Chapter 26
Thunder roared.
A deafening crash split the sky, and lightning struck everywhere. The town burned, and even the towers of the imperial palace collapsed.
Standing in the middle of the capital engulfed in flames like the fires of hell, Damon cried out.
“Who am I…? What is so good about someone like me… that you devoted yourself, sacrificed everything, and chose such a miserable death for me? Why… why…? Hic… Clarissa, I—I was wrong! Hic…!”
Holding Clarissa’s cold, lifeless body in his arms, Damon wept tears of blood.
In the end, I killed all of Racton’s bloodline… except for one.
He couldn’t kill the Duke’s seventh son—Ian Racton.
Ian had been Clarissa’s childhood friend.
If he killed Ian, there would be no one left in the world who remembered her.
So instead of killing Ian Racton… Damon let himself be killed.
Living was nothing but pain, and there was no reason to go on without Clarissa.
Ian had asked him what his final wish was.
Damon said he wanted his ashes scattered beside Clarissa’s remains.
But Ian had shaken his head.
“That’s not possible. If Clarissa is to rest in peace, you must never go near her again.”
With those words, Ian drove his sword into Damon’s heart.
Recalling the brutal end of his past life, Damon felt as though he could smell the metallic scent of blood again.
He shook his head violently, trying to erase the painful memories, and struggled to put on his coat.
“Baron Damon Craig!”
The door opened, and Valentine entered. Behind him, an elderly imperial physician blinked in shock.
“H-How are you standing? This is a miracle among miracles!”
“Your Highness Valentine, my body recovers quickly. There’s no need to worry.”
“I can see that from your expression. Still, we must find out who did this. To dare attempt an assassination at my engagement ceremony—and target someone close to me, no less.”
Valentine’s eyes gleamed with determination.
Damon already knew it was Ingis Racton, but he said nothing.
There was no name written on the arrow, but comparing its make and design would reveal the culprit soon enough.
“I trust Your Highness will uncover the truth. I’ll return home now. Clarissa must be worried.”
“I’ve already reassured her. She believes I’m doing everything possible to treat you, so there’s no need to worry.”
“…She didn’t come to see me? Even knowing I was struck by a poisoned arrow?”
Damon’s voice trembled.
“I told her you were given the antidote immediately. She was so grateful—honestly, I think I’ve earned quite a few points with her because of this. Haha.”
Valentine laughed lightly, in high spirits now that Damon had regained consciousness.
But that bright smile twisted Damon’s heart with jealousy.
I need to see Clarissa. And then… then what?
If he begged on his knees, would she forgive him?
After everything he had done?
Even if he confessed he remembered his past life and regretted it… would she accept him?
He had told her to go to the temple and get divorce papers.
He had even said he was sick of her.
What if she hands me the divorce papers the moment I return home?
Fear crept in.
No… Clarissa ran to me barefoot when she heard I was in danger.
Maybe… her feelings hadn’t completely disappeared yet.
If he treated her well now, maybe there was still a chance.
More than anything—
Damon wanted to see her.
He wanted to hold her tightly.
At that very moment, while Damon was drowning in regret and imagining a hopeful future with me—
I was at the wasteland, directing workers to gather gold, magic stones, and magical items.
“Milady! We’ve cleared out the entire streambed downstream! The gold and magic stones have been sorted and loaded onto four carts. There are also a lot of valuable magical items—we may need to hire more mercenaries!”
Hoan, an accountant from the Cyan Merchant Guild, said with shining eyes.
He had practically sold his soul for three gold coins, and now he had decided to continue working for me.
“Bring more carts and workers. There should be even more upstream.”
Heavy materials wouldn’t drift far—they would accumulate along the streambed.
Closer to the magic stone mine, there would be even rarer items.
“Upstream?”
“Yes. Go to the very top of the wasteland I purchased and gather everything.”
“Understood, milady.”
“And make sure today’s workers are well rewarded. Tell them to hurry before sunset.”
“Yes.”
Hoan hurried off.
After giving orders since early morning, fatigue was catching up to me—but I had no time to rest.
Damon would wake up soon.
Who knew he had immunity to poison?
I only learned he’d been struck by a poisoned arrow after returning to Middletown with the divorce papers.
I thought he’d at least protect himself after my warning—but clearly, he hadn’t listened at all.
When I heard the arrow pierced near his heart, it felt like all the blood drained from my body.
So he’s really going to die…
But then I was told the antidote had been administered, his heart restarted, and he would likely recover.
At that moment, anger surged within me.
He didn’t ignore me… he mocked me.
I had run barefoot to save him—and he treated me like a joke.
Even now, his words echoed in my ears:
“Get lost, Clarissa. Whether I live or die, you should just live your own life.”
“I told you—bring me the divorce papers as soon as possible.”
“Let go, Clarissa. A two-faced woman like you disgusts me.”
A bitter smile formed on my lips.
What had I ever expected from Damon Craig?
Not gratitude.
Not concern.
Even if I died, he wouldn’t blink.
It’s fine. I’ll take care of myself.
Looking up at the cold blue sky, I imagined my life after divorce.
The loneliness vanished instantly—replaced by excitement.
“I’ll live lazily, indulging in every luxury. And when I get bored, I’ll date a kind, obedient, handsome younger man and travel.”
Just imagining it made my heart race.
But then—
The distant sound of galloping hooves approached.
A cloud of dust rose in the distance.
Soon, Millan arrived, looking breathless.
“Milady! The master has awakened!”
“Already?! He should’ve stayed unconscious one more day!”
We hadn’t even cleared the upstream yet.
Damon had refused to give up the wasteland—even offering the estate, annexed lands, and a million Berks.
So once he signed the divorce papers, he would definitely take this gold-filled stream as well.
It wasn’t about the money.
A million Berks was already more than enough for a lifetime.
The reason I was being this greedy was simple:
I want revenge.
I hadn’t even received an apology from Damon Craig.
I hurriedly called out:
“Tell Hoan to prepare torches. Work continues even after sunset!”
“Yes, milady!”
“And Millan—”
“Yes, milady. Shall I escort you to the master?”
“He’s awake, so what? How about working for me instead? I’ll pay you three—no, five times your current salary.”
Millan blinked in shock.
“You don’t lack pay. Just tell me what you need—I’ll do it if I can.”
“Then roll up your sleeves and help collect magical items.”
“…Pardon? Shouldn’t I prepare tonics for the master?”
“Why prepare medicine for someone who’ll outlive me? I’m not interested in pleasing my husband’s mistress. Not that he’ll be my husband tomorrow anyway.”
I turned away coldly and walked upstream.
By the time Damon returned to the Middletown estate, dusk had fallen.
“Sniff… Master!”
The butler burst into tears at the sight of him.
They had thought Damon was dead.
Despite his cold nature, he had never lashed out at servants—only Clarissa.
“Where is…?”
Damon looked toward the eastern wing—Clarissa’s room.
The window was dark.
A chill swept through his chest.
She’s not… sleeping, is she?
She used to wait for him every night, her room always lit.
He had always ignored her.
Because if he didn’t, she would keep waiting.
But—
Knowing she was there had brought him comfort.
A home where his person, his wife, his woman waited…
That had been his only solace.
“…Clarissa. I’ll do better now.”
