ITETP Chapter 134

* * *

“So.”

 

Ignis, whom I met again, had completely lost all his memories.

 

“This girl is my niece?”

 

“Yes,” Viego responded calmly.

 

Ignis picked up a whiskey glass from the side table and gulped it down, then roughly wiped his lips and asked, “And I’ve been adopted into the Windsor family?”

 

“That’s correct.”

 

“And you are the great Duke of Windsor himself.”

 

“Yes.”

 

While they conversed, Dana was reading the documents Viego had given her. It was about Ignis’s situation—

 

To deceive Ignis?

 

The document outlined Viego’s intention to fully deceive Ignis and reintegrate him as a member of the Windsor family. Dana was displeased with this. Such a ticking time bomb should be removed as soon as possible.

 

Right. That’s why she had eliminated him. But how had he come back to life? She had seen his brain matter spill out with her own eyes!

 

“Stop spouting nonsense, Lord. Do you expect me to believe that crap?”

 

“I have told you the truth.”

 

“Cut the crap and tell me what you’re up to.”

 

“There is no catch.”

 

As Viego repeated himself like a machine, Ignis finally seemed to explode.

 

“Do I look like a fool to you?!” Crash! The glass shattered in his grip.

 

Dana was impressed. His temper remained even if his memory did not.

 

“Tell me! What are you doing to me right n—” Suddenly, Ignis’s words trailed off. It was because Dana had grabbed his wrist.

 

The moment his fiery gaze shot towards her, Dana felt a chill run down her spine. How could a human’s gaze be so ferocious? It wasn’t the look of a predator…

 

“Uncle.”

 

Yet, Dana smiled softly.

 

“Open your palm.”

 

“What?” Ignis’s eyebrows twitched.

 

Dana, instead of repeating herself, took his clenched hand and unfolded his fingers. “You’re hurt.” Her tone was reproachful, and Ignis snorted in disbelief.

 

“Hey. Who do you think you are to meddle with?”

 

“What do you mean? I am your niece.” Dana removed the glass shards from his palm, then took out a handkerchief to stop the bleeding. “You should get this properly treated.”

 

“…None of your business.”

 

“Don’t be like that. The maid outside will guide you to the mansion’s doctor. What if it leaves a scar?”

 

“Who do you think you are to tell me what to—”

 

“…?”

 

“Ah, sh*t.”

 

What? Why stop speaking all of a sudden?

 

“Damn it.” Cursing, Ignis stood up abruptly and then, once again, banged the door as he left. It was a dramatic exit.

 

“As expected,” Viego murmured. “He’s weak for you.” He seemed somewhat fascinated by the reaction, but Dana found it ludicrous.

 

“Weak? Did you not see how irritated he was with me just now?”

 

“That was the calmest I’ve seen him.”

 

That? Slamming the door and storming out was considered calm?

 

“You said you shot Ignis’s head, right?”

 

“Yes, I did.”

 

“Seems like something about you makes him let his guard down.”

 

“Something about me?”

 

“Probably your appearance.” Viego resumed his work with the fountain pen, pulling the documents closer. “You are beautiful.”

 

“…”

 

What? Startled, Dana looked up, but Viego’s gaze remained fixed on the paperwork. The sound of the pen moving was the only thing filling the sunlit office.

 

What the heck? Flustered, Dana pretended to inspect her nails. To say something like that so blatantly, so nonchalantly…

 

“Brother, I don’t understand this situation,” Unable to bear the awkwardness, Dana cautiously changed the subject. “How did you resurrect Lord Ignis?”

 

“What strange things to say. How can someone resurrect the dead?”

 

“…”

 

“There’s no such thing in the world.”

 

She knew that. She was asking because she knew. She had seen him dead… Well, how can someone be resurrected?

 

Rumie and Carl also had monstrous healing abilities. So, perhaps Ignis miraculously recovered.

 

I thought he was dead, but maybe he was barely alive. She should have checked more thoroughly.

 

Swallowing her regret, Dana asked, “Don’t you think it’s inappropriate for me to take on the task of deceiving Lord Ignis, whom I personally killed?”

 

“Inappropriate?”

 

“Yes. Not only do I have to face the man I killed, but I also have to deceive him thoroughly.”

 

“… You’re right.”

 

Surprisingly, Viego acknowledged it cleanly.

 

“Tell me what you want then.” He was quick to catch on.

 

Dana was about to quickly state her demands when—

 

“You’re probably going to say you want an understanding because the holy trial will convene.”

 

Viego was one step ahead.

 

“Isn’t that right?”

 

“…”

 

Dana lowered her eyes. She acted calm, but she was extremely nervous.

 

Has the information leaked? How? This was top-secret information known only to the emperor, the pope, and the three cardinals—

 

Ah, could it be? Had the information leaked from the Pope’s side? There were rumors that Viego was closely connected with the pope of Ramun Church. Perhaps it was true?

 

“Yes.”

 

Dana was surprised but not overly frustrated.

 

“Please understand, Brother.”

 

After all, Viego was a mountain she had to cross. I need to persuade him well.

