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Viego took another sip of the red liquid, then looked at her with calm eyes. “It’s Windsor’s land, governed by Windsor’s subordinate in our stead.”Thud,he set down the glass. “So, for the past 20 years, Count Kurs’s family has been ruling that land in place of Windsor.”
“And recently, the monthly reports that used to come once a month have stopped.”
“Have you sent a messenger?”
“They say they won’t even let the messenger inside the territory’s gate.”
Dana understood what that meant. “I knew what that meant. “It seems they’ve mistaken it for their own land after governing it for so long.”
Tap, tap,Viego drummed his fingers on the edge of the wine glass and spoke calmly. “If I step in, that family will be executed.”
Of course. Dana was certain. If Viego got involved directly, he would absolutely make an example of that family.
“How about it? Since Danae Windsor is known as saintess, why not try resolving this peacefully on Windsor’s behalf?” Viego leaned back and tilted his head. A strand of platinum hair fell across his forehead. “Violence isn’t elegant, after all. Don’t you think so?”
“Of course.” Dana quickly agreed. “I’ll take care of it. Peacefully.” Then she quickly asked, “If I solve this matter, I can continue to live in the Windsor family, and serve Brother, right?”
“That’s something we can discuss after you return alive.”
“Just one thing, I hope you won’t blame me, even if you die in the process of handling this.”
He just had to say it like that…
Dana wanted to sigh. Viego, as always, was blatantly pushing her away today. This made her want to say: Don’t worry, I won’t mistakenly believe you treat me like your sister, so you don’t have to waste your energy building walls on purpose.
But Dana dared not cross any of this sensitive man’s boundaries. She just smiled brightly. But it was still exhausting. She really just wanted to go home now. To Yeon Dana’s real home.
Sandra Windsor opened her eyes. And for the first time in a long while, she got out of bed. She had a dream about Huan. In that dream, Huan was crying.
“Sister. Windsor killed me.”
“Sister, did I do something wrong? All I did was love Danae Windsor. I just loved her, that’s all.”
“My only sin was loving Danae!”
Feeling as if her heart were being ripped apart, Sandra covered her face with both hands.Huan, my poor brother.
Her brother was murdered. He was ambushed on his way to the court after being expelled from the Windsor family.
I should have protected him.She should have been more proactive in protecting him. But she hadn’t. She’d abandoned her brother to protect her beloved husband, Carl Windsor.
“Sandra, you’re awake. Are you okay?”
Sensing her movement, Carl quickly approached. Seeing his face, Sandra blurted out words of resentment without realizing it. “You seem to be just fine, don’t you?”
“Don’t you feel sorry for Huan at all? After treating him so coldly, do you feel no remorse?”
“For heaven’s sake, please stop. It’s all over now.”
“Let’s leave the Windsor family, Honey.”
At that moment, Carl’s brows furrowed, looking troubled. “What are you talking about?”
“I don’t want to stay with the family that killed my brother anymore. Let’s take Rumie and Allice and join the Rolland family.”
“Don’t talk nonsense.”
“Father will welcome us. You know he wants to pass the family to Rumie.”
“Sandra. I’m the deputy head of this family.”
“You’ve already been temporarily stripped of your position! Just let it go, what’s so important about it!”
Carl let out a very deep sigh at her words. “That’s all you can say to me?”
“And that’s all you can say to your wife who’s lost her brother?”
“What more do you want me to say? I consoled you and attended his funeral. Do you want me to kneel at Huan’s grave?”
“Yes! If only you’d cared a little more for Huan, he wouldn’t have ended up like that!”
“Sandra, I lost my position as the deputy head because I gave in to your stubbornness.”
“How is any of that my fault?!”
“…Enough. Let’s not talk about it anymore.” Carl turned away, looking fed up.
As she watched his back, Sandra broke down in tears. Whenever she cried like this, Carl always came to comfort her, but this time, he firmly turned away and didn’t return.
Allice had heard everything from outside the door.Mom and Dad are fighting like this…Tears streamed down her face.
It felt as if cracks were beginning to form in what had once been a perfect life. A harmonious family, a loving boyfriend. She had it all, at least, Allice had thought so.
Everything used to be perfect. When did the crack start to form?
The turning point was clear. It was from the day Dana caught her. After Dana discovered her relationship with Raios, Dana’s attitude had changed. That’s when everything started to go wrong. Until then, truly, everything had been perfect…
Everything’s been strange since Sister Dana started getting mad at me.It made her upset and frustrated.Why did Sister Dana have to make everyone else unhappy too? If only she could just endure a little, everything would be fine.
I have to do something. I can’t just let things stay like this.Allice bit her nail anxiously, then gathered her courage and went to find Viego.
“I heard Sister Dana left for Windsor estate this morning.”
“I want to go too.”
Viego frowned as he looked at Allice.
Allice gathered her courage to speak up. “Please let me help with the Windsor estate matter.”
I can’t let Sister Dana handle this alone, or else her position will grow even stronger. She might become even more tyrannical.
“What’s your reason?”
“I want to be of help to the Windsor family too.”
“I don’t need your help, Allice Windsor.”
“I-I’ll do my best! Brother Viego, please give me a chance!”
But Viego flatly refused. “Get out.”
How cruel. Allice left the office, feeling dejected.I can do well too. So why does he ignore me?She felt wronged.Why does only Sister Dana get opportunities? Why does she even take Brother Viego’s affection from me?
“Why are you crying, Allice?”
“Moooom.” Allice hugged her mother and explained everything.
Sandra listened carefully, then declared without hesitation, “Do as you wish, Allice.”
“Go, Allice. I’ll prepare everything you need.”
“Yes. Why shouldn’t you be able to do what that b*tch Danae does?”
“Mom!” Allice hugged Sandra, beaming. “Really? Is it for real?”
“Yes. But I’ll hire a bodyguard for you, so you must keep him with you at all times.”
“Thank you, Mom!”
“Don’t thank me. If my daughter wants to soar, this mother will give you wings.” Sandra hugged her daughter tightly and whispered in her ear, “Remember, Allice. Whatever Danae does, you can do too.”
“It feels like we’re on a trip, just the two of us.”
It was on the way to Windsor estate. Dana found herself accompanied by an unexpected companion. It was none other than Rumie Windsor.
“Isn’t it exciting, Dana?”
Exciting, indeed. But Dana ignored him.Why Rumie, of all people?
Before leaving for the estate, she had requested an escort from Viego.Lethe is away at the moment.She had assigned her secretary another task: preparing for the next deal with the emperor. So she’d intended to bring a different bodyguard, not her secretary…
Why did he volunteer?
Rumie Windsor had personally insisted on escorting Dana. Now that the naval battle was over, he claimed he had plenty of free time and was bored.