Benny, who was panting as if he would suffocate at any moment, shook his body greatly at Dorothea's gesture.
The period of struggling in pain was brief.
Benny, whose throat had been tight, suddenly felt free and he staggered up with a bewildered look on his face.
“Ugh!”
Dorothea didn't even blink at the disgusting smell coming from him as he vomited up everything he had eaten.
“Ugh, ugh... What, what is this...?”
“It seems that you were very happy with the gift I gave you. You must have flaunted your power to your heart’s content while being flirtatious with the nobles.”
At Dorothea's words, he looked down at his staff, which was already charred black.
The tips of his fingers trembled violently as he fumbled with the object as if he couldn't believe it.
“How did it turn out like this!”
Dorothea shrugged her shoulders at the voice full of astonishment.
“It would have been okay if you hadn’t been so greedy. If you had gone down to the village and been a good person, relieving the people of their worries and concerns, and not gotten involved with the nobles or royalty.”
Of course, she gave him strength, knowing that he wouldn't do that.
Dorothea lowered her eyes.
She had expected the raiders would split into several groups.
However, since she couldn't allow 'people' into the castle where the Third Prince and the empire's most powerful nobles resided, she thought she would send 'ears' who could command spirits like Dorothea did.
“Ghosts have no eyes, so the only thing they can see is the life force and soul of others.”
The attacker temporarily identified Benny with Dorothea, who was using a staff imbued with her power, and cursed her.
The curse's bounce off would have temporarily left deep scars on the souls of those who were within this hallway, but the most intense scars would probably have been left on this sham healer.
“Hey, help me. Just give me back this thing one more time.”
“Are you going to get hurt again by being greedy?”
“This time, I guess I should just do it moderately...! I’ll live by earning moderate amounts of money. And I’ll help people too!”
The face that spoke urgently was hollow and the area under the eyes was hollow.
Dorothea clicked her tongue as she looked at his inhuman complexion, which seemed to have had all its energy sucked out of it.
“Your greed is truly endless. The reason you were lucky to survive this time is because you were not the target of the attackers.”
Because their target was the woman who had been by Dorothea's side from the beginning.
That was why she deliberately left the castle empty, gave Benny the power to confuse him, and drew several layers of barriers in the room where the woman was.
“Why are you, why are you doing this to me? Why are you doing this to me... Ugh, ugh!”
Benny, who had lost everything, vomited again with a blank expression on his face.
Since he had already vomited out everything, the only thing that came up was yellow gastric juice.
Even through the pain of his throat burning, he still looked up into the girl's shining eyes.
“What did I do? Well, wasn’t it you who was doing this dangerous tightrope walk, showing off powers you never had in the first place?”
Even if it weren't for Dorothea, this man would have been paying for his actions sooner or later.
“All the people you treated were people with power and wealth, people who would take care of your interests.”
The deep pockets of such people usually bring about resentment among people.
The resentment of those who died from high taxes and merciless execution.
The resentment of subordinates who have been harassed or trampled upon without their consent.
That was usually the reason why nobles suffered from headaches and nightmares for no reason.
Being trapped in the resentment you have created yourself, the negative and turbid energy builds up in your soul, causing illness in your body.
The lesions that grow rapidly attract more and more evil spirits, and the ghosts that hover around gradually gain more power. This is the ultimate karma of cause and effect.
“A vengeful spirit who cannot remember all the days of his life is immersed in the most intense emotions he had in his past life.”
For example, hatred, anger, and resentment towards the other person.
A soul consumed by negative emotions loses its identity and eventually gives up even the chance at the next life, wandering this life and wishing for revenge.
“You seem to think that the only problem is that you coveted wealth through powers you acquired by chance. That can’t be true.”
Dorothea looked down at the man with a blank expression.
Is it really necessary to explain these things to the interest?
Even now, he was desperately bending his head against the hem of her dress, begging for strength, with a look on his face that she could not understand at all.
“Your sin is something else.”
The sin of arbitrarily scattering and driving out those who were eagerly awaiting the day of vengeance.
The sin of trying to please the rich as if the grievances of the dead were nothing.
“You probably didn’t know that the scattered ghosts would pile up even more resentment and return with even greater power.”
Because he didn't know anything.
“You shouldn’t have been so greedy and recklessly set foot in areas you don’t know about without knowing anything.”
This may be why people say that stone-throwing people are scary.
Sometimes, some people can act without any hesitation, without even a trace of malice toward the other person, and without knowing what the consequences of their actions will be.
