ITETP Chapter 121

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Dana’s mind went blank. She couldn’t believe it.

 

“Now, everyone, let’s put our hands together and pray!”

 

That face.

 

“Oh great Goddess Daiana, please grant your children new seeds of life.”

 

That voice.

 

“Bless us so that we may conceive a new life today as well. By continuing our lineage through our children, may we achieve eternity. Love begets love, life begets life…”

 

It was all too familiar. Of course, it was. It was a voice she heard every day, a face she saw every day. Since possessing this body, Dana had encountered this person without fail every single day. Right—inside the mirror.

 

That’s me!

 

Danae Windsor. She was the one standing on the podium, giving that speech!

 

No.

 

Dana gripped the doorknob tightly, squeezing her eyes shut and shaking her head.

 

No, that couldn’t be. Danae Windsor was her. The one standing there— is someone else.

 

Dana opened her eyes wide and stared intently at the girl on the distant platform. And at that moment, she felt a rush of relief. She had spotted the difference between them.

 

Red eyes.

 

The girl’s eyes were as red as blood. Not Danae’s soft green. That wasn’t the only difference.

 

Her hair is red too.

 

The long, wavy locks cascading down to her waist were a deep rose hue. And more than anything—

 

She’s younger than me. Looking closely, her face was more youthful than Danae’s. Fourteen? No, maybe fifteen? She still had the distinct features of a young girl. Which meant— She’s not me. Then who was she?

 

At that moment, the red-eyed girl curled her lips into a smirk. A jolt of familiarity struck Dana like lightning. That smile— She had seen it somewhere before.

 

“That concludes today’s service.” The girl smiled softly. “May many new lives be conceived tonight under the blessing of the Goddess Daiana.”

 

Was the ceremony over? The believers began to rise. Instinctively, Dana hurriedly hid behind the door and bolted down the corridor.

 

Thump, thump, thump. Her heart pounded like a drum inside her chest. How long did she run like that? Gasp, gasp, only after she was far enough from the chapel did she stop. Suddenly feeling dizzy, she leaned against the wall for support.

 

What was that just now?

 

What had she just witnessed? A girl with red hair and red eyes who looked exactly like her. Who in the world was she? Or rather—

 

There was one thing Dana was certain of. Did Danae have a sister?

 

That girl had to be Danae Windsor’s sibling. Otherwise, there was no way they could look like twins.

 

But something about it didn’t sit right. The way that girl smiled—playfully, mischievously, as she looked at the believers. The moment Dana saw it, a name flashed through her mind.

 

Ignis de Windsor.

 

That girl’s smile resembled Ignis’s. And red hair, red eyes—those were Ignis’ defining traits.

 

But how? How was that possible? A girl who looked like both Danae and Ignis? It was confusing.

 

Dana felt a tightness in her throat, as if it were blocked, and swallowed hard.

 

If that girl really was Danae’s younger sister— Why didn’t I know about her? Not once—not even once—had she ever heard of such a thing.

 

Danae’s father, Demian Windsor, was said to have only three children. Viego Windsor and Noah Windsor. And Danae Windsor. That was it. Or does no one else know about that girl either?

 

Did Viego know? Had he known all along? Did he know his own blood relative was a priest of the Daiana Church—living on this island?

 

I don’t know. Dana truly didn’t know anything anymore.

 

Taking a deep breath, Dana straightened herself. I need to see Rumie. He wasn’t a direct blood relative, but Rumie was still a Windsor and had lived in the Windsor estate his whole life. He knew more than she did. And when it came to Ignis, Rumie would certainly know more.

 

Moments later, Dana stood before Rumie’s door and knocked urgently. Knock, knock, knock, knock. Is he not here? Why wasn’t he answering?

 

As she anxiously waited—

 

Creak— The door opened.

 

“Dana.” Rumie peered at her through the slightly ajar door, his face exuding drowsy as if he had been about to fall asleep. “What brings you here at this hour?”

 

“Brother, I need to talk to you.”

