Since that day, I began to worry about Ascan’s psychological state.

Could he have already turned to darkness?

If he truly has fallen into darkness, what should I do?

The original Ascan desired an ending of total destruction. But I wanted to turn this novel into a happy ending.

The Brellof family, the people in the lab, even Dekain, whom I’d grown oddly fond of, and Zen, who was taciturn yet kind, and the gentle maid Jerin.

I’ve formed bonds with so many people over time.

I couldn’t just stand by and watch them die or get hurt.

Moreover, I wished for Ascan to escape his dark past and find happiness. My own survival and bright future were, of course, unquestionable priorities.

To achieve that, I realized I needed to understand Ascan’s current psychological state.

If Ascan truly has turned to darkness and desires the annihilation of everything, I must devise a countermeasure.

‘But even if I ask him directly, he probably won’t answer honestly…’

Rushing in carelessly might only heighten his suspicion. While pondering how best to approach him, I waited for the right moment to engage.

Before I knew it, a messenger sent by Helsion arrived at Ascan’s mansion.

“The Emperor has commanded that Count Atreus and Lady Brellof enter the palace tomorrow. His Majesty wishes to dine with you both—how does that sound?”

I’d expected to meet Helsion soon, so this wasn’t particularly surprising. What caught me off guard was that I wasn’t invited alone—Ascan was summoned alongside me.

Ascan replied in a low voice.

“Very well.”

Upon reflection, it wasn’t a bad opportunity.

On the way to and from the Calua Imperial Palace, only Ascan and I would be together. It was the perfect setting for a natural conversation.

Hearing Ascan’s reply, the messenger turned to me and asked.

“Does Lady Brellof also agree?”

“Yes. I’ll enter the palace tomorrow.”

“Understood. I shall convey both your intentions to His Majesty.”

Having completed his task, the messenger bowed politely to Ascan and me, then exited.

Though we resided in the same mansion, I didn’t often encounter Ascan. I hurried to intercept him and struck up a conversation.

“What kind of person is Emperor Calua? Since it’s our first meeting, is there anything I should be mindful of?”

Truthfully, I didn’t care much about meeting Helsion, but to understand Ascan’s current state, grasping their relationship seemed helpful.

In the original novel, the Emperor of Calua wasn’t Helsion. So I was curious—how did Ascan view him in this altered storyline?

Ascan glanced at me briefly before answering.

“You needn’t worry excessively. His Majesty favors capable individuals. As the continent’s foremost arms dealer, you’ll be treated with the highest regard.”

“Still, if he summoned me, it must mean he needs weapons. I’m just curious—why weapons now, when the civil war has already ended?”

That was true.

He should be busy stabilizing the empire after the civil war—why summon me now? His motive was hard to guess.

Ascan stared at me silently for a moment.

Had I asked a question too difficult to answer?

“Did I ask something too awkward for the Grand Captain of Calua’s Imperial Guard?”

“No. Hearing such a sharp question, you really do seem like an arms dealer.”

“Ha…!”

I was about to protest his ridiculous comment, but Ascan spoke first.

“I don’t know why His Majesty summoned you. I merely followed orders.”

“Is that so?”

There was no guarantee Ascan told me only the truth, but at least, judging by my intuition, he didn’t seem to be lying now.

At that moment,

A man approached Ascan and me.

With dull blue hair and ashen eyes, he was strikingly handsome, exuding an aura so cold it felt chilling.

“Brother, what are you doing here?”

Contrary to his icy appearance, his tone toward Ascan was affectionate.

Hearing him address Ascan as “brother,” I immediately recognized who he was.

To my knowledge, only one person ever addressed Ascan with such a familiar, affectionate title.

In the original novel, Ascan’s right-hand man and loyal subordinate—Bill.

‘So this man… is Bill.’

Bill was a character so loyal to Ascan he’d leap into fire holding an oil drum if ordered.

Moreover, having escaped the lab with Ascan, they shared the same ultimate goal.

World annihilation—that was it.

Somehow, my head throbbed. I pressed a hand to my temple. Meeting Bill only intensified my curiosity about Ascan’s current psychological state.

Bill looked at me with intrigued eyes and said.