If that's the case, can his actions be forgiven just because he didn't know anything?
Dorothea looked down at the sobbing man, holding onto the hem of her skirt, and asked in a gentle voice.
“Is it really true that what you want is to become ‘like me’?”
“Can that be possible?”
Judging by the greed in his eyes, it was clear that he would never repent, reflect, or let go of his greed.
Still, Dorothea reached out and pressed her hands firmly against his eyes.
Just like he did for Philip one day.
“Now you will be able to see the world as I see it. If you practice hard, you may be able to do even more than you can now.”
The moment she took her hand away, Benny, who had been smiling, froze as he looked behind Dorothea.
“Oh, right.”
Dorothea whispered in a gentle voice as if remembering something she had momentarily forgotten.
“The young girl raped by the nobleman you worked so hard to treat is looking at you with resentment.”
Even though it happened three years ago, it must be vivid to that child as if it happened today.
Because her time stands still at that moment.
“Poor thing, that’s a vengeful ghost.”
Dorothea muttered into the darkness in the corner.
The 'girl' had a very strange appearance.
Where the two eyes should have been, there was an abyss of darkness that was so terrifying that just looking at it made one terrified.
The ghost, who had been staying still in the same place, opened its mouth wide when it met Benny's eyes.
Benny began to shiver with a chill that felt like his whole body was freezing.
A ghost with its mouth wide open and making strange noises began to glide towards him.
As if she had something to say to him.
Soon, Benny, who had been crouching still, jumped up like a water spring and ran out with bloodshot eyes.
Dorothea, who had been watching Benny running out of breath through the window and into the town beyond the gate, soon turned her eyes and approached the Third Prince, who was lying on the sofa, completely drunk.
The faintness of breath may be due to a temporary loss of energy, but even so, the drinking was excessive.
As if someone did it on purpose.
At that moment, a familiar figure appeared, pulling a cart with a creaking sound, into the crowded hallway.
“Mrs. Genix.”
The one who was said to be the Prince's nanny.
She glanced around, then bowed politely to Dorothea with a short sigh.
“It looks like you all had too much fun. I’ll clear the hallway and have you all go to your rooms.”
“There are so many nobles gathered here, but there is no one to serve them.”
“His Highness the Prince.”
Mrs. Jenix answered with a dry gaze, looking at the Prince whom she had raised with her own hands since childhood.
“When he drinks too much, he tends to become violent towards those around him. He has finally taken on an important role. For the sake of the dignity of the royal family, I hope that no major accidents will occur, and I have left the people here today.”
Did Mrs.Jenix block it in advance to prevent accidents from happening and even block the eyes from looking at it?
It was difficult to see that this was a measure taken because she greatly loved the Third Prince, as her eyes were as dry and parched as a rice paddy in a drought.
Dorothea, who was looking at the woman, nodded without saying anything in return.
“Then, please take care of it, Madam.”
The raid was over, whether the opponent achieved what he wanted or not.
Even if the next time was not yet, it was not 'now'.
Because Dorothea could hear loud noises coming from outside as if people who had been away were returning.
Dorothea grabbed the hand of the third Prince, Richard, who was lying right in front of her, and gave him a slight push.
“I hope His Highness the Third Prince is not hurt. At the very least, he should not lose his life.”
Not yet.
Because Richard is still useful.
“Thea, are you really okay?”
"I'm okay."
Aiden kept touching Dorothea, who looked the most normal as if she were his treasure, even though his face looked like it was about to cry.
“I will remain in the castle... From tomorrow, I will move with you. I will accompany you in every move.”
"My throat hurts."
“Your throat hurts?! Where and how!?”
“My uncle is so big that I have to look up at you all the time, so my neck hurts. We only see each other occasionally.”
“...”
So, what I'm saying is, why are you so tall that you make my neck hurt?
Marilyn's eyes were filled with admiration as she watched Dorothea drive a nail into the heart of her uncle who loved his niece so dearly.
‘No matter how I say it, it always ends up like that...’
It's clear that he's being respectful, but it feels like he's not being respectful.
Her speaking skills, which stabbed at the heart with a long spear, seemed like something no one could match.
Aiden, who was rejected by his niece whom he cherished so much, turned his arrows towards Kiel Spencer.
“And so it turns out that your evil nephew almost harmed my beloved niece!”
Kiel took a sip of the tea in his hand as if he was very sorry, and gently accepted the one-sided criticism.
