But still, Rumie is better than Carl.
Initially, Carl had stepped in.
“You’re going to such a dangerous place! No way!”
Initially, he simply opposed the idea, but he couldn’t dissuade me.
“Then I’ll go with you! I’ll protect you, Dana!”
Funny. Who is he to protect whom? The person who harbors killing intent towards me says such things.
Rumie is better than Carl. At least Rumie seems to have given up acting like a good cousin now. And his skills are trustworthy.
“Dana, want some whiskey?”
Rumie shook a bottle of whiskey he had taken out in the carriage. I replied tersely.
“Just drink it yourself.”
“Why do you refuse alcohol?”
“…”
“You used to enjoy having a casual drink with me.”
Why bring that up? I bit my lip.
Should I go back to having drinks and chatting with you like before?
“No more of that for me.”
“Huh?”
“Stop pretending to be friendly. I no longer want to be close to you.”
After I spoke bluntly, Rumie widened his red eyes. Then,
“I don’t want to.” He poured whiskey into a glass, smiling brightly. “I want to be closer to you.”
“You expect me to act like before after saying such things to me?”
“I said those things because I cared too much for you.”
“You cared, so you said those things?”
“Yes.” Rumie tilted the whiskey glass to his lips. “I wanted to help you adapt to this world.”
Ridiculous…
I was certain about it. It was back when I confronted Rumie after learning about Raios and Allice’s affair.
“Your sense of entitlement is suffocating.”
“That’s one thing, and this is another. Did someone tie you up and prevent you from leaving?”
“Having multiple wives, that’s normal in this world.”
I saw a cruel pleasure in Rumie’s eyes that day. He enjoyed the moment I was hurt. He was happy.
Annoying. When I glared at him, Rumie tilted his curiously. Then,
“Ah. Sorry. I was thoughtless.” He straightened his crossed legs and tapped his thigh. “Here.”
“…”
What does he mean by here?
“Come on. Sit here. I’ll give you a lap pillow.”
“…Like I would want that?”
“Yes. Your eyes said you wanted to.”
What is he talking about? I just scoffed at his nonsense.
“You’re delusional.”
“Then do you want to do it for me?” Rumie glanced at my thighs. “I want it.”
“…”
“Ah, how nice it would be if Dana gave me a lap pillow.”
He was clearly toying with me. His pretense of friendliness was unbearably irksome. If it were the past, I might have laughed and exchanged such light banter, but not anymore. Not wanting to engage, I turned away.
“Don’t let your guard down, Dana. You might just fall asleep in my lap.”
Ignoring his nonsense, I closed my eyes tightly. The journey ahead seemed daunting.
* * *
At the end of a long, truly long journey, I arrived at Windsor’s territory. But,
“The lord has forbidden entry.”
At the entrance of Windsor Castle, the gatekeeper blocked our way. I felt a surge of irritation. My whole body ached from the long journey.
“What did you just say?” My voice came out not pleasant at all. “Say it again. What about the lord?”
The gatekeeper flinched, shrinking back. “I-I’m sorry. But the lord has forbidden entry.”
“The lord of Windsor is my brother, Viego Windsor. Who are you to call someone else the lord?”
“T-That is…”
“Stop stuttering and speak clearly. Who is impersonating the lord of Windsor?”
“That, u-uh…”
While the gatekeeper fumbled, a carriage pulled up to the castle gate.
“Open the gate! I’ve brought silk from the Cleto Company!”
“Ah, yes! Just a moment!” The gatekeeper hurriedly opened the gate.
Watching the carriage pass through, I narrowed my eyes. Should I just barge in now? That’s when I was pondering.
“Oh gosh, my subordinates are being harassed.”
“Milord!”
A man approached, and the gatekeeper’s face brightened.
“Welcome to Windsor’s territory. I am Mark Kuruz. Count Kuruz is my father.”
“… You’re the lord of this land?”
“It’s embarrassing, but the people here call me that.” Mark sneered.
“And here I thought I’d never see Windsor’s direct lineage in my lifetime.” He mocked us. “So it’s hard to believe. Are you really Windsor’s direct lineage, or just an imposter?”
“I am Danae Windsor. And this is my cousin, Rumie Windsor.”
I quickly showed my identity badge. But Mark looked at it dismissively and did nothing.
“How do I know if this is fake or real? I’ve never seen it in my life.” Then, he flicked my identity badge away.
I clenched my fists, boiling with irritation from his arrogant claim.
“Dana.”
At that time, Rumie lowered his lips to my ear. Then he whispered. “Shall I get us in?’”
“…”
Why does he seem to enjoy this? To Rumie, it might seem like just fun and games.
Well, he just returned from a sea battle against barbarians. To him, this might feel like mere entertainment.
I asked gruffly, “How will you get us in?”
“Simple. If no one stops us, we can just go in.” He meant using force.
I wanted to agree right away. But,
“We can’t.”
Viego Windsor had made it clear.
Violent methods aren’t elegant.
Peacefully resolve it and return.
It meant to settle it through dialogue, without any bloodshed.
“Hahaha, I can’t believe what I just heard.” Then Mark laughed mockingly. “Do you really think you can force your way into this castle?”
He then looked Rumie up and down. “Rumie Windsor, right? I am well aware of your reputation.”
But what was surprising was what followed.
“You are Carl Windsor’s adopted son, aren’t you?”
“…”
To say that openly. Though it was known that Rumie was not Carl’s biological son, no one had ever said it to his face.
“Claiming to be the direct lineage of Windsor when you don’t share a drop of their blood, how embarrassing.”
With that, Mark Kuruz turned away. “The territory is more peaceful than ever. So don’t waste your time; just go back.”
Watching his retreating back, I grabbed Rumie’s sleeve. “Let’s go, Brother.”
“Where to?”
“Where else?” I climbed into the carriage.
“Returning to the capital?”
“Returning?” I scoffed.
If we returned now, I would face Viego’s contempt, and the deputy lord’s ring would be out of reach, leaving me stuck in this world forever.
“We’re going to Windsor Castle.”
I planned to make that detestable b*stard begged me to come to the castle.
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