“Let’s hear what you have to say.”

After a while, grandfather’s voice resounded in the conference room where everyone had disappeared.

After Chloe and the vassals are gone, grandfather told me to meet him alone.

Indeed, it was a place where the two of us faced each other for the first time after a long time.

“Irene, you seem different today than usual.”

The answer to his question was simple.

Because I’m a different person.

But if I say that, will he believe me?

“Because many things have changed.”

I answered in a roundabout way, but my grandfather nodded slowly while stroking his gray-bearded chin,

“Right. The reason why Deborah died so suddenly…”

My father stopped abruptly while talking even though he speak well, it didn’t seem like a family head.

The person who seemed to be unmoved no matter who died in the world or disappeared was visibly agitated.

‘The position of Mergen’s successor is not an easy place!’

‘There are many people who you’ll be responsible for. Be more serious.’

‘Are you saying this is difficult?’

The one who always whipped me with those words.

However, it wasn’t that grandfather was soft to Irene.

Grandfather, who only prioritized the family in the first place, did not feel sorry for or valued Irene.

He just stood by the sidelines despite the contempt of his vassals.

Is it because his heart went weak because one of his granddaughter is dead?

“Sister Deborah is dead, and I know as the family head you don’t want me to bear the stigma of being her murderer.”

“… …”

At least I wanted to free Irene from being a suspect.

Whether I use this body forever, or whether Irene’s soul returns back.

Even if Irene really killed me.

“I have no intention of being the successor. No, I’m not in a position to be one.”

“That…”

Everyone will know.

“So, let me just preserve this frail life. I know you can do that.”

I said it using the title of broken grandfather.

Then, a complex expression crossed his face.

“Please protect me from my stepmother.”

I am already dead.

It would be foolish to want to live like before with this body.

When I became Irene, I could clearly see the swamp where I was floundering without even knowing I was in it.

Family Head, what did I risk my life for?

What’s the point of reigning in this place where filthy bugs are swarming?

Mergen was nothing but a shiny apple which was rotten from inside.

If you just poke it, or grab it, it will explode and maggots will pour out.

Without me, Mergen would even lose its shiny shell and disappear.

“If you want me to leave this place, I’ll leave. So,”

“…No.”

Grandfather blocked my words about leaving this place.

“You don’t need to leave this place.”

“…What.”

“Is there any reason for Mergen’s blood to run away?”

At my grandfather’s words, I couldn’t hide my furrowed brow.

Could it be that he’s trying to use Irene since Deborah is gone?

“Do you think it’s right for Chloe’s son to become the head of Mergen?”

“… …”

Apparently, grandfather was way more obsessed with bloodline than I expected.

If not, he must be trying to test me.

But my decision was very easy.

I shook my head.

“I can’t.”

I didn’t want to go through that bell again.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Silence followed my firm words.

Grandfather just sip his tea in front of him.

We couldn’t make any promises or endings.

***

After talking to my grandfather, I returned to my room and fell asleep.

Even before it’s evening, my energy was completely gone.

I must have felt asleep for quite a while. I felt a headache as I raised my eyelids.

When I came to my senses, I felt a terrible thirst.

“Ah…”

I just barely turned around and a sick sound came out.

With a body like this, it felt difficult to even pass a day.

“Hah.”

It was when I was brushing my hair that it was disheveled and covered my eyes.

A strange feeling permeated the dark room.

‘It’s strange.’

I had a habit of putting my hand under my pillow.

‘Shit.’

But I wasn’t prepared since I didn’t realize earlier that this isn’t my room.

The dagger I always carried around was not under Irene’s pillow.

I moved my gaze to the bedside table.

But the only thing I found there was a vase.

I slowly opened my mouth in alert.

“Who is it?”

My voice broke out and at the same time two figures hiding in the dark spot appeared.

They were dressed in black and their faces were with black masks.

“Unfortunately, I opened my eyes early.”

