Chapter 174

It was funny to think it would just be a kiss.

He seemed to lose his mind at the thought that the two of them might have had their first night together due to the powerful effect.

It wasn’t enough that the very person who took her away after he tried his best to cast a spell on her came to find him, it was too much that he was even asking him to leave the palace he had worked so hard to adapt to.

‘In the end, it was Theon Ermedi who took Ayla and benefited from it.’

The thought that ran through his head naturally gave strength to his lowered fists.

He lost everything he had and the place where he lived with his parents.

All that was left of him was his position as a royal grandson, which was nothing but a shell, and those who stuck to him to get some unexpected profit.

He tried to rationalize his actions, saying that he was only greedy for one thing.

Unfortunately, even Ayla, the only thing left, belonged to Theon, who had everything.

Thinking that, regardless of the process, she ended up not becoming his, he made up his mind.

‘At least Ayla. She must be mine.’

In Owen’s eyes looking at Theon, complex emotions including resentment and anger could be felt, as well as a sense of challenge like never before.

“Is that important?”

“It is important. Hard work is never wasted.”

“I see you don’t know what you’ve done wrong.”

“Wasn’t it you who benefited from it anyway?”

A low laugh escaped Theon’s mouth at Owen’s absurd remark.

“You’re not denying it?”

“What did I gain? What? Today, really… You’re saying a lot of funny things. I’m not here to play puns with you.”

“You seem to think I’m joking right now.”

“Don’t make things worse. I am being very patient since we are related by blood.”

“Why? Do you intend to kill me with your magic power?”

Theon’s face hardened in an instant at Owen’s sarcastic words.

“When I first came to the palace, I thought I was going to be taken care of. But I wasn’t. I was locked up and destroyed.”

“…”

“I was just getting used to it now, and you want me to go back? You said magic is forbidden? Of course. That’s the reason on the surface! Theon. Be a little more honest. It’s because of Ayla.”

Owen raised his voice, as if overwhelmed with emotions, and small tears were forming in his eyes.

There was anger towards everyone in Owen’s words.

Theon, who looked at him, let out a small sigh and loosened the tie that was tightening his neck.

“Alright. What if it is?”

“If it is, that’s even more of a reason for me not to leave.”

“Ha… You’re not making sense.”

“Don’t manipulate Ayla anymore. Don’t you have a fiancée anyway?”

As if bewildered by Owen’s resolute voice, Theon hesitated to answer, which was unusual of him.

Seeing that, the corners of Owen’s lips slowly rose. As if he had won.

“Do you think that what Ayla did to you was sincere?”

As he spoke in a low voice, goodness could no longer be found in the expression on his face.

Theon’s eyes began to tremble as he stared at Owen, as if he was holding back his boiling anger.

“You are begging me to kill you!”

Speaking in a low voice while keeping expressionless, his gray eyes were on the verge of losing control.

Suddenly, a small spark began to rise from the palm of Theon’s open fist.

“Don’t get mistaken. Ayla just fell for my delusion. Don’t mistake it for sincerity towards you.”

“…”

“You have kept me for too long. I will take my leave now. I’m very tired. It’s boring to talk about uninteresting things.”

With a fishy smile on his face, Owen patted Theon on the shoulder, who was maintaining a blank expression.

Owen, who was getting out of the room, grabbed the doorknob and, as if he had remembered something, turned to face Theon.

“Oh right, His Majesty has asked me to push ahead with Your Highness’ royal marriage. I think it’s something you should know.”

After speaking, Owen smiled pleasantly and stepped out through the open door.

***

“Ah…”

Ayla, who was looking at the documents, put down the papers in her hand as she was not concentrating at all, and turned her gaze to Theon.

Inside the quiet room, there was an awkwardness and tension between the two of them for some unknown reason.

Ayla frowned, wondering what on earth had happened that Theon was in a bad mood since early morning.

“Do you have anything to say?”

Perhaps feeling her gaze, Theon put down the documents he was reviewing for a moment and asked in a low voice.

Ayla held her hands together, fidgeting, and slowly opened her mouth.

“Well… I want to rest today.”

“Why? Are you sick? If you’re not feeling well, you should have told me in advance. You could have stayed in the detached palace.”

Ayla’s expression relaxed a bit at the friendly voice, the cold atmosphere seemingly gone.