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I Married the Dragon I Killed Chapter 90: Flower of Evil

Chapter 90: Flower of Evil

Tilda,​‌ who had entered‍​‌ the Dandollo family‍‌‌ as an adopted⁠⁠ daughter-in-law, was dissatisfied⁠ with everything.

The‍‍ reason was simple.‌

Because​​ that mansion did⁠‌ not belong to​ her.

Tilda,‍ unable even to⁠ act like the​⁠ mistress in a house that was⁠‍ not hers, felt‌ nothing but irritation​‌​ toward that place.‍‍

“Hmhm~.”​⁠

But‍​‌ today she was‌ sitting on the⁠ sofa humming cheerfully.​

There‌‌‌ was only one⁠⁠ reason she was‍​‍ so happy.

The‌‌ ring she wore‌‍ on her hand.‍‌⁠

A band made of​‌‍ shining silver with‍⁠⁠ a huge diamond​ embedded in the‍​ center.

But‍‌​ it was not‌ an ordinary diamond.​​

It‌‍ was a red⁠‌ diamond extracted only‌⁠ by miners who‍⁠⁠ descended beneath the‌‍‌ infernal border of​ the Tomb of​⁠ God in the‍‍ west of the‌⁠ continent.

It‌ was called a Blood Diamond because‍ it had cost⁠ tens of thousands‍⁠ of lives, and‌⁠​ it was a rarity among rarities‍ impossible to obtain‌⁠ with money alone.‌‍⁠

Tilda⁠‍‍ loved knowing that​‍ such an exclusive​​‍ jewel, something no‌ one else could⁠ obtain, was adorning⁠⁠‍ her hand.

However,​‌‍ that happy smile​‍ did not last​ long.

“My‌ love, did something​‌ good happen to⁠​ you?”

The​​ moment she heard​⁠‍ that voice, Tilda’s​​ happy moment vanished⁠‍ immediately.

The⁠⁠ one who ruined⁠‌⁠ her mood was‌​⁠ Henri Dandollo, the​ young heir of‍⁠‍ the Dandollo family.‌‍​

Her⁠ fiancé and the⁠⁠⁠ man who had​​ given her that‌‌​ ring.

Tilda⁠‍​ turned her head.‌​‌

A theatrical smile appeared⁠‍⁠ on her face.‌‍

“I​ was thinking about⁠ you.”

“What‌​‍ a coincidence. I was thinking about​⁠​ you too.”

Henri‌​‌ smiled brightly, completely⁠‍ oblivious to everything,​⁠⁠ and kissed Tilda’s​‍ hand.

Then⁠‍ he forcibly settled⁠​ himself beside her‍⁠ on the sofa.‌

Even‍‍ the contact through⁠‍​ their clothes irritated​ her, so Tilda⁠‌​ shifted slightly away⁠ and asked,

“How‌‍⁠ is business going‌ lately?”

“Business?‌⁠ It’s going wonderfully!⁠ I heard the​⁠​ dwarves in the⁠​ west found a vein of rare​ minerals used for​⁠ magical materials. Money⁠‍ is literally going​‍​ to rain from​‍‌ the sky.”

Henri​ clapped excitedly while⁠​‍ swaying his body⁠ with enthusiasm.

But‌​ the only thing⁠ that came from‍‌ Tilda’s mouth was‍⁠ a sigh.

Henri’s‍ smiling expression filled‌‌ with confusion.

“What’s‍​​ wrong? Those are⁠‍ good news.”

“Of‌​‍ course they are.‌‍ For now, they‍‍⁠ are good news.⁠‌​ But why do​​ I feel like​​‌ I cannot see‌ the future?”

“You‍ cannot see the⁠⁠ future? From my⁠‌​ point of view,‍‍ it seems we’ll‌ continue prospering without⁠ problems…”

“That’s‍‌‌ because you are‌‍ too optimistic. I don’t see it⁠‌ that way. I don’t even know​⁠ how I’m going​​ to live from​ now on. Those‌ beasts are still​ trying to take‌‍ what belongs to‌‍​ me.”

“You‌⁠⁠ mean your in-laws?”‌

Tilda‍ nodded.

“Those⁠‌ two are worse‌‍​ than you can‌​​ imagine. Do you‌ have any idea​‌​ how much they⁠ made me suffer‌​ when I was‍‌ little?”

Emotions‌‍‍ began rising in⁠​‌ her throat.

With‍ a voice filled‌‌​ with resentment, she‍⁠ continued speaking.

“Those​‌ beasts think I came into this⁠‍‌ family only to​‌‌ take advantage of‌ you! They want‌⁠ to turn me‌​ into the villain⁠​ in everyone’s eyes​‌⁠ and leave me‍⁠​ as a useless​‍‌ woman incapable of​ moving a single‍ finger!”

