Chapter 14
14
When she first possessed the body of Danae Winzer and returned to the Winzer mansion from the sanitarium.
For the first six months or so.
She did not reveal that she was a possessor.
She was too terrified, too overwhelmed, and too distracted by the process of adapting to a new world and a new body.
She simply wasn’t in the right frame of mind to speak of it.
However, six months after the possession, once she had gradually adjusted, Dana made a decision.
She decided she had to reveal the truth of her possession.
She felt it was the least she could do out of respect for the people who loved “her"—who loved Danae Winzer.
‘So, I revealed my identity.’
From 그 moment, every relationship was severed.
Between those who accepted her and those who did not.
Viego and Noah were among those who did not accept her.
Dana understood them.
‘It’s only natural. They had treated me as their sister for half a year, only to find out I wasn’t actually their sister.’
Dana accepted it silently.
She considered it the price she had to pay for her deception.
And because she viewed it as her penance, she devoted herself to the Winzer brothers and the Winzer family.
Perhaps that was why she was hesitating at the very end.
Was it really alright to do something that would harm the Winzer family?
Could her heart truly be at peace after doing so?
It was then.
“My Lady.”
The secretary knocked.
“Duke Winzer has returned.”
* * *
Viego Winzer was back. Upon hearing the news, Dana went to find him immediately.
He was at the shooting range, practicing his marksmanship.
‘He just got back, and yet he doesn’t even rest.’
Under the dazzling morning sun, Viego Winzer held a long rifle, aiming at a target.
The sight was so striking that Dana paused involuntarily.
Watching him tilt his head slightly to peer through the scope, Dana found herself wondering.
Is a man like that still elegant even when he shoots someone dead?
Bang.
The sound of the shot rang out in that instant. A bullseye.
“So.”
Click. Viego spoke as he swapped the magazine. His voice was as cold and quiet as a frosty dawn.
“Do you have business with me?”
“…….”
Ah, he’s talking to me.
Since he spoke without even looking at her, it took Dana a beat to realize.
“It’s been a few days, Brother. Where have you been?”
“I see.”
“I have something to tell you.”
“Is it urgent?”
“It’s not exactly urgent, but……”
“Then wait.”
Bang—
Another bullet struck the center of the target.
“As you can see, I’m busy right now.”
Ah. Right. You certainly are busy…….
“It’s not an urgent matter.”
Dana spoke quietly, yet firmly.
“But it is important.”
A moment later, Viego slowly lowered the barrel of his gun. Dana clearly saw the flash of irritation that crossed his face.
‘He finds me a nuisance.’
Sure enough, he pulled out his pocket watch and spoke.
“I suppose I can spare about three minutes.”
Three minutes? That’s truly cold… but even as she thought this, time was ticking away, so Dana quickly got to the point.
I want to break off the engagement with Raios.
She intended to say that, but—
“Brother, by any chance.”
Her tongue moved of its own accord.
“Did you know about the relationship between Alice and Raios?”
She surprised herself the moment the words left her mouth.
She hadn’t intended to ask this. She hadn’t planned it. Why did this question come out first?
But only after asking did she realize.
In truth, this was what she was most curious about.
“Did you know that Alice and Raios were seeing each other behind my back?”
Just one person in the Winzer family. She had hoped that at least one person hadn’t deceived her.
Perhaps a corner of her heart had been wishing for it.
And so.
“Yes.”
And so, she was acting like a fool again.
Even though she had sworn never to be stupid again.
“Of course I knew.”
Even though, in truth, she had already expected that Viego would know.
“I see.”
Dana looked at Viego with hollow eyes.
It felt as if a tide was receding somewhere deep in her heart. Every last trace of expectation, hope, and lingering attachment.
“I see…….”
Everything was being swept away, leaving nothing behind.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Her dry, parched voice sounded like mere debris.
“Alice and Raios were deceiving me. You know that what they did was wrong. How could you just stand by and watch?”
“If you were my sister, of course, I wouldn’t have let you be deceived in such a pathetic manner.”
Viego looked at her as if he were looking at a complete stranger.
“But are you my sister?”
“…….”
“Danae Winzer. I call you by that name, but that doesn’t mean I think of you as my sister.”
Perfect indifference.
A gaze that held not a shred of interest in her misery or her happiness. The face of someone who simply found her bothersome.
Meeting those eyes, an old memory suddenly resurfaced.
Back in the early days when she had first possessed ‘Danae Winzer.’ Back when she hadn’t yet confessed to them that she was a possessor.
“Reach out further, Dana.”
The moment Viego had taught her how to shoot, right here in this very spot.
“You’re doing well.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“I suppose it’s because Brother Viego is such a good teacher.”
“That is also true.”
It had been a very beautiful memory for her.
At least, it had been until this very moment.
Dana felt that memory, which had once sparkled with a kaleidoscope of colors, wither away into black and white.
“……I want to break off my engagement with Raios.”
“Do you think breaking an engagement with the Imperial Family is a simple matter?”
Click. Viego, having reloaded the magazine, replied somewhat irritably.
“Even if you do break the engagement, no decent marriage proposals will come for someone who was once the Crown Prince’s fiancée. Are you really that ignorant?”
“I don’t care. I don’t mind if I never marry.”
“What?”
“I don’t want to get married. And I have no desire to be in a relationship with a man ever again.”
Whether he was angry or simply incredulous, Viego glared at her with a furrowed brow.
“Would you hate it if I said I wanted to live in the Winzer house for the rest of my life?”
“……”
“I want to live in the Winzer family not as someone’s wife, but as Viego Winzer’s sister.”
Just for a little while.
Until I secure the Sacred Artifact.
Until the moment I return to my own world.
She didn’t bother to add those words. Instead, she said something else.
“Regardless, I am…… Danae Winzer. This body, at least, is your sister.”
“…….”
“I will work hard to be of use to the Winzer family.”
Silence fell.
Just as she was thinking it was strange that Viego wasn’t looking at his watch.
“Prove your usefulness yourself.”
He turned away again. He lifted the long rifle and added.
“It won’t be too late to talk again then.”
Now, the conversation was truly over.
However.
“Brother, if.”
Was it a final lingering attachment? Dana found herself asking in spite of herself.
“If I fail to prove my usefulness to you, and I say I would rather die than marry Raios.”
“…….”
“What would you do then?”
Was it irritation at her persistent questions, or was it annoyance, or perhaps anger?
Whatever it was, a chilling fire flickered in his eyes for a brief second.
But it was only for a fleeting moment.
“Then you should die.”
Viego Winzer’s voice was as calm and elegant as ever.
“You should choose to die honorably instead, Danae Winzer.”
“…….”
Dana didn’t answer; she simply smiled. And deep down, she felt a sense of relief.
‘I’m glad.’
Her heart didn’t hurt even the slightest bit anymore.
‘I really don’t care anymore.’
Whether she was deceived or not, whether she was in pain or not, whether she lived or died—Viego Winzer didn’t care at all.
Even if her life were sinking like a shipwreck, he was the type of person who wouldn’t even bother to watch.
‘So, I won’t care anymore either.’
The deal with the Emperor.
Even if the Winzer family suffers because of it.
I just need to take the Sacred Artifact, open the Dimensional Gate, and return to my original world.
‘Anything beyond that is none of my business. Right?’
Just as you said, I am not your sister.
