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But still, Rumie is better than Carl.
Initially, Carl had stepped in.
“To go to such a dangerous place! Absolutely not!”
At first, he was completely against it, but when he couldn’t dissuade her, he spoke these words.
“Then I’ll go with you! I’ll protect you, Dana!”
Ridiculous. Who’s protecting whom? Someone harbored murderous intent toward me sure says that easily.
Rumie is better than Carl. At least Rumie seems to have given up acting like a good cousin now. Besides, his skills are trustworthy.
“Dana, want some whiskey?” Rumie shook a bottle of whiskey he had taken out in the carriage.
Dana replied curtly. “Just drink it yourself.”
“Why are you refusing alcohol?”
“You used to enjoy having a casual drink with me.”
Why bring that up?Dana bit her lip tightly.Am I supposed to just sit and chat with you over a drink like before?
“I have no intention of doing that anymore.”
“I don’t want to be close with you anymore, so stop pretending.”
When she spoke bluntly, Rumie’s red eyes widened in surprise. It was then.
“I don’t want to.” He poured whiskey into a glass, smiling brightly. “I want to be closer to you.”
“After saying those things to me, you expect things to be like before?”
“I said those things because I cared a lot for you.”
“You said those things because you care about me?”
“Yeah.” Rumie tilted the whiskey glass to his lips. “I wanted to help you adapt to this world.”
Ridiculous…Dana was certain about it. It was back when she learned about Raios and Allice’s affair and ran into Rumie.
“Your sense of entitlement is suffocating.”
“That’s one thing, and this is another. Did someone tie you up and prevent you from leaving?”
“A man having multiple wives is normal in this world.”
She saw a glint of cruel pleasure in Rumie’s eyes that day. He enjoyed the moment she was hurt and delighted by it.It disgusts me.As she glared at him, he tilted his head. Then,
“Ah. Sorry. I was thoughtless.” He straightened his crossed legs and tapped his thigh. “Here.”
What does he mean by here?
“Hurry, come here. I’ll give you a lap pillow.”
“…You think I want that?”
“Yeah. That’s what your eyes were saying.
What is he talking about?Dana just snorted at the absurdity, unsure if he was serious or joking.
“You sure have an imagination.”
“Or, you want to do it for me?” Rumie glanced at her thighs. “I’d like that.”
“Aah, how nice it would be if Dana gave me a lap pillow?” He was clearly messing around with her.
Rumie was always like this. He enjoyed word games, and Dana used to play along with a smile. If it were before, they would have exchanged these jokes freely. But not anymore. Dana didn’t even want to deal with him, so she turned her head away.
“Don’t let your guard down, Dana. I could flop down before you even realize it.”
Ignoring his nonsense, Dana closed her eyes tightly. The journey ahead seemed daunting.
At the end of a long, truly long journey, Dana finally arrived at Windsor estate. However,
“The lord has forbidden entry.”
At the entrance of Windsor Castle, the gatekeeper blocked their way.
Dana felt a surge of irritation. She was already at her limit since her whole body ached from the long trip. “What did you just say?” Perhaps that’s why her voice came out harsher than she intended. “Say it again. What about the lord?”
The gatekeeper flinched and hunched his shoulders. “I-I’m sorry, but the lord has forbidden entry.”
“The lord of Windsor is my brother, Viego Windsor. Who are you calling the lord right now?”
“Stop stuttering and speak directly. Who is pretending to be lord Windsor?”
While the gatekeeper fumbled, a horse-drawn cart arrived at the castle gate.
“Open the gate! We’ve brought silk from the Cleto Merchant Guild!”
“Ah, yes! Just a moment!” The gatekeeper hurriedly opened the gate.
Watching the cart pass through, Dana narrowed her eyes.Should I just force my way in right now?She was considering it when—
“Oh gosh, my subordinates are being harassed.”
A man approached, and the gatekeeper’s face brightened.
“Welcome to Windsor estate. I am Mark Kurs. Count Kurs is my father.”
“…You’re saying you’re the lord of this land?”
“It’s embarrassing, but the people here call me that.” Mark’s eyes, as she introduced himself, were filled with hostility. “Still, I never imagined I’d meet a direct member of the Windsor family in my lifetime, visiting from so far away.” He sneered sarcastically. “Which makes it hard to believe. Who’s to say you’re truly a Windsor, and not just an imposter?”
“I am Danae Windsor. And this is my cousin, Rumie Windsor.”
Dana immediately presented her identification badge. But Mark just glanced at it, annoyed, and did nothing.
“How do I know if this is fake or real? I’ve never seen one in my life.” Then, he flicked Dana’s badge with his finger.
At that, Dana clenched her fist in irritation. She was already exhausted, and now has to deal with this insolent attitude!
“Dana.” At that time, Rumie leaned close and whispered in her ear. “Should I get us in?”
Why does he seem to enjoy this?
To Rumie, it might seem like a fun game.Well, he just returned from a naval battle with the barbarians.This must seem like mere entertainment to such a person.
Dana asked coldly, “How do you plan to get it?”
“How? We just have to make sure no one’s blocking the way, right?” In other words, he meant to use force.
Honestly, Dana wanted to agree right then. But,
“That won’t do.”
Viego Windsor had made it clear. He had said that violent methods aren’t elegant and to peacefully resolve them. It meant to solve it with conversation, with no bloodshed.
“Hahaha,I can’t believe what I just heard.” Mark laughed mockingly. “You really think you can get past me and into this castle?” Then he looked Rumie up and down. “You said you’re Rumie Windsor, right? I’ve heard a lot about your reputation.” But that wasn’t the end of his insults. “You’re the adopted son of Lord Carl Windsor, aren’t you?”
To think he would speak that so openly. Though it was known that Rumie was not Carl’s biological son, no one had ever said it to his face.
“To think you’re acting like a Windsor direct family when you don’t even share a drop of blood. How embarrassing.” With that, Mark Kurs turned his back on them. “This estate is more peaceful than ever. Don’t waste your time and just go back.”
Dana stared at Mark’s retreating back for a while, then tugged on Rumie’s sleeve. “Let’s go, Brother.”
“Where else?” She climbed into the carriage. “We’re going back to the border gate.”
“Why? Don’t tell me we’re going back to the capital?”
“Returning?” Dana scoffed.
If they returned now, Viego would despise her, and the deputy head’s ring would slip further away. Then Dana would be stuck in this world forever. But of course she won’t let that happen.
“We’re getting into Windsor Castle.”
Dana planned to make that insolent b*stard beg her to come to the castle.