Chapter 19

Oh, no! My evidence!

‘Which bastard is it...!’

“Long time no see.”

A man trampled Milan, who screamed and collapsed in death throes, and kissed the back of my hand.

A man emitting a sharp atmosphere like a well-trained hound.

“You’re still as beautiful as ever.”

His shining gold eyes showed deep anger.

“For a woman who got married without saying a word to me, you’re still so damn beautiful!”

I was bewildered by his sudden appearance.

“Let go of me, Oscar.”

My return to the past was so sudden that I had completely forgotten about his existence.

‘Right. Oscar was always madly obsessed with me.’

He was the leader of the assassination guild called Spina, which handled all of Cardinale’s dirty laundry, and my fanatical admirer.

I lost my sense of self-worth and dignity hanging on George, but at one point in my life, I was able to make Spina move for my purposes.

‘I used Oscar to help George become emperor.’

If George faked his love while hiding his contempt toward me, Oscar seemed to enjoy being used by me while lusting after me.

‘In short, he’s a perverted bastard.’

Even now, Oscar was smiling brightly while berating me for my hasty marriage to Joseph.

“I missed you, Rita.”

As he got nearer, I stepped back but soon hit the wall, and eventually, I was trapped in his arms like a cornered mouse.

His long shadow gradually shrouded me.

Clang!

A sharp metallic sound rang when Oscar’s dagger and a longsword clashed. Soon, Oscar couldn’t withstand the force, and his dagger dropped to the ground with a loud rattling sound.

“Back away.”

The owner of the dazzling sword was Joseph. He glared at Oscar’s neck effortlessly even when he held a long sword with one hand.

“Before I chop off your head.”

At Joseph’s warning, Oscar raised both hands up as if hoisting the white flag, but Joseph did not lower his sword.

Shiing.

His tumultuous black aura left a long scratch on Oscar’s neck. Oscar always wore clothing that covered his neck, so red blood was staining the torn fabric.

“Damn. You’re putting a sword to my neck before I can introduce myself.”

“I don’t give a damn about your identity.”

Joseph answered sharply to Oscar’s sarcasm. Oscar cupped his bleeding neck with his palm and smirked.

“Are you really not at all curious about my identity?”

Oscar didn’t stop running his mouth as he backed away from me to avoid Joseph’s sword. He kept spewing his poisonous remarks.

“Ah, come to think of it, I heard a rumor that Katan’s Grand Duke is the deposed crown prince who’s already dead.”

Joseph scoffed at Oscar’s ridiculous question.

I looked up at the broad back that was blocking my way. It felt strange to see his sturdy back.

‘Is it because it’s been so long since someone protected me?’

Some small strength returned to my feet, and my heart was filled with warmth. I held Joseph’s sleeve tightly and peeked at Oscar.

“I’m sure my father didn’t order you to start a fight with my husband.”

I frowned and looked over Oscar’s shoulders. If the past hadn’t changed, Oscar would still be my father’s hound...

As expected, a man emerged from the huge clouds of dust without a single smudge on his clothes.

“Rita, are you okay?”

My father, who surely came here to shut Milan’s mouth, stroked my cheek with a pale face.

“I was so surprised to hear that you were trapped in a mine!”

He fussed as he looked around at the remains of monsters buried under the rocks after Joseph had disposed of them all.

“I don’t know what goes on in Milan’s head to commit such a heinous crime.”

My father’s disgusting hand gently swept my cheek. He clicked his tongue as if he was feeling sorry that one of his vassals died sinfully.

Biological experiments using humans were extremely taboo in the empire which was faithful to the Goddess Lorencia. Especially my father who was constantly wary of the Pope.

In the end, he cut the tail himself when he was about to get caught.

“..I’m fine.”

I grabbed his hand and smiled brightly.

“Father!”

He was a bit surprised when I called him rather ardently, but that was all. Roscoe Cardinale was looking over my shoulders, watching Joseph and Oscar still glaring at each other.

“Oscar, don’t be rude to His Highness.”

Oscar pouted as he retrieved his dagger and took a step back. Meanwhile, my father bowed slightly to Joseph as if apologizing for Oscar’s rude behavior.

“I’ve shown you such an unsightly appearance.”

Joseph seemed a little surprised by my father’s sudden arrival, but he quickly regained his composure.

“It’s alright.”

“What brings you to Sirtha?”

“I couldn’t help but worry about my daughter.”

I wanted to laugh at his obvious lie, yet he exaggerated further as if he were wary of Joseph.

“Moreover, I haven’t heard from you at all since you left for Katan.”

Because I don’t know what you will force me to do if you can reach me. Roscoe Cardinale knew best how to exploit my alchemy.

“I’ve been well, so you don’t have to worry.”

Upon answering with a shrug, I escaped my father’s grasp and approached Joseph. He quickly hid me behind him as if he had noticed my uneasiness.

“Hoho. I was worried about marrying off my daughter, but she seems to be on better terms with His Highness than I had feared.”

“....”

“You don’t even let me see my daughter whom I haven’t seen in a long time.”

My father censured Joseph with a friendly smile.

“..Ah.”

Only then did Joseph glance at me and narrow his forehead anxiously.

“Do you want to talk to the count?”

I wanted to say no so badly, but it wasn’t yet the time to show my hostility to my father.

“Yes. Can you leave for a moment?”

When Joseph nodded, my father led him to the secret exit as if he were familiar with this place.

“Your Highness, please go out first.”

Joseph glanced back as he left the mine through the secret exit. He looked concerned, so I had trouble calming down a weird sensation in my stomach.

“What’s going on here?”

When Oscar left, my father began to scold me with his usual sharp tone.

“Why is this stupid wench messing with the family business and making this much fuss!”

“His Highness said he had a business to take care of in Sirtha. I just thought he might do something related to Prince Carlo.”

When I made a reasonable excuse, he soon calmed down.

“Damn. I still have some use of Milan! I shouldn’t have killed him over a wench like you!”

If Joseph weren’t outside, my father would’ve hit me with full force right away.

“You seem to keep forgetting your purpose. You have to persuade him to talk about Carlo’s weaknesses.”

“...”

“Surely, you’re not swayed by him, right?”

Who is it that forced me into this marriage in the first place?

“You don’t have to worry about that. I’m sure you know how much I love Prince George, right?”

“..I know, but..”

When I put up my best smile while confessing my love for George, my father only twitched his lips as if he was speechless.

‘People with strong divine power like George and my father don’t die so easily.’

How can I let those people experience the worst and painful death?

‘Let’s take away their wealth first.’

Now that I understood Katan’s situation, it was time for me to disturb Cardinale. I smiled brightly while facing my father’s oily face.

“Ah, I heard the gold in Sirtha was dry.”

I clapped lightly as if I suddenly remembered.

“Yeah. I’m looking for another investment destination.”

“Then, should I persuade His Highness to buy the Sirtha mine?”

In the Sirtha mina, collapsed due to the monsters, high-purity mana stone was about to be discovered.

I won’t let Cardinale eat such appetizing food.