Chapter 55 - Volume 2 (1/2)

She continues her words, full of smiles. My shoulders can’t help but shake with a start.

‘So that’s what happened.’ I can’t find any words to say. Although I’d somehow been able to guess that with all the events leading up to this, but guessing it in your heart really is different from the person themselves clearly telling you about it.

I finally realize that the innocent light in Lunamerie’s eyes is filled with killing intent. Like a child about to kill a bug for fun, that innocent murderous look is much more terrifying than simply wanting to kill out of hatred.

「Sir Celves won’t disobey me. It’s always been like that since we met, and it’s always going to be like that. Because my family ranks higher than the Ronein family, moreover, he’s the third son and it’s been decided that he’s going to enter my family as my husband. So even though he’s been taken into the knights’ custody, he won’t reveal my name or my involvement in any of this. He would never do something that would destroy both of our families’ reputations.」

Lunamerie speaks of it like it’s just some idle gossip, but her words are actually far too much. If what she’s saying is right, I feel even more sorry for Sir Celves.

My face pale, I don’t say anything. In contrast to me, the girl in front of me keeps talking like she’s singing a song. Just like a heroine in a play. A beautiful maiden, singing, the faint light from the window above as her spotlight. Smiling without even realizing just what cruel things she’s saying.

「Besides, it seemed like he didn’t like Sir Edi very much, not because of social status or anything. They somehow just didn’t get along. So it was just the perfect opportunity to kill you. I told Sir Celves your name and did all the preparation. The rest is history…」

Then, Lunamerie sighs again, this time sounding really disappointed.

「In the end, the curse was a failure, and you managed to survive despite your serious wounds. You’re really so obstinate.」

「Ah……」

My lips move as if to say something, but in the end they close without saying anything. Lunamerie looks really amazed at how idiotic I look. It’s so strange, I can’t bear it. How can she say these terrifying, cruel things with that smile so innocent that it looks like she couldn’t even harm any living thing, let alone kill one? I don’t understand it, and my spine grows cold.

Even if I try to move back I can’t, still lying on the stone floor. All that does is make my pain grow worse and makes the situation worse too.

「Lady Filmina, are you alright? Those wounds still haven’t healed, right?」

She doesn’t say that like she’s shamelessly lying, she says that like she’s genuinely asking out of worry. It really is far too wicked. I can’t do anything but bite my lips and endure the pain. In front of me, Lunamerie sits without worrying about her high-quality dress getting dirty, gently caressing my cheek anxiously.

「Sir Celves has been so cruel, hasn’t he? It would’ve been more merciful to kill you instantly.」

「—! What… are you… saying… when you’re the one that… ordered him… to cast a curse…?」

「It’s just like I said. I chose a rather roundabout way to do it, if I do say so myself. It was just so no one could figure out who did it, but if I knew this was how it’d turn out, I would’ve used my shadows from the beginning.」

Nodding deeply to my words, Lunamerie stood up without her clothes even rustling.

「So that’s why I’m going to stop all these slow, dull things.」

Standing up with her refined gestures, Lunamerie once again looks down at me, tilting her head slightly.

「Hey, Lady Filmina. Do you know what this place is?」

I have no way of knowing that. I just know this isn’t the White Lily Court, and that this is definitely a jail cell of some sort – there’s no other information I could possibly get. Not even waiting for my response, Lunamerie speaks:

「This is one of the villas the Valentine family has all over our kingdom. This is a tower where people of the family that have committed crimes are sealed in. It’s wasteful to use such a thing for the likes of you, so please think of this as an honor.」