ITETP Chapter 21

* * *

The world was sweet. Lately, Carl Windsor genuinely believed that.

 

<The Macriro, Led by Rumie Windsor, Brings Back Another Victory>

 

His adopted son had achieved yet another glorious victory.

 

“Dad?”

 

“Here’s a gift, Allice.”

 

“Wow. A rabbit doll? It’s so cute. Thank you.”

 

“Thank you? I should be the one thanking you. I thought my daughter was just a little girl, but she has grown up so splendidly.”

 

“Hehe.”

 

“The Moonlight Flower bulbs are selling tremendously, aren’t they? As expected of my daughter. You’ve done well.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

His daughter had also grown into an outstanding talent too. And yet, she was still innocent enough to be delighted by something as simple as a stuffed rabbit.

 

But that was not all.

 

Soon, Dana’s wealth will be mine. Thinking about Dana’s wealth made Carl excited like a young boy.

 

Everything was perfect. Absolutely perfect.

 

“Dad? What’s that?”

 

“Huh? Ah, this is a gift for Dana.”

 

“Huh? For Sister Dana?”

 

“That’s right. If I only give you gifts, Dana might feel left out.”

 

“Is that… a diamond necklace?”

 

“Yes. After all, jewels are the best way to win a woman’s heart, aren’t they?” Carl said cheerfully, smiling. “Dana may not say anything, but deep down, she must be suffering. After all, her relationship with the crown prince didn’t work out.”

 

Yes. She must be rotting inside. A maid had reported to him just a moment ago. It was the same maid who had informed him about Allice’s argument with Dana before.

 

“Lady Danae is crying right now.”

 

She must be grieving the betrayal of the crown prince all on her own. And this was exactly the time when he had to step in. After all, people tend to trust those who comfort them when they’re hurt. Carl couldn’t let someone else take that role, so he quickly prepared a gift.

 

“…But she hit me. She even ordered Dad to punish me with a cane.”

 

At that moment, his daughter grumbled childishly. Carl almost sighed but managed to hold it in.

 

“When you think about it, her anger was justified. Didn’t you and the crown prince deceive Dana completely?”

 

“But still.”

 

“After venting her anger that one time, Dana acknowledged the love between you and Crown Prince Raios. That’s something only someone truly noble could do.”

 

Carl truly believed that. Accepting the lover of one’s fiancé was not something that anyone could do.

 

“I need to comfort Dana as her guardian, right?”

 

“Yes.”

 

As expected, his daughter listened well.

 

Having pacified Allice, Carl headed towards Dana’s room. But—

 

“Dana? Are you there?”

 

Knock, knock, knock. He knocked on the door, but there was no response.

 

Then, a maid approached him cautiously. “Milord, Lady Danae is currently away for a moment.”

 

“Thank you, Emily.”

 

With a perfect smile, the maid blushed up to her neck and hurriedly bowed her head.

 

Carl was about to turn around when he suddenly stopped and turned back. “Emily, if it’s not too much trouble, could you do me a favor?”

 

“Yes?”

 

“I’d like you to buy a bouquet of flowers.”

 

“Yes? A bouquet? W-What kind of flowers would you like?”

 

“Whatever flowers you like. Bring them to my office.”

 

The maid disappeared with a blissful face, and Carl watched her leave with a smile. Then, reaching into his pocket, he inserted the key into Dana’s bedroom door lock while humming a tune. Though it was a secret, he had the key to Dana’s bedroom and had been inspecting it periodically.

 

Because scoundrels might flock to Danae like ants to sweet candy. It was natural for ants to flock to sweet candy. Especially now, when the crown prince—who had once claimed her—was looking elsewhere. There was no way reckless fools wouldn’t start buzzing around her.

 

That won’t do. Dana’s wealth is mine.

 

Any greedy men who dared covet Dana had to be removed in advance. And to do that, he had to keep a close eye on her. However—

 

Hmm? The door wasn’t locked?

 

Dana always locked her door. Yet today, it was wide open. Which meant— Did she leave in a hurry? What could be so urgent that she left without locking her door?

