27 – 27. Realism
She sighed with regret, carrying the dishes and quietly leaving the room, knowing that the work was not yet finished.
It was a bonus to receive a brief kiss on my cheek.
Only after she left was I able to gather my thoughts for a moment.
Ignoring the voices of the servants, who were still clutching the broken door panel, I wrapped my head around it.
She’s trying to confine me. I still remember her voice, innocently explaining that blueprint.
Apart from my family, Frederick Gale, no one else is allowed in, and her determination to spend time with me remains strong.
There was no trace of hesitation.
The problem lies here. Whether I will comply with her demands or resist and rebel.
The former would be peaceful. I would enter the room she prepared and live by fulfilling her requests.
Most activities would be allowed as long as I don’t defy the conditions she has set.
She would do anything to make me happy.
Like patting my cheek, demanding kisses, not just physical affection but also cooking.
There are many things one can do when alone, but it becomes more enjoyable when done together, don’t you think?
Especially if it’s with a partner.
Perhaps it won’t be so bad after all.
Considering my conditions for returning, this seems to be the right answer.
It’s funny that it wasn’t my strategy, but hers.
She did everything herself. Something supernatural intervened halfway through, resulting in a significant deviation from the nature of the game.
In a romance novel, it is clear that the protagonist must act for the plot to change, but isn’t this story different? The target of the strategy is the one who moved directly and overturned the story.
Thinking that way, I found myself even more ridiculous. I convinced her with just words without lifting a finger, and that’s how I ended up here.
Moving forward, we’ll just chat and enjoy each other’s company. Share meals together. Just as she wants… um…
But still, won’t we get used to it as time goes by, even if we aren’t prepared yet?
There won’t be many more difficult moments ahead. That was certain.
Good. This plan is now in place, and now it’s time for the opposite.
If I resist here, I will be able to escape from this place.
Let’s imagine that I somehow manage to break these heavy chains.
And break free from the shackles as well.
So, where should I go now?
Should I leave the mansion? Without anyone knowing?
There was no way that such a method would work, as I realized that a raven was silently watching me from above.
Then. Should I exhaust her strength and run away?
But before that, my stamina would run out.
If she falls asleep –
The ravens would start cawing, right?
No, would she even be on guard in the first place?
The ravens have become her eyes, and everyone in this mansion is under her control.
The more I think about it, the more it seems there is no answer.
Can I have the will to run away?
…So that’s how convinced I am.
It all ends when I arrive.
Then, let’s slightly change our thinking.
If I don’t speak?
Just keep my mouth shut and live like a plant, doing whatever I want.
Then… I would really hate that.
With eyes turning red, wouldn’t I desperately pray, shedding tears, trying to change their mind?
Is there a need for that?
Before it gets worse, shouldn’t I just accept it?
While patting my head, laughing, laughing together.
My face is ugly. No, that’s beside the point.
My body… except for being disgustingly strong. Yeah. It’ll be fine.
No matter how much I force myself here, it’s not my path anyway.
*
I never thought I would adapt so quickly.
“Adaptation, you say. It’s because I love him that I made the choice.”
As I accept the next document, I feel a smile forming.
The more I think about it, the more I realize that only happiness comes out.
Laughter comes naturally, and my head tingles slightly.
I can’t resist it, and I feel an unparalleled joy in the waves of unavoidable emotions.
If he’s by my side, I can enjoy this forever.
Snap. Next document. Next document!
There aren’t many left. Not many left.
Let’s go quickly. Let’s go to him!
Now, I urge myself to go to him even more than before.
Yeah, well. What were the next documents?
…Right. Wasn’t it a schedule for meeting with those who conspired with my fathers for rebellion?
What should I do about this?
To be honest… that’s now –
It’s not necessary. It’s not necessary!
If he becomes a rebel and even fails, he will be in danger.
He will endure all the insults, and he will die with you.
“Well, of course, I should take care of it… Wait. Why are you – just a moment – “
What is it now?
What were you trying to make me do? Rebellion?
“…What is this nonsense?”
Again, trying to push me into such a situation? These… these vile trash?
Calm down, it’s not like that!
