ITETP Chapter 141

Nightmare?

It was then that a sense of reality slowly began to return. Ignis startled and recoiled at the smooth touch cradling his face. And then he saw it.

“Lord Ignis?”

Behind Dana, a blood-soaked man was struggling to get up. Before Ignis could think, his body moved on its own. He harshly tore off the cufflink sewn on his sleeve and threw it straight.

“Keugh!”

It pierced right through the man’s solar plexus, making him spew blood and fall.

Dana, catching up with the scene late, murmured in confusion. “You said you couldn’t remember anything… but it seems your body does.”

A wave of embarrassment washed over him instantly.

Damn it. To think he was crying like a fool. And to be comforted by this woman. It was utterly humiliating. He might as well bite his own tongue and die.

“That was a barbarian’s spell. It seemed like a spell that manipulated a horrific scene to show it as a nightmare.”

“…Did you get rid of it?”

“Yes. I can purify spells.” Dana nodded nonchalantly. It was an amazing power, but not surprisingly so.

A woman who purified the filthy and wicked things. It seemed to suit her perfectly, with her pure white appearance. That’s probably when they called her a saintess.

“Lord Ignis, did you see anything?”

“Huh?”

“Did that spell show you manipulated memories?”

  “…”

It did. He saw the truth that he was just a lowly creature, a red dog, unworthy of speaking to a precious saintess like her.

It wasn’t a nightmare or a manipulated scene. What it showed was just his plain and simple self.

What kind of expression would Dana have made if he had told her? If she found out that he was a blood-soaked fighting dog…

“I don’t remember.” Ignis shook his head. “Didn’t see anything.” His lips involuntarily spilled the lie, a reflexive utterance without thought

.

“I see.” Dana smiled brightly, grabbing his hand. “I’m really, really glad.”

Feeling the intense relief through her touch, Ignis was bewildered. Dana even seemed on the verge of tears, as if she was truly relieved.

“I was very worried that Lord Ignis might retain terrible memories… But I’m glad to hear that.” And then she smiled warmly.

Ignis felt as if his breath was being squeezed out of him.

This girl is really… kind. Ignis, who had lived on through others’ deaths, found her kindness miraculous.

The world he knew—the barbaric Colosseum wasn’t everything. And Dana probably didn’t know. That there exists a vile world beyond her imagination. And this very Ignis, belonging to that vulgar and disgusting place…

“Enough, let go of this.”

Thinking so made Ignis feel like Dana shouldn’t be holding his hand. His hand was far too dirty.

“Let go!” He hastily shook off Dana’s fair hand.

“Lord Ignis?”

He didn’t reply.

Suddenly, being in the same space made him feel uncomfortable. Ignis quickly escaped outside the carriage. His heart was beating fast. He swallowed dryly, pondering over this unbelievable reality.

Ignis was a sl*ve beneath the commoners. No, he was a fighting dog existing below sl*aves. It was no different from a pest crawling at the bottom of the world. But how did he end up disguised as a noble’s son, entering a military academy? How was he adopted by Duke Windsor? How could he possibly act as this woman’s uncle?

Above all, during the meeting with Emperor Yustio earlier…

Damn it, I have no idea what’s going on. He sat on the coachman’s seat.

The coachman, having been bewitched by a spell or lost consciousness, was sprawled out.

“Lord Ignis, why suddenly?” Dana came out with a worried face.

Ignis couldn’t bear to meet her eyes, replying curtly while gripping the reins. “I’ll drive the carriage. You go in.”

“Do you know how to drive a carriage?”

“No. But I suppose my body will remember.”

“But you’re injured on one hand. It will be tough…”

“Then do you want to do it? If not, stop nagging and go inside.”

“…”

There was no reply. Did she feel offended? Fearfully, he glanced at Dana’s expression. Luckily, Dana was just smiling softly like a gentle wave.

“Okay. Then please take care of it.” Eventually, Dana went inside the carriage.

