I Sought Out the Tragedy's Scheming Mastermind

Chapter 50

“I wonder why the saintess wants to stay at the palace. But I can’t go there myself, can I?”

Eliana’s gaze naturally rested on Verkley’s long, pale hand.

And shortly thereafter, she lowered her sight down along his neckline.

His undergarments were a robe of white silk.

It was loosely tied, showing the shape of his torso.

Even as she stayed still, Eliana murmured as if possessed by his charming figure.

“Well, you can just drop by, I guess.”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing.” Eliana coughed and evaded the question.

She could absolutely not get caught thinking that if he set up a honey trap, even the saintess would fall for it.

Verkley added, apparently, as Eliana’s reaction was sour.

“You don’t have to do it if you don’t want to.”

“If I don’t, you’ll threaten to kill me.”

“I won’t.” Verkley shook his head and grinned.

His voice sounded so calm that it felt like good music.

At his unusually friendly response, Eliana read his mood and asked courageously,

“Your Majesty… What do you think of Princess Mary?”

“The same as what you read in that novel,” Verkley answered indifferently.

Eliana then made her question clear.

“I’m not curious of the emperor in the book; I’m curious of the emperor in front of me.”

“…” 

“If the princess was worried and asked you to help you…”

“Lili, if you’re trying to persuade me, it’s not going to work.” Verkley dismissed her as if he wanted to hear nothing more.

Eliana was unable to speak after that, and her mood turned sullen.

A slightly awkward air flowed between them, and Verkley stroked Eliana’s hair affectionately.

“I know you’ve taken a liking to Mary. But this is my duty. It’s not for you to interfere.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s not something you should be sorry for.” He faintly smiled, slightly blaming himself.

Eliana stared at his figure, getting lost in her mind.

‘That’s weird. He’s being just as sweet as when he’s acting, even though it’s clearly just the two of us.’

He tilted his head while she hesitated at his unfamiliar demeanor.

“Why are you looking at me with such suspicion?”

“It’s just strange that Your Majesty is being uncharacteristically kind. When people act in a way that’s unnatural to their habits, it’s time for them to die…”[1]

Eliana was speaking gibberish, having no idea what she was saying.

Then, Verkley asked with a frown.

“Is this a joke where you’re telling me to die now?”

“Ah! It’s just…!”

Eliana shouted in surprise, barely just realizing her remarks didn’t sound good.

“Never mind. You doubt me even if I’m nice to you. What the hell do you think I am?” 

Verkley looked discontent.

Seeing him trying to act brutal again, Eliana peeked up at him and asked,

“…Can I tell you?”

“Don’t hesitate. Say it. Or I’ll kill you.”

Even though it was something of a joke, Eliana immediately responded when she heard “I’ll kill you.”

“Attractiveness and personality are inversely proportional to each other…”

“Stop.”

She couldn’t finish her words.

When Verkley cut her off, Eliana shut her mouth like a clam.

As if displeased, Verkley pressed his palm to his forehead.

Eliana was sweating profusely, and he spat out his words carelessly.

“I know very well what you think of me.”

“Oh, of course, Your Majesty always threatens me, but you’re very handsome, so it’s okay if you act a little out of character…”

“All right, now go to your room.”

“Yep.”

Fed up, Verkley ordered her to get out, and Eliana responded quickly, darting into her room.

“…Huh.”

Eliana had truly only left because she was forced to do so, which made Verkley laugh at her absurdity.

After a while, he muttered in a happy tone.

“She’s listening to me awfully well again.”

Gloating, he looked over at Eliana’s room without even realizing it.

* * * 

Eliana received Mary’s summons and headed for the Main Palace.

Mary invited her to the rose garden.

In the garden, Mary and Gabriel were already sitting and chatting.

“Welcome, Eliana!”

Mary gave a big smile and patted the seat beside her.

Eliana sat by Mary’s side and asked.

“What are you two discussing that seems so fun?”

“Gabriel is extraordinary at telling stories.”

“You must be enjoying yourself. Your expression is very bright.”

“Let’s listen together, Eliana!”

Eliana observed Mary, who answered cheerfully.

She was a little relieved to see her back to her usual self.

Then, Gabriel acknowledged Eliana. “You shine even more up close.”

“Pardon?” Eliana tilted her head, but Gabriel just smiled and didn’t elaborate.

