I placed my hand on his chest. His heart was beating.
If he had been contained by the rotten land three months ago… his entire body should have decayed and died by now. He should have crumbled into dust, disintegrated like ash. That was the fate of those contaminated by the rotten land. But how is he still alive?
I took a deep breath and pressed both hands against the count’s chest. First, let’s try purifying him.
That’s when it happened.
“It’s true! I saw a woman with silver hair climbing the walls with my own eyes!”
The noise echoed from the corridor.
“She must be hiding somewhere here!”
“Are you certain?”
It was Mark Kuruz’s voice! And it wasn’t just him.
“Really? Sister Dana was secretly climbing the walls?”
Allice’s voice followed.
We’ve been discovered! I quickly signaled Rumie. “Brother Rumie, block them from entering.”
“Yes.”
I returned my gaze to Count Kuruz. Let’s focus on purifying this person now.
It’s been a long time since I used this power… Fortunately, the power of purification flowed immediately as I focused. A bright white light burst from my palms, enveloping the count’s body.
Bang!
“There’s no one in this room!”
“Search the other rooms!”
Damn it, I frowned. My concentration wavered. Focus, focus. I must concentrate.
But then.
“Sister!”
Allice’s tearful voice sharply cut through my focus.
“Sister Dana, where are you hiding? Please stop this now, Sister!”
“Yes, Lady Danae! Come out! Hiding in the castle like a rat, it’s dishonorable!”
“Yes, Sister! Sneaking into someone else’s house is incredibly rude. So please come out, Sister!”
Who says it’s someone else’s house!
A surge of anger rose in me. Calling Windsor Castle someone else’s house, that insane girl!
But I kept focusing on purifying the count. Indeed, he was contaminated. The black spots were slowly fading!
Then, it happened. Bang! The door banged but didn’t open, thanks to Rumie.
“You’re hiding in this room, Lady Danae! This is my father’s room!”
“Oh my gosh, Sister! You’re not planning to threaten the ailing Count Kuruz, are you?”
Just, please, be quiet, a bit!
My focus was so difficult to maintain, my eyelids twitched with spasms, and sweat drenched my forehead.
“Sister, please!”
Bang!
“Sister’s actions are a disgrace to the Windsor family! Sister is tarnishing our reputation! How could you do such a cowardly act!”
Bang!
“Sister, if you open the door now, I’ll find a way to solve this. So please!”
“Allice. Be quiet.” Finally, unable to bear it, Rumie sighed and spoke. “I never knew my sister’s lovely voice could be so hard to listen to.”
“B-Brother Rumie?”
“Yes, it’s me. So, please shut up.”
“B-Brother is too much. Do you think I’m shouting for fun?” Outside the door, Allice sobbed.
Allice’s POV
Brother Rumie and Sister Dana. Why are they like this? I could have solved everything if they just stayed quiet!
Yes, Mark Kuruz is now my friend!
I planned to become closer and then persuade him to apologize to Sister Dana. Then surely he would have listened to me!
That’s right, so just trust me.
But Sister Dana sneaked in without waiting!
I anxiously glanced at Mark. He was now holding an axe brought by a servant.
“Step aside, Lady Allice. I must break down this door!”
What should I do? I panicked. Mark seemed angry again. Just when I had calmed him down!
Bang! Mark struck the door with the axe.
“Kyaa!” I screamed, covering my face with my hands. I couldn’t bear to watch the violent scene!
Bang!
Tears flowed.
Why did it turn out like this? Everything was going well.
Bang!
But Sister Dana ruined everything.
Bang!
Sister Dana always does this. She can’t stand to see me doing well!
Bang!
Is she jealous of me? Is she envious of me?
Bang!
Does she hate seeing me succeed and get praised, so she…
“…”
I sobbed.
Wait. The sound of the axe and Mark’s shouts, the servants’ voices, everything stopped.
What’s going on…? I cautiously opened my eyes and gasped.
“What are you doing?”
Suddenly, the door opened. A man, leaning on a cane, stood there. And Mark Kuruz…
“Fa-Father?”
Thud. The axe fell from his trembling hand. I clearly saw his fingers shaking.
“You, Mark Kuruz, what are you doing?”
The man – Count Kuruz – spoke hoarsely.
“What are you doing, I asked.”
Emaciated body, cracked voice, and pale complexion, but his eyes blazed like flames in the dark.
“What are you doing, I asked!”
His thunderous voice made me involuntarily step back.
And Mark’s face was now completely pale. How? His father was on his deathbed, and now he suddenly woke up!
No, focus! Mark clenched his sweat-soaked fist. “I-I was just, that woman, she sneaked into Father’s room!”
“How dare you!”
The sudden outburst nearly made Mark wet himself. He felt like a seven-year-old child scolded by his father!
“That woman! Now, what did you just say that woman?!”
“Ah, t-that’s.”
“How dare you, to the noble daughter of the Windsor family, what manners are these!”
“Fa-Fa-Father…”
“Apologize immediately, Mark Kuruz!”
Mark’s lips trembled. Fear of his father overpowered everything else. His father always spoke of the many favors the Windsor family had bestowed upon the Kuruz family.
“B….But.”
But is he still a child? Mark gathered his courage.
“But Father. Please listen to me first. The noble daughter of the Windsor family sneaked into your room without permission!”
Then, I knew it was my turn to step in. “Mark is right.”
Count Kuruz’s gaze sharply turned to me. It stung, so I shrank.
“And who are you, Milady?”
“I-I am Allice Windsor. A direct descendant of the Windsor family. Carl Windsor is my father.”
Carl Windsor. At that name, Count Kuruz’s eyes softened slightly.
So he knows my father!
Relieved, I exhaled and said, “Don’t blame Mark. It’s all Sister Dana’s fault. She climbed the walls and sneaked into someone else’s house without permission.”
“What did you just say?”
Huh?
“You said sneaked into someone else’s house without permission?”
Why is he angry?
Confused, I took a step back.
Count Kuruz seemed to be trembling with rage from head to toe. Even his cheeks quivering.
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