“As you may have heard, His Highness the 7th Prince himself went to find the child to hold the owner of the hunting dog accountable. It was wrong to be hunting in the forest at this time, but His Highness the 7th Prince admitted that he was the one who attacked first.”
“...”
“And yet that child is beaten and frightened and locked up in the dungeon. How can this be only my nephew’s fault?”
Everyone held their breath at the unexpected direct hit.
Luke looked at Kiel without saying a word, then turned his gaze to Dorothea.
Dorothea, who had been quietly eating a sandwich next to Valerie, tilted her head.
“So, Lord Dover still denies any connection with the assassin who attacked us?”
“Yes. According to the child, he took up the sword to save His Highness from those who were trying to attack Him.”
They saw and heard him giving orders right in front of them.
Are you telling me to close my eyes and pretend not to see?
Kiel was observing Dorothea with eyes full of interest as if wondering what her next reaction would be.
As if Dover Spencer's safety didn't matter at all.
Yet, listening to the calm lies coming out of his mouth, Dorothea nodded, thinking that she should give in to her benefactor at least once.
“Anyway, if we ask the perpetrators of the attack directly, we’ll be able to find out their relationship.”
There may not be much that a person who has already lost his mind can say, but if he is still alive, there are endless ways to find out.
“I think it would be best for Lord Dover to have just one last word with you and then send him back to his mansion. Isn’t that right, Your Highness?”
“....”
Luke's eyes briefly rested on Dorothea and then fell.
It's as if he's the one who said he would listen to her but didn't, so he's giving in this time.
“I am grateful for Young Lady’s kindness. The 7th Prince’s generous actions are all thanks to Young Lady.”
“No, why do you keep linking her with His Highness the Prince?”
Dane looked very uncomfortable.
Everyone was silent and ignored the rudeness as if the 7th Prince of the empire was a plague.
The person who was actually affected got up as if he had no other thoughts and headed to his room, so who could open their mouth?
“In any case, since it was Lord Dover who suffered such a humiliation, would it be all right if I personally escorted him back to the mansion?”
Kiel, who had been staring blankly at Dorothea's words, smiled affectionately.
“Of course. If that’s what Young Lady wants, then of course you can do that.”
Now that permission had been granted, it was time to go see him.
Dorothea stood up from her seat, having neatly emptied the food on the table.
The period of struggling in pain was brief.
Benny, whose throat had been tight, suddenly felt free and he staggered up with a bewildered look on his face.
“Ugh!”
Dorothea didn't even blink at the disgusting smell coming from him as he vomited up everything he had eaten.
“Ugh, ugh... What, what is this...?”
“It seems that you were very happy with the gift I gave you. You must have flaunted your power to your heart’s content while being flirtatious with the nobles.”
At Dorothea's words, he looked down at his staff, which was already charred black.
The tips of his fingers trembled violently as he fumbled with the object as if he couldn't believe it.
“How did it turn out like this!”
Dorothea shrugged her shoulders at the voice full of astonishment.
“It would have been okay if you hadn’t been so greedy. If you had gone down to the village and been a good person, relieving the people of their worries and concerns, and not gotten involved with the nobles or royalty.”
Of course, she gave him strength, knowing that he wouldn't do that.
Dorothea lowered her eyes.
She had expected the raiders would split into several groups.
However, since she couldn't allow 'people' into the castle where the Third Prince and the empire's most powerful nobles resided, she thought she would send 'ears' who could command spirits like Dorothea did.
“Ghosts have no eyes, so the only thing they can see is the life force and soul of others.”
The attacker temporarily identified Benny with Dorothea, who was using a staff imbued with her power, and cursed her.
The curse's bounce off would have temporarily left deep scars on the souls of those who were within this hallway, but the most intense scars would probably have been left on this sham healer.
“Hey, help me. Just give me back this thing one more time.”
“Are you going to get hurt again by being greedy?”
“This time, I guess I should just do it moderately...! I’ll live by earning moderate amounts of money. And I’ll help people too!”
The face that spoke urgently was hollow and the area under the eyes was hollow.
Dorothea clicked her tongue as she looked at his inhuman complexion, which seemed to have had all its energy sucked out of it.
“Your greed is truly endless. The reason you were lucky to survive this time is because you were not the target of the attackers.”
Because their target was the woman who had been by Dorothea's side from the beginning.
That was why she deliberately left the castle empty, gave Benny the power to confuse him, and drew several layers of barriers in the room where the woman was.
