* * *
Carl’s POV
I sat by the lake, drinking whiskey. My insides felt like they were being torn apart. My wife blindly defended our daughter, who was completely clueless. Until recently, the world seemed sweet… but now I found myself mired in a quagmire.
At least Rumie is thriving. Rumie scored another victory and attended a triumphal ceremony hosted by the imperial family today.
And then, there’s Dana.
I sighed. My niece, Dana, the daughter of my deceased brother Demian, tried to cover for Allice’s mistakes. Although it ended up revealing Allice’s guilt more…
“Dana wouldn’t have known.”
That kind girl just tried to mop up the mess Allice made. Looking back, Dana always indulged Allice’s whims and conceded everything she wanted…
It was then.
“Uncle?”
I was startled. The woman I was just thinking about – Dana – was approaching.
“Dana. Why are you here?”
“Just taking a walk.” Dana smiled, sitting next to me, and gently met my gaze. “Are you alright, Uncle?”
Her clear green eyes made me avoid her gaze, pretending to look at the lake. The innocence in her eyes stoked my guilt.
“I heard about it.” Dana suddenly grasped my hand. “That you’ve been temporarily stripped of your deputy head authority…”
“Haha, I’m fine. Thank you for worrying, Dana.”
My heart ached. My daughter was drowning in self-pity, my wife was making senseless remarks, and here was my nice, comforting me. Even though I was eyeing her inheritance…
Ignoring the burning sensation in my chest, I put on a cheerful smile. “Don’t worry. By the way, you’re dressed properly today. Always wear warm clothes for night walks, Dana.”
“Ah, I was a bit out of it that time.” Dana chuckled, pulling up her shawl. “Thank you for your concern. I’ll return the coat you gave me next time.”
“Sure, sure.”
Feeling unbearably awkward, I casually brushed off her hand. Dana let go, slightly disappointed. While adjusting my askew deputy head ring, I coughed.
“Uncle.”
“Hm?”
“If there’s anything I can do to help, please let me know.”
At that moment, I lost my words, my mind going blank as I stared at Dana.
“Think of me when you’re in trouble, Uncle. Anytime, anything, if I can do it, I will.”
Dana, this foolish girl. I’m targeting your wealth. Even at this moment, my intentions haven’t changed.
“…Okay.”
I managed to smile.
“Thank you, Dana.”
She’s so naive.
I swallowed a sigh.
* * *
Dana’s POV
So naive. I stifled a laugh.
He completely trusts me.
Given the image I had maintained, it would be hard for him to doubt.
The relic doesn’t come off as expected. I had just experimented to see if the ring would come off, but it didn’t budge. Seemingly bound by an ancient spell.
To obtain that holy relic, I must completely push him out of the deputy head position. Only then can I perform the ritual to dismantle the ring.
But this time, it ended with a temporary suspension. Well, pushing him out in one go would’ve been too much. After all, Carl has been faultless so far.
Carl Windsor’s reputation in the family was quite solid. He was respected as a former army commander in a military family. Though he didn’t serve long, I recalled hearing.
I looked at Carl’s face.
Carl Windsor. The esteemed deputy head, a caring father, and a loving husband.
You’re going to lose it all.
My goal is to obtain the holy relic and leave this world, but well… Think of it as revenge.
In truth, I despise him more than even Raios.
“Ah, Dana. Remember when we rowed that boat in the lake?” Carl pointed to the lake.
“Of course. I remember Uncle falling in.”
Right. We were boating, and a gust of wind blew off my hat. Carl plunged into the water, swam, and retrieved it.
“You didn’t have to do that just for a hat.”
“But it was your favorite hat, Dana.”
It was. Raios had gifted it to me.
“Hahaha. It was a chance to show off my swimming skills.”
I laughed silently at his face, but behind my smile, my heart blazed fiercely. Fueled by a grudge etched in my bones.
Smiling at me as if you care while planning my death behind me.
I can’t forgive you.
* * *
Huan’s POV
In the carriage being escorted to the prison court, I was consumed with deep rage.
Carl Windsor. I’ve respected you as my brother-in-law!
I had flattered the man younger than me, and now it has come to this?
He even threatened to kill me!
Carl had said at the last moment.
“I’ll kill you.”
Recalling that threat, I felt a new fear.
Carl Windsor was a pleasant gentleman usually, but he had been a distinguished soldier once, the youngest ever to become an army commander. That meant he was a skilled murderer.
Maybe it’s better to hide in prison from Carl for a while.
The problem was my arm.
I looked at my right arm. Two bullets had hit it in quick succession. Surgeons had given up, deeming the injury dire and suggesting amputation.
Viego Windsor, you f*cking b*sard. Did you have to go this far?!
But I wasn’t giving up. My tenacity was my strength. I would escape prison somehow. And I would obtain Danae’s fortune. With my connections to black marketeers and barbarians, getting another love potion wouldn’t be hard!
Right. The barbarian shaman. They say they can even create artificial humans. If they can make artificial humans, surely fixing an arm is easy. After getting Danae’s fortune, I’d get a prosthetic arm. Then, everything would be―
“Gasp!”
Thud. The carriage abruptly stopped. I tumbled onto the opposite seat.
Those idiots!
Furious, I thought they were mishandling the escort. As I was about to complain, a scream interrupted him.
W-what’s that?
Scream. Scream. Scream. Several people screaming simultaneously – the coachman and guards. Terrified by the dreadful sound, I pressed myself against the carriage wall.
Someone’s attacking!
Who? Robbers? Or maybe―
Suddenly, the screams outside ceased. Creek, the carriage door opened.
“…”
With a bloodstained grin, the attacker smiled.
It was a familiar face.
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I have a strange feeling viego likes dana not sure yet as this author writes story on such topucs