𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑𝟕: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐇𝐚𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐲
“Well, well, Miss Viara. Your beauty is reminiscent of the moon goddess.”
“Thank you.”
King Henry approached me with a demeanor as if he wanted to tame a pet. Despite his nonchalant attitude, he maintained a smile throughout, making it hard to believe that he was plotting a war.
However, I could see his dark desires lurking in his eyes, so there was no way I could be tamed!
Who would be swayed by someone trying to start a war using me as an excuse?
The dinner proceeded smoothly, and I indulged in the food and drinks without hesitation.
I was repeatedly offered wine, but I firmly declined as I didn’t want to be in a hazy state of mind. Seeing me on high alert, the king chuckled.
Prince Dimitri is having a meal with us, but he only answers when asked and didn’t actively engage in conversation.
It’s not that he’s unfriendly. But I feel like he’s also trying to figure me out. That’s the impression I got.
Is he wary of a takeover of the country or something?
Does he think I will manipulate the the king behind the scene once I become the official consort? Such troublesome tasks are strictly forbidden in my life.
“I will take you to the capital city the day after tomorrow.”
“To the capital city?”
Upon hearing the sudden announcement, the jelly dessert almost gets stuck in my throat.
The capital of Fumble is located about two days west from here.
It means I’ll be further away from Nice and Roselia. It will hinder my escape plan, so I must find a way to flee by tomorrow.
“What if I want to stay here?”
I ask tentatively.
“I will take Cid with me, but if that’s alright with you, it’s no problem.”
Taking a hostage is cowardly.
If Cid is taken away, I have no choice but to go with him. Even if we can’t meet, we can’t be separated.
If we part now, we may never see each other again. . .I absolutely don’t want that.
“Understood. I will head to the capital city.”
“You’re obedient, and it makes me happy, Viara.”
As he holds my hand, a shiver runs through my entire body.
Goosebumps appear on my arms and legs. I can’t bear being touched or called by name.
Unable to hide my disgust, I furrow my eyebrows.
However, Henry gently releases my hand with a satisfied expression and stands up.
“I have preparations to attend to, so I’ll take my leave. Dimitri, please escort her to her room.”
“Understood.”
Under the table, I vigorously wipe my hands with a napkin. I don’t make eye contact and don’t bid farewell.
Even though I’m expressing such disgust with my attitude, my mental fortitude must be too strong.
Royalty is scary.
Only Dimitri-sama and I remain at the dinner table. Both of us have finished eating, and an awkward silence descends.
Could it be that he’s waiting for me to say, “I’ll go back to my room”?
In Roselia, a man would time it and speak up, but I wonder how it is in Fumble.
I glance at Dimitri-sama sitting diagonally across from me, and our eyes meet perfectly.
With his short black hair and noble eyes, he’s a handsome man different from the king. He resembles Cid more.
Just because he resembles him doesn’t mean he’s a good person, but I feel a slight sense of familiarity.
Without averting my gaze, I put on a forced smile.
In response, Dimitri-sama continues to stare at me and opens his mouth.
“About my brother. . .”
“Yes?”
“My brother intends to extract information from me by having me talk to Miss Viara. He’s waiting for you to beg him to make you his queen and save Cid.”
“Extract information. . .? So if I hear something from Dimitri-sama, it will lead to a situation where I have to beg for Cid’s rescue?”
I had a bad feeling.
A chill ran through my body, and my hands started trembling slightly.
“What did you do to Cid?”
A voice, unbelievably low, escaped my lips.
Dimitri-sama stood up straight and approached me, placing his hand on the backrest.
“It’s not safe here. Let’s talk while walking.”
I complied and slowly stood up, leaving the room.
Dimitri-sama said he didn’t need an escort and walked with me alone within the fortress. When there were no people around, he explained in a low voice.
“Cid is currently locked up in the underground dungeon. But don’t worry, he hasn’t been subjected to torture or anything.””
“The underground dungeon. . .”
Even though he is their half-brother, how could they do something like that to him?
Just the thought of him suffering on the cold floor sent shivers down my spine.
However, Dimitri-sama delivered even more shocking words.
“That underground dungeon will be flooded with seawater during high tide tomorrow.”
“What?!”
The fortress’s underground dungeon is right by the sea. During high tide, seawater flows into the underground, completely submerging it. It seems they use it as a method of executing prisoners. And tomorrow happens to be the day of high tide.
My heart started pounding, and I tightly clenched my hands in front of my chest.
“He will die if seawater floods in! Is King Henry planning to abandon Cid?!”
Why? Didn’t Henry say that Cid is just a pawn and won’t be killed?
Did he change his mind?
But losing the purple spinel would be too great a loss.
What is Henry thinking. . .
“I can’t believe it.”
Henry is informing Cid about this.
And he deliberately told me as well.
If I were to go and save Cid myself, we would both be captured as soon as we leave the dungeon. Even if Cid is strong, it’s nearly impossible for him to protect me and escape from the fortress.In that case, he would have no choice but to ask me to save him by participating in the war.
On the other hand, if I don’t go to save him knowing that the dungeon will be flooded, Cid will think he has been abandoned. At least, that’s what the king intends to make him believe.
“How despicable.”
The quickest way to save Cid is for me to ask the king, “Please save Cid because I will become your queen.” But I absolutely don’t want to do that.
Dimitri-sama calmly spoke as he watched me grit my teeth.
“I am just a messenger. I cannot go against it because, like you, I am being held hostage.”
“Hostage. . .?”
“Carinare, the third concubine of King Henry, she was my fiancée.”
According to Dimitri-sama, the king forcibly took Carinare-sama, who was originally supposed to be his brother’s fiancée, as his concubine.
“My brother is a cunning person. He noticed our feelings for each other and made Carinare his concubine to hold me hostage. The life of a concubine can be ended easily by the king’s word.”
“That’s terrible. . .”
I can’t forgive that. I absolutely don’t want to lose to such a cowardly person!
“. . .I see.”
“Huh?”
“Should I take revenge for this grudge!!”
I raised my face while radiating murderous intent, gripping the fan.
“I will destroy the dungeon right now!! Don’t worry, I’ll make sure no one dies!”
“Wait a minute?! The conversation isn’t over yet.”
As I tried to run off without even knowing where the dungeon was, Dimitri-sama grabbed my arm.
“Let go! If we destroy the entire fortress, won’t we find Cid? Where are the support pillars?! If we break them, even a sturdy stone fortress will crumble, right?!”
– Snap
Oh, my fan broke.
Seeing that, Dimitri-sama’s face contorted.
“Calm down!”
“Let go!”
If you’re going to stop me, you’re my enemy!!
“Stop!”
I infused magic into my arm and threw Dimitri-sama up into the air.
– Thud!
He landed on his back, grimacing in pain.
“I’m sorry! But I can’t live without Cid!”
Before he finished speaking, I dashed towards the building by the sea. I pretended not to hear Dimitri-sama muttering, “You can live even if you’re alone. . .”
I absolutely can’t forgive him! Henry!!
As long as I’m here, I won’t let Cid die!
Passing by surprised soldiers and servants, I continued running without caring.
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