When a person reaches a certain level, they begin to desire the life they want to live.
However, among those who have reached that level, there are surprisingly few who actually live the life they wish for.
And the reason is…
Ironically, it’s because of everything that person has built up until now.
Those who sought wealth can’t escape from the wealth they’ve accumulated,
Those who sought power are shackled by the very power they hold.
And those who sought strength…
are trapped by the very strength that envelops them.
This keeps them from truly living the life they want.
In that sense, the woman, called her, was quite fortunate.
Even though it didn’t perfectly align with what she desired.
Even if it was wrapped in the packaging of a secret…
she had been able to shape her life in a way that was somewhat similar to what she wanted.
Of course, that artificially designed life wasn’t without its problems,
and at times she had to step in herself to fix things.
For example… like right now…
*
Polena was walking slowly down the hallway.
Dressed in an aura far different from her usual light-hearted self, she was waiting for a group of people approaching her.
And shortly after,
the people she had been expecting came into view.
At the end of the hallway stood a group of armed soldiers, and at the front was, as anticipated,
her master’s sister, Dust Andreas, who was looking this way with a cold smile.
“Good evening, Miss Dust. Where are you off to at this hour?”
Polena, clearing the chill from her lips, smiled brightly.
Seeing her, Dust replied in a frigid tone, maintaining her cold smile.
“I’m not going anywhere. I’m just here to catch a bothersome little rat inside the castle.”
“Hmm… Should I take that to mean there’s a thief in the castle?”
With a cheerful smile, Polena responded to Dust’s words.
Watching her act as if it were some fascinating spectacle, Dust snickered lightly at the foolish woman.
“Heh, yes, that’s right. A thief has entered the castle. Not just any thief, but a very audacious one trying to snatch our older brother away.”
-Snap!-
With that statement, Dust lightly flicked her fingers.
In an instant, the soldiers surrounded Polena and aimed their spears at her.
“Well… this seems a bit too much for a joke, don’t you think, Miss Dust?”
In the midst of the urgent situation, Polena still spoke with a smile.
However, despite her demeanor, it was clear there was no escape for her, prompting Dust to speak coolly.
“Quit the nonsense and just come with us quietly. If you pull any tricks, you won’t see the sunrise tomorrow.”
“Yes, yes, if that’s how you say it, I have no choice. As a servant, I must follow.”
Despite Dust’s words, Polena remained relaxed and composed.
Seeing her like this, Dust’s face automatically contorted, yet, she decided to focus on attending to her request instead of showing her emotions.
“Take her away.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Obeying Dust’s command, the soldiers began to drag Polena to the designated location, with Dust moving at the forefront.
“However, are you really okay with this? Even if it’s a midnight rendezvous, dragging me like this may cause more trouble than you think.”
“Be quiet; that’s not something you need to worry about.”
“I’d be a bit hurt by that. I’m just giving you a friendly reminder as a servant. What if Mr. Santana finds out about this?”
-Cling!-
In the next moment, Dust pointed the sword she had at Polena’s neck.
Even with this action, Polena still wore a smile, but at least it seemed to have succeeded in shutting her up.
“If you say one more word… Unlike my older brother, I don’t have much patience. Depending on the situation, I might just sever your head without mercy.”
“…Hehe… then I’ll do just that, Miss Dust.”
Even with a sword at her throat, Polena maintained her calm demeanor.
Watching this, Dust felt her insides boiling even more.
‘This brat… She’s getting cocky, riding on my brother’s coattails. Let’s see how long this attitude lasts… I’ll make sure she begs for her life in no time.’
Polena was almost certainly the hidden lover of Santana, the closest confidant of Santana.
That being the case, it was true that even Dust couldn’t carelessly kill this woman, and it seemed Polena was well aware of that fact too.
But… Dust had someone who could handle the job she couldn’t.
The person waiting for her with Polena in the designated spot.
Unlike anyone else, that person…
was Estelle, Santana’s fiancée who had asked Dust to handle this issue legally.
From Estelle’s perspective, she could justify dealing with someone who would lure her fiancé into temptation.
Anticipating Polena’s pleas for mercy, which would surely come soon, Dust quickened her pace.
But then…
“…This should be enough…”
“?”
In the next moment, a chilling voice brushed against her ear.
With that, Dust involuntarily halted, feeling an abrupt chill.
“What… what is this?”
The sudden overwhelming sense of coldness.
It felt as though an ice axe had split her skull, and Dust’s expression froze.
‘W-What…? What’s happening all of a sudden?’
She was clearly in a situation that her mind couldn’t comprehend.
But even so, she couldn’t muster the courage to turn around and check.
As a mage… No, as a human being, her instinct to survive was warning her.
If she turned around now…
it would lead to something unimaginably horrific.
“You… Who… ugh!”
Dust’s mouth barely opened to speak, but her body stiffened from the instinctive scream.
At that very moment… She felt someone’s cold breath against her ear.
“Shhh…”
A voice so cold it felt devoid of warmth.
It snaked into her mind, wrapping around her thoughts like a serpent.
“Just stay still… I won’t harm you.”
“Gah!…”
Though disguised in softness, the voice carried a sharpness like the edge of a knife…
Dust started to feel a strangling pressure wrapping around her throat.
“Heh… There’s no need to be so tense. You really think I would kill you? Just answer my questions honestly from now on.”
“Q-Questions…?”
“Right. Questions. First… I’d like to know why you pulled such a ridiculous stunt against me.”
“!…”
The question from that voice made Dust realize, albeit too late, the identity of the one responsible for this situation.
‘P-Pole… Polena? H-How did this woman…’
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