Chapter 92
Janice entered the underground prison while concealing her presence. She was a shaman, not a powerful magician. Her magic depended on external forces, not raw magical power. Using a spell like this came at a cost—her body felt nauseous, her vision spun. She was using powers beyond her limit. Pressing her palm to her upper abdomen, she tried to steady herself.
Unfortunately, the prison was guarded by loyal followers of the Duke, and Rozewood was standing right outside. Bribery wasn’t an option here.
So she had no choice but to sacrifice herself like this.
“Damn it. Do I really have to go this far? They’d do everything I want anyway if I just waited.”
She cursed silently. Even Count Solovis’s cell was being guarded by knights.
“No way to speak to him directly.”
It was disappointing, but not unexpected. The Count was slumped against the wall, looking like death. Though he still appeared somewhat dignified compared to the other prisoners, he looked completely worn out. His lips were chapped, and his eyes were sunken.
“He’s been locked up for days. No wonder he looks like a wreck.”
Janice thought of Charlotte, who was living comfortably while her father suffered like this—as if it had nothing to do with her.
“That cruel woman. If it weren’t for her, none of this would be happening.”
She smirked bitterly. If Spelman’s fate hadn’t been tied to that damn Lorencia, things wouldn’t have gone so wrong. Back then, Janice had to bet everything.
“To make that stupid girl a duchess… damn it. If only Lorencia had a brain, none of this would be necessary.”
Like her brother, Lorencia had a knack for ruining everything. The only consolation was that she hadn’t been acting recklessly since arriving in the North.
But regret wouldn’t change anything. After watching Count Solovis for a long while, Janice finally pulled out a letter. It seemed to be the guard’s shift change—just the opportunity she needed. She tossed the letter toward the Count and whispered,
“Open it.”
Then she held her breath.
“Wh-Who’s there?!”
The Count looked around wildly, then shrank back at the sound of footsteps above. He glanced at the envelope and quietly crouched in a corner to read it.
[From the one who summoned you to the North.]
His shoulders trembled as he read. Janice quietly left the prison. All that remained was for the seed she planted to grow into something useful.
***
Count Solovis licked his dry lips. The mad Duke had imprisoned him and left him to rot, with no contact or explanation. Guards watched him constantly, and no one came to visit.
Not even his own daughter.
“Ungrateful brat.”
He had raised her into a proper duchess with his own money—and she repaid him with betrayal. If he could, he’d tear both of them apart.
Just when the fear of dying in this filthy place began to take over, that letter came.
He gripped it tightly.
[Soon, you will be released and sent back to the capital. Tell the Emperor that the Duke of Istheria is cooperating with the Yetis. He will take care of the rest.]
A sinister gleam lit up his eyes. No matter how powerful the Duke was, he couldn’t openly kill an imperial envoy. All that fear had been for nothing.
More importantly—
“You filthy traitor.”
The Duke accused him of treason, yet he was the one secretly dealing with Yetis! As soon as he returned to the capital, Solovis planned to tell the Emperor everything. Part of him considered blackmailing the Duke instead—but he doubted the Duke would be so easily manipulated.
“He might really kill me this time.”
To bury everything.
He tucked the letter deep into his clothes. He didn’t need proof—just his word to the Emperor would be enough to create a scandal. The Emperor’s dislike of Istheria would do the rest.
“You brought this on yourselves.”
He laughed darkly.
***
Meanwhile…
After a joyful day with the children and the Count’s family, complete with a barbecue, everyone went home. Stephanie and Theo, tired from playing all day, fell asleep early. Charlotte sat alone with Cassius, drinking tea.
The fragrant tea seemed to melt away all her exhaustion. She watched Cassius’s expression carefully.
She had already vented her anger on Count Solovis. Now, she needed to convince Cassius to let him go.
“Cassius.”
“Hmm?”
“It’s time to send Count Solovis back to the capital. If we wait too long, the Emperor will start to suspect something.”
Cassius raised his eyes and frowned, putting down his teacup. He still didn’t look happy.
“He tried to harm the heir of Istheria. If you gave the word, I’d bury him here in the North.”
“It’s too risky. I don’t care about Count Solovis personally, but I do worry about the Emperor.”
Cassius clicked his tongue.
“He’ll use any excuse he can find.”
Even in the original novel, the Emperor’s inferiority complex toward Istheria was clear. There was no need to stir up trouble.
“I think sending him back is the right move.”
Cassius sighed.
“…Are you really okay with that? He tried to use you for money. What he did—”
“He’s no longer my father, Cassius. I feel nothing for him. We should still assign someone to watch him, in case he tries to make trouble.”
In truth, Charlotte had no connection to him. She was a soul from another world, simply living in this body. Her spirit wasn’t his daughter’s.
She felt no pity. No hatred either.
She just didn’t want Istheria to suffer because of him.
“If Count Solovis must die, it should happen in the capital, not here.”
Cassius’s eyes sharpened. He leaned in slowly and asked in a low voice,
“You think Count Solovis should die?”
“If he becomes a threat to Istheria, then yes. But if he dies here, the Emperor will pin everything on us.”
“So he should die in the capital?”
Charlotte nodded. Now that things had reached this point, Count Solovis might do anything to destroy Istheria. Lies, false charges—anything.
“Yes.”
Cassius rubbed his lips, then gently held her hand. He kissed her fingers and whispered,
“Thank you, Charlotte.”
“….”
“For choosing me. For choosing Istheria.”
She kissed his hand back in silence.
So she’s a shaman not a witch? Is there a difference?!~