28: Omen

From the morning, Rensi, who had a massive amount of blood drawn, could not get out of bed.

‘D*mn it. How much blood does she need to take? I feel like I’m going to die from dizziness.’

Since that day, Rensi had been regularly giving her blood to the dark sorceress, but she began to doubt whether this was the right thing to do. Moreover, she couldn’t shake off the suspicion about whether she could truly curse and kill Aella Blueanz, the thorn in her side.

Click.

“Here, I brought you some special meat.”

“!”

The dark sorceress, who usually only took her blood, unexpectedly brought some fatty meat today.

It had been a long time since Rensi had seen meat dripping with juice. Just the smell of it was enough to make her mouth water. As soon as she took the plate, she grabbed the meat with her hands and began devouring it ravenously.

“Oh dear, oh dear. Eat slowly. You might choke. Here, drink some water too.”

Rensi gulped down the water the moment she received the cup and immediately resumed tearing into the meat. Watching her, Letia’s lips curled into a smile.

‘She’s properly tamed now. I’m very satisfied. I’ve gathered enough blood, and it seems I can use this foolish girl as a shield.’

Letia let out a small chuckle. For a moment, she felt a slight pang of pity for this girl who was being used without knowing anything, but it was fleeting.

‘After all, this girl will achieve her long-desired wish thanks to me. So, becoming my shield is a small price to pay.’

Letia handed Rensi a handkerchief after she finished her meal and smiled warmly.

“Did you enjoy it?”

“Yes… I did. Thank you.”

“Hoho, no need to thank me. I think we can stop taking your blood now.”

“R-Really?!”

“Yes, you’ve done well so far.”

Rensi, clutching Letia’s wrist with both hands, asked with an eager face.

“Then! Does that mean I can now cast the curse?”

“Of course. The curse ritual is very simple. You’ll draw a magic circle with the blood I’ve collected from you, step inside it, and pray sincerely every day.”

“Pray?”

“Yes. Think of Aella Blueanz. Imagine how you want that girl to die and wish for it desperately.”

“…Is that all it takes for the curse to work?”

“That’s right. Surely you don’t doubt me?”

Letia’s half-lidded eyes glared at Rensi, who quickly shook her head and opened her mouth to speak.

“N-No, of course not! I trust you completely! I’ll believe anything you say!”

“Hoho, thank you. The curse ritual will be conducted daily from midnight to one o’clock.”

“For how long?”

“Until the curse takes effect.”

“How will I know if the curse has worked?”

Sitting on the bed, Letia stroked the head of the foolish and pitiful woman, who was brimming with tension, and spoke.

“Won’t rumors spread if something happens to the duchess?”

“That’s true.”

The smile on Rensi’s face was as wicked as it could be.

Letia stood up and told her to rest more before leaving the room with the plate and cup.

‘Once I fulfill that girl’s wish…’

Click, click, click—

Letia walked into the kitchen, placed the dishes down, and warped to her room, standing in front of a large mirror.

Vrrrrr—!

The moment Letia touched the mirror, a strong red light burst forth, and an ear-piercing sound filled the room.

“Greetings, Count Blueanz.”

“Oh! Dark Sorceress! I’ve been waiting desperately for your call!”

“Hoho, I see.”

Count Blueanz, who had handed over a massive amount of money to Letia, was a mere merchant who had become a son-in-law to the Blueanz family. After his sickly wife passed away, he sought Letia to help him kill his father-in-law in his greed for power. He was as mad as the love-obsessed Rensi, though his obsession was with money.

‘Money is an inescapable trap.’

Not only money—he was also deeply obsessed with women. On top of that, he had a perverse nature and enjoyed t*rture, making him the worst of the worst.

Avoiding someone like him would normally be wise, but with a bounty on her head, Letia needed to keep Count Blueanz close as a contingency plan.

‘Come to think of it, this man’s daughter’s name is…’

Letia, who had been humming, looked at the greedy, pig-like man bowing to her in the mirror.

“Count, it seems you have another favor to ask of me?”

“Haha! As expected, I can’t hide anything from you, Dark Sorceress!”

“Hoho.”

Letia covered her crooked smile with one hand.

‘It’s not like you’re even trying to hide it, though.’

“I heard you can kill someone with a curse.”

‘This man too…’

Letia let out a short laugh and nodded.

“Oh! Then!”

“But there’s a condition, Count.”

“If it’s money, I can give you as much as you want!”

“No amount of money can make me perform a curse to take someone’s life.”

“W-What! Then what should I do?!”

“Will you follow my instructions from now on? If you do, I can help you achieve whatever you want.”

Letia stared at Count Blueanz, who hesitated to answer, and shrugged her shoulders.

