Chapter 43: Claudia in Danger
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 43: Claudia in Danger
“Are you insane?”
Veronica asked, making no effort to hide her contempt for Cedric.
At her words, Cedric rose, a bizarre, manic laugh escaping his lips.
“No, unfortunately, I haven’t lost my mind just yet.”
“You certainly look the part.”
Wounded as he was, he was far from looking his best. His eyes were sunken and hollow, and his once-brilliant silver hair had grown dull and brittle.
Perhaps due to the potent medicinal herbs he was taking, he was unable to eat properly; his body had become skeletal, making his naturally sharp features appear even more gaunt and irritable.
As a Sword Master with rapid healing abilities, his injuries should have been improving by now, but it seemed his recovery was sluggish after clashing with a fellow Master.
“Veronica, you were the one who held onto me and forced this marriage when I didn't want it. Have you forgotten that?”
“...I do feel sorry about that.”
Veronica nodded readily at the question, which was laced with clear malice.
She had no intention of feigning ignorance regarding her past mistakes. While their marriage had been a blessing to her, she knew it must have been a living hell for him.
However, the Veronica of the present felt more resentment than guilt toward the man who had been forced into an unwanted union because of her.
That was how tragic their marriage had been for both of them.
She was sick of it all. Veronica wanted nothing more than to end this miserable encounter as quickly as possible.
“That’s why I won’t make any demands. In fact, if you want alimony, I’ll match whatever amount you ask for.”
“Ha…”
Cedric let out a hollow laugh at Veronica’s utterly composed words.
His violet eyes pierced through her. Before she knew it, he had closed the distance and was looking down at her.
“I don’t need money. Because I am never, ever going to give you a divorce.”
“My lawyer said there would be room for negotiation if we met in person.”
“Is that what he told you?”
“...”
At his mocking tone, Veronica realized she had been completely played.
Cedric had never intended to divorce her quietly from the start; it seemed he had deliberately instructed the lawyer to lure her here.
It had been a wasted trip. As soon as she realized this, her face contorted, and she immediately turned away.
“Then I’ll see you in court.”
“I wonder. I don’t think that will be necessary.”
“...What is that supposed to mean?”
An ominous feeling washed over her, prompting Veronica to glance back.
Cedric wore a skin-crawling smile as he spoke.
“Didn’t I just tell you? I’m going to make you realize exactly how miserable you’ll be if you leave me.”
“What on earth are you—?”
“Do you still not understand why I lured you all the way out here, my lady?”
“...!”
Veronica’s eyes widened at his words.
Today, the Duke of Winston had concentrated the Knight Order’s forces around Veronica just in case.
Though she had entered the room alone, the elite knights of the order, including Sir Raven, were stationed just beyond that door. It was a necessary precaution, given they might have to face a Sword Master.
‘What about Dia? Who is with her?’
She had heard her father and brother had business at the Imperial Palace. Henrietta was also busy with her work.
Right now, there was likely no one of significant strength by Dia’s side except for Sophia and a few guard knights.
“You, what have you done—!”
“Hahaha!”
As Veronica shouted in agitation, having realized Cedric’s scheme, he burst into a loud, genuine laugh.
Watching those red eyes glare at him with pure hatred, Cedric felt a rush of euphoria.
He liked her like this—far more than when she used to look at him with those eyes full of affection.
A twisted desire began to writhe slowly within Cedric’s chest.
*
Thwack!
Whatever had lunged at me stopped in mid-air, as if blocked by an invisible wall. Simultaneously, I heard Desmond’s voice.
[Master, are you alright?]
‘Ah, that scared me.’
I breathed a sigh of relief as I watched the pitch-black mass crumble before my eyes.
Whatever had suddenly attacked me was radiating blatant malice. If it hadn't been for the demons protecting me, I would have been in serious trouble.
“Dia, are you okay?”
“My lady!”
“Yeah.”
Abel and Sophia, who had rushed over late, called out to me. The guard knight drew his sword, warily watching the thing slumped on the ground.
