Chapter 535: Your True Desires Will Be Fulfilled

While Maria and Joy stood still, each visibly puzzled by the Empress’s cryptic words, Aqua hardly cared about the spy or the mystery surrounding Cassius’s supposed innocence.

None of that mattered to her.

All she could feel was a surge of pure relief.

Her aunt had spoken in her brother’s favor.

Cassius was innocent.

Her aunt believed it.

That alone was enough to make Aqua’s entire world light up.

Her eyes gleamed with sudden emotion as a bright smile broke across her face.

"Thank you, Auntie! Thank you!"

She exclaimed, and before anyone could stop her, she pushed past the translucent veil concealing the Empress’s seat and threw her arms around her.

Marina blinked in surprise. Very few dared to touch her so boldly, but then a genuine laugh escaped her lips.

Aqua hugged her tightly, voice muffled against her aunt’s shoulder.

"I love you! I knew you were the best aunt ever! I can always trust you when I need to!"

Marina, still chuckling, patted her niece’s back warmly before returning the embrace.

"You silly girl. Of course you can trust me." She murmured fondly. "Was there any need to trust something like that?"

When Aqua finally pulled back, her face was beaming with joy.

"Now I won’t hesitate anymore, Auntie! I’m going back home—to the Holyfield estate—to see my brother. I’m tired of being afraid of Father."

"I even heard that Father and Cassius have started making amends, that he’s been working on the estate, handling decisions himself."

"That must mean Father approved of him, right?"

Marina smiled behind her veil. "So it seems."

Aqua nodded eagerly.

"Then that’s it! I’ve been away too long. I’m going back—I want to see how he’s doing with my own eyes. So, please tell Mother for me, will you?"

Marina’s tone softened.

"There’s no need. Your mother already predicted it. In fact, she told me to tell you this—’Take care of Cassius, and tell him I’ll see him soon, once I’m done here.’ And she sends him her greetings."

Aqua froze for a second, then broke into another radiant grin.

"Alright! Tell her I will! Bye-bye, Auntie!"

She called cheerfully as she spun on her heel and dashed out of the royal court, the hem of her robe fluttering behind her like a comet’s tail.

The great doors closed after her, leaving the hall quieter—lighter somehow—though the nobles still watched in disbelief that anyone could embrace the Scarlet Tyrant and leave smiling.

Marina watched her go with a faint, nostalgic smile. Then she turned her gaze toward Joy.

"Tell me, Joy." Marina said in a softer but pointed tone. "Do you feel betrayed? Are you disappointed that I didn’t take your side this time, even after all your loyalty—all your service to me as my sword?"

Joy slowly raised her head, eyes calm and unwavering.

"Not at all, Your Majesty." She said firmly. "I would never question your will. You act with the knowledge that we do not possess, and I trust that what you have said is true."

"But if this man truly is innocent, then it only means that the devil hides deeply among us—so deeply that he walks unseen even in daylight."

Her voice grew colder, filled with conviction.

"And if that is the case, then I shall find him. I shall drag him out of the shadows and expose him before the light of the Goddess. That, I swear."

For a brief moment, Marina simply stared at her—then laughed softly, shaking her head.

"Your devotion never fails to amuse me." She said. "Fine, fine. Whatever you believe, hold to it. Just remember what I said: I’m not telling you to go easy on him. Do what you always do."

Joy straightened. "As you command."

"But..." Marina added, her tone growing somber. "Be careful around him."

Joy blinked. "Careful?"

Marina’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"Cassius may appear harmless—and most of the time, he is. He’s not the sort to lash out or lose his temper, no matter what’s said to him. He listens. He smiles. He acts indifferent. But do not mistake silence for weakness."

Her gaze turned distant.

"He is...open-minded, yes. But that’s precisely why you must tread carefully."

She leaned forward slightly, her voice dropping low.

"Do not, under any circumstances, involve his family. I know you would never harm the innocent, but even so—remember what I’ve said. If his family suffers in any way..."

Her eyes flashed behind the veil.

"Then the devil you’re searching for may truly awaken within him."

Joy’s eyes narrowed slightly, her expression unreadable. Maria, on the other hand, felt a chill run down her spine.

She had always thought Cassius was nothing more than a troubled noble—perhaps eccentric, perhaps misunderstood—but the way the Empress spoke of him now made her uneasy.

"Your Majesty." Maria asked hesitantly. "You make it sound as though this man is dangerous."

"Dangerous?" Marina smiled faintly. "Not unless you give him a reason to be."

Her words sent an inexplicable heaviness through the room.

Joy, however, was unmoved.

"As you wish, Your Majesty." She said calmly. "I will not harm the innocent. My target is only him—Cassius Vindictus Holyfield. And I shall pursue him as the Goddess commands."

She bowed deeply.

"May her light watch over you."

Then she turned and strode toward the exit, her red cloak trailing behind her like a streak of flame.

As Joy departed, Maria turned to leave as well, bowing respectfully.

"Then, Your Majesty, I shall take my leave—"

"Hold it right there." Marina interrupted smoothly.

