When The Cruel Villain Seduces Me

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Ko - fi & Pateron

Table of Contents

  • 1. Chapter 1. An Accidental Encounter
  • 2. Chapter 2. Scaffold In Disguise Of A Party
  • 3. Chapter 3. The Reason For His Gaze
  • 4. Chapter 4. There’s No Way I Would Be Attracted To You
  • 5. Chapter 5. An Unexpected Guest
  • 6. Chapter 6. New Job
  • 7. Chapter 7. Coming Into The Tiger’s Den
  • 8. Chapter 8. Waiting To Get Off Work
  • 9. Chapter 9. The Legend Of Sigrid
  • 10. Chapter 10. The Whole Story Of That Incident (1)
  • 11. Chapter 11. The Whole Story Of That Incident (2)
  • 12. Chapter 12. I Don’t Like Nuts
  • 13. Chapter 13. The Strong Attraction At The First Meeting
  • 14. Chapter 14. The Villain’s Weakness (1)
  • 15. Chapter 15. The Villain’s Weakness (2)
  • 16. Chapter 16. Disgusting Person
  • 17. Chapter 17. An Unbreakable Connection
  • 18. Chapter 18. Strange Dream
  • 19. Chapter 19. The Truth About The Energizer
  • 20. Chapter 20. Unexpected Guest
  • 21. Chapter 21. This Must Be A Joke
  • 22. Chapter 22. The Reason For His Revenge
  • 23. Chapter 23. The Stone Flew Over The Calm Water
  • 24. Chapter 24. The Magical Dessert
  • 25. Chapter 25. The Duchess Of Hart
  • 26. Chapter 26. The Way To Return As A Human
  • 27. Chapter 27. Do Allow Me
  • 28. Chapter 28. Shameless Person
  • 29. Chapter 29. Kind-Hearted Duchess
  • 30. Chapter 30. Her Son’s Changing Appearance
  • 31. Chapter 31. The Way To Break The Curse
  • 32. Chapter 32. I Can’t Sleep On My Own
  • 33. Chapter 33. Squirrel And Snake
  • 34. Chapter 34. The Day The Moon Disappeared
  • 35. Chapter 35. I Was Lonely
  • 36. Chapter 36. The Clue To Finding The Heart
  • 37. Chapter 37. The Imperial Palace Where I Will Return Again
  • 38. Chapter 38. Carlos’ Weakness
  • 39. Chapter 39. An Ominous Dream
  • 40. Chapter 40. The Revealed Secret (1)
  • 41. Chapter 41. The Revealed Secret (2)
  • 42. Chapter 42. Savior
  • 43. Chapter 43. The Opened Pandora’s Box
  • 44. Chapter 44. Until You Sheathed The Sword
  • 45. Chapter 45. Uninvited Guest
  • 46. Chapter 46. The Chosen One
  • 47. Chapter 47. Charlotte
  • 48. Chapter 48. Second Refusal
  • 49. Chapter 49. Another Curse
  • 50. Chapter 50. Unexpected Reunion
  • 51. Chapter 51. His Story
  • 52. Chapter 52. Please Love Me A Little More
  • 53. Chapter 53. The Lingering Feeling Of Anxiousness
  • 54. Chapter 54. Nelia’s Friend
  • 55. Chapter 55. Weird Symptom
  • 56. Chapter 56. Calm Before The Storm
  • 57. Chapter 57. Misunderstanding Is An Opportunity (1)
  • 58. Chapter 58. Misunderstanding Is An Opportunity (2)
  • 59. Chapter 59. Walnut Cake
  • 60. Chapter 60. Popo
  • 61. Chapter 61. Precious Pendant
  • 62. Chapter 62. Mysterious Siblings
  • 63. Chapter 63. Tiger’s Hideout
  • 64. Chapter 64. Tiger’s Hideout (2)
  • 65. Chapter 65. The Real Tiger
  • 66. Chapter 66. His True Self
  • 67. Chapter 67. The Secret Of Pendant
  • 68. Chapter 68. Marquis Clint’s Visit
  • 69. Chapter 69. Emergencies (1)
  • 70. Chapter 70. Emergencies (2)
  • 71. Chapter 71. Pharmacist Griff
  • 72. Chapter 72. Cure
  • 73. Chapter 73. Reason For Hate
  • 74. Chapter 74. Zenuit
  • 75. Chapter 75. Ignorant Pet
  • 76. Chapter 76. Unforeseen Cousin
  • 77. Chapter 77. Living With Dragon
  • 78. Chapter 78. Secret Offer
  • 79. Chapter 79. Sigrid’s Mistake
  • 80. Chapter 80. Rowdy Walk In The Park
  • 81. Chapter 81. Unknown Feelings
  • 82. Chapter 82. The Capable Zenuit
  • 83. Chapter 83. The Fire Inside
  • 84. Chapter 84. Visitor In The Rain
  • 85. Chapter 85. Shadow Of Conspiracy
  • 86. Chapter 86. The Prince-Charming Dragon
  • 87. Chapter 87. Nelia’s Guardian
  • 88. Chapter 88. Crow, The Black Market Trafficker
  • 89. Chapter 89. The Invited Leighton
  • 90. Chapter 90. Leighton’s Goal
  • 91. Chapter 91. Memory Manipulation
  • 92. Chapter 92. The Identity Of Her Cousin
  • 93. Chapter 93. Total Lunar Eclipse
  • 94. Chapter 94. Hart Dukedom
  • 95. Chapter 95. Secret Basement
  • 96. Chapter 96. The Story That Shakes The Family
  • 97. Chapter 97. Old Misunderstanding
  • 98. Chapter 98. Becoming A Whole Human Being
  • 99. Chapter 99. The Dragon’s Power
  • 100. Chapter 100. Trapped Zenuit
  • 101. Chapter 101. Strange Voice
  • 102. Chapter 102. Things Nelia Get Greedy For
  • 103. Chapter 103. Shilin And Carl
  • 104. Chapter 104. Mysterious Man
  • 105. Chapter 105. We Meet Again, Charlotte
  • 106. Chapter 106. The Origin Of Snake
  • 107. Chapter 107. Hidden Stories
  • 108. Chapter 108. Duke Hart And Carlos
  • 109. Chapter 109. Uninvited Guest
  • 110. Chapter 110. Unexpected Intrusion
  • 111. Chapter 111. D-Day
  • 112. Chapter 112. Returning
  • 113. Chapter 113. The Victim Of The Arrow
  • 114. Chapter 114. The Heart’s Test
  • 115. Chapter 115. The Heart’s Test (2)
  • 116. Chapter 116. Last Greeting
  • 117. Chapter 117. Punishment
  • 118. Chapter 118. The Belated Truth
  • 119. Chapter 119. The Duke Who Becomes A Servant (1)
  • 120. Chapter 120. The Duke Who Becomes A Servant (2)
  • 121. Chapter 121. The End To The Fake Illness
  • 122. Chapter 122. Confession (1)
  • 123. Chapter 123. Confession (2)
  • 124. Chapter 124. Celebration Party
  • 125. Chapter 125. New Story

Chapter 1. An Accidental Encounter

 

Sponsored chapters by hhv94 (1/2). Thank you! šŸ’–

***

 

 

Ton finally gave up upon hearing Nelia speak calmly.

 

ā€œHow are you going to pet its head?ā€

 

Nelia glanced at the snake.

 

The snake would be able to eat the little human in front of it, but for some reason it was holding back.

 

She imagined a somewhat hopeful scenario where he remembered the people around him, and that his ferocious mind might be crushed by his consciousness, but it was hard to think that way when she saw his piercing silver eyes.

 

Rather, it seemed as if he was thinking about how to play with a funny toy before devouring it.

 

ā€œTon, come behind me. I’ll move forward and provoke the snake.ā€

 

If she provoked the snake, it would take an action, whether it would come near her or try to devour her.

 

At that moment, she was going to reach out and stroke him when he got close enough.

 

It was a simple yet risky plan, but she had no other way at that moment.

 

Nelia crept forward, and the snake slowly moved its head.

 

Nelia, contemplating how to provoke him, shouted loudly.

 

ā€œYour Grace!ā€

Her voice didn’t reach the duke, but she had to do anything in order to stroke the snake’s head that’s high in the air.

 

The snake, which was moving its head gently from side to side with its upper body, suddenly stood up.

 

ā€˜Don’t… don’t tell me calling his name work?’

 

But he soon realized that it was his own illusion.

 

KAAGH!

The snake was making a painful cry again.

 

She didn’t know what provoked the snake, but he seemed to be in pain while shaking his head around, as if he had been hit by a fire arrow.

 

And the spark splashed toward Nelia. The snake’s frantically swinging head turned toward Nelia.

 

ā€œIt’s dangerous, Lady Nelia!ā€

 

Thud~! Ton ended up bouncing off far away because he rushed in and was struck instead of Nelia.

 

ā€œTon!ā€

 

His body was slammed against the wall.

 

ā€œCough…… I’m alright, so…… before itā€¦ā€¦ā€

 

Nelia hurriedly averted her eyes to the front.

 

The snake, who was losing himself in pain, was slowly getting up.

 

ā€˜I think I’ve seen this scene somewhere……’

 

Nelia felt a strange sense of deja vu looking at the sight of the tormented snake and the previously faint burnt smell from before became thicker.

 

But the thought didn’t go on.

 

Because the snake approached in a flash and wrapped its body around Nelia’s body.

 

Nelia had to try to get a hold of herself at the powerful force it exuded at that moment.

 

When she barely opened her eyes at last, ths saw the face of a snake coming closer to her.

 

As the snake approached her, there was a smell of something burning, as if her surroundings were a sea of fire.

 

The snake’s eyes were murky. Like you’ve lost your soul somewhere. The snake’s eyes were hazy. As if it had lost its soul somewhere.

 

Nelia knew where this sense of deja vu came from.

 

It was the dream that she had this morning.

 

Although it was a little different, it’s almost the same as the situation she was in at that moment.

 

ā€˜Did I really have a dream about the future?’

 

There was no time to feel happy after finding out an ability she didn’t know she had before. She was about to die being devoured by this snake.

 

If it was going to happen according to her dream, it would open its mouth in no time and swallow itself in a flash.

 

However, the snake only stared at her, barely moving.

 

Nelia thought it was a great opportunity to stroke the snake’s head, but she found it hard to squirm. The snake’s steel-like body wrapped around her tightly.

 

Nelia felt suffocated, even if she hasn’t eaten by the snake just yet.

 

She found it difficult as it tightened its body around her even more.

 

ā€œYour Grace…….ā€

 

The only thing she could do was muttering words.

 

She couldn’t finish her remark with grandiose and beautiful words, but she simply wanted to mutter something.

 

Nelia used her voice with difficulty.

 

ā€œDon’t suffer even when I dieā€¦ā€¦ā€

She thought the snake’s eyelids were shaking slightly, or was it her imagination? When she struggled with the oxygen supply, her consciousness grew increasingly hazy.

 

ā€œWhen I die, you’re…… not His Grace, but a monster.ā€

 

At the end of her sentence, Nelia realized that her thought wasn’t just an imagination.

 

It was because she saw the snake’s eyelids closing and opening repeatedly in an anxious manner.

 

ā€˜…… Is he agitated?’

 

Eventually, the snake’s body, which was wrapped around it like an impenetrable fortress, loosened so slightly.

 

Haah, haah. Nelia took a short breath thanks to it.

 

Finally feeling at ease a little bit, Nelia thought it was her chance.

 

She wriggled her body and pulled out quickly, she couldn’t reach its head, so she placed her hand on the snake’s cheek.

 

She felt its cool temperature.

 

Because she had been staying by Duke Hart’s side for a while, this temperature wasn’t strange anymore.

 

Nelia, feeling sorry, stroked its scales carefully.

 

It was then.

 

PRAK!

At the same time as the strong force was released from the snake, the scales that brushed against her hand disappeared.

 

Moreover, the burnt smell, which was so strong that she couldn’t breathe, gradually subsided.

 

While wondering what just happened for a moment, Nelia surrendered to her unconsciousness after colliding with an unknown strong force.

 

***

 

Blink.

 

When Nelia opened her eyes, she realized that this was not reality again.

 

ā€˜Is this heaven…….?’

 

She had no idea what good deeds she had done to deserve heaven, but she didn’t think it’s hell either, because she had lived without causing any troubles to others.

 

So is the view she’s seeing now.

 

Nelia was standing on a vast meadow, where the fluttering breeze blew.

 

The endless grasses moving following the passing wind was such a spectacular sight.

 

However, Nelia’s admiring thought didn’t last long.

 

Because she realized what this place was.

 

ā€˜Here is…… the place I dreamed of yesterday.’

 

She looked around and saw the forest. She was caught by Duke Hart, who turned into a giant snake while running away from him yesterday.

 

She almost got eaten, but she quickly woke up from the dream.

 

Nelia looked around while keeping her guard up. She was worried that a furious snake would appear again and attacked her.

 

Then, she found a shiny silver scale in the distance.

 

There was undoubtedly the existence of a silver snake radiating magical light beyond it.

 

He didn’t look as angry as she saw him last time, but she could not afford to be loose.

 

She thought about running away toward the forest again, but Nelia quickly gave up that thought and approached the snake, since she knew that the snake could quickly catch up to her if it wanted to.

 

At least this is a dream, so she thinks it won’t feel hurt to be devoured here.

 

The snake barely opened its head in a crouching position despite sensing somebody’s presence around.

 

She felt hurt seeing it close its eyes weakly.

 

As she somewhat felt pity toward the snake, Nelia reached out and stroked it, as if she was bewitched.

 

Her hand glided slowly along the smooth curves.

 

ā€œYour Grace.ā€

The snake’s eyelids trembled when she called out to him. The silver eyes appeared in a flash.

 

His eyes weren’t as cloudy as before. It was radiant and bright as if it captured everything.

 

Nelia felt a strange feeling.

 

The enormous snake she encountered earlier looked more like a monster that lost its mind and hurt people, but now she felt like it was a magical creature.

 

It was as if he had two sides on him, like Lord Asura*.

 

[Nelia, I’m sorry because I hurt you…….]

 

She heard the duke’s voice. She felt relieved the moment she figured out that the snake was dominated by the duke.

 

ā€œIt’s okay. You didn’t do it on purpose anyway.ā€

 

[But……]

 

ā€œYour Grace, let’s talk about the future, our future.ā€

 

The snake lowered its head powerlessly at Nelia’s assertive voice.

 

[I don’t have any clues……. I don’t know what I’m going to do in the future.]

 

ā€œYou said you’re going to remove the curse. I will help you find the heart.ā€

[How would Nelia do that……?]

 

Nelia smiled at the disheartened voice of the snake.

 

ā€œIt’s a secret.ā€

 

After all, she knew the information about Sigrid’s heart, the nuke of this world.

 

Of course, finding the heart was a different story, but wouldn’t the possibility of finding it increase if she participated, rather than the duke finding it on his own?

Nelia’s smile was seemingly contagious, and a bit of shade was lifted off the snake’s eyes.

 

Then the snake lifted its head slightly. She could tell from the movement that he was a little more collected than a moment ago.

 

[I would prefer Nelia to not do anything. Just stay by my side, so that I feel like I’m losing myself anymore…….]

 

As he spoke in a calm and affectionate tone, Nelia thought she could see a glimpse of Duke Hart through the snake.

 

But that is only a supposition of your thought anyway.

 

She’s undoubtedly in a dream now. Therefore, this snake isn’t really Duke Hart.

 

Nelia stared at the silver eyes.

 

ā€˜Since I’m in a dream now, I might as well bring up the talk regarding the emperor.’

 

The closer Nelia became to the duke, the more frustrated she became. The reason she felt this way was because she knew about the revenge that Duke Hart was preparing for.

 

The fact that this man, who acted so kindly and courteously to her and society, was secretly plotting to kill someone afflicted her like a thorn in her neck.

 

It wasn’t because she was scared like when she met the duke for the first time.

 

If she were to give a definition to this emotion, it would be a sense of disparity when she was face to face with the duke’s double personality.

 

This problem was always on her mind, but she couldn’t pretend to know about it before him, therefore she just kept her mouth shut.

 

So, she wanted to talk about the emperor with the duke in her dream.

 

ā€œYour Grace.ā€

 

The lofty silver eyes turned toward Nelia.

 

[Yes, Nelia.]

 

ā€œYour Grace……. Do you think you must avenge the emperor?ā€

The snake halted for a moment. Nelia grew a little bit anxious at the snake’s changing behavior.

 

[How did Delia……]

 

The duke seemed very surprised upon learning the fact that Nelia knew he was trying to avenge the emperor.

 

Finding the crack in his confusion-laced voice, Nelia clenched her fist and let out a mutter again.

 

ā€œI don’t want Your Grace to hurt anyone.ā€

[But, I……]

 

ā€œI know, why you do it. However……. Revenge will only lead to another revenge.ā€

Nelia stared straight into the duke’s eyes.

 

Revenge would beget revenge.

 

It’s similar to a line in the movie, but in reality, it would definitely happen that way.

 

When Duke Hart successfully carried out his revenge, Carlos would sharpen the blade of revenge on the duke later on.

 

It’s something she could know without having to read the whole book. However, was it such a difficult thing to accept for him even in her dream?

 

[Nelia……. I…….]

 

The hardened snake’s eyes were cracking. The hardened eyes of the snake were cracking apart.

 

ā€œYour, Your Grace…….!ā€

At last, the silver eyes broke into pieces like shards of glass. Nelia shook the duke in panic, but didn’t get any response from him.

 

ā€œYour Grace…….! Your Grace…….!ā€

Only Nelia’s hasty voice resonated in her ears.

 

***

 

ā€œYour Grace…….!ā€

Nelia leapt up from the bed while calling out for the duke. The soft blanket brushed on her hand. The vivid touch made her realize that the event from earlier was just a dream.

 

ā€˜As expected, it was a dream……’

 

Even though she knew it was a dream, why did she feel so dizzy?

 

Looking around the room, she realized it was the room she usually occupied in the duke’s residence.

 

Her last memory before she fainted was an intense light coming from the duke, but unfortunately, she didn’t seem to be dead yet.

 

As her half-conscious mind gradually became clear, Nelia wondered what happened to the duke.

 

She was trying to get up in order to go outside, but the door opened before she managed to.

 

It was Duke Hart in his human form.

 

ā€œYour Grace!ā€

Nelia called him loudly, there was a combination of surprise and joy in her tone.

 

The duke has returned to his human form safely! That information made her completely forget about her unsettling dream.

 

But there was something strange.

 

She thought he would come closer and engulfed her in a powerful hug, but the duke just stood still and looked at Nelia.

 

***

 

[*For those who wonder about the context, again, Asura is a mythical creature in Indic religions who either does good deeds or bad deeds, so basically there are two sides of them. There are some who spread bad deeds, such as encouraging disastrous events, and some are found worshiping Trimurti/triad of the Three Gods; Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva.]

 

[*Also, sorry for the long wait, I just finished my entrance college exam today. Hope everyone has a good day!]

Chapter 2. Scaffold in Disguise of a Party

 

Sponsored chapters by hhv94 (1/2). Thank you! šŸ’–

***

 

 

Ton finally gave up upon hearing Nelia speak calmly.

 

ā€œHow are you going to pet its head?ā€

 

Nelia glanced at the snake.

 

The snake would be able to eat the little human in front of it, but for some reason it was holding back.

 

She imagined a somewhat hopeful scenario where he remembered the people around him, and that his ferocious mind might be crushed by his consciousness, but it was hard to think that way when she saw his piercing silver eyes.

 

Rather, it seemed as if he was thinking about how to play with a funny toy before devouring it.

 

ā€œTon, come behind me. I’ll move forward and provoke the snake.ā€

 

If she provoked the snake, it would take an action, whether it would come near her or try to devour her.

 

At that moment, she was going to reach out and stroke him when he got close enough.

 

It was a simple yet risky plan, but she had no other way at that moment.

 

Nelia crept forward, and the snake slowly moved its head.

 

Nelia, contemplating how to provoke him, shouted loudly.

 

ā€œYour Grace!ā€

Her voice didn’t reach the duke, but she had to do anything in order to stroke the snake’s head that’s high in the air.

 

The snake, which was moving its head gently from side to side with its upper body, suddenly stood up.

 

ā€˜Don’t… don’t tell me calling his name work?’

 

But he soon realized that it was his own illusion.

 

KAAGH!

The snake was making a painful cry again.

