Chapter 207
Whew, I’m exhausted.
Chris let out a heavy sigh, his face drained of energy.
The past month had been nothing but a relentless grind.
He hadn’t slept properly in ages.
Fatigue hit him hard, and he couldn’t help but complain inwardly.
Why do I have to go through all this hell? Ugh, I just want to relax. I want to have fun.
Beside him, Mari fluttered playfully.
[Seeing you so worn out makes this girl’s heart ache. Shall I offer you a massage, filled with my sincere love?]
“…No thanks. Your massages are just poltergeist activity. It creeps me out.”
[Then how about materializing and giving you an even more intense love service? I can now materialize for about ten seconds—anything goes during that time. Just imagining it makes my heart flutter. Ohoho.]
“Get lost! I’m tired!”
Chris waved her off, but before he could catch his breath, someone suddenly burst into the room.
It was Jupien.
“What are you doing here?”
“…Why did you come?”
Chris asked weakly.
“Did you come to pick a fight again? I don’t have the energy to play with you, so just leave…”
He slumped, but Jupien said something unexpected.
“I came because I have something to tell you.”
“Hm?”
“Yurian’s acting suspicious. Be careful.”
Chris’s expression hardened.
Now that I think about it, Princess Yurian has been strangely quiet. Even after investigating, nothing much has come up.
He hadn’t been ignoring Yurian.
He’d even sent Mari, who ruled the mansion’s ghosts as the Banshee Queen, to spy on her.
But there was nothing.
Yurian was just quietly going about her days.
Her only activity was using her natural charm to mingle with various family members.
But it wasn’t anything sinister—just innocent socializing.
So much so that everyone had started to believe she’d given up on the family’s leadership.
I just can’t figure it out.
Chris shook his head and asked, “Jupien, why do you think Yurian is suspicious?”
“Not long ago, she told me there was an illusion-type magic sword in the ruins south of Gold Cross and told me to check it out.”
“And?”
“I had someone investigate separately, and it was a lie.”
Chris frowned.
“Why would Princess Yurian lie to you?”
“I don’t know. But it’s strange. Being smart, I can tell she’s hiding something.”
Chris agreed.
There was definitely something going on with Yurian.
He had no idea what, though.
After Jupien left, Chris was left alone, deep in thought.
What on earth is it?
He couldn’t leave Yurian alone any longer.
In fact, he had a bad feeling it might already be too late.
How should I dig deeper?
After pondering, Chris sighed and stood up.
“Where are you going?”
Melin asked.
“To see Princess Yurian.”
“!!”
There’s only so much spying can do. The only option left was a direct approach.
The problem is how.
Chris headed toward Yurian’s quarters.
“Christian?”
Yurian’s eyes widened.
“It’s been a while.”
“Indeed.”
She smiled faintly.
“Good to see you. What brings you here all of a sudden?”
“I have something to discuss.”
“Hm?”
Chris stared at her quietly for a moment.
Then, unexpectedly, the words slipped out.
“Would you accompany me to the castle tomorrow?”
“…Huh?”
Yurian looked puzzled.
“Why all of a sudden?”
“You said before you wanted to get closer to me, didn’t you?”
Chris shrugged and smiled slyly.
“So, why not go on a little date and outing?”
“!!”
Chris’s plan for a direct approach was to set a trap and expose Yurian’s true nature.
Yurian was taken aback.
But before she could respond, Chris pressed on with a, “I’m looking forward to it,” and left.
Knowing Yurian’s personality, she won’t be able to refuse if I push like this.
Of course, Yurian wouldn’t reveal her secrets so easily.
She probably suspected Chris had an ulterior motive.
But that was fine.
He had a plan.
And so, the next day arrived.
In Yurian’s room at the mansion, early dawn.
She opened her eyes blankly.
That dream again.
A single tear slipped from her clear eyes.
Used to it, she calmly wiped it away with her sleeve.
Then, closing her eyes, phantom voices began to echo in her ears.
—Aaaah… Stop… Please… Just kill me already.
—Please… Please… Not the child…
—Why are you doing this to us?
Chilling voices.
They had haunted her for a long time.
Was it just hallucinations?
When she opened her eyes, she saw corpses in miserable states.
She suffered from insomnia, and when she finally fell asleep, the same horrific nightmare tormented her.
There was no escaping it.
This was a wound etched deep into her soul.
It’s okay. There aren’t many days left to feel this pain.
Yurian sighed.
By the way, about today’s outing… Maybe I should have refused.
She knew Chris had some scheme behind his invitation.
Probably trying to pry into her true intentions.
But she shook her head.
What does it matter?
The day of reckoning was already upon her.
No matter who Chris was, it was too late to stop it.
Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to spend one last day together.
If it weren’t for her current state, Chris was someone she never wanted to kill.
Descending from the mansion, Yurian opened her eyes slightly.
