“Enough. I need to finish our conversation, so leave.”

It was a clear dismissal.

Baptiste felt like exploding with indignation at being driven out of his own home, especially in front of Eve, but he had no choice.

With eyes full of lingering attachment, Baptiste glanced at Eve once more before having to leave the basement.

After Baptiste left, an uneasy silence filled the dark basement where only the two of them remained.

Only the occasional sound of water droplets hitting the floor could be heard.

Gulp.

Eve unconsciously swallowed in the tense atmosphere.

The reason the Renox family held such a significant position in Ptotr despite their relatively short history was because Count Renox had the protection of the royal court.

Yet Baptiste had cowered before this man and been driven out with a single word without protest. Who on earth was this man standing before her? Fear rose within her about his identity.

The man looked at Eve and said:

“So. Have you made your decision?”

“Wait, just a moment please.”

For Eve, this was a matter of life and death, her entire future at stake. Despite the gravity of the decision, the man pressed her.

‘So if I marry him, he’ll take me out of here.’

‘I thought I had misheard, but apparently not.’

“Feel free to ask if you have any questions.”

Eve glanced cautiously at him. She had many questions. Who he was, how he had found this place, why he wanted to take her away, and why he was offering marriage as a condition.

“Please tell me your name first.”

“Medric Archild.”

‘Medric Archild!’

Now Baptiste’s behavior made sense. He was practically the most powerful figure in Ptotr. Even after being imprisoned for so long, it was impossible not to know about the Duke of Archild.

His identity was confirmed. The next question would be…

“Why do you want to take me away?”

After some consideration, Medric answered.

“…I’m looking for someone who can use divine power.”

The fact that Eve could use divine power was known only to the royal court and Count Renox. But for the Duke of Archild, it was certainly something he could discover with his intelligence network. That much made sense.

“If I go with you, I suppose I’ll need to use my divine power.”

“Probably. But I won’t force you to use it.”

That remains to be seen. Eve didn’t trust people. Even Baptiste, who had been a loyal servant, had betrayed her father. These were just sweet words to lure her out.

Eve pondered whether she could trust Medric and follow him, whether he was more human than Renox.

If she trusted him and followed him in vain, she might not only be imprisoned but treated even worse than here.

“Why must it be marriage?”

“That’s the most certain way I can protect you.”

Protection?

Hadn’t he wanted to kill her earlier? The man who had said “I want to kill you” with such murderous intent was now talking about protection. It made no sense.

“I promise to take responsibility for your safety if you leave this place. Of course, I’ll put everything in a contract, so don’t worry.”

Eve looked at Medric, then at the iron chain extending from her ankle to the wall.

She had tried everything possible to escape this place. The only remaining way out was an unexpected variable.

Like the person standing before her now.

Either way, staying here meant living like a dead person or actually dying.

“I accept your offer.”

“Good, then let’s leave this place immediately…”

“But I have a condition.”

“A condition?”

His eyebrow twitched. Eve continued.

“I have a younger brother named Ivan who was taken as a slave to another duchy. Ivan’s divine power is even greater than mine. If you find him, I’m sure he’ll be of help to you.”

“And?”

“I want you to find him as my condition.”

The man before her might find her presumptuous and leave, or he might even kill her out of annoyance.

Nevertheless, Eve looked at Medric steadily as she made her request.

As if this condition was non-negotiable. As if it was that desperate.

Who knows? With his resources, finding one person shouldn’t be difficult, and Ivan’s existence might be valuable to someone who needs divine power users.

“Alright.”

“Pardon?”

“I accept your proposal.”

Contrary to her expectations, the man readily agreed to her condition.

Eve blinked at him with a dumbfounded expression.

The man looked back at her as if wondering what the problem was.

“So we have a deal? I’ll find your brother and get you out of here in exchange for a marriage contract.”

Eve nodded slowly. Medric approached her and unlocked the iron chain around her ankle with a key.

“Now let’s leave this place. I can’t stand damp, stuffy places.”

“Yes… Ah, let me just gather my belongings.”

When Medric agreed, Eve walked to the back of the basement. She carefully removed the straw covering the floor, looked around out of habit, and began digging the ground with her bare hands.

As the hardened soil was excavated by Eve’s delicate hands, a small white crystal began to appear.

When Eve carefully lifted the item, a necklace with a transparent white crystal and a bracelet woven with two pieces of pure gold were revealed.

