Chapter 66: It

Compared to the stiff, cold demeanor of the Duke of Silverwing, Philiya’s letter felt unusually warm, its wording tender and considerate.

But Herbert couldn’t shake a strange feeling—a burr in his throat, elusive and unplaceable.

Something just felt off.

Yet he couldn’t quite figure out what.

After all, trying to guess someone’s true intentions from just one letter was too difficult.

Huh—

In a daze, Herbert felt a faint breeze brush through the room, the candle flame on the desk flickering.

Then, after a long silence, the demonic god finally spoke slowly: 【“My ally, I sense you’re confused.”】

【“Are you struggling right now?”】

“A little, maybe?”

Herbert frowned slightly, then relaxed, speaking calmly: “It’s fine. Just a little.”

“...Are you curious?”

【“Of course! After all, you’re my most~important~ally!”】 The demonic god giggled, utterly indifferent to Herbert’s faint sorrow.

【“So! Who is this person who wrote you the letter? What’s your relationship with her?”】

She was just nosy.

Herbert smirked, helplessly saying: “How do you define it? Relative, acquaintance, friend, close friend… pretty much all of them?”

【“That’s it? It’s not just that! Don’t hold back!”】

The demonic god, scenting gossip, pressed on: 【“An old love?”】

Really not mincing words.

Herbert raised an eyebrow, thinking, uncertainly: “Let me see… I suppose I once liked her… maybe?”

Not very sure.

【“Why the question mark?”】

“Who understands the pure heart of a confused boy?”

Herbert had thought he felt nothing for Philiya.

Especially after what happened—he should’ve given up long ago.

But when he saw that letter, the stir within him far exceeded his expectations.

Only now did he realize—he might truly have once loved this woman.

【“So! The great demonic god already told you—love is a curse!”】

The demonic god gloated softly: 【“See? You’re cursed by love—that’s why you feel so miserable!”】

“Hah. Nonsense. Shut your demonic mouth.”

Herbert snorted, rolling his eyes: “Besides, why do you care so much? Are you even listening?”

“If you interrupt again, I won’t continue.”

【“Fine fine~ I won’t say anything~ Go on!”】

“In the past, I did like Philiya. After all, her appearance and personality were both top-tier.”

Beautiful, gentle, considerate, obedient… in memory, Philiya always embodied the perfect noble lady.

One could say, such a nearly flawless princess would never be hated without reason.

If she truly was as she appeared.

“But that feeling wasn’t pure romantic love—it was more like affection and trust for a friend.”

Herbert kept dissecting his inner self, analyzing the emotional journey of his first life.

The faint, hidden sentiments he himself had never noticed.

“Back then, I simply took her presence for granted, assuming we’d inevitably end up together.”

The naive noble boy never considered alternatives—he treated it as a fixed future.

“So, when that thing happened, do you know what emotion dominated my heart?”

【“Sadness?”】

“Anger.”

Herbert’s expression was calm, but his eyes flickered with searing flame—the long-suppressed rage.

“Why wouldn’t you believe me? Why betray me like this? Why frame me?”

As the one who endured it all, how could Herbert not have felt anger?

【“So, what will you do?”】

The demonic god’s voice was soft, laced with seductive magic, stoking the boy’s rage, pushing it toward greater madness…

Yet, just as the rage neared its peak, Herbert’s demeanor shifted abruptly.

“Do? Nothing.”

【“Huh!?”】

Herbert’s sudden change puzzled Nenasha, who asked in confusion: 【“You’re forgiving her? I didn’t know you were this magnanimous?”】

“Forgive? With what?”

“I won’t forgive her so easily.”

Herbert sneered, holding the letter near the candle flame, slowly roasting it.

“Whether she’s truly innocent as she claims, whether she truly knew nothing, whether she was involved—my stance remains the same.”

“Now, does she think a single letter, a few light words, can erase everything?”

“It’s too late for that now!”

Hiss—

With a crisp sound, flames climbed the letter, slowly burning it.

The rising fire glowed red on Herbert’s face, illuminating the depth in his eyes.

“A broken wound may eventually heal, but the scars and pain it leaves will remain forever.”

The flames grew fiercer, eventually licking Herbert’s fingers.

Yet he didn’t flinch—he slowly closed his palm around the fire, gripping it tightly.

Crushed.

Opened his hand.

A few crushed ashes drifted down from his palm.

“After the fire burns out, all that remains are a few wisps of ash.”

The boy lowered his gaze, watching the ashes, speaking softly:

“It’s already too late…”

Even if you truly want to make amends, it’s too late.

I’m no longer the boy I was…

What were you doing back then?

It’s all gone now.

Nenasha fell silent for a moment, then asked: 【“So you’re just going to ignore her?”】

“Not exactly. I’ll reply.”

Herbert pulled out a sheet of paper, picked up his pen, and began writing swiftly—his script smooth, neat, without a single hesitation.

Nenasha: ?

【“Huh? But you just said you won’t forgive her?”】

Why are you replying then?

The reply was normal, showing no trace of anger.

Herbert responded: “I said that, but one thing doesn’t cancel another—Philiya still has value.”

【“Huh?”】

“She’s rich.”

【“Huh?”】

“As the kingdom’s most favored young princess, plus her mother’s fortune from a mage tower in the North, her personal wealth exceeds even the king’s private treasury.”

“In short, she’s a little heiress.”

Under Nenasha’s silent stare, Herbert said matter-of-factly:

“We’ve been friends for years. Now that she’s reached out, how could I possibly refuse her goodwill?”

“Wouldn’t rejecting her be rude?”

“So let her pay some interest first—send me something useful, not useless trinkets like collars…”

Why hesitate when you can get something for free!?

(End of Chapter)