Translator: Nox

Chapter 38

38

Viego took another sip of the crimson liquid and looked at her with calm eyes.

“It is Winzer land, entrusted to a subordinate of the family to rule as a proxy.”

Clack. He set his glass down.

“And so, for the past twenty years, Count Kurs and his family have governed that land. In place of the Winzers.”

“Yes.”

“And recently, the monthly reports that used to arrive like clockwork have stopped.”

“Have you tried sending a messenger?”

“They won’t even let them through the gates of the estate.”

Dana knew exactly what that implied.

“It seems that after ruling for so long, they’ve started to mistake it for their own land.”

Tap, tap. Viego drummed his fingers against the rim of his wine glass. He spoke impassively.

“If I step in, that entire family is as good as executed.”

“…….”

He wasn’t exaggerating.

Dana was certain of it.

If he personally intervened, he was the kind of man who would make a brutal example of them.

“How about it? Why doesn’t the ‘Saintess’ Danae Winzer try to resolve this through peaceful means?”

Viego leaned back against his chair, tilting his head. A strand of platinum-blond hair fell over his straight brow.

“Violent methods lack elegance. Don’t you agree?”

“Of course.”

Dana accepted the proposal instantly.

“I will handle it. Peacefully.”

Then, she asked quickly.

“If I resolve this matter, may I continue to live in the Winzer household and serve you, brother?”

“We can discuss that after you return alive.”

“Yes, that sounds fair.”

“However, should you die in the process of handling this, I hope you won’t blame me.”

Does he have to put it like that every single time?

Dana wanted to let out a heavy sigh.

As always, Viego was blatantly pushing her away.

She wanted to tell him that he didn’t need to waste his energy building walls—that she wasn’t under the illusion that he would ever treat her like a real sister.

“Of course.”

But she couldn’t afford to cross this sensitive man in any way.

So, she simply gave him a bright smile.

It was exhausting.

She really wanted to go home now.

To her real home, as Yeon Dana.

---

Sandra Winzer opened her eyes.

For the first time in a long while, she pushed herself up from her bed.

She had been dreaming. A dream about Juan.

In the dream, Juan was weeping.

「Sister. The Winzers killed me.」

「Sister. Was I really that wrong? I only loved Danae Winzer. I only loved her.」

「My only sin was loving Danae!」

Her heart felt as if it were being torn apart, and Sandra covered her face with both hands.

Juan. My poor brother.

Her brother had been murdered.

He was ambushed on the road to the tribunal after being kicked out of the Winzer estate.

I should have protected him.

She should have been more proactive, more protective. But she hadn’t.

She had abandoned her brother to save Karl Winzer, her beloved husband.

“Sandra, you’re awake. Are you feeling alright?”

Noticing her movement, Karl approached her quickly. Seeing his face, Sandra spoke words of resentment before she could stop herself.

“I suppose you’re perfectly fine.”

“Sandra.”

“Don’t you feel any guilt toward Juan? Even after treating him so coldly, do you not feel the slightest bit of remorse?”

“Good heavens, please stop. It’s already over.”

“Let’s leave the Winzer family, dear.”

At that moment, Karl furrowed his brows in distress.

“What are you talking about?”

“I don’t want to stay in the Winzer family anymore—the family that killed my brother. Let’s take Lumie and Alice and go to the Rolland family.”

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

“My father would welcome us. You know he wants to pass the family name to Lumie.”

“Sandra. I am the Vice Family Head of this house.”

“You’ve been stripped of your title temporarily anyway! Just throw it all away. What does it even matter?!”

At those words, Karl let out a very deep sigh.

“Is that really all you have to say to me?”

“Is that all you have to say to me, after I’ve lost my brother?”

“I don’t know what else I’m supposed to say. I’ve comforted you. I attended the funeral. Do you expect me to kneel before Juan’s grave?”

“Yes! If you had just taken a little more care of Juan, he wouldn’t have ended up like that!”

“Sandra. I was temporarily stripped of my position as Vice Family Head because I indulged all your whims.”

“Why is that suddenly all my fault?!”

“……Fine. Let’s stop talking.”

Karl turned away as if he were fed up. Watching his retreating back, Sandra burst into tears.

Usually, when she cried like this, Karl would comfort her, but this time, he turned away with cold determination and did not return.

And Alice, standing outside the door, heard everything.

I can’t believe Mom and Dad are fighting like this.

Tears welled up and spilled over.

At some point, it felt as though cracks had begun to form in her perfect life.

A harmonious family. A loving boyfriend.

She had possessed everything. She really had.

Everything was perfect.

When did the cracks start to appear?

The turning point was clear.

It was the day Dana caught her.

After her relationship with the Crown Prince was discovered, Dana’s attitude changed completely. From that moment on, everything began to twist and warp.

Before that, everything had been truly perfect…….

Everything went wrong after Sister started getting angry at me.

It was upsetting and frustrating. Why did her sister have to make everyone else miserable?

If only her sister had been patient and endured it, everything would have been fine.

I have to do something. I can’t just stay like this.

Alice bit her nails, lost in thought, before gathering her courage to seek out Viego.

“I heard that Sister left for the Winzer territory this morning.”

“What of it?”

“I want to go too.”

Viego frowned as he looked at Alice. She spoke up bravely.

“Please let me help with the matters regarding the Winzer territory as well.”

She couldn’t let her sister handle it alone. Her sister’s influence couldn’t be allowed to grow any further.

If it did, she might become even more tyrannical.

“What is your reason?”

“I want to be of help to the Winzer family too.”

“Your help is not needed, Alice Winzer.”

“I—I’ll do my best! Brother Viego, please give me a chance!”

But Viego rejected her flatly.

“Leave.”

“B-Brother.”

He was so heartless. Alice left the office feeling dejected.

I can do a good job, too. So why is he ignoring me?

She felt sorrowful.

Why was he only giving her sister a chance? Why was her sister stealing away even Viego’s affection?

“Why are you crying, Alice?”

“Mommy!”

Alice threw herself into her mother’s arms and explained the situation.

Sandra, having listened carefully, made a declaration without hesitation.

“Do as you wish, Alice.”

“What?”

“Go, Alice. I will prepare everything you need.”

“R-Really?”

“Yes. You lack for nothing. Why shouldn’t you be able to do what that girl Danae does?”

“Mom!”

Alice smiled brightly and hugged Sandra.

“Really? Do you mean it?”

“Yes. However, I will hire bodyguards for you, so you must keep them by your side at all times.”

“Thank you, Mom!”

“There’s no need for thanks. If my daughter wants to fly, her mother should give her wings.”

Sandra whispered into her daughter’s ear as she held her close.

“Remember, Alice. Anything Danae can do, you can do as well.”

---

“It feels like we’re going on a trip, just the two of us.”

On the road to the Winzer territory.

Dana had a companion she hadn’t expected.

It was none other than Lumie Winzer.

“Right? Isn’t this exciting, Dana?”

Oh, I’m just thrilled. Dana ignored him.

Of all people, I have to be with Lumie.

Before leaving for the estate, she had made a request to Viego.

Since Rete is away right now.

She had assigned her secretary to another task—preparing for the next deal with the Emperor.

So, she had requested a different bodyguard instead of her secretary, but…….

Why did he have to step forward?

Lumie Winzer had actively volunteered, insisting that he must be the one to guard Dana.

He claimed that now that the naval battle was over, he had too much time on his hands and was bored.