Tears⁠‍‌ began running down‌‍ her cheeks.

Just⁠‌ seeing a single​‍‌ drop made Henri’s⁠‍ heart tremble.

“Tilda,⁠‌ my love. Don’t⁠‌ feel insecure. My​‍ love exists only‍‍‍ for you.”

Henri‌⁠ gently took her‍​⁠ hand.

“Look‍ at this. This⁠‍‌ diamond. It’s your‌ favorite jewel, right?”‌

“……”‍‌

“When⁠‍ I placed this‍⁠ on your finger,⁠‍​ I made a promise. I swore⁠‍‌ I would make​ you happier than​ anyone else in‌ this world. So‍‍‍ you no longer‌‍ have any reason‍‍ to feel insecure.”⁠

“…Really?”‌

“Of‍‍​ course.”

Henri​ kissed the back‌ of her hand‌ again as he⁠‍⁠ spoke softly.

“My‍ love, for you‍ I would even​ pluck the stars⁠⁠⁠ from the sky.”‍

Tilda,⁠ who had been‌⁠⁠ crying sorrowfully, finally‍ smiled.

‘This‍​‌ idiot really is​‌ this easy.’

They​ say all men⁠​ become simple in‌⁠​ front of a woman, but Henri‍​⁠ was especially severe.‍​

That⁠‍⁠ was the kind‌ of person Henri​⁠ was.

Unlike‌⁠⁠ his father, who‍ expanded the business⁠ through aggressive investments‍‍‌ and risky methods,‍⁠ Henri was docile​‌ and preferred a relaxed style.

He‍‍​ was not meticulous‌‍ and had an‍⁠ impulsive personality.

‘But​‍⁠ even so, he⁠ has ability.’

The​‌‌ western exploration had⁠​ only been possible‍​​ thanks to that‍‌​ impulsive talent of⁠​‌ his.

Even⁠ if he was‍⁠ ugly and quite‌‌​ older, his usefulness‍‍​ was enough to‍ tolerate him.

At⁠​ the very least,‌‌​ she needed to​ keep using him‍‍ until she resolved‌‌ all the troublesome⁠ problems around her.⁠​

It​​⁠ was then that⁠‍ one of the⁠ employees approached and⁠​ whispered into her‍‍​ ear.

“The​⁠ fire was a success.”

Those​‍ were good news.‍​

“Faster‌‌‍ than expected. Understood.”‌

“What⁠ was faster?”

Henri‌​ asked.

“It’s‌‌⁠ a secret.”

“Secrets‌​ between fiancés?”

“It​ can’t be helped.⁠ I’m preparing a gift for you.”‌

“Oh…‌ f-for me?”

A smile appeared on​​​ Henri Dandollo’s face.‌⁠‌

He⁠ slowly slid his‌‌​ hand toward Tilda’s‌‍ shoulder and spoke.​‍⁠

“That​ gift for me…‌‌ couldn’t you show⁠ me just a tiny bit?”

Tilda‍​ smiled innocently as​‌ well.

“No.‌‍‍ I’ll show it‍ to you later,⁠‍ so endure it‍ for now.”

“Eh,‍​⁠ you can’t even‍‌ show a tiny​‌ bit to your‍‌ fiancé?”

“I⁠ love surprises. If⁠‌‌ Henri finds out⁠ beforehand, I’ll feel‍ like all my⁠​‌ effort was wasted.”‍

She‍ puffed out her​‍​ cheeks and lowered​​ the corners of​‍​ her lips while​‍ pretending to be‌‌‌ displeased.

Henri⁠ chuckled when he‍‌⁠ saw her.

“Alright.⁠ I’ll pretend I don’t see anything,‌ even if I find out.”

“If⁠‍⁠ you pretend not‌ to know, that‍⁠ means you already‍⁠ know.”

“Even‍⁠‌ if it doesn’t⁠ seem like it,⁠ I’m good at‌⁠ acting.”

“Yes,⁠​‌ of course, hohoho.”‍⁠

Tilda‍ let out a cheerful laugh.

Seeing‌⁠ her in such‍​⁠ a good mood,⁠​ Henri showed a relieved expression.

“I‌⁠‍ think I should⁠ get going now.⁠‌ It’s time for​​ my father-in-law to⁠‌‍ have dinner, right?”⁠

“You‌‌​ could leave that⁠⁠‌ to the maids.‍‍​ Isn’t it bothersome?”‌⁠

“I‌ was already neglectful‍​ while observing Hallim,‌⁠ and besides, he​‌‍ is Henri’s father‍⁠​ after all.”

