I’m Trying to End This Possession Chapter 160

* * *

“Duke Anton Rolland is planning to bestow the position of heir upon Rumie Rolland.”

 

Bang! Raios hit a soaring eagle. He didn’t even glance at the falling carcass as he walked past.

 

“And Duke Rolland is also planning to marry off Rumie Rolland quickly. They’re currently searching for a fiancé, with Princess Ingria of Kingdom Lucile being considered a strong candidate.”

 

Bang! Another eagle fell.

 

Count Cedric continued his report. “Apparently, Princess Ingria is very eager. Rumor has it she’s been in love with Rumie Win—I mean Rumie Rolland, for a long time.”

 

“So what.”

 

Click. Raios reloaded his gun as he spoke, his voice hoarse as if he had been howling for days on end.

 

“It doesn’t matter. Rumie Rolland only wants Danae Windsor.”

 

“Well, there are reports that Rumie Rolland seems to be cooperating with this engagement.” Count Cedric cautiously countered as he followed behind. “It appears there was some discord with Lady Danae Windsor.”

 

Bang!

 

“Reports are suggesting that his transfer to the Rolland family was a kind of rebellion, an attempt to sever ties with Lady Danae Windsor.”

 

“Rebellion?”

 

“Yes. It’s reported that their relationship has seriously deteriorated.”

 

“Is that so?” Raios listened to the report with an unenthused face. Even then, he expected nothing. “There’s no way that scum would change his mind…”

 

Rumie would not let go of Dana. Raios had not a shred of doubt about it.

 

“What about the former emperor?”

 

“Still the same, Your Highness”

 

It meant he was still struggling. Well, they had promised to release him after the holy trial, but he was still in confinement.

 

“If only he had stayed quietly.” Murmuring, Raios narrowed his eyes, aiming through the scope. Through the round glass, the tall tower to the west was visible. He aimed his rifle at an eagle flying near the tower and pulled the trigger. Bang! The gunfire continued. Until every bird near the tower was gone, patiently, for a very long time.

 

Raios was never one to give up easily.

 

* * *

After several days of vassal meetings, the decision to dismiss Carl Windsor from his position as deputy head was made.

 

“Congratulations, Lady Windsor.” A vassal of the Windsor, Viscount Manus, brought her a bouquet.

 

“What are you congratulating me for?”

 

“You’ll find out soon enough.” He added with a pleased smile. “Go to His Grace. He’s calling for you.”

 

Dana realized. That she had already been decided as the next deputy lord. Things are moving so quickly. The proceedings were going smoother than she had thought, almost unsettlingly ideal.

 

A moment later, upon arriving at Viego’s office, he nodded towards a chair as soon as he saw her.

 

“Sit.”

 

Then, he immediately handed her a document.

 

“If you agree, sign here.”

 

Dana looked at the document. It was densely written with the rights, duties, and responsibilities of a deputy head of the Windsor family.

 

Dana felt strange about it. She had really come this far. And finally, she had made it here.

 

“Of course, I agree.” Dana smiled gently, picking up the fountain pen. “Is this alright with you, Brother?”

 

Almost at the brink of fruition, Dana felt exceptionally good for the first time in a long while. Hence, she could even make such a trivial joke.

 

Dana asked with a smirk. “So, am I now becoming your life partner, Brother?”

 

“…”

 

Ah. Damn. But Dana immediately regretted it. I should’ve kept my mouth shut. Too carried away, she forgot for a moment that Viego was not the type for jokes.

 

Viego stared at her intently, his gaze solemn, making Dana uneasy.

 

“I’m sorry. It was a joke, Brother.”

 

“A joke?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Why make one?”

 

“…”

 

Really, she felt sorry. Dana swallowed her grumbles.

 

This is the end with this man. Dana felt relieved as she signed her name at the bottom of the document.

 

“Brother, I heard that the deputy head is given a deputy head’s ring.”

 

“There will be a succession ceremony in a few days.”

 

A succession ceremony. Her heart already fluttered by that. By then, she would finally acquire that holy relic.

 

“You may go now.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Dana stood up and turned around. As she closed the door behind her, she saw a man walking down the corridor.

 

“Ah.”

 

It was Ignis.

 

“Lord Ig—”

 

Before she could finish calling out, Ignis passed by her. She trailed off and looked back. His pace was so brisk. Ignis was already walking far away.

 

Why is he ignoring me?

 

Since that day, after recovering from his injuries, Ignis had not acknowledged her. It was difficult enough to meet him, and on the rare occasions when they did cross paths, he would not even acknowledge her presence and would simply walk past.

 

Is he angry with me?

 

For Dana, who needed to get Ignis’s signature to annul his disownment, this was problematic.

 

I’ll be leaving soon. But that wasn’t all. Ignis weighed heavily on her mind. After all, he was the only man who had had a deep relationship with her body…

 

“Compensate?”

 

At that moment, Rumie’s voice crossed her mind.

 

“You should show some sincerity, Dana.”

 

Dana stopped in her tracks, looking down at the floor. Her heart was in turmoil.

