Chapter 2, Episode 36: A True Nightmare

"What…… is going on? "

　In the forest. Claire gasped when she saw the Western-style building Alberto had prepared for her.

　After resolving to live together, she was surprised to find that Loteccia, a member of the royal family, and Claire's stepsister Viola were waiting for her. Those around her were probably Loteccia's guards. There were also several knights.

　Surely she heard that Loteccia and the others were in custody for opposing the Forsha religion.

　Why are they here?

"Because of you, I was humiliated in front of everyone. How can I make you atone for this crime? "

　Claire's sister Viola served tea to Loteccia, who was sitting on a throne-like chair.

　When Claire got scared and tried to run away, Sasha stopped her for some reason.

"S-Sasha? "

"Poor child. Didn't you realize you were being tricked all this time? "

　Loteccia spoke instead of Sasha, who silently grabbed Claire's hand to stop her.

"W-What do you mean! ? Sasha deceived me! ? "

　Claire couldn't hide her shock, as she had always trusted her, having relied on her and Alberto to run the shop. Why are they doing such a horrible thing?

　When she looked at Sasha with an incredulous expression, she averted her gaze.

"Claire-ane-sama. Do you think you can get away with embarrassing Loteccia-sama, a member of the royal family?
　If Loteccia-sama is removed from the line of succession, how will you take responsibility?
　You must pay with your life."

　Viola lowered the teacup and smiled maliciously.

　What is she talking about?

　Claire didn't do anything. Viola and Loteccia just tried to frame her.

　These people were crazy. All I know is that――If I stay here, I'll be killed.

"……Noo! !　Let go of me, Sasha-san! ? "

　She tried to run away, but Sasha grabbed her arm and wouldn't let go.

"Now, put her face in the water and make it look like she drowned.
　If I don't kill this woman, my position will be in jeopardy."

　As Loteccia spoke, Sasha held Claire's arms down.

　Her strength was incredible, unimaginable for a woman.

"Yes. My lady."

　She was led to the courtyard and stopped in front of a pond.

"Poor Claire-ane-sama. You'll end up dying after accidentally falling into the pond."

　Her sister Viola said with a laugh.

"Stop! ! Sasha."

　Even though she begged,

“Oh, how unsightly," "poor ane-sama,” Loteccia and Viola giggled happily as Claire resisted.


　What is wrong? These people.
　Why are they so intent on killing me?


　It was not normal to go so far as to forge a royal necklace to harass someone.
　Claire couldn't understand why someone would go to such lengths to harass her.

"Why? ! Why would you do something so terrible? ! ! "

"Why? It's obvious, isn't it?
　A woman of your low status was dating Alberto-sama.
　That fact alone is worth a thousand deaths."

"T-That's......! ! I simply admire Alberto-sama! "

　As Claire said that, her face was pushed into the pond.

　Splish! ! !

　Without being prepared, her face was forced into the water and a large amount of it entered her mouth. Even though it was painful, she struggled and managed to lift her face again.

　Gehuh! ! Guh-uh! ! Gehuh! ! ! !

　As she choked on the large amount of water that had entered her mouth,

"That's what you deserve. Claire."
"Poor ane-sama."

　She could hear Loteccia and Viola mocking her.

　Coughing up water, Claire desperately tried to escape from Sasha, but she never let go of Claire.

"It will take some time to clean up, so please be quick."

　She heard Viola's voice, then――splash! ! !

　Without looking at her face, she was pushed down again.

　Plop! !

　This time, she was prepared, so she covered her mouth to prevent herself from drinking the water, but she still found it difficult to breathe.　Her face was pushed into the water so she couldn't breathe.
　She tried desperately to flail her arms and legs, but even that became too painful to do.

　Am I going to die………?
　Why is this so unreasonable?
　Was it foolish for the child of a lowly concubine to try to marry Alberto, a nobleman?

　Just as Claire thought that.

"What are you doing? ! ! ! ! ! "

　With a scream, Claire's body was released from Sasha and her face was pulled away from the water's surface.

　Kaha! ! ! ! !

　After spitting out the water she had swallowed, she opened her eyes………There he was.

"Are you okay? Claire? "

　It was Alberto. With several knights in tow, Alberto rushed over here.
　He came to my aid and saved me.

"Alberto! ! "

　Disturbed by Alberto's appearance, Sasha let go of Claire, who cried and ran to him.

"What a relief. I was worried when you left the hotel. Are you injured? "

　Alberto put his cloak around Claire, who was wet, and stroked her cheek as if to comfort her.

"I'm fine. I'm just happy you came."
"I'm glad you're safe. I love you, Claire."
"Alberto-sama……"

　When Claire smiled through her tears……

"Did you think I would say that? "

　Alberto smiled hideously.

　……Eh?

　Claire was confused.
　Holding Claire in his arms and smiling―― was not the kind Alberto Claire knew, but a completely different person with a cruel smile on his face.

"From the beginning, you were deceived and destined to be killed. Did you have fun pretending we were lovers? "

　Claire was momentarily lost for words.

"……You're lying. Why? Why would you do this? "

"You've been toyed with. Because Alberto is my beloved lover."

　Saying that, Loteccia embraced Alberto.

"No, you're lying, right? Alberto? "

"It's true. Sasha and I did all this from the start just to humiliate you. Be grateful that you were able to catch a glimpse of your dream, even if only for a moment.
　Actually, you were supposed to be condemned at the ball, but the plans were ruined.
　Stay here quietly, get hurt, and die."

　Pushed away by Alberto.
　The knights guarding Loteccia behind her approached with smirks on their faces.
　Viola laughed, saying it felt good, while Sasha looked down and Alberto and Loteccia embraced each other.

　I don't understand.

　I still can't accept the fact that Alberto betrayed me.
　My brain can't keep up. Isn't this a nightmare?
　If things were going to turn out like this, I wish I had just been killed in the pond.

　He had been playing with Claire, a lower-class noble, for years?
　What were the benefits of this?
　She really didn't understand.
　Ah, I guess I was never destined to be happy.
　The child of a cursed cult. I never had the right to be happy.
　I understand that. But why? Why would you ever do something like this?

"I like you! Please go out with me! "

　When they were young, Alberto confessed his feelings to her, blushing, and now she couldn't help but cry when she remembered his face.
　Was that confession also a lie?
　Why did you pretend to be in love for so many years just to show me such nonsense?
　What's so funny about them doing such terrible things?
　Was I not allowed to be happy?

　Ah, why was I even born?
　I wish I had never been born.
　I was treated like a servant, barely given anything to eat.
　I can remember myself as a child, looking enviously at Viola wearing her luxurious dresses.　
　Even the people I loved were all illusions. I can't believe I was betrayed like this.
　Deceived for years and years. What will I have left?

　I wish I had just drowned without knowing anything―――

　The moment she thought that.

　A black mist rose from Claire.

"What's this! ? "

　Viola let out a scream.

"What's going on? ! ! ! ! "

　Loteccia was also confused.

　Something black whirled around Claire and scattered.
　It was as if darkness was painting over the world itself.
　The blue sky turned gray. A black fog covered the world.

"Ah, this is the great power! ! "

　Sasha shouted, and her appearance began to change.

"W-What's this! ? "

　When the fog cleared…… there stood the men who had followed Sasha and Alberto, now transformed into ghouls.

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 ToC  

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