“Haha,‌ wow… both my⁠‌ father and I are far too‌ fortunate to have‌‌ a daughter-in-law like‍ you.”

Henri‌​ scratched his head​​ while grinning foolishly.​‌​

He​‍‌ even began humming‌⁠ about how happy‍⁠ he was with​​ his life, and‍ Tilda responded with‌ an elegant laugh.‌​‍

That​‌‌ smile lasted exactly⁠⁠ until the moment⁠⁠⁠ she left the‌​​ room and the‌‍ door closed behind⁠ her.

Then​​ Tilda’s face turned⁠ completely cold.

She‍⁠⁠ walked along the​‌‌ red carpet toward‍​⁠ the patriarch’s room.⁠​

As‌⁠ she advanced, a maid discreetly approached​‍⁠ her side.

“How‌⁠‌ is he?”

“The‍​‌ same as always.”⁠​

“Really?⁠‍‍ Good. Is everything‌‌⁠ prepared properly?”

“Yes.”‌

“Give‌‍‍ it to me.”⁠​‌

Tilda⁠‍ received the tray.​‌⁠

And‌​‌ then the door‌​ opened.

“Father-in-law,‌‍⁠ it’s Tilda. I’m‌ coming in.”

Tilda‌‍​ entered the patriarch’s⁠ room.

Inside‌ the room stood‌ out the mural​‍ where the history‌​ of the Dandollo‌ family was written‍⁠⁠ and the family​ tree of the​⁠ main bloodline.

Since​ the family had​⁠ maintained its lineage‍‌ for more than‍ two hundred years,⁠‌ its pride was‌​‍ also enormous.

The​ person who expressed⁠ that pride the‍⁠ most was Rico⁠ Dandollo, Henri’s father.​⁠⁠

Rico‍ Dandollo had been⁠‌‍ the most aggressive​​ merchant in the​‌ entire history of‍​ the Dandollo family.​‌‌

To‍‌⁠ contain Herman Pascal,‌ who continued expanding⁠ aggressively, he threw‌ himself into high-risk,​‌‌ high-reward businesses.

But‌‌‌ in addition to‍ ability, he had⁠⁠‍ extraordinary luck, and⁠ Rico Dandollo’s businesses​⁠ continued growing until⁠⁠ they built the‍​‍ reputation he currently⁠‌ possessed.

However,‌ no matter how⁠‍ much money he‌⁠‌ earned, no merchant⁠‌⁠ could escape time.‌⁠

And‍⁠​ for Rico, that‍ time was already‍⁠‍ almost exhausted.

He​⁠‌ was an old‌⁠‍ man incapable even​‍‌ of holding a spoon, someone who​⁠‌ could barely breathe‍‌‍ and who seemed​⁠​ to live between​ today and tomorrow.‍​

“Good‍ morning, father-in-law. How‍⁠⁠ are you feeling⁠ today?”

Tilda⁠‍ asked.

She‍⁠ knew she would⁠⁠ not receive an⁠‌⁠ answer.

Tilda​​ continued speaking alone.‍‍

“Today‍ the weather is‌ quite pleasant. I think it would‍⁠ be a good‌⁠‌ idea to go​⁠ outside for a little fresh air.”​‍‍

“……”⁠⁠

“Although‌‍‌ with your current‍​​ condition, even sitting‌ somewhere must be‍ difficult. What a pity.”

“……”‌

“But​ even so, doesn’t​‍‍ it give you‍⁠​ strength when this‌⁠ daughter-in-law comes to​‌ speak with you?”‌

Tilda‍‍‌ placed porridge into‍​‌ Rico’s mouth.

“They‍⁠ say one of⁠​‍ Henri’s contracts uncovered⁠‍‍ a vein of⁠ rare minerals. I heard they have‍ a great affinity​⁠ with mana, so⁠‌‍ they are practically‍⁠ going to sit⁠‌ atop a mountain​‍⁠ of money.”

“……”‌

“Isn’t⁠ it amazing? That⁠ son of yours‍​⁠ whom everyone called‍ useless trash just‍‍‍ a few years‌‍ ago, lamenting that⁠ the Dandollo company​​ would be ruined⁠‍ if he ever​‌⁠ led it, is⁠ now bringing another‍ era of prosperity‍‌‌ to the company.”‍

“……”‍

“And‍‌‍ do you know⁠‌ who turned that‌ useless son into​‍ someone like that?”​

“……”​‌

“Me.⁠ It’s all thanks‌ to me.”

Tilda⁠‍ displayed a smile‍​⁠ full of narcissism.⁠⁠

“I​ am truly an⁠ incredible woman.”