 

“…Talk?”

 

“Yes.:

 

“Alright, I see.”

 

Rumie let out a low chuckle. Just as she thought his laughter sounded unusually dry—

 

“At any time,” He slowly stepped aside. “You’re always welcome, Dana.”

 

It was an invitation to enter. Without hesitation, Dana stepped inside.

 

“Brother, I—”

 

Tak. The door shut behind her. For some reason, the sound echoed loudly in the silence.

 

“Do I happen to have a sister who looks like me?” Without delay, Dana got straight to the point. “Whether a relative or anyone else, is there a girl who resembles me?”

 

“There’s no way another girl like you exists,” Rumie answered casually, passing her to sit on the sofa. He lit a cigarette. “Is that why you came here?”

 

“Yes.” Dana took a seat across from him.

 

Was he tired? Rumie seemed unusually sensitive.

 

“I just saw a girl in the chapel who looked exactly like me.”

 

“You must have imagined it, Dana.” Blowing out a puff of smoke, he chuckled. “That’s impossible. Why are you saying such strange things?”

 

“No. She had red hair and red eyes, and though she looked younger than me, her face was identical to mine.”

 

“You must be exhausted from your journey, seeing hallucinations like that.”

 

Why won’t he believe me?! Dana felt frustrated. It wasn’t an illusion. She really had seen a girl who looked exactly like her!

 

“Brother, please believe me. A girl who is undoubtedly my blood relative was standing on the podium, speaking to the believers!”

 

“Ah, sure. I see.”

 

“She was wearing the robes of a Daiana Church priest. My blood relative is a priest on this island!”

 

“Right, right,” Rumie responded absentmindedly, showing no interest.

 

Dana’s irritation flared. “Are you even listening to me?”

 

“No.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“I’m not listening.”

 

She was speechless. How could he admit that so bluntly!

 

“What are you thinking?”

 

Rumie leaned back against the sofa and replied calmly. “I was thinking about whether I should come over to you after finishing this cigarette.”

 

“What?”

 

“The ribbon on your chest.”

 

“…”

 

“I want to pull it.”

 

Dana looked down at herself. The elaborate, layered ribbon at her neckline was designed to unravel entirely with a single tug. If he pulled it—her dress would come undone. Her chest would be exposed…

 

“I want to see your naked body.”

 

“…”

 

What? Dana’s lips stiffened. Did she just hear that right?

 

Rumie watched her shocked expression, his lips curving. “I’m sure you’ll be breathtakingly beautiful.”

 

Her heart dropped.

 

“From head to toe, not a single part of you would be anything less than perfect.”

 

His gaze slowly, lazily traveled over her— Eyes, nose, then her lips.

 

“Then Dana, your face would turn red. You’d freak out and push me away with all your might.”

 

Rumie, who was mumbling, suddenly lifted his gaze. The moment their eyes met, a shiver ran down her spine. At that moment, she realized that his eyes, like a starving beast, were burning with a blatant desire.

 

“Then what should I do? Should I pretend to be sorry and step back, or…” Tilting his head slightly, he smirked. “Should I continue?” Flicking ash into the tray, he chuckled. “That’s what I was thinking about.”

 

Dana swallowed hard. She needed to say something—anything. But the weight of his words strangled her voice.

 

“Brother Rumie, I—”

 

“Brother?” Rumie repeated, amused. “I told you, I wouldn’t play the role of your brother.”

 

Crush. He ground his cigarette forcefully into the ashtray.

 

“I also told you not to come to my room tonight.”

 

He was still smiling. But the way he crushed the cigarette—his hand was filled with restrained emotion.

 

“I also told you I’d do as I please.”

 

In the next instant, he stood up. With a stride, he approached her in one step.

 

“But why did you come, Dana?”

 

Dana tried to stand, but Rumie grabbed her shoulders and forced her down.

 

“I didn’t want you to find out. Okay?”

 

His fingers caught the ribbon at her chest.

 

“Now you know I’m a b*stard.”

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