“Hello. I’m Bill, deputy captain of the Imperial Guard. You’re Lady Brellof, the continent’s premier arms dealer, correct?”

“Ah, yes. That’s me. Nice to meet you.”

For some reason, Ascan was watching me and Bill exchange greetings with a displeased look.

Ascan spoke in a low voice.

“Why did you suddenly show up?”

“Just missed seeing you, brother. Also curious about who Lady Brellof really is.”

Bill claimed he came because he missed Ascan, but somehow it sounded more like he appeared out of curiosity about me.

Ascan seemed to think the same.

He frowned slightly, turned his body, and said to Bill.

“Don’t overthink things. Follow me.”

“Tch, what did I even do?”

Bill pouted and grumbled, but obediently followed Ascan.

I was curious what the two discussed as they walked away, but for now, I had no way of knowing.

My head felt unnecessarily complicated.

The next day, upon hearing I’d be visiting the imperial palace, Jerin pulled out the finest dresses and accessories to adorn me.

Diamonds embedded in the necklace and earrings—rare gems on the continent—glittered radiantly under light, and the elegant, formal dress exuded grace befitting the occasion.

Even I, looking at my reflection in the mirror, found myself beautifully satisfied.

Jerin twirled around me cheerfully and said.

“I’m so glad I packed all these dresses and accessories! Nothing less than perfection is acceptable for such an occasion. You’re flawless, Miss!”

Seeing Jerin flash a thumbs-up, I couldn’t help but smile.

“It’s nice to dress up properly, but five luggage bags? That’s too much. Next time we travel, let’s cut back a bit.”

“Miss, for a woman, weapons are jewels and dresses. If you insist, I’ll try to reduce them—but please reconsider.”

At Jerin’s words, I shook my head helplessly.

Having finished preparations for the palace, I stepped out of my room—and saw Ascan waiting not far away.

Seeing him dressed formally in full ceremonial attire, my eyes widened anew.

I knew he was handsome, but from head to toe, meticulously groomed, Ascan was irresistibly captivating.

“Handsome.”

At my compliment, Ascan’s gaze—previously fixed elsewhere—turned toward me.

For a fleeting moment, his pupils seemed to tremble slightly, but given his perpetually expressionless face, I might have imagined it.

Ascan approached me, extended his hand, and said softly.

“Shall we go?”

I nodded, clasped his hand, and stepped forward.

Thus, escorted by Ascan, I boarded the carriage waiting at the mansion’s entrance.

The butler, Bishop, came forward to greet us.

“Have a good trip, Master.”

Zen, as if he’d been waiting, rode up to the carriage on horseback. He, assigned as my bodyguard, would never let me go to the Calua Imperial Palace alone.

Though Ascan hadn’t brought his Imperial Guard, he seemed to have anticipated Zen’s presence and said casually.

“Let’s depart.”

“Yes, Count.”

At the coachman’s reply, the carriage began to move.

Though the route was the same, day and night offered completely different atmospheres.

I’d sightseen when I first arrived here, but never at night like this—it felt refreshingly novel.

Gazing out the carriage window at the streets, I remarked.

“Calua Empire seems fond of lavish decorations. Maybe because there are few flowers or trees, it feels a bit barren—but the ornate embellishments on monochrome buildings create a unique atmosphere. Especially beautiful at night.”

“Is that so?”

Ascan stared at the night streets with indifferent eyes.

Ten years ago, Ascan already had a dry personality. I was purely curious—how had he changed? What was he like now?

“You don’t like the scenery much?”

“To me, it all looks the same.”

“Then what do you like?”

At my direct question, Ascan’s gaze, previously fixed outside, turned to me.

I smiled brightly at him.

“You said before—you wouldn’t refuse my interest in the current you. Surely you’re not going to dodge answering now?”

Ascan was silent for a moment. But soon, he slowly spoke.

“I don’t particularly like anything. Perhaps… herbs.”

“May I ask why you came to like herbal tea?”

“The scent is pleasant. I happened to smell it once, and it calmed my mind.”

Hearing Ascan’s answer directly from his lips made my heart flutter.

He didn’t realize it, but perhaps unconsciously, he missed me.

I’d thought only I had long remembered Ascan—but perhaps even Ascan, having lost his memories, sensed some void within himself?