[That wicked bastard! How dare he target my Master?]
[It’s foul, Master! Stay away!]
Desmond and Bibi shouted, reacting violently. I was starting to get an idea of what that thing was.
‘An Ancient Demon?’
[Indeed! It is a limb controlled by an Ancient Demon!]
‘A limb?’
[I call it a limb, but it is practically a part of the demon itself. You must be careful, Master!]
‘...!’
I had barely avoided the attack thanks to the demons’ help, but it hadn't been destroyed yet. It had merely retreated for a moment.
“Urgh!”
“Sir Knight!”
Sure enough, it began targeting me again. The guard knight who blocked it staggered.
Even if the main forces had followed Veronica, the Duke of Winston would have assigned a skilled knight to guard me.
And yet, even he was struggling to hold back the Ancient Demon’s limb on his own.
“Dia, we have to get away!”
“O-okay.”
Abel grabbed my hand and pulled. I nodded reflexively.
“Ah.”
But my body wouldn't move properly. Perhaps from the shock, the strength left my legs, and I collapsed onto the ground.
Looking up with a startled expression, Abel realized I couldn't move and hurried to crouch down.
“Quick, get on my back!”
“O-okay.”
I nodded and leaned against Abel’s back. I had thought of him as just another child, but his back was surprisingly broad.
Abel ran forward with me on his back. Sophia followed close behind.
“Go to the mansion!”
“Yes!”
There would be servants at the mansion, as well as knights capable of fending off a demon.
The garden where Abel and I had been playing was in a secluded area. It was a vast garden to begin with, and the fact that we had gone deep inside to play hide-and-seek was the problem.
No, perhaps the Ancient Demon had waited for us to be isolated like this. The thought sent a chill down my spine.
“...Nanny?”
Suddenly, Sophia, who had been running beside us, was nowhere to be seen.
I looked back and saw her standing still, staring behind her.
“Nanny!”
I called out to her loudly. I wondered if she was feeling unwell, just like me.
But then I saw a black shadow writhing toward her and realized the guard knight had been defeated.
“Go, quickly!”
“Nanny!”
Sophia, who had pulled out a thin, sharp dagger from somewhere, shouted without even looking back at me.
“Abel, Nanny is—!”
“...We can’t, Dia.”
“But Nanny is in trouble!”
I shouted, my voice rising with emotion. I didn't even know why I was acting this way.
It hadn't been that long since I possessed this body.
But I simply couldn't leave Sophia alone. She was the one who had cared for me like a mother whenever Veronica wasn't around.
Abel grit his teeth and didn't slow down. He intended to leave Sophia behind and head for the mansion. His only priority was protecting me.
‘Desmond! Bibi!’
[Yes!]
[Right here!]
‘...’
I called out to the demons in my mind, intending to act before the Ancient Demon could harm Sophia.
However, if I used my power while being held this closely, Abel might notice. He was still young, but he was a capable individual who could use special abilities himself.
‘But Sophia is more important!’
After a moment’s hesitation, I shook my head and shouted internally.
Just as I was about to give the order to the demons, even at the risk of Abel finding out—
“Purification!”
“...!”
A sudden, brilliant white light blinded me. I squeezed my eyes shut and turned my head away. Abel also skidded to a halt in surprise.
“Ugh.”
“Dia, are you okay?”
“Yeah.”
As the light faded, Abel set me down and asked gently. He scanned our surroundings.
“My lady!”
“Nanny!”
Sophia ran over and pulled me into an embrace. I breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that she was safe.
[Heeek...]
[Aaaah...]
‘You guys, what’s wrong?’
Desmond and Bibi, who had been so full of energy just a moment ago, were now panting and groaning the moment the light erupted. As I wondered what was happening, I realized someone was approaching.
“Um... are you alright?”
“...!”
I looked up and saw a young girl standing a short distance away, checking on Sophia and me.
She was a stranger, yet she looked strangely familiar. I soon realized who she was.
‘Marianne?’
Marianne, the daughter of the original novel’s heroine, stared at me with wide, round eyes.