23.

The grand and splendid parlor of Zeros’ mansion was divided into two rooms. The first parlor, where guests could engage in conversation, and another parlor connected to it. It was used for more private conversations with guests.

In the first parlor, those who were already waiting for Serenity were seated.

“Serenity, have you arrived?”

Clagen waved his glass toward Serenity. The reason they hadn’t spoken more as they walked to the banquet hall was probably because of this opportunity.

Dante, who was standing beside Clagen, also nodded in greeting.

Serenity and Wyatt went past them into the second room. Wyatt locked the door behind them and scanned the surroundings, not forgetting to thoroughly check if anyone was in the parlor.

Serenity couldn’t help but wonder, ‘What on earth does he want to talk about?’

“It’s because it would be troublesome if others found out,” Wyatt explained, sensing Serenity’s gaze and drawing the curtain.

“I asked you to prove my trust,” he continued.

Finally, it seemed he would give an answer to the question. Serenity nodded, concealing her nervousness, and replied, “Yes.”

She was also curious about what answer Wyatt would give.

As soon as Serenity responded, Wyatt took out a piece of parchment from his coat pocket. The parchment, neatly rolled up, looked fresh as new. Wyatt spread it out on Serenity’s hand.

“Take a look.”

Inside the parchment, a circular magic circle was drawn.

‘Why a magic circle…?’

As Serenity tilted her head in confusion, Wyatt took off his coat in front of her.

‘Why is he taking off his coat?’

Approaching Serenity, Wyatt pulled his sleeve button. Between the loosened sleeves, a glimpse of the inside of his wrist was visible. Inside, there was a magic circle identical to the one on the paper.

“The magic circle…”

“I asked what method could definitively prove it.”

Step by step, Wyatt moved closer to Serenity. She didn’t know what the magic circle between his wrists meant, but she felt afraid. As Serenity hesitated and stepped back, Wyatt stepped forward even more resolutely. He extended his hand towards Serenity.

“I’ve engraved magic into my body.”

“What kind of magic?”

Serenity frowned slightly, and Wyatt clenched his fist.

“I cannot lie about anything related to Julie Liv. That magic circle is the evidence.”

Wyatt chuckled. It was a pleased smile that he often wore when things went well.

“Would you like to read the explanation beneath the magic circle?”

Finally, Serenity noticed the tiny writing beneath the magic circle.

‘Am I supposed to read this?’

Setting aside her hesitation, Serenity read the writing.

“I, Wyatt Crayton, cannot speak any lies regarding Julie Liv. Upon doing so, my heart will burn, and I will perish…?”

“What…? What did you just say?”

Serenity asked in disbelief. Wyatt must be insane! It was clear that he had gone mad!

“You’ll die? No, you’ll perish?”

Serenity, with a bewildered expression, repeated the same sentence five times, doubting if she had misread it. However, the content remained the same. If anything, the writing seemed even clearer.

“I wanted to know your true feelings for Julie, didn’t I?”

Serenity realized for the first time how sinister Wyatt’s smile at the corner of his mouth could appear. She let out a bitter laugh.

‘What on earth are you trying to achieve? Just saving Julie Liv, that’s all. Nothing special about that Julie Liv.’

“Are you willing to give up your life? A prince of a kingdom?”

“What’s the problem with being a prince?”

It became a problem.

“If a prince of a kingdom offers his heart to someone and wants to give everything, how is he different from a tyrant? You’re inherently different.”

Wyatt flinched. His red pupils darkened. What Serenity just said was because he had pushed Julie away. Lineage, family. Those were all pointless. He had to endure those moments when he pushed Julie away. Putting his life on the line meant that if by any chance he told a lie, he would die.

“Just drawing the curtains and keeping it between us won’t be the end of it.”

The responsibilities the prince of a kingdom held, the power he possessed, and the relationships intertwined around him like a spider’s web. He wasn’t just a prince in name but someone who would become the emperor to rule this empire.

“You’re looking at me as if you can’t understand.”

Because it was indeed incomprehensible.

Wyatt’s certainty in the words he had uttered so far made Serenity unable to act. She hadn’t anticipated this.

Wyatt spoke in a low voice.

“Then ask.”

Was it empathy? Was it guilt? What was the source of this sudden regret?

“Why are you doing this?”

She had to ask. But she didn’t want to.

Some instinctive feeling made Serenity hesitate. It seemed like she would only become more confused upon hearing the answer.

But she couldn’t just let it go.

If she didn’t ask now, Serenity would contemplate countless scenarios in her mind. She would imagine and ponder alone. And then, she would eventually regret not asking what the truth was.