From Noble mtl dot com
“No… you… you knew and still tried to involve me in this. I could have been happy enough without doing that, but you are trying to drag me into this now – “
We didn’t expect to end up like this either. I swore I didn’t know you could provide enough to just abandon this plan!
“So, if it wasn’t enough, he tried to use me in a situation where he might die?”
We had to bear the risks no matter what!
“Just… you – “
As a sharp pain struck the back of my head, my breath grew rough.
I felt a surge of strength in my hands, but my mind grew hazy.
This… pathetic… little bird…
Wait, wait! Maybe there’s a better way?
Crack. Just kill those who plotted against me!
Then I can present it to the king, expose the previous lineage and the conspiracy!
Suddenly, a few more crows flew over and blocked my path, hopping around.
And they said… what?
Lepeti’s father is close to the king! If you do something good for the king –
It will be a good thing for Lepeti too!
A good thing for Lepeti?
An opportunity to show a good side to Lepeti’s father?
Then, then I can spend more time with Lepeti –
See him more often, for longer?
Crack. Crack! I want to be with Lepeti longer! I want to spend more time!
Love, love! I want to be closer to him!
Hmm… that’s a good idea.
“So, if I just eliminate those people… what else would I need?”
I’ll need evidence. Evidence that Count Rambert conspired with them!
“Should I go to the study then?”
There must be quite a lot in the safe!
“Then there. Come find it quickly. Crows. And… Aren’t there a few people like that in this mansion?”
Eugene Gaius. A man who served Count Lambert,
And one of the sons who will come to find you!
Yes, then. We can start from there.
*
It wasn’t difficult to catch him.
As soon as he saw me with the crows, he immediately tried to escape.
Did he notice the crows carrying the documents?
But even if he tried to run away, he couldn’t, why didn’t he know?
“Ugh… These damn crows, get away!”
As he fiercely swung his arms, scratching his neck and falling to the ground.
“Ah, go away…!”
In the end, he had to keep being pecked until I stepped into the middle of the corridor where he had collapsed.
The servants and knights avoided eye contact and moved away.
Yes, it’s good that he’s quick-witted.
It would be nice if he understood my intentions a little better…
But wishing for that now, would it be of any use?
“Pl-please. Please stop…”
I slightly lowered my head and looked at him, bleeding and begging me.
Bairado must be injured. Why is one hand clutching his stomach… Oh my!
A hand gripping a sword, cutting through the wind.
He lightly caught it and snapped it in half.
Long time no see. By the way,
The sound of joints being snapped.
“O-owww – “
“I was actually thinking of quitting. Oh my. What’s this? A sword? Eugene. The bell of Viscount Lamber. Nice to meet you.”
I struck his face hard, looking at me with eyes full of life.
Now, once I get a confession, it’ll be over. Confess! With all the evidence, it shouldn’t be difficult, right?
“But I really don’t want to do something like that. I just want to go see him.”
It’ll be over soon. If you break a few fingers like you did, you’ll quickly spill the beans, won’t you?
But the problem is, will he like me for doing this?
Will he like someone who hurts and kills others?
He is a gentle person. It’s obvious that he wouldn’t enjoy harming others.
Moreover, after defeating all those knights, his gaze is still kind.
If I receive that kind of treatment again, I probably won’t be able to endure it.
Then what should I do? What should I do?
In that case, I’ll imprison him and hand him over to the Kingdom Investigation Team, keeping him alive!
Since there’s evidence anyway, all we need is punishment.
So… Yes. The underground prison. I’ll put this guy in there, call the construction workers, and go meet Lepti.
Then it’s settled. Yes.
“…Kill, kill…”
Eugene, with a face covered in blood, looks at me and utters wicked words.
Even with a disheveled face, there is no emotion whatsoever.
I watched as I struck his chin with a strong punch, causing his neck to twist.
“Well then… I’ll call the knights to take care of it. There won’t be any fools who are unaware of the crows watching.”
The problem is being solved too easily. With the crows in my hands, everything goes too smoothly.
Perhaps I’m dreaming, I wonder.
But his warmth is as real as can be, so everything must be true.
Ah… but my hands are stained with blood.
Where could the maid be…
I should ask for a towel or something.
I can’t meet him while being dirty.