“Why are you, why are you doing this to me? Why are you doing this to me... Ugh, ugh!”
Benny, who had lost everything, vomited again with a blank expression on his face.
Since he had already vomited out everything, the only thing that came up was yellow gastric juice.
Even through the pain of his throat burning, he still looked up into the girl's shining eyes.
“What did I do? Well, wasn’t it you who was doing this dangerous tightrope walk, showing off powers you never had in the first place?”
Even if it weren't for Dorothea, this man would have been paying for his actions sooner or later.
“All the people you treated were people with power and wealth, people who would take care of your interests.”
The deep pockets of such people usually bring about resentment among people.
The resentment of those who died from high taxes and merciless execution.
The resentment of subordinates who have been harassed or trampled upon without their consent.
That was usually the reason why nobles suffered from headaches and nightmares for no reason.
Being trapped in the resentment you have created yourself, the negative and turbid energy builds up in your soul, causing illness in your body.
The lesions that grow rapidly attract more and more evil spirits, and the ghosts that hover around gradually gain more power. This is the ultimate karma of cause and effect.
“A vengeful spirit who cannot remember all the days of his life is immersed in the most intense emotions he had in his past life.”
For example, hatred, anger, and resentment towards the other person.
A soul consumed by negative emotions loses its identity and eventually gives up even the chance at the next life, wandering this life and wishing for revenge.
“You seem to think that the only problem is that you coveted wealth through powers you acquired by chance. That can’t be true.”
Dorothea looked down at the man with a blank expression.
Is it really necessary to explain these things to the interest?
Even now, he was desperately bending his head against the hem of her dress, begging for strength, with a look on his face that she could not understand at all.
“Your sin is something else.”
The sin of arbitrarily scattering and driving out those who were eagerly awaiting the day of vengeance.
The sin of trying to please the rich as if the grievances of the dead were nothing.
“You probably didn’t know that the scattered ghosts would pile up even more resentment and return with even greater power.”
Because he didn't know anything.
“You shouldn’t have been so greedy and recklessly set foot in areas you don’t know about without knowing anything.”
This may be why people say that stone-throwing people are scary.
Sometimes, some people can act without any hesitation, without even a trace of malice toward the other person, and without knowing what the consequences of their actions will be.
If that's the case, can his actions be forgiven just because he didn't know anything?
Dorothea looked down at the sobbing man, holding onto the hem of her skirt, and asked in a gentle voice.
“Is it really true that what you want is to become ‘like me’?”
“Can that be possible?”
Judging by the greed in his eyes, it was clear that he would never repent, reflect, or let go of his greed.
Still, Dorothea reached out and pressed her hands firmly against his eyes.
Just like he did for Philip one day.
“Now you will be able to see the world as I see it. If you practice hard, you may be able to do even more than you can now.”
The moment she took her hand away, Benny, who had been smiling, froze as he looked behind Dorothea.
“Oh, right.”
Dorothea whispered in a gentle voice as if remembering something she had momentarily forgotten.
“The young girl raped by the nobleman you worked so hard to treat is looking at you with resentment.”
Even though it happened three years ago, it must be vivid to that child as if it happened today.
Because her time stands still at that moment.
“Poor thing, that’s a vengeful ghost.”
Dorothea muttered into the darkness in the corner.
The 'girl' had a very strange appearance.
Where the two eyes should have been, there was an abyss of darkness that was so terrifying that just looking at it made one terrified.
The ghost, who had been staying still in the same place, opened its mouth wide when it met Benny's eyes.
Benny began to shiver with a chill that felt like his whole body was freezing.
A ghost with its mouth wide open and making strange noises began to glide towards him.
As if she had something to say to him.
Soon, Benny, who had been crouching still, jumped up like a water spring and ran out with bloodshot eyes.
Dorothea, who had been watching Benny running out of breath through the window and into the town beyond the gate, soon turned her eyes and approached the Third Prince, who was lying on the sofa, completely drunk.
The faintness of breath may be due to a temporary loss of energy, but even so, the drinking was excessive.
As if someone did it on purpose.
At that moment, a familiar figure appeared, pulling a cart with a creaking sound, into the crowded hallway.
“Mrs. Genix.”
The one who was said to be the Prince's nanny.
She glanced around, then bowed politely to Dorothea with a short sigh.
“It looks like you all had too much fun. I’ll clear the hallway and have you all go to your rooms.”
“There are so many nobles gathered here, but there is no one to serve them.”
“His Highness the Prince.”
