The Tyrant’s Beloved Doll - Chapter 61

“Damn it!”

Yerna cursed, her voice shaking with anger. It was a behavior completely out of place with her black mourning dress.

“……”

Setz simply stared at her in silence, not responding.

It wasn’t even noon yet. He couldn’t understand why she had come all the way to the palace at this hour, acting like this.

Of course, from Yerna’s perspective, it was reasonable for her to be upset about Johann Franz’s death.

‘Luna hasn’t been dead for long either. Does she know that, yet still came here to take it out on me…?’

Setz’s expression grew weary.

But then, Yerna said something unexpected.

“I should have gotten rid of that damned Lize a long time ago!”

“…What?”

“It’s all that woman’s doing! She ruined everything!”

Setz had his suspicions, too. He had a vague idea that it might have been Reitan who killed Johann Franz.

But Yerna wasn’t blaming Reitan; she was accusing Lize. From what he knew, Lize had nothing to do with it.

“Mother, what do you mean?”

“Those cursed beings.”

Yerna muttered bitterly as she took a sip of her tea. Unable to hold back, Setz spoke again.

“Is the death of Lord Franz really connected to Lady Lize?”

“Everyone thinks that Lord Franz died of an illness, but that’s a blatant lie.”

Setz’s pupils briefly shook.

“It wasn’t an illness; he was murdered. They say his bedroom was covered in blood.”

For a moment, an image of Reitan drenched in blood flashed through his mind.

So even before returning, had it not been an illness that killed him?

He couldn’t find the answer.

“The concubines and the children are all keeping quiet. They don’t want to get involved in unnecessary trouble!”

It wasn’t entirely untrue. But that wasn’t the whole reason.

None of Johann Franz’s family genuinely mourned his death. In fact, they might have even felt relieved.

Glad that he was dead.

“I’m sorry, Mother… but what does that have to do with Lady Lize…?”

Setz asked again.

“It was that Lize who ordered Lord Franz’s assassination!”

Yerna shouted furiously.

“I heard it myself. That woman bought someone just a few days ago! And from someone who specializes in that kind of work, no less!”

“That, that can’t be…”

“Are you trying to defend that wretched woman in front of me right now?!”

“No, no, that’s not what I mean. But doesn’t something seem off? Even if Lord Franz died, Lady Lize has nothing to gain from it…”

Surprised by his unexpected words, Yerna bit her lip. A blue vein stood out on her forehead.

“Why wouldn’t she gain anything, you foolish girl?”

Before long, Yerna seemed to have reached a conclusion on her own.

“She must know as well. If you were to become Lord Franz’s second wife, it would only solidify my position. She probably wanted to prevent that!”

“……”

“Lize is a wicked woman. She’s more than capable of doing such a thing! Can’t you see how she monopolized the Emperor’s favor by manipulating him?!”

It was confusing. Was this the reason why Yerna killed Lize before the time loop?

Before she was beheaded, Setz had thought simply. Yerna had gotten rid of many concubines in that way and always harbored deep resentment toward Lize.

So, as the Emperor, Lize’s only ally, was also wasting away, she must have thought this was the perfect opportunity to act…

“I will never let this go unpunished!”

Yerna muttered fiercely.

“At this moment, even if something happens to Lize, His Majesty won’t be able to care much!”

Yerna was speaking of the future that Setz already knew.

‘Again, like this…’

His vision seemed to blur.

Setz looked at the enraged Yerna, his face filled with dismay.

 

***

 

Raytan slowly entered the library.

“……”

The narrow room looked just as it had the last time he saw it. The window was slightly open, and the chair where Setz always sat was pushed out.

Raytan stood still in the doorway for a long time before taking a seat in the chair. Then, he stared blankly at the empty library.

[Brother, what should we do first today?]

Setz’s bright smile flashed through his mind, along with the sound of pages rustling as they turned.

‘…Those days will never come again, will they?’

Peace was breaking. Johann Franz had been murdered, and Yerna was going to kill Lize.

And when Lize died, I…

[I came because I was worried. I was afraid you might be lonely all by yourself… I was so worried…]

“…Foolish.”

A faint, powerless laugh scattered into the air. Raytan blinked, his face caught in a mix of emotions, neither laughing nor crying.

Then, something small caught his eye.

What is this? Raytan narrowed his eyes and reached out for the small package. As he did, a faint thud sounded, and a piece of paper hidden among the bundle fell to the floor.

It was the letter that Setz had brought back with her cloak that dawn when she returned after killing General Haydn.

[It’s a cloak. I was worried because you always dress lightly. As the days get colder, please make sure to wear it.]

“…Who’s worried about whom?”

