The Tyrant’s Beloved Doll - Chapter 63

“…”

“Of course, not all of them were descendants, but still, it’s a funny thing.”

He had confirmed it for himself—who Raytan had killed. And Belkiel had soon realized that those people were the descendants of the ones who once tried to drive Eaton away, to eliminate him.

“Do you think this is just a coincidence?”

Belkiel asked. Eaton remained silent for a moment before chuckling softly.

“Who knows.”

“You’re acting like it’s someone else’s problem.”

“In truth, it doesn’t really matter, Belkiel. Whether it’s a coincidence or not. What matters is…”

“What matters is what?”

“It’s already too late to turn back.”

Eaton quietly gazed down at the imperial palace. The palace reflected in his blood-red eyes looked vastly different from how it had in the past.

“After so much time has passed and countless things have changed… strangely, it feels like everything is repeating.”

“…”

“It feels like the things I couldn’t do back then are happening now.”

“What exactly were you trying to do?”

Eaton let out a hollow laugh.

“Were you planning to take revenge? On all of them—those with blonde hair and blue eyes? That’s why you left the mark, isn’t it?”

“…Yes. It was a mark I left so that when I returned, I could recognize them at a glance.”

Everyone spoke of it. The dazzling blonde hair and ocean-like blue eyes were a symbol of the royal bloodline.

But the truth was different. It was just a mark. The mark of traitors.

“Did you want to kill them all?”

“…”

“Like what that child is doing now.”

A heavy silence fell between the two. Eaton didn’t respond, simply smiling sadly.

When no reply came, Belkiel was about to speak again when—

“I wish it would snow, Belkiel.”

“What?”

“So much snow that it would cover the smell of blood and bury all the bodies.”

“What are you talking about? There aren’t any bodies here.”

“There will be.”

“…Eaton?”

“They’re all going to die. Very soon.”

“…”

“Tonight is the signal.”

Eaton gestured below. Belkiel’s silver-blue eyes followed his hand.

It was Yerna, walking toward Lize’s palace.

“I told you. It’s already too late to turn back.”

Eaton’s blood-red eyes shimmered in the moonlight.

“This is just the beginning.”

***

“I hope it’s not too much trouble, visiting so late at night, Lady Lize.”

“Not at all. Don’t worry about it, Lady Yerna.”

Yerna responded to Lize’s answer with a faint smile.

‘…Damn woman.’

But the words she swallowed were entirely different from the pleasant expression she wore.

She had expected Lize to be on death’s door, a mere shell of herself, but she was still beautiful. Though she clearly showed signs of illness, it didn’t seem to diminish her beauty in the slightest.

If anything, the illness seemed to give her a more delicate, ethereal aura than before. It was ironic.

“I hear your health is steadily declining.”

But the moment she could enjoy that beauty would soon be her last. Lize was going to die soon, her insides burning, her body consumed by fever, vomiting blood in a horrific state.

“Yes, that’s true. These days, I can barely manage to sit upright. Please forgive me for not being able to offer you a more formal greeting.”

“How could I expect such formalities from someone who is unwell?”

Yerna’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“…I didn’t know you were someone who enjoyed drinking, Lize.”

Her sharp gaze landed near the bed. There, on the otherwise spotless marble floor, were items that didn’t suit Lize at all—empty bottles and a half-filled glass of liquor.

“I’m sorry you had to see this, Lady Yerna,” Lize said, bowing her head slightly.

“These days, medicine no longer works, so I’ve had to rely on alcohol just to get some sleep.”

It wasn’t a lie. Lize’s continued survival was nothing short of a miracle. She could no longer eat, and spent her time vomiting nothing but stomach bile.

Night after night, she was plagued by nightmares and couldn’t sleep. She had no choice but to rely on alcohol to find some rest.

“…No need to apologize. Perhaps you’ll find what I brought you to be to your liking,” Yerna said slowly.

“Though we were never particularly close, it’s been over ten years since we’ve known each other.”

“Indeed. Time flies.”

“I’ve been concerned. Hearing that no medicine works for you has made me worry even more.”

