ITETP Chapter 109

* * *

After returning to the capital, the emperor dropped Dana off near the Windsor mansion and left.

 

Feels like we’re having some kind of secret affair. They were meeting in secret and parting in secret too. But there was no other choice. If the word got out that she had been with the emperor last night, it would become a big deal.

 

Yeah. It would get incredibly noisy.

 

Dana’s reputation would be tarnished, entangled in all sorts of scandals. Moreover, if it became known that the emperor, a symbol of the Catholic, and Windsor, the symbol of Protestant, were entangled privately, it would be very troublesome. The emperor knew this too, which is why he came to meet her in secret.

 

Come to think of it, he’s not entirely reckless after all.

 

When she returned to the Windsor mansion, fortunately, no one questioned her overnight absence. Neither Carl nor Viego were at the mansion.

 

Suppressing her desire to rest, Dana immediately went to Lethe’s room. He still has a slight fever. She touched Lethe’s forehead as he lay neatly on the bed. But he’s much better than before, so he should be fine soon.

 

Dana looked down at her fever-stricken secretary, then slowly surveyed the room. Come to think of it, it had been a really long time since she last entered Lethe’s room. Was the last time when he was sixteen?

 

There has hardly been any change from then to now. The only difference was the bookshelf was more densely packed with books.

 

In the stark room, where not a hint of warmth could be felt, Dana felt a pang of guilt. Have I been too indifferent all this time?

 

Lethe was the boy she had brought in. Yes, a boy. When she first saw Lethe, he really was just a boy. Fifteen-year-old Lethe was much smaller and thinner than his peers, looking much younger. She had thought he was about ten and was surprised to hear he was fifteen.

 

That boy had now grown much taller than his peers and had become excessively competent. Perhaps that’s why she had been neglecting him.

 

I should pay more attention until I leave.

 

Dana suddenly realized. She couldn’t leave Lethe like this. This guy had no family, friends, or anything. He had only her. Soon, when she leaves this world, he will be left alone again.

 

Dana didn’t want Lethe to be left alone. I need to find people for Lethe. Maybe find him a new job or introduce him to a woman.

 

After taking care of Lethe, Dana headed out.

 

“Danae.”

 

She ran into Sandra in the hallway.

 

Sandra, draped in a shawl, approached her with a thin smile. “Where have you been?”

 

Dana stared at Sandra. Why the sudden friendliness? Usually, Sandra would pass by without even a nod.

 

“I heard you didn’t come home last night.”

 

“…”

 

Ah. So, there was a motive, after all.

 

Sandra sighed exaggeratedly and clicked her tongue as if worried. “I don’t know where you’ve been, but it doesn’t seem like the behavior of a proper lady.”

 

“…”

 

“As your aunt, I should inform the head of the family. Please don’t be offended.”

 

Dana nearly laughed. You should just stay quiet. Then, she might have forgotten and let her slide. Why did she insist on inviting trouble?

 

“Do as you please, Aunt,” said Dana calmly.

 

Sandra furrowed her brows, seemingly surprised by Dana’s attitude.

 

“I also have something to say to Uncle Carl, so I hope you won’t be offended.”

 

Sandra’s eyebrows stiffened at those words. But that was it. Unlike before, she wasn’t panicked or scared.

 

At that moment, Dana realized. Ah, she thinks I’m just bluffing. Since Dana hadn’t done anything yet, she must be judging it as an empty threat based on her words alone.

 

“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

 

Sure enough, Sandra was now smiling leisurely.

 

“Is that so? Then let me clarify, Aunt.” Dana approached Sandra with a smile. “What that means is,” she spoke clearly, “I know that Allice’s biological father isn’t Uncle Carl.”

 

Sandra’s face went pale instantly. Her face filled with horror as if she had seen a ghost.

 

Dana murmured as if humming, “I wonder if Uncle Carl knows this fact.”

 

Sandra’s lips quivered.