[Luna once told me that the great thing about letters is that you can say things you can’t express face-to-face. So I thought I’d try to share those thoughts, even though you might think I’m foolish.]

“……”

[Thank you always, Brother. No matter how much things change in the future, my feelings for you will never change.]

Raytan’s hand holding the letter trembled slightly.

[Even if the day comes when you hate me, so much that you never want to see me again… I hope you’ll understand my true feelings. I will always wish for your happiness, always yours, Setz.]

That was the end of the letter.

“Really foolish…”

Raytan’s voice, low and trembling, cracked pitifully.

“You foolish girl…”

What a completely ridiculous thought.

The idea that he might ever come to hate Setz? That he might never want to see her again? Such a thing was impossible.

If only he could truly hate her, he wouldn’t be so confused. He wouldn’t be so bothered.

He wouldn’t have come to this cramped library alone.

[Oh, Brother…]

He remembered clearly the day he faced Setz, covered in blood.

Those blue eyes staring at him. Frightened. Just like everyone else…

Raytan couldn’t bring himself to hate Setz. At some point, he admitted it to himself. Her worry was unnecessary. If anything, it was the opposite. The worry was…

It was Raytan’s burden to bear.

[Don’t come looking for me again. You’ll probably fear me now anyway.]

What if you keep looking at me with those eyes? What if you find me disgusting, for the things I’ve done and the things I must still do?

“If you end up hating me, if you can’t even stand the sight of me anymore…”

At that time…

Raytan’s voice, which had been muttering aimlessly, suddenly stopped. It was because he heard someone’s presence.

“Raytan, brother.”

Setz’s voice came from outside the door.

“It’s me, Setz.”

Raytan stood still, staring blankly at the door, unable to respond.

“I’m coming in.”

The door soon opened, and Setz entered.

For some reason, she looked pale and frightened. What had happened this time? Perhaps Bern or Lilien had caused some trouble. Or maybe she had been crying again because of Luna.

Raytan rose from his chair.

“…Brother.”

After closing the door, Setz slowly approached Raytan, gazing up at him silently, as he towered over her.

“I have… I have something to ask.”

“…Say it.”

After a long silence, Setz finally spoke, her voice trembling.

“Do you remember what I told you before? That I didn’t want you to get hurt? That I didn’t want you to be sad or lonely…”

“I remember.”

“I always felt that way. I still do. So what I want to say is…”

“……”

“Can’t you stop… even now?”

“…What?”

“I know everything.”

Raytan’s red eyes shook violently.

He hadn’t expected her to be completely oblivious. After all, she had seen him drenched in blood that day.

But he hadn’t expected her to say it like this.

“It’s not too late. Even now…”

Yerna would surely try to kill Lize. Once she made up her mind, no one could stop her. But she hadn’t made a move yet.

So, if they were lucky, maybe they could stop her. And to do that, Raytan would have to stop killing.

It wasn’t just because Setz didn’t want him to start a coup. Nor was it only because she feared for her own life.

She was worried about him.

Setz truly wished for Raytan not to get hurt.

But there was no response. Mustering her courage, Setz looked up at Raytan. He was wearing an expression that was hard to decipher.

He looked confused, surprised, and somehow… sad.

Unable to hold back any longer, Setz spoke again.

“Since Grand Duke Franz died… Mother is planning to kill Lize—”

Her words were cut off as a large hand suddenly caressed her cheek.

“Close your eyes, Setz.”

“…”

“Close your eyes, and cover your ears. Don’t see anything. Don’t hear anything.”

“Brother…”

“That’s what you must do.”

His low voice was firm and unwavering. Setz couldn’t say another word, only staring into his eyes.

“That’s the best you can do. And… that way, I can…”

I can what? Raytan let out a hollow laugh to himself.

Pretending not to know anything, staying silent—would that protect her?

What a ridiculous thought. Setz wasn’t any different. Kill them all. Everyone. She was part of the “everyone” Lize had spoken of.

Raytan bit his lip as he looked down at Setz. Just as she opened her mouth to say something, he leaned in close to her face.

Setz froze, unable to move. Raytan, too, remained still. Pressing his forehead gently against her rounded one, he whispered as if groaning.

“Even if the day comes when you hate me and can’t stand the sight of me…”

“…”

“I hope you’ll at least understand my true feelings.”

“Brother…?”

“That I wish you wouldn’t get hurt. That you wouldn’t cry. At least that much…”

Will always remain the same. No matter what happens.

Raytan swallowed the words he couldn’t bring himself to say. Then, he pulled Setz into his arms.

Setz flinched, but she didn’t push him away. On the contrary, Raytan only tightened his hold on her slender body, as if clinging to the hope that this might somehow ease his fear.

 

***