I Grabbed the Tyrant’s Heart - Chapter 197

“The devil craves the blood of the innocent. Every time I see the blood of those without sin, the devil’s blood surges. It doesn’t matter whether I kill directly or merely order someone else to do so.”

It seems that if Tess is in any way linked to the death of an innocent, either directly or indirectly, he must pay a price.

“What it like the most is the life of my own kin. There’s a compulsion to kill my own bloodline directly, regardless of any sins they may carry.”

Would Tess go mad if he were to spill his brother’s blood?

“So, I don’t give any reason in the first place. If I bind him up so he can do nothing, he won’t commit any sins.”

Being the Emperor’s blood can be an advantage but also makes one a prime target.

If Tess’s brother was to be implicated in treason against his will, Tess would have to kill him to protect the imperial authority.

But killing his brother would also mean surrendering to the devil within, which would complicate matters.

Tess, who seemed to have no affection for his last remaining family member, felt more pitiable than cold. Considering how much comfort and joy my sister brings me, the thought of ignoring her was painful.

It looks like in your world, Tess, it’s just me.

Though Tess may not care for his brother, I couldn’t help but feel empathy for him. Slipping my hand into his large one, I spoke gently.

“Show me the dress.”

Tess smiled broadly and pulled me towards the dressing room. There was a large sofa I hadn’t seen before, and on it…

“Is this another one of your bizarre collections of dresses?”

I sighed as Tess evaded my question with a grin.

“Do you want to try it on?”

“No.”

I examined the dress and noticed something odd.

“You…. really tolerate this kind of dress?”

The front of the dress was cut so low that it would likely reveal not just the collarbones but a hint of cleavage as well. Although it was modest by some standards, considering Tess picked it out made it unusual.

“After all, I need you to wear that dress so my marks are visible.”

My loved rubbed his long, smooth fingers around the area of my chest, sporting a smile I adored.

“Are the marks still there?”

Realizing his intent made my ears burn, but for a different reason than usual.

“I’ll leave more today.”

My chest looked as though it had the vivid red colors of the kisses Tess had left. Thus, even when Laura was dismissed and I bathed alone, what was it for?

“Can I leave some now?”

Wham.

For the first time in a long while, I gave Tess a genuine smack on the head, and he cradled his head in pain.

“What would you do if I said I won’t wear it?”

“But Euseniel, I’ll be in a suit that day. You like me in my suit, right?”

While rubbing the sore spot, he seamlessly spilled a torrent of words.

“The suit and this dress are a pair. You need to wear this dress so you can see me in my suit.”

Hmph, as if I’d fall for that?

…The silence lasted too long to simply deny his point. Seeing Tess in his suit was rare enough to count on one hand.

I want to see it, I really want to see it!

Certainly, he wouldn’t show it to me without making it a trade.

As I stayed silent for a while, Tess grinned triumphantly.

“I’ll send the dress to the Hardland house.”

Instead of denying, I moved on to the main reason for my visit.

“Tess, there’s something I need to ask.”

“If it’s ‘that matter,’ the Duke has informed me. Understood, Euseniel.”

I had uncovered the identity of the one spreading rumors about me.

Tess tilted his head, his eyes twinkling mischievously. Obviously, he wasn’t smiling out of pleasure.

“So, can I kill him?”

“Blood has a bad influence on you. How about sending him to exile?”

Tess had already thinned the noble’s registry too much and I didn’t want to destabilize him further.

“Make him a commoner?”

“No, a slave.”

For a noble, becoming a slave is a fate worse than death.

Lili Xuen was demoted to a commoner and exiled just for insulting me, so someone who has done worse deserves a harsher punishment.

* * *

On the day of the New Year’s Eve ball, I slipped into the dress and immediately, harsh words spilled out, startling Laura and the other maids who were helping me prepare.

“Laura, the shawl.”

If I go like this, my parents might literally faint from shock, so I had to cover up as much as possible.

My father had come home early for the first time in a long while, so our family headed to the imperial palace in good spirits, all together in the carriage.

“Isn’t His Majesty coming to escort you, Euel?”

“Was he okay to come?”

“No.”

If you’re going to firmly deny it, why ask, Father?

“Today, you’re only dancing with Dad. Understand, Euel?”

Father shivered as if the incident nearly four years ago had happened just yesterday.

“You should dance with Mother.”

After my blunt refusal, Father looked so shocked he couldn’t even blink. Gael held her stomach laughing. Father couldn’t say he didn’t want to dance with Mother, so he remained silent.

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