 

She didn’t know what provoked the snake, but he seemed to be in pain while shaking his head around, as if he had been hit by a fire arrow.

 

And the spark splashed toward Nelia. The snake’s frantically swinging head turned toward Nelia.

 

ā€œIt’s dangerous, Lady Nelia!ā€

 

Thud~! Ton ended up bouncing off far away because he rushed in and was struck instead of Nelia.

 

ā€œTon!ā€

 

His body was slammed against the wall.

 

ā€œCough…… I’m alright, so…… before itā€¦ā€¦ā€

 

Nelia hurriedly averted her eyes to the front.

 

The snake, who was losing himself in pain, was slowly getting up.

 

ā€˜I think I’ve seen this scene somewhere……’

 

Nelia felt a strange sense of deja vu looking at the sight of the tormented snake and the previously faint burnt smell from before became thicker.

 

But the thought didn’t go on.

 

Because the snake approached in a flash and wrapped its body around Nelia’s body.

 

Nelia had to try to get a hold of herself at the powerful force it exuded at that moment.

 

When she barely opened her eyes at last, ths saw the face of a snake coming closer to her.

 

As the snake approached her, there was a smell of something burning, as if her surroundings were a sea of fire.

 

The snake’s eyes were murky. Like you’ve lost your soul somewhere. The snake’s eyes were hazy. As if it had lost its soul somewhere.

 

Nelia knew where this sense of deja vu came from.

 

It was the dream that she had this morning.

 

Although it was a little different, it’s almost the same as the situation she was in at that moment.

 

ā€˜Did I really have a dream about the future?’

 

There was no time to feel happy after finding out an ability she didn’t know she had before. She was about to die being devoured by this snake.

 

If it was going to happen according to her dream, it would open its mouth in no time and swallow itself in a flash.

 

However, the snake only stared at her, barely moving.

 

Nelia thought it was a great opportunity to stroke the snake’s head, but she found it hard to squirm. The snake’s steel-like body wrapped around her tightly.

 

Nelia felt suffocated, even if she hasn’t eaten by the snake just yet.

 

She found it difficult as it tightened its body around her even more.

 

ā€œYour Grace…….ā€

 

The only thing she could do was muttering words.

 

She couldn’t finish her remark with grandiose and beautiful words, but she simply wanted to mutter something.

 

Nelia used her voice with difficulty.

 

ā€œDon’t suffer even when I dieā€¦ā€¦ā€

She thought the snake’s eyelids were shaking slightly, or was it her imagination? When she struggled with the oxygen supply, her consciousness grew increasingly hazy.

 

ā€œWhen I die, you’re…… not His Grace, but a monster.ā€

 

At the end of her sentence, Nelia realized that her thought wasn’t just an imagination.

 

It was because she saw the snake’s eyelids closing and opening repeatedly in an anxious manner.

 

ā€˜…… Is he agitated?’

 

Eventually, the snake’s body, which was wrapped around it like an impenetrable fortress, loosened so slightly.

 

Haah, haah. Nelia took a short breath thanks to it.

 

Finally feeling at ease a little bit, Nelia thought it was her chance.

 

She wriggled her body and pulled out quickly, she couldn’t reach its head, so she placed her hand on the snake’s cheek.

 

She felt its cool temperature.

 

Because she had been staying by Duke Hart’s side for a while, this temperature wasn’t strange anymore.

 

Nelia, feeling sorry, stroked its scales carefully.

 

It was then.

 

PRAK!

At the same time as the strong force was released from the snake, the scales that brushed against her hand disappeared.

 

Moreover, the burnt smell, which was so strong that she couldn’t breathe, gradually subsided.

 

While wondering what just happened for a moment, Nelia surrendered to her unconsciousness after colliding with an unknown strong force.

 

***

 

Blink.

 

When Nelia opened her eyes, she realized that this was not reality again.

 

ā€˜Is this heaven…….?’

 

She had no idea what good deeds she had done to deserve heaven, but she didn’t think it’s hell either, because she had lived without causing any troubles to others.

 

So is the view she’s seeing now.

 

Nelia was standing on a vast meadow, where the fluttering breeze blew.

 

The endless grasses moving following the passing wind was such a spectacular sight.

 

However, Nelia’s admiring thought didn’t last long.

 

Because she realized what this place was.

 

ā€˜Here is…… the place I dreamed of yesterday.’

 

She looked around and saw the forest. She was caught by Duke Hart, who turned into a giant snake while running away from him yesterday.

 

She almost got eaten, but she quickly woke up from the dream.

 

Nelia looked around while keeping her guard up. She was worried that a furious snake would appear again and attacked her.

 

Then, she found a shiny silver scale in the distance.

 

There was undoubtedly the existence of a silver snake radiating magical light beyond it.

 

He didn’t look as angry as she saw him last time, but she could not afford to be loose.

 

She thought about running away toward the forest again, but Nelia quickly gave up that thought and approached the snake, since she knew that the snake could quickly catch up to her if it wanted to.

 

At least this is a dream, so she thinks it won’t feel hurt to be devoured here.

 

The snake barely opened its head in a crouching position despite sensing somebody’s presence around.

 

She felt hurt seeing it close its eyes weakly.

 

As she somewhat felt pity toward the snake, Nelia reached out and stroked it, as if she was bewitched.

 

Her hand glided slowly along the smooth curves.

 

ā€œYour Grace.ā€

The snake’s eyelids trembled when she called out to him. The silver eyes appeared in a flash.

 

His eyes weren’t as cloudy as before. It was radiant and bright as if it captured everything.

 

Nelia felt a strange feeling.

 

The enormous snake she encountered earlier looked more like a monster that lost its mind and hurt people, but now she felt like it was a magical creature.

 

It was as if he had two sides on him, like Lord Asura*.

 

[Nelia, I’m sorry because I hurt you…….]

 

She heard the duke’s voice. She felt relieved the moment she figured out that the snake was dominated by the duke.

 

ā€œIt’s okay. You didn’t do it on purpose anyway.ā€

 

[But……]

 

ā€œYour Grace, let’s talk about the future, our future.ā€

 

The snake lowered its head powerlessly at Nelia’s assertive voice.

 

[I don’t have any clues……. I don’t know what I’m going to do in the future.]

 

ā€œYou said you’re going to remove the curse. I will help you find the heart.ā€

[How would Nelia do that……?]

 

Nelia smiled at the disheartened voice of the snake.

 

ā€œIt’s a secret.ā€

 

After all, she knew the information about Sigrid’s heart, the nuke of this world.

 

Of course, finding the heart was a different story, but wouldn’t the possibility of finding it increase if she participated, rather than the duke finding it on his own?

Nelia’s smile was seemingly contagious, and a bit of shade was lifted off the snake’s eyes.

 

Then the snake lifted its head slightly. She could tell from the movement that he was a little more collected than a moment ago.

 

[I would prefer Nelia to not do anything. Just stay by my side, so that I feel like I’m losing myself anymore…….]

 

As he spoke in a calm and affectionate tone, Nelia thought she could see a glimpse of Duke Hart through the snake.

 

But that is only a supposition of your thought anyway.

 

She’s undoubtedly in a dream now. Therefore, this snake isn’t really Duke Hart.

 

Nelia stared at the silver eyes.

 

ā€˜Since I’m in a dream now, I might as well bring up the talk regarding the emperor.’

 

The closer Nelia became to the duke, the more frustrated she became. The reason she felt this way was because she knew about the revenge that Duke Hart was preparing for.

 

The fact that this man, who acted so kindly and courteously to her and society, was secretly plotting to kill someone afflicted her like a thorn in her neck.

 

It wasn’t because she was scared like when she met the duke for the first time.

 

If she were to give a definition to this emotion, it would be a sense of disparity when she was face to face with the duke’s double personality.

 

This problem was always on her mind, but she couldn’t pretend to know about it before him, therefore she just kept her mouth shut.

 

So, she wanted to talk about the emperor with the duke in her dream.

 

ā€œYour Grace.ā€

 

The lofty silver eyes turned toward Nelia.

 

[Yes, Nelia.]

 

ā€œYour Grace……. Do you think you must avenge the emperor?ā€

The snake halted for a moment. Nelia grew a little bit anxious at the snake’s changing behavior.

 

[How did Delia……]

 

The duke seemed very surprised upon learning the fact that Nelia knew he was trying to avenge the emperor.

 

Finding the crack in his confusion-laced voice, Nelia clenched her fist and let out a mutter again.

 

ā€œI don’t want Your Grace to hurt anyone.ā€

[But, I……]

 

ā€œI know, why you do it. However……. Revenge will only lead to another revenge.ā€

Nelia stared straight into the duke’s eyes.

 

Revenge would beget revenge.

 

It’s similar to a line in the movie, but in reality, it would definitely happen that way.

 

When Duke Hart successfully carried out his revenge, Carlos would sharpen the blade of revenge on the duke later on.

 

It’s something she could know without having to read the whole book. However, was it such a difficult thing to accept for him even in her dream?

 

[Nelia……. I…….]

 

The hardened snake’s eyes were cracking. The hardened eyes of the snake were cracking apart.

 

ā€œYour, Your Grace…….!ā€

At last, the silver eyes broke into pieces like shards of glass. Nelia shook the duke in panic, but didn’t get any response from him.

 

ā€œYour Grace…….! Your Grace…….!ā€

Only Nelia’s hasty voice resonated in her ears.

 

***

 

ā€œYour Grace…….!ā€

Nelia leapt up from the bed while calling out for the duke. The soft blanket brushed on her hand. The vivid touch made her realize that the event from earlier was just a dream.

 

ā€˜As expected, it was a dream……’

 

Even though she knew it was a dream, why did she feel so dizzy?

 

Looking around the room, she realized it was the room she usually occupied in the duke’s residence.

 

Her last memory before she fainted was an intense light coming from the duke, but unfortunately, she didn’t seem to be dead yet.

 

As her half-conscious mind gradually became clear, Nelia wondered what happened to the duke.

 

She was trying to get up in order to go outside, but the door opened before she managed to.

 

It was Duke Hart in his human form.

 

ā€œYour Grace!ā€

Nelia called him loudly, there was a combination of surprise and joy in her tone.

 

The duke has returned to his human form safely! That information made her completely forget about her unsettling dream.

 

But there was something strange.

 

She thought he would come closer and engulfed her in a powerful hug, but the duke just stood still and looked at Nelia.

 

***

 

[*For those who wonder about the context, again, Asura is a mythical creature in Indic religions who either does good deeds or bad deeds, so basically there are two sides of them. There are some who spread bad deeds, such as encouraging disastrous events, and some are found worshiping Trimurti/triad of the Three Gods; Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva.]

 

[*Also, sorry for the long wait, I just finished my entrance college exam today. Hope everyone has a good day!]

Chapter 3. The Reason for His Gaze

 

Sponsored chapters by hhv94 (1/2). Thank you! šŸ’–

***

 

 

Ton finally gave up upon hearing Nelia speak calmly.

 

ā€œHow are you going to pet its head?ā€

 

Nelia glanced at the snake.

 

The snake would be able to eat the little human in front of it, but for some reason it was holding back.

 

She imagined a somewhat hopeful scenario where he remembered the people around him, and that his ferocious mind might be crushed by his consciousness, but it was hard to think that way when she saw his piercing silver eyes.

 

Rather, it seemed as if he was thinking about how to play with a funny toy before devouring it.

 

ā€œTon, come behind me. I’ll move forward and provoke the snake.ā€

 

If she provoked the snake, it would take an action, whether it would come near her or try to devour her.

 

At that moment, she was going to reach out and stroke him when he got close enough.

 

It was a simple yet risky plan, but she had no other way at that moment.

 

Nelia crept forward, and the snake slowly moved its head.

 

Nelia, contemplating how to provoke him, shouted loudly.

 

ā€œYour Grace!ā€

Her voice didn’t reach the duke, but she had to do anything in order to stroke the snake’s head that’s high in the air.

 

The snake, which was moving its head gently from side to side with its upper body, suddenly stood up.

 

ā€˜Don’t… don’t tell me calling his name work?’

 

But he soon realized that it was his own illusion.

 

KAAGH!

The snake was making a painful cry again.

 

She didn’t know what provoked the snake, but he seemed to be in pain while shaking his head around, as if he had been hit by a fire arrow.

 

And the spark splashed toward Nelia. The snake’s frantically swinging head turned toward Nelia.

 

ā€œIt’s dangerous, Lady Nelia!ā€

 

Thud~! Ton ended up bouncing off far away because he rushed in and was struck instead of Nelia.

 

ā€œTon!ā€

 

His body was slammed against the wall.

 

ā€œCough…… I’m alright, so…… before itā€¦ā€¦ā€

 

Nelia hurriedly averted her eyes to the front.

 

The snake, who was losing himself in pain, was slowly getting up.

 

ā€˜I think I’ve seen this scene somewhere……’

 

Nelia felt a strange sense of deja vu looking at the sight of the tormented snake and the previously faint burnt smell from before became thicker.

 

But the thought didn’t go on.

 

Because the snake approached in a flash and wrapped its body around Nelia’s body.

 

Nelia had to try to get a hold of herself at the powerful force it exuded at that moment.

 

When she barely opened her eyes at last, ths saw the face of a snake coming closer to her.

 

As the snake approached her, there was a smell of something burning, as if her surroundings were a sea of fire.

 

The snake’s eyes were murky. Like you’ve lost your soul somewhere. The snake’s eyes were hazy. As if it had lost its soul somewhere.

 

Nelia knew where this sense of deja vu came from.

 

It was the dream that she had this morning.

 

Although it was a little different, it’s almost the same as the situation she was in at that moment.

 

ā€˜Did I really have a dream about the future?’

 

There was no time to feel happy after finding out an ability she didn’t know she had before. She was about to die being devoured by this snake.

 

If it was going to happen according to her dream, it would open its mouth in no time and swallow itself in a flash.

 

However, the snake only stared at her, barely moving.

 

Nelia thought it was a great opportunity to stroke the snake’s head, but she found it hard to squirm. The snake’s steel-like body wrapped around her tightly.

 

Nelia felt suffocated, even if she hasn’t eaten by the snake just yet.

 

She found it difficult as it tightened its body around her even more.

 

ā€œYour Grace…….ā€

 

The only thing she could do was muttering words.

 

She couldn’t finish her remark with grandiose and beautiful words, but she simply wanted to mutter something.

 

Nelia used her voice with difficulty.

 

ā€œDon’t suffer even when I dieā€¦ā€¦ā€

She thought the snake’s eyelids were shaking slightly, or was it her imagination? When she struggled with the oxygen supply, her consciousness grew increasingly hazy.

 

ā€œWhen I die, you’re…… not His Grace, but a monster.ā€

 

At the end of her sentence, Nelia realized that her thought wasn’t just an imagination.

 

It was because she saw the snake’s eyelids closing and opening repeatedly in an anxious manner.

 

ā€˜…… Is he agitated?’

 

Eventually, the snake’s body, which was wrapped around it like an impenetrable fortress, loosened so slightly.

 

Haah, haah. Nelia took a short breath thanks to it.

 

Finally feeling at ease a little bit, Nelia thought it was her chance.

 

She wriggled her body and pulled out quickly, she couldn’t reach its head, so she placed her hand on the snake’s cheek.

 

She felt its cool temperature.

 

Because she had been staying by Duke Hart’s side for a while, this temperature wasn’t strange anymore.

 

Nelia, feeling sorry, stroked its scales carefully.

 

It was then.

 

PRAK!

At the same time as the strong force was released from the snake, the scales that brushed against her hand disappeared.

 

Moreover, the burnt smell, which was so strong that she couldn’t breathe, gradually subsided.

 

While wondering what just happened for a moment, Nelia surrendered to her unconsciousness after colliding with an unknown strong force.

 

***

 

Blink.

 

When Nelia opened her eyes, she realized that this was not reality again.

 

ā€˜Is this heaven…….?’

 

She had no idea what good deeds she had done to deserve heaven, but she didn’t think it’s hell either, because she had lived without causing any troubles to others.

 

So is the view she’s seeing now.

 

Nelia was standing on a vast meadow, where the fluttering breeze blew.

 

The endless grasses moving following the passing wind was such a spectacular sight.

 

However, Nelia’s admiring thought didn’t last long.

 

Because she realized what this place was.

 

ā€˜Here is…… the place I dreamed of yesterday.’

 

She looked around and saw the forest. She was caught by Duke Hart, who turned into a giant snake while running away from him yesterday.

 

She almost got eaten, but she quickly woke up from the dream.

 

Nelia looked around while keeping her guard up. She was worried that a furious snake would appear again and attacked her.

 

Then, she found a shiny silver scale in the distance.

 

There was undoubtedly the existence of a silver snake radiating magical light beyond it.

 

He didn’t look as angry as she saw him last time, but she could not afford to be loose.

 

She thought about running away toward the forest again, but Nelia quickly gave up that thought and approached the snake, since she knew that the snake could quickly catch up to her if it wanted to.

 

At least this is a dream, so she thinks it won’t feel hurt to be devoured here.

 

The snake barely opened its head in a crouching position despite sensing somebody’s presence around.

 

She felt hurt seeing it close its eyes weakly.

 

As she somewhat felt pity toward the snake, Nelia reached out and stroked it, as if she was bewitched.

 

Her hand glided slowly along the smooth curves.

 

ā€œYour Grace.ā€

The snake’s eyelids trembled when she called out to him. The silver eyes appeared in a flash.

 

His eyes weren’t as cloudy as before. It was radiant and bright as if it captured everything.

 

Nelia felt a strange feeling.

 

The enormous snake she encountered earlier looked more like a monster that lost its mind and hurt people, but now she felt like it was a magical creature.

 

It was as if he had two sides on him, like Lord Asura*.

 

[Nelia, I’m sorry because I hurt you…….]

 

She heard the duke’s voice. She felt relieved the moment she figured out that the snake was dominated by the duke.

 

ā€œIt’s okay. You didn’t do it on purpose anyway.ā€

 

[But……]

 

ā€œYour Grace, let’s talk about the future, our future.ā€

 

The snake lowered its head powerlessly at Nelia’s assertive voice.

 

[I don’t have any clues……. I don’t know what I’m going to do in the future.]

 

ā€œYou said you’re going to remove the curse. I will help you find the heart.ā€

[How would Nelia do that……?]

 

Nelia smiled at the disheartened voice of the snake.

 

ā€œIt’s a secret.ā€

 

After all, she knew the information about Sigrid’s heart, the nuke of this world.

 

Of course, finding the heart was a different story, but wouldn’t the possibility of finding it increase if she participated, rather than the duke finding it on his own?

Nelia’s smile was seemingly contagious, and a bit of shade was lifted off the snake’s eyes.

 

Then the snake lifted its head slightly. She could tell from the movement that he was a little more collected than a moment ago.

 

[I would prefer Nelia to not do anything. Just stay by my side, so that I feel like I’m losing myself anymore…….]

 

As he spoke in a calm and affectionate tone, Nelia thought she could see a glimpse of Duke Hart through the snake.

 

But that is only a supposition of your thought anyway.

 

She’s undoubtedly in a dream now. Therefore, this snake isn’t really Duke Hart.

 

Nelia stared at the silver eyes.

 

ā€˜Since I’m in a dream now, I might as well bring up the talk regarding the emperor.’

 

The closer Nelia became to the duke, the more frustrated she became. The reason she felt this way was because she knew about the revenge that Duke Hart was preparing for.

 

The fact that this man, who acted so kindly and courteously to her and society, was secretly plotting to kill someone afflicted her like a thorn in her neck.

 

It wasn’t because she was scared like when she met the duke for the first time.

 

If she were to give a definition to this emotion, it would be a sense of disparity when she was face to face with the duke’s double personality.

 

This problem was always on her mind, but she couldn’t pretend to know about it before him, therefore she just kept her mouth shut.

 

So, she wanted to talk about the emperor with the duke in her dream.

 

ā€œYour Grace.ā€

 

The lofty silver eyes turned toward Nelia.

 

[Yes, Nelia.]

 

ā€œYour Grace……. Do you think you must avenge the emperor?ā€

The snake halted for a moment. Nelia grew a little bit anxious at the snake’s changing behavior.

 

[How did Delia……]

 

The duke seemed very surprised upon learning the fact that Nelia knew he was trying to avenge the emperor.

 

Finding the crack in his confusion-laced voice, Nelia clenched her fist and let out a mutter again.

 

ā€œI don’t want Your Grace to hurt anyone.ā€

[But, I……]

 

ā€œI know, why you do it. However……. Revenge will only lead to another revenge.ā€

Nelia stared straight into the duke’s eyes.

