I'm Trying to End This Possession

I looked at him intently.

 

He’s back.

 

I had heard that he returned after finishing a naval battle against barbarians invading the maritime territories. But I had only heard about it, and I have not yet encountered him…

 

“It’s been a while since I last saw you, and you look prettier, Dana.”

 

But why was he acting so familiar? Right before he left for the expedition, what conversation had we had?

 

“Your sense of entitlement is suffocating.”

“Did anyone force you to stay against your will?”

 

Yes, he had spouted such words. And now he’s talking as if nothing happened, with such impudence.

 

I glared at him, then turned away sharply. Then, I stopped immediately.

 

“…”

 

My hair and back were wet. Rumie had splashed water from the fountain at me. Turning back, unsurprisingly, he had a playful smile and flicking water from the fountain towards me.

 

“…Now.” I, wiping the water off my face, glared at him coldly. “What are you doing?”

 

“Trying to get your attention.” Rumie ran his fingers through his damp silver hair and smiled. “Don’t ignore me, Dana. It hurts my heart every time you do that.”

 

I was engulfed in a strong urge to push him into the fountain. It was because he was still acting the same.

 

Is he playing jokes on me now?

 

As if nothing ever happened?

 

After saying such things to me?

 

“Then you shouldn’t have done something worth ignoring,” I replied coldly and turned around, only to be stopped again.

 

Splash!

 

“…”

 

Drip, drip. Soaked, I slowly turned back to look at him.

 

“Don’t ignore me.” Rumie, smiling, dipped his finger into the fountain.

 

I snapped back. “What are you doing?”

 

“As you see, getting you wet.”

 

“Why on earth would you do that?”

 

“Because you were just going to leave.” Rumie sighed with a smile. “I hate being ignored.”

 

At that moment, I realized. He hates me.

 

When I had confirmed the truth about Raios and Allice, and Rumie defended Allice, I thought he was just taking his sister’s side. I thought he was belittling me to protect his sister. But it wasn’t about Allice.

 

Rumie Windsor hates me.

 

Otherwise, why would he provoke me like this?

 

“Why…”

 

Why does he hate me? Since when? If he disliked me, why did he stop her from leaving that day? Was it just a joke like Noah’s? Then why hide it all this time, and why show it now?

 

“…”

 

I wanted to ask. But I couldn’t utter a word. I simply couldn’t muster the strength in my tongue. There was no motivation or energy to do that.

 

I don’t need to know.

 

Right, there’s no need to know. This is a world I’ll soon leave, people I’ll soon part with. Why bother knowing the inner thoughts of such a person?

 

But I can’t just let this humiliation pass.

 

I stepped forward and pushed his shoulder with all my might. As Rumie staggered backward,

 

“!”

 

A strong force pulled me in. Rumie had pulled me into the fountain!

 

Splash!

 

I fell into the fountain and struggled with Rumie. My nose bumped against his chest.

 

Ouch!

 

Why was his chest so hard? My nose stung, and tears welled up.

 

“Let go of me!”

 

“Ahahaha!”

 

What was so funny?

 

Rumie laughed while drenched in the fountain. I crawled out of the fountain and glared at Rumie.

 

Moonlight draped over my wet clothes, revealing my white skin starkly. And Rumie was staring blatantly at my disheveled state. How ungentlemanly.

 

“Is this funny? I don’t find it funny.”

 

“Ah, it’s okay. I find it funny.”

 

“You’re really nasty. Why have you hidden it until now?”

 

“I didn’t exactly hide it.”

 

“You bad guy…”

 

“You’re such a bad b*tch.”

 

What?

 

What did he just say?

 

I couldn’t believe his words and glared at him, but Rumie just smirked crookedly.

 

“You’re so mean, not even showing concern or asking if I was hurt in battle. Isn’t that too much?”

 

“…”

 

“I’m sad, Dana.”

 

What is he saying…

 

Wait a minute. Why am I listening to this?

 

Suddenly feeling absurd, I turned away without replying. Thankfully, Rumie didn’t splash me this time.

 

I’m stupid. Really, really stupid.

 

My anger was evident in my relentless pace.

 

To think I followed him as a good cousin! I wasn’t just blindly following him around!

 

But… really, he was a good cousin. He used to be.

 

It was filled with memories of bursting into laughter whenever I thought of Rumie. His pranks, his jokes, those frivolous light-hearted stories. I liked all of that. It was also nice when he seriously gave me advice on my troubles.

 

How many times had he listened to my relationship troubles with Raios? We were close enough to share everything. Even Rumie was the first person I confessed to about being possessed.

 

“No matter who you are, I don’t care.”

 

Then, Rumie hugged me warmly.

 

“I love the you who laughed and talked with me. Whether you are Danae Windsor or not, that doesn’t matter to me.”

 

Because Rumie said so, that gave me the courage to confess to others too.

 

He was someone who had been on my side like that…

 

No. Calm down.

 

I walked like a storm, taking deep breaths.

 

Don’t get swept away. All my energy should be used to obtain the holy relic.

 

Thinking this, my turbulent emotions slowly calmed.

 

Right, I should manage my condition for tomorrow. Hadn’t I agreed to dine with Viego tomorrow?

 

We will certainly talk about the matter with the Windsor Bank’s check. It was a very important occasion. I need to appear as a decent human being, one he might want to make a deputy head.

 

“Good night, Dana.”

 

I tried to ignore the voice that came from behind.

 

* * *

“You resolved the matter with Liten Bank.”

 

The next day, Viego started the conversation as we began to eat.

 

“But you were overly aggressive. You completely trampled on the pride of Marquis Liten, making him an enemy.”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“Viscount Manus said your approach was rough.”

 

“People naturally fear those who are rough.” I smiled as I neatly sliced my steak with a knife. “No one fears a weak human. Isn’t that right, Brother?”

 

I picked up the steak with a silver fork, chewed it lightly, and then smiled. “I’ll take the blame and criticism. So leave it to me when we need to be strong and rough.” I can do anything, whatever it is; any role does not matter.

 

If only I could leave this world sooner.

 

If only I could obtain that damn deputy head’s ring, if only I could get my hands on the holy relic. I’m really ready to do anything.

 

Was it because I ran into Rumie yesterday? I find the air of this world even harder to bear. If this gets delayed any longer, I feel like I might cut off Carl’s fingers.

 

That’s why I’m determined to win Viego Windsor’s heart with all my might.

 

“Brother. I will be Windsor’s shield.”

 

Then Viego’s smooth lips drew an arc.

 

Ah. He’s smiling.

 

“You?”

 

Even though it was a scoff.

 

“I’ll handle the dirty work. You’ve seen what I can do.”

 

“You’re too proud just because you have helped only twice.”

 

“Then I’ll prove more.” I smiled at Viego’s expressionless face.

 

“Order me anything. I’ll do anything.” I spoke softly, in a voice more velvety than ever. “I want to continue serving and living with the Windsor family, Brother.”

 

Unlike before, it felt effortless to utter such lies. It seemed like there was a bit of reluctance or hesitation last time. But now, it was alarmingly calm, as if something inside me had worn out.

 

“So, do you accept it? Brother…” My voice trailed off sweetly. But no answer came.

 

In the silence, Viego lifted his wine glass. Unusually, he had been moistening his lips with wine since the morning. And he began to speak.

 

“Have you heard the news from the Windsor estate?”

 

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