The Side Character Turned Villainess - Chapter 287

[Author’s note: This chapter is back to Seri’s perspective.]

We took our time returning back. I purposely procrastinated in order to make up for the time we spent apart. Even though fulfilling that wicked promise of his made my legs go numb every single night. Eventually, we arrived back to the Imperial City. We stood on the outskirts overlooking it. Dante turned to me, “Should we return back to your home?”

I narrowed my eyes as I thought, “I feel like I am forgetting something very important…”

“…”

Knights suddenly appeared as if on cue and pointed their swords at us, “Are you the one called Seri?”

I immediately threw my hands up in a surrender as I yelped, “Yes!”

They shouted, “The King has ordered you to be detained and brought to his Majesty to seek justice!”

AH! How could I forget!?! I promised William that I would return and he could punish me for his father’s death and helping a traitor once I returned!

Dante’s face grew dark and went to pull out his sword. I quickly stopped him, “Wait! Don’t do anything rash! I made a promise to William. This was the only way I would be able to leave and save you.”

Dante sighed in defeat and put his sword back in his scabbard, “Fine. But I am coming with.”

The knights swiftly placed me in chains and dragged me to go meet the King. I was marched through the town like a sinner going to meet their death. Well… Actually, that may be a bit too accurate. I am so dead.

But a promise is a promise.

William was already waiting in the audience room sitting atop his throne. I was thrown down on the ground by his feet. William looked down at me coldly while tapping his finger impatiently. His voice was icy, “You sure took your time getting back. I wasn’t sure if you were dead or if you had lied to me.”

I looked up at him with an innocent smile, “I said I would return, and I did.”

“Hm.” William glanced up and stared at Dante. Dante glanced away from his eyes. He still wasn’t sure how to act in this situation. The last time he had seen William was not the best encounter. William’s voice was strained as he spoke, “I see… You lived…”

Dante answered calmly, “I did.”

“Did you get… Hurt?”

“I didn’t.”

I looked at the two in disbelief. Holy sh*t this is awkward. They both seem like they want to say something, but neither one has the courage to say it. They need help.

I cleared my throat, “William. Don’t you have anything to say to Dante?”

“Hah?!” William looked at me in response and I nodded in encouragement. He swallowed hard and started to turn red in embarrassment, “I am… Sorry…”

“For what?” I encouraged him.

“I am sorry I purposely made you angry so you would kill me…”

Dante was shocked to hear this, “You purposely tried to make me angry?”

William began to speak quickly in embarrassment, “I just felt like you should have become King instead of me. My father always praised you and he was right. You were better at everything than I was. I had to work so hard, but you were always able to gain things effortlessly. I thought the world would be better if you were King instead of me.”

Dante shook his head, “No… I never wanted to be King. Just being a Knight was enough for me.”

I looked to Dante, “Now Dante. Do you have anything to say to William?”

“…”

I gave him a stern look, “Dante.”

Dante reluctantly spoke, “I am sorry for not treating our friendship more valuably. I had always thought that my sole duty was to protect you. Due to that thinking, I did not even consider us friends. However, while I was in prison, I had time to think. If there was anyone who would have my back, it was you. I could always count on you. I am sorry that I disregarded our friendship even though you were always so kind to me.”

William shook his head and spoke quickly, “No! It was my fault for treating you like you should always be by my side as my personal Knight! I didn’t even think that you would have a life outside of serving me. It was my fault for looking down on our friendship and being selfish enough to take it for granted. So for that… I am sorry…”

William forced himself to speak, “B-Brother…”

Dante’s voice was equally clumsy sounding, “Brother…”

I chuckled, “There. That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

“It was.” They said simultaneously.

Dante turned to William with a frown, “Even though you are my brother and my friend, I will still kill you if you dare hurt Seri.”

William’s mouth dropped, “Why do you think I am going to hurt her?!”

I held up the chains with an uncomfortable smile.

William hesitated, “Oh… Those.”

I nodded, “Yeah… They are a bit… Overkill?”

William crossed his arms and looked away in irritation, “Yeah, those will stay on.”

“…”

Dante frowned, “Why?”

William motioned for the guards to leave, but they wavered. He frowned at them “Go!” They bowed quickly and William waited for them to leave before speaking, “Why do you think? Just because I have made peace with you doesn’t mean I have made peace with her.”

Dante glanced at me, “But…”

William stood up quickly seething with anger, “No buts! Did you forget that she helped Simon kill my father? OUR father?! She knew the entire time and didn’t think to tell us. Then when Simon killed him, she actually helped him escape! Not only has Simon successfully managed to escape, but he is now the King of the Sanki Kingdom!”

“Wait! He actually is King now?!”

William glared at me, “DON’T ACT SO HAPPY!”

I bowed my head apologetically. I didn’t mean to sound happy… I was just surprised to hear that my plan had actually worked.

Dante was silent as well. He knew that William was right. In the end, I still conspired to kill a sitting King. That was a crime worthy of capital punishment. In most cases, I would be tried for treason and would be hanged along with most of my family. Saying anything at this point would just make things worse.

William sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose, “Now there is absolutely nothing I can do to Simon unless I want to make our current situation in the war worse. The people of the Sanki Kingdom are actually willing to die fighting for Simon unlike they were for the King before. They already have record numbers of people willingly signing up for the army.”