 

Revenge would beget revenge.

 

It’s similar to a line in the movie, but in reality, it would definitely happen that way.

 

When Duke Hart successfully carried out his revenge, Carlos would sharpen the blade of revenge on the duke later on.

 

It’s something she could know without having to read the whole book. However, was it such a difficult thing to accept for him even in her dream?

 

[Nelia……. I…….]

 

The hardened snake’s eyes were cracking. The hardened eyes of the snake were cracking apart.

 

ā€œYour, Your Grace…….!ā€

At last, the silver eyes broke into pieces like shards of glass. Nelia shook the duke in panic, but didn’t get any response from him.

 

ā€œYour Grace…….! Your Grace…….!ā€

Only Nelia’s hasty voice resonated in her ears.

 

***

 

ā€œYour Grace…….!ā€

Nelia leapt up from the bed while calling out for the duke. The soft blanket brushed on her hand. The vivid touch made her realize that the event from earlier was just a dream.

 

ā€˜As expected, it was a dream……’

 

Even though she knew it was a dream, why did she feel so dizzy?

 

Looking around the room, she realized it was the room she usually occupied in the duke’s residence.

 

Her last memory before she fainted was an intense light coming from the duke, but unfortunately, she didn’t seem to be dead yet.

 

As her half-conscious mind gradually became clear, Nelia wondered what happened to the duke.

 

She was trying to get up in order to go outside, but the door opened before she managed to.

 

It was Duke Hart in his human form.

 

ā€œYour Grace!ā€

Nelia called him loudly, there was a combination of surprise and joy in her tone.

 

The duke has returned to his human form safely! That information made her completely forget about her unsettling dream.

 

But there was something strange.

 

She thought he would come closer and engulfed her in a powerful hug, but the duke just stood still and looked at Nelia.

 

***

 

[*For those who wonder about the context, again, Asura is a mythical creature in Indic religions who either does good deeds or bad deeds, so basically there are two sides of them. There are some who spread bad deeds, such as encouraging disastrous events, and some are found worshiping Trimurti/triad of the Three Gods; Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva.]

 

[*Also, sorry for the long wait, I just finished my entrance college exam today. Hope everyone has a good day!]

Chapter 4. There’s No Way I Would Be Attracted To You

 

Sponsored chapters by hhv94 (1/2). Thank you! šŸ’–

***

 

 

Ton finally gave up upon hearing Nelia speak calmly.

 

ā€œHow are you going to pet its head?ā€

 

Nelia glanced at the snake.

 

The snake would be able to eat the little human in front of it, but for some reason it was holding back.

 

She imagined a somewhat hopeful scenario where he remembered the people around him, and that his ferocious mind might be crushed by his consciousness, but it was hard to think that way when she saw his piercing silver eyes.

 

Rather, it seemed as if he was thinking about how to play with a funny toy before devouring it.

 

ā€œTon, come behind me. I’ll move forward and provoke the snake.ā€

 

If she provoked the snake, it would take an action, whether it would come near her or try to devour her.

 

At that moment, she was going to reach out and stroke him when he got close enough.

 

It was a simple yet risky plan, but she had no other way at that moment.

 

Nelia crept forward, and the snake slowly moved its head.

 

Nelia, contemplating how to provoke him, shouted loudly.

 

ā€œYour Grace!ā€

Her voice didn’t reach the duke, but she had to do anything in order to stroke the snake’s head that’s high in the air.

 

The snake, which was moving its head gently from side to side with its upper body, suddenly stood up.

 

ā€˜Don’t… don’t tell me calling his name work?’

 

But he soon realized that it was his own illusion.

 

KAAGH!

The snake was making a painful cry again.

 

She didn’t know what provoked the snake, but he seemed to be in pain while shaking his head around, as if he had been hit by a fire arrow.

 

And the spark splashed toward Nelia. The snake’s frantically swinging head turned toward Nelia.

 

ā€œIt’s dangerous, Lady Nelia!ā€

 

Thud~! Ton ended up bouncing off far away because he rushed in and was struck instead of Nelia.

 

ā€œTon!ā€

 

His body was slammed against the wall.

 

ā€œCough…… I’m alright, so…… before itā€¦ā€¦ā€

 

Nelia hurriedly averted her eyes to the front.

 

The snake, who was losing himself in pain, was slowly getting up.

 

ā€˜I think I’ve seen this scene somewhere……’

 

Nelia felt a strange sense of deja vu looking at the sight of the tormented snake and the previously faint burnt smell from before became thicker.

 

But the thought didn’t go on.

 

Because the snake approached in a flash and wrapped its body around Nelia’s body.

 

Nelia had to try to get a hold of herself at the powerful force it exuded at that moment.

 

When she barely opened her eyes at last, ths saw the face of a snake coming closer to her.

 

As the snake approached her, there was a smell of something burning, as if her surroundings were a sea of fire.

 

The snake’s eyes were murky. Like you’ve lost your soul somewhere. The snake’s eyes were hazy. As if it had lost its soul somewhere.

 

Nelia knew where this sense of deja vu came from.

 

It was the dream that she had this morning.

 

Although it was a little different, it’s almost the same as the situation she was in at that moment.

 

ā€˜Did I really have a dream about the future?’

 

There was no time to feel happy after finding out an ability she didn’t know she had before. She was about to die being devoured by this snake.

 

If it was going to happen according to her dream, it would open its mouth in no time and swallow itself in a flash.

 

However, the snake only stared at her, barely moving.

 

Nelia thought it was a great opportunity to stroke the snake’s head, but she found it hard to squirm. The snake’s steel-like body wrapped around her tightly.

 

Nelia felt suffocated, even if she hasn’t eaten by the snake just yet.

 

She found it difficult as it tightened its body around her even more.

 

ā€œYour Grace…….ā€

 

The only thing she could do was muttering words.

 

She couldn’t finish her remark with grandiose and beautiful words, but she simply wanted to mutter something.

 

Nelia used her voice with difficulty.

 

ā€œDon’t suffer even when I dieā€¦ā€¦ā€

She thought the snake’s eyelids were shaking slightly, or was it her imagination? When she struggled with the oxygen supply, her consciousness grew increasingly hazy.

 

ā€œWhen I die, you’re…… not His Grace, but a monster.ā€

 

At the end of her sentence, Nelia realized that her thought wasn’t just an imagination.

 

It was because she saw the snake’s eyelids closing and opening repeatedly in an anxious manner.

 

ā€˜…… Is he agitated?’

 

Eventually, the snake’s body, which was wrapped around it like an impenetrable fortress, loosened so slightly.

 

Haah, haah. Nelia took a short breath thanks to it.

 

Finally feeling at ease a little bit, Nelia thought it was her chance.

 

She wriggled her body and pulled out quickly, she couldn’t reach its head, so she placed her hand on the snake’s cheek.

 

She felt its cool temperature.

 

Because she had been staying by Duke Hart’s side for a while, this temperature wasn’t strange anymore.

 

Nelia, feeling sorry, stroked its scales carefully.

 

It was then.

 

PRAK!

At the same time as the strong force was released from the snake, the scales that brushed against her hand disappeared.

 

Moreover, the burnt smell, which was so strong that she couldn’t breathe, gradually subsided.

 

While wondering what just happened for a moment, Nelia surrendered to her unconsciousness after colliding with an unknown strong force.

 

***

 

Blink.

 

When Nelia opened her eyes, she realized that this was not reality again.

 

ā€˜Is this heaven…….?’

 

She had no idea what good deeds she had done to deserve heaven, but she didn’t think it’s hell either, because she had lived without causing any troubles to others.

 

So is the view she’s seeing now.

 

Nelia was standing on a vast meadow, where the fluttering breeze blew.

 

The endless grasses moving following the passing wind was such a spectacular sight.

 

However, Nelia’s admiring thought didn’t last long.

 

Because she realized what this place was.

 

ā€˜Here is…… the place I dreamed of yesterday.’

 

She looked around and saw the forest. She was caught by Duke Hart, who turned into a giant snake while running away from him yesterday.

 

She almost got eaten, but she quickly woke up from the dream.

 

Nelia looked around while keeping her guard up. She was worried that a furious snake would appear again and attacked her.

 

Then, she found a shiny silver scale in the distance.

 

There was undoubtedly the existence of a silver snake radiating magical light beyond it.

 

He didn’t look as angry as she saw him last time, but she could not afford to be loose.

 

She thought about running away toward the forest again, but Nelia quickly gave up that thought and approached the snake, since she knew that the snake could quickly catch up to her if it wanted to.

 

At least this is a dream, so she thinks it won’t feel hurt to be devoured here.

 

The snake barely opened its head in a crouching position despite sensing somebody’s presence around.

 

She felt hurt seeing it close its eyes weakly.

 

As she somewhat felt pity toward the snake, Nelia reached out and stroked it, as if she was bewitched.

 

Her hand glided slowly along the smooth curves.

 

ā€œYour Grace.ā€

The snake’s eyelids trembled when she called out to him. The silver eyes appeared in a flash.

 

His eyes weren’t as cloudy as before. It was radiant and bright as if it captured everything.

 

Nelia felt a strange feeling.

 

The enormous snake she encountered earlier looked more like a monster that lost its mind and hurt people, but now she felt like it was a magical creature.

 

It was as if he had two sides on him, like Lord Asura*.

 

[Nelia, I’m sorry because I hurt you…….]

 

She heard the duke’s voice. She felt relieved the moment she figured out that the snake was dominated by the duke.

 

ā€œIt’s okay. You didn’t do it on purpose anyway.ā€

 

[But……]

 

ā€œYour Grace, let’s talk about the future, our future.ā€

 

The snake lowered its head powerlessly at Nelia’s assertive voice.

 

[I don’t have any clues……. I don’t know what I’m going to do in the future.]

 

ā€œYou said you’re going to remove the curse. I will help you find the heart.ā€

[How would Nelia do that……?]

 

Nelia smiled at the disheartened voice of the snake.

 

ā€œIt’s a secret.ā€

 

After all, she knew the information about Sigrid’s heart, the nuke of this world.

 

Of course, finding the heart was a different story, but wouldn’t the possibility of finding it increase if she participated, rather than the duke finding it on his own?

Nelia’s smile was seemingly contagious, and a bit of shade was lifted off the snake’s eyes.

 

Then the snake lifted its head slightly. She could tell from the movement that he was a little more collected than a moment ago.

 

[I would prefer Nelia to not do anything. Just stay by my side, so that I feel like I’m losing myself anymore…….]

 

As he spoke in a calm and affectionate tone, Nelia thought she could see a glimpse of Duke Hart through the snake.

 

But that is only a supposition of your thought anyway.

 

She’s undoubtedly in a dream now. Therefore, this snake isn’t really Duke Hart.

 

Nelia stared at the silver eyes.

 

ā€˜Since I’m in a dream now, I might as well bring up the talk regarding the emperor.’

 

The closer Nelia became to the duke, the more frustrated she became. The reason she felt this way was because she knew about the revenge that Duke Hart was preparing for.

 

The fact that this man, who acted so kindly and courteously to her and society, was secretly plotting to kill someone afflicted her like a thorn in her neck.

 

It wasn’t because she was scared like when she met the duke for the first time.

 

If she were to give a definition to this emotion, it would be a sense of disparity when she was face to face with the duke’s double personality.

 

This problem was always on her mind, but she couldn’t pretend to know about it before him, therefore she just kept her mouth shut.

 

So, she wanted to talk about the emperor with the duke in her dream.

 

ā€œYour Grace.ā€

 

The lofty silver eyes turned toward Nelia.

 

[Yes, Nelia.]

 

ā€œYour Grace……. Do you think you must avenge the emperor?ā€

The snake halted for a moment. Nelia grew a little bit anxious at the snake’s changing behavior.

 

[How did Delia……]

 

The duke seemed very surprised upon learning the fact that Nelia knew he was trying to avenge the emperor.

 

Finding the crack in his confusion-laced voice, Nelia clenched her fist and let out a mutter again.

 

ā€œI don’t want Your Grace to hurt anyone.ā€

[But, I……]

 

ā€œI know, why you do it. However……. Revenge will only lead to another revenge.ā€

Nelia stared straight into the duke’s eyes.

 

Revenge would beget revenge.

 

It’s similar to a line in the movie, but in reality, it would definitely happen that way.

 

When Duke Hart successfully carried out his revenge, Carlos would sharpen the blade of revenge on the duke later on.

 

It’s something she could know without having to read the whole book. However, was it such a difficult thing to accept for him even in her dream?

 

[Nelia……. I…….]

 

The hardened snake’s eyes were cracking. The hardened eyes of the snake were cracking apart.

 

ā€œYour, Your Grace…….!ā€

At last, the silver eyes broke into pieces like shards of glass. Nelia shook the duke in panic, but didn’t get any response from him.

 

ā€œYour Grace…….! Your Grace…….!ā€

Only Nelia’s hasty voice resonated in her ears.

 

***

 

ā€œYour Grace…….!ā€

Nelia leapt up from the bed while calling out for the duke. The soft blanket brushed on her hand. The vivid touch made her realize that the event from earlier was just a dream.

 

ā€˜As expected, it was a dream……’

 

Even though she knew it was a dream, why did she feel so dizzy?

 

Looking around the room, she realized it was the room she usually occupied in the duke’s residence.

 

Her last memory before she fainted was an intense light coming from the duke, but unfortunately, she didn’t seem to be dead yet.

 

As her half-conscious mind gradually became clear, Nelia wondered what happened to the duke.

 

She was trying to get up in order to go outside, but the door opened before she managed to.

 

It was Duke Hart in his human form.

 

ā€œYour Grace!ā€

Nelia called him loudly, there was a combination of surprise and joy in her tone.

 

The duke has returned to his human form safely! That information made her completely forget about her unsettling dream.

 

But there was something strange.

 

She thought he would come closer and engulfed her in a powerful hug, but the duke just stood still and looked at Nelia.

 

***

 

[*For those who wonder about the context, again, Asura is a mythical creature in Indic religions who either does good deeds or bad deeds, so basically there are two sides of them. There are some who spread bad deeds, such as encouraging disastrous events, and some are found worshiping Trimurti/triad of the Three Gods; Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva.]

 

[*Also, sorry for the long wait, I just finished my entrance college exam today. Hope everyone has a good day!]

Chapter 5. An Unexpected Guest

 

Sponsored chapters by hhv94 (1/2). Thank you! šŸ’–

***

 

 

Ton finally gave up upon hearing Nelia speak calmly.

 

ā€œHow are you going to pet its head?ā€

 

Nelia glanced at the snake.

 

The snake would be able to eat the little human in front of it, but for some reason it was holding back.

 

She imagined a somewhat hopeful scenario where he remembered the people around him, and that his ferocious mind might be crushed by his consciousness, but it was hard to think that way when she saw his piercing silver eyes.

 

Rather, it seemed as if he was thinking about how to play with a funny toy before devouring it.

 

ā€œTon, come behind me. I’ll move forward and provoke the snake.ā€

 

If she provoked the snake, it would take an action, whether it would come near her or try to devour her.

 

At that moment, she was going to reach out and stroke him when he got close enough.

 

It was a simple yet risky plan, but she had no other way at that moment.

 

Nelia crept forward, and the snake slowly moved its head.

 

Nelia, contemplating how to provoke him, shouted loudly.

 

ā€œYour Grace!ā€

Her voice didn’t reach the duke, but she had to do anything in order to stroke the snake’s head that’s high in the air.

 

The snake, which was moving its head gently from side to side with its upper body, suddenly stood up.

 

ā€˜Don’t… don’t tell me calling his name work?’

 

But he soon realized that it was his own illusion.

 

KAAGH!

The snake was making a painful cry again.

 

She didn’t know what provoked the snake, but he seemed to be in pain while shaking his head around, as if he had been hit by a fire arrow.

 

And the spark splashed toward Nelia. The snake’s frantically swinging head turned toward Nelia.

 

ā€œIt’s dangerous, Lady Nelia!ā€

 

Thud~! Ton ended up bouncing off far away because he rushed in and was struck instead of Nelia.

 

ā€œTon!ā€

 

His body was slammed against the wall.

 

ā€œCough…… I’m alright, so…… before itā€¦ā€¦ā€

 

Nelia hurriedly averted her eyes to the front.

 

The snake, who was losing himself in pain, was slowly getting up.

 

ā€˜I think I’ve seen this scene somewhere……’

 

Nelia felt a strange sense of deja vu looking at the sight of the tormented snake and the previously faint burnt smell from before became thicker.

 

But the thought didn’t go on.

 

Because the snake approached in a flash and wrapped its body around Nelia’s body.

 

Nelia had to try to get a hold of herself at the powerful force it exuded at that moment.

 

When she barely opened her eyes at last, ths saw the face of a snake coming closer to her.

 

As the snake approached her, there was a smell of something burning, as if her surroundings were a sea of fire.

 

The snake’s eyes were murky. Like you’ve lost your soul somewhere. The snake’s eyes were hazy. As if it had lost its soul somewhere.

 

Nelia knew where this sense of deja vu came from.

 

It was the dream that she had this morning.

 

Although it was a little different, it’s almost the same as the situation she was in at that moment.

 

ā€˜Did I really have a dream about the future?’

 

There was no time to feel happy after finding out an ability she didn’t know she had before. She was about to die being devoured by this snake.

 

If it was going to happen according to her dream, it would open its mouth in no time and swallow itself in a flash.

 

However, the snake only stared at her, barely moving.

 

Nelia thought it was a great opportunity to stroke the snake’s head, but she found it hard to squirm. The snake’s steel-like body wrapped around her tightly.

 

Nelia felt suffocated, even if she hasn’t eaten by the snake just yet.

 

She found it difficult as it tightened its body around her even more.

 

ā€œYour Grace…….ā€

 

The only thing she could do was muttering words.

 

She couldn’t finish her remark with grandiose and beautiful words, but she simply wanted to mutter something.

 

Nelia used her voice with difficulty.

 

ā€œDon’t suffer even when I dieā€¦ā€¦ā€

She thought the snake’s eyelids were shaking slightly, or was it her imagination? When she struggled with the oxygen supply, her consciousness grew increasingly hazy.

 

ā€œWhen I die, you’re…… not His Grace, but a monster.ā€

 

At the end of her sentence, Nelia realized that her thought wasn’t just an imagination.

 

It was because she saw the snake’s eyelids closing and opening repeatedly in an anxious manner.

 

ā€˜…… Is he agitated?’

 

Eventually, the snake’s body, which was wrapped around it like an impenetrable fortress, loosened so slightly.

 

Haah, haah. Nelia took a short breath thanks to it.

 

Finally feeling at ease a little bit, Nelia thought it was her chance.

 

She wriggled her body and pulled out quickly, she couldn’t reach its head, so she placed her hand on the snake’s cheek.

 

She felt its cool temperature.

 

Because she had been staying by Duke Hart’s side for a while, this temperature wasn’t strange anymore.

 

Nelia, feeling sorry, stroked its scales carefully.

 

It was then.

 

PRAK!

At the same time as the strong force was released from the snake, the scales that brushed against her hand disappeared.

 

Moreover, the burnt smell, which was so strong that she couldn’t breathe, gradually subsided.

 

While wondering what just happened for a moment, Nelia surrendered to her unconsciousness after colliding with an unknown strong force.

 

***

 

Blink.

 

When Nelia opened her eyes, she realized that this was not reality again.

 

ā€˜Is this heaven…….?’

 

She had no idea what good deeds she had done to deserve heaven, but she didn’t think it’s hell either, because she had lived without causing any troubles to others.

 

So is the view she’s seeing now.

 

Nelia was standing on a vast meadow, where the fluttering breeze blew.

 

The endless grasses moving following the passing wind was such a spectacular sight.

 

However, Nelia’s admiring thought didn’t last long.

 

Because she realized what this place was.

 

ā€˜Here is…… the place I dreamed of yesterday.’

 

She looked around and saw the forest. She was caught by Duke Hart, who turned into a giant snake while running away from him yesterday.

 

She almost got eaten, but she quickly woke up from the dream.

 

Nelia looked around while keeping her guard up. She was worried that a furious snake would appear again and attacked her.

 

Then, she found a shiny silver scale in the distance.

 

There was undoubtedly the existence of a silver snake radiating magical light beyond it.

 

He didn’t look as angry as she saw him last time, but she could not afford to be loose.

 

She thought about running away toward the forest again, but Nelia quickly gave up that thought and approached the snake, since she knew that the snake could quickly catch up to her if it wanted to.