So she had to ask.

“Why is the prince going to such lengths?”

Whatever it may be.

Wyatt’s eyelids slightly narrowed. His gaze seemed to wander as if recalling something. He looked like a madman.

Soon, Wyatt tightly sealed his lips and met Serenity’s eyes head-on.

Waves rippled in his pupils. Something Serenity couldn’t grasp, as if remembering something.

‘Is it a memory between us?’

Serenity cautiously speculated. And she remembered.

The countless times she waited and was hurt.

The waiting that gnawed at her.

“Because I love her.”

The voice echoed.

The gaze facing Serenity shifted.

“Because I love Julie Liv enough to give up everything.”

Thud. A stone dropped into Serenity’s heart.

It was the first confession of love Julie Liv had ever received.

And Wyatt couldn’t lie.

“Lie.”

The words came out.

Wyatt chuckled softly. There was not a single bit of falsehood in his vulnerable laughter, like that of a boy.

“If you can’t believe me like that, should I say I don’t love you?”

A prince of a kingdom said to Serenity, who held his life in her hands.

As if it didn’t matter if he died.

His sincerity and actions came crashing like waves.

Wyatt’s sincerity was the latest among the three, but it was the most intense.

He didn’t just talk to Serenity about longing for Julie.

He called it love.

“…Why Now?”

“…Now that I finally understand.”

Wyatt smiled. Serenity witnessed the atmosphere around them loosening as his lips formed a curve.

The smile she saw today seemed longer than any smile she had seen in her lifetime.

Love couldn’t be denied. Wyatt truly loved Julie Liv.

For some reason.

But that was all.

Serenity’s thoughts were firm.

After killing Julie, she would completely erase her former self.

No matter how desperate Wyatt was.

No matter how much she hated and despised Yulia.

“Let’s end today’s conversation here. I’ll come back soon. I hope you’ll have thoughts for Julie next time.”

‘I’m living for Julie more than anyone else.’

Serenity, swallowing her words, nodded.

“Are there any side effects to this magic? Like collapsing if you say something wrong…”

“Are you worried?”

“No.”

Serenity immediately denied it.

It wasn’t worry; she was curious about how she could use this. If she could put the prince to sleep for a few days, it would be easier to break through the surveillance. But if every action led to his death, there was nothing she could do.

“Did my sincerity come across?”

“Sincerity?”

Serenity replied with a kind voice, raising the corners of her lips.

“I only knew that you were a madman, not sincere. Who would have known that Your Highness would sacrifice his life?”

“Then how did you think I would express sincerity?”

Julie was always sincere. From words to actions, everything was filled with wholeheartedness.

But they had used Julie, trampling over sincerity.

“I haven’t thought about it. It’s not something I should be thinking about.”

“It seems this method won’t work.”

“Seems like it.”

“Do you have any intention to think about it?”

Wyatt was sharp. Serenity momentarily lost her words at his intuitive question. His gaze, looking down at her with her head tilted, seemed to be lost in thought.

“You… don’t seem so eager to save Julie, despite saying you want to.”

“I think she was living in a worse hell in that environment.”

“Is it possible to eliminate that hell?”

“….”

Hell doesn’t exist in just one place.

For Yulia and Liv, Julie’s hell was not the only one. The moment Julie realized she was nothing to her Heirs, she understood.

Clagen, who used Julie for her own schemes without hesitation.

Dante, who ignored Julie’s sincerity and didn’t hesitate to speak harshly.

Wyatt, who constantly hurt Julie with his aggressive and violent words.

Their betrayal, false hopes, were all hell to Julie.

Violence wasn’t just physical.

Serenity, who had been silent, nodded her head.

“If we could eliminate the hell.”

In reality, it was almost impossible.

After the meeting with Wyatt ended, Serenity encountered Dante.

Dante’s demeanor was completely different from when they had last spoken. His more tense and rigid posture resembled that of a student facing an exam.

“I’ve been thinking about how to show you my sincerity.”

Dante reached into his bag with a determined expression. When he opened the lock of his rugged and worn bag, a notebook emerged. Dante handed the notebook to Serenity.

“What’s this?”

T/N: I don’t know why but this novel has really few viewers. And those who read it never comments. Is the novel bad?? I don’t think so. I like this novel it gives different vibes the MC is strong willed and determined I know she was suicidal but we can see the development and her family is great too they love her. There are not many novels with this type of setting. Also about Wyatt don’t you guys think he’s… Kind of creepy or is it just me.