Was it my rare defiance that stunned him, or was he simply at a loss for words due to his indignation? Viego did not say anything more. He simply turned his cold face away from me as if he was reluctant to engage further.
Was it a mistake to speak up? The thought crossed my mind for a moment, but— No, I have every right to say this.
No matter how gentle and kind the image of ‘Danae Windsor’ was, I had risked my life to remove that fake scripture. And yet, to be called vulgar! Even a real saintess would slap someone for such an accusation.
However, it was crucial not to lose Viego’s favor completely. So, I decided to limit my defiance there and poured whiskey into his empty glass again.
“I just wanted to hear praise from you, Brother. So, please, let’s not be angry. I’ll be more careful next time.” I added one last thing. “After all, the Windsor family is safe, right? Just as you wanted.”
—Of course, how long that safety would last was another matter. But for now, it was true.
* * *
The Windsor family formally charged Ignis de Windsor. They demanded severe punishment for his attempt to kidnap Danae Windsor. Under pressure from the high nobility, the Supreme Court had Ignis thrown into the dungeon even before a trial could take place. And Ignis…
“Hey, Guard. Can you please arrange a visit for me?”
The guard clicked his tongue. This troublesome prisoner had been asking for the same thing ever since he regained consciousness.
“Tell Danae Windsor to come visit me. I have something important to say. Eh? Eh? Eh?”
He continuously insisted on calling the young lady of the Windsor family.
“Tell Danae that I’m going crazy because I miss her so much, so she better come quickly! Otherwise, I’ll keep screaminggggg—!”
Fed up with his antics over the past few days, the guard informed Danae Windsor of the situation. And her response arrived today.
“Here, the young lady of Duke Windsor asked me to deliver this to you.” The guard slid a note through the bars.
Ignis quickly grabbed it and read.
[Declined —Danae Windsor]
“Haha.” Ignis chuckled. “Such a wicked woman, truly.” Then, he leaned weakly against the wall.
All his plans had failed. Not only that, his ankles were shattered. Foolishly, he got shot without even trying to dodge the bullets. He had even been dragged to this prison without putting up any resistance.
There was no helping it. At that moment, Ignis was in a state of complete panic, probably due to the after-effects of the sleeping drug. Ignis chose to believe that. And this was the result.
“Your ankles’ nerves are completely damaged.”
It was a permanent disability diagnosis from the doctor.
“You won’t be able to stand or walk anymore.”
But that wasn’t the only bitter news. A note came from the conspirator behind this scheme—full of codes, but when deciphered, it essentially said:
There’s a bribed guard in the prison. Support will not be provided as it could lead to exposure. Escape on your own.
The situation was dire, yet Ignis felt no despair. Instead, his mind was clearer than ever, as if a torch was burning brightly in the darkness, igniting his heart with hot, tingling pain.
Ignis muttered a name that reeked of scorching bitterness. “Danae.”
Danae Windsor.
“Danae…”
He was going to have her. He would tarnish her pure face, play with her to his heart’s content, and then kill her.
Ignis licked his dry lips. Realizing that one could be aroused by someone they hated so much, he figured out that he was indeed a b*stard. Well, it didn’t matter. Danae would be killed afterward. After giving her false hope a few times, playing her for a long time, and getting bored, Danae would be killed.
Ignis chuckled as he spoke to the guard. “Hey, Guard. Do you have a family? Any kids?”
“…Why do you ask?”
“I’m considering whether to spare your life.”
The guard sneered. “With that body, what could you possibly do? You won’t be able to walk or stand for the rest of your life.” The guard bent down, meeting Ignis’s gaze through the bars with a mocking smile. “Do you even understand what that means? You can’t even escape, let alone stand up… Keugh!”
Bang! Ignis’s hand shot out like lightning, grabbing the guard by the collar and slamming his face into the iron bars.
“Ugh, keugh, aargh!”
The guard struggled helplessly under the overwhelming grip that felt as though it might snap his neck. Ignis effortlessly snatched the keys and gun from the guard’s belt.
“What are you doing?! Let go of him!”
At that moment, other guards came running. Ignis extended his arm through the iron bars, aiming the gun without even looking. Then, he fired five shots without hesitation. Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang! It seemed like a careless shooting, as if firing randomly into the air, but—
“Aack!”
All five guards fell simultaneously like marionettes with their string cut, each shot having struck their vital points or shins.
Ignis spoke indifferently. “It’ll hurt, but try to hold back your screams. Anyone who can’t will lose their head next.”
It all happened in an instant. While everyone was writhing in pain, the guard who had his gun taken spoke bravely.
“Y-You’re doing something pointless. You can’t even stand u—”
The guard’s words were cut off. It was because Ignis was slowly standing up! Then, reaching through the iron bars, he unlocked the lock with the key.
“Y-Your ankles.”
“Yeah. They were completely shattered. Hurt like hell.”
“I definitely saw it. I saw your ankles were mangled beyond repair!”
“I just have good recovery abilities.
“M-Monster…”
“Monster?”
Ignis seemed to like the sound of that and burst into laughter. “Not bad. Go ahead, spread that around.” Tapping the guard’s temple lightly with the gun, he continued. “Say that the Windsor family is a monster breeding ground, that they raise monsters at the Windsor family. And that I’m also a monster created by Windsor.” Pressing the gun barrel down, he smiled playfully. “How about it? Spread the rumor, and I’ll let you live.”
“U-Understand. Please, just spare me…”
“And you, you were bribed by Danae, right?”
The guard’s lips twitched nervously.
Ignis chuckled. “Tell that woman clearly.” He stared intensely as if Danae was right behind the guard. “I’ll come to propose again, so wait for me.”
* * *
Carl’s POV
[Ignis de Windsor Escapes Prison]
[It is known that he escaped after knocking down dozens of guards before breaking out…]
I snorted and closed the newspaper. This was something I had already expected.
I wondered why that guy would get caught so easily.
His messed-up ankles must have healed completely now. It was expected, so it wasn’t surprising. But still—
Dana will be shocked. What to do? Just thinking about the timid Dana being startled made me uneasy.
At that moment, I spotted a man and a woman walking through the garden below the window. A smooth-faced young man and— Dana?
I immediately opened the window and jumped down. Landing silently, I quickly hid behind a tree.
“It’s an honor. I never imagined my sculpture would be displayed at Windsor Mansion…”
“It’s my favorite piece, Sir Caravaggio.”
For a moment, my head heated up.
Favorite piece? Favorite? She used the word ‘favorite’ for a mere piece of art? What if that artist got the wrong idea?
Dana is just too naive. That’s why there are so many gold diggers buzzing around her.
Hidden behind the tree, I watched them intently for a long time.
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