 

At least this is a dream, so she thinks it won’t feel hurt to be devoured here.

 

The snake barely opened its head in a crouching position despite sensing somebody’s presence around.

 

She felt hurt seeing it close its eyes weakly.

 

As she somewhat felt pity toward the snake, Nelia reached out and stroked it, as if she was bewitched.

 

Her hand glided slowly along the smooth curves.

 

ā€œYour Grace.ā€

The snake’s eyelids trembled when she called out to him. The silver eyes appeared in a flash.

 

His eyes weren’t as cloudy as before. It was radiant and bright as if it captured everything.

 

Nelia felt a strange feeling.

 

The enormous snake she encountered earlier looked more like a monster that lost its mind and hurt people, but now she felt like it was a magical creature.

 

It was as if he had two sides on him, like Lord Asura*.

 

[Nelia, I’m sorry because I hurt you…….]

 

She heard the duke’s voice. She felt relieved the moment she figured out that the snake was dominated by the duke.

 

ā€œIt’s okay. You didn’t do it on purpose anyway.ā€

 

[But……]

 

ā€œYour Grace, let’s talk about the future, our future.ā€

 

The snake lowered its head powerlessly at Nelia’s assertive voice.

 

[I don’t have any clues……. I don’t know what I’m going to do in the future.]

 

ā€œYou said you’re going to remove the curse. I will help you find the heart.ā€

[How would Nelia do that……?]

 

Nelia smiled at the disheartened voice of the snake.

 

ā€œIt’s a secret.ā€

 

After all, she knew the information about Sigrid’s heart, the nuke of this world.

 

Of course, finding the heart was a different story, but wouldn’t the possibility of finding it increase if she participated, rather than the duke finding it on his own?

Nelia’s smile was seemingly contagious, and a bit of shade was lifted off the snake’s eyes.

 

Then the snake lifted its head slightly. She could tell from the movement that he was a little more collected than a moment ago.

 

[I would prefer Nelia to not do anything. Just stay by my side, so that I feel like I’m losing myself anymore…….]

 

As he spoke in a calm and affectionate tone, Nelia thought she could see a glimpse of Duke Hart through the snake.

 

But that is only a supposition of your thought anyway.

 

She’s undoubtedly in a dream now. Therefore, this snake isn’t really Duke Hart.

 

Nelia stared at the silver eyes.

 

ā€˜Since I’m in a dream now, I might as well bring up the talk regarding the emperor.’

 

The closer Nelia became to the duke, the more frustrated she became. The reason she felt this way was because she knew about the revenge that Duke Hart was preparing for.

 

The fact that this man, who acted so kindly and courteously to her and society, was secretly plotting to kill someone afflicted her like a thorn in her neck.

 

It wasn’t because she was scared like when she met the duke for the first time.

 

If she were to give a definition to this emotion, it would be a sense of disparity when she was face to face with the duke’s double personality.

 

This problem was always on her mind, but she couldn’t pretend to know about it before him, therefore she just kept her mouth shut.

 

So, she wanted to talk about the emperor with the duke in her dream.

 

ā€œYour Grace.ā€

 

The lofty silver eyes turned toward Nelia.

 

[Yes, Nelia.]

 

ā€œYour Grace……. Do you think you must avenge the emperor?ā€

The snake halted for a moment. Nelia grew a little bit anxious at the snake’s changing behavior.

 

[How did Delia……]

 

The duke seemed very surprised upon learning the fact that Nelia knew he was trying to avenge the emperor.

 

Finding the crack in his confusion-laced voice, Nelia clenched her fist and let out a mutter again.

 

ā€œI don’t want Your Grace to hurt anyone.ā€

[But, I……]

 

ā€œI know, why you do it. However……. Revenge will only lead to another revenge.ā€

Nelia stared straight into the duke’s eyes.

 

Revenge would beget revenge.

 

It’s similar to a line in the movie, but in reality, it would definitely happen that way.

 

When Duke Hart successfully carried out his revenge, Carlos would sharpen the blade of revenge on the duke later on.

 

It’s something she could know without having to read the whole book. However, was it such a difficult thing to accept for him even in her dream?

 

[Nelia……. I…….]

 

The hardened snake’s eyes were cracking. The hardened eyes of the snake were cracking apart.

 

ā€œYour, Your Grace…….!ā€

At last, the silver eyes broke into pieces like shards of glass. Nelia shook the duke in panic, but didn’t get any response from him.

 

ā€œYour Grace…….! Your Grace…….!ā€

Only Nelia’s hasty voice resonated in her ears.

 

***

 

ā€œYour Grace…….!ā€

Nelia leapt up from the bed while calling out for the duke. The soft blanket brushed on her hand. The vivid touch made her realize that the event from earlier was just a dream.

 

ā€˜As expected, it was a dream……’

 

Even though she knew it was a dream, why did she feel so dizzy?

 

Looking around the room, she realized it was the room she usually occupied in the duke’s residence.

 

Her last memory before she fainted was an intense light coming from the duke, but unfortunately, she didn’t seem to be dead yet.

 

As her half-conscious mind gradually became clear, Nelia wondered what happened to the duke.

 

She was trying to get up in order to go outside, but the door opened before she managed to.

 

It was Duke Hart in his human form.

 

ā€œYour Grace!ā€

Nelia called him loudly, there was a combination of surprise and joy in her tone.

 

The duke has returned to his human form safely! That information made her completely forget about her unsettling dream.

 

But there was something strange.

 

She thought he would come closer and engulfed her in a powerful hug, but the duke just stood still and looked at Nelia.

 

***

 

[*For those who wonder about the context, again, Asura is a mythical creature in Indic religions who either does good deeds or bad deeds, so basically there are two sides of them. There are some who spread bad deeds, such as encouraging disastrous events, and some are found worshiping Trimurti/triad of the Three Gods; Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva.]

 

[*Also, sorry for the long wait, I just finished my entrance college exam today. Hope everyone has a good day!]

Chapter 6. New Job

 

Sponsored chapters by hhv94 (1/2). Thank you! šŸ’–

***

 

 

Ton finally gave up upon hearing Nelia speak calmly.

 

ā€œHow are you going to pet its head?ā€

 

Nelia glanced at the snake.

 

The snake would be able to eat the little human in front of it, but for some reason it was holding back.

 

She imagined a somewhat hopeful scenario where he remembered the people around him, and that his ferocious mind might be crushed by his consciousness, but it was hard to think that way when she saw his piercing silver eyes.

 

Rather, it seemed as if he was thinking about how to play with a funny toy before devouring it.

 

ā€œTon, come behind me. I’ll move forward and provoke the snake.ā€

 

If she provoked the snake, it would take an action, whether it would come near her or try to devour her.

 

At that moment, she was going to reach out and stroke him when he got close enough.

 

It was a simple yet risky plan, but she had no other way at that moment.

 

Nelia crept forward, and the snake slowly moved its head.

 

Nelia, contemplating how to provoke him, shouted loudly.

 

ā€œYour Grace!ā€

Her voice didn’t reach the duke, but she had to do anything in order to stroke the snake’s head that’s high in the air.

 

The snake, which was moving its head gently from side to side with its upper body, suddenly stood up.

 

ā€˜Don’t… don’t tell me calling his name work?’

 

But he soon realized that it was his own illusion.

 

KAAGH!

The snake was making a painful cry again.

 

She didn’t know what provoked the snake, but he seemed to be in pain while shaking his head around, as if he had been hit by a fire arrow.

 

And the spark splashed toward Nelia. The snake’s frantically swinging head turned toward Nelia.

 

ā€œIt’s dangerous, Lady Nelia!ā€

 

Thud~! Ton ended up bouncing off far away because he rushed in and was struck instead of Nelia.

 

ā€œTon!ā€

 

His body was slammed against the wall.

 

ā€œCough…… I’m alright, so…… before itā€¦ā€¦ā€

 

Nelia hurriedly averted her eyes to the front.

 

The snake, who was losing himself in pain, was slowly getting up.

 

ā€˜I think I’ve seen this scene somewhere……’

 

Nelia felt a strange sense of deja vu looking at the sight of the tormented snake and the previously faint burnt smell from before became thicker.

 

But the thought didn’t go on.

 

Because the snake approached in a flash and wrapped its body around Nelia’s body.

 

Nelia had to try to get a hold of herself at the powerful force it exuded at that moment.

 

When she barely opened her eyes at last, ths saw the face of a snake coming closer to her.

 

As the snake approached her, there was a smell of something burning, as if her surroundings were a sea of fire.

 

The snake’s eyes were murky. Like you’ve lost your soul somewhere. The snake’s eyes were hazy. As if it had lost its soul somewhere.

 

Nelia knew where this sense of deja vu came from.

 

It was the dream that she had this morning.

 

Although it was a little different, it’s almost the same as the situation she was in at that moment.

 

ā€˜Did I really have a dream about the future?’

 

There was no time to feel happy after finding out an ability she didn’t know she had before. She was about to die being devoured by this snake.

 

If it was going to happen according to her dream, it would open its mouth in no time and swallow itself in a flash.

 

However, the snake only stared at her, barely moving.

 

Nelia thought it was a great opportunity to stroke the snake’s head, but she found it hard to squirm. The snake’s steel-like body wrapped around her tightly.

 

Nelia felt suffocated, even if she hasn’t eaten by the snake just yet.

 

She found it difficult as it tightened its body around her even more.

 

ā€œYour Grace…….ā€

 

The only thing she could do was muttering words.

 

She couldn’t finish her remark with grandiose and beautiful words, but she simply wanted to mutter something.

 

Nelia used her voice with difficulty.

 

ā€œDon’t suffer even when I dieā€¦ā€¦ā€

She thought the snake’s eyelids were shaking slightly, or was it her imagination? When she struggled with the oxygen supply, her consciousness grew increasingly hazy.

 

ā€œWhen I die, you’re…… not His Grace, but a monster.ā€

 

At the end of her sentence, Nelia realized that her thought wasn’t just an imagination.

 

It was because she saw the snake’s eyelids closing and opening repeatedly in an anxious manner.

 

ā€˜…… Is he agitated?’

 

Eventually, the snake’s body, which was wrapped around it like an impenetrable fortress, loosened so slightly.

 

Haah, haah. Nelia took a short breath thanks to it.

 

Finally feeling at ease a little bit, Nelia thought it was her chance.

 

She wriggled her body and pulled out quickly, she couldn’t reach its head, so she placed her hand on the snake’s cheek.

 

She felt its cool temperature.

 

Because she had been staying by Duke Hart’s side for a while, this temperature wasn’t strange anymore.

 

Nelia, feeling sorry, stroked its scales carefully.

 

It was then.

 

PRAK!

At the same time as the strong force was released from the snake, the scales that brushed against her hand disappeared.

 

Moreover, the burnt smell, which was so strong that she couldn’t breathe, gradually subsided.

 

While wondering what just happened for a moment, Nelia surrendered to her unconsciousness after colliding with an unknown strong force.

 

***

 

Blink.

 

When Nelia opened her eyes, she realized that this was not reality again.

 

ā€˜Is this heaven…….?’

 

She had no idea what good deeds she had done to deserve heaven, but she didn’t think it’s hell either, because she had lived without causing any troubles to others.

 

So is the view she’s seeing now.

 

Nelia was standing on a vast meadow, where the fluttering breeze blew.

 

The endless grasses moving following the passing wind was such a spectacular sight.

 

However, Nelia’s admiring thought didn’t last long.

 

Because she realized what this place was.

 

ā€˜Here is…… the place I dreamed of yesterday.’

 

She looked around and saw the forest. She was caught by Duke Hart, who turned into a giant snake while running away from him yesterday.

 

She almost got eaten, but she quickly woke up from the dream.

 

Nelia looked around while keeping her guard up. She was worried that a furious snake would appear again and attacked her.

 

Then, she found a shiny silver scale in the distance.

 

There was undoubtedly the existence of a silver snake radiating magical light beyond it.

 

He didn’t look as angry as she saw him last time, but she could not afford to be loose.

 

She thought about running away toward the forest again, but Nelia quickly gave up that thought and approached the snake, since she knew that the snake could quickly catch up to her if it wanted to.

 

At least this is a dream, so she thinks it won’t feel hurt to be devoured here.

 

The snake barely opened its head in a crouching position despite sensing somebody’s presence around.

 

She felt hurt seeing it close its eyes weakly.

 

As she somewhat felt pity toward the snake, Nelia reached out and stroked it, as if she was bewitched.

 

Her hand glided slowly along the smooth curves.

 

ā€œYour Grace.ā€

The snake’s eyelids trembled when she called out to him. The silver eyes appeared in a flash.

 

His eyes weren’t as cloudy as before. It was radiant and bright as if it captured everything.

 

Nelia felt a strange feeling.

 

The enormous snake she encountered earlier looked more like a monster that lost its mind and hurt people, but now she felt like it was a magical creature.

 

It was as if he had two sides on him, like Lord Asura*.

 

[Nelia, I’m sorry because I hurt you…….]

 

She heard the duke’s voice. She felt relieved the moment she figured out that the snake was dominated by the duke.

 

ā€œIt’s okay. You didn’t do it on purpose anyway.ā€

 

[But……]

 

ā€œYour Grace, let’s talk about the future, our future.ā€

 

The snake lowered its head powerlessly at Nelia’s assertive voice.

 

[I don’t have any clues……. I don’t know what I’m going to do in the future.]

 

ā€œYou said you’re going to remove the curse. I will help you find the heart.ā€

[How would Nelia do that……?]

 

Nelia smiled at the disheartened voice of the snake.

 

ā€œIt’s a secret.ā€

 

After all, she knew the information about Sigrid’s heart, the nuke of this world.

 

Of course, finding the heart was a different story, but wouldn’t the possibility of finding it increase if she participated, rather than the duke finding it on his own?

Nelia’s smile was seemingly contagious, and a bit of shade was lifted off the snake’s eyes.

 

Then the snake lifted its head slightly. She could tell from the movement that he was a little more collected than a moment ago.

 

[I would prefer Nelia to not do anything. Just stay by my side, so that I feel like I’m losing myself anymore…….]

 

As he spoke in a calm and affectionate tone, Nelia thought she could see a glimpse of Duke Hart through the snake.

 

But that is only a supposition of your thought anyway.

 

She’s undoubtedly in a dream now. Therefore, this snake isn’t really Duke Hart.

 

Nelia stared at the silver eyes.

 

ā€˜Since I’m in a dream now, I might as well bring up the talk regarding the emperor.’

 

The closer Nelia became to the duke, the more frustrated she became. The reason she felt this way was because she knew about the revenge that Duke Hart was preparing for.

 

The fact that this man, who acted so kindly and courteously to her and society, was secretly plotting to kill someone afflicted her like a thorn in her neck.

 

It wasn’t because she was scared like when she met the duke for the first time.

 

If she were to give a definition to this emotion, it would be a sense of disparity when she was face to face with the duke’s double personality.

 

This problem was always on her mind, but she couldn’t pretend to know about it before him, therefore she just kept her mouth shut.

 

So, she wanted to talk about the emperor with the duke in her dream.

 

ā€œYour Grace.ā€

 

The lofty silver eyes turned toward Nelia.

 

[Yes, Nelia.]

 

ā€œYour Grace……. Do you think you must avenge the emperor?ā€

The snake halted for a moment. Nelia grew a little bit anxious at the snake’s changing behavior.

 

[How did Delia……]

 

The duke seemed very surprised upon learning the fact that Nelia knew he was trying to avenge the emperor.

 

Finding the crack in his confusion-laced voice, Nelia clenched her fist and let out a mutter again.

 

ā€œI don’t want Your Grace to hurt anyone.ā€

[But, I……]

 

ā€œI know, why you do it. However……. Revenge will only lead to another revenge.ā€

Nelia stared straight into the duke’s eyes.

 

Revenge would beget revenge.

 

It’s similar to a line in the movie, but in reality, it would definitely happen that way.

 

When Duke Hart successfully carried out his revenge, Carlos would sharpen the blade of revenge on the duke later on.

 

It’s something she could know without having to read the whole book. However, was it such a difficult thing to accept for him even in her dream?

 

[Nelia……. I…….]

 

The hardened snake’s eyes were cracking. The hardened eyes of the snake were cracking apart.

 

ā€œYour, Your Grace…….!ā€

At last, the silver eyes broke into pieces like shards of glass. Nelia shook the duke in panic, but didn’t get any response from him.

 

ā€œYour Grace…….! Your Grace…….!ā€

Only Nelia’s hasty voice resonated in her ears.

 

***

 

ā€œYour Grace…….!ā€

Nelia leapt up from the bed while calling out for the duke. The soft blanket brushed on her hand. The vivid touch made her realize that the event from earlier was just a dream.

 

ā€˜As expected, it was a dream……’

 

Even though she knew it was a dream, why did she feel so dizzy?

 

Looking around the room, she realized it was the room she usually occupied in the duke’s residence.

 

Her last memory before she fainted was an intense light coming from the duke, but unfortunately, she didn’t seem to be dead yet.

 

As her half-conscious mind gradually became clear, Nelia wondered what happened to the duke.

 

She was trying to get up in order to go outside, but the door opened before she managed to.

 

It was Duke Hart in his human form.

 

ā€œYour Grace!ā€

Nelia called him loudly, there was a combination of surprise and joy in her tone.

 

The duke has returned to his human form safely! That information made her completely forget about her unsettling dream.

 

But there was something strange.

 

She thought he would come closer and engulfed her in a powerful hug, but the duke just stood still and looked at Nelia.

 

***

 

[*For those who wonder about the context, again, Asura is a mythical creature in Indic religions who either does good deeds or bad deeds, so basically there are two sides of them. There are some who spread bad deeds, such as encouraging disastrous events, and some are found worshiping Trimurti/triad of the Three Gods; Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva.]

 

[*Also, sorry for the long wait, I just finished my entrance college exam today. Hope everyone has a good day!]

Chapter 7. Coming Into the Tiger’s Den

 

Sponsored chapters by hhv94 (1/2). Thank you! šŸ’–

***

 

 

Ton finally gave up upon hearing Nelia speak calmly.

 

ā€œHow are you going to pet its head?ā€

 

Nelia glanced at the snake.

 

The snake would be able to eat the little human in front of it, but for some reason it was holding back.

 

She imagined a somewhat hopeful scenario where he remembered the people around him, and that his ferocious mind might be crushed by his consciousness, but it was hard to think that way when she saw his piercing silver eyes.

 

Rather, it seemed as if he was thinking about how to play with a funny toy before devouring it.

 

ā€œTon, come behind me. I’ll move forward and provoke the snake.ā€

 

If she provoked the snake, it would take an action, whether it would come near her or try to devour her.

 

At that moment, she was going to reach out and stroke him when he got close enough.

 

It was a simple yet risky plan, but she had no other way at that moment.

 

Nelia crept forward, and the snake slowly moved its head.

 

Nelia, contemplating how to provoke him, shouted loudly.

 

ā€œYour Grace!ā€

Her voice didn’t reach the duke, but she had to do anything in order to stroke the snake’s head that’s high in the air.

 

The snake, which was moving its head gently from side to side with its upper body, suddenly stood up.

 

ā€˜Don’t… don’t tell me calling his name work?’

 

But he soon realized that it was his own illusion.

 

KAAGH!

The snake was making a painful cry again.

 

She didn’t know what provoked the snake, but he seemed to be in pain while shaking his head around, as if he had been hit by a fire arrow.

 

And the spark splashed toward Nelia. The snake’s frantically swinging head turned toward Nelia.

 

ā€œIt’s dangerous, Lady Nelia!ā€

 

Thud~! Ton ended up bouncing off far away because he rushed in and was struck instead of Nelia.

 

ā€œTon!ā€

 

His body was slammed against the wall.

 

ā€œCough…… I’m alright, so…… before itā€¦ā€¦ā€

 

Nelia hurriedly averted her eyes to the front.

 

The snake, who was losing himself in pain, was slowly getting up.

 

ā€˜I think I’ve seen this scene somewhere……’

 

Nelia felt a strange sense of deja vu looking at the sight of the tormented snake and the previously faint burnt smell from before became thicker.

 

But the thought didn’t go on.

 

Because the snake approached in a flash and wrapped its body around Nelia’s body.

 

Nelia had to try to get a hold of herself at the powerful force it exuded at that moment.

 

When she barely opened her eyes at last, ths saw the face of a snake coming closer to her.

 

As the snake approached her, there was a smell of something burning, as if her surroundings were a sea of fire.