William stopped and looked at Dante, “So do you really believe I shouldn’t punish her for what she has done? Even when she has admitted to the crimes? She may be our long-time friend, but no one is above the law.”

Dante looked away with a frown. His lack of answer was almost his agreement.

William stepped over to me with a frightening look on his face. I didn’t know whether to act remorseful or innocent. My face twitched as I prepared for him to order my death. My heart felt like it was going to stop from the stress of the anticipation.

William spoke, “You said you would accept any punishment I give you. Is that still true? Or did you lie about that too?”

I shook my head quickly, “No! A promise is a promise. I committed those crimes, so it is only natural that I be punished for them. However, you made a promise too. You said that no one else would get hurt for my stupid decision.”

William nodded, “I haven’t forgot. So? Do you admit your guilt once and for all?”

I lowered my head, “I do. I will accept any punishment.”

Dante tightened his fists. Once again, he felt so powerless.

William nodded, “Good. Then I shall now administer your punishment.”

I squeezed my eyes shut as I prepared for William to chop off my head. My only regret now was that Dante was forced to watch.

I heard the sound of a scroll landing on the floor in front of me. I opened my eyes in surprise, “What is this?”

“As punishment for trying to solve the issue of Simon killing the King on your own, you will now be forced into a work contract with me.”

My mouth dropped as I read it, “THIS IS LIKE A SLAVE CONTRACT!”

For the rest of my life, I must serve King William as his personal Knight and advisor. I will work seven days a week during the full workday. I must be prepared to be at the King’s side 24 hours a day. I will accept all orders King William gives me without being able to disobey. I will not be able to drink alcohol while on the job. I must follow all rules that are stated in the Knight’s law. Disobeying these rules with result in the immediate death of me and my family. Furthermore, as punishment for my crimes, I will only be paid a coin a day.

That was even less than what commoners make!!

William frowned as he stepped closer, “Do you have any problems with it? I can just chop off your head instead.”

I sat up quickly with a smile, “No, no. This is fine.”

“It’s true that I am still angry at you for what you did.” William let out a tired sigh, “But Millie told me that in the end you tried to stop it. I can’t forgive you, but I can’t let you go either.”

Hearing this, there was no way I couldn’t agree with his choice. I grumbled as he handed me the pen and had me sign the document. Then, my thumb was pricked and I placed a bloody fingerprint on the page.

I had successfully signed away my soul.

Dante was stupefied, “Is this really a punishment?”

William asked him, “What are the two things Seri has been obsessed with from the very beginning?”

Dante glanced at my depressed expression and knew instantly, “Money and power.”

William nodded, “Exactly. I could have killed her, but then it really isn’t  a punishment. So, I took away the two things she wanted most of all. Money and the ability to do whatever she wanted whenever she wants.”

Ah… My freedom… No… My endless supply of dirty money…

He spoke loudly, “Now I will give you your first task.”

I wanted to sob, “Already?!”

He ignored me and continued, “Your first task is to solve this problem with Simon! Everyone thinks that he has killed my father! They want his head! I don’t possibly know how I can solve this without being put in a bad position!”

I tapped my chin as I thought. Then my face lit up, “Oh! I know what we can do. Simon was willing to end the war if you were willing to agree to a trade agreement.”

William crossed his arms in irritation, “My people would dethrone me if I were to agree to a trade agreement with that traitor.”

Hmm… All I need to do is think of a movie plot I can use in this situation, right?

I winked at him, “What if he wasn’t a traitor? What if he was a double agent all along?”

William nodded, “I’m listening.”

“Let’s say that Simon was on our side all along. He went undercover and discovered the previous Sanki King sent someone here to kill the Imperial King. He killed him and pretended that he was the true killer to get the Sanki King’s trust. Then, when the Sanki king least expected it, he led a rebellion to overthrow him. Now that Simon is King, he will be our greatest ally. The Imperial Kingdom will be even stronger with another Kingdom in our alliance.”

William nodded, “That would be great, but how do we know that Simon would actually honor our alliance? How can we sure he is not an exact replica of his father?”

I scratched my cheek, “Well I guess we can’t be too sure. However, he did save my life when I was fighting the Sanki King.”

Dante frowned, “He could have just done that because he knew the outcome would suit him.”

I nodded, “Ah… That’s true…”

William was shocked, “Wait. You were fighting the Sanki King?”

“Who do you think actually led the rebellion?” I frowned at him, “Didn’t you have a spy in the Palace? You knew about my advice to take the Lorei City!”

William coughed awkwardly, “The spy… Well I actually don’t know who the spy was. All I know was that an anonymous individual started sending me letters. But they wouldn’t tell me much.”

My mouth dropped in shock, “Wait! You trusted an anonymous letter?!”

William sighed, “At first I didn’t, but they clearly knew who I was. I thought it was you sending me letters, so I trusted it. Judging by your reaction, I am second guessing that now.”

My face twitched, “Do you still have those letters?”

He nodded and went over to a desk to pull them out. He handed them to me. I read them carefully and suddenly felt like shouting in anger. I glared at the papers and muttered in disbelief, “I recognize this handwriting. He writes just like how he fights with a sword. I really don’t understand his thinking…”

William looked at me in surprise, “Who is it?”

I tossed it back to him, “Who do you think? Who else knows about us three so intimately? Who else has eyes and ears everywhere?”

William frowned, “Uh… Millie?”

I slapped my forehead, “No! It was Simon!”