I Sought Out the Tragedy’s Scheming Mastermind

Originally, Verkley should have taken Mary’s power and managed his way out of the banquet.

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The demon doesn’t take control of his body.

It was all a mess.

If Verkley hadn’t lost his body to the Hanev, he wouldn’t have locked her away in some unknown room.

Besides, Rube couldn’t stop him.
No, he had no intention of doing so.

Eliana didn’t understand anything that was going on.

“Is the pain severe?”

Rube still rubbed gently at Eliana’s wrist.

Eliana thought deeply about the worried look on his face.

‘Why do they keep being nice to me? Both Verkley and Rube? And now, the Hanev can’t even harm me.’

What kind of power did she gain by coming to this place?

Only unresolved questions piled up.

“Will you tell the Empress Dowager?”

But what she should do was immediately ask Rube if he was going to notify Hera.

When Eliana asked in a trembling voice, Rube’s smile was bitter.

He was unaware that she was talking about the color of Verkley’s eyes.

“I won’t tell her.”

“Why? You’re on the Empress Dowager’s side.”

“I thought you were on her side, too?”

“I’m…”

Eliana couldn’t answer him and trailed off at the end of her words.

To others, she was on Hera’s side.

She was seducing Verkley under Hera’s orders, and she almost succeeded.

But she had no idea what Hera would order next after this.

Because in the novel, Eliana failed to seduce Verkley.

The word “empress” never crossed Eliana’s mind in the first place.

In the novel, Hera ordered her to poison Verkley, but now, things may be a little different.

Eliana clenched her fist, fighting her complicated thoughts.

Then, Rube covered her hand with his and affectionately said,

“You don’t have to tell me if you can’t.
I can’t say anything about my situation either.”

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Eliana looked up at Rube.

He knew better than anyone that Hera was curious about Verkley’s secret.

It was strange that he would not say anything after discovering the truth.

‘Does he have a secret that he can’t reveal, like me?’

She couldn’t tell if Rube’s kindness was really worth it, or if she was already paying the price.

“You’ve seen it, Rube.
The mark on his eye.”

“I had no idea that his secret was his deal with the Hanevs.”

Rube stared at Verkley with a look of regret.

Verkley was in a deep sleep state, unaware that he was being discussed.

Eliana’s gaze drifted to Verkley, trying to calm the indescribable whirlpool that was her emotions.

She thought he signed a contract with a demon, but it turned out to be something worse than that.

She let out a sigh.

Eliana asked, unable to mask the frown on her face from the rush of tiredness.

“Last time, you said that the Hanevs contractors suffer tragic endings.
What happened to all those people?”

Rube found it difficult to speak.

After a while, he replied in a dry voice.

“Instead of fulfilling their wishes, their bodies were taken away, and they lost everything, dying a slow death.”

He hesitated a few times, opening his mouth before shutting it again.

“The Hanevs feed on human desires.
They especially like extreme emotions.
His Majesty will probably be driven to death by extreme circumstances.”

“Were there any exceptions?”

“I don’t know.”

Eliana gave a desperate smile to Rube’s vague answer.

How long has it been since she believed she would carve out her own life that’s been dragged into this novel?

Now, there was no guarantee she could live by Verkley’s side.

No, rather, more death may await.

She could only hope that the Hanev could not fight against her.

Will she be able to survive?

Eliana glanced back at Verkley, who was sleeping peacefully.

Verkley is the scheming mastermind.
Soon, he will blind the heroine and kill Hera.

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But what was next?

In the first part she read, Verkley had no end.

If his ending was nothing but tragic, as Rube said, it might be better to run away before getting further involved.

Yes.

It’s what she has to do.

Eliana clenched her fists.

‘I just can’t… I can’t run away leaving Verkley alone.’

She knew he wouldn’t give up on his revenge, and she also knew he’d push himself to the limit.

He didn’t even know he was going to go crazy.

But strangely enough, she couldn’t leave.

“…”

Without realizing it, the emotions that slowly heightened only held her back, unable to change her mind.

“Eliana?” Rube called her name quietly.

Eliana looked at Rube with determination.

Yes, there was still hope of surviving.

It was the Hanev who tried to kill her.
Not Verkley.

Verkley had a chance, as he lost his memories whenever the demon took over.

It would be better to maintain a good relationship and plan for the future than to ruin everything with unnecessary words.

If she can’t avoid it, she can figure it out.

