Emma’s mind raced.

‘Isn’t Marcus someone he doesn’t get along with? Is it really something to get angry about just because I said his name? Is this some kind of aristocratic superiority complex? He’s a commoner by birth himself! Or does he think I’m an easy target?’

She felt increasingly certain that he was taking out his anger on her. Even if the rumors were exaggerated, they didn’t seem entirely baseless.

This man was definitely not normal.

“As long as you’re not a minor, it’s fine. I’ll pay you double. But don’t run your mouth. If you try to flee, I’ll chase you to the ends of the continent.”

“…Excuse me?”

First, he said her eyes were noisy, then told her not to chatter, and now not to run her mouth.

She hadn’t even managed to say a single word, yet the scolding was relentless. Emma pouted and snuck a sideways glance at Caden.

“Your gaze is insolent.”

“…!”

Her eyes, which had been darting to the side, snapped back to their original position in less than a second. She nervously gauged his reaction, but fortunately, he didn’t say anything further.

“When Marcus asks about me, just make something up. Though you can go into detail about the bed situation if you want.”

“B-bed situation?”

“Yes. If he asks, just tell him that. But if you say even one word about Blackwood’s affairs…”

Caden trailed off, watching Emma’s expression carefully. Unconsciously, she swallowed hard. She wanted to act like she wasn’t fazed, but she couldn’t hide her tension.

“If you do, you’ll end up like the corpse outside the door.”

He spoke in the same tone one might use to ask, “What’s for dinner?” But Emma wasn’t fooled. His lips and body were saying entirely different things.

“…!”

At that moment, something coiled around Emma’s neck. It was Caden’s long, white fingers. Smooth and flawless, without a single unsightly joint, his fingers looked as though they had been carved from marble. It was hard to believe they were the hands of a swordsman.

With his fingers resting lightly on the nape of her neck, Caden smiled. He wasn’t applying any real force, yet the mere touch made her feel like she couldn’t breathe.

In the dim light, his elongated smile appeared vividly crimson. It was an eerie, unsettling grin.

‘The rumors about him drinking blood weren’t completely unfounded. No, that can’t be true… can it?’

Under the soft glow of the lamp, his strikingly handsome face was illuminated. The droplets of blood on his smooth, pale skin appeared even redder.

Perhaps he felt pity for Emma, who was frozen stiff. Caden offered her words of comfort that didn’t feel comforting at all.

“Don’t worry. A country bumpkin like you isn’t my type.”

“Does that mean you’ll let me go? Then, I’ll just be on my way…”

Sensing an opportunity, Emma didn’t let it slip by. She tried to push him away and get up. But just as she moved, the fingers around her neck tightened, squeezing her slender throat.

“Urgh…!”

“I said you’re not my type. I didn’t say you could run away.”

“Ugh…”

“Don’t turn your back on me. It makes me want to chase you and sink my teeth into you.”

“…!”

“Now answer me.”

If he wanted an answer, he could at least loosen his grip!

Emma protested fiercely with her eyes, but Caden’s hand didn’t relax in the slightest. She was starting to run out of air.

‘Forget about staying employed. At this rate, I’m going to die on my first day!’

Summoning all her strength, Emma managed a small nod. Only then did Caden look satisfied and release his grip.

“Hah… hah…”

All she could do was gasp for breath. It had only lasted a moment, but Emma had felt the terror of death.

“There’s no need to tremble so much. As long as you don’t stab me first, I won’t kill you either.”

“I’m not a courtesan, I’m your secretary… Urgh.”

Whether he listened or not, she had to clarify her identity. However, her hoarse voice couldn’t complete the sentence.

Unfortunately, her employer wasn’t the type to listen to others.

“Secretary? Why would my secretary come looking for me? Are you here to bill me for your services?”

“B-bill you? That’s not… Cough!”

A sudden fit of coughing cut her off before she could finish.

“Double.”

“…?”

“I’ll pay you exactly double what Marcus offered. I’ll let my secretary know so you can collect it first thing in the morning.”

“…!”

Good grief.

The misunderstanding seemed endless.

‘How much is double?’

They said the price of a night with a top-class courtesan was whatever the client was willing to pay. Even in this absurd situation, she found herself wondering how much “double” would be.

The thought was so ridiculous that Emma let out a small, incredulous laugh.

“You’re laughing?”

Caden frowned, clearly displeased.

“No, I…”

She had been about to say, ‘I’m not trying to negotiate. I don’t know this Marcus person, and I’m definitely not a courtesan, so I’ll just leave now.’

“You can’t.”

‘Excuse me? I haven’t even said anything yet!’

