I’m Trying to End This Possession Chapter 264

“Looks like you can’t live without a man.”

 

“…”

 

“Is a man really that important to you? Important enough that, with that fragile health of yours, you’d throw your life away for one?” Tilting this head slightly, Rumie jerked his chin toward her. “Answer me, Danaena.”

 

She… couldn’t answer. The pain that pierced deep into her chest lingered for a long time. Perhaps it was because Rumie had been such a kind older brother all this time. Because he had been the one who gently embraced her and said he would make her happy if she returned to the empire with him.

 

But Dana knew. She already knew from her days as ‘Danae Windsor.’ Rumie was originally the sort of person who could freely shift between extreme warmth and extreme cold. He could be endlessly kind, then become cruel in an instant. And now, it seemed he had decided he would no longer be kind to her.

 

“Yes. I suppose you finally noticed.” Having barely regained her composure, Dana replied calmly. “I guess I really am that kind of woman.”

 

“What?”

 

“I’m sorry. It seems your little sister is the type of woman who can’t survive even a single day without a man.” She answered deliberately, sarcastically, like an adolescent girl rebelling against her parents. In a way, she thought this might be for the best.

 

Recovering so many memories this time had made Dana realize something. Rumie must never become entangled with her. To him, she was a poisoned apple. The moment he desired her, he was always ruined. So she hoped that this would finally make Rumie thoroughly sick of her.

 

“You call that an answer?”

 

“Yes. And you know better than anyone that I’m not exaggerating.” Dana carefully chose only words that would grate on his nerves. “So please let me go to Eldiva Island and find out whether it’s really my late husband’s spirit.”

 

“My answer hasn’t changed.”

 

“Then I’ll run away from home if I have to.”

 

Rumie found her open defiance amusing and sneered. “And if you run away? Are you planning to swim across the sea?”

 

“I can’t swim. But most sailors are men, aren’t they? If I ask for a ride, I’m sure at least one of them will gladly take me.”

 

“Nothing in this world is free. How do you know what kind of payment that sailor will demand in return?”

 

“I don’t care. To see my husband again, I’d gladly offer up this body.”

 

“Offer up your body?” At those words, a trace of anger finally flickered through Rumie’s eyes, which had remained calm the entire time. “Danaena Rolland. Are you threatening me right now?”

 

“I’m not threatening you. I mean it.”

 

“You seriously mean that you’ll throw your body away so carelessly?” Veins stood out on the back of the hand resting on the desk. Slowly, he asked, “Is that something you should be saying in front of your brother?”

 

“You called me a crazy woman obsessed with men. Is that something you should say to your younger sister?”

 

“…I didn’t go that far.”

 

“That’s basically what you said!”

 

Their voices rose, and just as the argument was about to escalate…

 

“Wait!”

 

The door flew open, and Ingria rushed inside. The heated atmosphere immediately cooled.

 

“I’m sorry… I heard everything.”

 

For some reason, Ingria’s eyes shimmered with deep emotion.

 

“Rumie, let Danaena go to Eldiva Island!” Grabbing Dana’s shoulders, Ingria cried out, “I’ll go with her! And if you refuse to let her go, then I’ll… yes, I’ll run away too!”

 

What is wrong with this woman all of a sudden? Dana was bewildered by Ingria’s unexpected and passionate support.

 

“Rumie, you can’t stop Danaena anyway. She’s blinded by love right now. She’ll go to Eldiva Island no matter what hardships, obstacles, or difficulties stand in her way.”

 

“…Ingria.”

 

“She wants to meet the spirit of her dead husband! Just imagine how much she must miss her old love. If I were Danaena, I’d run away too just to see him.”

 

“…”

 

“Please let her go. If you’re worried about her, I’ll stay by her side and take good care of her.”

 

Looking troubled, Rumie rubbed the space between his brows. “You’re going to take care of Danaena?”

 

“Yes. Danaena is still young, so we can’t send her alone.”

 

“…”

 

“Um… and…” Ingria hesitated and blushed. “As you know, my twin siblings are spending their vacation there. Eldiva is a favorite resort destination for the Lucile royal family… Of course, I’m not saying I disagree with your concerns about danger there.”

 

Perhaps because the words came from his wife, Rumie listened seriously. “Alright. If that’s what you think, then that’s what we’ll do.”

 

“Re-Really?”

 

“Yes. But I can’t send you alone, so I’ll come as well.”

 

“N-No! You’re busy acting as head of the family right now…”

 

“I cannot send you alone.”

 

Dana was dumbfounded. To think Rumie had surrendered so easily after hearing a few absurd remarks from his wife. And he was even going with them himself… He’s totally whipped for his wife. Just as expected. She had always thought Rumie would become the devoted husband type.

 

Dana smiled bitterly. It was a good thing. If their marriage was happy, then that was good for Rumie. Rumie needed to be happy. He needed to live a life unrelated to her and find happiness no matter what. That conviction had not changed. Yet she could not stop the ache spreading through a corner of her heart. It’s for Rumie’s sake.

 

Perhaps recovering the memories of her life as Danae Geranze only made the bitterness stronger, made it hurt more. Because Rumie was the only one who had always been on her side, in every life.

 

* * *

Crash!

 

“What did you just say?”

 

The glass Sandra had dropped shattered into pieces.

 

“Rumie, that Rumie has arrived?” The moment she heard that Rumie had arrived on Eldiva Island, Sandra let out a shriek. “Throw him out!” She was so shocked that she lost all reason. The alcohol and drugs she had been indulging in for days had not completely worn off yet either.

 

“Calm down, Sandra.”

 

“Throw him out immediately!”

 

“Sandra.”

 

“Wasn’t Danaena supposed to come alone? Why is Rumie here! That brat absolutely hates Eldiva Island!”

 

“Yes, Rumie’s arrival is unexpected, but he’s already here, so calm down first—”

 

“What if Rumie finds out!” Sandra screamed hysterically as she tore at her hair. “What if he finds out that his biological father is on this island right now!”

 

Slap! Anton’s large hand struck Sandra across the face. Only after collapsing onto the floor did Sandra finally realize her mistake.

 

“Watch your mouth, Sandra.”

 

“…”

 

“Do you not realize there are ears in this room?”

 

Indeed, the messenger who had delivered the news was still present.

 

“My daughter is always causing trouble.” Sighing, Anton placed a cigar between his lips. Then he tilted his head toward the messenger. “What was your name again?”

 

“Ma-Mason, Your Grace.”

 

The messenger’s face had gone deathly pale. He, too, realized he had just overheard something he absolutely shouldn’t have.

 

“Right. Mason, how many years have you worked under me?”

 

“I-It will be two years soon.”

 

“Two years. Not quite long enough to build trust between us.”

 

“Y-Your Grace.”

 

“I’m sorry about this.”

 

“Your grace! I didn’t hear anything! No, I won’t tell anyone!”

 

“I’ll make sure your family is generously compensated.”

 

“Y-Your Grace, please!”

 

Bang! A sharp gunshot rang out. The messenger collapsed without even managing to scream.

 

“You got a promising young man killed because of your loose tongue, Sandra.” Clicking his tongue, Anton returned the pistol to his belt. “Be careful what you say from now on. The fact that Rumie’s biological father is currently on Eldiva Island is a secret among secrets.”