* * *
Dana fainted right after boarding the rescue ship. It was the aftermath of using her third eye that came belatedly.
“Poor thing.”
Every time she occasionally opened her eyes, suffering from a high fever, she saw Carl’s face. His face was filled with worry.
“It’s okay. Sleep more, Dana.”
He was there every time she closed and reopened her eyes in the hot fever, his voice reaching her.
“I’m here, so rest easy.”
She felt a sense of déjà vu. It seemed like this had happened before…
“Are you awake?”
“…”
How long had she been sick? Dana looked at him with a clear vision for the first time in a long while. Where am I?
“We’re on a passenger ship. We switched to a ship heading to Roben Harbor.”
Roben was the closest harbor to the capital. In other words, they were on their way back to the capital.
Dana propped herself up and asked, “Uncle, Rumie—”
“You should call him ‘Brother Rumie,’ Dana. He’s your cousin after all.” Carl cut her off gently yet firmly. “And don’t worry about Rumie. He’ll return safely before long.” He sighed then, a faint irritation in his breath. “You need to take care of yourself first, Dana.”
“…”
“You’ve been suffering from a high fever for days. I was very worried.”
Dana gave a weak smile. She had anticipated this level of aftereffect from overusing her third eye.
“Here. You must be hungry, so let’s start with some gruel.” Carl scooped some gruel and held it to her lips. “Eat up, okay?”
“…”
Dana hesitated. Who wouldn’t suspect this man of possibly poisoning the food? Perhaps he was planning to poison her gradually from now on…
“Ah, is it too hot?” Carl cooled the gruel with his breath. “Or perhaps you’re worried it tastes bad?” Then he guided it to his mouth. Gulp, Carl swallowed it demonstratively. “To be honest, it doesn’t taste good.”
“…”
“But it’s edible, so try a little. Okay?”
Dana hesitated. Seeing him eat it without care, it seemed like there was no poison in it… No, this man probably wouldn’t be affected by most poisons. I can’t be sure.
After a brief contemplation, Dana reluctantly opened her mouth. Even if there was poison, it likely wouldn’t kill her immediately; it wouldn’t be a strong poison. She could find an antidote once they arrived in the capital. Above all, I’m so hungry.
How many days had it been since she last ate? She felt as if her stomach was glued to her back.
As she obediently ate, Carl’s lips curved into a smile. “So cute.”
“…”
“Dana is the cutest in the world.”
Too exhausted to react, she pretended not to hear. Dana focused solely on finishing the gruel spoon by spoon. Meanwhile, Carl spoke cautiously.
“Dana.”
“Yes?”
“When we arrive at the Windsor mansion, there will be a new family member.”
“A new family member?”
“Yes. I received a message from Viego in advance.”
A new family member? Who could that be? Her questioning gaze was met with Carl’s evasive answer.
“It’s a new family member, but someone you know.”
A new family member I know? Who could it be? Could it be Noah? No, Noah should still be in prison. Who then?
Carl seemed reluctant to elaborate, smiling and changing the subject. “Don’t be too surprised, alright?”
“…”
It seemed he had no intention of explaining further.
Dana just sighed. Honestly, she lacked the strength to press further. Whatever. I’ll find out when we arrive. For now, she needed to eat. She was so hungry that she thought she might die. Opening her mouth, Dana took in more gruel.
“Good girl. Good girl.”
When she finally finished the bowl, Carl smiled proudly. He stroked her hair and then suddenly hugged her.
“So cute, really cute.”
Dana, lacking the strength to resist, simply rested her face against his chest. Whether he found even this cute, Carl kissed her forehead repeatedly. She was treated like a pet.
Too weary to complain, Dana closed her eyes and let herself be. Do whatever you want. But… how far was he planning to go with ‘do whatever you want’?”
Dana slowly opened her eyes. Carl’s lips had moved from her forehead to her eyes and then to her cheeks, and what had started as light as raindrops had gradually become slower and heavier. She frowned at the weight. It felt odd. She clearly wasn’t minding it before.
“Uncle.”
But suddenly, she became very uncomfortable.
“Uncle.”
“Yes.”
“It hurts.”
“Huh?”
“Don’t press too hard.”
“Huuh?”
