The Villain's Ending is Only Death Chapter 53
I opened my mouth wide. What on earth did he mean by that?
The duke's words sounded like he was giving me permission to shoot people.
"Ah, Father. What do you mean by that…?"
I stammered, tentatively probing to see if I had understood correctly. The duke clicked his tongue loudly.
"Tsk, don't think about causing a scene in front of everyone like a wild calf and disgracing the family!"
"Once you faint, you'll lose your memory, so don't leave any witnesses who saw you come. Understand?"
His tone was like he was trying to persuade a reckless daughter who was about to cause trouble.
'He was banned from participating for a year because he was making a fuss about shooting with a crossbow?'
But instead of forbidding it, he was changing the arrows to make one faint and casting a spell to erase memory.
'Truly… should I say the duke's influence is formidable…?'
Or should I say Penelope, who has become uncontrollable, is remarkable?
"Why aren't you answering?"
The duke urged me, looking at me suspiciously as I remained silent.
I couldn't bring myself to say that I wouldn't hunt humans and would behave properly. My attendance at the hunting competition, which I had tried to avoid, was now confirmed.
"…I understand, Father. I'll use it well."
"Hmm. If you understand, that's fine."
After I reluctantly confirmed, the duke cleared his throat and added.
"I was going to explain the situation to you and give you this, not to scold you."
It was an unexpected comfort. I looked at the duke with wide eyes.
"Um, understood. Then, I'll take it and go up. The conversation has gone on for a while."
He seemed to be as surprised as I was by his own words, and he awkwardly smiled as he hurriedly tidied up.
Before I could stop him, he called a maid and instructed her to bring the crossbow to my room.
I hesitated, looking at the suddenly neat table.
The duke looked at me, still sitting, with a puzzled expression.
Forget it. Since he brought it, I might as well give it.
"I have something to give you, Father."
I fumbled and took out something I had hidden under my skirt.
Unlike what I gave Emily, it was a box wrapped in luxurious velvet.
I opened it and carefully extended it to the duke.
A brilliant silver light filled his widened eyes.
He seemed quite surprised by the sudden gift.
"This is… an amulet, isn't it?"
"It has an emergency teleportation spell inscribed on it."
"Why are you giving this to me…?"
As expected. From the duke's reaction, it was clear that his youngest daughter had never received even a single flower from the garden.
I shook my head at the foolish Penelope and explained in a warm voice.
"Recently, this is the most popular gift among the nobles attending the hunting competition, Father."
"Yes. This time, guests from other countries will participate, and they plan to release rare animals they brought."
"During the competition, I want you to keep it with you just in case."
"Who would dare attack me in this empire?"
"While they might not attack, some faction might try to approach you for Ecart's political position."
The duke looked at me as if I were a strange creature he had never seen before.
The silver amulet I gave him, inscribed with an emergency teleportation spell, was quite expensive.
Actually, I had debated between a defensive spell and this one, but this was better.
Ecart had proclaimed neutrality and not participated in the war.
If the duke were killed or attacked, Ecart would be turned into an enemy, and the war would reignite. No one would be that foolish.
'But they might kidnap and threaten you.'
"If anything unfortunate happens to you, factions that want to involve Ecart in factional strife will surely appear."
"Yes, that you would think of such a thoughtful thing…!"
The duke muttered in shock, then hesitated and said, "No, no," closing his mouth.
"Right. I'll keep it with me."
He answered with a dazed look, just like when I received the crossbow with a spell to erase the memory of the person hit.
He seemed to have never expected to receive such a meaningful gift from his unruly daughter.
Originally, I brought the gift to avoid his anger.
Although it was given for a different purpose, the gift-giving ceremony was over.
Feeling a bit uncomfortable, I got up and hurriedly headed for the door. That's when it happened.
A low voice called me from behind.
"…You've become quite mature recently."
The duke looked at me with an unreadable expression and said.
It was a nice compliment.
But for some reason, it made my throat tight. I didn't know why.
Just then, my mouth moved on its own.
At the long-unheard title, the duke's blue eyes gradually widened.
"I can't say I never resented you."
Was this for the pitiful Penelope? Or,
"I have never once thought that I was not grateful for bringing me here."
Was this a miserable statement from someone who didn't even get treated like a foolish calf like Penelope?
〈SYSTEM〉Your reputation with Duke Ecart has increased by +15.
Either way, I felt like crying a little.
The hunting competition was approaching in a few days.
In the morning, I called the butler and received a bundle of blunt-tipped practice wooden bolts (arrows).
I couldn't use the expensive, double-spelled beads just for practice.
After handing me the bolts, the butler didn't leave immediately.
He hesitated and then handed me an envelope.
After my successful meeting with Bunter, I had instructed the butler to burn all the invitations that came to me.
"This is a letter from the palace, so I couldn't dispose of it on my own."
My facial muscles twitched at the butler's words.
What could the palace possibly have to write to me about?
The golden wax seal with the imperial dragon looked ominous.
'…I don't want to read it.'
But I had to read it to prepare.
I sighed deeply and opened the envelope with a paper knife.
I took out the contents and started reading.
It has been several months since our meeting in the maze garden.
Every time there was a large or small banquet at the palace, I instructed that you be invited, but you never attended.
Are you still struggling with the poison?
Fortunately, the hunting competition is coming soon, so the day we meet again is not far off.
You must have heard that the ban on your participation has been lifted?
I personally spoke up in favor of it for your sake.
So please recover quickly and meet me in good health.
P.S.: You haven't forgotten our agreement, have you?
It's better if you remember, Penelope.
I have been eagerly waiting for your response, enduring the poison for a long time.
I shivered as I read the signature in strong handwriting and crumpled the paper mercilessly.
'Why can't he forget it?'
I shuddered at the prince's persistence.
I couldn't understand why, after being possessed in a dating simulation game, I had to receive not love letters but threatening letters.
The butler looked at me in surprise.
"What kind of letter is it that makes you react like this?"
Yes. A threatening letter from some crazy guy with nothing better to do.
I swallowed my words and asked abruptly.
"When do the knights' training sessions end today?"
"I believe it's until 6 PM, but why are you asking?"
I originally planned to try shooting a few times when I had time.
To gauge how good my archery skills were and why I caused such a fuss last year.
"I need to use the training ground today."
I had a desperate reason to master the crossbow.