‘Oh, come to think of it, you stared at me strangely last time, too.’

When she watched her in curiosity with wide eyes, Gabriel replied with a low smile after a moment.

“Blonde hair. I keep staring at you because it’s just as beautiful as Algiers’.”

“I thought Eliana’s hair color was pretty, too!” Mary’s eyes gleamed as she approved of Gabriel’s words.

It was awkward to hear the compliment, and it gave her an itch.

Eliana smiled shyly at Mary and Gabriel.

She couldn’t take her eyes off Mary in particular.

Mary, who couldn’t help but brag about her best friend, looked so adorable.

Eliana asked, looking at the two alternately. “So, what were you talking about?”

“The 12th Army Commander of the Itdeoni myth.”

Mary answered instead of Gabriel with a big smile.

At the mention of the Itdeoni myth, Eliana turned to Gabriel with interest.

“You were a believer even before you became a saint.”

“Of course.”

“Gabriel, please continue!”

“Shall we?” Gabriel smiled gently as Mary pleaded in a flower cup pose.

‘She’s so cute…’

Eliana’s reaction was no different from Gabriel’s.

After a while, Gabriel began.

Gabriel’s voice was very cozy and distant.

“Michael the Archangel was the first angel created by Algiers and the best commander out of the six angels.”

The story seemed to have resumed with Michael the Archangel.

“Algiers gave him the gift of ‘charm.’”

“The gift of charm?”

When Eliana asked about the strange word, Gabriel explained calmly.

“It’s the ability to gather people’s attention. Michael is said to have a very beautiful appearance, befitting his gift. Many angels admired him.”

“Are all angels and demons given different gifts?”

“No, they aren’t given to everyone. It’s said only the first six angels and six demons were given their respective gifts.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Among them, Michael received the gift of charm. There are always two sides to Algiers’ gifts.”

Gabriel took a sip of tea.

Eliana was also new to this story, so she waited curiously for her next words.

“It’s a gift that if used well, it can be a medicine, but if used incorrectly, it can be a poison. It’s said that after Michael sinned and fell, his charm turned into the gift of ‘delusion.’”

“So that’s why people say ‘Michael made me do it’ whenever they do something impulsive.”

Mary took on a strange expression, saying she knew the origin of the proverb.

“That’s right. Michael has the power to deceive others into acting in a certain way.”

Gabriel nodded her head back and forth.

Then she looked at Eliana and said,

“So, be careful not to be misled by beautiful things, Miss Eliana. You never know when Michael’s going to be manipulating their hearts.”

The difference between charm and delusion.

The ability to attract people was the same, but how that power was interpreted varied.

Whereas the former allows attraction by free will, the latter was more of an unwilling attraction and closer to manipulation.

Eliana was surprised to hear the saying, “Michael made me do it.”

It felt a little weird blaming the angel for your impulsive behavior.

At the same time, she remembered a past she didn’t want to recall.

‘There is no smoke without a fire[2]. I’m sure there’s a rumor going around because you did something shady, too.’

One of her students said this in response to her denial that the rumors were true.

She never dreamed that a similar saying would squeeze and cut her to pieces.

‘That proverb is wrong. There was smoke without a fire. And it was fueling.’

Eliana’s face automatically crumpled at the memory of those times.

She was unconsciously empathizing with Michael because of a story she’d previously heard from Rube in the past.

Eliana spoke in a slightly harsh tone without realizing it.

“Isn’t that just an excuse? They’re just blaming Michael for their own mistakes.”

“Right. Humans always like to blame others.”

Gabriel agreed with Eliana’s words with a gentle smile.

At that moment, Eliana looked up at her with an embarrassed expression.

Looking back, her sentiments should have chilled the air.

But fortunately, Gabriel was calm.

“I’ve never seen anyone defend Michael. He’s technically the leader of the Hanevs.”

“I wasn’t defending him; I was just saying that I believed it was unfair.”

“Miss Eliana must have been terribly upset.”

For a moment, Eliana was speechless and bit her lip.

Gabriel continued speaking, apparently not wishing for an answer.

T/N:

1. A proverb that says if unpleasant things are said about someone/something, there is probably a good reason for it. ↵

2. People do not change easily unless there is a big change of heart (life/death). ↵