Chapter 22: The Goth Witch Intervernes
The sword’s edge brushes against my thin neck, reminding me of the thousand reasons I was warned not to get involved with dangerous people. In moments like these, the advice from a drunk old man on the street about not getting involved with incompetent people comes to mind.
A drop of sweat trickles from my chin and dampens Philomeu’s blade, whose cold gaze indicates he’ll lop off my head if I don’t answer now. I won’t dare shift my gaze to Ravenna, surely one wrong move is enough for the bad guy to erase my existence from the face of the planet.
How many times I need to pull out the acting cheat in this life to save myself? This doesn’t always work, so please, work now, because I need it to succeed more than ever!
"I... I came to join the Libertarians..."
"You?" Philomeu raises an eyebrow, obviously suspicious of my every word. "It’s already suspicious enough that you sacrificed your life to save this pawn, now you want to join us? Is this some elaborate plan by the king to detect me?"
"Who I love has nothing to do with what I want to do."
To enhance the performance, I deliberately push the sword with my finger and close one eye, maintaining a know-it-all pose. I take the opportunity to tilt my head to the side, bringing my face a closer to Philomeu, though it will certainly make it easier for him to lop off my head.
"I want my father and my family to fall. Why should I stay on their side if they never helped me and only drag me into things I wasn’t called for? I value my freedom more."
A sigh escapes my mouth, one of those that sounds like the "How rude" from manipulative characters you see around, the difference being that I don’t fit that mold.
"I saved Ravenna because I already loved her before. As for the nobility, they are more like a cancer. If we could just remove everyone from power, take what they have and distribute it to the people, it would be much better... I believe... my deceased brother would be very happy hearing this... a shame a damned plump and proud baron killed him because he thought he was something!"
In the heat of the moment, I smack my hand against the sword’s hilt, finally pushing it away. That was enough to startle Philomeu, whose expression changed from disgust to surprise. My words must have hit him right in the heart, I have a knack for this kind of thing.
"I didn’t expect to find the Libertarians here, but if it’s destiny... I want to join the movement and bring down the entire nobility!"