I’m Trying to End This Possession Chapter 155

“The door is locked!”

 

Thump, thump, thump! Dana pounded on the door, shouting.

 

“Lord Ignis, please open the door!”

 

At that moment, the grip on Ignis’s throat, which had been strangling him like a demon, suddenly loosened.

 

“Lord Ignis?”

 

It was absurd. Even with his wrist bones crushed, the assailant had clung on tenaciously, only to let go as soon as he heard a woman’s voice, like a puppet with its strings cut.

 

Finally able to breathe, Ignis gasped for air. He threw off the pillow that had been pressing on his face and sat up. He quickly looked around, but there was no one else in the room. The assailant was nowhere to be seen. The room was empty, with only the window wide open.

 

Ignis hurried to the window. He looked down, but as expected, there was no one there either.

 

“Lord Ignis?”

 

The intruder had fled in a flash. A man with such incredible strength had fled just because a woman showed up.

 

Clutching his bleeding abdomen, Ignis walked toward the door. As soon as he flung it open, Dana shrieked in surprise.

 

“Kyaa! Lord Ignis!”

 

“Yes. I’m here.”

 

“What happened?!”

 

“I was attacked.”

 

Damn it. Ignis grimaced. His stomach felt like it was burning. Slumping down, he let out a low sigh.

 

Dana’s face turned pale. “B-Blood…”

 

He was losing a lot of blood rapidly as if he had been struck in a vital spot. Maybe that’s why his eyelids felt heavy, and he thought he might lose consciousness.

 

“Wait! I’ll go get a doctor!”

 

No, don’t go. Just stay here. He wanted to say that, but he felt childish for thinking it, so he held back.

 

Through his blurry vision, he saw Dana rushing out. Ignis exhaled his heated breath as he closed his eyes. He probably wouldn’t die since he has a better recovery rate than others.

 

“So, your memory really has returned, hasn’t it?”

 

But who was that guy?

 

“Why are you using a sweet, innocent girl for your revenge? Hmm?”

 

Revenge? What did that mean? Why did that man think he was out for revenge against Windsors? Did he have a reason to hold a grudge against the Windsors before he lost his memory?

 

Ignis didn’t know. But there was one thing he understood clearly.

 

“That’s why you seduced that innocent girl, isn’t it? Isn’t that it? Right?”

 

This injury was the price for what happened last night.

 

* * *

Later that evening, Dana brought the unconscious Ignis back to the Windsor estate. Fortunately, Ignis’s life was not in danger. It was a wound that could have easily been fatal, but—unsurprisingly—his recovery ability was beyond ordinary.

 

Thank goodness he’s okay. She glanced at Ignis’s sleeping face on the bed, then turned away. “Lord Ignis is really going to be alright, isn’t he?”

 

“Yes, don’t worry. He’ll be fully recovered by tomorrow.” The doctor, who had served the Windsor family for 30 years, gave a confident diagnosis. He then muttered to himself. “It’s strange. Lord Carl also fell ill as soon as he returned to the estate…”

 

“Uncle Carl?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Carl is sick? That man? He seemed perfectly fine when she saw him this morning. Besides—The assailant who attacked Ignis was probably him. Why would he fall ill after stabbing someone?

 

According to Ignis, Carl ran away immediately, so he shouldn’t have been injured badly enough to be bedridden. Annoyed, Dana put on a very concerned expression.

 

“He’s bedridden? Why? What’s wrong with him? Is he seriously injured?”

 

“Ah, he does have a wrist injury, but it’s nothing serious. He has excellent healing abilities, but…” The doctor cleared his throat and spoke cautiously. “It seems he has some kind of internal illness.”

 

An internal illness? What kind of internal illness?

 

“It’s not certain, but we suspect it might be related to the recent Retillan mine incident. He must be greatly distressed.”

 

“Ah.”

 

“His fever is quite high, which is concerning. Lord Carl has never had a fever like this before…”

 

Judging by the doctor’s attitude, it didn’t seem like he was faking it.

 

A severe fever? And an internal illness, no less. Well, it makes sense. That greedy man is at risk of losing his position. The stress must have built up over time and finally made him ill.

 

“I’m worried. Please take good care of him.”

 

“Of course, don’t worry.”

 

As soon as the doctor left, her secretary came in.

 

“Milady, I’ve brought you some chamomile tea.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Dana accepted the cup and glanced at her secretary. Lethe was acting completely normal, as usual. He didn’t even ask about her staying out last night. He probably had some idea of what had happened. Lethe was also one of the people who knew the conditions of the annulment.

 

“Milady.” At that moment, Lethe brought up something completely unexpected. “Lord Rumie has been arrested for violating military law.”

 

Dana almost dropped her cup. Rumie, violating military law? Why?

 

“The details aren’t clear yet, but it’s confirmed that he’s currently imprisoned.”

 

“…”

 

“It was on the order of the crown prince.”

 

Dana bit her lip. Why? Why would Rumie violate military law? What did he do?

 

“What about Brother Viego?”

