If this were an otome game from my past life, I’d surely be cast as the villainess. If, after all this effort, I were condemned, I’d curse the country on my way out.
“Haah… Fine. Tell him I’ll go.”
“Understood.”
I already felt like I’d worked a lifetime’s worth. No, I definitely had.
I just wanted to rest. To live a carefree life for once.
God, please appoint someone else as the Saint at the next baptism. And grant me a good marriage proposal. Being robbed of my fiancé by the Saint and spending my life alone sounds unbearable.
Despite these thoughts, when a handsome Pope suggests you go… you go.
With a heavy heart, I dragged myself to the noble’s prison where Edward was being held.
“Rachel! Ah, I finally get to see you. You’ve been forced to exorcise demons nonstop, haven’t you? How pitiful.”
“…”
This is your fault.
“Rachel… I might have been possessed by a demon. That’s the only explanation for my actions. You know me better than anyone—don’t you agree, Rachel?”
Like I’d know.
“Will you exorcise me? I’m sure there’s a demon inside me.”
Without a word, I pulled a silver pendant with a carved cross from beneath my clothing and slowly moved it side to side in front of him.
If someone is possessed, a demon’s gaze will reflect in the whites of their eyes when they follow the movement. I’d read this in church records.
But Edward’s eyes revealed nothing.
“Ahh! Just looking at the cross… makes my chest hurt, Rachel!”
Returning the pendant to its place, I looked at Edward.
“Edward, whether or not you’re possessed, you are the one responsible for the chaos that has engulfed the world. You must take responsibility.”
“But that’s Lena’s—no, the demon’s fault!”
“Even so, it was your decision to act on those impulses, wasn’t it?”
“…”
Edward fell silent. Deciding there was nothing more to say, I turned to leave. As I did, Edward muttered under his breath.
“Why… why is this happening to me?”
In that moment, something inside me snapped.
“God! Why must I endure this?! Why do I have to deal with this nonsense?!”
When I suddenly raised my voice, the guards and Edward flinched, their bodies stiff with surprise. Even Lena, the King, and the Queen peeked through the small window of their cell. Ignoring them, I directed my fury squarely at Edward.
“It’s Edward who’s at fault! Edward, who will be executed the day after tomorrow and have it all end! Meanwhile, I’m left to suffer a living hell! I wanted to get married, have children, raise them, and see my grandchildren’s faces before I died! I wanted a normal life! Instead, I’m stuck risking my life performing exorcisms until the day I die. It’s too cruel! I want to be happy too! Somebody help me!”
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