Chapter 53.1

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Chapter 53 – With Whom?

Aileen, who had been silently listening, called for Lisa in a quiet voice.

“You are the Imperial Princess, Lady Aileen! Ask for a cause that the Grand Duke won’t be able to refuse!”

’I need that necklace! If you marry that man, then the necklace in my hand! The power of that necklace will be mine!!!’

The greed that filled her eyes was one she couldn’t shout out loud.

As Aileen had guessed, Lisa had some kind of deal with the Emperor of Perthenian.

– I need this?

– That’s right.

The Emperor, who had been laughing cheerfully, stopped and looked at Lisa.

– All right, Magic Tower’s Master. I am willing to give you this, in return….

– …

– As long as you help our Imperial Princess Aileen to get married to the man she wants.

–…I’m happy to help.

– I have trust in you. I will give this to you as soon as you finish it.

He then untied the necklace and showed it to Lisa. The golden necklace swayed in the air.

It was certainly that necklace. It was one of the materials of Ashia’s magic square. The necklace that was lost while being chased by Kaligo, was in the hands of Aileen’s father, the Emperor of the Perthenian Empire.

The brilliance of that necklace seemed to flicker before her eyes.

‘I am almost there now… my goal is just right under my nose!’

Lisa briskly walked to Aileen, who was sitting on the bed. Grabbing her arms with all her might, she screamed as if she was coughing up words, “You should have him! The Grand Duke of the Karhan Empire! Weren’t you longing for him so much?! Huh?! His wealth and power will certainly be of great help to the Perthenian Empire…”

“Stop it.” Aileen firmly cut off Lisa’s words and pulled out of her grasp. Lisa sank to the floor like a person with limp legs as Aileen rose to her feet. In an instant, anger erupted on Lisa’s fingertips scratching the floor.

“…”

“Lisa, I asked you to help me get married, but I never told you that you could control me to your heart’s content.” Aileen’s voice was calm and not loud. Her sad expression and wet voice, like a woman with a broken heart, disappeared in an instant. “I really made up my mind now.”

“…What?”

Aileen looked down at Lisa’s face and swallowed her dry saliva. She was also afraid that she might suddenly change and yell. But thanks to Lisa, she came to her senses.

In just a day or two, she was struggling with a great wave of emotions. She felt a desperate love as if she had a thousand years of affection towards the man she had only met for the first time, and even felt the pain of a desperate broken heart because she was dumped. She thought that it was strange, but what of it? She tried to force the man with the help of her father, Emperor Ferdinand. It was just until now.

Then, Lisa came. It felt like lightning struck her head when she saw Lisa screaming at her to get married right away. That greed and anger, jealousy and envy—she was wondering if she was like that now. Almost inhuman.

‘Is this really me?’

She must be looking very different from the time when she spent each day, dreaming of a happy married life.

’I didn’t come here to do this…’

Aileen turned her back on Lisa and walked toward the door. She staggered and supported herself on the bedside table. She took a few deep breaths and stood up again.

“I will… never get married to that man.”

“What… did you say?”

“The Karhan Empire… I think it’s making me and Lisa strange.”

“…”

“This is the first time I’ve felt like this, couldn’t handle myself… I don’t want to stay in this place any longer. I want to get this sorted out as soon as possible… and leave.”

Aileen drew a line between her and Lisa—of her own volition.

“It has been… a pleasure, Lisa.”

“…”

’That simple? Was it that easy for her?’

“I will go home safely.” Aileen walked out of the bedroom and never came back.

Lisa sat on the floor, motionless and silent. She remained in that position even after realizing that Aileen wouldn’t be coming back.

“Then, won’t you continue to run into the Magic Tower’s Master in the future?”

“Probably?”

“Will you be alright? She even attacked you with the intention to kill inside the Imperial Palace.”

Ashia put away the finished dishes and prepared tea. She carefully poured the tea into the teacup on the table, and said, “It’s alright. She would get really pissed off. She may even call for the elders and make loud shouting noises.” She giggled as she handed him the teacup and sat down opposite him. “Why did she even touch me and create a situation like this?”

“…You are a more terrifying person than I thought.”

“Huh? Me?”

Kaligo lifted his cup with a faint smile.

Tilting her head, Ashia asked him back, “Then why are you here again?”

He raised one eyebrow and said calmly, “Because I miss you.”

She made the same expression. “…The Grand Duke must have been too relaxed.”

“If possible, If possible, I leave my work to my capable subordinates.”

“…”

Nodding, Ashia put down her teacup when she suddenly thought of something. “Oh right. I had a question, but it worked out quite well.”

“Yes, tell me.”

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