Chapter 69
The Possessed Villainess Doesn’t Want a Divorce
“Su-jung, camels are rare in the Great Nation, so the royal family manages them. And they’re limited. Probably only Princess Taylor, Marquis Andre, the marquis’ knights, the healing mage, myself, and you would be allowed to have a camel. Even if you get a spare camel, it can only be used after the one you’re riding dies along the way.”
“So in the end, I’ll have to rely on the three magic stones.”
“……Yes. That’s why I think the best course is for you to wait here until Princess Taylor and I return. Of course, it’s uncertain what Crown Prince Teodoro will do.”
Monica, who had been silent for a moment, opened her mouth decisively.
“I want to go with you.”
At the very moment she said this, an unbearable long sigh escaped from Liam’s lips. He had already anticipated this, but seeing it happen right before his eyes made him feel frustrated.
“Su-jung, is there really a reason to throw yourself into the desert to die?”
“The same could happen if I stayed here. No matter how much Count Pencil protects me, you never know what could happen. After all, all the misfortunes in this novel start with Monica’s divorce and death. What use is it if I die while trying to protect others?”
At this moment, the probability of her successfully going to the Great Nation or failing was about fifty-fifty.
Would staying in the Great Nation keep her safe? No. If astronomy can’t be brought in, events would unfold as in the original story, and everyone would face an unhappy ending.
So, in a situation where she couldn’t predict how those trying to preserve the novel’s storyline would act, she didn’t want to stay alone in the Great Nation.
Monica wanted to summon her courage. She wanted to help ensure that astronomy could be brought in.
Her firm voice echoed quietly in the room again.
“Liam, I want to go to the Great Nation with you.”
“……I really feel like tying you to the bed so you can’t go anywhere.”
Liam muttered under his breath, almost inaudibly, raising both hands to wash his face until his ears turned red.
His desire to respect her choice and his desire to stop her clashed in his heart. For once, the conflict lingered unusually long.
Liam lifted his head and stared at her face.
Monica had violet eyes that sparkled like jewels, but the eyes staring at him now were deep black.
Seeing Liam flustered and at a loss, Monica herself looked extremely anxious.
She then spoke weakly.
“It’s okay if you think I’m an idiot. But if you actually say it, I think it would hurt me.”
In that instant, fragmented memories of her words while drinking Trut tea flashed through Liam’s mind.
‘……Those words belittling me, saying you don’t love me, and wanting to leave.’
He clenched and unclenched his fists.
He was angry that someone had hurt her and frustrated that she might see him as equal to such men.
Liam had never thought of or looked at her that way before.
“This is frustrating. I’m worried about you. I’m afraid I won’t be able to protect you to the end. So it’s not that I think you’re foolish. Really, is there no other way?”
Liam tried to console Monica while steering the conversation back to its starting point. He seemed to think that her accompanying them this time was too risky.
Finally, Monica nodded firmly, showing no intention of reversing her decision.
Marquis Andre and Liam were busy making the final preparations with the knights to head for the desert.
“It’s so sweet, I could melt. What magic did you use?”
Taylor giggled, amused as she watched Liam’s persistent gaze on Monica.
“What magic? I’m not a witch.”
“I was surprised twice because of the duke this time.”
“……I know.”
“The most surprising part was that I expected you couldn’t go because you fainted, Monica, but you’re coming along anyway.”
“I also thought I couldn’t go after I collapsed.”
“But how did you convince the duke?”
“Well, I promised that if my health worsens while crossing the desert, we’d return to the Great Nation via the Bariana village. Once we start the desert, the village will appear within five days.”
“Ah, yes. The oasis. We’re supposed to rest there for two days before continuing. But Monica, is your health really that bad? It’s so bad that even the duke’s people, the healer, and the elves who have been there are all silent.”
“……It’s just that my health has weakened from stress lately. Don’t worry too much.”
