Raised the Villainous Daughter and Ran Away

167. There are people down here!

A bedroom with no windows, so no light comes in.

No, a prison disguised as a bedroom. I am trapped here. And I am so exhausted that I can’t even dream of escaping.

“… … .”

I don’t know why I’m doing this. No matter how much I ran away and lost trust, I can never leave her side now.

Because my very existence belongs to France.

‘Are you preparing something?’

Frances’ face, which I saw through the bars earlier, was strangely red. Her breathing was also ragged. From my perspective, she seemed to be up to something…

‘I don’t know.’

Inference also requires information. What can I do when I have no one to talk to? I just covered myself with the blanket and stared blankly at the ceiling.

“The chandelier is pretty.”

The chandelier made of pure white crystal sparkles. The shape is perfect, showing how much effort was put into it.

“Hmm. The wallpaper is nice too.”

Yellow-colored wallpaper with a certain pattern. Just looking at it gives off an old-fashioned feeling that this is the residence of a nobleman.

“… … .”

Is this the process of a person going crazy? I don’t know what I’m doing right now. I don’t know what I’m thinking.

A welcome sound heard as I was absentmindedly staring with my mouth open.

Suddenly.

Crunch. Crunch.

Someone came in here. I quickly got up and looked at the door. The face reflected through the bars was none other than… … .

“How are you?”

It was Somire.

“… Somire.”

“Now I’m called Dahlia. Dahlia Shasta.”

“Did you change your name?”

“Yes. The Duke gave me a new identity.”

Somire… no, Dahlia said that and chuckled.

“I didn’t know you were really being locked up.”

“Do you know why?”

“You don’t know? I’m an outsider.”

Well, even if I had memories of up until now, I wouldn’t know why I was locked up. I don’t think Frances would have told me.

“The Duke said this. You are different from ordinary people, so you can use some method to escape yourself.”

What does that mean? Why would I leave? Somire raised her eyebrows and raised the corners of her mouth.

“But I think differently. I think you’re preparing something.”

When I asked, “Ready?” Somire nodded.

“Yes. I don’t know exactly. Anyway, you know that something big is going to happen to you.”

When you say it like that, I feel a bit uneasy… … .

“Ahem, so why did you come here? I don’t think you came here simply to see our faces.”

Dahlia shrugged her shoulders in response to my question.

“The Second Prince is now at the Duke’s residence… No, should I say His Majesty the Emperor? Someone who knows me has come to visit.”

Oh, that’s the story. I heard about that from France. She said she was coming to the duke’s residence in person.

“That’s why I came to the safe underground to take refuge. I knew you might be bored, so I came to give you someone to talk to.”

Dahlia smiles. I feel guilty when I see that face. No matter what happens now, the memory of tormenting and killing the innocent girl will not go away.

“…Thank you for thinking of me.”

“no.”

Dahlia’s face disappeared between the bars and a creaking sound was heard.

“I can’t stand still, so I’ll sit down and talk.”

“as you please.”

I came here to have a conversation with you, but I felt it would be a bit odd to talk while lying down, so I got up from my seat. All I could do was sit on the edge of the bed.

“Do you really not regret it?”

“regret?”

What are you talking about all of a sudden? Wasn’t that something that happened in the past?

“People in this world repeat endless reincarnation by the will of the goddess. Of course, their memories are forgotten.”

But, Dahlia continues speaking.

“You are different. Your memories are preserved and you do not reincarnate. As the Duke’s summoned servant, you are always by his side. Do you know what this means?”

Of course I know. It’s similar to the curse Ladrien received. I become her summoned being, circling around endlessly.

For me to be with Frances, I became a curse itself because of Frances’ greed.

“I know.”

“… This is not a matter to be taken lightly.”

With a thud, I saw Dahlia’s face through the bars as she stood up from her chair. She opened her eyes wide and gave me a serious look.

“No matter how strong your mental power is, no matter how much you are a being that transcends humans, as long as you are human, you will eventually wear out.”

I frowned at those words.

“Are you saying that I am an evil spirit?”

“That could be the case.”

“That’s not a nice thing to say.”

“Be careful.”

To be honest, I’m not completely worried. That Ladrienne was so desperate that she relied on celestial magic.

Unlike her, I have no liberation.

“I’m really sorry for making this and telling you this, but honestly, I’m more worried. At the time, I didn’t have time, and I was emotional and couldn’t make a proper judgment… … .”

Dahlia hung her head low and was unable to continue speaking.

“Well, it’ll work out somehow.”

“…yes?”

Dahlia widened her eyes and furrowed her eyebrows as if she found my answer ridiculous. I chuckled.

“It’s true that if you don’t change, you’ll wear out. But there’s one thing you’re missing.”

Dahlia tilted her head and asked, “Did you miss it?”

“Unlike Ladrienne, I am with someone. Even if I don’t change, the environment I am in and the times change. France will change every time too. Even if I am not new, the surroundings are new, right?”

Dahlia stares at me with her eyes slightly open.

“You speak well.”

“That’s not wrong.”

Dahlia watched my face through the bars for a while, then shook her head.

“Okay, I understand. I won’t bother you any more. You said you have no regrets.”

Dahlia sighed and sat back down on her chair, her face not visible.

“I’ve heard the answer, so I’ll go now.”

“…Are you going?”

