The Villainous Family Loves Me Too Much!

“What? What method…?”

I didn’t understand what the Archduke was talking about. What method did I mention?

“The… the bonding ritual.”

Ah, that.

A forgotten piece of history suddenly came to mind. It felt like my face was burning up.

“Uh, I’ll tell you about that later!”

I rushed out of the office as if being chased and walked quickly down the corridor. I had been deliberately avoiding discussions about the bonding ritual for a while.

Besides, I had been seriously contemplating my bond with the Archduke and seeking advice from others.

Of course, when I say ‘others,’ it was only one person I turned to for help – priest Gebino, the only one who could provide me with useful information.

“Gebino, do you happen to know about the bonding ritual?”

“Well… the logic behind the bonding ritual is simpler than you might think. It’s about becoming either a plus or a minus.”

When I informed her that this was the method mentioned in the prophecy to prevent the catastrophe, Gebino quickly regained his composure.

“Any type of ability can be combined with either divine power or magic power. Abilities serve as a kind of amplifier.”

“What about divine power and magic power?”

“It’s impossible. Well, technically it’s possible, but there’s a high risk that one of them will go out of control and disappear.”

Ultimately, the only possible bonding rituals in this world were between ability and divine power or magic power, divine power and divine power, or magic power and magic power.

So, they could only clash with each other.

It was an ability passed down from generation to generation only in the imperial family, so even so, the two powers representing divine power and magical power, the Temple of Julius and the Palace of Felosite, stood at opposite points for a long time.

“Recently, the term ‘bonding’ has been used quite liberally, but in reality, it’s a term that can only be used by those who are qualified.”

“Qualified?”

“An imperial family member with special abilities, a saint or priest confirmed through a temple, and a high-ranking magician approved by the Magic Tower. Also…”

After hesitating for a moment, Gebino finally smiled.

“The more sincerely the two people performing the ritual share their hearts, the stronger the power becomes.”

Sincerity and love.

Emotions that were impossible between the Archduke and me. In this relationship, which had already begun with deception and suspicion, could genuine feelings exist?

I would rather have harmony with my in-laws, how great would that be?

No matter how desperate it was, I couldn’t even hide these emotions.

“However, Your Highness, there is one thing that you seem to be mistaken about.”

Mistaken?

In case I missed something, I rummaged through charts and notes written on the paper, but I couldn’t figure it out at all.

“Mistaken about what? I’m not sure what I misunderstood.”

I racked my brain as much as possible, but I couldn’t understand why the term ‘misconception’ was used. Gebino, with his right hand still not fully healed, reached under the sheet of paper with it.

“Here, please look at this part. If those with the Power of Light, magical power, or a fragment of the deity cannot combine their abilities, the entire continent will perish.”

Uh, I still don’t know what he’s talking about.

When I tilted my head, Gebino smiled at me.

“Your Highness, there is no mention in the prophecy that the partner you should perform the ritual with must be Archduke Felosite.”

“Oh, really?”

I felt like I was hit in the back of the head.

Yes, nowhere in the prophecy was written that the other side had to be ‘Prince Felosite’. I just assumed that it might be the Archduke.

“Once you have a fragment of the deity, you will definitely know who it is.”

“Who’s that?”

There was a moment of silence.

As if I asked a difficult question, Gebino’s eyes didn’t look at me directly, and he seemed to be wandering for a while.

But even so, he couldn’t find a suitable position for his gaze, and Gebino turned his head to the opposite side and cautiously opened his mouth.

“It’s me, Your Highness.”

“Yes?”

“I am the one with a fragment of the deity.”

* * *

The grand banquet hall of the Imperial Palace, adorned with shimmering golden banners symbolizing the Leblanc imperial family.

Long tables were arranged in a crescent shape, extending like wings on either side, with the Emperor at the center. On the tables were golden plates and cups, each bearing the emblem of the representative noble families.

Once a year, on the day when the moon disappears, Emperor Motias invited the heads of the prominent noble families of the Empire to enjoy a lavish dinner together.

At a glance, it was evident that the tables were filled with thick, juicy slabs of meat served on massive plates, carried to the center of the banquet hall by four attendants.

Four men together lifted a huge plate with a chunk of meat that was thick enough to see at a glance and carried it to the center of the banquet hall.

The greasy surface of the glossy meat and the savory smell wafting around made everyone drool while waiting.

The Emperor raised his wine glass, laughed heartily, and spoke loudly.

“It’s the monster fish I just caught yesterday! The chef in the imperial palace prepared it with great care for today!”

Today’s dish was the finest quality monster steak hunted by the elite of the Imperial Knights.

The monster boasted a better taste than any other meat, but it was difficult to cook due to its toxicity, and it was inevitable to damage the meat during the hunting process.

So, the highest quality monster meat was a material that was difficult to obtain even in the imperial family.

But, the highest quality monster meat, and of a human size?

Everyone sitting around was licking their lips, forgetting their face as they watched the thick flesh of the monster being sliced to make it easy to eat.

Except for one person.

Liam sat to the left of the Emperor, his face turning as pale as a sheet, and he struggled to hide his discomfort, his forehead beaded with cold sweat.

‘I feel like I’m going to vomit.’

Since their visit to the cave, the monster fish had a nauseating odor and taste. It made Liam feel sick to his stomach, as if he were looking at a corpse.

That day, he couldn’t remember what had happened. The only thing he could recall was that he had rescued the badly injured Colin with Beatrice.

Perhaps Karena would return. It was a significant threat to Liam.

Ever since the death of Gabriel, the Crown Prince, and the expulsion of Princess Karena, Liam had yet to be officially appointed as the Crown Prince.

Unlike Karena, who had already mastered her abilities, Liam hadn’t gained control over his own abilities.

He had resolved to do anything to catch the Emperor’s eye, but it wasn’t easy. And now, with his condition not being the best, and with monster meat in front of him…

Fortunately, on this particular day, the Emperor, who was in an unusually good mood, didn’t notice Liam’s pale complexion as he sweated profusely.

“Hahaha! Enjoy yourselves, everyone! Isn’t today the day to celebrate Felosite’s complete surrender?”

“We honor you, Your Majesty!”

The Emperor was intoxicated with the joy of finally obtaining Felosite, which his predecessor had long desired.

Not too long ago, a letter had arrived from the Archduke of Felosite, declaring the opening of all communication channels with Felosite and promising to maintain free exchange with the Empire.

It meant Felosite would no longer function as a closed-off ‘small kingdom’ but would be reorganized as Imperial territory, with all the obligations that came with it.

“Henry Felosite, that ferocious old man, must be sharpening his teeth! Hahaha!”

In his triumphant mood, the Emperor was about to take a bite of the meat.

Thud.

Liam collapsed, foam forming at his mouth.

7. Two Possessors

“Such a weakling… Gabriel would have been better. Did we make a mistake and choose the wrong one?”

Beatrice punched her fist into her palm in frustration, looking displeased as she stared at Liam lying on the bed.

In contrast, Colin sat by Liam’s side, holding his hand tenderly.

“The greater the suffering, the sweeter the fruit. Prince Liam will surely overcome this.”

Looking at Colin like that, Beatrice burst out laughing.

“Every time I see this, I wonder if you and I are the same person. We’re so different.”

“…True.”

Colin Piaget and Beatrice Donovan. Both of them were possessed.

To be precise, they were sharing the same soul, although divided into two bodies.