 

Who received the bigger wound that day? Surely, it was Rumie. The sight of him hastily leaving through the window, his back torn to shreds like a rag, stayed with her.

 

That incident completely ruined their relationship. Dana knew then that Rumie must hate her.

 

It’s fine. Everything would all be forgotten. Just like the wounds Raios gave her became a thing of the past, Rumie would be fine eventually. So that was enough.

 

Dana calmed the tumultuous feelings that had surged within her for a moment. Then, as she turned to the corner, she stopped. It was because a man was trudging towards her…

 

“Uncle?”

 

It was Carl Windsor.

 

“Uncle? Are you alright?”

 

Carl looked gloomy even from a distance. His already pale face was ashen, and his green eyes were glistening with moisture.

 

“Yeah. I’m fine.”

 

“…”

 

He was like a rain-soaked puppy… No, not quite.

 

Dana quickly regained her composure. She mustn’t fall for that pretty shell that instinctively invoked a protective instinct. Rather, he deserved this. He must be feeling down. She put on a concerned expression.

 

“Uncle, are you feeling better now?”

 

“I’m fine,” Carl answered weakly. “Were you worried?”

 

“Of course. I couldn’t sleep because I was worried when Uncle was sick. I couldn’t think of anything.”

 

Of course, that was a lie. Feeling good, she could talk freely. Just then, as if mulling over her words, Carl suddenly clutched his head and staggered.

 

“Ah, so dizzy.”

 

Dana caught him by surprise. “Uncle? Are you alright?”

 

“Sorry. I’m still feeling the aftereffect from being bedridden a few days ago…” Carl leaned on her, sighing. “Could you help me to Viego’s office if it’s not too much trouble?”

 

“Of course. Lean on me right away.”

 

Though saying that, the height difference was so significant that it was unclear if she was supporting him properly. Dana wrapped Carl’s arm around her shoulder and encircled his waist with her arm, but it felt like she was merely hanging onto him like a koala.

 

Is this right? Nonetheless, she managed to support him all the way to Viego’s office, resembling a cicada moving a tree.

 

“Thank you. I owe you one.”

 

“Uncle, are you really okay?”

 

“Yeah. Let’s talk later, Dana.” His slumped shoulders looked so devoid of energy.

 

Dana watched Carl enter the office, his back filled with sorrow and loss.

 

* * *

“You’re here, Uncle.”

 

“Yes, Viego.”

 

“Please, have a seat.”

 

Carl sat opposite Viego, who, just as he had with Dana, extended a document to Carl.

 

“This is the document to relinquish your authority as deputy head. Please sign.”

 

Carl held the fountain pen with a sullen expression. “It pains me…” He murmured, but his hand signing the document did not hesitate.

 

“What will you do now? I’m curious about your future plans, Uncle.”

 

“Well…” Carl dragged out his words before smiling weakly. “I’m at a loss. I’ve dreamed of living as the deputy head my whole life, but my life plans have gone awry in an instant. Now, what am I supposed to do…”

 

Listening in silence, Viego tilted his head. “Should I return it to you?”

 

“Huh?”

 

“If you wish, I’ll take responsibility and restore your position as the deputy head.”

 

Carl did not respond. He just looked at Viego intently.

 

Viego did not stop but continued speaking. “Uncle, you knew the Retillan mine was tainted, didn’t you?”

 

It wasn’t a question. It was a statement made with a knowing look.

 

But Carl shook his head. “How could that be? I had no idea.”

 

“Luster Glovi,” Viego whispered softly. “The mining expert you first accompanied to the mine, who reported that there was a slim but present chance that the Retillan mine was tainted, a report you dismissed and concealed within half a day. You proceeded as if you had never heard such a report.”

 

“…”

 

“Thanks to that, you were able to attract numerous investors.”

 

Carl eventually cracked a smile at the mechanically delivered words. His eyes were clear by then. The artificially induced gloom, sorrow, and pain had vanished as if washed away.

 

“That was supposed to be a secret between Glovi and me.”

 

“A bit of coercion was involved in obtaining that information.”

 

“You tortured Glovi to find out?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Aah. As expected of Windsor, so cruel. It’s a cruel method Dana wouldn’t even dream of. Viego, this is why I despise Windsor.”

 

“Uncle must have silenced Glovi with torture as well. And Dana is also a Windsor.”

 

“That’s why I’ve always thought Dana doesn’t fit in with the Windsor. Isn’t she too cute to carry the Windsor name?” Carl smiled gently. “Don’t tell Dana that I knew the mine was tainted.”

 

“Why not?”

 

“Because Dana wouldn’t want to know that I knew.”

 

Carl knew. It was because he had always watched over Dana and kept an eye on her. Not only when she was in front of him but also when she was out of sight. He knew about every strange thread coming out of her room. That Rumie had visited late one night a few days ago. He knew everything.

 

That’s why Carl knew that for the past year, all of her actions were leading her towards the position of the deputy head, and that she desperately wanted to become the deputy head. How much did she wish for it to hand him a tainted mine as a trap?

 

That’s why Carl wanted to give something to Dana. It was a feeling similar to when he had brought her precious jewels and beautiful dresses before. But this time, the gift was his downfall.