Monica lied, hoping at least one person would worry less. Taylor, noticing this, scrutinized her with a frown.
To change the topic, Monica said something else.
“But aren’t you going to tell me about the deal with Her Majesty the Empress?”
Taylor examined her eyes as if studying her.
It wasn’t that he didn’t trust her, but revealing the details of the deal now was impractical.
First, Monica might need to return at Bariana Oasis, a midpoint between the Great Nation and the other nation.
If she returns and sides with Teodoro, Taylor’s plan would collapse.
Second, Monica’s health was clearly a concern, so it made sense to exclude her from this matter.
Taylor believed he could control and manage the plan with a short-sighted approach.
“Explaining the deal isn’t difficult, but there’s something that needs handling first. Very secretly.”
Taylor spoke playfully, shrugging his shoulders, while his eyes briefly darted sharply at Marquis Andre.
“……Surely you’re not planning this alone?”
Taylor snorted in mild surprise, then said:
“Monica, you’re strange. You always seem to understand situations better than I do.”
“That’s not something you’d say to a comrade risking their life. Tell me. What’s your plan?”
Monica felt a slight pain in her chest from the tension. Her hand moved toward her necklace but settled on Lucky, held in her arms.
She needed to conserve her healing magic stones for now.
Taylor’s slow gaze followed her hand to Lucky, then he spoke again, seemingly uninterested in answering directly.
“That’s just a low-level familiar, isn’t it? Coming along too?”
“That’s cruel. He has a very pretty name: Lucky. If I’m not there, he’d probably follow me to the Great Nation, so he’s coming along.”
“A mere low-level familiar? That seems exaggerated.”
“No. He secretly followed me to the royal palace last time, so he’s coming along. Now, answer my question.”
Taylor’s serious gaze scanned Monica. Monica continued questioning until she got an answer.
“Monica, leave this one to me. That’s the only way the deal can succeed. And if you want the throne, you should be able to handle this much, right?”
Taylor answered confidently, hiding any unease.
Even if he revealed it, now was not the time. If needed, he would hint to Monica and Liam right before proceeding.
No matter how capable a leader is, acting alone without planning is foolish.
Knowing this, Taylor had assigned Liam to accompany him as Monica’s escort.
He expected Liam’s obsession would make him insist on accompanying her. Only her sudden fainting was unforeseen.
Taylor continued emphatically:
“Duke Orsay is helping you, Monica, and you’re helping me, so both of you are helping me, right?”
“Liam is definitely helping Princess Taylor rather than Crown Prince Teodoro.”
“Good.”
“I don’t know what kind of deal you made, but is it about acquiring astronomy from the Great Nation?”
“Yes. Bringing in astronomy can sway public opinion, which can influence the emperor’s mind.”
“Even so, you should inform us beforehand……”
Monica trailed off, surveying her surroundings. The servants of Marquis Andre were loading Taylor’s luggage.
Taylor noticed where her gaze lingered and spoke:
“The representative of this Great Nation envoy is Marquis Andre. It makes sense that my attendants, not the royal ones, accompany me. Crossing the desert could be deadly.”
“So you’re not telling me to carry out the plan alone?”
“No. It’s because of the deal.”
Monica, thinking she might learn about the deal with a little more conversation, tried to continue.
But then Liam, having finished preparations, approached.
“We’re about to leave.”
As soon as he spoke, Taylor spread a veil wide over his head, covering his face.
Monica, too, had received a veil from a servant, but Lucky was playing with it, wrapping it around himself with his tail.
Before she knew it, Liam took the veil from Lucky’s tail, carefully covering Monica’s face, head, ears, neck, and shoulders, speaking as if soothing a child.
“The sun is hot in the desert, and sandstorms are harsh. If I don’t cover your face like this, you won’t be able to see ahead.”
The sudden contact made Monica blush.
Even though Liam’s hands weren’t directly touching her skin, the teasing sensation through the thin fabric felt strangely alluring and embarrassing.