Maria stopped mid-step. "Your Majesty?"

Marina tilted her head. "Are you in such a hurry to run away from me, dear Maria? Won’t you even stay to speak for a moment?"

Maria hesitated, then smiled politely.

"Not at all, Your Majesty. It’s only that my daughter can be...reckless at times, and I wish to stay by her side. I must make sure she doesn’t act rashly or get herself into danger."

"Ahh, a mother’s instinct." Marina said with an amused chuckle. "Always hovering, always worrying."

Marina’s smile then turned sly as she asked,

"Have you considered my previous offer?"

The color rushed back into Maria’s face.

"Y-Your Majesty—! That I-I don’t know. I—"

Even through the veil, Marina’s laughter could be heard.

"Oh, you’re still thinking about it! I wasn’t expecting you to be so shy about something so small."

Maria covered her face, her ears burning red.

"It was...quite a strange proposal, Your Majesty."

"Strange?" Marina chuckled again. "Perhaps. But it was worth seeing your reaction."

Reaching to the side, she picked up a pouch and tossed it toward Maria. The sound of coins clinking echoed through the silent hall.

"There." Marina said with a grin. "Two thousand gold coins. You’ve earned them today."

Maria caught the pouch in surprise.

"I...I can’t accept this—"

Marina waved her hand dismissively.

"Nonsense. You gave me a good show today. You deserve extra."

Then, leaning back on her throne, she added with teasing mischief.

"It’s a pity, though—I truly won’t be able to sleep with you tonight. Such a shame. I would have liked to see if the rumors about your warmth were true."

Maria gulped in shame before she finally exhaled, forcing herself to calm down before bowing deeply.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." She said softly. "This gold will go to a place that truly needs it."

"I know it will."

Marina said in a calm, knowing tone. Then her smile deepened ever so slightly.

"But that’s not the only reason I told you to stay back, Maria."

Maria blinked in mild confusion, while Marina smiled faintly, tracing a gloved finger along the armrest of her throne.

"There’s another reason. Something...I wish to tell you."

She paused, her eyes narrowing just slightly in thought.

"You’re going to meet Cassius Vindictus Holyfield soon. And after hearing about the sort of man he is, about what he’s capable of and what he does to the women in his presence..."

"...I suspect this visit of yours may change your life."

Maria furrowed her brows, unsure where this was going.

Marina’s voice dropped lower, smoother, almost like a whisper that carried a hidden meaning.

"When you meet him, the deepest desires within you—the ones you’ve buried, the ones you’re too afraid to show others, the ones you fear even within yourself—they may awaken. And perhaps..."

She smiled knowingly.

"...perhaps they’ll be fulfilled."

Maria tilted her head in surprise.

"Your Majesty, what desires could I possibly have?" She asked softly, baffled. "I’ve lived my life in service of the Goddess. All I’ve ever wanted was to stay beside my daughter and help those who cannot help themselves."

"I already have that life. I cannot think of anything more I’d wish for."

Marina chuckled—a slow, elegant laugh that filled the chamber.

"Ah, Maria." She said, shaking her head fondly. "That’s the thing. You don’t realize it yourself."

"But I’ve known you for years, haven’t I? I’ve shared wine with you under moonlight, listened to your sighs when you thought I wasn’t paying attention. You may not speak of it—but I know."

Maria’s eyes narrowed, her confusion deepening.

"I know there’s something you’ve always wanted." Marina continued. "Something you could never obtain—not as a nun, not as a mother, not as a woman who hides behind vows and devotion."

Her voice softened, a strange warmth creeping in.

"You may not even understand it yet. But I think, in this journey—with Cassius—you might finally find it."

"And when you do...I hope it makes you happy."

Maria blinked several times, flustered, unsure what to say.

"I...I don’t understand, Your Majesty." She stammered. "But...if what you say is true, and if it makes me happier, then I suppose I should hope for it as well."

Marina’s smile widened, amused by her innocent sincerity, before Maria jumped abruptly, realizing how much time had passed.

"Ah! My daughter must have already gone far ahead! She never waits for me."

She said hurriedly, clutching her dress and taking a few steps backward.

"I really must go now, Your Majesty. She’ll end up at the royal stables before I even get there!"

Marina let out a light laugh.

"Go then, my sweet Maria. The future awaits you."

"Goodbye, Your Majesty!"

Maria called, bowing quickly before turning and rushing out of the royal court.

When the great doors closed behind her, Marina exhaled, resting her chin on her palm again. Her lips curved into a quiet, cunning smile.

She thought of Maria, of Joy, of Aqua...and of Cassius.

And then, most of all, of her spy.

"Oh, this will be interesting." She murmured. "Three women whose hearts are yet untested...and one man who stirs the world around him without even trying."

Her gaze then lowered toward the bloodied corpse still lying in the center of the floor—the severed head beside it.

A cruel smile traced her lips as she looked across the trembling nobles still frozen in their places.

"Now then..."

She said, voice sharp once again.

"Shall we proceed with the remaining matters of the day?"