The Villainess's Secret Bedroom Service
Chapter 156: Redeemed Soul

Chapter 156: Redeemed Soul

While the Emperor and the Crown Prince dedicated themselves to quelling the Demonic Cult rebellion further, delving into negotiations with the cult representatives at the Imperial Hall, Angelica found herself uncertain about her role in the unfolding events. Seeking clarity, she ventured to the dungeon to meet Damien who was left to wait there.

"Your Highness, do you realize the seismic impact your proclamation will have on the Continent?" Damien questioned, his golden eyes ablaze with intensity. "Should the Emperor strike a deal with the Demonic Cult, endorsing the existence of another faith, it will undoubtedly ignite a fresh wave of political discord, placing the very existence of Rische in jeopardy."

Angelica, grappling with the shackles around Damien’s wrists, finally managed to free him. She met the duke’s gaze with a melancholic smile and spoke with assurance,

"I value your warning, Your Grace, but rest assured, I am fully prepared to confront the repercussions of my actions."

"Then what course of action do you intend to take?"

Damien could discern through her thick pretense, recognizing that despite her newfound mental fortitude, Angelica remained uncertain and scared. Regardless of her efforts to appear otherwise, her vulnerability lingered.

Angelica gazed down at her trembling, pale hands, their skin still faintly shimmering after employing her newfound abilities for the first time. She responded,

"I will do what anyone in my position would do—I will protect those in need of my shelter. Regarding the Continent... My mother feared that unveiling my powers would reduce me to nothing more than an exotic spectacle for all to worship in awe. I don’t mind that. If someone like me can be the catalyst for uniting the people and maintaining peace across this vast land, then I’m grateful to have been born as a woman with a purpose."

She gently took Damien’s large hands into hers, locking eyes with him, causing an unfamiliar flutter in his heart. It was a sensation of comfort and tranquility, as if every trace of uneasiness or pain had dissolved under the soft glow of her gleaming azure eyes.

Angelica smiled once more and continued,

"But before I embark on this journey, perhaps overestimating my newfound confidence, Your Grace... Damien, will you be the first person to accept my outstretched helping hand?"

"What do you mean?" Damien asked, his eyes widening in confusion as the princess persisted,

"Your curse, the Acme Fever—I can free your soul from its grip."

The duke felt his heartbeat reverberate in his ears. He had yearned to hear these words throughout his life. The curse loomed over him like a haunting phantom, an onerous burden he carried on his back, crushing everything within him whenever he went.

Now, as the opportunity to rid himself of it finally presented itself, he felt an unusual calm, and yet, something deep within him wouldn’t cease trembling, as if bracing for the farewell to an immensely significant albeit agonizing part of his life.

With a deep breath filling his lungs to the brim, Damien finally nodded, providing his definite answer,

"It will be my honor to be the first one to receive your help, Your Holiness."

Curling her lips into a subtle smile and maintaining her grip on Damien’s hands with her left hand, Angelica pressed her right palm against the man’s chest, right where his heart was beating in anticipation of the new beginning.

The moment her palm made contact with the duke’s body, the entire dungeon was bathed in a bright, white light that nearly blinded them both. Genuine Holy Power flowed into Damien’s body, permeating every pore and enveloping him entirely, infusing his body with the warmth and lightness he so desperately craved. The transformative process seemed to stretch into a timeless moment of ethereal radiance.

He couldn’t remember when or how he opened his eyes; the overwhelming sense of redemption left his mind in a blissful blank state. As his eyelids parted, he beheld a radiant silver energy enveloping them both, resembling wide silk ribbons.

Damien directed his gaze downward to his chest, where the warmth was most concentrated, and observed another captivating phenomenon. Dozens of long, glowing red and black strings were emanating from his chest. The moment these strings made contact with the silver energy surrounding them, they transformed instantly, turning white and seamlessly returning to his body.

At that moment, the painful taint of the curse began to dissipate from his soul.

He was, at last, experiencing true freedom.

***

The white glow slowly dissipated, vanishing into the air like morning fog.

Angelica opened her eyes, a smile of triumph gracing her face as she exclaimed again,

"I did it. I really did it, Your Grace!"

Damien couldn’t help but smile at this sincere display of pure emotion and nodded in response.

"Yes, your powers are truly incredible, Your Holiness. Thank you. I will never forget your kindness."

Suddenly, as if recalling something of utmost importance, the princess nearly jumped to her feet, her eyes wide and her face marked with concern,

"But, Your Grace, you must depart immediately! I know where Rosalie is! You need to find her before she does something very dangerous!"

The duke arched his eyebrows, his face turning pale as he raised his voice,

"What? Where is she?!"

"She went to Izaar. I am certain of it because..."

She paused, averting her gaze for a moment, as if gathering courage or catching her breath. Then, she fixed her bright eyes on Damien’s pale face and finally confessed,

"I know she has Acme too, Your Grace. And I have grounds to believe that she got it from none other than Asmodeus himself. You know what that means, don’t you?"

Damien almost whispered,

"She sold her soul to him..."

"I do not know the details of her contract, but I have managed to find out that there is someone who can help her talk to Asmodeus directly. And that someone resides in Izaar. I am certain she went there."

Damien almost lost his balance as Angelica’s words began to sink in. On one hand, he was relieved that Rosalie was neither kidnapped nor murdered, but on the other hand, she was still gone. She left without saying a word, hiding such a dangerous truth from him, her husband, and it pained him even more than the bone-crushing pangs of Acme Fever.

"The Imperial twins."

Ignoring Damien’s obvious distress, Angelica took his hands in hers again and continued,

"Rostan and Roksolana. I know they offered her their help. I do not know how it is possible, but I think that Rosalie went there to seek their protection as she is looking for that person. I have already sent the hawk to Roksolana; she will be expecting you in Izaar. Hurry, time is of the essence!"

The duke nodded, grabbed his sword, and dashed out of the dungeon, his thick black eyebrows furrowing as only one thought kept burning up his agonized mind,

"Did you really think that after all that you’ve done to me, I would simply let you go, Rosalie? Running away so recklessly, all alone while leaving me behind with nothing but a broken heart. You might as well go to the Devil himself because otherwise, I will definitely find you. No matter what."