She​ pushed the wooden⁠‌‍ spoon into his‌ mouth.

“I‌‍ am not a woman who will‌‌‍ destroy this company‍⁠‍ as you believe.”‌

She‌⁠ moved the spoon⁠ inside his mouth.​‌

“Everything‍‍‍ will become mine.⁠‌​ The Pascal company,⁠⁠⁠ the Dandollo company,​​ this mansion……”

A little rougher.

She‍​ shoved the spoon​‌​ even deeper into‍‍⁠ his mouth.

So‌ deep that it​​ seemed impossible for⁠ it to fit‍ that far.

“Even‍‍‌ your life, which‌ is no different​⁠‍ from a plant​​ anymore.”

Kughk!​‌​ Kughk—.

The​‍‌ blocked throat caused⁠​⁠ Rico’s face to‌‌‍ grow increasingly pale.⁠​

Tilda‌ enjoyed the sight.​

Just⁠​ before he completely‌‍ suffocated, she pulled⁠⁠ the spoon out.‌

Air​‍⁠ flowed back into⁠‍​ his obstructed lungs.​⁠

“But​⁠‍ you still have⁠‍​ to keep living.‍‌⁠ Because it benefits‍ me more if‍ you stay alive‍​⁠ a little longer‌​ instead of dying​⁠ right now.”

“……”‌

“I‍‍​ heard that in⁠‍⁠ order to alter​ the will you​⁠‌ hid, you first⁠‍⁠ need to remain⁠‍ alive. Truly, I don’t understand why‍⁠ you had to⁠‍​ create unnecessary secrets‌ and make me‌​ go through all⁠​⁠ this trouble.”

Tilda​‌‍ stroked the old‌ man’s chin with​ one finger.

For‌‍​ a moment she​​⁠ savored the feeling⁠​ of dominating him.‍

Then‌ her finger stopped.⁠‌‌

“Huh?”‌‍

The​‍ smile on Tilda’s​‍‌ face froze.

Rico​ Dandollo, who could​‌ not even move‍‍‌ a finger, had​‌‌ moved.

His⁠‍ eyes slowly turned‍ toward her.

Both​⁠‌ eyes trembled violently.​⁠‍

So‍​⁠ bloodshot that he​‌​ looked like he​ might turn into⁠​ a ghost.

Killing​‍⁠ intent.

It​‌ was hatred impossible‌‍​ to believe could‌​‌ come from an‍ old man incapable​‌⁠ even of speaking.⁠​

Tilda‌⁠​ looked into those‌​ eyes and murmured⁠⁠⁠ coldly.

“It‌ seems the dosage‌ was insufficient……”

She⁠‍⁠ discreetly pulled a small medicine vial​ from inside her​ clothes and dropped‌⁠ another drop into⁠⁠ the porridge.

She‌⁠ did not even‌ stir it.

She⁠ simply fed it​‌‌ directly into Rico‍ Dandollo’s mouth.

Rico’s‍ eyes once again‍‌ lost their strength.⁠‌

Once​ more he transformed‌ into that frail‌‍ old man who⁠‍ could barely breathe.⁠‌

“Rest⁠ well, father-in-law. After⁠ all, you do‍ not have much​⁠ time left.”

Tilda​​‍ smiled brightly again⁠‌ and brought her⁠​​ lips close to​ the ear of‌‌‍ the now plant-like‍ Rico Dandollo.

“When​​‍ you die, I will send your‌⁠ son as well‌ so you won’t​⁠​ feel lonely.”

After‌​ emptying the bowl‍​​ of porridge, Tilda​⁠ left the room.⁠‌​

In⁠‍​ front of her​ stood the mansion‍‍ employees.

“Did​ you make sure​ to place the⁠ blame properly on⁠ Merchit’s mercenary company?”‌

Tilda‌⁠ asked while handing​ over the tray.‍

“Yes.​‍​ Merchit went to‌​ Castle Valdrova late​⁠ at night to⁠ speak with Stephan,‍‌‍ but he returned‍ only two hours‍ later.”

“So‌‌ they threw him‌⁠‍ out that late‌ at night…? It‍​ seems the conversation⁠ did not go‍⁠ very well.”

Tilda‌⁠⁠ smiled in satisfaction.⁠​⁠

“Now‌‍ all that remains‌‌​ is to make⁠ it explode little‌ by little. Little​‍ by little.”

“That’s‍‍​ right.”

“Continue‍‍ with the plan.‍‍ We’re going to​⁠​ take everything.”

“Yes.”⁠⁠​

The⁠‍ employees began moving‌​ hurriedly.

