Chapter 32
It was no longer a question of whether she was a royal impostor or a fraud.
Celia could not understand it at all.
That lowly woman, a mere unwed mother—someone who didn’t even know who the father of her child was!
Celia’s hands trembled violently.
To think she might be punished just for laying a hand on that woman. She could not accept it.
“No.”
She had barely managed to secure her position as a maid using her father’s influence. She had done everything she could just to get close to Cain.
But judging by the Duke’s demeanor earlier, this would not be swept under the rug quietly. She had no idea what punishment awaited her.
‘Father is in the capital.’
In this distant estate, there was no father to protect her.
She had realized it clearly now. Cain was a ruthless dragon-blooded noble. And she had touched something precious to him.
If she stayed here like this, she might disappear without a trace.
Celia’s eyes shook with fear.
“Lady Celia. Please stay here for now. Until His Grace’s judgment is delivered…”
A servant stepped in front of her, trying to block her way, but Celia ignored her completely.
Wait here and accept whatever punishment the Duke decided? Don’t be ridiculous. Who do they think she was!
“Move!”
She shoved the servants aside roughly and ran straight up to the third floor of the main building.
Jaden. That irritating little brat. The only lifeline that could save her from this hopeless situation was Jaden.
Bang!
She threw open the door to Jaden’s bedroom without warning and stormed inside.
Before the startled Jaden could even rise from his bed, Celia dropped to her knees halfway and began pleading.
“Young master! Please help me. Please!”
“……?”
“You know, don’t you? How devoted I’ve been in taking care of you all this time!”
Jaden frowned as if he couldn’t understand the situation.
Don’t tell me he’s forgotten everything I’ve done for him? How ungrateful.
When someone is crying and begging, the least they should do is ask what’s wrong!
Celia swallowed her anger and quickly tried to appeal to his sympathy.
“I’m really being wronged, sob… It’s just that… that woman Viola tried to poison you…!”
She continued while tears streamed down her face.
“I was only trying to protect you, young master, and told her to prove it by testing the poison herb herself…! Hic, but now I’m the one being punished for it!”
“She collapsed right there! That proves she was lying! It was poison, wasn’t it? That’s why she collapsed!”
Celia rambled frantically, but Jaden seemed to grasp the situation.
“So… you made Viola eat Gamdjongcho?”
“Yes! That’s right!”
Ah, finally! Celia nodded desperately.
Of course, he wouldn’t side with that woman who tried to poison him, would he?
She was certain Jaden would stand on her side.
But she would soon realize that telling Jaden everything was not salvation—but the very thing that brought disaster.
Today the estate had been unusually chaotic, and now Jaden finally understood why.
Something inside him snapped.
…Viola ate Gamdjongcho?
He wasn’t particularly interested in herbal medicine, but even he knew of that plant’s notorious reputation.
Because it was poison that even affected dragon-blooded beings like him.
Most poisons did not work on dragon-blooded people, but there were rare ones that had at least a slight effect.
Gamdjongcho was one of them.
At worst, it would only cause a day of illness for him—but for ordinary humans, it could be fatal on the spot.
‘Viola could die?’
She was strong, yes—but also fragile.
With a body that thin, how could she possibly survive poison like that…
‘Not again.’
His heart dropped.
Not again. Just like when he lost his mother and father in a sudden accident. Viola might die too.
His vision darkened.
Unaware of his thoughts, Celia looked on proudly, as if she had just defeated an evil villain.
“…….”
Jaden had known from the beginning that Celia didn’t like him.
Honestly, anyone would have noticed. She always looked at him as if he were a disgusting insect.
Even though she held the position of his assigned maid, she never properly cared for him or pretended to spend time with him.
He had no complaints about it. As a dragon-blooded being, it was only natural for people to feel that way. There was nothing special about Celia’s attitude.
In fact, it was more comfortable being left alone, so he had intentionally left things as they were, despite Conrad trying several times to assign him someone else.
But… that did not mean he would tolerate this.
How dare she touch Viola—the only warmth he had finally found.
BOOM.
At that thought, the restrained violent energy inside him surged as if it would explode. The air in the room grew heavy in an instant.
“L-lord… hic…”
Jaden looked down at Celia with only his eyes. She had once looked down on him in her mind, and now she was trembling in utter fear.
Overwhelmed by terror, she couldn’t even scream—only tears streamed down her face before she collapsed unconscious to the side.
But Jaden didn’t care. To him, she was nothing more than an obstacle to be removed.
“Move.”
He ignored the fallen Celia and ran toward the door.
Viola. He had to see Viola. He couldn’t lose her again.
Like a mantra, he repeated it over and over as he rushed forward.
But then—
“Please calm yourself, young master.”
As if anticipating this very moment, Conrad stood blocking the doorway.
Jaden lifted his bloodshot eyes.
“Are you with her too, Conrad? Move. I’m going to Viola.”
“…Do you think you can meet Viola in that state of overflowing hostility?”
Jaden’s steps halted abruptly.
“……”
Viola liked cute things. She was the only person who had ever told him he wasn’t frightening.
The only person who had hugged him warmly and called him adorable.
He couldn’t show her this uncontrollable side of himself.
But… Viola might die…
Jaden bit his lip, torn.
Conrad spoke calmly again.
“Do not worry. His Grace is with her.”
“…The Duke?”
“Yes. His Grace said Lady Viola will recover without issue.”
At those words, the tightly stretched tension in Jaden’s body loosened at once.
“…Ah.”
Only now, realizing it belatedly, he sank to the ground.
His legs had lost all strength.
The boy lowered his head, holding back tears that threatened to spill. He couldn’t show Conrad that he was crying.
‘Thank goodness…’
He had truly been afraid. Afraid of losing her again. Afraid she would leave like his mother and father, without even saying goodbye.
Using his hands for support, Jaden slowly pushed himself up and clenched his small fists tightly.
He would not let anything happen to Viola.
No matter what it took. No matter how. He would protect Viola.
