The Possessed Evil Woman Wreaks Havoc - Chapter 119

A few peaceful days passed after that.

And during that time, there were a few changes.

First.

I looked around.

In the dining room sat the Duke, Gabby, and me. The three of us.

Over the past few days, the three of us had been eating almost every meal together.

Despite appearances, the Duke was actually quite a busy man. Gabby too—well, probably busy?

Anyway, even so, the Duke made sure to attend every meal.

As if trying to mend his strained relationship with Isabella.

It wasn’t a bad change.

Right now, I’m waiting for the perfect moment to deliver a crushing blow of regret to the Duke.

Seeing each other often, getting that cozy family vibe—wouldn’t that make it hurt even more when I strike him down?

With that thought finished, I began focusing on the breakfast in front of me.

This morning’s dish was the omelet I’d been fond of lately.

It fell short of being called real meat, but the richness of the butter coated my tongue deliciously.

Gabby glanced at me from the side and said, “Hey, you little brat. Eat up and enjoy.”

Nom.

I chewed a bite of omelet and asked Gabby, “Got nothing to say to Father?”

I started giving Gabby a look.

Hurry up and butter up the Duke too—tell him to enjoy breakfast or something.

Gabby scoffed. “What would I possibly have to say to that old man?”

“We’re family.”

“So what?”

“Aren’t you and I the children Father loves? Show some proper filial duty.”

“Haah. What’s with you lately? And ‘filial duty’? Since when has he done his duty as a parent?”

Also, could you not say ‘children he loves’?

Gabby grimaced and ground his teeth.

I smirked and said, “Tsk. Gabby, you don’t say things like that to family.”

Gabby scowled as if he really didn’t want to do it, but after enough pressure from me, he finally opened his mouth.

“…Chew thoroughly, old man. You’re already old, your digestion must be shot.”

Another change was that I’d been making efforts to put on the appearance of a harmonious family.

This was part of the plan I mentioned earlier. The foundation to deliver a truly effective blow to the Duke.

Of course, judging by Gabby’s attitude, we were far from looking like a loving family.

I cursed Gabby silently with my eyes, but said something warm with my mouth.

“You eat well too. Brother.”

Ah, that was the tenth time I called him ‘Brother.’

Now I don’t have to say it ever again.

I’d never cared much about titles, but the smug look Gabby got every time I said ‘Brother’ was just disgusting.

From now on, you’re just Gabby.

While I was at it, I called him again.

“Gabby, Gabby.”

“What is it now?”

Gabby, who had long grown used to the name, responded without hesitation. I gave a satisfied smile at the sight.

“Come to think of it, I heard the delegation from the Kingdom of Serenia is visiting the Empire today.”

As breakfast was nearing its end, the Duke spoke.

At that, Gabby scowled. “Ugh, is that royal family stupid? Don’t they understand basic manners? You’re supposed to notify at least half a year in advance when sending a delegation. They only gave three days’ notice? And just by letter?”

The Duke didn’t argue with Gabby. He, too, seemed displeased with the Kingdom of Serenia’s rudeness.

And at the mention of a delegation, my ears perked up.

The Kingdom of Serenia. I’d heard of that country a few times.

Because it shared a border with the Empire, the two nations had constant conflicts even back when the Empire was still a kingdom.

The Duke said, “The temple isn’t fond of this visit either. Most of Serenia’s citizens are heretics, after all.”

Hmm. That’s true.

One of the kingdom’s most notable traits is its religious tolerance.

Unlike the Empire, which recognizes only the Celestial God as the one true god, the Kingdom of Serenia worships a variety of gods.

“They treat demons, angels… even a nicely-shaped pebble on the street as divine, don’t they?” Gabby clicked their tongue and muttered.

‘So it’s still like that, huh.’

At that, I nodded.

In short, in that country, even demons are revered as gods. So it’s only natural there would be some among the kingdom’s citizens who worship me as a deity.

In a way, it was quite an admirable country.

My favorability toward the Kingdom of Serenia increased slightly.

But why had the kingdom suddenly sent a delegation to the Empire?

And with such rudeness—giving notice just before their arrival?

I wasn’t the only one curious.

“Hey, old man. Did something happen in the kingdom? Like, maybe the king suddenly died or something.”

In response to Gabby’s question, the Duke shook his head. “The political situation in the kingdom has been very stable for years. Princess Karolea’s power is so firm that all disputes among the royal family have long since ceased.”

“Ugh, I don’t like that princess,” Gabby grumbled, wearing a sour expression.

Princess Karolea?

It was a name I hadn’t heard before, and curiosity sparked within me.

“What kind of person is the princess?”

“Oh, you don’t know? Well, makes sense, since you never cared about foreign politics. Princess Karolea is the strongest candidate for Serenia’s throne. Just think of her as the next monarch. She’s practically the one ruling the kingdom already.”

According to Gabby, the King of Serenia had been bedridden for years due to illness. All royal affairs were now under the princess’s authority.

I asked Gabby, “Why don’t you like the princess?”

“She showed up too suddenly. Do you know how many children the King of Serenia has? Even excluding illegitimate ones, it’s well over twenty. Normally, the succession war would be brutal. But then this unknown princess pops up a few years ago and secures the right to the throne so firmly? Doesn’t that sound suspicious?”

It did sound suspicious.

But more than that, I picked up on the emotion in Gabby’s tone.

Gabby disliked the princess not just because she was suspicious, but also because—

“You’re jealous of her, aren’t you?”

“What?! No way!”

Gabby flat-out denied it, but I didn’t believe them.

“There’s jealousy in your voice.”

But what would Gabby have to be jealous of?

Thinking it over, I found the most plausible reason.

“Do you want to sit on the throne too? Like that princess?”

So Gabby… was someone overflowing with ambition. Well, if Gabby really wanted it, it wasn’t something I couldn’t make happen.

Once I returned to my original body… I briefly pondered how to successfully lead a coup d’état.

But that was my misunderstanding.

Gabby shook their head vigorously and said, “Ugh, I’m not jealous of the princess’s position…! I heard she didn’t get along with the king at all, but now the tables have turned. That’s what I’m jealous of. My old man is still healthy.”

Ah.

So Gabby wasn’t an ambitious person—just your average unfilial child.

The Duke, who had been silently listening beside us, closed his eyes tightly.

He looked like he had a lot to say to Gabby but swallowed it down and changed the subject.

“…Since the delegation arrived with no time to prepare, the imperial palace is in chaos. His Highness the Crown Prince probably hasn’t gotten a wink of sleep these past few days.”

I flinched slightly at the mention of the Crown Prince.

Come to think of it, I hadn’t seen him at all since the hunting competition.

Well, even if he had shown up, I probably would’ve ignored him.

“His Majesty the Emperor requested my assistance. So I’ve decided to stay at the palace for a few days to help him. I won’t be around for a while.”

The Duke said this while looking at me.

So he’d be away for several days.

I felt a tinge of disappointment. While his heart toward Isabella was still soft like this, I needed to strike with a devastating blow to make him regret everything.

But it couldn’t be helped.

“Alright. I’ll make sure to eat well even without you, Father.”

“…Good. Take care of yourself.”

But that touching farewell was rendered meaningless when the Duke returned to the mansion that same afternoon.

With some unfamiliar woman in tow.