I'm Trying to End This Possession

* * *

I immediately went to find Raios.

 

“What brings you here?”

 

He was enjoying a hunt at the imperial hunting grounds.

 

“I need to talk to you for a moment.”

 

“Talk? Now?”

 

“Yes. Alone, somewhere quiet.”

 

Raios shrugged his shoulders and replied, “Sorry, but I’m just taking a break from hunting with friends. It would be inconvenient to send them away.” He pointed to the gentlemen waiting behind him, smiling. “So I’d prefer if you could come another time, Danae.”

 

I glanced at them briefly. Surely, they were aware of my presence, but… Still ignoring me.

 

Raios’s friends didn’t even look at me, not even give a common greeting. Ignoring me has become their custom.

 

“No, there’s a way.” Suddenly, Raios seemed to have an idea and grabbed me.  “We can go into the hunting grounds on horseback.”

 

“I don’t have a horse right now.”

 

Raios’s friends wouldn’t lend one to me. So, does that mean…

 

“Why are you saying that all of a sudden?”

 

Raios mischievously smiled. “Just ride with me.”

 

* * *

“Alright, talk.”

 

Entering the forest of the hunting grounds, Raios spoke. His voice hitting the back of my head was extremely irritating.

 

“What do you want to talk about?”

 

Despite the annoyance, it was bearable. The important thing was to have a conversation with him.

 

“Let’s talk on the ground.”

 

“I’d rather not get off. Just say what you want.” Raios coldly refused, sounding bothered. “I have to meet Allice soon. Don’t waste my time; just say what you need to.”

 

Allice? Is she already out of the monastery? Is she staying with Raios at the palace? But now wasn’t the time to think about her.

 

I got straight to the point. “Your Highness. The other night.”

 

The night Justin Lancaster was killed.

 

“What were you doing?”

 

“I was with Allice,” Raios answered calmly.

 

“Recently, I’ve been sleeping with Allice every night.”

 

“…”

 

“Unlike you, Allice always cuddles in my arms.” Raios’s voice dropped from above. “Thinking of how hard it was even to kiss you… I feel like I’m truly in love now.”

 

At that moment, I realized something. I felt absolutely nothing about his words. My only concern was one thing.

 

“Were you with Allice all that time?”

 

Just wanting to find out the truth.

 

I subtly probed. “That’s different from what I know.”

 

I almost wished Raios was the culprit.

 

Who else could be as crazy as you? The thought of there being another lunatic like Raios was too dreadful.

 

“Are you suggesting that I sneaked out after putting Allice to sleep to cheat on her?”

 

“I didn’t say that.”

 

“Stop trying to sow discord. Allice is a light sleeper; she wakes up even if I move a little. She wouldn’t believe your words.” Raios seemed genuinely displeased. “I was with Allice all night. And you know that my palace entry and exit records are all kept by the gatekeeper.”

 

“…”

 

“If you want, request to view those records.”

 

Even if the entry records could be manipulated… Right, Allice is a very light sleeper.  She hardly slept due to insomnia. Sneaking out and leaving her behind would have been impossible.

 

Could it really not be Raios? Then who? Could it be…

 

“Kill Huan.”

 

No way. Is it really Uncle Carl?

 

“So.” Then Raios spoke up, his voice low. “What do you really want to say?”

 

“What?”

 

“Don’t drag it out. What’s the real issue here?”

 

What? This conversation is the main issue. Why does he think there’s another main issue?

 

Confused, I inadvertently looked up, immediately locking eyes with his piercing black gaze.

 

“!”

 

Startled, I quickly looked away again. Was it because his eyes were such a deep black? Sometimes, when I met Raios’s gaze, I felt as if I was being sucked into an abyss. It was terribly chilling and eerie…

 

“Hurry up.” At that moment, he urged in a tightly locked voice. “Get to the point, Danae.”

 

“That was all just now. I have nothing more to say.”

 

“…That was all?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Why did he think that earlier conversation wasn’t the main point? It was strange to think there was more to say. Ah. Could it be?

 

“Your Highness, shall we break off our engagement?”

 

Maybe he was waiting for that because he had changed his mind.

 

“No matter how legal it is for cousins to share a husband… I assure you. In the future, it will be considered a horror story.”

 

It was the same in my world.

 

“Future generations might evaluate you as an eccentric crown prince.”

 

“…”

 

There was no response.

 

Was he thinking positively? Of course, my wealth would be too precious to give up.

 

As much as I didn’t want to give Raios a penny if I could help it. I don’t care anymore. As long as I can leave this world somehow. My desire to leave was so desperate that I could now say this.

 

“If you need, I can split my wealth in half.”

 

“…”

 

“Your Highness?”

 

“Shut…”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Shut up.”

 

What?

 

Did he just tell me to shut up?

 

Just as I was about to protest, slap! Raios whipped the reins.

 

“Ah!”

 

The horse began to gallop wildly. I fell onto Raios’ chest.

 

“Raios! Slow down!”

 

Instead of slowing down, Raios whipped the reins again, increasing the speed. I held on to the horse’s mane, enduring.

 

“Kyaa!”

 

This time, I nearly fell off, so I grabbed Raios’ arm. Then, through the harsh wind, I heard Raios laugh. Is he mocking me? This crazy guy!

 

“Stop the horse!” I clung to his arm, shouting fiercely. “Stop it! Your Highness!”

 

But Raios did not respond.

 

“Raios!”

 

As I shouted, Raios yanked the reins harshly. The horse stopped abruptly, raising its upper body.

 

“…!”

 

My body tilted back. Almost falling into his embrace, my back hit Raios’ chest. At that moment, something hard pressed against my bottom—

 

Uh.

 

Suddenly, Raios’ arm tightened. I could feel him tensing up, holding his breath.

 

Clatter. The horse’s hooves touched the ground again. I hurriedly pulled myself forward like a person on fire.

 

What was that just now? Was it a mistake? No, it was a sensation that couldn’t possibly be a mistake…

 

“Just as well, I had something to say too.”

 

Then Raios started to speak. His voice was calm as if nothing had happened.

 

“You know that in a few days, the imperial palace will host the Night of Sponsorship, right?”

 

---

Want to read advanced chapters for this series? Good news, you can purchase 5 chapters in advance cheaper here.