I Sought Out the Tragedy's Scheming Mastermind

Chapter 45

Chapter 45

Verkley still had the vivid image of his mother vomiting blood embedded in his mind.

His mother’s body helplessly collapsing.

The gush of blood.

And his blurred vision.

For the first time in his life, Verkley had to experience extreme despair and helplessness.

Verkley clenched his fists.

His eyes turned cold.

After all that kindness, she returned it with hostility, and it angered Verkley even more.

Verkley lifted one corner of his mouth.

‘It’s satisfying just to think of how on edge Hera is, thinking my plan is ruined by now.’

He smirked, imagining Hera’s crumpled face.

In reality, Hera was clueless about the fact that Verkley already knew she was keeping him alive on purpose.

It was also clear how long she planned on it. Until Mary, her daughter gained strength.

’It’s hilarious, too.’

How ridiculous, thinking she had him in her clutches.

It was almost pitiful, seeing her struggle without even realizing he was the one sparing her.

“Things just keep getting more interesting.” Verkley recited in a low note of delight.

In fact, his plan was as screwed up as Hera’s.

Originally, he was going to humiliate her on the day of the ceremony, but he failed because of the explosion.

Fortunately, though, he has Eliana.

With her, he’d have no problem controlling his power.

Meeting Eliana was perfect timing. It was as if God were on his side.

Verkley felt the demon’s power coursing through his body.

He felt strangely refreshed the day he woke up after losing his memory.

The aura that kept trying to invade his body and mind had been subdued beyond comprehension.

He felt as if the demon’s power was only lurking around.

‘When I opened my eyes, Eliana was there, so maybe she secretly stabilized me.’

Verkley smirked as he recalled Eliana.

At one point, she confronted him fearlessly, and after signing the contract, she started acting like a frightened puppy.

It was kind of cute yet pitiful at the same time watching her tremble while speaking.

Maybe that’s why.

He called her “Lili” on impulse and kept threatening her as a joke because he didn’t want to see her scared.

Verkley imagined Eliana, who now snorted at his threats.

He’d much rather see the coy look in her eyes than the quiver in her lips.

A smile touched Verkley’s mouth, and he stared out the window again.

Although his plan went in a slightly different direction, he thought of bringing the saintess to the capital just in time.

A rumor of a saintess with enough great divine power to cure the eyes of a blind man.

It fits in perfectly with Verkley’s plan.

How should he revise his plan?

It was about time he thought of that.

He noticed Fin coming in with short and quick steps.

As he stared intently, he saw someone following behind Fin, killing a passerby.

He seemed to be an assassin.

Verkley yawned indifferently.

But then he remembered that Eliana especially cared for her.

At the same time, he considered letting the assassin continue to follow her.

Originally, it was none of his business whether Fin died or not, but strangely, he kept worrying about Eliana.

The gap between Verkley’s brows narrowed for a moment, and he muttered low, “What a nuisance.”

Verkley imagined a person’s head cradled between his hands and then twisted.

Then, the man who was pursuing Fin collapsed without a peep.

Fin hummed and sang, waltzing into the palace without hearing a thing.

Verkley shuffled to bed as if nothing had happened.

9. The Entrance of Saintess Gabriel

The inside of the palace was crowded with news of the arrival of the saintess.

The streets were flourishing with people who traveled to the capital just to see the saintess, along with merchants who came to do business in between.

The inns were flooding with guests, and streets were overflowing with residents selling unnecessary souvenirs.

The Imperial City was no exception.

Even the ladies-in-waiting were excited about the news of the saintess.

Starting with the fact that the saintess had hair that resembled the sky and water, there were many fast circulating rumors claiming her divine power was so immense that she never grew tired, even after using it all day.

Eliana remained in the Imperial City thanks to Rube’s persuasion on Hera.

She didn’t know how he convinced her, but Hera was quiet for now.

Perhaps the engagement issue was put off because she was too troubled by the saintess’ arrival.

Eliana also heard the rumor that the saintess recovered the eyes of a blind man, so she could see why Hera was worried.

Of course, from Eliana’s point of view, Hera was silent.

Hera was busier than anyone at the moment, seeing the terrible rumors circulating quietly in the palace.

“I heard a body was found at the Central Palace? What if we’re in danger?”

“It hasn’t been long since the attempted attack on Princess Mary, but now, there’s another assassin. Were they sent from another country?”

“I don’t know… But why was the body found there? I heard there were no signs of a counterattack.”

Eliana felt her blood run cold when she heard the whispering ladies-in-waiting.

They were talking about the recent discovery of 3 bodies in the Central Palace.

Along with the “assassin” sent from another country, they almost mentioned the main culprit who ruined Mary’s debut.

‘…I think I know who killed the assassin.’

Eliana hurried to Verkley’s bedroom.

Entering the bedroom, Verkley lay there relaxed.

Eliana sat on the mattress, bent at the waist, and asked in a small voice, “I heard a body was found at the Central Palace… Your Majesty, this wasn’t your doing, was it?”

“It was,” Verkley confirmed in a bored voice and played with Eliana’s hair.

Unlike Eliana’s serious expression, Verkley looked unfazed.

“Is the Empress Dowager trying to kill you? Are you feeling okay?”

Anxiously, Eliana ran her hands over Verkley’s body, and he captured her hand.

Then he spoke with a stiff face. At first glance, he seemed confused.

“You’re so fearless.”

“What?”

“And you’re senseless.” But he shook his head and released her hand.

Eliana retorted blankly. “What do you mean ‘senseless?’“

“The assassin wasn’t for me.” As Verkley confessed irritably, Eliana looked frightened.

“Then… was he for me?”

Eliana’s eyes shook violently, and Verkley clicked his tongue.

As he leaned up from his bed, Eliana straightened her back.

When their eyes met, Verkley smirked and tapped Eliana’s forehead. “If I wanted to harm you, I would’ve killed you without a trace.”

“…”

“It was an assassin following your maid. I got rid of him when I saw him, but someone keeps sending more, and it’s getting annoying.” Verkley yawned carelessly.

Eliana’s expression crumpled up at the words: “your maid.”

Not seeing the change in Eliana’s expression, Verkley said plainly, “I don’t need a thank you…”

“No! You’re already on high alert because of who you are. How could you kill the assassin?”

“Huh?” Verkley shot Eliana an incredulous look, looking aghast and dumbfounded.

Of course, he thought she would thank him, but admonishing him was absurd.

Eliana grumbled again, “If you’re going to kill someone, do it without raising suspicion! The maids are whispering about the endless bodies in the Central Palace.”

“I killed him for you, and now you’re complaining that I didn’t get rid of the body?” Verkley’s smile was bright.

Only then did Eliana flinch.

Because she felt the deep anger behind his smile.

“No, I mean, it would have been better to just remove the body…” Eliana rolled her eyes.

“Then I won’t care whether your maid dies or not from now on.”

“No!” Eliana shouted, grasping Verkley’s shoulders.

Eliana continued in a faltering voice as Verkley’s lips formed a triumphant smile.

“I just don’t want Your Majesty to become a suspect…”

“So you’re admonishing me?”

“I wouldn’t call it admonishing, but more like giving you a little advice…”

When Eliana blurted out the rest, Verkley gripped her chin in one hand.

He grotesquely squished her cheeks together.