After Failing To Conquer the Proud Girl She Ended Up Pursuing Me Instead

20 – 20. A New Beginning.

The outing in the city was a somewhat enlightening time. I caught a glimpse of Frederick Gale’s life and the people within the territory, and heard stories about how to become a good leader.

At least it helped me clear my dark thoughts, even if it wouldn’t necessarily aid my strategy in conquering this story.

Frederick, with his soothing voice that made me feel at ease just by listening, would often squeeze my shoulder or hold my hand, causing my eyes to well up with tears.

“I didn’t expect the day I would have to let you go from my embrace to come so soon. I didn’t expect it to come so soon…”

I couldn’t help but embrace him silently. Even if he was a fake son, his emotions towards his son were so warm.

Frederick informed me that he would talk to Count Lamber again.

Dressed comfortably, I had to think about many things.

…What do I need to do to avoid ‘failure’? How should I connect with her so that Count Lamber will accept me?

If Count Lamber decides to kill me, how can I avoid that?

And, will she still remember this time?

Since this game has become so complicated, she must have also regressed with me, but I have no intention of revealing that from this side.

I can’t even imagine how she would react if she found out.

It would be better to move slowly, observing her reactions.

It’s not good to rush in blindly and have her run wild again, getting me kicked out by Count Lamber.

For now, let’s aim to safely get married to her. Safely, that is.

There’s no room for mistakes. I don’t know much about them, and I’m not even sure of the route I’m taking.

In the rushing currents, all I can do is tightly wrap my head and pray not to get too hurt.

By the way, what is she doing right now?

“…I’m back.”

Without any emotions, she bowed her head and offered a ceremonial greeting.

“Did everything go smoothly with the job?”

“…Yes. It ended without any issues.”

“I see. It seems that way. You can rest until the next assignment.”

I want to draw my sword from my waist and slash his throat right now. I want to cut his body multiple times right now.

You don’t have to hold back. We’ll take care of everything.

Get rid of all the unnecessary and potentially dangerous things, if there are any.

The darkness was diligently devouring the boiling emotions in the depths of my heart.

With that, I was able to face him calmly, just like I used to.

While the darkness continued to devour my emotions from within, I walked towards my room.

Suddenly, I arrived in front of a strangely familiar room.

…Ah, this is the room he will use.

Just as I was about to touch the doorknob, the door suddenly opened.

Could it be that he has already arrived?

“Oh…! Miss?”

But contrary to my expectations, there was a servant in front of the door.

He looked extremely surprised, but I just stood there nonchalantly.

“It seems like I mistook the room.”

“Oh, yes… Well, then, excuse me.”

After he closed the door and performed a bow, I watched as he walked away, then turned around.

He really came back. During the time he was gone.

When will he arrive?

After I finish my second journey, I will be able to meet him once he arrives at the mansion first.

I want to refuse that. On the day he comes, I want to wait for him at the front gate.

I want to hold his hand and walk together into the mansion, and I want to embrace him.

I want to have tea with him, look into his eyes as he tells me stories.

I wish my heart would beat again…!

But my heart does not beat. Even now, the crows are swallowing up my emotions one by one.

Hold on until the necessary moment. Deceive and hide your emotions.

But it doesn’t seem possible, so let’s let the hammer swallow us instead.

The same goes for the piano.

Why must I deceive and hide my emotions? Why can’t I freely let my heart beat, my face flush, and a smile appear on my lips?

Why was I born as the daughter of Rambert Melvus?

If I were just an ordinary woman, and if the person who became my father were a better person, would I have been happy?

…But I don’t feel any tears or the despair of a sinking heart.

I simply untie my sword and sit quietly on the bed, lost in countless thoughts.

…Does he still remember? Does he remember every moment we spent together?

The necklace. The necklace he gave me. It’s gone now…

If I were to be with him again, would he give it to me as a gift again? If we walk through the city together again, eat food together, and kiss each other, will he go back to that place and give me the necklace again?

But I guess all these thoughts are pointless. If he dies, if I lose him again, I…

So I have to endure. I can’t give up until everything falls into place.

…Tell me how to take his place. What happens after I kill him.

Count Rambert is connected to three families. Hariman, North, and Gaibus.

Those three will be cautious of you if you inherit his position.

Whether you know their plans, whether you will help them, and how much power and strategy you have.

Join them and rise to the king’s throne. If you satisfy our hunger, I will help you make him yours.

But I’m fine as I am, why do I have to become the king?

Are these crows deceiving me? Using me?

You have already surpassed death once. If you die, we will starve again…

That’s why you can’t die. If you become the king and have a position that no one can surpass, even that person won’t be able to refuse you.

No one can touch you. No one.

But the whisper is so sweet.

The dream of him being completely by my side is so sweet.

Is it really right that I can only follow those words?

…If only I could honestly confess to him.

If he tells me his secret and helps me, it would be nice.

But if he does that, he will be afraid of me, right?

With trembling hands and eyes, he will run away from me, won’t he?

I hate it.

Oh, please. Why did it have to turn out like this?

Why does the simple wish to be by his side have to go through such complicated things?

Listening to the whispers of crows, I tightly held… and let go of the handle of the sword…

No matter how difficult it is, I will succeed. No matter what challenges there may be.

As the sun sets and the outside grows darker, I saw the blade losing its light.

…How wonderful it would be if Lepti could be by my side as soon as possible.

*

The rule of taking the head of the family through a rightful duel, whether it be the father or between siblings.

If one can seize that position through martial arts and strategy, the headship of the family is automatically passed on to the winner.

That is the rule of Melbus.

But the problem lies with the three families involved in Melbus’s plan.

It’s another matter whether they will acknowledge it.

So, you have to kill him.

Eliminate his plan and prove that you can take his position.

However, killing the head of the family must be done in an instant.

The moment you resolve to kill him, he will notice.

That your abilities have disappeared, that we have marked the next successor without his knowledge.

And then… you will accept his plan, and all his knowledge will be yours.

Then everything will flow on its own.

Entering his room with a sword in hand, he listened to the incessant whispering.

…Having heard their plans with these two ears for an entire night, he believed it wouldn’t be difficult.

It only takes a moment. Just one moment.

“…Did you forget the rule to leave your weapons outside?”

Filled with relentless hatred, disgust, and vengeance, he stood before him.

“Well, it’s done. The next place you should go is…”

Now.

In that moment our eyes met, I didn’t miss it.

His expression twisted in an instant, and his eyes widened.

Facing that contemplative face, I watched as the red blood sprayed from his neck.

Feeling every moment when my heart raced like crazy.

“H-how…ugh…”

His face contorted. Desperately clutching his throat and rolling on the ground, I engraved his appearance in my eyes.

Reaching out my arm desperately, I deeply stabbed the sword into his back as he tried to distance himself from me.

I never expected the person who tormented me to die so easily.

Even after killing him, I couldn’t feel a thing. Why is that?

Ah, of course, he was truly weak when it came to powerlessness.

It’s hard to understand how many people were deceived and how many things we accomplished with our strength.

Now, before the last trace of his soul leaves his dying eyes, capture it with your own two eyes.

You must continue. The dark secrets and plans, you see.

If you do that, he will be yours.

… And everything you will take with you…

In the end, I pulled the sword out of his back and looked into his cooling eyes.

My mind became complicated and dizzy, but –

I could still endure it.

If he promised to be by my side,

I could still endure it.