I’m Trying to End This Possession Chapter 204

How long did she sob like that? At some point, Dana realized the carriage had stopped. When she weakly lifted her tear-stained face—

 

“Ah.”

 

Dana saw it. The servant sitting across from her was pitch black, rotting away.

 

“…Hey?”

 

There was no response, as if he were dead. No, the servant was already dead.

 

“Hey!”

 

Dana, rigid with fear, shouted. This time to the coachman outside the carriage.

 

“Is everything alright out there?!”

 

There was silence. No sound came in return. Sensing that something was going terribly wrong, Dana’s breath faltered. Her trembling hand reached out and opened the carriage door.

 

In the next moment, the world revealed was all black. The earth, rotten and black. The coachman collapsed upon it. Pitch black, corrupted, a dead body… And standing casually next to the coachman—

 

“Hello, Dana.”

 

A man in black.

 

“Beautiful night, isn’t it?”

 

Just like that, Dana was kidnapped. The culprit was the crown prince, her former lover, and her younger brother.

 

What followed was truly a terrible, horrific time.

 

“Do you like Rumie that much? Hmm? Do you think he loves you more than I do?”

 

No. You don’t love me. This isn’t love.

 

“Tell me, what do you like about Rumie? His handsome face? Or is he just that good in bed?”

 

This is hatred. Now you just hate me.

 

“Why don’t you stop crying? If you miss Rumie so much, I’ll bring you his skinned face.”

 

You b*stard. If you touch Rumie, I won’t forgive you.

 

“Oh, dear. I guess it’s too late for that. I already tossed Rumie’s corpse to the wild beasts.”

 

Ah, Raios. Raios Geranze. How could I have ever loved a man like you, even for a moment? How could I have loved a demon like you…

 

“Milady.”

 

At that moment, a voice called her, and Dana jerked her head up. Suddenly, goosebumps ran over her skin.

 

Pitch-black eyes. Eyes as deep and dark as Raios’s, like an abyss, stared at her.

 

“Are you alright?” Lethe set a teacup down in front of her. “Drink some tea. It will calm you.”

 

“…”

 

“Please, calm yourself.”

 

Dana took a deep breath and sipped the tea. Lethe was right. She needed to calm down. After all, that was in a vanished timeline. It hadn’t happened in this life. Yes, in this life, Rumie didn’t go through such a thing.

 

But Raios… Raios remembers everything. And now Dana knows too, the identities of the arsonists who set fire to the mansion back then. They must have been Raios’s shadows.

 

The fire of that day, the pain of that day, the farewell of that day. It was Raios’s plan. All of it.

 

That b*stard…

 

The only relief is that, even though Raios remembers his repeated lives, he doesn’t know everything. He only knows part of the truth about Daiana Church. He also only knows limited information about Yeon Dana’s body.

 

It seems the Daiana Church didn’t share all their secrets with him. Raios wasn’t even permitted to enter the sanctuary.

 

Raios doesn’t know if I cross the dimensional gate, I’ll be dragged back here. He didn’t know that. That must be why he cried out, begging her not to go when she tried to cross the gate. He didn’t know Dana would return to this world. In other words, Raios is not truly allied with the Daiana Church.

 

But it’s clear they have a kind of partnership. Raios was supplied with the shadows by the Daiana Church. Lethe is the proof of that.

 

Dana spoke with a tired face, “When we return to the empire, keep working as Raios’s spy.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“And do the same for Brother Viego. Act like you’re one of his subordinates too.”

 

“Yes.”

 

He was so obedient.

 

Dana looked up at Lethe and smiled softly. “Well, that shouldn’t be hard for you. You’ve spent your whole life deceiving people, right?” She made a point to sound sarcastic, but Lethe nodded calmly.

 

“Yes, that’s right.”

 

“…”

 

“Is there anything else you need me to do?”

 

No, she didn’t even have the energy to argue anymore.

 

When Dana returned to the empire, she’d be busy. There was much to do. First, during my time with the Rollands, I need to use Sandra as bait.

 

By interrogating Miona, Dana had learned more about Sandra. Sandra really wasn’t an ordinary woman. One of Sandra’s lovers was the same. Who would’ve thought Allice’s biological father would be not only a follower of Daiana Church, but even part of the anti-church leader faction.

 

According to Miona, the anti-church leader faction possessed an artifact that allowed passage to Ice Lake. Dana intended to get her hands on that artifact. If she possessed it, she could go to Ice Lake, where Yeon Dana’s body was sleeping. With that artifact, I don’t need to rely on Viego.

 

Viego had promised that if she bore a child with purification powers, he’d return Yeon Dana’s body to her. But Dana had no intention of trusting that deal completely. Since Viego didn’t even treat her as a human, she couldn’t trust a man like that.

 

If I use Sandra well, I can lure Allice’s biological father and obtain the artifact.

