Episode 66. Radicalization (1)

‘That’s right. That’s exactly what I wanted to say.’

I wanted to respond like that, but I knew that the system would flag it as out of character for Sienna.

So, I responded haughtily with a hint of sarcasm.

“Not a bad answer. What’s the problem?”

Fortunately, Percy didn’t misunderstand my intentions.

“I heard that the person who discovered the Count’s body and was in a relationship with him is not suspected by anyone, which is strange. The Count was very healthy, and someone who grew up in that house would surely know the height of the stairs.”

Percy frowned and had a serious expression.

“What’s more, it’s strange that his son, Daniel Bohan, refuses to investigate. Although Daniel and I were not close, I know he is not incompetent.”

“Did you meet Sir Daniel?”

“No, I didn’t meet him. But I did meet Miss Beth.”

You met Beth?

‘I also met Beth. Why is she running around so diligently?’

I was worried that Percy might also be affected by the female lead’s charm. I glanced at Percy to read his expression, and he gave a succinct assessment.

“She’s a woman with a peculiar atmosphere.”

“……”

Those words made me feel a pang of emotion. I recalled how everyone sided with Beth and only criticized me.

Percy, noticing the change in my expression, asked, “Why that face, Sienna?”

“Because you are not enchanted by her……”

I was about to say, ‘I’m relieved,’ when it happened.

※ Warning: This behavior is not appropriate for a villainess. (3/3)

※ You have repeatedly exhibited reactions that are out of character.

※ A penalty will be imposed.

What is this?

‘A penalty in this situation? Is it because I mentioned enchanted?’

Before I could resist, my vision went dark. Then, I began to see familiar memories of Sienna’s past.

A young girl, still showing traces of youth, clenched her fist and spoke.

-I found a suitable match. Someone whom Father wouldn’t reject for engagement and who wouldn’t be able to touch me carelessly.

Then, with a girlish blush, she said,

-Daniel… What a splendid name.

On the paper in front of her, the name Daniel Bohan and its meaning were written. Peering over her shoulder, I nodded.

‘Daniel means ‘judge.’ It’s a scary name, not matching its soft sound.’

In the original story, Daniel was supposed to be the one to punish the villainess Sienna, who tormented his lover, Beth. Knowing this, the name seemed even more significant.

‘Oh, stop giving meaning to everything. Daniel is a common name. There are even Koreans named Daniel.’

Anyway, the memory in front of me slowly passed. The youthfulness gradually faded from Sienna’s face, her eyes became sharper. Now, Sienna, who was about my age, was clawing at her hair, crying out.

-I can’t trust anything anymore. I don’t know where my will ends and manipulation begins.

In front of her stood Daniel, looking at her with cold eyes along with others who called her a villainess. Sienna bit her lip. The thin skin quickly tore and blood flowed out.

-I thought it was true love… Was I being controlled too?

* * *

Percy Stewart looked ahead with a serious expression. There lay Sienna, eyes closed.

Sienna’s collapse had been sudden. She seemed overwhelmed with emotion, her eyes brimming with tears. Percy, captivated by her intense emotional shift, watched her in a trance.

And then, in that moment, she collapsed.

‘If she was acting to drive me mad, she was very successful.’

The woman who had been locking eyes with him just moments ago had collapsed, and Percy felt as if his blood had run dry.

He couldn’t even remember how he had managed to carry her back to the Stewart Duchy. He had simply rushed her there, laid her down, and called for the physician. Thanks to the healthy Duke, the physician usually had little to do, but today, he was in for a rough time.

‘This is uncomfortable.’

The physician trembled between the peacefully sleeping patient and the Duke, who was glaring at him with red eyes. Percy asked in a harsh tone, “Why hasn’t she regained consciousness?”

The physician bowed his head and replied, “I’m sorry to say, but she is just sleeping.”

“She suddenly collapsed while walking and fell asleep?”

This was the third time it had happened. Percy was upset, but the physician could only give one answer.

“Sometimes, extreme stress can cause such reactions.”

“……”

The root of all ailments: stress. There was no other explanation for this mysterious sleep.

At the physician’s answer, a black shadow seemed to flicker around Percy for a moment.

“Ah!”

The physician gasped as if he’d seen a ghost. But in the blink of an eye, the shadows disappeared as if they had never been there.

‘Did I imagine that?’

As the physician rubbed his eyes with his sleeve, Percy, in a cold voice, dismissed him.

“……Leave.”

The physician, certain that the stress from the Duke was causing him to see things, hurriedly left.

Now, alone in the room with Sienna, Percy sat by her side and sighed deeply.

‘This isn’t like me.’

The last look she gave him kept spinning in his head, along with her words.

– Because you are not enchanted by her……

‘She definitely said “enchanted” at the end.’

But that was strange. There were only four enchantedians in this country, descendants of the hero who submitted to Zulatan, the four Dukes.

Among them, the Stewart family, who were said to have buried the dragon’s head, practiced destructive enchanted. But only the Emperor knew about this. Percy tilted his head in confusion.

‘I should be the one using enchanted. Why did she say that?’

Whether she’d seen enchanted or experienced something strange, there must have been a reason she said that.

– Duke Stewart.

And thinking about enchanted, a thin voice echoed in his ears. It was the voice of the golden-haired girl standing beside Count Bohan’s coffin before he went searching for Sienna.

She had introduced herself as Beth, the governess of the Bohan family.

Percy immediately recognized her as the witness he had met at the hunting ground. But there was no time to acknowledge this, as Beth spoke quickly.

– You are being deceived by Princess Sienna. I worry that she will hurt you.

Her gentle, soft-spoken words were filled with an overwhelming sense of goodwill, contrasting sharply with Sienna’s sharp, prickly tone. Percy frowned.

– Are you saying she is a villainess?
– Yes. You may not realize it, Your Grace…
– I am aware.
– What?
– I am aware that she is a villainess. A villainess who manipulates me as she pleases. So what?

Beth seemed shocked, not expecting Percy to confirm Sienna’s villainy. Her response was delayed, and when it came, it was tiresomely predictable.

– Do you mean it doesn’t matter if Sienna Liata is a villainess?

Percy sighed in understanding. His world was full of such dull people.

‘That’s why I was drawn to Sienna. She was interesting and fresh.’

The memory of Sienna trampling over Julius still amused him. For Percy, who didn’t value Sienna as a person, he responded nonchalantly.

– Is there a law that states my wife must be kind and proper?
– But everyone wants to be close to good, kind people.
– I must not be an ordinary person, then. I don’t understand why you’re having this conversation with me.

Percy retorted sharply, like a blade.

– You are an insolent woman, unaware of your place.

What right did she have to judge Sienna or worry about the Duke? To Percy, Beth was nothing more than a presumptuous woman.

At that moment, a familiar face intervened to shield Beth.

– Do not be rude to Beth, Your Grace.
– Daniel.

Just as Sienna had been surprised, Percy was taken aback by Daniel’s gaunt face. Beth took the opportunity to slip away.

– I will go get some fresh air, Daniel.
– Be careful.

The voice that had been clingy when addressing Sienna was now filled with gentle respect as he bid Beth farewell. Percy, crossing his arms, mocked Daniel.

– Has your romantic sentiment already cooled? Trying to shake Sienna with such shallow feelings is laughable.

Then something strange happened. Daniel, who had seemed dazed, suddenly snapped to attention and asked, puzzled.

– What? What are you talking about?

It was as if he didn’t remember the conversation he had just had with Percy. And when asked how he spent his time during his sick leave, he replied bizarrely.

– I need Beth. Only she can make me happy.

This was completely different from the Daniel Percy knew.