“So what happened to the princess’s ceremony? Where are we?”

“This is where the priests stay when they travel to and from the palace.
The ceremony was interrupted by an explosion.
His Majesty told me to guide him somewhere quiet, so I came to the nearest place from the Summer Palace.” Rube explained calmly.

His words were simple.

There was an explosion, and she suddenly collapsed, so Verkley rushed to this place.

Maybe this was the first spot he found after urgently looking for a place with no people.

If he went straight to his bedroom, he may have been suspected, so he must have moved here with Rube.

‘The Hanev’s pretty smart.’

Eliana was gauging the situation when Rube muttered.

“He’s the culprit… he will be dethroned.”

“…Perhaps.
Will you keep this a secret, too?”

Eliana stared at Rube with a pitiful expression, intentionally begging him not to say anything.

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Rube’s golden eyes stared straight at Eliana.

It was a dark gold color, different from Eliana’s light lemon-colored eyes.

Rube nodded slowly.

“Why?” Eliana asked again, wondering if he was just obedient.

The answer that followed was a little unexpected.

“Because I don’t think you want me to.”

“…” 

“You can use me.
I’m your *guardian, aren’t I?” Rube smiled softly, his expression completely reliable.

[ *T/N: In previous chapters, I changed it to “supporter” but the direct translation is guardian.
]

She didn’t know that his smile was intended to loosen up the mood.

Eliana smiled bitterly.

‘Would I have had a higher chance of survival if I’d relied on Rube and not Verkley?’

Eliana immediately shut down that sudden thought.

What-ifs are only what-ifs.

She had to keep trying to survive in the reality that has already taken its course.

Plus, Rube was a character that did not appear in the novel.

If she intervened with the novel up to that point, things could get even worse than they are now.

Still, she didn’t hate the fact that he was helping her.

Eliana relaxed and smiled.
“All right, Rube.
Now we’ve shared a secret.”

“You can ask for help whenever you need it.”

Rube smiled at Eliana’s soft smile.

* * *

To describe it in one word, Mary’s debut ended in a mess.

Hera shook Mary’s shoulders as she got lost in her mind.

It was more serious that Mary showed no abilities than the chaotic ceremony.

Hera accused Mary again.

“You’re lying, aren’t you, Mary?”

“I’m sorry, Mother,” Mary said sadly, huge tears rolling down her cheeks.

She felt something about to bloom before it disappeared.

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Was it because she lacked strength?

Or maybe it’s because she’s a half-princess.

Mary found it painful to hear the label “mixed-blooded child” that’s haunted her since the moment she was born.

But Hera couldn’t afford to accept Mary’s normal state.

Hera muttered to herself, saying she couldn’t believe it, and then shouted with fierceness.

“I’ve had enough of the Owen’s lineage! Are they discriminating against you because you only have half their blood? What does it matter that you aren’t pure blood?!”

Hera, who tended to be cool-headed, was very agitated and nervous.

Kallius, who was next to Mary, intervened in a calm tone.

“It may be because the ceremony was interrupted halfway through that she didn’t receive her abilities.
If we were to perform it again…”

“And if she doesn’t receive her abilities, what kind of shame would that bring, Duke Harpons?”

Hera reacted sharply to Kallius’ suggestion.

Kallius calmly suggested an alternative despite Hera’s eccentric attitude.

“Then why don’t you quietly call for Marquis Demeter and hold the ceremony again in secret?”

“You wish to proceed in secret?”

Hera listened to Kallius with a soft look on her face.

Kallius continued.
“Even if it doesn’t work, his divine power is enough to make it look like it did.”

“Kal…” Mary called to him with tears in her eyes.

He merely stared down at her.

He gave no kind words of consolation, but Mary knew.
That he had gone out of his way for her.

Mary hung her head as the tears began to flow again.

Hera’s expression changed as if she had calmed down after hearing Kallius’ proposal.

Yes, it was rather a good thing.

After using this commotion as an excuse—announcing a terrorist tried to assassinate Mary—they could just say the ceremony would be held privately.

No one could say anything about the ceremony being held alone with Rube and Mary.

To the public, Rube is a neutral figure.

Whether or not Mary’s power is revealed, it is enough to bring the results together.

Rube, who received God’s revelation, was overflowing with divine power.

At least she can avoid disgrace if she secretly pretended to show her abilities with an object containing his divine power.

Hera whispered, wiping Mary’s tears.