 

Dana had to leave before Raios realized. Before Raios gathered all the information and got in her way. That damn Raios Geranze.

 

As long as Dana remained in this world, Raios would never let her go. In her hazy recollection of repeated lives, he had never let her go, not even once. Who knows? Maybe there are even more lives she couldn’t remember, and Raios might have followed her in all of them too…

 

Now, Dana wanted to break free from him. Let’s avoid Raios as much as possible.

 

But contrary to her wishes, the moment of their reunion arrived all too soon.

 

* * *

“Welcome to the Empire, Lady Rolland.” As soon as she arrived at the port, Count Cedric greeted her. “His Majesty himself wishes to escort you to the Rolland mansion.”

 

Raios was waiting for her, inside that huge black carriage.

 

“Let’s go, Lady.”

 

“…”

 

Dana’s face went pale. Was she crazy to go there?

 

“I’m sorry, but—” Before she could voice her refusal, Rumie’s voice rang out. “My sister is not yet accustomed to imperial etiquette.”

 

Dana spun around. Did he read her reluctance on her face? Rumie was boldly speaking for her.

 

“I worry she might offend His Majesty. She’ll pay her respects properly at a later date.”

 

“Lady Rolland, are you refusing His Majesty’s kindness right now?”

 

“I’ll explain to His Majesty myself.”

 

He’ll go by himself? Dana desperately grabbed Rumie’s arm. “Brother Rumie.”

 

Raios is jealous of Rumie. He had almost a mental illness that goes beyond more obsession. That’s why she couldn’t send Rumie to a madman like that. She’d rather meet Raios herself!

 

“Brother, I’ll be fine—”

 

“Dana, stay here.”

 

But Rumie firmly cut her off and turned away, walking off with Count Cedric before she could stop him. A scream rose to her lips. She nearly ran after him and grabbed his arm.

 

No.

 

Dana barely held herself back. That would backfire. Her attempt to protect Rumie might only provoke Raios further. A demon who could, at any time, corrupt this world and drag it into destruction…

 

It’s okay. It’ll be fine. Raios is hiding his corrupting power. He won’t use it now.

 

How much time passed like that? Five minutes felt like five years, and soon after, Rumie came out of the carriage. At the same time, Raios’s black carriage departed.

 

Ah. Dana let out a sigh of relief. They survived. Rumie wasn’t being corrupted.

 

“You’re back, Brother.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Did His Majesty get angry?”

 

“Not at all.”

 

Really? Raios just left quietly? Not making any trouble at all?

 

“Did His Majesty say anything?”

 

Rumie looked at her silently for a moment, then smiled. “Nothing at all.”

 

It was a lie. Rumie was lying. Dana was sure, and was about to question him further when—

 

“Honey?”

 

A woman’s voice came from beside them.

 

“Rumie!”

 

Dana’s breath stopped for a moment.

 

A woman approached. She was a dazzlingly beautiful woman.

 

“You’re back!” The woman ran up and hugged Rumie tightly.

 

Far from being surprised, Rumie patted her back, as if the embrace was only natural. And with a smile, he said, “How have you been, Wife?”

 

Ah. Mmm… Dana swallowed with difficulty. Suddenly, it felt as if something was choking her.

 

“It’s been almost a month. I missed you so much, Rumie.”

 

“Sorry I’m late.” Rumie’s warm eyes and gentle smile were directed at the woman.

 

For a moment, Dana was dumbfounded. Why is he looking at another woman like that?

 

No. Dana bit down hard on the inside of her mouth. Get a hold of yourself, Yeon Dana. You decided not to do this. You knew, didn’t you? You knew Rumie was married.

 

Rumie is a sincere person. Even if it’s a loveless marriage of convenience, he would fulfill his duty to his wife. So she had expected him to be that gentle. She had expected it…

 

“This is my younger sister, Danaena.”

 

But knowing something in your head and seeing it with your own eyes are worlds apart.

 

“Nice to meet you, Danaena. I’m Ingria Rolland. Please just call me Ingria.”

 

Dana, feeling stunned, took in Rumie and Ingria together. They really were a picture-perfect couple. But Dana smiled. “It’s an honor to meet you. My name is Danaena Rolland.” Fortunately, her smile was smooth and unbroken.

 

It’s fine. It was actually better this way. If Raios saw a scene like this, maybe he’d stop being jealous of Rumie. Besides, she would be leaving this world anyway. Rumie could live here happily with that woman.

 

Dana had too much to do. She needed to use the information she’d gained from the holy land to recover Yeon Dana’s body. Since she would be so busy from now on, it was better to ignore this pain. It’s fine. It doesn’t matter. I don’t care…

 

“If you’re late, I won’t forgive you. You have to come. Promise me.”

 

If only she couldn’t remember, she wouldn’t feel so lonely. But Dana remembered.

 

“I promise.”

 

Their vanished time, and the promise that burned away in the flames.