Taming The Villainesses

(EP-336.2) Of Hearts #5

336 – Queen of Hearts #5

A glass of wine sat before me. Reflected in the deep purple liquid was my own face—a boy with delicate features and striking blue eyes.

Unlike last time, I could see my features. 

But… there was no scar on the right eye.

Just then, someone sat across from me and pulled back their hood.

“So here you are, Sir Theo.”

“Lady Mirna.”

It was Mirna. Wearing an old ash-gray robe, she pulled her hood back over her head and pressed a finger to her lips.

“Shh. The place is heavily guarded. It’s best if we don’t get caught.”

“Heavily guarded? What do you mean?”

“Do you see the soldiers in armor over there?”

Mirna pointed at several people around us.

I hadn’t noticed when I first regained consciousness, but upon closer inspection, it became apparent that armored soldiers were patrolling the tavern with clubs and swords, and checking people out. 

I had no idea who they were searching for.

And frankly, I didn’t care to know.

“For now, let’s get out of here. If those guys catch us, it’ll be a hassle.”

Mirna grabbed my hand and led me out.

As I followed her outside, my eyes took in the filthy streets, the drunkards slumped against the walls, and countless beggars or refugees wailing in the alleys.

━Get in line, slave!

━Hiiik!

Seeing the slaves being whipped on the street, I felt a little dazed. I would never forget the smell of this thick mud.

This familiar street.

“Monarch City….”

This was Monarch City, the capital of Angmar—a chaotic vortex where people from all over the world gathered and collided.

But why was I here?

Last time I entered Aira’s imaginary world, wasn’t I in the witch forest?

Mirna said as if she had read my thoughts.

“The human mind, like water, tends to change shape depending on time and circumstances. So, the place you saw before and this place now is different.”

As she said that, her eyes turned toward the patrolling soldiers.

Clank, clank.

The sound of metal echoed as scores of soldiers marched through the streets, stopping people and checking their faces.

“Who are they looking for?”

“Us, most likely. It seems the ruler of this city has already noticed our presence. It will be really annoying if we get caught, so be careful.”

At Mirna’s words, I pulled my hood low over my face. I didn't know much about the situation, but there was no harm in following her lead. 

More importantly, hearing the ruler of this city get mentioned, I lifted my gaze toward the towering spire piercing through dark storm clouds. The tallest building in Monarch City was by far the palace. 

If there was a ruler here, they would be there.

Aira.

Or something in her form...

Just then, Mirna said.

“For now, let’s find Lady Lioness and regroup. Normally, she’d appear somewhere nearby, but it seems there's been some discrepancies. Where is the Lioness estate?”

“Ah, that—I know well. If the layout of this city is the same as the real Angmar, we need to head west to Rubicon Street, then make our way to Rom Street.”

“Explaining won’t help, just lead the way. We may need to hurry more than expected, so let’s move quickly.”

At Mirna’s urging, I decided to head toward the Lioness estate, where Elga was likely to be. The heavy rain was starting to soak through my robe, which was uncomfortable. 

But it was thanks to the downpour that we easily lost the soldiers in various twisting alleys.

Still, why was it raining so hard? The incessant lightning also felt quite eerie. 

I just hoped we wouldn’t get struck.

Luckily, we reached our destination without any accidents.

“This is the villa.”

“So this is the famous lion’s den. Really, to build such a grand mansion in the royal capital. The aesthetics of westerners....”

Her grumbling stopped abruptly.

Someone was approaching us.

They carried an umbrella and a lantern, their posture straight and rigid as they walked.

“This is private property of the Lioness family. Leave immediately.”

The first thing I noticed was the lens of a monocle.

An elderly gentleman wearing it over his right eye gave us a mild warning. If I recalled correctly, this man was the butler of the Lioness family. What was his name again?

Of course, that wasn't important right now.

“Is Lady Elga inside?”

At my question, the butler narrowed his eyes.

“Who are you?”

I had two choices. 

Should I tell the truth? 

Or should I make up a story?

If I told the truth, there was no guarantee that this man wouldn't hand us over to the soldiers. After all, he was not the real butler, but a figment of Aira's imagination. 

After deliberating briefly, I made my decision.

“I’m Theo Gospel.”

There wasn’t time to weigh every possibility.

“… Theo Gospel….”

At my answer, the monocled butler furrowed his brows ever so slightly. I braced myself, wondering how he’d respond.

Then, he asked. 

“Who?”

“… Pardon?”

I was taken aback for a moment. 

It was a completely unexpected response. In what world would people not recognize me? I was the infamous Demon Monk, Theo Gospel, after all. 

In Angmar, even three-year-olds knew my name. It’d become a part of nursery rhymes and playground taunts.

How could he not know who I was?

Were there variables because this was Aira's imaginary world?

Just then, Mirna tugged on my shoulder.

“Sir Theo, let’s step back for now. If we linger, we might be seen as suspicious, and the guards could confront us.”

As always, Mirna’s wisdom shone through.

But I couldn’t retreat so easily.

Thus, I decided to try one last thing.

“Excuse me, Butler-nim. May I ask you just one question? How old is Lady Lioness this year?”

The butler’s narrow eyes opened slightly.

He seemed to wonder why I would ask such a question.

But perhaps he thought it was harmless enough to answer, as his lips parted slightly between his neatly-trimmed beard. 

“She's nineteen this year.”

At that moment, it felt as if a water balloon had burst inside my chest—truth flooding in all at once. The deja vu I had felt while looking at the city, the confusion at seeing the slaves being whipped…

There was a reason for it all.

This place was indeed the royal capital, Monarch City.

However—

It was Monarch City before Theo Gospel had introduced the Slave Abuse Prevention Act.

This was Monarch City from two years ago.

I had been transported back to the past, when I didn't exist yet.

And Aira two years ago was…

… A dreadful tyrant, no doubt.

Edit by: faker