Ignis whipped the reins. The horses neighed and started running. Only then did he feel relieved. His mind eased. He was more suited for the coachman’s seat. Rather than the plush seat facing that noble lady…

* * *

Bang! Raios slammed the desk. Even then, he seemed unable to calm his anger.

“Failed?”

“Yes. The barbarian shaman was found severely injured… He’s currently struggling between life and death.”

Thick veins popped on Raios’s hand. The kidnapping had failed. Dana had safely returned to the Windsor mansion. She probably wouldn’t come out until the holy trial. That alone made the implication clear.

“Your Highness, you must prepare for the holy trial.”

Raios closed his eyes tightly before reopening them. The inevitable reality was upon him.

The Holy Trial would take place in a week, discussing their annulment. The reason for annulment would likely involve the virginity clause. So, anger could wait. Now, it was time to seriously prepare for the trial.

“Bring Allice.”

A moment later, Raios ordered calmly.

“Right now.”

* * *

Allice had been lying in bed all day. She had heard that the first experience would be painful, but she didn’t expect her whole body to ache all day.

Well, it wasn’t just once. Thinking back to that night made her feel peculiar. Truly, it was a heated night…

It was then.

“Lady Allice. His Highness is calling for you.”

That’s when Count Cedric came to find her. Allice got up with a bright face.

“Yes. I’ll go now.”

Raios had also seen the bloodstains on the bed in the morning. He seemed a bit flustered, but by now, he must have accepted and come to terms with it. He might even give her jewels as an apology for not remembering the event of last night. However,

“What happened yesterday?”

The situation unfolded differently than she expected.

“It’s okay, speak up, Allice.”

Raios had a gentle face. As always, he spoke with a voice full of affection.

“Nothing happened, right?”

What? Is he still acting like this? Allice felt disappointed and pouted her lips.

“Your Highness, do you really not remember?” Despite her embarrassment, Allice spoke bravely and boldly narrated the events of that night.

That night, he lost control after drinking and came to her. They had intercourse and consummated the night.

By the time she finished explaining, Raios sighed.

“Allice.”

“Yes.”

“What did you do to my tea that night?”

A thunderous shock struck her. What is he talking about now?

“W-What do you mean? I…”

“I’m not going to get mad. I just wish you’d tell me honestly. What did you do?”

How did he know? Panic tightened every muscle in her body. But seeing the puzzled look in Raios’s eyes, Allice realized. No. Raios doesn’t know. He was asking because he didn’t know. Therefore—Is he suspecting me now? Misery and sadness swept over her like a wave, quickly bringing tears to her eyes.

“Your Highness… are you suspecting me now?”

How could he? She even said she lost her virginity. But instead of giving her a jewel as a gift, he’s doubting her!

“That’s too much, Your Highness. Is that all the trust you have in me?”

Raios then held his head, seeming to suffer a headache, and muttered, “Allice, please, just tell me. What did you put in my tea?”

“I don’t know. I really don’t know anything about that!” Allice covered her face with her hands and burst into tears, overwhelmed by sorrow.

Of course, she did put a potion in his tea. It was her doing, but still! Without evidence or witnesses, how could he doubt her? Why wouldn’t he consider that someone else could have done it? How could he pinpoint her so precisely for suspicion!

“Alright. I get it, so stop crying.”

Raios, looking completely drained, finally capitulated. However, when Allice stopped sobbing and looked up again, his face swiftly reverted to that of a caring lover.

Raios then declared. “I will never annul my engagement with Dana.”

“…!”

“I truly believe that nothing happened between us that night, Allice.”

Allice’s mouth fell open.

Looking into her eyes, Raios firmly stated, “Therefore, I refuse to acknowledge our night together to the very end.”

“Your Highness.”

“I would appreciate your cooperation.”

Cooperation? After losing her virginity, how could she possibly agree to such a request? It felt like a blow to the head, causing tears to stream down her cheeks.

Allice cried like a child. Then, Raios approached and tenderly stroked her hair. “Don’t cry. It hurts me to see you cry, Allice.”

But his following words were like a poisoned dagger.

“I earnestly request your presence as my witness at the holy trial. To testify that nothing happened between us that night.”

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