“What are you doing? Scream or do something.”
I narrowed my eyes and looked at Ignis. What is this man doing right now? Why is Ignis trying to deceive me?
I gave the real scripture to the emperor. So, where did Ignis get such a convincing fake from?
“The real scripture contains something that could annihilate the Windsor family.”
What?
“It says the Moon God is an evil god, no different from the demons worshiped by demon worshippers.” Ignis lifted my chin with his fingertips and grinned. “Do you know what that means?”
“…”
“The copy of the scripture your father, Demian, brought from Treasure Island, the one that says that Moon God is a benevolent god, is a fake.”
“…”
“It means the Windsor family deserve to be annihilated for blasphemy.”
My expression was indifferent. It was a reaction that could only be shown because I knew the original scripture Ignis proudly presented to me was an obvious fake.
Could it be that Ignis doesn’t know it’s a fake? Or is he doing this knowing, despite knowing it’s fake? I stared into Ignis’s eyes.
Perhaps…
This was just a hunch. Maybe Ignis knew that this one was a fake. Yet, he was still putting on a show.
Why do you think that bluff will work?
The answer came quickly.
Recently, in the Kaltusa territory, the cultists performed human sacrifices. With those Moon God-worshiping cultists doing such crazy things. If a scripture claiming the Moon God was a demon were published, many people would believe it without much doubt. Even if it was a fake scripture, many would believe it. Who would think favorably of a god that accepts human sacrifices?
Of course, that incident made me dislike the cultists too. But the <Real Scripture> doesn’t contain any content that ‘the Moon Good is an evil god.’ This is a well-known fact.
Hmm, it would be troublesome if people believed the fake scripture. If this fake scripture were to be mistaken for the real one, I would be in serious trouble. Why wouldn’t I be? It could ruin my deal with the emperor.
If the emperor thinks this fake scripture is real, he’ll think the one I gave him is a fake. Then calling off my engagement with Raios would be off the table. Not to mention, I would incur the emperor’s wrath. Didn’t the emperor threaten to annihilate Windsor if the scripture I gave turned out to be fake?
Ah, that would be troublesome. What to do with this?
After pondering for a moment, I decided to hide my cards for now. In other words,
“W-What is this?”
Pretend to know nothing, act innocent and scared.
“Is this really true? Is this the original scripture?”
“Yes. I’ve got my hands on the original scripture.”
My seemingly innocent reaction must have pleased him. A broad smile spread across Ignis’s face.
“I could bring down the Windsor family right now if I wanted, Danae Windsor.”
Acting all high and mighty with a fake scripture. Swallowing those words, I acted. I sobbed wholeheartedly.
“Why are you doing this? Lord Ignis is a Windsor too!”
“Me?” Ignis laughed lightly, then grabbed my hair roughly, pulling me close. “Yes, right. After all, I was once a Windsor, so I’m giving you this generous opportunity. Understand?”
“I-It hurts…”
As I grimaced in pain, Ignis’s smile deepened.
“Listen carefully, Danae Windsor. Either marry me and hand over all your wealth.” His grip on my hair tightened. “Or watch this damned swindler family crumble. Choose one.”
Tears welled up in my eyes. “What if I don’t like both?”
“…What?”
“If I say I don’t like both, what will you do?”
Ignis burst out laughing at that. “What do you think? I’ll report it to the imperial family and the pope. I’ll call theologians of the imperial family, pope, and inquisitors, then hand over this real scripture.”
His eyes, wide with excitement, gleamed with greed.
“If you don’t like that scene, just agree to marry me. How about it?”
“T-That’s…”
“You can’t spend all that money alone anyway. Didn’t the crown prince dump you? So let’s just spend the money together until we grow old and die.”
“Sob, sob…”
My acting skills have improved lately. Maybe it’s because I’ve been acting continuously in front of Carl and Viego. I was able to easily cry and let tears fall.
“…”
Ignis watched the tears stream down my cheek.
“Well, it’s not too bad.” Muttering to himself, he roughly let me go.
“Aack!”
For dramatic effect, I deliberately fell to the floor.
“You have one week. Make your decision within a week.” He cruelly spoke while stepping on the hem of my dress with his shoe. “Either marry me or watch the Windsor family fall. Make a wise choice.”
You should think carefully too.
After Ignis left, I nonchalantly lifted my head.
You should be the one to think carefully, Ignis. If you claim that fake scripture is real, you will face severe punishment for blasphemy… It would be even difficult to stay alive.
I knew a very easy and simple way to prove that the scripture Ignis had was fake.
Anyway… What is this smell that’s been lingering since earlier?
I lifted the bed sheet where Ignis had been lying. The next moment, I grimaced.
Crazy man.
He’s truly a crazy man.
* * *
Allice’s POV
Meanwhile, in the monastery, I buried my face in the pillow and sobbed.
It’s too much. Everyone is too much.
Monastic life was suffocating. Waking up at 5 AM every day. The dining table was only filled with greens. And they forced long hours of prayer!
My knees are going to kill me.
This was truly too cruel.
Did I really do something so wrong?
I couldn’t understand at all. But Brother Viego said I had committed a very serious mistake.
“How disgraceful, Allice Windsor.”
How could he say something so harsh?
Brother Viego blamed me. For recklessly going to the Windsor territory, weakening the morale of the border guard forces, and provoking the invasion of the barbarians. It was utterly unbelievable. How could he blame me for everything?
Why is it my fault?
Of course, it was bad that barbarians invaded Windsor territory – but why was it my fault?
It’s all because the border guard forces attended the banquet carelessly. Why is it my fault? Am I an easy target?
Ultimately, it was Sister Dana’s fault for not accurately assessing the lazy state of the border guard forces when she went to inspect the Windsor territory. But somehow, it turned into my fault.
I’m angry…
The more I thought about it, the more my insides boiled.
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Ewww…. Did he eja** on her bedsheets?! That’s so disgusting. I can’t wait to see him leave the story..
I’m not sure if he really eja** on her bedsheets since the author didn’t really specify that part. Someone said it could be that he pooped there, pissing, etc. All I could say for immersion is just imagining the worst of the worst your imagination could generate (っº – ºς)