In response, Lize offered her usual smile, though she said nothing.

“Lize, if you don’t mind… I’d like to give you a gift.”

“…”

“Will you accept it?”

Lize saw it clearly—the flash of malice in Yerna’s eyes.

“Lize?”

The murderous intent vanished as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by Yerna’s kind, smiling face as she looked at Lize.

“Of course,” Lize said, her expression just as gentle.

“A gift from you, Lady Yerna? I’m most grateful.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Yerna bent down and picked up something she had placed on the floor earlier.

“As I was preparing something for His Majesty, I thought of you and brought this along.”

What she placed on the table was a long, black glass bottle.

“It’s medicinal wine, made with herbs that are good for your health. I hear it’s very effective.”

“…”

“It should be helpful for you, too.”

There was no response. Lize just looked at her with that faint smile, her expression impossible to read, as always.

Perhaps she was suspicious. Growing anxious, Yerna spoke again.

“I understand if you’re wary of my gift. But you don’t need to worry. I gave the same thing to His Majesty this afternoon. If it bothers you, feel free to confirm it.”

“No, Lady Yerna,” Lize said, shaking her head.

“Didn’t I just say? I…”

Then, in her smooth, graceful voice, she added:

“If it’s a gift from you, Lady Yerna, I’m truly grateful for it.”

“…”

“I’m genuinely pleased, Lady Yerna.”

Was she being sarcastic? Yerna’s eyes narrowed once again. But Lize was smiling as if she were truly thankful, with no hint of insincerity.

“Well, I’ve given you my gift, so I’ll be leaving. You should rest now.”

Go ahead and drink the poison, and die. That’s how you’ll get your eternal rest. Yerna’s lips curled slightly.

“Yes. Please forgive me for not seeing you out. I’m not well enough.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m not shameless enough to trouble someone who’s unwell.”

It was, in fact, a shameless thing to say.

Yerna rose from her seat. She draped her expensive outer coat over her shoulders and began to walk slowly toward the door.

Then, at the door, she turned around once more.

“It was a pleasure, Lize.”

“…”

“Truly.”

Instead of responding, Lize bowed her head in a formal gesture.

The sound of the door opening and closing followed, and once Yerna had left, Lize raised her head again.

“Your enjoyment ends here…”

Her voice was low, almost like a curse.

“But my enjoyment begins now, Yerna.”

Lize smiled faintly.

In her emerald eyes, the reflection of the bottle Yerna had left behind gleamed.

Lize bent down and picked up one of the glasses filled with wine. Slowly, she poured the red wine onto the white marble floor. She stared at the pool of wine, deep red like blood, before filling the now-empty glass with the liquor Yerna had brought.

The glass, still tinged with red, was now filled with the clear liquid.

“…”

A smile spread across Lize’s face as she set the bottle down. It was a smile filled with bliss.

Now, everything would be over. The pain would end, and the nightmares would cease.

And it would also be the beginning of everything anew.

Her cold lips touched the rim of the glass.

But just then, the door burst open.

“Hah, Lady L-Lize…!”

It was Setz, her face pale as a ghost.

In her ice-blue eyes, the image of the glass filled with liquor was reflected sharply.

There was no time to think.

Setz ran straight for Lize, snatching the glass from her hand.

Crash. The glass shattered on the floor with a loud clatter.

“Did you… did you drink it?”

“…”

“No, right? Please tell me no.”

Setz pleaded desperately. Lize looked at her and softly parted her lips.

“No. I didn’t drink it.”

“That’s… that’s such a relief…”

Setz couldn’t finish her sentence. Her legs gave out, and she collapsed onto the floor.

“…What brings you here, Princess, at this late hour?”

“Well, I…”

Setz trailed off.

She hadn’t even thought of an excuse. She had hidden in a corner, watching as Yerna entered and left, before rushing in.

All to stop Lize from dying.

“I… well…”

Setz bit her lip.

No matter what she said, the situation was strange. There was no good excuse. Setz hesitated, her face filled with distress, before speaking again.

“Don’t you already know, Lady Lize? What my mother has done to the other concubines?”