The Only Way to Break the Curse is Through Contact with You - Chapter 97

#97

“What are you going to do with that?”

As I asked Adelia, not taking my eyes off the dagger she pulled out, she laughed. Her laughter looked so dangerous that I became even more scared.

“Is there anyone outside?”

I shouted several times, but I didn’t hear any response. Adelia smirked.

“It’s useless. Everyone is probably too busy putting out the fire by now.”

I felt relieved at Adelia’s nonchalant expression.

‘Did you set the ship on fire?’

If a fire broke out while the ship was at sea, it could lead to a major accident. And with so many people on board, there was a high risk of casualties. Was she trying to put herself in danger by doing something reckless?

“Do you know how I got up there?”

Adelia, who was laughing joyfully, suddenly fixed her expression and glared at me.

“If it weren’t for you, I would be wearing that pretty dress right now.”

“No, it’s because of you that you ended up where you are.”

No matter what the situation was, I had to speak up. It was Adelia who twisted her own fate. She had been so greedy that she had caused this situation instead of being satisfied with becoming a noblewoman through hard work.

My straightforward words seemed to anger her even more. Adelia’s expression twisted even more fiercely. She seemed to be tightening her grip on the dagger. I bit my lip, wanting to hit her smart mouth, and raised both hands towards her.

“First, calm down.”

“You thought you could make me like this and I’d let you live happily?”

Adelia approached me step by step while glaring at me with the dagger. No matter how much I screamed, no one came. I was gradually pushed into a corner, and I prayed for Lily to come back soon.

A cool breeze blew from behind, making my hair flutter. The large window that had caught my eye like a painting of the sea was now a huge threat.

“It’s not bad to slowly die in the cold seawater.”

Adelia laughed in amusement. She kept coming closer, and eventually, the large window touched my back. I felt like I could fall into the sea at any moment, and my calves tingled with fear. As someone who couldn’t swim, I tried to calm Adelia down and suppress my fear.

“Even if I fall here, people will rescue me soon. And you’ll be caught. Then you might really face the death penalty.”

“Ridiculous. Are you worried about others now? Anyway, I’ll take your advice and stab you for sure.”

How could she say such cruel words with such an indifferent face?

“Stop now. Then I’ll pretend this never happened. I won’t say anything to Diart.”

“Don’t talk nonsense. Do you think I’ll believe you?”

Adelia cut me off. I looked into her disbelieving eyes, holding back the urge to scream at her that I had been deceived by her skeptical gaze, and calmly persuaded her.

“Isn’t it better to run away and hide? You can sell the jewels in this room for a good amount. If it’s not enough, I’ll send you more.”

“Huh. Are you bragging now?”

It seemed like my offer to help her escape had only poked at Adelia’s temper. Her face wrinkled up.

“You want me to spend my whole life relying on your help? I can’t do that.”

No, what better solution is there for your situation right now! I wanted to shout, but it wasn’t a good idea to say anything that would provoke Adelia’s anger.

“Then I’ll ask Diart to forgive your crime. He might be able to do it.”

“Don’t make me laugh. I don’t believe that bullshit.”

Then what should I do?! I almost blurted out the curse that I hadn’t spoken for a while. If she hates this and hates that, should I just let her kill me?

…That’s what she’s going to do. I looked into Adelia’s eyes, which were burning with determination. I had a feeling that nothing I said would be of any use. Adelia approached with a clear intention. My future was one of two things: getting stabbed by that dagger or falling into the sea.

“If you kill me, it will be the end for you too.”

“I’ve come to the point of no return. I can’t die alone now, can I?”

Adelia laughed sarcastically. Her elbow hit the window frame. Now was truly the moment to make a choice. I held onto the window tightly, afraid that even a slight sway would make me fall backwards. I glanced back and saw the night sea, pitch-black and distant. It felt so vast and desolate. Unfortunately, being on the top deck of the ship made my toes tremble just by looking at it.

“What are you going to do? Will you jump or get stabbed?”

Adelia laughed as if it were amusing. I had always thought she was unusual, but it was clear that she was definitely not in her right mind. To laugh out loud like that even at this moment when she’s trying to kill someone. I once again resented the author who wrote this novel and made up my mind in that moment.

‘There won’t be any sharks, right?’

“Die!”

As Adelia rushed towards me with the dagger, I jumped out of the window. When I fell halfway through the air, I saw Adelia’s smiling face, enjoying the sight of my descent, which slowly grew distant. Even in this life-or-death situation, the starry night sky felt incredibly calm and beautiful.

They say that when a person is about to die, their past flashes before their eyes like a lantern. In this intense moment, memories of Diart, who was once hostile towards me but gradually changed his attitude, unfolded like a panorama.

I wondered when exactly he started to like me. If I were asked when I started to like Diart, it would be difficult for me to answer.

I wanted to turn our first meeting into a pleasant memory, but I realized that it might be impossible forever.

In an instant, I was plunged into the cold sea. As soon as I felt the icy water enveloping my whole body, I regained my senses.

Wait, why am I begging like someone who’s about to die?! I can’t die like this, it’s so unfair!

‘I’m going to live at least fifty years more!’

I kicked my arms and legs to swim to the surface, but I couldn’t move my feet properly because of the dress that stuck to my body. In addition, I was swept back and forth by the water around the ship. Saltwater continuously poured into my nose and mouth. I couldn’t even open my eyes properly, and it was painful to breathe. Gradually, my arms and legs lost strength, and my consciousness faded away.

* * *

“Where is Roeni?”

After the ship set sail, Diart came out to check if his proposal was properly prepared. He was detained by the nobles and barely escaped from the reception room. As he hurriedly headed to Roeni’s cabin, he saw Lily walking towards him from the opposite corridor and narrowed his eyes.

“Madam is in her cabin.”

“Did you leave her alone?”

He had strongly advised her not to leave Roeni alone. Lily trembled when she saw Diart’s face harden into a cold grimace.

“Madam’s luggage was being brought from another place… and the knights are guarding in front of the cabin.”

The voice that was trying to make excuses, saying that she thought it would be okay for a moment because there were knights in front of the cabin, gradually became smaller. Diart glanced briefly at the bag Lily was holding and turned his back sharply. Lily followed him with difficulty, taking large steps.

‘I hope everything is all right.’

How long had the maid been away? Since the knights were guarding in front of the cabin, he thought it would be okay, but Diart felt uneasy. This inexplicable anxiety had started since Roeni told him that she saw Adelia McGregor on the street.

Although he ordered to strengthen the ship’s security and thoroughly identify the identities of the passengers and those who come aboard more than originally planned, there were always gaps, and it was difficult for people to do things perfectly.

Diart’s steps, which were getting faster and faster, suddenly stopped. It was because he smelled something burning somewhere. In a hurry, Diart ran towards the smoke spreading far away from the cabin and swallowed a sigh of relief. He called a knight who was working busily.

“What happened.”

“There was a fire in the food storage warehouse. Fortunately, it’s all under control now, and we’re checking if there are any other issues.”

Diart looked up and stared ominously at Roeni’s empty cabin. Lily, who had followed him belatedly, looked around in confusion, but Diart’s entire attention was focused on the closed cabin door that was tightly shut.

Roeni must be inside, but for some reason, he couldn’t bring himself to touch the doorknob. After hesitating for a moment, Diart finally grabbed the cabin door firmly.