Chapter 224

This is paradise

I grabbed Ricdorians hand. I grabbed it avoiding the wounds, but felt a slight tremor from him. When I let go of his hand, wondering if it might be painful, Ricdorians fingers caught me. Telling me not to let go.

You said youd let me get tired of it.

Deliberately for Chaser to listen, Ricdorian did not lower his voice. Ive decided not to forgive that man, Chaser, anymore. I wont even try to understand.

My Ricdorian.

The name I was tired of him calling was already given to someone else.

Lift your head. I told you, you dont have to crouch.

It was a deception to try to understand the one who bound and imprisoned me, the one who shed blood and tears in the eyes of so many. This is a path that this man himself has walked a long way. So far away, there will be no more crossing with mine.

I can say it again and again if you dont want to be anxious.

It was he who took away my compa.s.sion, and this is the result of his creation.

I love you.

I lifted Ricdorians hand and gladly kissed it. His blood-stained hands smelled of gra.s.s, mud, and a mixture of blood. Its the blood he shed to protect me. Ricdorian flinched, trying to pull his hand back, but he showed weak resistance. Deep inside, he doesnt want to let go. Responding to this, I applied strength to my fingers. And moved my lips.

I kissed the tips of his hands with the broken nail, as Ricdorian did.

Its dirty, Iana.

Not at all.

The smell of blood stuck to my lips. But if I could comfort my Roses anxious heart, this would be okay.

I love only you.

Seeing someone you love hurt and messed up breaks the heart more than I think.

Now I know. What love is.

I spoke to Ricdorian, but this would be clear to Chaser as well. But it wasnt just for this man to listen to, it was also the truth.

I said it before. I dont know if Ill ever be able to feel true love.

At this point, I lowered my gaze slightly.

I have to say it again. I never knew love would change me like this. When I look at you at this moment, it hurts me so much that I want to be hurt instead.

I didnt want you to be chained again. But it hurts because I feel like this is my fault.

I think its my fault.

I still want to reach out and wipe the blood away, but I cant even reach his face. Ricdorian lowered his head, perhaps noticing me. He even came close to my hand with the blindfold on and sniffed at me like an animal in the prison long ago.

Dont get hurt. Iana.

How can I not think like that? My heart hurts a lot.

Wherever I am, you make it paradise.

Dont say that. Prison is a place where you dont have very good memories.

Nevertheless, this is my paradise now.

He then rubbed his cheek against my hand.

Because you are there.

At the same time, a strangled, small voice came out.

Iana.

I did not turn my head at the mournful call I heard behind me.

I didnt care what kind of face Chaser was making. Trying to understand this would be impossible for me and those who were hurt in the past.

What about Francia and Renag?

I dont know. Because they were not with me.

The Rose Festival was still in progress. After shouting their partic.i.p.ation, they each must have moved to the promised point in their territory.

I quickly turned my head to check the grate. There are no walls, but grates, so I can see the rooms right next to mine. First of all, there seems to be no one in the cell on the other side, and although the lights were dim, there are many things that can be confirmed. Likewise, there seemed to be no one beyond Ricdorians cell. Considering that there is no response to our conversation either, there is no guard.

The fact that there is no guard Do you mean to trust the device built in this room?

Perhaps, given that Renag and Francia were not in this cell, they did not seem to have been arrested.

Now, how should we move? I am not skeptical. Since the operation has not completely gone off track, we could.

For now, I think we need to get out of here.

We must go to Kambrakam before the festival is over. Being conscious of Chaser, I did not say the destination. Because I know Chaser is listening behind me.

How do I get out of here?

When I asked this question, two voices answered at the same time.

Dont worry about that.

Dont worry about that, Iana.

Ricdorian stopped talking. Then he shut his lip. I slowly turned my head. There was a man with a picturesque smile. Even though he must have heard all of the previous conversation, Chaser didnt seem to be agitated at all.

I dont know if he was not agitated or if he had set everything aside.

At least I thought it was the latter. The residue of emotions that he couldnt get out of his head was smeared on his face.

Whats the matter? We are in the same situation where we have to go, right? It wouldnt be a bad idea to hold hands with the villain for a while. What do you think?

Rattle. A thick chain swayed slightly over Chasers chained up hands. He smiled dizzyingly as he hung on it. Like a captive demon.

Under the light of the torch, Chasers red eyes narrowed.

As you can see, I am a very useful hand. Right?