Chris was waiting, dressed neatly.
He was handsome to begin with, but dressed up like this, he seemed to shine.
Though his usual arrogant, smug expression was even more pronounced, it somehow added to his charm.
“Looking sharp.”
“So are you, Princess.”
Yurian smiled.
Dressed up, she looked radiant.
“Not princess, ‘noona’.”
“…….”
“Come on, say it. ‘Noona.’ Or I’m not going.”
Chris frowned.
“…Noona.”
Yurian chuckled.
“That sounds much better. Shall we go? Will you escort me?”
Chris let out a low sigh and extended his hand.
“Shall we?”
They climbed into the carriage and headed toward the city.
A brief silence fell.
Yurian looked at Chris with a curious gaze.
“So, what’s the plan for today?”
“First, tea and a meal. Then a stroll through the garden, followed by a small concert.”
“Sounds traditional.”
Yurian smiled.
“Well, I’ll enjoy it then.”
They spent the day as planned.
“Is this Lamo tea? It’s rare, isn’t it?”
“Yes. It’s uncommon, but they have it here. How do you like it?”
“Good. Fragrant.”
They sipped tea leisurely.
“You don’t eat much meat.”
“No, I’ve never liked meat. So the family’s meals don’t suit me. But the salads here taste fresh and good.”
After eating, they walked through the garden.
“There’s a Yale tree. I like those.”
It was like a normal date.
Their conversation was nothing special—just everyday talk.
Yurian tilted her head.
“This is strange.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Just… it feels too ordinary. I expected some kind of trap or scheme, but there’s nothing.”
Chris smiled quietly.
“This is the last stop. Shall we go in?”
They entered a small concert hall.
The audience, already seated, looked up wide-eyed and stood to greet them.
“Your Highness, Princess!”
“Oh, it’s fine. We’re just here to enjoy ourselves, so please relax.”
Yurian looked puzzled.
There was only one prepared seat.
“Christian, where’s your seat?”
“I won’t be watching.”
“Hm?”
“I’m the performer today.”
Yurian’s eyes widened in surprise.
Chris grinned.
“It should be worth listening to.”
He sat at the piano on stage.
Then, music flowed.
True to his confident voice, Chris’s performance was exquisite.
He had once been a top musician.
The audience listened, entranced.
Yurian felt a sudden pang in her chest and clenched her fist.
Suddenly, the music stopped mid-piece.
“??”
“Ah, the next part would be better with an accompanist. It’s a shame to play it alone.”
Chris looked at Yurian.
“Would you help me?”
“…Me?”
“It’s a piece you learned as a child, so it shouldn’t be difficult.”
In noble families of at least dark magic rank, basic cultural education was standard.
Especially learning instruments as a child helped develop a feel for magic.
Though few mastered it at a high level.
Yurian hesitated.
“My skills are nowhere near yours.”
“It’s just the two of us. What does it matter? It’s more fun together. Isn’t that right?”
Who could say no to that?
The audience nodded enthusiastically.
“That’s right!”
“Lady Gongnyeo, hearing your performance will be such an honor that I won’t be able to sleep tonight!”
Yurian reluctantly rose from her seat.
“You’re something else. But don’t be too hard on me if I can’t keep up, okay?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll follow your lead.”
Sitting beside Chris, Yurian placed her fingers on the piano keys.
Her fingers hesitated for a brief moment as they touched the keys.
Chris’s eyes caught that subtle flicker of uncertainty instantly.
“Shall we begin, then?”
He smiled slyly and moved his fingers.
Together, their hands began to weave a single, harmonious melody.
* * *
Later, on the carriage ride home after their date.
“That was fun today.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
“Yeah, it’s been a while since I spent time like this.”
“It’s not over yet.”
“Hm?”
“I’ve prepared a special event.”
Just then, the carriage came to a stop.
“Where are we?”
“This is a place prepared just for you, my lady.”
A small building stood before them.
Yurian tilted her head, puzzled by the plain, desolate structure—then suddenly, something unexpected happened.
Swish.
Christian’s sword was suddenly pressed against Yurian’s neck.
“!!”
“Shh, stay still. If you move, you might get hurt.”
A dark aura rippled around him.
Yurian’s face stiffened.
“What is the meaning of this?”
“Ah, I’m not here to harm you. This is, in its own way, an act of consideration.”
“Consideration?”
Chris nodded shamelessly.
“To let you rest comfortably. As you know, being in the mansion only weighs on your mind, doesn’t it? So I’ve arranged this place so you can relax properly.”
An absurd excuse.
It was clear he intended to detain her.
Even though Yurian found it suspicious, it was a reckless move.
I have to do this. I can’t just leave Yurian alone.
Chris’s gaze darkened as he recalled the truth about Yurian he’d realized during their outing.
There was no way he could let her go on like this.