The Possessed Evil Woman Wreaks Havoc - Chapter 51

“He’s the escort knight the temple assigned to me.”

That was all I said, but Gabby’s face twisted even further.

“Es-escort? What, an escort knight? Why is a prince your escort knight…?”

For some reason, Gabby seemed to intensely dislike Kayden’s presence.

I was hoping Gabby would make a fuss and drive Kayden away.

Gabby glanced at Kayden’s face before speaking, “I heard news that you recently returned to the capital. It’s been a while since I saw you as a child.”

“It seems there’s some misunderstanding. Today is the first time I’ve met you, Young Duke.”

“Ah. My apologies. As you know, the imperial family is so… numerous these days that I must have confused you with another prince.”

Hmm?

Unexpectedly, Gabby’s tone and expression were quite courteous.

Well, as the heir to a ducal family, he should at least know how to maintain propriety.

But why?

My demonic instincts told me Gabby was brimming with malice toward Kayden.

I tilted my head. There didn’t seem to be anything strange in their conversation.

Gabby flashed the gentlest smile I’d ever seen from him and spoke to me, “By the way, I can’t help but imagine how delighted His Majesty must have been to see the prince’s face after such a long time.”

“…I haven’t had the chance to meet him yet.”

“Oh dear. I hope you won’t be too concerned. His Majesty has been extremely busy these days.”

Ah!

Gabby let out an exaggerated exclamation as if he had just remembered something.

“As it happens, I’ll be meeting His Majesty in a few days. I’ll be sure to tell him how eagerly the prince is awaiting an audience with him.”

For some reason, Gabby seemed unusually willing to do something kind. And yet my demonic instincts still detected malice in his words.

Gabby placed his hand on my shoulder and said, “I never expected to meet you as my sister’s escort knight.”

“The temple entrusted me with ensuring the Saintess’s safety.”

I tried to brush Gabby’s hand off, but he glared at me and gripped my shoulder even tighter.

It didn’t hurt, but… what was he doing?

“My sister’s safety, huh… As you can see, she’s so precious to me that I can’t entrust her safety to anyone else. So, Your Highness, please leave now.”

“The High Priest judged that the temple was better suited to ensuring the Saintess’s safety than the Dunkeld family.”

“Your words sound as if… you’re implying our family is incapable of ensuring Isabella’s safety.”

“The Saintess’s safety is of such grave importance that we’re merely taking the utmost precautions.”

Listening to their exchange, I scoffed inwardly.

My safety, really. I’m probably the strongest one here.

Hahaha.

Then Gabby suddenly burst out laughing. When I glanced at his face, his eyes were unfocused.

“This is the first time we’ve spoken, but I’ve heard plenty about you, Your Highness.”

Gabby smirked and continued, “Seeing how diligently you obey the High Priest’s orders, I understand why people say you have two fathers.”

Gasp.

I inhaled sharply at Gabby’s words.

My demonic instincts flared. Gabby had just hurled a significant insult.

How fascinating. Truly.

I perked up my ears, focusing on their conversation.

“It seems there’s some misunderstanding.”

“What misunderstanding? Every noble in the empire knows that you, Your Highness, have two fathers: the Emperor who gave you life and the High Priest who raised you.”

Gabby smiled brightly and added, “As someone with only one father, I can’t help but feel envious.”

I was puzzled.

My instincts clearly told me Gabby was mocking Kayden, but… which part of his words were insulting?

Having more parents is a good thing, isn’t it?

Was it because I’m a demon, born without a mother or father, that I couldn’t grasp human emotions?

“…I only have one father, His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Oh dear. The High Priest would be so sad to hear that. Haven’t you served him more devotedly than the Emperor who gave you life?”

“I’m merely fulfilling my duties as a Holy Knight of the temple.”

I didn’t understand what they were talking about, but… one thing was clear: it was intriguing.

Demons naturally enjoy watching fights, after all.

By the way.

No matter how influential Gabby was as a noble, was it really okay for him to act so presumptuously toward a member of the imperial family?

I glanced up at Gabby’s face.

His eyes still looked wild.