 

The snake’s eyes were murky. Like you’ve lost your soul somewhere. The snake’s eyes were hazy. As if it had lost its soul somewhere.

 

Nelia knew where this sense of deja vu came from.

 

It was the dream that she had this morning.

 

Although it was a little different, it’s almost the same as the situation she was in at that moment.

 

ā€˜Did I really have a dream about the future?’

 

There was no time to feel happy after finding out an ability she didn’t know she had before. She was about to die being devoured by this snake.

 

If it was going to happen according to her dream, it would open its mouth in no time and swallow itself in a flash.

 

However, the snake only stared at her, barely moving.

 

Nelia thought it was a great opportunity to stroke the snake’s head, but she found it hard to squirm. The snake’s steel-like body wrapped around her tightly.

 

Nelia felt suffocated, even if she hasn’t eaten by the snake just yet.

 

She found it difficult as it tightened its body around her even more.

 

ā€œYour Grace…….ā€

 

The only thing she could do was muttering words.

 

She couldn’t finish her remark with grandiose and beautiful words, but she simply wanted to mutter something.

 

Nelia used her voice with difficulty.

 

ā€œDon’t suffer even when I dieā€¦ā€¦ā€

She thought the snake’s eyelids were shaking slightly, or was it her imagination? When she struggled with the oxygen supply, her consciousness grew increasingly hazy.

 

ā€œWhen I die, you’re…… not His Grace, but a monster.ā€

 

At the end of her sentence, Nelia realized that her thought wasn’t just an imagination.

 

It was because she saw the snake’s eyelids closing and opening repeatedly in an anxious manner.

 

ā€˜…… Is he agitated?’

 

Eventually, the snake’s body, which was wrapped around it like an impenetrable fortress, loosened so slightly.

 

Haah, haah. Nelia took a short breath thanks to it.

 

Finally feeling at ease a little bit, Nelia thought it was her chance.

 

She wriggled her body and pulled out quickly, she couldn’t reach its head, so she placed her hand on the snake’s cheek.

 

She felt its cool temperature.

 

Because she had been staying by Duke Hart’s side for a while, this temperature wasn’t strange anymore.

 

Nelia, feeling sorry, stroked its scales carefully.

 

It was then.

 

PRAK!

At the same time as the strong force was released from the snake, the scales that brushed against her hand disappeared.

 

Moreover, the burnt smell, which was so strong that she couldn’t breathe, gradually subsided.

 

While wondering what just happened for a moment, Nelia surrendered to her unconsciousness after colliding with an unknown strong force.

 

***

 

Blink.

 

When Nelia opened her eyes, she realized that this was not reality again.

 

ā€˜Is this heaven…….?’

 

She had no idea what good deeds she had done to deserve heaven, but she didn’t think it’s hell either, because she had lived without causing any troubles to others.

 

So is the view she’s seeing now.

 

Nelia was standing on a vast meadow, where the fluttering breeze blew.

 

The endless grasses moving following the passing wind was such a spectacular sight.

 

However, Nelia’s admiring thought didn’t last long.

 

Because she realized what this place was.

 

ā€˜Here is…… the place I dreamed of yesterday.’

 

She looked around and saw the forest. She was caught by Duke Hart, who turned into a giant snake while running away from him yesterday.

 

She almost got eaten, but she quickly woke up from the dream.

 

Nelia looked around while keeping her guard up. She was worried that a furious snake would appear again and attacked her.

 

Then, she found a shiny silver scale in the distance.

 

There was undoubtedly the existence of a silver snake radiating magical light beyond it.

 

He didn’t look as angry as she saw him last time, but she could not afford to be loose.

 

She thought about running away toward the forest again, but Nelia quickly gave up that thought and approached the snake, since she knew that the snake could quickly catch up to her if it wanted to.

 

At least this is a dream, so she thinks it won’t feel hurt to be devoured here.

 

The snake barely opened its head in a crouching position despite sensing somebody’s presence around.

 

She felt hurt seeing it close its eyes weakly.

 

As she somewhat felt pity toward the snake, Nelia reached out and stroked it, as if she was bewitched.

 

Her hand glided slowly along the smooth curves.

 

ā€œYour Grace.ā€

The snake’s eyelids trembled when she called out to him. The silver eyes appeared in a flash.

 

His eyes weren’t as cloudy as before. It was radiant and bright as if it captured everything.

 

Nelia felt a strange feeling.

 

The enormous snake she encountered earlier looked more like a monster that lost its mind and hurt people, but now she felt like it was a magical creature.

 

It was as if he had two sides on him, like Lord Asura*.

 

[Nelia, I’m sorry because I hurt you…….]

 

She heard the duke’s voice. She felt relieved the moment she figured out that the snake was dominated by the duke.

 

ā€œIt’s okay. You didn’t do it on purpose anyway.ā€

 

[But……]

 

ā€œYour Grace, let’s talk about the future, our future.ā€

 

The snake lowered its head powerlessly at Nelia’s assertive voice.

 

[I don’t have any clues……. I don’t know what I’m going to do in the future.]

 

ā€œYou said you’re going to remove the curse. I will help you find the heart.ā€

[How would Nelia do that……?]

 

Nelia smiled at the disheartened voice of the snake.

 

ā€œIt’s a secret.ā€

 

After all, she knew the information about Sigrid’s heart, the nuke of this world.

 

Of course, finding the heart was a different story, but wouldn’t the possibility of finding it increase if she participated, rather than the duke finding it on his own?

Nelia’s smile was seemingly contagious, and a bit of shade was lifted off the snake’s eyes.

 

Then the snake lifted its head slightly. She could tell from the movement that he was a little more collected than a moment ago.

 

[I would prefer Nelia to not do anything. Just stay by my side, so that I feel like I’m losing myself anymore…….]

 

As he spoke in a calm and affectionate tone, Nelia thought she could see a glimpse of Duke Hart through the snake.

 

But that is only a supposition of your thought anyway.

 

She’s undoubtedly in a dream now. Therefore, this snake isn’t really Duke Hart.

 

Nelia stared at the silver eyes.

 

ā€˜Since I’m in a dream now, I might as well bring up the talk regarding the emperor.’

 

The closer Nelia became to the duke, the more frustrated she became. The reason she felt this way was because she knew about the revenge that Duke Hart was preparing for.

 

The fact that this man, who acted so kindly and courteously to her and society, was secretly plotting to kill someone afflicted her like a thorn in her neck.

 

It wasn’t because she was scared like when she met the duke for the first time.

 

If she were to give a definition to this emotion, it would be a sense of disparity when she was face to face with the duke’s double personality.

 

This problem was always on her mind, but she couldn’t pretend to know about it before him, therefore she just kept her mouth shut.

 

So, she wanted to talk about the emperor with the duke in her dream.

 

ā€œYour Grace.ā€

 

The lofty silver eyes turned toward Nelia.

 

[Yes, Nelia.]

 

ā€œYour Grace……. Do you think you must avenge the emperor?ā€

The snake halted for a moment. Nelia grew a little bit anxious at the snake’s changing behavior.

 

[How did Delia……]

 

The duke seemed very surprised upon learning the fact that Nelia knew he was trying to avenge the emperor.

 

Finding the crack in his confusion-laced voice, Nelia clenched her fist and let out a mutter again.

 

ā€œI don’t want Your Grace to hurt anyone.ā€

[But, I……]

 

ā€œI know, why you do it. However……. Revenge will only lead to another revenge.ā€

Nelia stared straight into the duke’s eyes.

 

Revenge would beget revenge.

 

It’s similar to a line in the movie, but in reality, it would definitely happen that way.

 

When Duke Hart successfully carried out his revenge, Carlos would sharpen the blade of revenge on the duke later on.

 

It’s something she could know without having to read the whole book. However, was it such a difficult thing to accept for him even in her dream?

 

[Nelia……. I…….]

 

The hardened snake’s eyes were cracking. The hardened eyes of the snake were cracking apart.

 

ā€œYour, Your Grace…….!ā€

At last, the silver eyes broke into pieces like shards of glass. Nelia shook the duke in panic, but didn’t get any response from him.

 

ā€œYour Grace…….! Your Grace…….!ā€

Only Nelia’s hasty voice resonated in her ears.

 

***

 

ā€œYour Grace…….!ā€

Nelia leapt up from the bed while calling out for the duke. The soft blanket brushed on her hand. The vivid touch made her realize that the event from earlier was just a dream.

 

ā€˜As expected, it was a dream……’

 

Even though she knew it was a dream, why did she feel so dizzy?

 

Looking around the room, she realized it was the room she usually occupied in the duke’s residence.

 

Her last memory before she fainted was an intense light coming from the duke, but unfortunately, she didn’t seem to be dead yet.

 

As her half-conscious mind gradually became clear, Nelia wondered what happened to the duke.

 

She was trying to get up in order to go outside, but the door opened before she managed to.

 

It was Duke Hart in his human form.

 

ā€œYour Grace!ā€

Nelia called him loudly, there was a combination of surprise and joy in her tone.

 

The duke has returned to his human form safely! That information made her completely forget about her unsettling dream.

 

But there was something strange.

 

She thought he would come closer and engulfed her in a powerful hug, but the duke just stood still and looked at Nelia.

 

***

 

[*For those who wonder about the context, again, Asura is a mythical creature in Indic religions who either does good deeds or bad deeds, so basically there are two sides of them. There are some who spread bad deeds, such as encouraging disastrous events, and some are found worshiping Trimurti/triad of the Three Gods; Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva.]

 

[*Also, sorry for the long wait, I just finished my entrance college exam today. Hope everyone has a good day!]

Chapter 8. Waiting To Get Off Work

 

Sponsored chapters by hhv94 (1/2). Thank you! šŸ’–

***

 

 

Ton finally gave up upon hearing Nelia speak calmly.

 

ā€œHow are you going to pet its head?ā€

 

Nelia glanced at the snake.

 

The snake would be able to eat the little human in front of it, but for some reason it was holding back.

 

She imagined a somewhat hopeful scenario where he remembered the people around him, and that his ferocious mind might be crushed by his consciousness, but it was hard to think that way when she saw his piercing silver eyes.

 

Rather, it seemed as if he was thinking about how to play with a funny toy before devouring it.

 

ā€œTon, come behind me. I’ll move forward and provoke the snake.ā€

 

If she provoked the snake, it would take an action, whether it would come near her or try to devour her.

 

At that moment, she was going to reach out and stroke him when he got close enough.

 

It was a simple yet risky plan, but she had no other way at that moment.

 

Nelia crept forward, and the snake slowly moved its head.

 

Nelia, contemplating how to provoke him, shouted loudly.

 

ā€œYour Grace!ā€

Her voice didn’t reach the duke, but she had to do anything in order to stroke the snake’s head that’s high in the air.

 

The snake, which was moving its head gently from side to side with its upper body, suddenly stood up.

 

ā€˜Don’t… don’t tell me calling his name work?’

 

But he soon realized that it was his own illusion.

 

KAAGH!

The snake was making a painful cry again.

 

She didn’t know what provoked the snake, but he seemed to be in pain while shaking his head around, as if he had been hit by a fire arrow.

 

And the spark splashed toward Nelia. The snake’s frantically swinging head turned toward Nelia.

 

ā€œIt’s dangerous, Lady Nelia!ā€

 

Thud~! Ton ended up bouncing off far away because he rushed in and was struck instead of Nelia.

 

ā€œTon!ā€

 

His body was slammed against the wall.

 

ā€œCough…… I’m alright, so…… before itā€¦ā€¦ā€

 

Nelia hurriedly averted her eyes to the front.

 

The snake, who was losing himself in pain, was slowly getting up.

 

ā€˜I think I’ve seen this scene somewhere……’

 

Nelia felt a strange sense of deja vu looking at the sight of the tormented snake and the previously faint burnt smell from before became thicker.

 

But the thought didn’t go on.

 

Because the snake approached in a flash and wrapped its body around Nelia’s body.

 

Nelia had to try to get a hold of herself at the powerful force it exuded at that moment.

 

When she barely opened her eyes at last, ths saw the face of a snake coming closer to her.

 

As the snake approached her, there was a smell of something burning, as if her surroundings were a sea of fire.

 

The snake’s eyes were murky. Like you’ve lost your soul somewhere. The snake’s eyes were hazy. As if it had lost its soul somewhere.

 

Nelia knew where this sense of deja vu came from.

 

It was the dream that she had this morning.

 

Although it was a little different, it’s almost the same as the situation she was in at that moment.

 

ā€˜Did I really have a dream about the future?’

 

There was no time to feel happy after finding out an ability she didn’t know she had before. She was about to die being devoured by this snake.

 

If it was going to happen according to her dream, it would open its mouth in no time and swallow itself in a flash.

 

However, the snake only stared at her, barely moving.

 

Nelia thought it was a great opportunity to stroke the snake’s head, but she found it hard to squirm. The snake’s steel-like body wrapped around her tightly.

 

Nelia felt suffocated, even if she hasn’t eaten by the snake just yet.

 

She found it difficult as it tightened its body around her even more.

 

ā€œYour Grace…….ā€

 

The only thing she could do was muttering words.

 

She couldn’t finish her remark with grandiose and beautiful words, but she simply wanted to mutter something.

 

Nelia used her voice with difficulty.

 

ā€œDon’t suffer even when I dieā€¦ā€¦ā€

She thought the snake’s eyelids were shaking slightly, or was it her imagination? When she struggled with the oxygen supply, her consciousness grew increasingly hazy.

 

ā€œWhen I die, you’re…… not His Grace, but a monster.ā€

 

At the end of her sentence, Nelia realized that her thought wasn’t just an imagination.

 

It was because she saw the snake’s eyelids closing and opening repeatedly in an anxious manner.

 

ā€˜…… Is he agitated?’

 

Eventually, the snake’s body, which was wrapped around it like an impenetrable fortress, loosened so slightly.

 

Haah, haah. Nelia took a short breath thanks to it.

 

Finally feeling at ease a little bit, Nelia thought it was her chance.

 

She wriggled her body and pulled out quickly, she couldn’t reach its head, so she placed her hand on the snake’s cheek.

 

She felt its cool temperature.

 

Because she had been staying by Duke Hart’s side for a while, this temperature wasn’t strange anymore.

 

Nelia, feeling sorry, stroked its scales carefully.

 

It was then.

 

PRAK!

At the same time as the strong force was released from the snake, the scales that brushed against her hand disappeared.

 

Moreover, the burnt smell, which was so strong that she couldn’t breathe, gradually subsided.

 

While wondering what just happened for a moment, Nelia surrendered to her unconsciousness after colliding with an unknown strong force.

 

***

 

Blink.

 

When Nelia opened her eyes, she realized that this was not reality again.

 

ā€˜Is this heaven…….?’

 

She had no idea what good deeds she had done to deserve heaven, but she didn’t think it’s hell either, because she had lived without causing any troubles to others.

 

So is the view she’s seeing now.

 

Nelia was standing on a vast meadow, where the fluttering breeze blew.

 

The endless grasses moving following the passing wind was such a spectacular sight.

 

However, Nelia’s admiring thought didn’t last long.

 

Because she realized what this place was.

 

ā€˜Here is…… the place I dreamed of yesterday.’

 

She looked around and saw the forest. She was caught by Duke Hart, who turned into a giant snake while running away from him yesterday.

 

She almost got eaten, but she quickly woke up from the dream.

 

Nelia looked around while keeping her guard up. She was worried that a furious snake would appear again and attacked her.

 

Then, she found a shiny silver scale in the distance.

 

There was undoubtedly the existence of a silver snake radiating magical light beyond it.

 

He didn’t look as angry as she saw him last time, but she could not afford to be loose.

 

She thought about running away toward the forest again, but Nelia quickly gave up that thought and approached the snake, since she knew that the snake could quickly catch up to her if it wanted to.

 

At least this is a dream, so she thinks it won’t feel hurt to be devoured here.

 

The snake barely opened its head in a crouching position despite sensing somebody’s presence around.

 

She felt hurt seeing it close its eyes weakly.

 

As she somewhat felt pity toward the snake, Nelia reached out and stroked it, as if she was bewitched.

 

Her hand glided slowly along the smooth curves.

 

ā€œYour Grace.ā€

The snake’s eyelids trembled when she called out to him. The silver eyes appeared in a flash.

 

His eyes weren’t as cloudy as before. It was radiant and bright as if it captured everything.

 

Nelia felt a strange feeling.

 

The enormous snake she encountered earlier looked more like a monster that lost its mind and hurt people, but now she felt like it was a magical creature.

 

It was as if he had two sides on him, like Lord Asura*.

 

[Nelia, I’m sorry because I hurt you…….]

 

She heard the duke’s voice. She felt relieved the moment she figured out that the snake was dominated by the duke.

 

ā€œIt’s okay. You didn’t do it on purpose anyway.ā€

 

[But……]

 

ā€œYour Grace, let’s talk about the future, our future.ā€

 

The snake lowered its head powerlessly at Nelia’s assertive voice.

 

[I don’t have any clues……. I don’t know what I’m going to do in the future.]

 

ā€œYou said you’re going to remove the curse. I will help you find the heart.ā€

[How would Nelia do that……?]

 

Nelia smiled at the disheartened voice of the snake.

 

ā€œIt’s a secret.ā€

 

After all, she knew the information about Sigrid’s heart, the nuke of this world.

 

Of course, finding the heart was a different story, but wouldn’t the possibility of finding it increase if she participated, rather than the duke finding it on his own?

Nelia’s smile was seemingly contagious, and a bit of shade was lifted off the snake’s eyes.

 

Then the snake lifted its head slightly. She could tell from the movement that he was a little more collected than a moment ago.

 

[I would prefer Nelia to not do anything. Just stay by my side, so that I feel like I’m losing myself anymore…….]

 

As he spoke in a calm and affectionate tone, Nelia thought she could see a glimpse of Duke Hart through the snake.

 

But that is only a supposition of your thought anyway.

 

She’s undoubtedly in a dream now. Therefore, this snake isn’t really Duke Hart.

 

Nelia stared at the silver eyes.

 

ā€˜Since I’m in a dream now, I might as well bring up the talk regarding the emperor.’

 

The closer Nelia became to the duke, the more frustrated she became. The reason she felt this way was because she knew about the revenge that Duke Hart was preparing for.

 

The fact that this man, who acted so kindly and courteously to her and society, was secretly plotting to kill someone afflicted her like a thorn in her neck.

 

It wasn’t because she was scared like when she met the duke for the first time.

 

If she were to give a definition to this emotion, it would be a sense of disparity when she was face to face with the duke’s double personality.

 

This problem was always on her mind, but she couldn’t pretend to know about it before him, therefore she just kept her mouth shut.

 

So, she wanted to talk about the emperor with the duke in her dream.

 

ā€œYour Grace.ā€

 

The lofty silver eyes turned toward Nelia.

 

[Yes, Nelia.]

 

ā€œYour Grace……. Do you think you must avenge the emperor?ā€

The snake halted for a moment. Nelia grew a little bit anxious at the snake’s changing behavior.

 

[How did Delia……]

 

The duke seemed very surprised upon learning the fact that Nelia knew he was trying to avenge the emperor.

 

Finding the crack in his confusion-laced voice, Nelia clenched her fist and let out a mutter again.

 

ā€œI don’t want Your Grace to hurt anyone.ā€

[But, I……]

 

ā€œI know, why you do it. However……. Revenge will only lead to another revenge.ā€

Nelia stared straight into the duke’s eyes.

 

Revenge would beget revenge.

 

It’s similar to a line in the movie, but in reality, it would definitely happen that way.

 

When Duke Hart successfully carried out his revenge, Carlos would sharpen the blade of revenge on the duke later on.

 

It’s something she could know without having to read the whole book. However, was it such a difficult thing to accept for him even in her dream?

 

[Nelia……. I…….]

 

The hardened snake’s eyes were cracking. The hardened eyes of the snake were cracking apart.

 

ā€œYour, Your Grace…….!ā€

At last, the silver eyes broke into pieces like shards of glass. Nelia shook the duke in panic, but didn’t get any response from him.

 

ā€œYour Grace…….! Your Grace…….!ā€

Only Nelia’s hasty voice resonated in her ears.

 

***

 

ā€œYour Grace…….!ā€

Nelia leapt up from the bed while calling out for the duke. The soft blanket brushed on her hand. The vivid touch made her realize that the event from earlier was just a dream.

 

ā€˜As expected, it was a dream……’

 

Even though she knew it was a dream, why did she feel so dizzy?