 

With a puzzled expression, Carl peeked inside. And then, he saw something utterly disturbing.

He curiously peeked into the room. And he discovered something very strange.

 

[To my eternal flower, Danae.]

 

There was a love letter on the desk and not just that, but a bouquet of Moonlight Flowers as well. Carl was shocked.

 

A bouquet of Moonlight Flowers? When even a single Moonlight Flower was hard to obtain, who could have sent such an incredible gift?!

 

Which b*stard did this?

 

[I’ve been watching you from afar for so long. I was so anxious that your most beautiful age—twenty-three—might pass by.]

 

The content of the letter was utterly repulsive.

 

[I hope the crown prince has still preserved your chastity. I wish to be your first man.]

 

“This lowly son of a b*tch.”

 

Carl’s expression darkened, his face hardening like ice. He was so furious to the point that his hair stood on end.

 

Who dared to send such vulgar words! Carl hurriedly looked at the bottom of the letter. The sender’s name was.

 

“…Huan Rolland?”

 

He felt as if he had been struck on the back of the head. It was an unexpected name.

 

“Huan Rolland, you.” Carl spat out the name in a voice thick with fury. “You dare?”

 

Dare to steal Dana, his wealth?

 

It was clear what that b*stard intended. He planned to seduce innocent Dana and strip her of her wealth! That’s my job!

 

Carl quickly opened a drawer. It was filled with love letters, all from Huan Rolland. His fingers trembled with rage as he read the letters.

 

This b*stard has been seducing Dana all this time?

 

Then, did Dana rush out after receiving this letter? To mee that b*stard Huan? That must be it. Well, it was natural for someone to seek comfort when they were feeling lonely and miserable.

 

Carl’s head spun with confusion, filled with the worst possible scenarios. What if Danae, in a fit of impulse, accepted that b*stard’s proposal? What if she eloped with him? What if she took all her wealth and ran away with him? That must never happen!

 

Carl rushed out of the room, grabbing the first servant he saw and questioning them urgently. “Do you know where Huan is right now?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Have you seen Huan? Or perhaps Danae?”

 

“I-I saw them by the pond in the garden. Lord Huan is currently with Lady Danae…”

 

At those words, Carl’s eyes rolled back.

 

* * *

Last night, Huan had received a letter from Danae.

 

[Meet me by the pond in the garden tomorrow at noon. I have something to tell you.]

 

The letter made him laugh out loud. “Ahahaha!”

 

The love potion had worked. He never expected such an immediate response! However, contrary to his hopes, she didn’t seem to have become a fool. But still, it was a progress.

 

Finally, Danae is mine! And so is her astronomical wealth!

 

What should he do with all that money? How should he enjoy it! With these hopeful plans for the future, Huan hardly slept that night.

 

The next day, as soon as it was noon, he rushed to the garden pond. Danae was already there, waiting for him by the pond.

 

“Danae. There you are. Have you been waiting long?”

 

But—

 

“Danae? What’s wrong?”

 

Danae seemed unwell. Her shoulders were slumped as if she had lost all energy, and her eyes were red. Could she have been crying?

 

“Oh no, why are you crying, Danae?”

 

Huan pretended to be concerned, but deep down, he was thrilled. She must have been lovesick. Probably cried all night, missing me. Her soft, delicate, feminine appearance was very pleasing to the eye. Yes, this is how a woman should be.

 

“It’s okay, it’s okay. I don’t know what’s wrong, but cheer up.”

 

Huan casually placed his hand on her shoulder. That’s when it happened.

 

“Huan Rolland!”

 

The shout from behind made Huan turn his head in surprise. Carl Windsor—his brother-in-law was rushing towards him. And in that moment—

 

“Please, just stop it already!”

 

Suddenly, Dana burst into tears, covering her face with her hands.

 

“Please stop tormenting me! I don’t want to elope with you!”

 

Huan’s mouth fell open in shock. What was she talking about?

 

“Just leave me alone, please!”

 

Her desperate cry echoed in Carl’s ears.

 

“Huan Rolland, you b*stard!”

 

Carl immediately grabbed Huan by the collar. And with unrestrained fury, he punched Huan in the face.