I had hoped Gabby would cause enough trouble to drive Kayden away, but seeing his crazed expression, it seemed more likely that Gabby would cause irreparable damage instead.

I jabbed Gabby’s side with my elbow. When he turned to me, I quickly mouthed silently, ‘Stop it.’

Gabby’s expression grew even more menacing.

Fearing he might truly cause a disaster, I leaned in and whispered into his ear, “He’s still a prince, isn’t he? Heads look best when they’re attached to necks.”

But Gabby seemed to ignore my warning.

“Oh, were you worried about me? Don’t worry.”

If I fight, I’ll win.

Gabby mouthed silently to me, surprisingly straightforwardly. His expression, oddly bashful, only annoyed me further.

‘This confirms it. He’s definitely Ethan’s descendant.’

Ethan was equally simple-minded.

“Bella. If I have a child in the future, could you be the godmother?”

“Are you insane? You’re asking a demon to be a godmother?”

“What’s the problem? You’re the strongest person I know. It’s only natural to ask the strongest to be the godmother.”

The mysteries of bloodlines. Gabby seemed to have inherited Daphne’s looks and Ethan’s personality.

In any case, since Gabby was Ethan and Daphne’s descendant, I had to keep him alive.

But first, I needed to separate him from Kayden.

I smiled at Gabby and dragged him toward the mansion.

Surprisingly, Gabby followed me without resistance.

Once inside, I shoved Gabby into the nearest room.

“Do you have spare lives I don’t know about?”

“Wow, were you that worried about me?”

“Because it’d be troublesome if you died.”

For some reason, Gabby seemed pleased by my words and laughed heartily.

After laughing for a while, Gabby spoke, “You really don’t have to worry.”

When I shot him a distrustful look, he elaborated.

“This country has plenty of princes. Besides, Prince Kayden is the least… favored by His Majesty.”

Now that I think about it, the crown prince once told me. The current emperor finds Kayden, who enjoys the temple’s full support, troublesome.

“On the other hand, I’m a subject His Majesty cherishes very much.”

Gabby puffed out his chest and spoke with pride. I tilted my head at his words.

“You?”

Well… Gabby’s personality seemed too abrasive to win the emperor’s favor.

“Yes. Last time, His Majesty called me in privately and said he liked me better than that sly old man because I’m so transparent.”

Wasn’t that just a roundabout way of calling him simple?

I smiled brightly at Gabby and said, “You have a wonderfully carefree mindset.”

“…I know what that means, too, you know?”

Gabby responded with a serene smile.

“What matters is that His Majesty values me more than that old man. This brings me one step closer to my dream of seizing the dukedom.”

Such a goal-oriented fellow.

Gabby continued, “He’s not even the crown prince, just a mere prince. And a prince who’s fallen out of the emperor’s favor at that. While the temple may protect him, our family has you. What’s there to worry about?”

Who does he think he is to protect you? What is he to meddle in our family’s affairs?

Gabby muttered to himself.

Still, Gabby’s animosity toward Kayden felt… peculiar.

‘Didn’t they say they’d just met for the first time earlier?’

For a first meeting, Gabby’s dislike seemed excessive.

Gabby turned his head sharply toward me and spoke, “Anyway, nothing good comes from getting involved with a prince. Be careful. …And what’s with his face being so handsome?”

I paid attention to Gabby’s muttered comment.

Could that be why he disliked Kayden?

I grew curious about Gabby’s thoughts. Was he the type who couldn’t stand someone more attractive than him in the same space?

I glanced at Gabby’s face. Well… for a human, Gabby was fairly good-looking.

‘But Kayden has the kind of beauty that would stand out even among demons. If anything, he might surpass them.’

Maybe Gabby felt insecure about being overshadowed in looks.

While I reached that conclusion internally, Gabby spoke again.

“Anyway, I’ll make sure to kick that prince out of this house no matter what. Since the temple sent him, it wouldn’t look good for us to drive him out openly. So, I’ll make him leave on his own.”

“Do you have a plan?”

“I’ve been gifted at making life difficult for others since I was a child.”

Gabby flashed a self-satisfied smile at me.

“Good luck.”

At that moment, Gabby seemed oddly reliable.