"Therefore, I asked the duke about it," William continued, his voice trembling slightly. "He told me to find Lady Cordelia first and introduce her to the public. Therefore, now I want you to run away with me."
What?! That's insane, okay?!
This isn't love at all. It's pure obsession.
Daphne burst into hysterical laughter.
"Lady!" Ellet rushed forward and held her shoulders.
"Sir William! Look at what you've done! The lady has completely lost her senses because of you!"
"Run away?" Daphne repeated between her laughter.
"Run away! With a fool like you? And live my life as a refugee? Absolutely not! Do you think any sane person would do what you're asking after you humiliated them in front of everyone?"
She glared at him coldly. "The emperor is far better than your madness."
William lowered his head in shame unable to speak.
"Get out of my sight! And never let me see your face again!"
William bowed his head one last time and left the room silently.
Her laughter slowly faded as the silence filled the air.
Ellet hesitated and then asked, "Lady, are you alright?"
"With him gone? Yes." Daphne sighed deeply. "Gross... just how obsessed was he with me?"
"Obsession mixed with black magic," Ellet said quietly. "The repeller we used must have failed... or been removed."
"Removed? Failed?" Daphne repeated, frowning.
She suddenly recalled Maximilian's warning:
Sebastian Borfot, your father, has used black magic.
"But isn't the repeller—"
"According to my findings," Ellet interrupted, "the repeller was removed during a meeting. And the duke—"
Wait a second.
"Ellet," Daphne's tone sharpened. "How do you know all this? Why do you know so much?"
Ellet froze. Her face paled, and she hesitated before whispering, "Lady, there is something you should know."
"Tell me," Daphne demanded.
"I..." Ellet swallowed hard. "I am a spy working for the emperor."
* * *
Why did the lady refuse?
William could not understand.
The duke was already planning to make Cordelia the crown princess and even if someone else had found her, her hazel eyes would have revealed her true identity. She would have been brought back either way. So why did Daphne react as if everything was his fault?
These thoughts lingered in his mind as he walked slowly through the long hallway.
"Sir William!"
A gentle, honey-like voice called out, breaking his thoughts.
He turned and saw Lady Cordelia approaching, her blonde hair glowing in the light. Her smile was pure and sweet that for a moment, he thought she looked far more deserving of kindness than the woman who had just rejected him so cruelly.
"I did," he replied quietly when she asked, "Did you confess to my sister?"
"But she refused, saying that no sane person would run away with a fool like me."
Cordelia's face showed sadness. "Oh... That's awful, Sir William. But it's alright! Maybe she just couldn't see your true worth yet."
Her voice softened. "Maybe I can help you."
"Help me?" he asked, confused.
"Yes, Sir Knight." Cordelia stepped closer, her tone playful yet calm. "By the way, thank you for the repeller you gave me. That attack on the day of the festival almost killed me, you know!"
William was about to respond when her fingers brushed against the emerald bracelet on his wrist.
For a brief second, faint black particles seeped out from her fingertips and sank into the bracelet, though he did not notice it clearly.
"Anyway!" she said cheerfully, stepping back. "My birthday is coming soon! Make sure you protect me well, Sir William!"
With that, she twirled lightly and ran off down the corridor.
Her laughter echoed softly behind her.