What’s with the ‘huuh’?
When Dana forcefully pushed his chest, Carl retreated with a bewildered face. “Oh…” Then, belatedly realizing what he had done, he flinched and shrugged his shoulders. “Sorry. You were just too cute. I couldn’t help myself.”
Annoying… Dana clenched her fist.
Clearly, in his eyes, she was no more than a child. That’s why he pecked her cheek like a baby!
How far is he planning to act like this? Planning to kill her someday, yet pretending to adore her, there should be a limit. She wanted to crack open Carl Windsor’s pretty head to see inside.
“I’m fine now, so you can go back, uncle.”
“But…”
“I want to take a bath and change clothes. You’ve had a hard time taking care of me, so go back and rest well.”
Surprisingly, Carl didn’t make a fuss and got up. But soon Dana found out why.
“Oh gosh…”
Dana was shocked to see the reflection in the mirror later. A red mark remained on her cheek.
That b*stard.
He must have fled because his conscience pricked.
* * *
After sending Carl away, Dana headed straight to the bathroom. Even after a thorough shower, the feeling of suffocation remained. So stifling. Her mind was a mess, even though it didn’t have to be.
Right. I’m returning to the capital now.
Once she returned, the holy trial would be convened. With the trial session, despite some noise, the annulment should eventually succeed. By then, the falsehood of Carl’s Retillan mine would also be exposed, leading to his downfall and allowing her to claim the ring…
She would be able to return soon. Back home. To Yeon Dana’s body. To her world. But the mysteries surrounding Danael and the sanctuary would remain forever unanswered.
That thought made her chest tighten unbearably. Would that really be okay? Could she be satisfied with that?
This won’t do.
Dana got up. Wanting to breathe some fresh air, she stepped onto the deck.
“Danae?”
Someone called her from behind.
“Lady Danae?”
“…?”
Turning around out of reflex, Dana was startled. That man was—His Majesty? No, that wasn’t right. It wasn’t Emperor Yustio. For a moment, she was mistaken because of his brilliant golden hair—a symbol of the Geranze imperial family, blessed by Sun God Ramun.
He’s a bit shorter than the emperor. And his jaw was slightly more angular. This man was…
“Your Majesty the Former Emperor?”
Wilhelm Geranze. He was Raios’s father.
Raios’s father. Dana was dumbfounded. Why was the former emperor here? And…
“Finally, I get to meet you.”
Why did he make such an expression? His face showed more than just gladness; it verged on emotional.
“Greetings to Your Majesty the Former Emperor.”
Despite being flustered, Dana attempted to greet him properly. But Wilhelm, as if no formalities were needed, quickly stepped forward and grasped her arm.
“You have no idea how much I’ve wanted to meet you.”
Why was he acting like this?
Dana felt a slight tremor in his grip on her arm. She found it both surprising and displeasing. What on earth was this peculiar reaction?
“I have something to tell you.”
“Your Majesty?”
“There’s a message I must convey to you. I’ve tried to meet you for a long time, but so many obstacles stood in the way. You must know—”
“I’m sorry, but” A sharp voice cut off the former emperor’s words abruptly. “Father.”
It was Raios. He was walking up behind the former emperor with heavy steps.
“I have a prior engagement with my fiancée.” With a surprisingly rude demeanor, he bypassed the former emperor and took Dana’s hand. “Please excuse us for a moment.” And then, without waiting for any reaction or answer, he pulled her along.
Is he out of his mind! To treat the former emperor in such a manner?
Dana was horrified and looked back at the former emperor. As expected, the former emperor was glaring at Raios with a terrifying look.
He must be out of his mind. Had he been drinking? There was no way someone in their right mind would treat the former emperor like that—no, more importantly—
“Let go of me.”
Who did he think he was to interrupt the conversation?
Dana clenched her teeth and spoke softly. “Let go of me, Raios Geranze.”
“I don’t want to.”
“On what grounds are you interfering? I was in the midst of a conversation with His Majesty.”
Raios gripped her arm even more roughly and gave a crooked smile. “Why? Did you like my father or something?”
Hi, now you can purchase 10 advance chapters in here.
Mmmmmm
I’d be wishing for pyrokinesis over foresight if I were her.