Emma’s lips opened and closed in disbelief, but before she could respond, Caden spoke again.

“You’ll have to stay until dawn. I’m scared to be alone.”

“…”

How absurd.

Caden blinked his eyes pitifully, as if he genuinely felt afraid. His dark eyes, filled with melancholy, and his long, fluttering eyelashes were so enchanting that Emma found herself momentarily captivated, even though she knew it was all a lie.

‘Get a grip, Emma!’

She wanted to snap, “Oh, I’m sure you’re ‘terrified’,” but she didn’t dare.

According to the information she’d gotten from Cornell, there were no rumors of the Duke being a womanizer.

‘Does he have a thing for ugly women?’

This was the first time someone had called her ugly, and the first time a man who supposedly found her unattractive wanted to spend the night with her.

‘What excuse should I make?’

There was no way a proper explanation would work on someone who told her to shut up every time she opened her mouth. In the end, Emma decided to go with a backup plan.

She would pretend to be a pitiable courtesan offered to the Duke. In any case, the misunderstanding would clear up by morning.

“I’m not trying to run away. It’s just that this is my first time. So, Your Grace…”

“First time?”

Caden’s brows furrowed sharply, as if he found her words absurd.

“Yes. This is my first time… so I might be very clumsy. I’m worried I’ll upset you. Maybe you should call for someone else…”

“Your first time in bed?”

“T-that’s correct.”

Emma’s voice grew quieter and quieter. She just wanted to escape this situation, no matter what it took. But judging by Caden’s expression, she had a bad feeling she’d made a mistake.

“Well then, this is perfect.”

Caden’s dark eyes gleamed as if he’d found a new source of amusement. The moment their gazes locked, a chill ran down Emma’s spine.

“T-that’s not what I meant! I was saying that I’m inexperienced and might not serve you well, so…”

“No shame, huh?”

“Pardon?”

Emma couldn’t help but echo his words, even though she knew it made her look foolish.

‘What did I even do?! Why am I being accused of having no shame? What is your problem with me?!’

If he was going to enforce rules, he should have explained them properly.

‘Even if someone’s dying! He should’ve said not to leave my room unless he personally summoned me!’

She couldn’t help but resent Cornell for only giving her vague hints before disappearing. Madame Georges’ words about how blaming others was the easiest and most cowardly thing to do came to mind, but Emma quickly pushed them aside.

‘At least this isn’t my fault!’

She finally understood why the job’s terms had been so extraordinary.

“I said I’d pay double, didn’t I? And yet you plan to take my money and run? You’ve got some nerve for someone so small.”

Caden’s jet-black eyes glinted, and the crooked curve of his lips revealed his twisted mood.

Startled, Emma waved her hands frantically in protest.

“No, I wouldn’t take anything! I only accept payment for honest work!”

“Is that so? Then do as you say.”

“Pardon?”

“Earn your pay.”

“…!”

“To get double, you’ll have to work without a break. The night might not even be enough.”

As soon as he finished speaking, his large hand reached for the front of Emma’s dress.

“Ah…!”

Emma instinctively placed her hand over his.

Contrary to her expectations, his touch was surprisingly warm and soft.

“Hm…?”

Startled, Emma tried to pull her hand away, but Caden interlaced his fingers with hers and tugged her closer.

“Ah!”

In an instant, Emma’s small body was pulled into Caden’s arms.

“That’s not what I meant! I was saying I wouldn’t take anything unless I served you properly. But you should call for someone else…”

Caden looked down at the small woman squirming in his arms.

She had been chattering non-stop, but none of her words registered in his mind. All he could see were her small, pink lips moving.

Suddenly, a sharp pain stabbed at his temple, like a finely honed blade. It was the long-standing headache caused by his insomnia. With a rough motion, Caden ran a hand through his hair.

“Shut your mouth.”

“…!”

Emma reflexively clamped her mouth shut.

Seeing this, Caden gave a small nod, looking somewhat satisfied.

“That’s better. You look so much more pleasant when you’re polite.”

His expression resembled someone admiring a puppy successfully performing its first trick.

It was the first time she’d received anything resembling a compliment, but somehow, it felt infuriating.

‘Do I look like a dog to you? What’s with that expression?’

Emma almost snapped back, but she couldn’t.

Though his lips were curved in a smile, Caden’s eyes weren’t laughing.

In other words, this wasn’t a suggestion. It was a threat. If she didn’t behave the way he wanted, she might end up lying beside the corpse outside the door.

‘No! I’m not ready to die yet!’

Would it be better to lie beside the corpse outside or to share a bed with this mad Duke?

Even Emma, a top student who had never missed first place, couldn’t answer this impossible question.