Lost in thought, I must have been staring intently at Ascan. He asked with a puzzled look.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“…Just… feels kind of like a date. I like it.”

Instantly, Ascan’s eyes flickered with an unreadable light.

I wondered what he was thinking. If I asked, would he answer?

“What were you just thinking?”

“I still find it hard to believe what you said earlier.”

“What I said?”

“The ‘me’ you remember.”

“Ah.”

I recalled telling him the boy Ascan I remembered was kind, pure, loyal—and even self-sacrificing.

Curious which part he found unbelievable, I asked.

“What part exactly is so hard to believe?”

“You said I was so pure I’d avoid you if you approached me. No matter how I think about it, I can’t imagine myself behaving that way.”

“It’s true.”

I could still vividly picture his flustered expression when I undid his buttons.

Ascan stared at me silently, then said in a low voice.

“If I truly liked you, I wouldn’t have avoided you. No matter how far you ran, I’d have chased you down and kept you beside me. If even a single strand of your hair wasn’t mine, I wouldn’t be satisfied.”

Hearing Ascan’s words, a forgotten memory surfaced.

─From now on, keep me by your side and protect me as you do now.

─Huh? What?

─I’ve decided not to run away. Nowhere feels safer than here.

After the academic festival ended, when Ascan declared he’d stay beside me, I suddenly recalled his possessive gaze fixed on me.

─So I’ll stay by your side.

It wasn’t a request or a wish. In hindsight, it felt more like a unilateral declaration.

His current words aligned so closely with that memory, I couldn’t refute them.

After pondering a while, I looked at Ascan before me and asked.

“But why did you suddenly think of that?”

“…Seeing you made me recall it.”

Huh?

Didn’t that imply that no matter how I ran, he’d want to keep me beside him?

Yet his expression remained utterly unchanged, even as he admitted feeling such emotions—even momentarily. I couldn’t help but tilt my head in confusion.

Shortly after, the carriage carrying Ascan and me arrived at the Calua Imperial Palace.

Ascan alighted first and escorted me. Guided by a waiting attendant, we walked deep into the palace’s secluded pavilion.

Zen was halted midway by palace guards and had no choice but to stop.

“I’ll wait here, Miss.”

“Alright. It shouldn’t take long, but if you get tired, feel free to return first.”

Instead of replying, Zen bowed respectfully.

I knew Zen wouldn’t leave first even if I said so, but just in case, I felt compelled to mention it.

Thus, we arrived at a picturesque spot overlooking a well and a beautiful garden.

At the far end of a long table sat a man.

His dignified, mid-thirties appearance was unmistakably extraordinary.

With deep brown hair and green eyes, his face radiated strong masculinity rather than delicate handsomeness. Looking at him felt like facing a great beast of prey.

It was Helsion.

Helsion, who had arrived early to wait, rose from his seat and welcomed us warmly.

“Welcome. You must be Lady Brellof?”

“I greet you for the first time, Your Majesty.”

As I slightly bent my knee in courtesy, Helsion gestured for me to rise.

“I’ve heard rumors, but you’re far more beautiful than I imagined. It’s hard to believe those delicate hands crafted countless magical engineering weapons.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

Pleased by my polite demeanor, Helsion smiled with crinkled eyes, then sat back down and said softly.

“Please sit.”

At that, Ascan also bowed slightly and took his seat.

Finally, when I too sat in my designated place, Helsion smiled faintly and said.

“Weren’t you curious on your way here? Why I summoned Lady Brellof all the way to Calua Empire?”

“Honestly, I was curious. I intended to ask you upon meeting, Your Majesty.”

The smile on Helsion’s lips carried a hint of mystery. With a casual wave of his hand, all attendants preparing to serve food withdrew.

Though nominally a dinner gathering, his sudden dismissal of the meal was puzzling.

Staring at Helsion in confusion, he continued smiling and said.

“I’m impatient by nature. I don’t postpone what I want to say.”

“Yes, please speak.”

“Lady Brellof, will you become my Empress?”

Stunned by the utterly unexpected proposal, I couldn’t help but widen my eyes.

I wasn’t the only one surprised by Helsion’s words. Somehow, even Ascan, seated across from me, flashed a flicker of astonishment in his golden eyes.