SDCTS| Chapter 24

Episode 24

Aphelion muttered in a confused voice.

“This has to be some kind of misunderstanding. Why would my father want to kill your dad?”

He clearly believed there had to be a mistake.

Yeah.

That reaction made sense.

Even if Dominion Leheaven was strict and scary as a father, Aphelion had probably never once thought of him as someone who would casually take a life.

Watching Aphelion hesitate and doubt my words, I paused for a moment.

Should I take it back and say I misspoke?

Or should I tell him everything and ask him to save me?

‘Aphelion won’t keep doubting me forever.’

He wasn’t denying me—he was just confused.

So I decided to explain a little more and spoke calmly.

“My dad is my only weakness.”

“You mean… he’s threatening your father just to hurt you?”

Aphelion still looked completely lost.

“The Duke of Leheaven…”

“He brought me into the ducal house from the start just to use me.”

I quietly continued while watching his shaken expression.

I didn’t tell him everything, not that I was another child of the gods, not that they planned to drain my power to strengthen his.

But it was enough.

That the ducal family had dark intentions when they adopted me.

That I was being exploited and abused.

That whenever I resisted or tried to fight back, they threatened my dad—who was all alone—over and over again.

At first, Aphelion kept questioning me, clearly suspicious.

But the longer I talked, the quieter he became.

“…That’s why I asked you for help.”

“Aphelion… I thought you might help me.”

When I finally looked up—

His golden eyes were wet with tears.

Without saying anything, Aphelion reached out.

He gently pulled my head against his chest and wrapped his small hands around my back.

“I’m sorry.”

“I had no idea you were going through something this horrible… and I…”

He pressed his lips to the top of my head and whispered.

His weak voice was soaked with guilt.

“…What should I do? What can I do to make things easier for you?”

Thank goodness.

In the end, Aphelion believed me.

Watching him walk a different path from the original story, I couldn’t hide my joy.

Not just because I thought he could save me—

But because it felt like happiness might actually be possible for both of us.

That’s probably why I felt so relieved.

“Please protect my dad.”

I smiled gently at the boy who was crying and asked him.

Aphelion promised that from now on, he would check on my dad once every month.

If my dad was safe, he’d send a “Heart Sign”.

If he sensed anything strange, he’d send a “Heart Sign”.

Just in case the duke was monitoring our messages.

“My father will be fine. Don’t worry too much.”

“…Yeah. Thank you for helping.”

With swollen eyes from crying, we said goodbye.

Before leaving, Aphelion walked over and carefully wrapped a blanket around me as I trembled.

“I’ll protect your dad too… and you.”

“So just wait a little longer.”

His straight gaze felt painfully sincere.

I almost burst into tears again.

Sniffling, I asked quietly,

“…You really believe everything I said, Aphel?”

Aphelion nodded firmly, like it was obvious.

“There’s no reason not to believe you.”

He smiled brightly, then lightly kissed my forehead.

“Just trust me.”

How could such a small boy feel so reliable?

How could someone trust me so blindly… and love me so deeply?

Feeling like I could finally breathe, I cried again.

After Aphelion left, I closed my eyes.

Knowing my dad was being watched over, all the tension drained out of me.

Letting out a long breath, I thought about our promise.

‘Aphel believes me.’

The boy who said I mattered more to him than family believed my story—and swore to protect me and my dad.

‘…Then maybe he won’t become the villain in the future.’

If he really grew up right instead of becoming the dark mastermind…

Maybe, after we built more trust, I could tell him everything someday.

Holding onto that small hope, I smiled faintly.

Just then—

Message received from ‘my one and only little brother♡’.

It seemed Aphelion had already returned to the academy dormitory.

“Please sleep well tonight and don’t worry about anything.

Don’t forget that I’m always right beside you.

Thank you always. I love you!”

It felt like I could hear his voice through the message.

Holding the communicator tightly to my chest, I fell asleep.

A week later, the day Aphelion promised to check on my dad arrived.

I clutched my communicator all day, waiting desperately for a message—but nothing came.

‘Is he busy?’

But he had said there were no classes today…

‘Well, maybe he has assignments. Or plans with friends. I’ll wait a bit.’

I didn’t want to rush someone who was doing me such a big favor.

But…

Even when night came, there was still no message.

Unable to sleep, I wandered my room restlessly, gripping my head.

‘Nothing happened… right?’

What if Aphelion went to check on my dad—and the duke did something to him?

It wasn’t impossible.

The more I imagined the worst, the more anxious I became.

Clutching the communicator in both hands, waiting for any notification—

Creeeak—

The door opened without even a knock.

Someone stepped inside.

“You’re still awake.”

It was the Duke of Leheaven.

“I believe you have training tomorrow morning.”

Startled, I frowned.

Worried that Aphelion might message me at any moment, I deliberately snapped at him, trying to drive him away.

“I’ll handle that myself. Get out—”

But the duke walked toward me with a cold stare.

His massive figure blocked my view.

As I looked up

A huge hand struck my cheek.

Smack.

The sharp sound echoed through the room.

My cheek burned instantly.

After hitting me without hesitation, the duke brushed his hand off like he’d touched something filthy.

Then he bent down slightly to meet my eyes.

“Didn’t I warn you, Chloe Ritz?”

“That you should stop doing stupid things.”

Rage dripped from his harsh pronunciation.

Clenching his teeth, he suddenly grabbed my shoulder.

An overwhelming force pressed down.

I collapsed to the floor with a cry, feeling like my bones might shatter.

Before I could even ask what he was doing, the duke spoke again.

“You dared to tell Aphelion about our affairs.”

“I thought you were smart. Turns out you’re just an idiot.”

No way…

Realizing what he meant, I stared at him in disbelief.

Seeing my despair, the duke curled his lips into a nasty smile.

“What? Did you really think the boy was on your side just because he found you cute?”

He looked at me like I was a fool who’d dared to dream sweet dreams

And laughed.