The Most Powerful Characters In The World Are Obsessed With Me

19. The Approaching End (2)

“What bullshit.”

Meldon, who was next to her, could not stand it and spat out swear words.

Dalia hurriedly covered his mouth with a handkerchief, fearing that someone would hear it.

She was equally flustered. All eyes were on her.

In this situation, Aceras descended one step at a time and was walking straight towards her.

The people naturally cleared the way.

There was simply no reason to reject this situation.

Dalia looked around.

Adrisha and Lewayne were nowhere to be seen. Lewayne, in particular, had completely disappeared, saying there were things to prepare before negotiations.

And also, also……

She realized that she was unconsciously looking for Cedric.

‘No, I have to do it alone here.’

She had decided to save Aceras.

She wanted to save him if she could. Because that will be the happiest ending for everyone.

But when she saw Aceras approaching, her head became dizzy and her heart was pounding.

The person who tried to make the former Duchess Mary Blueport’s to run out of control.

The one who brainwashed the Empress, tried to kidnap Dalia twice, and plunged his subordinates’ lives into the abyss.

The only person who still wants to burn this Empire down and kill everyone.

Yet also the one who could kill Cedric if she didn’t forgive him.

The greatest ordeal of her life. A challenge for her to overcome.

At the same time, the only person she couldn’t save in this world.

He came right in front of Dalia.

He held out his hand to her, smiling innocently, like someone who had never committed any crime.

“Miss Dalia, it’s been a while. Will you dance with me?”

Looking up close and clear, Aceras grew up to be a full-fledged adult compared to when she had seen him at the ball five years ago.

He was looking down at Dalia. His green eyes, which had previously been emotionless and cold, were now glowed with an inexplicable longing.

Dalia could not guess the identity of the desire, so she just stared at him.

Noticing her pale complexion, Meldon stood in front of Dalia. He then looked at Aceras coldly.

“My partner is feeling unwell right now. She will have a hard time dancing.”

“I asked the question to Young Lady Pesteros.”

Aceras spoke mildly but authoritatively.

Meldon’s eyebrows twitched.

Then someone grabbed Dalia by the wrist and pulled her back. It was Hikan.

How did he get here? Did he come all the way from afar in anticipation of this situation? Clearly he should be reorganizing the Imperial Knight to prepare for the attack from the Holy Empire.

He was out of breath and his tied hair was disheveled, as if he had appeared in a hurry.

However, he spoke with clear pronunciation.

“Not Dalia.”

“Why is that?”

Aceras asked with a smile.

Hikan turned his head and looked down at Dalia. He bit his lip.

“You were supposed to have your first dance with me, weren’t you, Dalia?”

“…….”

‘Say yes.’

That was what his eyes were implying.

But Dalia clenched her fists and shook her head.

“Brother, how can I refuse when the Holy Empire’s His Holiness the Pope himself offers his hand?”

She put her hand on Aceras’ hand with a smile.

His hand trembled for a moment. However, he soon took Dalia by the hand.

Dalia looked straight at Aceras and smiled.

“Thank you for your nice offer. I am very glad that Your Holiness has found hope in my words.”

“…….”

His eyes were slightly shaken.

Dalia didn’t care. She thought that it was better.

‘I have promised anyway.’

She will try to forgive him once.

If her feelings for Aceras really change and she can purify him, this may be his last chance.

‘I’ll tell him everything.’

About Dalia’s ability. If he gives up everything and asks for forgiveness, she will purify him.

She doesn’t know whether it will work or not. But she still had to try.

She closed her eyes and caught her breath. She tried to be as happy as possible and only think of good thoughts.

She took Aceras’ hand. He led her calmly, as if he didn’t feel anything.

Hikan tried to grab Dalia as she was about to leave, but Meldon stopped him. He gave Hikan a glance.

‘What will you do once you stop her?’

In these formal occasions, he knows that Aceras will not harm Dalia immediately.

However, this situation itself was too harsh for Dalia.

Hikan closed his eyes and withdrew his hand.

When the two had gone far enough, Meldon whispered.

“I’m sure Miss Dalia has a plan. Please leave them alone. This is not the time for Duke Pesteros to be doing this right now, isn’t it?”

This time, Hikan couldn’t even refute. He gnashed his teeth.

Meldon stared at him for a moment before handing him a handkerchief.

Hikan, unable to comprehend the meaning for a moment, soon took the handkerchief and wiped the blood off his hand.

He asked in a low voice.

“……Did Dalia see it?”

“She probably didn’t see it.”

“That’s all right then.”

Lewayne was right.

