Chapter 11
The situation was turning out to be very interesting. As soon as Ariadne finished lunch, she planned to leave the palace.
She had no intention of using her healing power for anyone. Even if they found out, nothing would change. The healing power she had discovered was only for herself. That was her thought.
Above all, Ashley and her father would try to corner her.
“They’ll probably say I stole the Saint’s power from my sister.”
It was an obvious outcome.
Seeing Ashley act as if she had healed the Emperor only strengthened Ariadne’s decision.
She felt there was no reason to stay here, even if it meant being mistaken for a witch instead of a Saint.
Besides, if Ariadne disappeared, the flimsy “Saint act” would no longer continue.
“It doesn’t seem like her Saint power is completely gone.”
Ariadne could faintly sense that some of the power still lingered in Ashley.
So she didn’t want to stay in the same place and cause unnecessary trouble. Ashley’s Saint power was no longer an important matter.
“It’s a shame I can’t see that proud face crumble, though.”
She judged it was better to leave here as soon as possible.
Moreover, she had no desire to stay and serve the Emperor just because she had healing power. Although everyone praised Ashley as a Saint, in reality, she did nothing besides taking care of the Emperor.
Of course, that earned Ashley a lot of privileges, but Ariadne had no interest in such power or honor.
“There’s no need to be tied down here.”
Saint power was more of a nuisance that threatened freedom than a blessing.
Now, she wanted to truly enjoy freedom, free from the role of “the Saint’s sister.”
She had decided to leave from the start.
Also, leaving the Count’s house and leaving the palace were two different matters.
“I’ll need someone to help me.”
There was someone she wanted to meet once she came to the palace.
She quickly sent a letter.
“When the hunting tournament starts, it’ll get chaotic again. I’ll take that chance…”
The hunting tournament, larger than any feast or event, drew guests from all countries, and palace security was especially tight during that time.
To leave such a place, she would need someone to help her.
Ariadne knew exactly who would fit that role.
The next day, she received a reply to her letter and was sitting in the agreed reception room.
She smiled lightly at the furniture and decorations, which clearly reflected the owner’s taste.
A tapestry with colorful threads depicted a handsome man’s face.
The ornate, impressive face belonged to the owner of this room.
Next to it, crystal statues lined up, catching the eye, and the chandelier above sparkled constantly.
“Oh. You’re here.”
Ariadne stood politely as a man appeared, pulling back the curtain.
He was the palace’s infamous rogue, Fourth Prince Diego Cassius.
Appearing in a half-open poet shirt, he looked completely carefree.
He barely greeted anyone properly and plopped down across from Ariadne in a very sloppy manner.
From head to toe, he was the exact opposite of polite.
“Hmm. About three years, right?”
Diego spoke first with a careless smile.
“Yes. It seems about three years have passed since then.”
“Why’d you come looking for me? I thought you said you didn’t like men who were careless and frivolous like me?”
“….”
Ariadne found his teasing words unnecessary.
“What made you suddenly want to meet me, our beautiful lady?”
“Could you not say that, Your Highness?”
“Why not?”
Though his posture was rough, his eyes were fixed directly on her.
The blunt stare made Ariadne turn her face sharply.
“You’re not thinking about marrying me, are you? Or do you have some favor to ask?”
Ariadne didn’t miss the chance to answer immediately.
“Yes.”
Diego’s eyes widened at her blunt honesty.
“Oh?”
He looked very interested.
“Interesting. I might fall for you again.”
“Don’t say that so easily.”
“What do you mean? I’m always sincere. Even asking for marriage was real.”
“….”
Ariadne narrowed her eyes at him. Sensing her annoyance, Diego suddenly laughed and raised his hands in mock surrender.
“Alright, alright. It’s been a long time, I’m just happy to see you.”
“….”
“But what could you possibly ask of someone like me? You said you disliked me so much.”
“Why do you keep saying that…?”
In the past, Ariadne had indeed disliked him. But through her growing “villain” image, she realized that public opinion was not the whole truth.
She wanted to apologize for underestimating Diego before, but his teasing tone made it awkward to speak.
“Ah. By the way, I heard some news.”
Diego suddenly made a playful face.
“News? What news?”
“They say the well-behaved Ariadne slapped the Saint’s cheek.”
Diego spoke as if reciting a rumor.
“Your Highness!”
Ariadne raised her voice in disbelief. It wasn’t shameful, but it wasn’t appropriate to announce openly either.
“Feels good, right? People who think too highly of themselves need a little punishment sometimes.”
Ariadne squinted her eyes.
“I think that applies to Your Highness too.”
“Really? Is that so? Then you can punish me.”
“Your Highness!”
Ariadne raised her voice even more. Diego laughed like it was the most fun thing ever.
“Really…”
“Oh, and they say the Saint couldn’t do her job, right?”
He continued joking, wiping imaginary tears, showing not a trace of seriousness.
Ariadne sighed lightly and spoke.
“You’re slow with news. Today, His Majesty recovered his strength and invited everyone to lunch.”
“Oh really? Then it must have been a false rumor.”
“….”
“Oh, and I heard another rumor too.”
Diego’s eyes widened, clearly enjoying teasing her.
“What is it…?”
“You got a nickname.”
Ariadne frowned slightly at his boyish face.
“You really do pay a lot of attention to me.”
This man never changed. Even after three years, he was the same.
“Well, I always pay attention to you.”
His playful voice carried sincerity. But Ariadne casually brushed it off.
“Not all women, just me?”
“A little more for you.”
“Of course…”
Diego kept smiling without tiring.
He was always like this. His lighthearted behavior made the palace ignore him, and the Emperor excluded him from being heir. Nobles weren’t fond of him either.
Yet his mother, the current Empress, held the most powerful family influence.
But he had no interest in power and did as he pleased, so few liked him.
“Curious about your nickname?”
She wasn’t, but if she said no, he’d pester until he got an answer. So she played along.
“What is it…?”
“The Greatest Villain.”
“….”
“A villain who torments the Saint and causes trouble. Hahaha!”
Even as he spoke, he laughed at his own joke.
Ariadne crossed her arms, unimpressed. Being a villain or Saint didn’t matter. She calmly spoke.
“You just found out? Then you’d better help me with my request.”
Ariadne sighed deeply, acting tired.
“Goodness.”
Seeing her no longer flustered, Diego’s playful expression softened in surprise.
“I want you to repay a debt from three years ago.”
His expression changed at that.
He owed her his life once.
He hadn’t expected their paths to cross like this. He thought she’d never ask him for anything.
“If it’s your request, I’ll welcome it anytime. What is it?”
“I’m leaving the palace.”
“Oh. Finally, thinking the same as me, huh?”
He had always joked about escaping the stuffy palace.
“I’m not going back to the Count’s house either.”
Realizing she was serious, Diego leaned forward from the sofa, his face serious for the first time.
“What do you mean?”
“Exactly what I said, Your Highness.”
“Hah. Not just a rumor. You really have changed.”
“….”
Ariadne looked at him quietly.
Diego paused, then spoke again.
“You can’t go alone. Go with me.”
