ITETP Chapter 8

* * *

That evening, after the commotion had settled, Dana went to Viego Windsor’s office.

 

Still not back?

 

The duke’s office was empty, and no one seemed to know where he was.

 

Where on earth could he have gone?

 

Ever since he had advised her to read the letter exposing Raios’s infidelity and left, Viego hadn’t been seen. Where could he have disappeared to?

 

I need to discuss annul the engagement.

 

Dana leaned on the sofa, recalling Raios’s face.

 

“This is not an affair. This is love.”

 

He said that, yet he still wants to marry me.

 

There was only one reason Raios hadn’t called off the engagement.

 

He’s after my fortune.

 

The vast inheritance left by Danae’s deceased father, Demian Windsor. Raios must find it too valuable to let go.

 

I have to end this engagement somehow. It wasn’t just because she couldn’t stand the sight of that b*stard. I need to end it to get my hands on the holy relic.

 

The relic was her ultimate goal.

 

To be precise, I need to take it from Uncle Carl.

 

The ring that always gleamed on Carl’s finger wasn’t just any ring. It was enchanted with ancient spells, making it impossible to remove or wear like an ordinary ring.

 

It can only be removed through a formal ceremony or relinquishing the deputy head position. Or by cutting off their finger. Those were the only ways to claim the ring.

 

Thus, I must usurp Uncle Carl from the deputy head position and take the ring myself.

 

But simply removing Carl from his position wouldn’t suffice. She also had to completely break up her engagement with Raios. It was because no one would hand over the deputy head’s ring to a woman who would leave the family. Therefore— I’ll declare that I won’t get married.

 

Breaking off her engagement and declaring her intention to remain single. Once she achieved that, she would smoothly ascend to the deputy head position.

 

All I need to do is prove my worth to the family.

 

Dana knew what kind of business trouble Viego was currently facing. She also knew how to solve it. Moreover— I have plenty of information that could benefit the family.

 

 If she revealed that one by one, like breadcrumbs, Viego would eventually acknowledge her. Viego Windsor was a staunch meritocrat, after all. Why else would he put up with someone he detests and meet me weekly for work? A bitter smile spread across her face.

 

Viego truly despised her. The look in his eyes when she first revealed she was a possessor was still vivid…

 

“Milady.” Just then, her secretary approached her cautiously. “You haven’t forgotten about tomorrow’s banquet, have you?”

 

“Of course not.”

 

“That’s a relief. You’ve been so busy. I thought it might have slipped your mind.”

 

Dana simply smiled. How could she forget? Tomorrow, the imperial palace would be hosting a ceremony to award her a medal, acknowledging her efforts in purifying the Rotten Land. And she would be the first woman in the empire to receive such an honor.

 

The timing couldn’t be better.

 

Becoming the first female deputy head was her next goal, and this medal would add weight to her claim. While she was thinking like that, the servant’s words were heard along with the knock.

 

“Milady, the crown prince has sent a messenger.”

 

 Her heart sank.

 

Raios? At this hour?

 

“I apologize for the late disturbance.”

 

Soon, a servant entered, bowing deeply with a troubled expression.

 

“His Highness has an urgent message for Lady.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“His Highness…”

 

Could it be that he was trying to apologize now, even though it was already late?

 

“Requests for Lady refrain from attending tomorrow’s banquet.”

 

What? For a moment, Dana felt as if she had been slapped in the face.

 

 “At tomorrow’s banquet, His Highness plans to hold an engagement ceremony with Lady Allice.”

 

“…”

 

“He believes Lady’s presence might cause discomfort and asks you to refrain from attending.”

 

Saying that, the servant handed over a violet box. With a click, it opened and revealed its content. Inside, a golden medal gleamed brightly.

 

“He also instructed me to present Lady with your medal here and now.”

 

“…”

 

“Thus, His Highness implores Lady not to attend tomorrow’s banquet. This is his order.”

 

“…I will refuse.” After a moment of silence, Dana spoke. “I will refuse, so please take it back.”

 

“If Lady Danae refuses, His Highness has instructed me to relay this message.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“He said, ‘If you want to refuse, come and say it to me directly.’”

 

“…”

 

“That’s… what he ordered me to relay.” The servant’s face was barely holding back his embarrassment. “His Highness said he wouldn’t accept any other form of refusal. He insisted it was an imperial command.”

 

Crazy. Raios Geranze has lost his mind entirely.

 

* * *

Furious, Dana headed towards Raios’s palace.

 

“Kyaa!”

 

Led by a servant, she entered Raios’s bedroom.

 

“Si-Sister Dana? Why are you here…” Allice was surprised, pulling the blanket to cover herself.

 

What is this? Dana stood still like a statue.

 

Why is Allice in the bed? And Raios…

 

“…”

 

Raios was lounging on the sofa, shirtless, leisurely puffing on a cigar. He met Dana’s eyes with an infuriatingly calm expression.

 

“W-why d-did you come here, Sister?”

 

Dana didn’t respond. She merely surveyed the room with a composed gaze.

 

Insane. Dana came to the same conclusion again.

 

Insane. Raios Geranze was completely insane.

 

Had he summoned her here deliberately to show her this scene?

 

“Si-Sister?”

 

It seemed Allice didn’t know she was coming. But— Raios knew.

 

There were four freshly extinguished cigars in the crystal ashtray. Which meant— He was waiting for me.

 

Her anger boiled, rising rapidly to her head. But—

 

This is exactly what Raios wants. Dana judged coldly. This situation was orchestrated by Raios. Surely, he had some intention, probably wanting her to lose her composure.

 

No need to get caught up. She had no intention of being played by Raios.

 

“Your Highness.”

 

Instead, she responded in a way completely contrary to what he expected. There was a smile on her face as usual. But her voice was laced with boredom, and her eyes brimmed with disinterested disdain.

 

“I received your messenger.”

 

She simply stated her business. Sure enough, Raios furrowed his brows, displeased. Clearly, he had wanted her to explode with anger.

 

“You came, Danae Windsor.”

 

Danae Windsor. He usually called her Dana, but now he calls her by her full name. The meaning was clear. From now on, he would treat her like a person from this world.

 

“It seems you failed to grasp what I told you before.” He gestured towards the flustered Allice. “I told you Allice is my love.” Raios drew on his cigar, exhaling smoke as he spoke. “Where does your arrogance come from, to think you could torment my love and get away with it?”

 

At that moment, Dana was certain. This was all performance to hurt her.

 

You b*stard. She pressed her lips together tightly to stop them from trembling.

 

Raios must have been enraged upon hearing what Allice had endured earlier that day. And now he was punishing Dana for it.

 

He’s planning to break me completely, so I’ll never trouble Allice again. His ruthlessness left Dana speechless.

 

This was the same man who had been madly in love with Dana for years. His love had been so intense that, at times, it felt suffocating. Just days ago, he had been the same way…

 

“And yet, here we are. The three of us will be married in the future. Shouldn’t we learn to get along?”

 

How could such a man change so drastically? 

---