 

Looking around the room, she realized it was the room she usually occupied in the duke’s residence.

 

Her last memory before she fainted was an intense light coming from the duke, but unfortunately, she didn’t seem to be dead yet.

 

As her half-conscious mind gradually became clear, Nelia wondered what happened to the duke.

 

She was trying to get up in order to go outside, but the door opened before she managed to.

 

It was Duke Hart in his human form.

 

ā€œYour Grace!ā€

Nelia called him loudly, there was a combination of surprise and joy in her tone.

 

The duke has returned to his human form safely! That information made her completely forget about her unsettling dream.

 

But there was something strange.

 

She thought he would come closer and engulfed her in a powerful hug, but the duke just stood still and looked at Nelia.

 

***

 

[*For those who wonder about the context, again, Asura is a mythical creature in Indic religions who either does good deeds or bad deeds, so basically there are two sides of them. There are some who spread bad deeds, such as encouraging disastrous events, and some are found worshiping Trimurti/triad of the Three Gods; Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva.]

 

[*Also, sorry for the long wait, I just finished my entrance college exam today. Hope everyone has a good day!]

Chapter 9. The Legend of Sigrid

 

Sponsored chapters by hhv94 (1/2). Thank you! šŸ’–

***

 

 

Ton finally gave up upon hearing Nelia speak calmly.

 

ā€œHow are you going to pet its head?ā€

 

Nelia glanced at the snake.

 

The snake would be able to eat the little human in front of it, but for some reason it was holding back.

 

She imagined a somewhat hopeful scenario where he remembered the people around him, and that his ferocious mind might be crushed by his consciousness, but it was hard to think that way when she saw his piercing silver eyes.

 

Rather, it seemed as if he was thinking about how to play with a funny toy before devouring it.

 

ā€œTon, come behind me. I’ll move forward and provoke the snake.ā€

 

If she provoked the snake, it would take an action, whether it would come near her or try to devour her.

 

At that moment, she was going to reach out and stroke him when he got close enough.

 

It was a simple yet risky plan, but she had no other way at that moment.

 

Nelia crept forward, and the snake slowly moved its head.

 

Nelia, contemplating how to provoke him, shouted loudly.

 

ā€œYour Grace!ā€

Her voice didn’t reach the duke, but she had to do anything in order to stroke the snake’s head that’s high in the air.

 

The snake, which was moving its head gently from side to side with its upper body, suddenly stood up.

 

ā€˜Don’t… don’t tell me calling his name work?’

 

But he soon realized that it was his own illusion.

 

KAAGH!

The snake was making a painful cry again.

 

She didn’t know what provoked the snake, but he seemed to be in pain while shaking his head around, as if he had been hit by a fire arrow.

 

And the spark splashed toward Nelia. The snake’s frantically swinging head turned toward Nelia.

 

ā€œIt’s dangerous, Lady Nelia!ā€

 

Thud~! Ton ended up bouncing off far away because he rushed in and was struck instead of Nelia.

 

ā€œTon!ā€

 

His body was slammed against the wall.

 

ā€œCough…… I’m alright, so…… before itā€¦ā€¦ā€

 

Nelia hurriedly averted her eyes to the front.

 

The snake, who was losing himself in pain, was slowly getting up.

 

ā€˜I think I’ve seen this scene somewhere……’

 

Nelia felt a strange sense of deja vu looking at the sight of the tormented snake and the previously faint burnt smell from before became thicker.

 

But the thought didn’t go on.

 

Because the snake approached in a flash and wrapped its body around Nelia’s body.

 

Nelia had to try to get a hold of herself at the powerful force it exuded at that moment.

 

When she barely opened her eyes at last, ths saw the face of a snake coming closer to her.

 

As the snake approached her, there was a smell of something burning, as if her surroundings were a sea of fire.

 

The snake’s eyes were murky. Like you’ve lost your soul somewhere. The snake’s eyes were hazy. As if it had lost its soul somewhere.

 

Nelia knew where this sense of deja vu came from.

 

It was the dream that she had this morning.

 

Although it was a little different, it’s almost the same as the situation she was in at that moment.

 

ā€˜Did I really have a dream about the future?’

 

There was no time to feel happy after finding out an ability she didn’t know she had before. She was about to die being devoured by this snake.

 

If it was going to happen according to her dream, it would open its mouth in no time and swallow itself in a flash.

 

However, the snake only stared at her, barely moving.

 

Nelia thought it was a great opportunity to stroke the snake’s head, but she found it hard to squirm. The snake’s steel-like body wrapped around her tightly.

 

Nelia felt suffocated, even if she hasn’t eaten by the snake just yet.

 

She found it difficult as it tightened its body around her even more.

 

ā€œYour Grace…….ā€

 

The only thing she could do was muttering words.

 

She couldn’t finish her remark with grandiose and beautiful words, but she simply wanted to mutter something.

 

Nelia used her voice with difficulty.

 

ā€œDon’t suffer even when I dieā€¦ā€¦ā€

She thought the snake’s eyelids were shaking slightly, or was it her imagination? When she struggled with the oxygen supply, her consciousness grew increasingly hazy.

 

ā€œWhen I die, you’re…… not His Grace, but a monster.ā€

 

At the end of her sentence, Nelia realized that her thought wasn’t just an imagination.

 

It was because she saw the snake’s eyelids closing and opening repeatedly in an anxious manner.

 

ā€˜…… Is he agitated?’

 

Eventually, the snake’s body, which was wrapped around it like an impenetrable fortress, loosened so slightly.

 

Haah, haah. Nelia took a short breath thanks to it.

 

Finally feeling at ease a little bit, Nelia thought it was her chance.

 

She wriggled her body and pulled out quickly, she couldn’t reach its head, so she placed her hand on the snake’s cheek.

 

She felt its cool temperature.

 

Because she had been staying by Duke Hart’s side for a while, this temperature wasn’t strange anymore.

 

Nelia, feeling sorry, stroked its scales carefully.

 

It was then.

 

PRAK!

At the same time as the strong force was released from the snake, the scales that brushed against her hand disappeared.

 

Moreover, the burnt smell, which was so strong that she couldn’t breathe, gradually subsided.

 

While wondering what just happened for a moment, Nelia surrendered to her unconsciousness after colliding with an unknown strong force.

 

***

 

Blink.

 

When Nelia opened her eyes, she realized that this was not reality again.

 

ā€˜Is this heaven…….?’

 

She had no idea what good deeds she had done to deserve heaven, but she didn’t think it’s hell either, because she had lived without causing any troubles to others.

 

So is the view she’s seeing now.

 

Nelia was standing on a vast meadow, where the fluttering breeze blew.

 

The endless grasses moving following the passing wind was such a spectacular sight.

 

However, Nelia’s admiring thought didn’t last long.

 

Because she realized what this place was.

 

ā€˜Here is…… the place I dreamed of yesterday.’

 

She looked around and saw the forest. She was caught by Duke Hart, who turned into a giant snake while running away from him yesterday.

 

She almost got eaten, but she quickly woke up from the dream.

 

Nelia looked around while keeping her guard up. She was worried that a furious snake would appear again and attacked her.

 

Then, she found a shiny silver scale in the distance.

 

There was undoubtedly the existence of a silver snake radiating magical light beyond it.

 

He didn’t look as angry as she saw him last time, but she could not afford to be loose.

 

She thought about running away toward the forest again, but Nelia quickly gave up that thought and approached the snake, since she knew that the snake could quickly catch up to her if it wanted to.

 

At least this is a dream, so she thinks it won’t feel hurt to be devoured here.

 

The snake barely opened its head in a crouching position despite sensing somebody’s presence around.

 

She felt hurt seeing it close its eyes weakly.

 

As she somewhat felt pity toward the snake, Nelia reached out and stroked it, as if she was bewitched.

 

Her hand glided slowly along the smooth curves.

 

ā€œYour Grace.ā€

The snake’s eyelids trembled when she called out to him. The silver eyes appeared in a flash.

 

His eyes weren’t as cloudy as before. It was radiant and bright as if it captured everything.

 

Nelia felt a strange feeling.

 

The enormous snake she encountered earlier looked more like a monster that lost its mind and hurt people, but now she felt like it was a magical creature.

 

It was as if he had two sides on him, like Lord Asura*.

 

[Nelia, I’m sorry because I hurt you…….]

 

She heard the duke’s voice. She felt relieved the moment she figured out that the snake was dominated by the duke.

 

ā€œIt’s okay. You didn’t do it on purpose anyway.ā€

 

[But……]

 

ā€œYour Grace, let’s talk about the future, our future.ā€

 

The snake lowered its head powerlessly at Nelia’s assertive voice.

 

[I don’t have any clues……. I don’t know what I’m going to do in the future.]

 

ā€œYou said you’re going to remove the curse. I will help you find the heart.ā€

[How would Nelia do that……?]

 

Nelia smiled at the disheartened voice of the snake.

 

ā€œIt’s a secret.ā€

 

After all, she knew the information about Sigrid’s heart, the nuke of this world.

 

Of course, finding the heart was a different story, but wouldn’t the possibility of finding it increase if she participated, rather than the duke finding it on his own?

Nelia’s smile was seemingly contagious, and a bit of shade was lifted off the snake’s eyes.

 

Then the snake lifted its head slightly. She could tell from the movement that he was a little more collected than a moment ago.

 

[I would prefer Nelia to not do anything. Just stay by my side, so that I feel like I’m losing myself anymore…….]

 

As he spoke in a calm and affectionate tone, Nelia thought she could see a glimpse of Duke Hart through the snake.

 

But that is only a supposition of your thought anyway.

 

She’s undoubtedly in a dream now. Therefore, this snake isn’t really Duke Hart.

 

Nelia stared at the silver eyes.

 

ā€˜Since I’m in a dream now, I might as well bring up the talk regarding the emperor.’

 

The closer Nelia became to the duke, the more frustrated she became. The reason she felt this way was because she knew about the revenge that Duke Hart was preparing for.

 

The fact that this man, who acted so kindly and courteously to her and society, was secretly plotting to kill someone afflicted her like a thorn in her neck.

 

It wasn’t because she was scared like when she met the duke for the first time.

 

If she were to give a definition to this emotion, it would be a sense of disparity when she was face to face with the duke’s double personality.

 

This problem was always on her mind, but she couldn’t pretend to know about it before him, therefore she just kept her mouth shut.

 

So, she wanted to talk about the emperor with the duke in her dream.

 

ā€œYour Grace.ā€

 

The lofty silver eyes turned toward Nelia.

 

[Yes, Nelia.]

 

ā€œYour Grace……. Do you think you must avenge the emperor?ā€

The snake halted for a moment. Nelia grew a little bit anxious at the snake’s changing behavior.

 

[How did Delia……]

 

The duke seemed very surprised upon learning the fact that Nelia knew he was trying to avenge the emperor.

 

Finding the crack in his confusion-laced voice, Nelia clenched her fist and let out a mutter again.

 

ā€œI don’t want Your Grace to hurt anyone.ā€

[But, I……]

 

ā€œI know, why you do it. However……. Revenge will only lead to another revenge.ā€

Nelia stared straight into the duke’s eyes.

 

Revenge would beget revenge.

 

It’s similar to a line in the movie, but in reality, it would definitely happen that way.

 

When Duke Hart successfully carried out his revenge, Carlos would sharpen the blade of revenge on the duke later on.

 

It’s something she could know without having to read the whole book. However, was it such a difficult thing to accept for him even in her dream?

 

[Nelia……. I…….]

 

The hardened snake’s eyes were cracking. The hardened eyes of the snake were cracking apart.

 

ā€œYour, Your Grace…….!ā€

At last, the silver eyes broke into pieces like shards of glass. Nelia shook the duke in panic, but didn’t get any response from him.

 

ā€œYour Grace…….! Your Grace…….!ā€

Only Nelia’s hasty voice resonated in her ears.

 

***

 

ā€œYour Grace…….!ā€

Nelia leapt up from the bed while calling out for the duke. The soft blanket brushed on her hand. The vivid touch made her realize that the event from earlier was just a dream.

 

ā€˜As expected, it was a dream……’

 

Even though she knew it was a dream, why did she feel so dizzy?

 

Looking around the room, she realized it was the room she usually occupied in the duke’s residence.

 

Her last memory before she fainted was an intense light coming from the duke, but unfortunately, she didn’t seem to be dead yet.

 

As her half-conscious mind gradually became clear, Nelia wondered what happened to the duke.

 

She was trying to get up in order to go outside, but the door opened before she managed to.

 

It was Duke Hart in his human form.

 

ā€œYour Grace!ā€

Nelia called him loudly, there was a combination of surprise and joy in her tone.

 

The duke has returned to his human form safely! That information made her completely forget about her unsettling dream.

 

But there was something strange.

 

She thought he would come closer and engulfed her in a powerful hug, but the duke just stood still and looked at Nelia.

 

***

 

[*For those who wonder about the context, again, Asura is a mythical creature in Indic religions who either does good deeds or bad deeds, so basically there are two sides of them. There are some who spread bad deeds, such as encouraging disastrous events, and some are found worshiping Trimurti/triad of the Three Gods; Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva.]

 

[*Also, sorry for the long wait, I just finished my entrance college exam today. Hope everyone has a good day!]

Chapter 10. The Whole Story of That Incident (1)

 

Sponsored chapters by hhv94 (1/2). Thank you! šŸ’–

***

 

 

Ton finally gave up upon hearing Nelia speak calmly.

 

ā€œHow are you going to pet its head?ā€

 

Nelia glanced at the snake.

 

The snake would be able to eat the little human in front of it, but for some reason it was holding back.

 

She imagined a somewhat hopeful scenario where he remembered the people around him, and that his ferocious mind might be crushed by his consciousness, but it was hard to think that way when she saw his piercing silver eyes.

 

Rather, it seemed as if he was thinking about how to play with a funny toy before devouring it.

 

ā€œTon, come behind me. I’ll move forward and provoke the snake.ā€

 

If she provoked the snake, it would take an action, whether it would come near her or try to devour her.

 

At that moment, she was going to reach out and stroke him when he got close enough.

 

It was a simple yet risky plan, but she had no other way at that moment.

 

Nelia crept forward, and the snake slowly moved its head.

 

Nelia, contemplating how to provoke him, shouted loudly.

 

ā€œYour Grace!ā€

Her voice didn’t reach the duke, but she had to do anything in order to stroke the snake’s head that’s high in the air.

 

The snake, which was moving its head gently from side to side with its upper body, suddenly stood up.

 

ā€˜Don’t… don’t tell me calling his name work?’

 

But he soon realized that it was his own illusion.

 

KAAGH!

The snake was making a painful cry again.

 

She didn’t know what provoked the snake, but he seemed to be in pain while shaking his head around, as if he had been hit by a fire arrow.

 

And the spark splashed toward Nelia. The snake’s frantically swinging head turned toward Nelia.

 

ā€œIt’s dangerous, Lady Nelia!ā€

 

Thud~! Ton ended up bouncing off far away because he rushed in and was struck instead of Nelia.

 

ā€œTon!ā€

 

His body was slammed against the wall.

 

ā€œCough…… I’m alright, so…… before itā€¦ā€¦ā€

 

Nelia hurriedly averted her eyes to the front.

 

The snake, who was losing himself in pain, was slowly getting up.

 

ā€˜I think I’ve seen this scene somewhere……’

 

Nelia felt a strange sense of deja vu looking at the sight of the tormented snake and the previously faint burnt smell from before became thicker.

 

But the thought didn’t go on.

 

Because the snake approached in a flash and wrapped its body around Nelia’s body.

 

Nelia had to try to get a hold of herself at the powerful force it exuded at that moment.

 

When she barely opened her eyes at last, ths saw the face of a snake coming closer to her.

 

As the snake approached her, there was a smell of something burning, as if her surroundings were a sea of fire.

 

The snake’s eyes were murky. Like you’ve lost your soul somewhere. The snake’s eyes were hazy. As if it had lost its soul somewhere.

 

Nelia knew where this sense of deja vu came from.

 

It was the dream that she had this morning.

 

Although it was a little different, it’s almost the same as the situation she was in at that moment.

 

ā€˜Did I really have a dream about the future?’

 

There was no time to feel happy after finding out an ability she didn’t know she had before. She was about to die being devoured by this snake.

 

If it was going to happen according to her dream, it would open its mouth in no time and swallow itself in a flash.

 

However, the snake only stared at her, barely moving.

 

Nelia thought it was a great opportunity to stroke the snake’s head, but she found it hard to squirm. The snake’s steel-like body wrapped around her tightly.

 

Nelia felt suffocated, even if she hasn’t eaten by the snake just yet.

 

She found it difficult as it tightened its body around her even more.

 

ā€œYour Grace…….ā€

 

The only thing she could do was muttering words.

 

She couldn’t finish her remark with grandiose and beautiful words, but she simply wanted to mutter something.

 

Nelia used her voice with difficulty.

 

ā€œDon’t suffer even when I dieā€¦ā€¦ā€

She thought the snake’s eyelids were shaking slightly, or was it her imagination? When she struggled with the oxygen supply, her consciousness grew increasingly hazy.

 

ā€œWhen I die, you’re…… not His Grace, but a monster.ā€

 

At the end of her sentence, Nelia realized that her thought wasn’t just an imagination.

 

It was because she saw the snake’s eyelids closing and opening repeatedly in an anxious manner.

 

ā€˜…… Is he agitated?’

 

Eventually, the snake’s body, which was wrapped around it like an impenetrable fortress, loosened so slightly.

 

Haah, haah. Nelia took a short breath thanks to it.

 

Finally feeling at ease a little bit, Nelia thought it was her chance.

 

She wriggled her body and pulled out quickly, she couldn’t reach its head, so she placed her hand on the snake’s cheek.

 

She felt its cool temperature.

 

Because she had been staying by Duke Hart’s side for a while, this temperature wasn’t strange anymore.

 

Nelia, feeling sorry, stroked its scales carefully.

 

It was then.

 

PRAK!

At the same time as the strong force was released from the snake, the scales that brushed against her hand disappeared.

 

Moreover, the burnt smell, which was so strong that she couldn’t breathe, gradually subsided.

 

While wondering what just happened for a moment, Nelia surrendered to her unconsciousness after colliding with an unknown strong force.

 

***

 

Blink.

 

When Nelia opened her eyes, she realized that this was not reality again.

 

ā€˜Is this heaven…….?’

 

She had no idea what good deeds she had done to deserve heaven, but she didn’t think it’s hell either, because she had lived without causing any troubles to others.

 

So is the view she’s seeing now.

 

Nelia was standing on a vast meadow, where the fluttering breeze blew.

 

The endless grasses moving following the passing wind was such a spectacular sight.

 

However, Nelia’s admiring thought didn’t last long.

 

Because she realized what this place was.

 

ā€˜Here is…… the place I dreamed of yesterday.’

 

She looked around and saw the forest. She was caught by Duke Hart, who turned into a giant snake while running away from him yesterday.

 

She almost got eaten, but she quickly woke up from the dream.

 

Nelia looked around while keeping her guard up. She was worried that a furious snake would appear again and attacked her.

 

Then, she found a shiny silver scale in the distance.

 

There was undoubtedly the existence of a silver snake radiating magical light beyond it.

 

He didn’t look as angry as she saw him last time, but she could not afford to be loose.

 

She thought about running away toward the forest again, but Nelia quickly gave up that thought and approached the snake, since she knew that the snake could quickly catch up to her if it wanted to.

 

At least this is a dream, so she thinks it won’t feel hurt to be devoured here.

 

The snake barely opened its head in a crouching position despite sensing somebody’s presence around.

 

She felt hurt seeing it close its eyes weakly.

 

As she somewhat felt pity toward the snake, Nelia reached out and stroked it, as if she was bewitched.

 

Her hand glided slowly along the smooth curves.

 

ā€œYour Grace.ā€

The snake’s eyelids trembled when she called out to him. The silver eyes appeared in a flash.

 

His eyes weren’t as cloudy as before. It was radiant and bright as if it captured everything.

 

Nelia felt a strange feeling.

 

The enormous snake she encountered earlier looked more like a monster that lost its mind and hurt people, but now she felt like it was a magical creature.

 

It was as if he had two sides on him, like Lord Asura*.

 

[Nelia, I’m sorry because I hurt you…….]

 

She heard the duke’s voice. She felt relieved the moment she figured out that the snake was dominated by the duke.

 

ā€œIt’s okay. You didn’t do it on purpose anyway.ā€

 

[But……]

 

ā€œYour Grace, let’s talk about the future, our future.ā€

 

The snake lowered its head powerlessly at Nelia’s assertive voice.