“If you’re unwilling, then there’s nothing I can do.”

“N-No! What is it that you want from me?”

“Hoho, it’s not difficult. As you know, I’m now a wanted criminal. If you can provide me with a safe hiding place, I’ll help you achieve your goals.”

Letia smiled brightly at the count, whose face lit up at her words.

“I’ll bring you to my estate immediately!”

“Oh, I still have things to do. I’ll contact you again next time.”

“Haha, yes! I’ll be waiting!”

Letia, who no longer wanted to see the greedy pig, reached out her hand. The moment her fingers touched the mirror, the count’s unpleasant grin disappeared, replaced by the image of a peaceful home.

“Ramios.”

“Ah, Judy.”

The woman approaching the man gazing at the distant sky was someone Letia knew well.

Her beloved former lover and his closest childhood friend.

“How long do I have to wait for you?”

“Judy…”

“That woman can’t come back. You saw the wanted poster. The emperor has decreed her execution.”

“Judy, Letia saved me…”

“But that wasn’t what you wanted! She saved you on her own terms! Why are you…”

“Cough!”

“J-Judy?! Judy! What’s wrong?”

“I… I can’t breathe… Gahhh…!”

Letia’s hand, which extended through the mirror, was invisible. Using that unseen hand, she strangled the woman she had always disliked, eventually taking her life.

“J-Judy? Judy! T-This is a handprint?! C-Could it be…?”

Ramios, glancing around in fear, was filled with terror.

“It’s not your turn yet, Ramios. But when it comes, you’ll die slowly, painfully, crushed under my feet.”

Though her lips were smiling, tears streamed down her cheeks.

***

After breakfast, Aella heard from the emperor that Crown Prince Julius was to be “married” to Princess Roden.

The moment she heard this, Aella couldn’t help but worry about Elena. Once she officially became the crown prince’s wife, there would be no turning back.

Aella didn’t want Elena to live a life like hers, trapped in an unstable happiness that could shatter at any moment.

But she couldn’t stop her. In the face of Elena’s genuine happiness, Aella couldn’t bring herself to say anything.

In the carriage ride home, Kael, noticing Aella’s troubled expression, gently placed his hand on her shoulder.

“Ka-Kael?!”

“Your face is full of worry. Is something troubling you?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

‘Aella’s awkward smile when she lies… It’s cute, but…’

Kael wanted his wife to be more honest with him.

“Ella, we’re husband and wife. I’d prefer if we kept no secrets between us.”

“Kael…”

“I’m not insisting. I’ll wait for you to tell me whenever you’re ready.”

“I…”

Suddenly, a commotion outside grew loud enough to make their ears ring.

“What’s going on?”

“Well…”

“Stop the carriage for a moment.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

As the carriage stopped, Kael stepped outside, saying he’d return shortly.

“That wretched woman killed my daughter! My daughter! Oh, my poor Judy!”

“What’s happening?”

“Duke?! What brings you here?”

“I heard that the dark sorceress strangled that woman to death.”

“Witnesses say she suddenly couldn’t breathe and died in agony.”

“Are you saying the sorceress strangled her without being there?”

“That’s what multiple witnesses claim…”

No matter how much Kael listened, he couldn’t make sense of it. How could an unseen dark sorceress strangle a woman to death?

“Oh, heavenly deity! Please punish the wicked demon who killed my daughter! Oh, Judy! My poor Judy!”

Watching the grieving father clutch his bloodied daughter and wail, Kael suddenly saw himself in the man’s place, holding his bloodied father.

“What… What am I…? Ugh! My head…!”

“Duke?! Duke, are you alright?!”

“I’m fine…”

Leaving the worried onlookers behind, Kael returned to the carriage, waving off the coachman’s concern as he climbed back in.

Seeing Kael clutching his head with both hands, Aella reached out to him.

“Kael! Your head…”

When Kael raised his head and their eyes met, Aella’s face turned pale. His sharp gaze made her feel like she couldn’t breathe.

“Ka…”

“Ella?”

“Ah…”

“Why do you look like that?”

“N-No reason. Was something happening outside?”

Desperately changing the subject, Aella nodded as Kael explained about a dark sorceress killing a woman without appearing.

“Ella, your expression doesn’t look good. Should we stop by a doctor?”

“No, Kael. I just want to go home and rest.”

“Then lean on my shoulder.”

“Thank you.”

“No need to thank me.”

Leaning on Kael’s kind shoulder, Aella recalled what she had just seen.

‘That gaze… I’m certain of it…’

Clutching her trembling hands tightly, Aella closed her eyes.

‘There may not be much time left. If that’s the case, then tonight… tonight might be…’

A bittersweet smile spread across Aella’s lips.