The Nonconformity: I Am an Anomaly-Chapter 16: Drenched in Guilt

Valeska curled up on her bed, hugging the pillow as tears spilled silently down her cheeks.

She remembered the events of a few months ago.

Her father had been murdered by rebels attempting genocide.

She still couldn't forgive them.

But... she had made a terrible mistake.

The event had made her unable to control her emotions.

Although she sometimes appeared calm and sarcastic in front of the rebels, it wasn't true.

She would kill anyone connected to the rebels.

She had killed 200 suspected rebels in the past few months without verifying if they were truly rebels.

But, were those 200 people really rebels?

What if they were innocent like the man earlier?

If that were true...

She truly felt like a villainous queen.

Even her mother's eyes brimmed with disappointment.

She buried her face in the pillow,

as tears streamed down without end.

"What have I become...?"

"Hic! Hic! How many innocent people have I killed?"

"Hic! It must be countless!"

"I'm no queen... I'm a killer! Hic! Mother was right... I never deserved the crown."

She was utterly distraught.

She didn't even dare show her face in public anymore.

Her mother's gaze clearly showed disappointment.

Her father was dead, and she had taken countless innocent lives due to her selfishness.

It pained her heart.

"I'm such a fool, Hic! Hic!"

"What kind of queen am I? I can't even control my own emotions!"

***

Royal Palace, treatment room.

"Am... I still alive?"

Hastora's eyes fluttered open.

A sapphire-colored room surrounded him, bathed in golden lamplight.

He realized the pain in his body had vanished.

He unbuttoned his shirt.

"My wounds... healed?

There wasn't a single scar on his body.

Before, he had been brutally tortured, his bones severely broken, his body covered in blood and wounds.

Had someone treated him?

He'd passed out after Valeska's final attack.

He knew nothing.

He didn't know anything that happened afterward.

If someone had treated him, that person might have saved him as well.

He had almost died, almost lost his life because Darnel and his forces had captured him.

Darnel would pay for every ounce of pain.

He'd rip him apart, piece by piece.

"Darnel."

He clenched his fist.

"You will regret this."

His jaw tightened.

Rage gnawed at him. freeωebnovēl.c૦m

He would absolutely kill that bastard Darnel.

Not only Darnel, he would also make that bitch Valeska regret her actions for daring to torture him.

"I hope you won't die easily."

Knock knock knock.

Suddenly, a knock came at the door just as he was about to get out of bed.

The door opened.

A woman, strikingly similar to Valeska, stepped inside.

Hastora frowned

She was familiar.

Her features matched those from the novel, almost perfectly.

There was no mistake.

He knew who she was.

Valeska von Asterea's only older sister, and the first daughter of Elowen von Asterea.

'Lysette von Asterea.'

In the novel, Lysette was incredibly popular among people, both inside and outside Glazareth.

Unlike Valeska, although she was beautiful, she wasn't as popular as her older sister.

This was because of her cold and indifferent nature, making people reluctant to approach her.

Even outside Glazareth, no one knew who the queen of Glazareth was except the leaders and high-ranking nobles.

It made her very secretive.

Lysette, however, was well-known for her kind demeanor and beautiful appearance.

It made many men fall in love with her instantly.

Even in the novel, he had rejected many marriage proposals from high and mid-ranking nobles.

Lower-ranking noble men didn't dare propose because none of them dared.

Lysette was a member of the royal family, meaning she was higher-ranking than high-class nobles, the highest caste among the nobility.

Although she was beautiful, he didn't feel anything for her.

His goal was more important right now.

He wouldn't hesitate to eliminate anyone who stood in his way.

Even women.

"You're awake?"

Lysette asked.

She stopped and stood before him.

A sweet smile graced her lips.

"...Yes," he replied.

"Are your injuries healed?"

"Completely healed..."

"Thank goodness."

Lysette sat on the bed, closing her eyes, then turning to him.

"Forgive my younger sister... she misunderstood."

The words made Hastora's blood boil.

'Misunderstood?'

'I almost died, you damn bitch!'

However, for now, he still couldn't forgive her.

He remained silent, not answering a word.

This was his way of answering her.

She seemed to understand his meaning.

'So he still can't forgive her... yes?' she thought.

"Hey, who—"

Knock knock knock.

Her sentence was cut short when a knock suddenly came at the door.

"Who is it?" she asked.

"It's me, Priest Aldren. May I come in? I want to check on the boy's condition."

"...Alright."

The door opened.

Priest Aldren stepped inside, followed by Darnel and Elowen from behind.

Hastora narrowed his eyes.

He seemed to recognize one of them.

No mistake.

He was very familiar with his clothing and physical features.

His jaw clenched hard.

His gaze fell on only one person.

'Priest Aldren.'

The mastermind behind the rebellion in Glazareth.