 

[I don’t have any clues……. I don’t know what I’m going to do in the future.]

 

ā€œYou said you’re going to remove the curse. I will help you find the heart.ā€

[How would Nelia do that……?]

 

Nelia smiled at the disheartened voice of the snake.

 

ā€œIt’s a secret.ā€

 

After all, she knew the information about Sigrid’s heart, the nuke of this world.

 

Of course, finding the heart was a different story, but wouldn’t the possibility of finding it increase if she participated, rather than the duke finding it on his own?

Nelia’s smile was seemingly contagious, and a bit of shade was lifted off the snake’s eyes.

 

Then the snake lifted its head slightly. She could tell from the movement that he was a little more collected than a moment ago.

 

[I would prefer Nelia to not do anything. Just stay by my side, so that I feel like I’m losing myself anymore…….]

 

As he spoke in a calm and affectionate tone, Nelia thought she could see a glimpse of Duke Hart through the snake.

 

But that is only a supposition of your thought anyway.

 

She’s undoubtedly in a dream now. Therefore, this snake isn’t really Duke Hart.

 

Nelia stared at the silver eyes.

 

ā€˜Since I’m in a dream now, I might as well bring up the talk regarding the emperor.’

 

The closer Nelia became to the duke, the more frustrated she became. The reason she felt this way was because she knew about the revenge that Duke Hart was preparing for.

 

The fact that this man, who acted so kindly and courteously to her and society, was secretly plotting to kill someone afflicted her like a thorn in her neck.

 

It wasn’t because she was scared like when she met the duke for the first time.

 

If she were to give a definition to this emotion, it would be a sense of disparity when she was face to face with the duke’s double personality.

 

This problem was always on her mind, but she couldn’t pretend to know about it before him, therefore she just kept her mouth shut.

 

So, she wanted to talk about the emperor with the duke in her dream.

 

ā€œYour Grace.ā€

 

The lofty silver eyes turned toward Nelia.

 

[Yes, Nelia.]

 

ā€œYour Grace……. Do you think you must avenge the emperor?ā€

The snake halted for a moment. Nelia grew a little bit anxious at the snake’s changing behavior.

 

[How did Delia……]

 

The duke seemed very surprised upon learning the fact that Nelia knew he was trying to avenge the emperor.

 

Finding the crack in his confusion-laced voice, Nelia clenched her fist and let out a mutter again.

 

ā€œI don’t want Your Grace to hurt anyone.ā€

[But, I……]

 

ā€œI know, why you do it. However……. Revenge will only lead to another revenge.ā€

Nelia stared straight into the duke’s eyes.

 

Revenge would beget revenge.

 

It’s similar to a line in the movie, but in reality, it would definitely happen that way.

 

When Duke Hart successfully carried out his revenge, Carlos would sharpen the blade of revenge on the duke later on.

 

It’s something she could know without having to read the whole book. However, was it such a difficult thing to accept for him even in her dream?

 

[Nelia……. I…….]

 

The hardened snake’s eyes were cracking. The hardened eyes of the snake were cracking apart.

 

ā€œYour, Your Grace…….!ā€

At last, the silver eyes broke into pieces like shards of glass. Nelia shook the duke in panic, but didn’t get any response from him.

 

ā€œYour Grace…….! Your Grace…….!ā€

Only Nelia’s hasty voice resonated in her ears.

 

***

 

ā€œYour Grace…….!ā€

Nelia leapt up from the bed while calling out for the duke. The soft blanket brushed on her hand. The vivid touch made her realize that the event from earlier was just a dream.

 

ā€˜As expected, it was a dream……’

 

Even though she knew it was a dream, why did she feel so dizzy?

 

Looking around the room, she realized it was the room she usually occupied in the duke’s residence.

 

Her last memory before she fainted was an intense light coming from the duke, but unfortunately, she didn’t seem to be dead yet.

 

As her half-conscious mind gradually became clear, Nelia wondered what happened to the duke.

 

She was trying to get up in order to go outside, but the door opened before she managed to.

 

It was Duke Hart in his human form.

 

ā€œYour Grace!ā€

Nelia called him loudly, there was a combination of surprise and joy in her tone.

 

The duke has returned to his human form safely! That information made her completely forget about her unsettling dream.

 

But there was something strange.

 

She thought he would come closer and engulfed her in a powerful hug, but the duke just stood still and looked at Nelia.

 

***

 

[*For those who wonder about the context, again, Asura is a mythical creature in Indic religions who either does good deeds or bad deeds, so basically there are two sides of them. There are some who spread bad deeds, such as encouraging disastrous events, and some are found worshiping Trimurti/triad of the Three Gods; Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva.]

 

[*Also, sorry for the long wait, I just finished my entrance college exam today. Hope everyone has a good day!]

Chapter 11. The Whole Story of That Incident (2)

 

Sponsored chapters by hhv94 (1/2). Thank you! šŸ’–

***

 

 

Ton finally gave up upon hearing Nelia speak calmly.

 

ā€œHow are you going to pet its head?ā€

 

Nelia glanced at the snake.

 

The snake would be able to eat the little human in front of it, but for some reason it was holding back.

 

She imagined a somewhat hopeful scenario where he remembered the people around him, and that his ferocious mind might be crushed by his consciousness, but it was hard to think that way when she saw his piercing silver eyes.

 

Rather, it seemed as if he was thinking about how to play with a funny toy before devouring it.

 

ā€œTon, come behind me. I’ll move forward and provoke the snake.ā€

 

If she provoked the snake, it would take an action, whether it would come near her or try to devour her.

 

At that moment, she was going to reach out and stroke him when he got close enough.

 

It was a simple yet risky plan, but she had no other way at that moment.

 

Nelia crept forward, and the snake slowly moved its head.

 

Nelia, contemplating how to provoke him, shouted loudly.

 

ā€œYour Grace!ā€

Her voice didn’t reach the duke, but she had to do anything in order to stroke the snake’s head that’s high in the air.

 

The snake, which was moving its head gently from side to side with its upper body, suddenly stood up.

 

ā€˜Don’t… don’t tell me calling his name work?’

 

But he soon realized that it was his own illusion.

 

KAAGH!

The snake was making a painful cry again.

 

She didn’t know what provoked the snake, but he seemed to be in pain while shaking his head around, as if he had been hit by a fire arrow.

 

And the spark splashed toward Nelia. The snake’s frantically swinging head turned toward Nelia.

 

ā€œIt’s dangerous, Lady Nelia!ā€

 

Thud~! Ton ended up bouncing off far away because he rushed in and was struck instead of Nelia.

 

ā€œTon!ā€

 

His body was slammed against the wall.

 

ā€œCough…… I’m alright, so…… before itā€¦ā€¦ā€

 

Nelia hurriedly averted her eyes to the front.

 

The snake, who was losing himself in pain, was slowly getting up.

 

ā€˜I think I’ve seen this scene somewhere……’

 

Nelia felt a strange sense of deja vu looking at the sight of the tormented snake and the previously faint burnt smell from before became thicker.

 

But the thought didn’t go on.

 

Because the snake approached in a flash and wrapped its body around Nelia’s body.

 

Nelia had to try to get a hold of herself at the powerful force it exuded at that moment.

 

When she barely opened her eyes at last, ths saw the face of a snake coming closer to her.

 

As the snake approached her, there was a smell of something burning, as if her surroundings were a sea of fire.

 

The snake’s eyes were murky. Like you’ve lost your soul somewhere. The snake’s eyes were hazy. As if it had lost its soul somewhere.

 

Nelia knew where this sense of deja vu came from.

 

It was the dream that she had this morning.

 

Although it was a little different, it’s almost the same as the situation she was in at that moment.

 

ā€˜Did I really have a dream about the future?’

 

There was no time to feel happy after finding out an ability she didn’t know she had before. She was about to die being devoured by this snake.

 

If it was going to happen according to her dream, it would open its mouth in no time and swallow itself in a flash.

 

However, the snake only stared at her, barely moving.

 

Nelia thought it was a great opportunity to stroke the snake’s head, but she found it hard to squirm. The snake’s steel-like body wrapped around her tightly.

 

Nelia felt suffocated, even if she hasn’t eaten by the snake just yet.

 

She found it difficult as it tightened its body around her even more.

 

ā€œYour Grace…….ā€

 

The only thing she could do was muttering words.

 

She couldn’t finish her remark with grandiose and beautiful words, but she simply wanted to mutter something.

 

Nelia used her voice with difficulty.

 

ā€œDon’t suffer even when I dieā€¦ā€¦ā€

She thought the snake’s eyelids were shaking slightly, or was it her imagination? When she struggled with the oxygen supply, her consciousness grew increasingly hazy.

 

ā€œWhen I die, you’re…… not His Grace, but a monster.ā€

 

At the end of her sentence, Nelia realized that her thought wasn’t just an imagination.

 

It was because she saw the snake’s eyelids closing and opening repeatedly in an anxious manner.

 

ā€˜…… Is he agitated?’

 

Eventually, the snake’s body, which was wrapped around it like an impenetrable fortress, loosened so slightly.

 

Haah, haah. Nelia took a short breath thanks to it.

 

Finally feeling at ease a little bit, Nelia thought it was her chance.

 

She wriggled her body and pulled out quickly, she couldn’t reach its head, so she placed her hand on the snake’s cheek.

 

She felt its cool temperature.

 

Because she had been staying by Duke Hart’s side for a while, this temperature wasn’t strange anymore.

 

Nelia, feeling sorry, stroked its scales carefully.

 

It was then.

 

PRAK!

At the same time as the strong force was released from the snake, the scales that brushed against her hand disappeared.

 

Moreover, the burnt smell, which was so strong that she couldn’t breathe, gradually subsided.

 

While wondering what just happened for a moment, Nelia surrendered to her unconsciousness after colliding with an unknown strong force.

 

***

 

Blink.

 

When Nelia opened her eyes, she realized that this was not reality again.

 

ā€˜Is this heaven…….?’

 

She had no idea what good deeds she had done to deserve heaven, but she didn’t think it’s hell either, because she had lived without causing any troubles to others.

 

So is the view she’s seeing now.

 

Nelia was standing on a vast meadow, where the fluttering breeze blew.

 

The endless grasses moving following the passing wind was such a spectacular sight.

 

However, Nelia’s admiring thought didn’t last long.

 

Because she realized what this place was.

 

ā€˜Here is…… the place I dreamed of yesterday.’

 

She looked around and saw the forest. She was caught by Duke Hart, who turned into a giant snake while running away from him yesterday.

 

She almost got eaten, but she quickly woke up from the dream.

 

Nelia looked around while keeping her guard up. She was worried that a furious snake would appear again and attacked her.

 

Then, she found a shiny silver scale in the distance.

 

There was undoubtedly the existence of a silver snake radiating magical light beyond it.

 

He didn’t look as angry as she saw him last time, but she could not afford to be loose.

 

She thought about running away toward the forest again, but Nelia quickly gave up that thought and approached the snake, since she knew that the snake could quickly catch up to her if it wanted to.

 

At least this is a dream, so she thinks it won’t feel hurt to be devoured here.

 

The snake barely opened its head in a crouching position despite sensing somebody’s presence around.

 

She felt hurt seeing it close its eyes weakly.

 

As she somewhat felt pity toward the snake, Nelia reached out and stroked it, as if she was bewitched.

 

Her hand glided slowly along the smooth curves.

 

ā€œYour Grace.ā€

The snake’s eyelids trembled when she called out to him. The silver eyes appeared in a flash.

 

His eyes weren’t as cloudy as before. It was radiant and bright as if it captured everything.

 

Nelia felt a strange feeling.

 

The enormous snake she encountered earlier looked more like a monster that lost its mind and hurt people, but now she felt like it was a magical creature.

 

It was as if he had two sides on him, like Lord Asura*.

 

[Nelia, I’m sorry because I hurt you…….]

 

She heard the duke’s voice. She felt relieved the moment she figured out that the snake was dominated by the duke.

 

ā€œIt’s okay. You didn’t do it on purpose anyway.ā€

 

[But……]

 

ā€œYour Grace, let’s talk about the future, our future.ā€

 

The snake lowered its head powerlessly at Nelia’s assertive voice.

 

[I don’t have any clues……. I don’t know what I’m going to do in the future.]

 

ā€œYou said you’re going to remove the curse. I will help you find the heart.ā€

[How would Nelia do that……?]

 

Nelia smiled at the disheartened voice of the snake.

 

ā€œIt’s a secret.ā€

 

After all, she knew the information about Sigrid’s heart, the nuke of this world.

 

Of course, finding the heart was a different story, but wouldn’t the possibility of finding it increase if she participated, rather than the duke finding it on his own?

Nelia’s smile was seemingly contagious, and a bit of shade was lifted off the snake’s eyes.

 

Then the snake lifted its head slightly. She could tell from the movement that he was a little more collected than a moment ago.

 

[I would prefer Nelia to not do anything. Just stay by my side, so that I feel like I’m losing myself anymore…….]

 

As he spoke in a calm and affectionate tone, Nelia thought she could see a glimpse of Duke Hart through the snake.

 

But that is only a supposition of your thought anyway.

 

She’s undoubtedly in a dream now. Therefore, this snake isn’t really Duke Hart.

 

Nelia stared at the silver eyes.

 

ā€˜Since I’m in a dream now, I might as well bring up the talk regarding the emperor.’

 

The closer Nelia became to the duke, the more frustrated she became. The reason she felt this way was because she knew about the revenge that Duke Hart was preparing for.

 

The fact that this man, who acted so kindly and courteously to her and society, was secretly plotting to kill someone afflicted her like a thorn in her neck.

 

It wasn’t because she was scared like when she met the duke for the first time.

 

If she were to give a definition to this emotion, it would be a sense of disparity when she was face to face with the duke’s double personality.

 

This problem was always on her mind, but she couldn’t pretend to know about it before him, therefore she just kept her mouth shut.

 

So, she wanted to talk about the emperor with the duke in her dream.

 

ā€œYour Grace.ā€

 

The lofty silver eyes turned toward Nelia.

 

[Yes, Nelia.]

 

ā€œYour Grace……. Do you think you must avenge the emperor?ā€

The snake halted for a moment. Nelia grew a little bit anxious at the snake’s changing behavior.

 

[How did Delia……]

 

The duke seemed very surprised upon learning the fact that Nelia knew he was trying to avenge the emperor.

 

Finding the crack in his confusion-laced voice, Nelia clenched her fist and let out a mutter again.

 

ā€œI don’t want Your Grace to hurt anyone.ā€

[But, I……]

 

ā€œI know, why you do it. However……. Revenge will only lead to another revenge.ā€

Nelia stared straight into the duke’s eyes.

 

Revenge would beget revenge.

 

It’s similar to a line in the movie, but in reality, it would definitely happen that way.

 

When Duke Hart successfully carried out his revenge, Carlos would sharpen the blade of revenge on the duke later on.

 

It’s something she could know without having to read the whole book. However, was it such a difficult thing to accept for him even in her dream?

 

[Nelia……. I…….]

 

The hardened snake’s eyes were cracking. The hardened eyes of the snake were cracking apart.

 

ā€œYour, Your Grace…….!ā€

At last, the silver eyes broke into pieces like shards of glass. Nelia shook the duke in panic, but didn’t get any response from him.

 

ā€œYour Grace…….! Your Grace…….!ā€

Only Nelia’s hasty voice resonated in her ears.

 

***

 

ā€œYour Grace…….!ā€

Nelia leapt up from the bed while calling out for the duke. The soft blanket brushed on her hand. The vivid touch made her realize that the event from earlier was just a dream.

 

ā€˜As expected, it was a dream……’

 

Even though she knew it was a dream, why did she feel so dizzy?

 

Looking around the room, she realized it was the room she usually occupied in the duke’s residence.

 

Her last memory before she fainted was an intense light coming from the duke, but unfortunately, she didn’t seem to be dead yet.

 

As her half-conscious mind gradually became clear, Nelia wondered what happened to the duke.

 

She was trying to get up in order to go outside, but the door opened before she managed to.

 

It was Duke Hart in his human form.

 

ā€œYour Grace!ā€

Nelia called him loudly, there was a combination of surprise and joy in her tone.

 

The duke has returned to his human form safely! That information made her completely forget about her unsettling dream.

 

But there was something strange.

 

She thought he would come closer and engulfed her in a powerful hug, but the duke just stood still and looked at Nelia.

 

***

 

[*For those who wonder about the context, again, Asura is a mythical creature in Indic religions who either does good deeds or bad deeds, so basically there are two sides of them. There are some who spread bad deeds, such as encouraging disastrous events, and some are found worshiping Trimurti/triad of the Three Gods; Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva.]

 

[*Also, sorry for the long wait, I just finished my entrance college exam today. Hope everyone has a good day!]

Chapter 12. I Don’t Like Nuts

 

Sponsored chapters by hhv94 (1/2). Thank you! šŸ’–

***

 

 

Ton finally gave up upon hearing Nelia speak calmly.

 

ā€œHow are you going to pet its head?ā€

 

Nelia glanced at the snake.

 

The snake would be able to eat the little human in front of it, but for some reason it was holding back.

 

She imagined a somewhat hopeful scenario where he remembered the people around him, and that his ferocious mind might be crushed by his consciousness, but it was hard to think that way when she saw his piercing silver eyes.

 

Rather, it seemed as if he was thinking about how to play with a funny toy before devouring it.

 

ā€œTon, come behind me. I’ll move forward and provoke the snake.ā€

 

If she provoked the snake, it would take an action, whether it would come near her or try to devour her.

 

At that moment, she was going to reach out and stroke him when he got close enough.

 

It was a simple yet risky plan, but she had no other way at that moment.

 

Nelia crept forward, and the snake slowly moved its head.

 

Nelia, contemplating how to provoke him, shouted loudly.

 

ā€œYour Grace!ā€

Her voice didn’t reach the duke, but she had to do anything in order to stroke the snake’s head that’s high in the air.

 

The snake, which was moving its head gently from side to side with its upper body, suddenly stood up.

 

ā€˜Don’t… don’t tell me calling his name work?’

 

But he soon realized that it was his own illusion.

 

KAAGH!

The snake was making a painful cry again.

 

She didn’t know what provoked the snake, but he seemed to be in pain while shaking his head around, as if he had been hit by a fire arrow.

 

And the spark splashed toward Nelia. The snake’s frantically swinging head turned toward Nelia.

 

ā€œIt’s dangerous, Lady Nelia!ā€

 

Thud~! Ton ended up bouncing off far away because he rushed in and was struck instead of Nelia.

 

ā€œTon!ā€

 

His body was slammed against the wall.

 

ā€œCough…… I’m alright, so…… before itā€¦ā€¦ā€

 

Nelia hurriedly averted her eyes to the front.

 

The snake, who was losing himself in pain, was slowly getting up.

 

ā€˜I think I’ve seen this scene somewhere……’

 

Nelia felt a strange sense of deja vu looking at the sight of the tormented snake and the previously faint burnt smell from before became thicker.

 

But the thought didn’t go on.

 

Because the snake approached in a flash and wrapped its body around Nelia’s body.

 

Nelia had to try to get a hold of herself at the powerful force it exuded at that moment.

 

When she barely opened her eyes at last, ths saw the face of a snake coming closer to her.

 

As the snake approached her, there was a smell of something burning, as if her surroundings were a sea of fire.

 

The snake’s eyes were murky. Like you’ve lost your soul somewhere. The snake’s eyes were hazy. As if it had lost its soul somewhere.

 

Nelia knew where this sense of deja vu came from.

 

It was the dream that she had this morning.

 

Although it was a little different, it’s almost the same as the situation she was in at that moment.

 

ā€˜Did I really have a dream about the future?’

 

There was no time to feel happy after finding out an ability she didn’t know she had before. She was about to die being devoured by this snake.

 

If it was going to happen according to her dream, it would open its mouth in no time and swallow itself in a flash.

 

However, the snake only stared at her, barely moving.

 

Nelia thought it was a great opportunity to stroke the snake’s head, but she found it hard to squirm. The snake’s steel-like body wrapped around her tightly.

 

Nelia felt suffocated, even if she hasn’t eaten by the snake just yet.

 

She found it difficult as it tightened its body around her even more.

 

ā€œYour Grace…….ā€

 

The only thing she could do was muttering words.

 

She couldn’t finish her remark with grandiose and beautiful words, but she simply wanted to mutter something.

 

Nelia used her voice with difficulty.