Hikan found a small unit of army hiding in the rear. All of them tried to burn down the Frederic Empire with heavy firepower.

If they had not prepared in advance, there would have already been a disastrous ending.

The two exchanged glances for a moment.

In the end, Hikan turned and disappeared into the crowd. Perhaps he’s going back to the rear.

Meldon was not in a good mood either.

He crossed his arms and watched Aceras. He was walking towards the center of the ballroom holding Dalia’s hand.

‘If Sir Cedric saw this, there would be an uproar.’

He stared into space for a moment, then looked at Dalia again.

* * *

The Emperor, rather reluctantly, ordered the band to play the song for the first dance.

Aceras took Dalia’s hand and went to the middle of the ballroom.

People naturally gave up the centermost area to them.

Before the dance began, Aceras took out a rosary necklace he received from the gray-haired young man and handed it to her.

Dalia was perplexed and looked at the necklace he gave her. It was a wooden necklace with a simple design cross.

Instead of accepting it, she looked at him warily.

Aceras smiled.

“Miss Dalia, this is a gift from the Holy Empire that we prepared for you.”

“This……?”

“I personally blessed it. A necklace blessed by the Pope of the Holy Empire becomes an indulgence that forgives any sin.” (*t/n: indulgence: a grant, granted by Pope for full or partial remission of the punishment of sin)

“…….”

An indulgence.

Dalia was somehow upset.

What does Aceras want to forgive? He couldn’t wash away all his sins.

“Please take it. There is no magic, no divine power, no device. If you need proof, I can show it.”

“It’s okay. I’ll take it.”

She didn’t wear it around her neck, but took it roughly, held it in her hand, and put it in her bag.

Aceras watched her every action and held out his hand again.

Dalia quietly took that hand and placed hers on his opposite shoulder.

The dance song began. The distance between the two grew closer and the distance with the people around them widened.

Only then did Aceras’ eyes return to the cold light that Dalia knew.

He didn’t get close to Dalia more than necessary, but slightly lowered his head and whispered in her ear.

“It’s been a while, Dalia Pesteros.”

“…….”

Dalia did not reply.

She didn’t know how to address him, whether to use honorific or speak informally.

She quietly replied after much thought.

“Yeah. It’s been a while.”

The corners of Aceras’ lips stiffened. Dalia asked, lowering her eyes.

“What did you come here for?”

“…….”

“Answer me.”

“I thought you’d be more scared.”

“I have to be brave. It’s only two of us here.”

In fact, her hand that was holding his shoulder was trembling awkwardly.

Aceras was only looking down at Dalia’s face, to see whether she pretended not to know or had no time to care.

Dalia’s heart thumped as if it were about to burst.

She couldn’t find anything else to say, and Aceras said nothing.

For a while, only the obvious steps come and go. After a while, Aceras called her name.

“Dalia Pesteros.”

“…….”

“Let’s go to the Holy Empire with me.”

Dalia looked up in bewilderment.

Of course, she was expecting to see him looking at her mockingly, but unexpectedly, Aceras’ gaze was serious. The incomprehensible longing in those eyes further confused her.

“……What are you talking about?”

“I know you can purify the transcendent’s soul. I need you. Come to the Holy Empire. I will give you everything.”

“Are you being serious?”

Dalia’s voice cracked with anger.

He was not supposed to say that he made a reasonable proposal that anyone would naturally accept as if he had done nothing wrong.

Even now, he intends to start a war and kill all the transcendents of this Empire.

Aceras’ eyes sank.

“You’d better listen to me.”

“Why should I?”

“Otherwise, all your loved ones will die.”

Dalia stopped following the beat.

No, she was going to.

But Aceras yanked her and forced her to follow the dance.

Dalia glared at him, forced by his lead.

“The foundation of the offer are not good.”

“Of course. This is a threat, not an offer.”

“…….”

“The mana of the transcendent collides with holy power. And now there are dozens of the most pious believers on this land. How long will you last?”

Aceras said.

He was looking straight at her until a while ago, but now he was only looking forward. Only the mouth moved.

“I’ll kill them all. I’ll burn all your precious people. Do you want to see that?”

He furrowed his eyebrows.

A glimpse of a hoarse, desperate voice leaked from his lips.

“If you come, if only you come, I will stop everything. If you want, I will allow at least your beloved brother to visit.”

There’s no answer.

He could feel Dalia looking straight up at him without wavering.

He tried to turn a blind eye, but he couldn’t. He met her gaze. The blue eyes shining up close were beautiful.

Dalia’s lips moved.

“All right, let’s go.”

Aceras’ breath stopped for a moment.