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“Everyone sees me as a pathetic villain, but… only Lady Allice reached out to me with sincerity.”
Of course, Allice did. Because she believed there is a light of goodness in everyone’s heart…
“That kindness of trusting someone like me felt like salvation.”
“You are a saintess to me, Lady Allice.”
Saintess… At that word, Allice’s heart trembled intensely.
Up until now, Mark might have been a bad guy, scoundrel, and villain.But that was before he met me. Maybe I was the one who changed him. But is it really right to turn away from him here? Someone who says he was saved by me?
“Do you know how much trouble I’m in?” Allice grumbled in a noticeably weaker voice. “People think I’m a wicked woman who took bribes and helped Mark’s rebellion.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll explain everything.”
“Yes. I’ll explain to everyone, including my father and all the people of the territory, even the soldiers guarding the border.”
“I have to leave this castle soon anyway. So I thought I’d hold a farewell banquet as a chance to say goodbye.”
“A farewell banquet…?”
“Yes. After all, this is the land I’ve lived in my whole life. I want to gather the people, treat them, and use it as both an apology and a farewell.” Mark licked his lips. “So, how about you, Lady Allice, invite the border soldiers to the castle on my behalf?”
“Yes. If you are the one hosting the event, everyone will surely attend. They’ll be moved by your angelic heart.”
His suggestion reminded Allice of Dana. Her sister, who had given out food to people for free. Because of that, all the people had praised Dana as a saintess.
If I hold a banquet… maybe my honor will be restored! People will understand how sincere I am about the Windsor territory!
“Alright. I’ll invite the border guards.” Allice playfully whispered with newfound excitement. “Let’s throw a surprise banquet for the people!”
“Excellent.” Mark smiled deeply. “It will be a banquet that surprises everyone.”
That night, Dana visited Rumie’s bedroom.
“Brother, let me make this clear―” She started to speak, but immediately closed her mouth.
Had he just taken a shower? Under the pouring moonlight, Rumie was sitting on the edge of the bed, wearing a white gown. His wet, smooth appearance made Dana hesitate for a moment, but she shut the door and walked in.
“What were you thinking earlier?”
Rumie silently watched her approach.
“Did you really intend to duel?”
“What if someone died?”
A duel only ends when someone dies, and yet Rumie seemed ready to do it without a second thought. No matter who died, it would be a big problem for Dana.
“I’ve said it several times that I need to resolve this without bloodshed,” Dana repeated herself, something she had already said dozens of times. “Brother Viego said to solve it peacefully, without violence. I intend to stick to that until I leave this territory.”
“Yes. Even if Mark is killed someday, that’s for Brother Viego to decide, not me.”
“Ah.” Rumie smiled languidly as if he understood her words. “That’s why I stabbed the back of his hand with a pen, instead of his throat.”
Dana quietly gazed at Rumie’s cheek, illuminated by the flickering candlelight.He’s completely ignoring what I’m saying.
Now she was sure. To Rumie, every moment was just a game, a simple amusement. Like a mischievous boy who builds and destroys sandcastles for fun, he enjoyed the situation regardless of whether Dana’s plan failed or succeeded.
“You are here as my escort. So just focus on that.”
“I am focusing on that.”
“Then ignore Mark Kurs’s antics. Is it that hard to endure?”
“Yes.” Rumie ran his fingers through his wet hair, brushing it off his forehead. “I’m not the most patient type. That’s why.” He gestured to the space beside him. “How long are you going to stand like that?”
What? Where? To the bed?At that moment, Dana reflexively took a step back. “I don’t want to.”
“We can talk just fine from here, so why should I go there?”
“Because we can talk just fine from there.”
Dana was flustered. What kind of nonsense was that?
“Dana, do you know how cute your expression is right now?” Rumie chuckled, amused. “You look just as innocent as you did back then.”
“Do you remember the day we went boating on Lake Lemera?”
Dana remembered. It was about half a year ago. She went boating together with Rumie, Allice, and Raios.
“Sister! Do you want to try rowing? It’s really hard, but really fun!”
“Allice, don’t make Dana do hard things.”
“That’s right. Dana’s hands are weak.”
After enjoying the boat ride for a while, as sunset approached, they sat on the lawn and ate the sandwiches they’d brought. It was truly a beautiful memory…
“Back then, your fiancé kissed Allice several times, and you had no idea.”
Dana stared at Rumie.What did he just say?
“Even while boating and when eating sandwiches at the park, they held hands and kissed several times behind your back.”
“You were so blissfully unaware of what was happening right behind you.”
“It was so much fun back then.”
Her face burned in an instant. It felt like heat rushed from her toes to the top of her head.
Watching her from an angle, Rumie smiled wickedly. “Right now, you’re just as cute as you were then.”
“…You b*stard.” She couldn’t help but curse.
But it wasn’t surprising. Dana had known this would happen. His kind, gentle whispers, his warm help over the past days, she hadn’t let herself be fooled by any of it.As expected, he hates me.
It was puzzling. When did she ever earn Rumie’s resentment? She hadn’t done anything to make him hate her…No, enough. I’ve decided not to wonder anymore.
Rumie sighed and gestured toward the door. “If you’re done talking, go ahead and leave, Dana. Before I act even more like a b*stard.”
“You think I’m talking with you because I like it?”
“Then do you still have something to say?”
“Starting tomorrow, stay out of my sight.”
“If you’re going to get in my way, just go back. I don’t even want your protection.”
Rumie’s red eyes settled calmly.
Staring straight at him, Dana spoke clearly and distinctly. “I really hate you. You’re awful.” With that, she turned away. And deep in her heart, she felt relief.
Thank goodness. I’m so glad I know about the holy relic.Knowing the way out of this world was like a shield for her heart.Right. I’ll go to a world without people like him. So, he means nothing to me.
Let’s finish everything quickly and return to my world, forgetting everything as if it were just a nightmare.