The faces of those who attended the ceremony looked great as if their efforts were worth it in making the scheduled event go on. They talked to Ernst and praised him as a ‘unique’ and as a ‘treasured’ Crown Prince.

Louella couldn’t get all the pictures in her head. Instead, Ernst added a blow to the museum itself. The important thing was to leave a great and strong impression on those who attended the reopening ceremony.

They changed the lighting used between the art pieces and invited famous ballerinas. In the widest Galleria Hall, ballerinas were dancing to the melody. It was a tribute to the White Uroboros.

[It’s been a while, Ernst]

Everything was perfect, but only one did not attend. Ernst hoped Louella would stand by him today. The Empress accepted Ernst’s will and will soon send a formal proposal from the Imperial Court.

[If you want, you have to hold her in your hand. What’s the value of a life that can’t be done? Logan’s favorite lady. Human beings have been swayed by love for generations and it has always gone wrong. Black Uroboros will be my prey again this time.]

The satisfactory voice of the White Uroboros rang in Ernst’s head.

Ernst was irritated by the raving laughter. Louella…

The difference between Louella and Phillia would be vitality. Louella was like a star who shone more than Philia. If one would compare Philia to the sunset, Louella was a flame itself.

She was too great of a person. She became someone he wanted to watch all along. Whatever Ernst’s will would be, it will be what the White Uroboros would want.

Ernst’s violent god had never reversed his decision. It was when Ernst was sentimental a vast footstep could be heard approaching him. A white-faced aide to Ernst could be heard jumping into the museum.

Suddenly, people’s eyes turned to the aide in the crowd. The aide gasped at Ernst. Ernst straightened up his crooked body. Judging from the aide’s expression, something must have happened.

“Crown Prince…” Ernst’s aide, who ran forward as fast as he could, spoke in a harsh voice. “We are in trouble! The faithful in Nigrum have appeared!”

“Tell me in detail.” Ernst grabbed the aide’s arm and pushed him into a corner.

People’s attention had been focused enough. In such a situation, he couldn’t get the aide to talk about Nigrum. The aide spat out with a white face.

“There was a second miracle. The daughter of the Borto family has recovered. Rumor has it that she was already waiting for her day to die. Every doctor she visited just now talked about her complete recovery.” Ernst clenched his teeth.

[My brother is using his life again] The threatening hiss of the snake rang in Ernst’s ears.

Ernst led his aide out of the museum. He had to join the club before this story spread more widely.

“Go to the Imperial City and drag out the knights. I have to secretly go to Borto’s abode.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

* * *

But others who were faster than the Crown Prince moved. There were people spreading the news. Everyone rushed about immediately contributing to the gossip, and in just an hour, the gossip was already scattered in the Imperial Palace.

Gerald saw a yellow piece of paper, the news written in elegant handwriting. He put it down next to the carriage with a smirk.

[I can see my brother running because he’s in a hurry.] Black Uroboros said in a pleasant voice.

[I’ll give you a present. I will remove the brand of Nisephor from her. Right now if you want to! A good warning to my brother! I can give her a potion that purifies her blood. I’ll leave her a mark so she won’t cross my brother again.] Black Uroboros said confidently.

Gerald smirked. The carriage carrying Gerald set out for the Duke of Leander.

* * *

“Wow, is this real?”

“I got it on the way.” Gerald shrugged.

The thorny paper he brought said about the second miracle. Writer Borto seemed familiar…. Brenti? Louella knew that Brenti’s brother was sick.

There was a story that she heard, it was about Borto’s daughter. She was a sick young girl and it was said that she may die any day. Louella knew that Viscount Borto had been taking care of his daughter for years without being able to leave the mansion.

“Today is the day of the museum event on the Imperial side, right? The timing is really good. I think it was already aimed at you.”

“Maybe so.”

“I wouldn’t even bring up a proposal for a while.”

She looked at Gerald because she felt something cold. He was smiling with an innocent face.

This happened right after the Crown Prince proposed to her? It was coincidental timing, no matter how she thought about it. Is it possible that this group has something to do with Gerald? Is it possible that the Black Uroboros God is with Gerald?

Gerald took her hand as if he had noticed her question. He asked in a low voice, gently sweeping down the back of her hand. “How much do you trust me?”

The maids who opened their ax-like eyes at the door gasped. As Gerald and Louella approached, he uttered a warning tone. The maids were Louella’s watchers. Alexid, who went to work, could not stay with her all the time.

“……well.”

“I’ll never do anything to lose you.”

What is he talking about all of a sudden?

“Gerald, what is happening?” Gerald’s eyes wobbled slightly.

It wasn’t Louella that he was looking at. His eyes were blurred as if he was looking somewhere far away. Gerald put strength into holding her hand.

“I… Lulu, I never do anything to lose you.”

Louella already knew that, too. It was because she knew he had already lost her once. That’s why she was trying to understand him.

“I know that.”

“I found a way, Louella.” Gerald spread Louella’s palm and put a small bottle in it.

“But you could be in danger.” Louella took notice of what Gerald was talking about.

He was talking about Nisephor, which was already located in her body. The disease that will one day cause an outbreak and throw her into the White Uroboros’s arms. Gerald kissed the back of her hand.

“All I have to do is drink this?”

“If we confirm in theory, yes.”

“Are you sure?” Louella asked Gerald, staring at his blue eyes.

Gerald’s face was full of emotions.

Gerald nodded slowly. “Absolutely.”

“I understand and I’ll have to do it now!” The liquid floated in the medicine bottle in her hand.

She didn’t know what it was, but it was giving off a strange and weird impression. Gerald nodded.

“Anytime you’re ready.” She opened the bottle cap on Gerald’s horse.

The unique smell seemed to sting the tip of her nose. She drank the medicine slowly as she still stared into Gerald’s eyes. The moment it fell into her throat, the medicine took away her consciousness. A hot flame burned inside her.

* * *

Gerald hugged Louella, who was falling forward.

“Miss!”

“Shh!” Gerald sharply cautioned the maids and hugged Louella tightly.

The Black Uroboros’ huge body wrapped around Louella and Gerald so that they could not be seen. The black snake stared out with its huge head raised.

[My brother noticed. There won’t be much time.] Black Uroboros opened his red mouth and swallowed Louella in one bite.

Gerald watched it, holding his breath. White haze rose around the Black Uroboros. The haze, which was rushing to bite the black snake, could not penetrate between it and Louella as it slowly disappeared.

The thick black smoke permeated Louella. Black Uroboros waved and spat out Louella again. As Gerald can only see it, the maids did not budge. The Black Uroboros stuck out his long tongue and licked Louella and disappeared.

[It’ll be okay. Don’t worry.] The Black Uroburos’s low voice comforted the frightened Gerald.

Only then did Gerald know. That he was only afraid of himself. Once again, he was in fear of losing Louella. Gerald hugged Louella tightly.

Louella was exhaling slowly.

“Mister Gerald… What about the lady?

“She’s just sleeping,” Gerald replied in a weeping voice.

There was a clear black snake mark on Louella. He succeeded. He finally succeeded in his third attempt.