Mrs. Jenix answered with a dry gaze, looking at the Prince whom she had raised with her own hands since childhood.
“When he drinks too much, he tends to become violent towards those around him. He has finally taken on an important role. For the sake of the dignity of the royal family, I hope that no major accidents will occur, and I have left the people here today.”
Did Mrs.Jenix block it in advance to prevent accidents from happening and even block the eyes from looking at it?
It was difficult to see that this was a measure taken because she greatly loved the Third Prince, as her eyes were as dry and parched as a rice paddy in a drought.
Dorothea, who was looking at the woman, nodded without saying anything in return.
“Then, please take care of it, Madam.”
The raid was over, whether the opponent achieved what he wanted or not.
Even if the next time was not yet, it was not 'now'.
Because Dorothea could hear loud noises coming from outside as if people who had been away were returning.
Dorothea grabbed the hand of the third Prince, Richard, who was lying right in front of her, and gave him a slight push.
“I hope His Highness the Third Prince is not hurt. At the very least, he should not lose his life.”
Not yet.
Because Richard is still useful.
***
“Thea, are you really okay?”
"I'm okay."
Aiden kept touching Dorothea, who looked the most normal as if she were his treasure, even though his face looked like it was about to cry.
“I will remain in the castle... From tomorrow, I will move with you. I will accompany you in every move.”
"My throat hurts."
“Your throat hurts?! Where and how!?”
“My uncle is so big that I have to look up at you all the time, so my neck hurts. We only see each other occasionally.”
“...”
So, what I'm saying is, why are you so tall that you make my neck hurt?
Marilyn's eyes were filled with admiration as she watched Dorothea drive a nail into the heart of her uncle who loved his niece so dearly.
‘No matter how I say it, it always ends up like that...’
It's clear that he's being respectful, but it feels like he's not being respectful.
Her speaking skills, which stabbed at the heart with a long spear, seemed like something no one could match.
Aiden, who was rejected by his niece whom he cherished so much, turned his arrows towards Kiel Spencer.
“And so it turns out that your evil nephew almost harmed my beloved niece!”
Kiel took a sip of the tea in his hand as if he was very sorry, and gently accepted the one-sided criticism.
“As you may have heard, His Highness the 7th Prince himself went to find the child to hold the owner of the hunting dog accountable. It was wrong to be hunting in the forest at this time, but His Highness the 7th Prince admitted that he was the one who attacked first.”
“...”
“And yet that child is beaten and frightened and locked up in the dungeon. How can this be only my nephew’s fault?”
Everyone held their breath at the unexpected direct hit.
Luke looked at Kiel without saying a word, then turned his gaze to Dorothea.
Dorothea, who had been quietly eating a sandwich next to Valerie, tilted her head.
“So, Lord Dover still denies any connection with the assassin who attacked us?”
“Yes. According to the child, he took up the sword to save His Highness from those who were trying to attack Him.”
They saw and heard him giving orders right in front of them.
Are you telling me to close my eyes and pretend not to see?
Kiel was observing Dorothea with eyes full of interest as if wondering what her next reaction would be.
As if Dover Spencer's safety didn't matter at all.
Yet, listening to the calm lies coming out of his mouth, Dorothea nodded, thinking that she should give in to her benefactor at least once.
“Anyway, if we ask the perpetrators of the attack directly, we’ll be able to find out their relationship.”
There may not be much that a person who has already lost his mind can say, but if he is still alive, there are endless ways to find out.
“I think it would be best for Lord Dover to have just one last word with you and then send him back to his mansion. Isn’t that right, Your Highness?”
“....”
Luke's eyes briefly rested on Dorothea and then fell.
It's as if he's the one who said he would listen to her but didn't, so he's giving in this time.
“I am grateful for Young Lady’s kindness. The 7th Prince’s generous actions are all thanks to Young Lady.”
“No, why do you keep linking her with His Highness the Prince?”
Dane looked very uncomfortable.
Everyone was silent and ignored the rudeness as if the 7th Prince of the empire was a plague.
The person who was actually affected got up as if he had no other thoughts and headed to his room, so who could open their mouth?
“In any case, since it was Lord Dover who suffered such a humiliation, would it be all right if I personally escorted him back to the mansion?”
Kiel, who had been staring blankly at Dorothea's words, smiled affectionately.
“Of course. If that’s what Young Lady wants, then of course you can do that.”
Now that permission had been granted, it was time to go see him.
Dorothea stood up from her seat, having neatly emptied the food on the table.
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