The Monster and the Witch

⚜︎ Ep 42: Make Love to Me ⚜︎

After leaving Damian's office, Carmine escorted Marianne to the girl's temporary room at the Malakai residence. Upon entering the room, free from any eyes and ears, she said in a flat tone, "Make a magic agreement with me."

Marianne who had seen Carmine's memory was not surprised when she said 'magic'.

"That's what you actually are asking, isn't it?" she asked, "To make a magic pact with me?"

"Yes, it is. Because no one can break a magic agreement without consequences. I'll be more at ease then."

Carmine smiled a little. "I like your way of thinking, Marianne. All right, in exchange for you being my person, what do you want?"

Marianne combed her hair with her fingers. The girl sat on the edge of the bed, seemingly awkward in a lavish room. "What do you think I should ask for?"

The Duchess raised one eyebrow. "Are you sure you want to ask me that question? I could have advised you to ask for something as simple as a dress or for you to just opt for wealth."

"But you won't."

Carmine's smile widened. "No. I won't," she continued, "You've gotten protection from Damian independent of you making a magic agreement with me or not. So you should ask me something else to maximize the benefit you could get."

For a moment they fell silent.

"Or ... You can ask me to bring down the Kozars."

Marianne looked Carmine in the eyes. It was obvious she was seriously thinking about that option.

"Is it wrong if I want the Countess of Kozar destroyed?"

Marianne's question made her remember herself. She wanted to destroy Rendra and Anita but the plan was unsuccessful. And instead of those two destroyed, it was others who had to pay the price. Also, someone innocent and kind had to be hanged.

No. Revenge is not wrong. At least it was not wrong according to Carmine.

"No," she replied, "But what will make you different from the Countess, then? Or even from the Count who loves to destroy families?"

Marianne was stunned to hear her answer.

After struggling with her own thoughts, Marianne finally replied, "I want to be a strategist like you."

"I have told you I'd teach you, haven't I?"

"Yes, but I want you to really teach me instead of advising me on when and where to go," Marianne explained, "and with the magic agreement you're going to be forced to do just that."

Carmine shook her head slightly. "I've never had a real disciple before. But all right."

Then she stretched out her hand. A green circle full of intricate symbols appeared. "Oh, but I have to tell you that in a year's time I'm going to get out of here," she said, "So if you become my true disciple you have to follow me wherever I go."

Marianne frowned. "You're leaving Malakai? Why? Wouldn't your husband be sad then?"

"We only married on the basis of a contract. Like we are doing now but without the magic agreement. I need his protection and his assets for a year. And he needs my strategic skills. After a year he will divorce me and I shall live peacefully alone."

When Marianne was still staring at her confused, Carmine continued, "If you want to be my disciple you will also live in exclusion then. If you don't think you can do it, you better say it now."

Marianne shook her head. "Oh, I don't mind that. It's just... I don't think the Duke's going to let you go. I don't think he will ever divorce you."

Carmine scoffed in a small laughter. "Why wouldn't he? After I bring down Marquis of Tasikh's faction, he'll already have a solid standing. He won't need me anymore."