 

“He’s gone to investigate the matter. He hasn’t returned yet.”

 

That made Dana even more anxious. If even Viego had to get involved, it must be serious. What on earth happened?

 

“For now, it would be best to focus on tomorrow’s holy trial.”

 

“…I know.” Dana closed her eyes tightly, then opened them. “Don’t worry, Lethe.”

 

Tomorrow morning is the day. It would be her last chance to annul her engagement. If she missed tomorrow, everything would fall apart. I must annul my engagement tomorrow.

 

There was nothing she could do for Rumie at the moment. It was late at night, and Viego wasn’t there. So,

 

Let’s think about it after I get my annulment tomorrow.

 

Her fate was tied to tomorrow’s holy trial.

 

* * *

Raios was consumed with explosive rage.

 

“I love Brother Rumie.” Dana was saying that so casually. “So please give up now.”

 

“No. I won’t give up, even if it kills me.”

 

“Your Highness. Please stop. I’m begging you.”

 

“You’re so cruel. How can you say that to me?”

 

When he snapped at her, Dana sighed as if she were troubled. “Please stop, Your Highness. If you continue like this, it’ll be difficult for both of us.”

 

Raios, unable to contain his anger, hurled accusations at her. “How could you do this to me? Didn’t you say you loved me? Didn’t you say you’d love only me forever? How can you abandon me like this?”

 

When he shouted like he was on the verge of tears, Dana looked at him with a helpless expression. That look nearly drove Raios mad. It was like she was looking at a younger brother throwing a tantrum—such a pitiful gaze!

 

That’s when it happened.

 

“Your Highness.”

 

A man with a sleek face and silver hair appeared. It was Rumie Rolland.

 

“Please, you must accept this now.” Rumie was also looking at him with pity. “Tomorrow is my wedding with Dana.” Then he stepped closer and took Dana’s hand.

 

Raios hoped Dana would pull away. But instead, Dana intertwined her fingers with Rumie’s. Then she looked at him and smiled shyly. Rumie smiled back at her.

 

There was no doubt. At this moment, Rumie and Dana truly loved each other. There was no denying it. As he perfectly realized that moment, Raios just wanted to drop dead—No, that’s not it. He wanted to kill.

 

“Gasp!”

 

Engulfed by intense murderous intent, Raios woke up. Je shot up from bed, eyes wide open.

 

It was a dream. A nightmare. It wasn’t real.

 

Raios covered his face with his hands and let out a deep sigh.

 

The holy trial was tomorrow. Was it because of anxiety? He’d had a terrible dream.

 

“Your Highness, are you alright?”

 

A soft voice came from beside him. He flinched and turned to look.

 

Allice. There was Allice.

 

“Are you alright?”

 

Raios, staring at her with dark eyes, forced a smile. “I’m fine.”

 

“It seemed like you were having a nightmare…”

 

“Did you stay up again?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Your insomnia is getting worse. Poor thing.” Raios stroked Allice’s cheek and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly. “Allice. Don’t betray me again.”

 

“…I’m sorry.”

 

Allice would never betray him again. No, she couldn’t. Raios had agreed to overlook her affair and her child. In return, Allice had promised to withdraw her testimony. She had even signed a document. He had brought her back to his side.

 

“Remember what I said, Allice,” Raios whispered in her ear. “I’m forgiving you because I love you.” He spoke softly as if hypnotizing her. “Because I love you so much, I’m forgiving you.”

 

Allice, with tears welling up in her eyes, nodded.

 

“Even if you can’t sleep, just close your eyes and rest. I have some work to do.”

 

After kissing her cheek, Raios got out of bed. He moved to the office right next door. Sitting at his desk, he grabbed a cigar with a hand that had been twitching since earlier. Soon, he began to feel calmer.

 

He should have smoked one before going to bed. That was a horrible nightmare. Raios slowly exhaled cigar smoke and leaned back in his chair.

 

Rumie Windsor was in prison. He wouldn’t try to escape since his subordinates’ lives were at stake. Though I won’t be able to hold him for long. But at least until the holy trial ends tomorrow, he could keep him locked up. So it was fine. What Raios was worried about wouldn’t happen.

 

Then, there was a knock at the door. It was Count Cedric.

 

“Apologies for the late hour. I have something to report.”

 

“Come in.”

 

The door opened, and Count Cedric entered, his face haggard and tired.

 

Raios clicked his tongue. “Is the former emperor resisting a lot?”

 

“Yes. We’re reaching our limit.”

 

The former Emperor Wilhelm. His father was currently imprisoned. Raios had imprisoned him. He knew his father was planning to testify at the holy trial.

 

“Will you be alright, Your Highness? If word of this gets out…”

 

“It’ll be fine. Just hold out until the trial is over.”

 

At the first trial, he had been too naïve. Like a fool, he had shown up confidently, relying only on his own innocence. I should have prepared more thoroughly.

 

But this time, unlike the first trial, Raios had set up a foolproof safety net. So there would be no annulment. In his life, he wouldn’t be separated from Dana.