My Body Has Been Possessed By Someone - Chapter 187
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 187
A long shadow stretched across the ground.
The shadow froze in place, as if nailed to the spot.
I held my breath. Then, slowly, I turned my body and bowed deeply toward the Divine Spirit.
I had resolved never to look at his face.
My gaze fixed solely on his shadow—that long, dark expanse stretching before me.
In that instant, the air turned bitterly cold. The temperature surrounding me plummeted below freezing.
But I kept my eyes lowered. I did not look at him.
That moment stretched unbearably long. It felt like ten years, like a thousand.
“….”
Yet it lasted only a breath.
Finally, the shadow moved. Time, held captive, began to pour forth. He walked past me in silence.
I released the breath I had been holding.
‘He’s gone.’
The Divine Spirit had passed. He did not approach me, did not speak to me, but walked past as if I were a stranger.
‘Of course. It was only natural.’
I smiled bitterly.
Our bond was completely severed. I had severed it myself.
Several months ago, the day I had promised him drew near.
I went to that appointed place on the day of our promise. And I ended it decisively.
“I’m happy now. I don’t want to escape this life.”
At that time, Tatiana Evgenia’s life was perfect, and I had not the slightest desire to leave.
I would have done anything to protect that life.
“I’m not going with you.”
Even if it meant breaking my promise with him.
“I’m sorry.”
I wanted to leave no room for negotiation. So I cut coldly.
“Actually, I’m not very sorry, so sorry.”
Very cruelly.
“I have the freedom to choose my own life, don’t I?”
As harsh words poured from my lips, he said nothing. He merely gazed at me with quiet eyes.
That silence itself suffocated me.
“Honestly, even if this weren’t my life, I still wouldn’t go with you.”
Overwhelmed by his silence, I found myself saying things I need not have said.
“You killed more than half the priests of the Divine Temple, didn’t you? Is it true you severed their heads and displayed them?”
But I shouldn’t have said that.
“It’s horrifying.”
The moment the words left my mouth, I knew.
This was a mistake. And it wasn’t even sincere.
Yet he remained silent to the end. No excuses, no resentment, nothing revealed.
“Don’t ever come looking for me again. You’re in the way.”
They were harsh words, I’ll admit. But they were effective.
After that, he never showed any lingering attachment to me again.
‘It’s all in the past now.’
I turned my head very carefully. But he had already vanished—he was nowhere to be seen. Not even a shadow remained.
“Ugh….”
A strange groan echoed through the air. Simultaneously, a foul stench assaulted my nostrils.
I quickly pinched my nose and looked down.
“Father Astan?”
Astan lay sprawled on the ground, unconscious.
Moreover, the lower half of his pristine white priest’s robes was stained yellow, and that was….
‘He soiled himself?’
How terrified must he have been to lose control like that!
Naturally, I had no obligation to help him. A servant or guard would find him eventually.
I walked away without looking back.
“…Save me….”
Astan, left alone, muttered weakly.
Still unconscious, he seemed to be trapped in a nightmare, whimpering and pleading.
“Save me, please….”
* * *
When I returned to my room, someone was waiting for me.
It was the Queen’s Attendant. The Queen had summoned me.
“I apologize for concealing Alexei’s betrothal.”
The Queen set down her teacup as she spoke.
“I’m sorry. Alexei pleaded with me so desperately. He acted as though he would abandon the throne and flee with you if this truth came to light.”
“Yes, I’m truly sorry, Tatiana. I tried to tell you several times, but my brother had leverage over me….”
Princess Joanna followed, apologizing with visibly diminished spirits.
They both looked unwell, clearly having been deeply troubled all this time.
Just how ruthlessly had Alexei threatened them to leave them looking so wounded?
‘I don’t want to discuss that anymore.’
Perhaps the Queen sensed my feelings, for she mercifully didn’t broach that subject again. Instead, she brought up something far more pressing.
“I hear you encountered Orsini in Britzk Territory. Is this true?”
“Yes.”
“So hiding you has failed.”
In that moment, I was certain. The Queen was going to discard me.
She had already squeezed out all the benefits. Yalden’s medical situation had improved, and my existence had become an obstacle to Alexei’s future. So….
“Therefore, stop hiding yourself.”
Queen Ekaterina spoke with unwavering resolve.
“Marry one of the two princes.”
What?
“If you become a member of the royal family, even if Adis demands you, we will have grounds to protect you.”