 

ā€œDon’t suffer even when I dieā€¦ā€¦ā€

She thought the snake’s eyelids were shaking slightly, or was it her imagination? When she struggled with the oxygen supply, her consciousness grew increasingly hazy.

 

ā€œWhen I die, you’re…… not His Grace, but a monster.ā€

 

At the end of her sentence, Nelia realized that her thought wasn’t just an imagination.

 

It was because she saw the snake’s eyelids closing and opening repeatedly in an anxious manner.

 

ā€˜…… Is he agitated?’

 

Eventually, the snake’s body, which was wrapped around it like an impenetrable fortress, loosened so slightly.

 

Haah, haah. Nelia took a short breath thanks to it.

 

Finally feeling at ease a little bit, Nelia thought it was her chance.

 

She wriggled her body and pulled out quickly, she couldn’t reach its head, so she placed her hand on the snake’s cheek.

 

She felt its cool temperature.

 

Because she had been staying by Duke Hart’s side for a while, this temperature wasn’t strange anymore.

 

Nelia, feeling sorry, stroked its scales carefully.

 

It was then.

 

PRAK!

At the same time as the strong force was released from the snake, the scales that brushed against her hand disappeared.

 

Moreover, the burnt smell, which was so strong that she couldn’t breathe, gradually subsided.

 

While wondering what just happened for a moment, Nelia surrendered to her unconsciousness after colliding with an unknown strong force.

 

***

 

Blink.

 

When Nelia opened her eyes, she realized that this was not reality again.

 

ā€˜Is this heaven…….?’

 

She had no idea what good deeds she had done to deserve heaven, but she didn’t think it’s hell either, because she had lived without causing any troubles to others.

 

So is the view she’s seeing now.

 

Nelia was standing on a vast meadow, where the fluttering breeze blew.

 

The endless grasses moving following the passing wind was such a spectacular sight.

 

However, Nelia’s admiring thought didn’t last long.

 

Because she realized what this place was.

 

ā€˜Here is…… the place I dreamed of yesterday.’

 

She looked around and saw the forest. She was caught by Duke Hart, who turned into a giant snake while running away from him yesterday.

 

She almost got eaten, but she quickly woke up from the dream.

 

Nelia looked around while keeping her guard up. She was worried that a furious snake would appear again and attacked her.

 

Then, she found a shiny silver scale in the distance.

 

There was undoubtedly the existence of a silver snake radiating magical light beyond it.

 

He didn’t look as angry as she saw him last time, but she could not afford to be loose.

 

She thought about running away toward the forest again, but Nelia quickly gave up that thought and approached the snake, since she knew that the snake could quickly catch up to her if it wanted to.

 

At least this is a dream, so she thinks it won’t feel hurt to be devoured here.

 

The snake barely opened its head in a crouching position despite sensing somebody’s presence around.

 

She felt hurt seeing it close its eyes weakly.

 

As she somewhat felt pity toward the snake, Nelia reached out and stroked it, as if she was bewitched.

 

Her hand glided slowly along the smooth curves.

 

ā€œYour Grace.ā€

The snake’s eyelids trembled when she called out to him. The silver eyes appeared in a flash.

 

His eyes weren’t as cloudy as before. It was radiant and bright as if it captured everything.

 

Nelia felt a strange feeling.

 

The enormous snake she encountered earlier looked more like a monster that lost its mind and hurt people, but now she felt like it was a magical creature.

 

It was as if he had two sides on him, like Lord Asura*.

 

[Nelia, I’m sorry because I hurt you…….]

 

She heard the duke’s voice. She felt relieved the moment she figured out that the snake was dominated by the duke.

 

ā€œIt’s okay. You didn’t do it on purpose anyway.ā€

 

[But……]

 

ā€œYour Grace, let’s talk about the future, our future.ā€

 

The snake lowered its head powerlessly at Nelia’s assertive voice.

 

[I don’t have any clues……. I don’t know what I’m going to do in the future.]

 

ā€œYou said you’re going to remove the curse. I will help you find the heart.ā€

[How would Nelia do that……?]

 

Nelia smiled at the disheartened voice of the snake.

 

ā€œIt’s a secret.ā€

 

After all, she knew the information about Sigrid’s heart, the nuke of this world.

 

Of course, finding the heart was a different story, but wouldn’t the possibility of finding it increase if she participated, rather than the duke finding it on his own?

Nelia’s smile was seemingly contagious, and a bit of shade was lifted off the snake’s eyes.

 

Then the snake lifted its head slightly. She could tell from the movement that he was a little more collected than a moment ago.

 

[I would prefer Nelia to not do anything. Just stay by my side, so that I feel like I’m losing myself anymore…….]

 

As he spoke in a calm and affectionate tone, Nelia thought she could see a glimpse of Duke Hart through the snake.

 

But that is only a supposition of your thought anyway.

 

She’s undoubtedly in a dream now. Therefore, this snake isn’t really Duke Hart.

 

Nelia stared at the silver eyes.

 

ā€˜Since I’m in a dream now, I might as well bring up the talk regarding the emperor.’

 

The closer Nelia became to the duke, the more frustrated she became. The reason she felt this way was because she knew about the revenge that Duke Hart was preparing for.

 

The fact that this man, who acted so kindly and courteously to her and society, was secretly plotting to kill someone afflicted her like a thorn in her neck.

 

It wasn’t because she was scared like when she met the duke for the first time.

 

If she were to give a definition to this emotion, it would be a sense of disparity when she was face to face with the duke’s double personality.

 

This problem was always on her mind, but she couldn’t pretend to know about it before him, therefore she just kept her mouth shut.

 

So, she wanted to talk about the emperor with the duke in her dream.

 

ā€œYour Grace.ā€

 

The lofty silver eyes turned toward Nelia.

 

[Yes, Nelia.]

 

ā€œYour Grace……. Do you think you must avenge the emperor?ā€

The snake halted for a moment. Nelia grew a little bit anxious at the snake’s changing behavior.

 

[How did Delia……]

 

The duke seemed very surprised upon learning the fact that Nelia knew he was trying to avenge the emperor.

 

Finding the crack in his confusion-laced voice, Nelia clenched her fist and let out a mutter again.

 

ā€œI don’t want Your Grace to hurt anyone.ā€

[But, I……]

 

ā€œI know, why you do it. However……. Revenge will only lead to another revenge.ā€

Nelia stared straight into the duke’s eyes.

 

Revenge would beget revenge.

 

It’s similar to a line in the movie, but in reality, it would definitely happen that way.

 

When Duke Hart successfully carried out his revenge, Carlos would sharpen the blade of revenge on the duke later on.

 

It’s something she could know without having to read the whole book. However, was it such a difficult thing to accept for him even in her dream?

 

[Nelia……. I…….]

 

The hardened snake’s eyes were cracking. The hardened eyes of the snake were cracking apart.

 

ā€œYour, Your Grace…….!ā€

At last, the silver eyes broke into pieces like shards of glass. Nelia shook the duke in panic, but didn’t get any response from him.

 

ā€œYour Grace…….! Your Grace…….!ā€

Only Nelia’s hasty voice resonated in her ears.

 

***

 

ā€œYour Grace…….!ā€

Nelia leapt up from the bed while calling out for the duke. The soft blanket brushed on her hand. The vivid touch made her realize that the event from earlier was just a dream.

 

ā€˜As expected, it was a dream……’

 

Even though she knew it was a dream, why did she feel so dizzy?

 

Looking around the room, she realized it was the room she usually occupied in the duke’s residence.

 

Her last memory before she fainted was an intense light coming from the duke, but unfortunately, she didn’t seem to be dead yet.

 

As her half-conscious mind gradually became clear, Nelia wondered what happened to the duke.

 

She was trying to get up in order to go outside, but the door opened before she managed to.

 

It was Duke Hart in his human form.

 

ā€œYour Grace!ā€

Nelia called him loudly, there was a combination of surprise and joy in her tone.

 

The duke has returned to his human form safely! That information made her completely forget about her unsettling dream.

 

But there was something strange.

 

She thought he would come closer and engulfed her in a powerful hug, but the duke just stood still and looked at Nelia.

 

***

 

[*For those who wonder about the context, again, Asura is a mythical creature in Indic religions who either does good deeds or bad deeds, so basically there are two sides of them. There are some who spread bad deeds, such as encouraging disastrous events, and some are found worshiping Trimurti/triad of the Three Gods; Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva.]

 

[*Also, sorry for the long wait, I just finished my entrance college exam today. Hope everyone has a good day!]

Chapter 13. The Strong Attraction at the First Meeting

 

Sponsored chapters by hhv94 (1/2). Thank you! šŸ’–

***

 

 

Ton finally gave up upon hearing Nelia speak calmly.

 

ā€œHow are you going to pet its head?ā€

 

Nelia glanced at the snake.

 

The snake would be able to eat the little human in front of it, but for some reason it was holding back.

 

She imagined a somewhat hopeful scenario where he remembered the people around him, and that his ferocious mind might be crushed by his consciousness, but it was hard to think that way when she saw his piercing silver eyes.

 

Rather, it seemed as if he was thinking about how to play with a funny toy before devouring it.

 

ā€œTon, come behind me. I’ll move forward and provoke the snake.ā€

 

If she provoked the snake, it would take an action, whether it would come near her or try to devour her.

 

At that moment, she was going to reach out and stroke him when he got close enough.

 

It was a simple yet risky plan, but she had no other way at that moment.

 

Nelia crept forward, and the snake slowly moved its head.

 

Nelia, contemplating how to provoke him, shouted loudly.

 

ā€œYour Grace!ā€

Her voice didn’t reach the duke, but she had to do anything in order to stroke the snake’s head that’s high in the air.

 

The snake, which was moving its head gently from side to side with its upper body, suddenly stood up.

 

ā€˜Don’t… don’t tell me calling his name work?’

 

But he soon realized that it was his own illusion.

 

KAAGH!

The snake was making a painful cry again.

 

She didn’t know what provoked the snake, but he seemed to be in pain while shaking his head around, as if he had been hit by a fire arrow.

 

And the spark splashed toward Nelia. The snake’s frantically swinging head turned toward Nelia.

 

ā€œIt’s dangerous, Lady Nelia!ā€

 

Thud~! Ton ended up bouncing off far away because he rushed in and was struck instead of Nelia.

 

ā€œTon!ā€

 

His body was slammed against the wall.

 

ā€œCough…… I’m alright, so…… before itā€¦ā€¦ā€

 

Nelia hurriedly averted her eyes to the front.

 

The snake, who was losing himself in pain, was slowly getting up.

 

ā€˜I think I’ve seen this scene somewhere……’

 

Nelia felt a strange sense of deja vu looking at the sight of the tormented snake and the previously faint burnt smell from before became thicker.

 

But the thought didn’t go on.

 

Because the snake approached in a flash and wrapped its body around Nelia’s body.

 

Nelia had to try to get a hold of herself at the powerful force it exuded at that moment.

 

When she barely opened her eyes at last, ths saw the face of a snake coming closer to her.

 

As the snake approached her, there was a smell of something burning, as if her surroundings were a sea of fire.

 

The snake’s eyes were murky. Like you’ve lost your soul somewhere. The snake’s eyes were hazy. As if it had lost its soul somewhere.

 

Nelia knew where this sense of deja vu came from.

 

It was the dream that she had this morning.

 

Although it was a little different, it’s almost the same as the situation she was in at that moment.

 

ā€˜Did I really have a dream about the future?’

 

There was no time to feel happy after finding out an ability she didn’t know she had before. She was about to die being devoured by this snake.

 

If it was going to happen according to her dream, it would open its mouth in no time and swallow itself in a flash.

 

However, the snake only stared at her, barely moving.

 

Nelia thought it was a great opportunity to stroke the snake’s head, but she found it hard to squirm. The snake’s steel-like body wrapped around her tightly.

 

Nelia felt suffocated, even if she hasn’t eaten by the snake just yet.

 

She found it difficult as it tightened its body around her even more.

 

ā€œYour Grace…….ā€

 

The only thing she could do was muttering words.

 

She couldn’t finish her remark with grandiose and beautiful words, but she simply wanted to mutter something.

 

Nelia used her voice with difficulty.

 

ā€œDon’t suffer even when I dieā€¦ā€¦ā€

She thought the snake’s eyelids were shaking slightly, or was it her imagination? When she struggled with the oxygen supply, her consciousness grew increasingly hazy.

 

ā€œWhen I die, you’re…… not His Grace, but a monster.ā€

 

At the end of her sentence, Nelia realized that her thought wasn’t just an imagination.

 

It was because she saw the snake’s eyelids closing and opening repeatedly in an anxious manner.

 

ā€˜…… Is he agitated?’

 

Eventually, the snake’s body, which was wrapped around it like an impenetrable fortress, loosened so slightly.

 

Haah, haah. Nelia took a short breath thanks to it.

 

Finally feeling at ease a little bit, Nelia thought it was her chance.

 

She wriggled her body and pulled out quickly, she couldn’t reach its head, so she placed her hand on the snake’s cheek.

 

She felt its cool temperature.

 

Because she had been staying by Duke Hart’s side for a while, this temperature wasn’t strange anymore.

 

Nelia, feeling sorry, stroked its scales carefully.

 

It was then.

 

PRAK!

At the same time as the strong force was released from the snake, the scales that brushed against her hand disappeared.

 

Moreover, the burnt smell, which was so strong that she couldn’t breathe, gradually subsided.

 

While wondering what just happened for a moment, Nelia surrendered to her unconsciousness after colliding with an unknown strong force.

 

***

 

Blink.

 

When Nelia opened her eyes, she realized that this was not reality again.

 

ā€˜Is this heaven…….?’

 

She had no idea what good deeds she had done to deserve heaven, but she didn’t think it’s hell either, because she had lived without causing any troubles to others.

 

So is the view she’s seeing now.

 

Nelia was standing on a vast meadow, where the fluttering breeze blew.

 

The endless grasses moving following the passing wind was such a spectacular sight.

 

However, Nelia’s admiring thought didn’t last long.

 

Because she realized what this place was.

 

ā€˜Here is…… the place I dreamed of yesterday.’

 

She looked around and saw the forest. She was caught by Duke Hart, who turned into a giant snake while running away from him yesterday.

 

She almost got eaten, but she quickly woke up from the dream.

 

Nelia looked around while keeping her guard up. She was worried that a furious snake would appear again and attacked her.

 

Then, she found a shiny silver scale in the distance.

 

There was undoubtedly the existence of a silver snake radiating magical light beyond it.

 

He didn’t look as angry as she saw him last time, but she could not afford to be loose.

 

She thought about running away toward the forest again, but Nelia quickly gave up that thought and approached the snake, since she knew that the snake could quickly catch up to her if it wanted to.

 

At least this is a dream, so she thinks it won’t feel hurt to be devoured here.

 

The snake barely opened its head in a crouching position despite sensing somebody’s presence around.

 

She felt hurt seeing it close its eyes weakly.

 

As she somewhat felt pity toward the snake, Nelia reached out and stroked it, as if she was bewitched.

 

Her hand glided slowly along the smooth curves.

 

ā€œYour Grace.ā€

The snake’s eyelids trembled when she called out to him. The silver eyes appeared in a flash.

 

His eyes weren’t as cloudy as before. It was radiant and bright as if it captured everything.

 

Nelia felt a strange feeling.

 

The enormous snake she encountered earlier looked more like a monster that lost its mind and hurt people, but now she felt like it was a magical creature.

 

It was as if he had two sides on him, like Lord Asura*.

 

[Nelia, I’m sorry because I hurt you…….]

 

She heard the duke’s voice. She felt relieved the moment she figured out that the snake was dominated by the duke.

 

ā€œIt’s okay. You didn’t do it on purpose anyway.ā€

 

[But……]

 

ā€œYour Grace, let’s talk about the future, our future.ā€

 

The snake lowered its head powerlessly at Nelia’s assertive voice.

 

[I don’t have any clues……. I don’t know what I’m going to do in the future.]

 

ā€œYou said you’re going to remove the curse. I will help you find the heart.ā€

[How would Nelia do that……?]

 

Nelia smiled at the disheartened voice of the snake.

 

ā€œIt’s a secret.ā€

 

After all, she knew the information about Sigrid’s heart, the nuke of this world.

 

Of course, finding the heart was a different story, but wouldn’t the possibility of finding it increase if she participated, rather than the duke finding it on his own?

Nelia’s smile was seemingly contagious, and a bit of shade was lifted off the snake’s eyes.

 

Then the snake lifted its head slightly. She could tell from the movement that he was a little more collected than a moment ago.

 

[I would prefer Nelia to not do anything. Just stay by my side, so that I feel like I’m losing myself anymore…….]

 

As he spoke in a calm and affectionate tone, Nelia thought she could see a glimpse of Duke Hart through the snake.

 

But that is only a supposition of your thought anyway.

 

She’s undoubtedly in a dream now. Therefore, this snake isn’t really Duke Hart.

 

Nelia stared at the silver eyes.

 

ā€˜Since I’m in a dream now, I might as well bring up the talk regarding the emperor.’

 

The closer Nelia became to the duke, the more frustrated she became. The reason she felt this way was because she knew about the revenge that Duke Hart was preparing for.

 

The fact that this man, who acted so kindly and courteously to her and society, was secretly plotting to kill someone afflicted her like a thorn in her neck.

 

It wasn’t because she was scared like when she met the duke for the first time.

 

If she were to give a definition to this emotion, it would be a sense of disparity when she was face to face with the duke’s double personality.

 

This problem was always on her mind, but she couldn’t pretend to know about it before him, therefore she just kept her mouth shut.

 

So, she wanted to talk about the emperor with the duke in her dream.

 

ā€œYour Grace.ā€

 

The lofty silver eyes turned toward Nelia.

 

[Yes, Nelia.]

 

ā€œYour Grace……. Do you think you must avenge the emperor?ā€

The snake halted for a moment. Nelia grew a little bit anxious at the snake’s changing behavior.

 

[How did Delia……]

 

The duke seemed very surprised upon learning the fact that Nelia knew he was trying to avenge the emperor.

 

Finding the crack in his confusion-laced voice, Nelia clenched her fist and let out a mutter again.

 

ā€œI don’t want Your Grace to hurt anyone.ā€

[But, I……]

 

ā€œI know, why you do it. However……. Revenge will only lead to another revenge.ā€

Nelia stared straight into the duke’s eyes.

 

Revenge would beget revenge.

 

It’s similar to a line in the movie, but in reality, it would definitely happen that way.

 

When Duke Hart successfully carried out his revenge, Carlos would sharpen the blade of revenge on the duke later on.

 

It’s something she could know without having to read the whole book. However, was it such a difficult thing to accept for him even in her dream?

 

[Nelia……. I…….]

 

The hardened snake’s eyes were cracking. The hardened eyes of the snake were cracking apart.

 

ā€œYour, Your Grace…….!ā€

At last, the silver eyes broke into pieces like shards of glass. Nelia shook the duke in panic, but didn’t get any response from him.

 

ā€œYour Grace…….! Your Grace…….!ā€

Only Nelia’s hasty voice resonated in her ears.

 

***

 

ā€œYour Grace…….!ā€

Nelia leapt up from the bed while calling out for the duke. The soft blanket brushed on her hand. The vivid touch made her realize that the event from earlier was just a dream.

 

ā€˜As expected, it was a dream……’

 

Even though she knew it was a dream, why did she feel so dizzy?

 

Looking around the room, she realized it was the room she usually occupied in the duke’s residence.

 

Her last memory before she fainted was an intense light coming from the duke, but unfortunately, she didn’t seem to be dead yet.

 

As her half-conscious mind gradually became clear, Nelia wondered what happened to the duke.

 

She was trying to get up in order to go outside, but the door opened before she managed to.

 

It was Duke Hart in his human form.

 

ā€œYour Grace!ā€

Nelia called him loudly, there was a combination of surprise and joy in her tone.

 

The duke has returned to his human form safely! That information made her completely forget about her unsettling dream.

 

But there was something strange.

 

She thought he would come closer and engulfed her in a powerful hug, but the duke just stood still and looked at Nelia.

 

***

 

[*For those who wonder about the context, again, Asura is a mythical creature in Indic religions who either does good deeds or bad deeds, so basically there are two sides of them. There are some who spread bad deeds, such as encouraging disastrous events, and some are found worshiping Trimurti/triad of the Three Gods; Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva.]

 

[*Also, sorry for the long wait, I just finished my entrance college exam today. Hope everyone has a good day!]

Chapter 14. The Villain’s Weakness (1)