I'm Trying to End This Possession

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Dana’s POV

 

<Huan Rolland Murdered!>. It’s been a week since this article was published.

 

<Huan Rolland was attacked on his way to the court>

 

<He was brutally murdered with both arms cut off…>

 

<It’s believed to be the second grudge murder following Lord Henry Stain>

 

<Who is the culprit?>

 

I closed the newspaper. Though a week had passed, I often reopened this newspaper to maintain my vigilance.

 

Carl killed him. Huan was supposedly sent to the court. I thought that would be the end of it…

 

“Rumie.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“We must kill Huan.”

 

It unfolded just as I had seen in the future memories. Though the process had changed, Carl was likely the one who killed Huan. And to kill so brutally. I shivered at Carl’s cruelty. His appearance was so deceiving.

 

Upon hearing the news, Sandra fell ill and hasn’t recovered since.

 

Carl Windsor. I thought he was a devoted husband, but it seems he wasn’t.

 

I once again realized that I was in great danger. Had I continued living like this, I might have been murdered.

 

That day. If I hadn’t overheard my uncle and aunt’s secret conversation. If only I hadn’t heard their plan to cut my life short. Like Huan, I would have been killed without a trace.

 

I needed to return to my original world soon. There were too many lunatics here. Staying might lead to my death by Carl’s hands. I kept the newspaper to remind myself of this.

 

Fortunately, discovering Raios and Allice’s affair was a blessing. Thanks to that letter. The anonymous letter that sent photos of Raios and Allice’s affair exposed them. Without it, I would still be a naive fool.

 

“Lethe, have you found the sender yet?”

 

I had tasked the investigation of the letter’s origin, but there was still no news.

 

“No. It wasn’t sent through the official post office, so it’s taking more time.”

 

“I see. Let me know when you find out.” I closed the newspaper.

 

Nonetheless, I achieved my goal. The chaos resulted in Carl Windsor being temporarily stripped of his deputy head position. I also fulfilled my promise to the emperor. The promise to turn moonlight flowers into rubbish. Now, moonlight flowers have become a mundane and worthless commodity.

 

But I can’t end my connection with the emperor yet. I needed to annul my engagement with Raios. Without annulling it, I couldn’t become the deputy head. Even if I pushed Carl from his position or earned Viego’s recognition. Without annulling the engagement, the deputy head position and the relic would never be mine.

 

That’s why I need the emperor’s help for the annulment.

 

Thinking of the emperor made my neck tingle. I wished to never encounter him again. But without his help, annulment was impossible. So, I need to meet him quickly and negotiate…

 

He’s at the Vatican now, isn’t he?

 

That was puzzling. The current Pope was a prominent figure in the protestant. Certainly, he would be on bad terms with the emperor, who is catholic. But what’s the point?

 

Anyway, I must visit him as soon as he returns.

 

In the meantime, I had tasks to do.

 

Viego Windsor. I needed to gain recognition from the head of the Windsor family. Somehow to impress him to climb to the deputy head position.

 

But why was it so hard to see Viego alone? I hadn’t even thanked him for the night he planted bullets in Huan’s arms…

 

“Milady.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Today is Master Noah’s public promotion exam, isn’t it?”

 

“…”

 

That was today. Noah’s public promotion exam.

 

I said I’d go.

 

It was a few months ago.

 

“Noah, your promotion exam is public this year, right?”

 

“What’s it to you? Mind your own business.”

 

Though Noah coldly replied at the time, I had persistently tried to be amiable.

 

“I’ll definitely attend this year’s public exam. I’ll bring you a bouquet.”

 

“No, don’t come. It’s disgusting even just by imagining it.”

 

“Noah, what flowers do you like? If I remember correctly, you liked daisies.”

 

“I hate whatever you give me.”

 

I chuckled involuntarily. How pathetically I had clung to him.

 

“I won’t go.” I abruptly said. “I’m too busy. And now going there?”

 

If I went there, at best, I’d only receive scorn from Noah. I no longer wanted to make such vain efforts.

 

“Lethe, find out where Viego is now.”

 

If he’s avoiding me, fine.

 

I’ll go to find him.

 

* * *

Noah’s POV

 

“Noah Windsor. Win!”

 

It was in the swordsmanship promotion exam. I clinched victory in the tournament final. Cheers erupted from the stands.

 

“Noah Windsor. Win!”

 

The shooting exam was no different. Bullseye. Even from a distance, I could see as if it was right in front of me.

 

“Noah Windsor. Win!”

 

The hand-to-hand combat test was the same. Despite my slender build, I easily defeated a student several times my size.

 

This is obvious.

 

I found the public promotion exam truly annoying. Why become a spectacle for onlookers like a monkey in a zoo?

 

All this fuss.

 

Even the cheers from the audience were irritating. Surely, that woman must be clapping from somewhere among them. Thinking this, I scoffed. As if anyone would appreciate it?

 

She must be pleased. Sister Allice’s business failed spectacularly.

 

I scanned the audience. Despite the distance, my exceptional Windsor family vision allowed me to discern every face. I saw many familiar faces, but…

 

Huh?

 

She wasn’t there.

 

Had she stepped away for a moment? However, I couldn’t find her even until the end of the award ceremony.

 

“Noah, did your sister not come?”

 

My classmate, Justin Lancaster, inquired.

 

“Sister? Who?”

 

“Lady Danae. Didn’t she come?”

 

“What do I know?”

 

“She usually looks after you a lot, right?”

 

“I don’t know.”

 

“I wish I could see her even from a distance…”

 

I frowned. To wish to see my sister from a distance like some overzealous fan?

 

“Why do you want to see my sister?”

 

“She’s pretty.” Justin clasped his hands together, a dreamy expression on his face. “Like a single lily – pure, elegant, and even just standing there, she seems to have a story… Not that I’m only talking about her looks.”

 

Embarrassed, Justin cleared his throat. “Anyway, I once saw her purifying tainted land. I thought she was an angel. The pitch-black land turned white―”

 

Realizing his blunder, Justin looked around hastily. “This stays between us, okay? Don’t tell the crown prince about it.”

 

“It doesn’t matter. He’s smitten with Sister Allice now.”

 

“Oh. So that’s true? Then can I approach her?”

 

“…My sister is still the crown prince’s fiancée.”

 

“Ah. Right. They haven’t broken off the engagement.” Justin sighed regretfully. “Then I guess it won’t work. Forget I said anything. It’s a secret from the crown prince, okay?”

 

“Hmph. Pathetic.” I snorted.

 

The funny thing was, Justin wasn’t the only one. There were plenty who admired Danae Windsor from afar.

 

They’re all being fooled. Just like I was.

 

I suddenly remembered the first time I saw Danae Windsor.

 

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