You know me well, he looked like he was asking that.

I know how to get out of here peacefully. Iana.

He said so and did not take his eyes off me. Implicitly telling me to listen to the end.

Because I shouldnt be locked up for a long time either.

If so, wouldnt it have been better if he hadnt been caught in the first place? I wanted to ask this, but I didnt say anything.

Why do I want to believe and hold hands with you?

Oh dear, Iana. Thats kind of sad. In fact, have you ever believed in me? If thats the case, Im grateful. Or have you never been?

Dont play with words. I know you will catch me again if I leave this place anyway.

Iana.

I will never be with you. Ever.

I cut off Chasers words resolutely.

Dont try to fool me anymore.

It was then that Chasers expression sank. No, the smile slowly disappeared, and the face looked like it had cracked. Chaser lost his words for a moment. He soon spoke again. But someone else was faster than that.

It wouldnt hurt to listen to it once.

I looked at Ricdorian in surprise.

Ricdorian?

My calling has the question do you mean it?. Because it wasnt something I thought would come from Ricdorian and no one else.

When it comes to tactics, he is a man that no one in the Empire can catch up with. Especially his bad tactics are unmatched.

Chaser smiled softly. Like the hardened expression was never there.

You speak as if you were clean. Im disappointed. The Grand Duke, who was called my rival.

No matter how dirty I am, this side holds the n.o.ble hand.

Aahh. Will you show off your choice in front of me?

Chaser inevitably grinded his teeth.

I want to be with my Iana, but Im not happy with this kind of help.

Rattle rattle. The chains around Chasers hand moved wildly.

I could see the black energy that was about to bloom from his fingertips forcibly disappearing with a squeak sound. At the same time, a burning scar was left on Chasers wrist. But Chaser looked disinterested. Instead, he slowly tilted his head.

Im going to break my pride like this and just lay it on the floor. Isnt that a low-level method for a trick to be used by the Rose of Justice?

I let out a small sigh as I listened to the conversation between the two men. Then I gently grabbed Ricdorians hand.

Ricdorian, there is no time for arguing.

I know, Iana. However.

Ricdorian blurred his words, and then he sighed.

I know theres a reason that punk is so arrogant. Hes annoyed and wants to get rid of me right away.

Why?

Well, I should explain it.

Shut up.

Ricdorian said, ignoring Chasers words neatly. With a voice that was gnas.h.i.+ng his teeth.

Haa, d.a.m.n it. Im not happy either. But we can only get out if we combine the powers of that side and this side. Iana.

Combine the powers? Ricdorian, the person Im looking at right now is you, right, its not a fake? For real, you mean what you say?

Yes. Iana. Its unbelievable, but its me.

He was still like that from a while ago, but it was unbelievable that the words came from Ricdorians mouth.

I also hate myself right now.

Ricdorian gritted his teeth.

I know how to give up for the sake of the most important things too.

I still couldnt believe it. No one else but Chaser? I know Ricdorians feelings for Chaser better than anyone. Hearing Ricdorians voice, he didnt seem very happy either.

What kind of method is that?

Iana. What is my position?

What? Thats. Youre the Grand Duke?

And over there.

The moment Ricdorian just said that.

Screech.

The sound of rusty metal echoed. I knew immediately. This is the sound of the door opening. Unsurprisingly, there was a faint light in the distance. Soon after, the sound of footsteps came along.

Iana, I beg you, will you come with me? The ragged rose in the next room wont be able to protect you right now. Alright?

Chaser whispered lowly. I didnt listen to that. At the same time, the footsteps stopped.

Are you awake?

The voice was familiar. Where did I hear it? However, I didnt have to go through my memories. The moment the unfamiliar visitor took off his cloak, I knew who it was.

You are.

If I remember correctly, he was the old man I saw in the Empress audience room. He was the only person who stayed in place when I had the secret audience. He bowed his head politely.

Im glad you woke up earlier than expected.

Earlier than expected? How long have I been down?

Three days.

I flinched. I fainted for that long? I thought it wouldnt be long. If this is a prison within the imperial castle, I just thought they might have brought me here using magic.

While I felt as if I had been hit and could not hide my confusion, the man quickly spoke.

I dont have time, so Ill deliver it quickly. This is the last order of Her Majesty the Empress.

The last one, what is that?

She said that if I tell you that you are the last person to receive this when she is in her perfect mind, you will understand. After that, she will become the crazy Empress.