“Do you feel sorry?”

“If not, then it’s a lie.”

“You must be very bored.”

Dahlia is smiling. Are you laughing? I think I’d go crazy if I were alone in a place like this.

“Okay. I’ll stay a little longer since I’ll probably have to hide out today anyway. Mr. Kale will be here soon.”

Thank goodness I thought I’d have to analyze the ceiling and wallpaper pattern again.

“Is there anything else you would like to say? We’re going off topic.”

That’s certainly true. It’s not like I had any relationship or acquaintance with Dahlia…

“I have a favor to ask.”

“What is it?”

“I know what the Duke is trying to do─”

“No.”

Her firm voice cut me off.

“Your Majesty calls me your benefactor, but I am still an outsider.”

“But you can at least do some research. I’m worried if things continue like this.”

Haa, a sigh was heard through the gap in the bars.

“I don’t know about other things, but I will never get involved in any issues that have to do with you. I know how to think, too.”

How spicy… … .

“I understand how you feel. But what can I do? From what everyone says, it’s your karma. Just accept it quietly.”

I let it go as if it was someone else’s business. I kept my eyes tightly shut and wiped my face with a dry washcloth.

‘I thought it was all over, but what happens to me now… … .’

* * *

The main entrance to the Duke Descartes’ residence.

A magnificent carriage bearing the imperial emblem entered, escorted by imperial knights.

─His Majesty the Emperor!

Chuck! The Duke’s knights struck the ground with their scabbards, making a majestic sound.

Then the carriage stopped, the Imperial Knight Commander opened the carriage door, and the new Emperor, Raja Fedelian, and the Imperial Chancellor got out.

“His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Nice to meet you, Duke Descartes.”

Frances greeted him in imperial etiquette and then met Raja’s gaze.

The dark circles under his eyes and his haggard face show his fatigue. It seems he has had a hard time dealing with the piling up work and calming the chaos in the empire.

“I am sorry for making you visit the Duke’s Office in person when you must have been very busy.”

“No. After all that has happened, it is only right for me to come.”

Raja was not a closed-minded person. He always valued efficiency over authority.

“I have a lot to talk to you about, Duke. Let’s go in.”

“Then I will guide you to the reception room.”

The servants and the knight commander gathered around Raja and France. Raja turned around and waved his hand.

“You rest with the knights.”

“Yes? But… … .”

“It’s a duke’s residence, so what could go wrong?”

“… I will obey your command.”

The Imperial Knight Commander bowed his head and stepped back. Then he arrived at the reception room.

“Helena? Tea, please.”

“yes…!”

Helena, who was very nervous about seeing the emperor, prepared tea. She poured the tea into cups and examined them with a silver spoon. It was a perfect reception that showed the results of her practice.

“Can we get straight to the point?”

“Of course.”

“It is a matter of the safety of the empire.”

Raja frowned and placed his arms on the table.

“I lost both a Transcendent Wizard and a Saintess at the same time. I also unintentionally harmed the Duke. It’s shameless, but I think I’ll have to rely on the Duke for the sake of the Empire. Is that okay?”

It was a polite question. Descartes’ help was essential to defend the empire.

“Of course. What would you like?”

The Raja nodded to the vizier and received the documents.

“First of all, it’s a military issue. The Empire has suffered a great blow by losing the Transcendent Wizard and the Saintess. Other countries may have already heard of this information and are preparing.”

This is the biggest homework as of now.

“That’s no problem. The Descartes Tower is still standing, and we have the transcendent wizard, Professor Kajar Uplane.”

Frances also continued,

“Mass-produced magic weapons will be deployed to the knights.”

Raja tilted his head, saying, “What is the magic weapon…?”

“It’s a special weapon developed by the Magic Tower. It engraves magic formulas on swords and staffs, and uses the magic power of magic stones. With this, even an ordinary person can become a low-level magician.”

Raja’s eyes widened at those words.

“… If that’s true, then the Empire may be more powerful than before.”

The power increased overwhelmingly all at once. There is also Ladrien’s replacement, Kazar Uflein.

“It doesn’t end here. Descartes has Jean Warenberg.”

Raja raised his head and said, “Ah.”

“Come to think of it, your escort was Jin Barenberg.”

Gene Barenberg. Just hearing his name made the overwhelming empire tremble in fear. If he had ignored the hostages and not cooperated on the day the war broke out, it would have been a headache.

“Can you control him perfectly?”

“Yes.”

“Hoo… … .”

Raja slowly nodded his head. Frances tried to make a deal as she had learned from Jin.

“So, there is something I would like to ask of you, Your Majesty.”

“What is it?”

“The annexation of Barenberg as a regional power.”

Annexation of Barenberg. This was originally supposed to be implemented from the day the war ended, but it was blocked by Rezef, who strongly disliked the real Barenberg.

“Are you trying to win his favor? Well, that’s fine. It was something that had to be done anyway. Then I guess I’ll have to give a title to Jean Barenberg, who was a royal.”

At the word title, Frances smiled sinisterly. Since she was a member of a powerful local power, she would be granted a marquisate. Then there would be no problems with the marriage─

“A political marriage between Jean Barenberg and Princess Leilia would be fine. It would tie them to the imperial family.”

Frances’ eyes, which had been lost in her happy fantasy, rolled over at Raja’s words.