I watched as the Sin Archbishop of Lust fled into the night sky.
To be honest, if I really wanted to bring her back, it would have been easy. I could have jumped and caught that bird in seconds.
However, I didn't.
Why?
The main reason was simple: Carol had appeared.
If Carol hadn't been here, taking Capella back secretly, imprisoning her, and "educating" her until she broke would have been a viable plan.
But the moment Carol arrived, that option vanished.
She would never allow me to keep a Sin Archbishop as a pet. She would report Capella's capture to the Royal Family immediately.
Could I silence her? No. That would make an enemy of Thearesia.
So, I had two options:
Hand Capella over to the Royal Family.
But could they hold her? No. If they could, they would have caught her already. Their prisons were useless against a shapeshifter. She would escape eventually.
Let her go.
There was a third option—killing her. That would solve the problem once and for all.
But I couldn't do it.
Since arriving in this world, I hadn't killed a human. Monsters? Yes. But a person? And especially this person?
No matter how terrible her personality was, she was the first woman I touched in this world. She was, in a twisted way, my "first wife."
There is an old saying: "A day as husband and wife brings a hundred days of kindness."
Since Lion's Heart could use her as a proxy, it meant she had technically been accepted as a spouse by the Authority. Letting her go this time was the last bit of mercy I would show her.
'If we meet again and she's still an enemy...'
I lowered my eyelids, a cold glint in my eyes.
'Then I won't be so kind.'
I withdrew my gaze from the sky and looked at Carol.
She was about to run.
I reached out and grabbed her arm.
"Where are you going?"
The sudden yank caused Carol to stumble, but she quickly regained her balance. She looked at me, her face pale.
She knew she had messed up.
Blinded by rage, she had attacked the hostage, cutting the ropes and allowing the enemy to escape. It was a rookie mistake.
"I'll go and bring her back for you," she said, her voice shaking with determination.
"No."
I rejected her immediately.
'I deliberately let her go; how could I let you bring her back?'
"But..."
"You don't have the ability."
"I..." Carol gritted her teeth. She was unwilling to accept it, but she couldn't refute me.
"Her ability is not limited to transforming into people," I explained coldly. "She can transform into animals—birds, rats, insects. Once she's in the forest, unless you can identify a specific bird in the dark, you'll never find her."
Carol froze.
"That ability..."
She realized who it was. The rumors about Princess Capella being the Archbishop of Lust... the shapeshifting... the escape last night.
"It was her?" Carol whispered.
"Yes."
"If I let a Sin Archbishop escape..."
She lowered her head deeply, not daring to look at me. For the first time, the proud knight looked crushed by guilt.
"I'm sorry..."
"Does an apology help?" I asked, crossing my arms. "You should really think about how you can make it up to me in a more practical way."
"I..."
She was speechless. Her actions were undeniably disastrous.
I looked at the remorseful woman. Outwardly, I kept my expression stern, but inwardly, I couldn't help but shake my head.
'This woman is stupid... no, she's loyal.'
Even knowing it was a trap, she acted.
I had deliberately brought Capella out looking like Theresia. I had made her beg for help.
Put yourself in her shoes.
What would you do if you saw someone who looked exactly like your sister, your mother, or your wife—being dragged and abused by a man? And she was begging you for help with your loved one's voice?
Could a normal person stand by and watch?
I believe not.
At least, I knew I couldn't. If someone impersonated one of my wives and begged for help... I wouldn't care if it was a trap. I would tear the world apart to save her.
Carol's feelings for Theresia were no less intense.
'If they weren't both women... their relationship might have been something else entirely.'
I sighed.
"Forget it," I said, releasing her arm. "Whatever happens, happens."
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