 

Watching her, Dana smiled sadly and thought. The Holy Trial is supposed to convene in about a month at the earliest. After all, it involved summoning the pope and three cardinals. Even at the fastest, it would take that long. And by then, the truth about the Retilan mine that Carl was pushing would gradually be exposed.

 

Then, it’s about time to start.

 

It was time to clip Carl’s wings. To make Carl Windsor an outcast and to reveal his wife and daughter were all illusions. Once that happened… You will only have me by your side.

 

A perverse satisfaction washed over Dana, and she suppressed a laugh.

 

When he finds out she was also deceiving him, what face will he make?

 

She hoped he would cry, just like how she cried when she heard he would make sure of her premature death.

 

* * *

Sandra’s head was spinning.

 

How? How? How?

 

“Mom?”

 

How could she know? There was supposed to be no one who knew. It was impossible. Impossible!

 

“Mom!”

 

Ah! Only then did Sandra hear her daughter’s voice, and she quickly lifted her head.

 

Allice was looking at her with a puzzled expression. “Mom, are you okay? Why are you like that?”

 

“Huh? I-It’s nothing.”

 

Then Allice smiled as if she understood. “Could it be that you’re just too happy?”

 

“Huh?”

 

“That His Highness has finally remembered me!”

 

Allice burst into laughter, and Sandra laughed along.

 

“Yes, I’m happy for you.” That was sincere. Finally, the crown prince had remembered Allice.

 

Allice had been worried because he seemed to have forgotten her entirely – but he sent a letter after a long time! She had received the letter sent to the monastery through Miona.

 

“I’m so happy, Mom. I didn’t know His Highness missed me this much!” Allice’s eyes welled up in tears.

 

Raios confessed in the letter. He hadn’t contacted her because he was trying to suppress his longing for Allice. But he couldn’t bear it anymore and wanted to see her. He had discussed with Viego Windsor that she should leave the monastery immediately and enter the crown prince’s palace. He also mentioned that he wanted to introduce her to the former emperor and so on. That letter was filled with such sweet words.

 

“He’s going to take me to where the former emperor and empress reside and introduce me, Mom.” Allice chartered excitedly with flushed cheeks. “It’s something he didn’t even do for Sister Dana!”

 

At that, Sandra snapped to attention. Allice was right. The crown prince loved Allice more than Danae. Maybe Allice could become the empress. But would Danae let that happen?

 

Sandra didn’t want to believe it, but Danae seemed to know. That Allice’s biological father isn’t Carl. If that fact comes out, could Allice still become the empress?

 

No. That’s impossible. Allice shouldn’t become the crown prince’s concubine.

 

If that happened, everything would be over. Allice’s future, and her relationship with Carl.

 

“Sister-in-law, are you sure Allice is really Brother Carl’s daughter?”

 

Carl had always trusted her. Even when Ignis de Windsor, who was once his younger brother, sneered and doubted her.

 

“Brother doesn’t even remember when Allice was born. No matter how weak he’s with alcohol…”

 

At those times, Carl would always reprimand him firmly.

 

“Ignis, don’t say such rude things again. Allice is my daughter.”

 

He had always trusted her. But if this fact is revealed, Carl would surely file for divorce.

 

Yes, Carl will never forgive me.

 

Carl once said.

 

“Sandra. To me, there are only two kinds of people. Allies or enemies.”

 

With his handsome face, innocently smiling as if joking.

 

“Even though our marriage was arranged, we’re still spouses, on the same side. So don’t lie to me. As long as you do, I’ll always be on your side.”

 

Sandra knew. That was Carl’s stark warning. But if he finds out I lied, he’ll consider me an enemy. Then, this marriage would be over. Carl would no longer see her as an ally and would decisively file for divorce.

 

Losing Carl. That was Sandra’s greatest fear. Rather than that…

 

I have to silence Danae. Make sure she can never tell anyone, ever.

 

By any means necessary. Even if it means committing an original sin. She would seal that truth forever.

 

To remain Carl’s ally, Sandra was willing to kill Danae a hundred or even a thousand times.

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