 

Even if the emperor is a catholic, he’s still the emperor. Opening a channel for negotiations with such a being wasn’t a bad idea. She could emphasize that she could be the conduit between the Windsor family, the emperor, and even between the catholic and protestant in convincing him—

 

“There’s no need for understanding.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Since I was the one who told you to sort out the annulment with the imperial family on your own.” Flipping the last page of the document, Viego signed it. “If you wish, I can stand in the holy trial and express my agreement to your annulment.”

 

“…”

 

“Would that suffice as adequate compensation?”

 

“Of course,” Dana answered, managing her surprise.

 

Who would have thought it would go this smoothly? Moreover, to offer to speak in the holy trial was an unexpected gain. She hadn’t even hoped for that.

 

“So make sure you take responsibility and perform your role properly.” Viego finished with the paperwork and grasped his cane, rising from his chair. “I have a prior engagement.” With a brief farewell, Viego walked toward her. He passed by—no, he didn’t pass by.

 

Huh?

 

Dana froze. It was because Viego had reached out towards her hair. Grabbing a handful, he gently lifted it.

 

What is it? She felt breathless. In fact, she did stop breathing. What was happening? The sensation of her hair slipping through his fingers was so vivid that Dana couldn’t breathe out.

 

“Your hair…” Viego’s low voice flowed out like a sigh. “It’s gotten whiter.”

 

But that was all. The pure white hair fluttered down to her back again, as light as a breeze. However, Dana felt as if she was being strangled. Only after Viego left the office could she finally exhale the breath she had been holding.

 

What was that? Was there dust on it? That was unlikely. A man who always wore white gloves due to his obsession with cleanliness wouldn’t bother to dust her hair.

 

“It’s gotten whiter.”

 

It was true. Lately, Dana had noticed her hair shining an even brighter shade of pure white, a change subtle enough that anyone other than her might not notice. Yet, he had discerned it like a phantom.

 

Why did he do that all of a sudden? Dana placed her hand over her heart, still racing from the shock. It was truly incomprehensible behavior from an utterly unfathomable man.

 

* * *

It was inside the carriage. Allice, who had been staying at the imperial palace, was heading to the Windsor Mansion. What should I do? She bit her nails, a sense of unease overwhelming her. How should I handle this? Her anxiety mounted as she recalled her recent conversation with Raios.

 

“I’m going to hurry my marriage with Danae.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“We’ll hold the ceremony before the former emperor departs.”

 

Soon, Danae would come between them. They had been so happy together until now! Allice felt a surge of resentment towards Danae. If I were her, I would gracefully step aside. Why would she want to intrude upon a loving couple so insensitively? She was disappointed by Danae’s lack of consideration.

 

Above all, what troubled Allice was—Will sister become the empress? This was the crux of the matter. Typically, the first wife of the crown prince becomes the empress. If Danae married him first, then naturally, Danae would become the empress.

 

Then what about me? What’s my place? She’s Allice Windsor, the one he loves the most! Then why couldn’t she become his empress? Isn’t love supposed to overcome all obstacles?

 

Right. This can be overcome with love. That’s why she had hurriedly headed to Windsor Manor. She planned to consult with her mother and find a way.

 

Upon arriving at the estate, Allice quickly crossed the garden and then suddenly stopped. Sister Dana? Yes, Danae. Danae was there, chatting closely with that handsome secretary. Allice swiftly hid behind the bushes. But then…

 

“The holy trial will be convened.”

 

“I’ve got my brother to cooperate with the annulment.”

 

The holy trial? Annulment? Allice’s mouth fell open. Could it be that Danae intends to annul her engagement with the crown prince? And Viego agreed to cooperate with the annulment?

 

As expected of Sister Dana. She wouldn’t be so shameless as to intrude on a loving couple! Thankfully, Danae seemed to have a minimal sense of decency. However, Allice couldn’t smile and relax. Because the crown prince had no intention of annulment.

 

As if reading her thoughts, Danae continued. “Even if Raios opposes it, it won’t matter.”

 

“There’s a clause in the engagement contract about preserving chastity.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“Raios has been living with Allice, right? He certainly breached that clause from the start, so we can use this as grounds for annulment.”

 

With that conversation over, Danae and her secretary went into the mansion. Watching their backs, Allice sighed.

 

The chastity clause. So that was it! That’s why His Highness has yet to touch me. They had spent several nights together, but there had been no intimacy beyond kissing–and even that required her insistence for a mere peck. He was holding back because of the chastity clause. Because if he broke the vow, it would annul his engagement with Danae.

 

As her thoughts reached this point, Allice grew curious again. Why is His Highness so determined to marry Sister Dana? It couldn’t be love. So, there was only one answer.

 

For her wealth. To seize Danae’s wealth. That’s why he couldn’t let her go. Though he must want it more than anyone. He must want to make me the empress more than anyone else!

 

If before the holy trial convenes, I have a night with His Highness, and he loses his chastity…Then everything would be resolved, right? Allice clenched her fists. If His Highness cannot let go of his desires, then I must help him to let go! That would be the noble duty only true love could fulfill.

 

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