Dexter stared at the hearth, listening to the crackle of woods with a ss of wine in his hand, sitting leisurely on the armchair. He didn''t n to tell Aries about how he met Abel — at least it wasn''t in his ns right now. However, his mouth just naturally spoke the things he didn''t talk about for a long time.


    Dexter blinked ever so slowly, turning his head to the person who entered his chambers. Seeing it was Gustav, he peeled his eyes away from him and set them back in the firece.


    "Gustav," he called, while the head butler silently lit up a candle on the stand. "Do you remember the time we first met?"


    Gustav smiled without turning around to face the marquess. "You were young back then, my Lord."


    "Arrogant and naive," Dexter added with a bitterugh. "Who would have thought, right?"


    "That you willst this long? Or that I will end up serving the man I vowed to make his life a living hell?" Gustav slowly turned on his heel, facing Dexter''s vantage point with a smile.


    "Both." Dexter raised the ss of wine to his lips, eyes on the fire. "Also, I didn''t expect to live this long… and meet her."


    Gustav smiled subtly. "Lady Aries is a wonderfuldy and I''m d you had lived this long, my Lord."


    "Mhm… I never thought I will ever thank this punishment for this long life. If I died back then… back when Danie died, I will not meet Dani." Dexter''s eyes softened at the thought of Aries, and how she was so clingy today. "She melts my heart and whenever I look at her, all I can think of is how to make her happy and how to protect her from all sides."


    "She married that man, after all. Of all the males out there… she just had to fall in love with the deadliest and the most twisted of all," he continued bitterly, emptying the winess in one go.


    "But you and I are aware that His Majesty, although cruel to his enemies, is merciful to us who doesn''t deserve it," Gustav reminded the marquess, advancing in Dexter''s direction, and stopped several steps away from the armchair Dexter was sitting on. "Isn''t that the reason?, despite your grudges against him, you cannot leave him behind?"


    Dexter lowered his eyes andughed bitterly. "He always worries me."


    "His Majesty has always been like that. He does whatever he wants without regard for those around him."


    "He should''ve lived a bit decently," Dexter added under his breath. "If only he did… if only he tried even more or just walked away from those who shunned him as he had always done… they wouldn''t treat him the way they did."


    Gustav smiled subtly at Dexter. He knew the marquess more than anyone. Dexter''s hatred against Abel was pure, but at the same time, Dexter looked up at the man with genuine admiration. The marquess never showed it or verbalized his sentiments regarding Abel, but Gustav was aware Dexter was torn between his love and hate towards the emperor of thisnd.


    It was a case that everyone could understand; Abel was someone that one would hate with passion or admire like a god. There was no in-between.


    "I had always believed in karma. That was what makes me go on." Dexter spoke before silence dominate the room. "But now… I sincerely hope it doesn''t exist, Gustav."


    "Are you afraid of thedy''s safety?"


    "No. I''m terrified." Dexter''s eyes fell on his hand, seeing how the winess tremble under his grip. "His enemies weren''t as simple as those in the Maganti Empire. He had made tons and tons of enemies, and they had always been eyeing to end him. I don''t think it will be a battle that we will all survive, Gustav."


    "I do not mind dying. I had lived long enough, but Dani… she''s just starting her life again. I''m certain His Majesty shared the same sentiments as I do."


    "Everything will be well, my lord," Gustav reassured, to soothe the marquess''s worries. "Nothing happened yet."


    "Nothing?" Dexter arched a brow and cast Gustav a look. "You''ve been in Haimirich all this time. Do you believe nothing had happened yet? Or nothing will happen anytime soon?"


    This time, Gustav remained silent, lowering his eyes. Meanwhile, Dexter nted his hands on the armrest to push himself up. When Dexter stood proud in his stature, he faced Gustav squarely.


    "You had reced a lot of our servants while we''re away, picking only those who can protect the manor. I don''t think you believe your own ims, Gustav." Dexter pointed out calmly. "When I arrived in the capital, I went straight to the imperial pce. Thus, I know someone cast a spell to fight the duke''s protection spell. If that is not the sign Haimirich isn''t about to wee a catastrophe, I don''t know what is."


    Dexter bent over, cing the empty winess on the table. When he straightened his back, the side of his lips curled up.


    "When worsees to worst, protect Dani with your life, Gustav," he ordered with a soft voice. "I… cannot bear to watch my sister die before me. She can''t die before me, Gustav. It''ll kill me."


    "Yes, my Lord."


    Dexter rocked his head, a bit reassured ?Aries had a capable person who would protect her lest something unprecedented happened. With that being said, he picked up his coat that was draped over the other armchair.


    "You''re leaving, my Lord?" Gustav furrowed his brows, seeing that Dexter didn''t seem he had any intention to stay.


    "Mhm. I heard the duke and Morro left the capital." Dexter exined while slipping his hand inside the sleeve. "I assume it was His Majesty''s order — probably because of what happened in the Imperial Pce. I had to see what was going on in that ce. We cannot afford to get caught off guard since there will be an approaching coven in a month."


    "But my lord —" Gustav stopped when Dexter shook his head.


    "I won''t be long," thetter remarked with certainty. "In case Dani looks for me, tell her I will be handling some affairs and will return in the evening. Also, she will be weing a friend soon. Prepare everything beforehand."


    "Yes, my lord." Gustav let out a deep exhale, watching Dexter prepare to leave at this hour.


    Little did Dexter know that going to the imperial pce was one of the worst decisions he had ever made in his entire life.