“….”
“What do you think of becoming Alexei’s concubine?”
Every word the Queen uttered defied my expectations.
It was utterly unexpected.
I couldn’t believe it.
Perhaps that’s why I found myself speaking my true thoughts without thinking.
“I was very close with Princess Amelia. I cannot even imagine sharing the same husband with her.”
“Then would you marry Lorenzo instead?”
“No!”
That was absolutely impossible. How could I marry such a young boy!
“Why are you making such proposals? Am I not a burden to you?”
“From a practical standpoint, the losses would outweigh the gains.”
The Queen readily acknowledged this.
“But it’s worth the cost.”
Really? Was my medical skill truly worth that much?
“Alexei cares for you very much.”
But that wasn’t the value the Queen spoke of.
“Lorenzo, Yoanna, and I as well—we all care for you deeply, Tatiana.”
In that moment, I lost all words. My face flushed with heat.
“Every member of the Friedrich Royal House cares for you greatly. That’s why we wish to protect you.”
I was completely stunned, staring blankly at the Queen.
“If you dislike Alexei, what of becoming Lorenzo’s empress consort?”
“That’s… impossible.”
“Of course, if you choose Lorenzo, Alexei will resist. But ultimately, he will accept it. Because this is the only way to protect you.”
At those words, a burning warmth surged from my chest. I could no longer contain it.
‘I don’t want to give up this life.’
I loved Tatiana’s people, Tatiana’s life—all of it.
But I couldn’t. Absolutely not.
“Your Majesty, the Black Apostles are targeting me. Because of me, Yalden could be drawn into danger.”
Then the Queen spoke with blade-like resolve.
“Then all the more reason we must protect you.”
My heart trembled.
Even after hearing of the Black Apostles, they still wished to protect me? They still wanted to become family?
The intense temptation left my mouth parched.
‘No, I can’t. This is greed.’
I clenched my fists tightly, clinging to reason.
I had to refuse before this overwhelming temptation consumed my senses.
“I cannot accept, Your Majesty. Prince Lorenzo is far too young.”
“My late husband, whom I lost long ago, was ten years younger than I. Of course, it was a political marriage between houses.”
The Queen shrugged her shoulders.
“If it troubles you so, think of it as a strategic marriage—a tactic to protect you.”
“But….”
“I have never tasted defeat in the wars to unify the fractured Yalden, Tatiana. So trust me and follow my lead.”
The Queen grasped her shoulders.
“Forgo the wedding ceremony and draft the marriage documents first. Then attend Alexei’s betrothal ceremony as Prince Lorenzo’s bride. Show your face boldly before all.”
The Queen’s eyes blazed with fierce intensity. She was already a warrior thrown into battle.
“This betrothal is an important contract between the Empire and the Kingdom. You know as well as I do that weddings are not conducted with such grandeur here.”
In Yalden, where tradition dictated that only blood relatives gathered for weddings, betrothal ceremonies were always held with greater splendor.
In truth, the betrothal ceremony was little more than a wedding in disguise.
“All the authorities of the Western Continent have gathered for this betrothal. So even if they discover the problem of your existence, they will want to let it pass quietly. There will be no better opportunity than this.”
“I can’t.”
Kanna Adis’s voice trembled.
“This cannot be. It mustn’t be.”
“No, Tatiana!”
Princess Joanna, who had been silent until now, clenched her fists and cried out.
“Marry Lorenzo! Become family with us!”
“Princess Joanna.”
“Orsini found out anyway! All the better. Don’t hide anymore. Reveal yourself boldly this time!”
“But….”
“And I’m sorry for keeping Alexei’s affairs secret. Forgive me.”
“That’s not what matters right now….”
Why were they saying such things?
Perhaps they could not understand. They did not know what consequences would unfold if they accepted her.
“I understand everything, Tatiana.”
The Queen took her hand. It was small but possessed an iron grip.
“Become part of our family, Tatiana. Let us make it known that you are of the Friedrich Royal House, that you are someone who must not be touched carelessly.”
“I cannot. I cannot ruin Prince Lorenzo’s life. He is….”
Then the door burst open. Prince Lorenzo strode in with fierce determination.
“I’m willing!”
In his hand were wildflowers hastily plucked.
Prince Lorenzo dropped to one knee before her. He thrust forward the humble bouquet.
“Will you marry me, Tatiana!”
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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