The cracked voice that seemed to come from the scratching throat terrified the eardrums.

“Reveal your identity.”

“Hmm. That’s not something difficult.”

Contrary to my expectations, the man took off the mask easily.

“…Vermont.”

I couldn’t help but frown at the identity of the masked person.

He was one of the vassals and Chloe’s subordinate.

He was no different than a right hand man of Roosevelt, Chloe’s younger brother.

“Why are you here….?”

“You are really acting like a stranger today. Well, it was mind-boggling to think that you exposed me in the meeting room.”

Did Vermont have any problem with Irene?

What kind of relationship did Irene have with the family in the first place?

My mind was full of questions, but I couldn’t ask any of them as the masked man suddenly grabbed me.

“Hey-!”

That man’s hand covered my mouth.

Vermont approached me in a leisurely way.

He had something in his hands.

‘What is it? A syringe?’

As soon as I confirmed that it was a syringe in his hand, an unpleasant chill ran down my spine.

“Um, Umm!”

I couldn’t say anything to Vermont, let alone scream for help.

I eventually stepped on the foot of the person who was holding me with all my might.

“Ah!”

While the man holding me lost his strength for a moment, I grabbed the vase on the bedside table.

Thud-!

The vase hit that man’s head with a thud and shattered in pieces.

“Argh…!”

The man grabbed his head and rolled on the ground in pain, and soon the smell of blood wafted out.

“What happened to you today! Why are you rolling on the ground! Catch that bitch right away!”

I firmly held the remaining pieces of the broken vase and stomped them in the body of the man who was lying on the floor immobilizing his body.

As I bent down, Vermont’s gaze followed me.

“Halt, if you come closer I’ll stab this man’s neck.”

“Ha, you’ve gone really crazy.”

Vermont opened his mouth and couldn’t hide his absurd expression.

“You, are you really Irene?”

He was suspicious of me.

But moreover, this situation was an unimaginable reaction from Irene to Vermont.

“I’m sure you don’t carry your eyes around as a decoration.”

“That’s why it doesn’t make sense! You usually give your blood without a word, why are you acting like a crazy person today!”

I pondered over every word he said.

‘Usually give your blood without any word?’

“Are you here to draw my blood?”

“Ha, then do I have any business with you other than that?”

“Put the syringe away.”

“You damn bitch….. where do you learn to talk like that?”

Vermont muttered under his breath and tossed away the syringe and other tools he was carrying.

At least it was a relief that this man was helpful to be a threat to Vermont.

“So, what are you gonna do? Stab that man with the broken vase fragment and kill me too?

Vermont twitched his lips at these words.

“Your hand is bleeding. Wouldn’t it be better to just give it to me than to waste it like this?”

He said, looking at my blood dripping from the cut of my hand.

“How do you use my blood?”

“Are you curious about that after 10 years?”

10 years?

I felt as if I had been hit in the head for a moment.

It was shocking to know that this man was drawing Irene’s blood for these 10 years and I didn’t even know about it.

In that instant, the needle marks and bruises on Irene’s forearms flashed through my memory.

I just let it go because I thought it was just a sign of treatment.

“10 years… what the hell did you do with all that blood for these 10 years!?”

My stomach groaned.

Could it be that something fishy is going on within Mergen’s walls that I don’t know about?

“Hah, what do you mean by what? It’s obvious. It’s because of the great power of your lineage. I also don’t know about it so deeply. Since i explained everything to you, will you give me your blood willingly?”

Judging by Vermont’s brazen conduct, it was clear that he didn’t feel any slight of guilt.

“I don’t know why you're acting so strange today, but let’s not waste our strength anymore.”

Vermont moved a step forward toward me.

In response, I pressed the sharp piece of base in the man’s neck lying down.

“Ah-Argh! St-stop it! Pl-please save me!”

The man begged instinctively, and Vermont stood still in his place with a hard face.

“Does it seem like I’m joking?”

“….You’ve completely gone crazy.”