During the day, I deliberately bumped into the princess, successfully transferring the malevolent energy harbored within me.

‘What just happened?’

Before executing the second plan, I risked my life to tail her, only to find the emperor with her.

‘The malevolent energy I transferred to the princess is gone.’

I had confirmed the complete transfer with my own eyes, but was shocked when the energy disappeared by evening.

‘I don’t know how she managed to get rid of it, but I can’t give up now.’

My mind briefly went numb as if struck by a hammer, but I quickly hid behind a wall and sank into thought.

I still had various means prepared for contingencies.

Suddenly—

‘This time, I will not fail.’

However, I couldn’t help but be furious when my most likely successful plan went awry. I nervously bit my nails and trembled; it was the only way to dispel my anger.

‘Don’t think this is over!’

Soon, the vivid testimony from the sole survivor who had witnessed the general decapitating my father flashed across my mind.

‘Although we were defeated by the empire, I will succeed in avenging the blood relatives killed by your ancestors’ greed!’

‘Just as we’ve suffered, someone dear to you will also lose their life…’

He was a prisoner deliberately kept alive to convey news to the rebel army. After seeing the brutal execution of my father, who had been highly esteemed among our allies, he lost his mind and soon took his own life.

‘Losers sure talk a lot.’

The sound of the blade cutting through air and flesh sent my heart plummeting. It felt as though I were at the scene, tormented by the echoes that occasionally rang in my ears.

“The avenger of my father…”

Determined only for revenge, I posed as a spy and infiltrated the empire after painstakingly changing my appearance and status. I couldn’t break down here.

Moreover, news of my first failed attempt would soon reach the ears of the Mondroit family who had aided my infiltration. To ensure my safety until my vengeance succeeded, no more mistakes could be made.

Thud, thud—

Eventually, I safely arrived in the princess’s bedroom, recalling the patrol guards and maids’ shift schedules and routes.

Silence—

The master key I’d obtained through blood and sweat proved its worth. With a rapidly pounding heart, I cautiously opened the door and quickly closed it.

The dim bedroom was utterly empty, void of even a hiding figure.

“This is what the princess uses to call the maids, isn’t it?”

I needed to somehow transfer the bad energy back to the princess, so I searched for something she frequently used and found a bell.

‘It’s frequently used, so it should be effective if I infuse it with malevolent energy.’

Good! A ray of hope shined on me, and I smiled victoriously.

Zing—

“Ah!”

However, the moment I grasped the bell, a sharp pain struck my head and abdomen.

“A-aaah!”

Despite making a loud noise, I clenched my mouth shut to avoid detection, but the pain grew more intense, causing me to drop the bell and scream.

‘What on earth has been done to a mere bell?’

Immediately after, the jingling sound pierced my ears like a death sentence, leaving me flustered and fleeing from the princess’s bedroom.

‘It’s over! Who would have thought there’d be such power in a baby’s toy?’

I prayed I wouldn’t run into anyone as I thought of my next move after securing my safety.

However, the moment I rounded a large pillar and turned left, a dark silhouette appeared, grabbing and twisting my arm behind me before slamming my forehead against the wall.

Thump—

“……Shh.”
A menacing breath tinged with a warning to cease foolish actions brushed against my ear.

“Finally, you have arrived at Bowellian Castle, Your Highness.”

Soon after, a faint laugh was heard. As I barely turned my head back, I saw a woman with green hair. She was Lillith, the aide to the Empress who holds the rank of a general.

“Did you think everything has gone smoothly so far because you were meticulous?”

With a snort, her saffron eyes elegantly folded into arches.

“But what if you were wrong? The moment you obtained the key, you were already caught in my trap!”

I wanted to retort, but a sharp pain in my side silenced me.

“You were smart to figure out the shift changes between the maids and the patrol guards, but being recklessly brave led you here. This is a fitting end for a third-rate villain you’d only find in a novel.”

Lillith, adding that I should have used my head as much as I had acted, clicked her tongue while looking at me.

“How pitiable you are…”

Soon, with a sly smile, Lillith handcuffed me and spoke.

“I recommend you practice chess with imaginary friends while rotting away in prison for the rest of your life.”

No, it can’t end like this!

In a last-ditch effort, I struggled, but knights emerged at Lillith’s signal, grabbed my arms, and restrained me.

I had no choice but to surrender for now.

“Sir Esian, can you report this incident to His Majesty?”

“Certainly, Lady Lillith. Leave it to me.”