Chapter 224: This is paradise

I grabbed Ricdorian's 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, Ricdorian's fingers caught me. Telling me not to let go.

"You said you'd let me get tired of it."

Deliberately for Chaser to listen, Ricdorian did not lower his voice. I've decided not to forgive that man, Chaser, anymore. I won't 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 don't 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 don't want to be anxious."

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

"I love you."

I lifted Ricdorian's hand and gladly kissed it. His blood-stained hands smelled of grass, mud, and a mixture of blood. It's the blood he shed to protect me. Ricdorian flinched, trying to pull his hand back, but he showed weak resistance. Deep inside, he doesn't 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.

"...... It's dirty, Iana."

"Not at all."

The smell of blood stuck to my lips. But if I could comfort my Rose's 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 wasn't just for this man to listen to, it was also the truth.

"I said it before. I don't know if I'll 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 didn't want you to be chained again. But it hurts because I feel like this is my fault.

"I think it's my fault."

I still want to reach out and wipe the blood away, but I can't 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.

"Don't get hurt. Iana."

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

"...... Wherever I am, you make it paradise."

"Don't say that. Prison is a place where you don't 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 didn't 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 don't know. Because they were not with me."

The Rose Festival was still in progress. After shouting their participation, 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 Ricdorian's 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.

"Don't worry about that......."

"Don't 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 didn't seem to be agitated at all.

I don't 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 couldn't get out of his head was smeared on his face.

"What's the matter? We are in the same situation where we have to go, right? It wouldn't be a bad idea to hold hands with the villain for a while. What do you think?"

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

Under the light of the torch, Chaser's 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 shouldn't be locked up for a long time either."

If so, wouldn't it have been better if he hadn't been caught in the first place? I wanted to ask this, but I didn't say anything.

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

"Oh dear, Iana. That's kind of sad. In fact, have you ever believed in me? If that's the case, I'm grateful....... Or have you never been?"

"Don't 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 Chaser's words resolutely.

"Don't try to fool me anymore."

It was then that Chaser's 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 wouldn't hurt to listen to it once."

I looked at Ricdorian in surprise.

"Ricdorian?"

My calling has the question 'do you mean it?'. Because it wasn't 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. I'm disappointed. The Grand Duke, who was called my rival."

"No matter how dirty I am, this side holds the noble 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 I'm not happy with this kind of help."

Rattle rattle. The chains around Chaser's 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 Chaser's wrist. But Chaser looked disinterested. Instead, he slowly tilted his head.

"I'm going to break my pride like this and just lay it on the floor.... Isn't 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 Ricdorian's hand.

"Ricdorian, there is no time for arguing."

"...... I know, Iana. However......."

Ricdorian blurred his words, and then he sighed.

"I know there's a reason that punk is so arrogant. He's annoyed and wants to get rid of me right away."

"Why?"

"Well, I should explain it."

"Shut up."

Ricdorian said, ignoring Chaser's words neatly. With a voice that was gnashing his teeth.

"Haa, damn it. I'm 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 I'm looking at right now is you, right, it's not a fake? For real, you mean what you say?"

"... Yes. Iana. It's unbelievable, but it's me."

He was still like that from a while ago, but it was unbelievable that the words came from Ricdorian's 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 couldn't believe it. No one else but Chaser? I know Ricdorian's feelings for Chaser better than anyone. Hearing Ricdorian's voice, he didn't seem very happy either.

"What kind of method is that?"

"...... Iana. What is my position?"

"What? That's....... You're 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 won't be able to protect you right now. Alright?"

Chaser whispered lowly. I didn't listen to that. At the same time, the footsteps stopped.

"Are you awake?"

The voice was familiar. Where did I hear it? However, I didn't 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.

"I'm 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 wouldn't 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 don't have time, so I'll 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'."