to laughter, I find myself unable to suppress my chuckles.
Assad's own smile also deepens, and he lightly takes my hand, giving a soft kiss on the back of it.
"I came here today to try and convince you, but it seems I've ended up revealing everything."
"Your Highness..."
"Let me ask you one last time: are you absolutely sure about not reconsidering it? I don't want your wounds to worsen, leaving behind a bitter emptiness."
Bitter emptiness? No, what I'd feel is the exhilaration of fulfillment. To label revenge as meaningless is merely an excuse for the faint-hearted.
"I don't know how to properly express my gratitude to you, Your Highness. My goal extends beyond seeking vengeance on those who imprisoned me."
"What you truly desire is to hold accountable all those who played a part in that incident, correct? Even if it includes my own father?"
If someone hadn't delivered the poisoned book to the Empress back then if she hadn't met her end after reading it... The entire tragedy might not have unfolded.
We could have retained our innocence as we grew into adulthood.
My aspiration is for a world where the Serpentes aren't just pawns but take on a central role, in addition to achieving an act of perfect revenge.
Even if Fibonacci and their operatives vanish into thin air, Benya won't be truly free as long as the imperial power, constrained by the events of seven years ago, treats Serpente like a mere tool.
Thankfully, he fell into my trap willingly, so it's only courteous to ask.
"How certain are you that His Majesty is involved?"
"While I'd prefer if he weren't, I can't help but entertain doubts."
Our unfortunate male lead. However, there's no need to worry—your cherished father won't be lost to you. Your less-than-stellar younger brother possesses such knowledge.
As a result, a show of gratitude on your part wouldn't go amiss.
I offer a faint smile and quietly share the conclusion I've reached, laden with genuine appreciation and apologies.
"I won't cause any harm to Your Highness."
A flicker of a smile graces his deep purple eyes—a bittersweet, poignant smile that conveys sadness yet clarity.
"You've already caused me pain... In the end, all that remains for me is to offer my assistance."
* * *
After Assad departed, I readied myself to head out as well. Slipping on my hat and donning my warm fox fur coat, I made my way down to the lobby, with Valentina closely trailing behind me.
"So, what did the handsome prince have to say?"
"Well, I guess even Valen can admit he's handsome now?"
"Hey, my eyes aren't that selective."
I burst into laughter as I approached the bicycle parked under the staircase in the lobby. Valentina watched me with her arms crossed, her eyes reflecting concern.
"Is something amiss?"
"Don't worry. In fact, things are quite the opposite."
"I'll be relieved if Sasha says so... Where are you off to now?"
"The photographer is only available on Sundays. I need to quickly decide on the bridal dress. There's a slight risk of me being kidnapped along the way..."
"Are you referring to the other prince? Should we tail you?"
"Only if you're confident you won't get caught."
"I am a gang executive, after all, Sasha."
Ah, that's right. My apologies for forgetting, Queen of the Underworld! Valentina let out a sigh as I smiled and hopped onto my bike.
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