The⁠⁠ plan had begun.‌‍

‘Now‌‌‍ everything will fall⁠ into my hands.’‌​

Merchit⁠ Pascal and Stephan‌​ Pascal.

Even‍‍​ if they were​ blood relatives, to‍‍ Tilda, who desired​ to seize the‍​‍ Pascal company, they‌‌⁠ were nothing more‌⁠⁠ than obstacles.

Tilda​ raised her hand‍‌ and observed the‍‍ shine beneath the‍ light.

The​⁠ elegantly cut Blood‌⁠​ Diamond gleamed beautifully.‌

“It​‌ would be perfect​‌ if it were​ not an engagement​ ring.”

Although‌ she muttered that​ with slight displeasure,​ she was still‍‍ happy.

Because‍‍ the engagement would​⁠‌ only last for⁠‍ a moment.

But‍ the beauty of​​‌ the diamond would​​‍ be eternal.

***​​

Merchit​⁠ returned that very⁠‍‌ same day.

Even⁠ though it was‍⁠​ already late at‌‌ night, not offering‌⁠‍ him a place⁠ to stay was‌ practically the same‌‌ as throwing him‍ out.

With‍​ that, anyone could⁠ imagine that the​‍ conflict between Merchit‍⁠‌ and Stephan had‍​ deepened.

After‍⁠‍ that, Merchit began⁠ showing signs of‍ becoming independent.

He‌‍‌ started transferring all⁠‍‍ the businesses he‍​ had managed into⁠‌ the mercenary company⁠ and preparing to‍​ separate completely.

It⁠‍⁠ was a maneuver⁠‍‌ to force them‌‍‌ to make their‍‌⁠ move openly.

And⁠⁠⁠ just as he‌‌⁠ expected, they took‍‌​ the bait.

Herman‍ Pascal moved.

Knowing​‌‍ that power must⁠‍‌ not be divided,‌ he attempted to​⁠ stop Merchit’s independence‍⁠‍ while at the‍‌‌ same time once‌​ again trying to⁠‍‍ remove Stephan and​⁠ expel him.

‘Just​‍‍ as Stephan had⁠​ predicted.’

Herman‍ did not know‍‍⁠ what was really‌​ happening.

He⁠ only knew that⁠⁠​ the two brothers⁠ had fought and‌‍ that it was‍​​ causing a division.‍⁠‌

The​‍‍ best actor was‍⁠‍ the one who‍⁠‍ barged in without‍ knowing absolutely anything.​​​

Herman‍ was playing an‌⁠ important role by‌​‌ eliminating everyone’s suspicions.​⁠

Father,‍ Herman Pascal.

Brother,​⁠ Merchit Pascal.

And‌ himself, Stephan Pascal.⁠

Under⁠‌‌ the name of⁠ the Pascal company,‍​‍ a three-way war⁠‌​ began between the⁠ three men.

Everything⁠​ was making it‍​‍ seem as though‌⁠ things were progressing​‌‍ exactly according to‌⁠ Tilda’s plan.

It‌​‍ was then.

“Regent.”‍

Isabella‌ entered Perda’s office.‌‍‍

In⁠​ her hands was‍‌ not the usual⁠​ mountain of documents,‍⁠ but a thin‌ handkerchief.

“A⁠⁠‌ carpenter said he‍‌ found it while​ organizing construction materials.‌‌ Since he could‍ not read, he‍ brought it to‌⁠ me……”

What​ Isabella handed over⁠ was a carefully‍ folded black handkerchief.⁠‍

When‌⁠‌ she opened it,‌‌‌ letters written in‍‌‍ a chilling red‍‌​ were revealed.

‘No…​ that’s not blood.‍‌ It’s ink.’

If‍‌ it were blood,‍​ it would not‌ maintain such a bright red color.⁠‌‌

But⁠⁠ it did not‍‍ matter whether it⁠‌⁠ was blood or​‌‌ ink.

Perda​​​ knew only one​ organization that wrote⁠⁠​ with red ink‍⁠ on black handkerchiefs.‌⁠‌

‘Black⁠ Bandana.’

A secret organization spread‌ throughout the Serdes⁠⁠⁠ continent.

An‍​ underground organization that‍ used the provocative⁠⁠​ slogan.

“There​⁠ is nothing we‍⁠ cannot find, and​ nothing we cannot‍‍ obtain.”

And‍​​ as expected from‌ an information organization,‌​‌ the contents were⁠‍ provocative as well.‌

— To the noble​ Perda Valdrova.

— We are aware​‍‌ of the recent​​ events related to​⁠ the Pascal company.​

— We will soon​⁠ come to see​ you.

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