She wiped the dirt off the necklace and bracelet on her clothes and stood before Medric, holding them in her hand.

“Is that all you’re taking?”

“Yes, this is everything I brought.”

“When we leave this place, I’ll help you find your other possessions.”

Eve, who had been fidgeting with the chain of the necklace in her hand, replied calmly.

“It’s fine. My family’s possessions have already been burned and cannot be found.”

It was painful that items from a family with a long tradition had disappeared, but there was no way to recover them. All of the Modga family’s possessions had been confiscated and disposed of by the royal court.

Still, how fortunate that she had managed to keep the items Ivan had given her before they parted.

Though she couldn’t read Medric’s true intentions, she was grateful for this consideration.

“Let’s go.”

Eve turned around, opened the basement door, and stepped forward.

***

Baptiste was beside himself with rage.

“How dare he! How dare he throw me out?!”

At first, he was furious about being driven out of the basement of his own mansion, but his outrage was short-lived.

Medric Archild knew more than he had expected. This could be disastrous. Baptiste paced around the reception room, biting his nails.

Why would Medric, who had suddenly appeared, be interested in Eve? He had shown no interest when the Modga family was annihilated and Eve was imprisoned in the royal dungeon.

‘But. Why. Now.’

He felt like hot steam was rising from his head. Aside from his anger, he couldn’t see any way to resolve this situation no matter how much he thought about it.

While he was pacing around the room so frantically that it would make anyone watching dizzy, there was a knock at the door.

Baptiste jumped to his feet, wondering if Medric had already come up from the basement.

“Viscount Joseph Renox has arrived,” announced the butler.

Upon hearing this, Baptiste slumped back into his seat.

“Let him in.”

Though not a welcome visitor in the current situation, he had no choice. He had no intention of taking out his frustrations on his precious son who had just returned from studying abroad yesterday.

As the door opened, Joseph, who had gained weight either due to genetics or a comfortable life abroad, strode in.

“Father!”

Baptiste looked at Joseph, who entered the room huffing and puffing, wondering what was wrong with him now.

“I’ve heard everything! Is it true that Eve is about to be taken by some scoundrel who came from who knows where?”

What was he talking about now?

Baptiste’s face, which had been looking at Joseph indifferently, clouded with bewilderment.

How did Joseph know about Eve, and who had told him about the situation? And what did he mean by “scoundrel”?

He didn’t know where to begin.

“I’ve had my eye on Eve for a long time. If she’s going to be taken by some scoundrel, give her to me instead.”

Joseph deliberately referred to the Duke of Archild disparagingly for the second time.

The situation was frustrating enough, and now his son was making it even more confusing. With his thoughts in disarray, Baptiste rubbed his temple.

“Scoundrel? Watch your tongue! I’m afraid someone might hear you.”

“That’s not what’s important right now. Is there a way to prevent Eve from being taken?”

“…I was just thinking about that.”

Joseph, seemingly frustrated, thumped his chest with his fist and said:

“Why don’t you just ask him? Tell him your precious son wanted her first. Say it with confidence.”

Baptiste looked at Joseph and then rubbed his forehead, which was hot from a headache.

Joseph’s recklessness was his own fault for spoiling him. Having always given him whatever he wanted, Joseph knew no bounds when it came to getting what he desired.

“I’ve raised you ignorant of the ways of the world…”

Joseph bristled at these words, which were mixed with a sigh.

“I know everything I need to know! I’ve heard who he is. The Duke of Archild, they say, but what’s the big deal? We’re a count’s family too. Shouldn’t nobles of the same rank be able to talk to each other?”

Joseph added that Eve had been with their family from the beginning.

He could say this only because his long period of study abroad had left him ignorant of the true power dynamics in the country.

“Yes, you might think so. But the Duke of Archild is different. You shouldn’t think of him as just another ducal family.”

“What’s different? In the end, we’re both noble families, aren’t we?”

“The depth of history and the extent of power are different. He stands at a height that other families dare not even look up to.”

Baptiste explained slowly to Joseph.

Nevertheless, Joseph refused to yield.

“At least let me meet him. If you can’t speak to him, I will.”

“Haah…”

Joseph seemed determined to stay seated in the reception room until Medric arrived, showing no intention of leaving his chair. Baptiste, looking at Joseph with a troubled expression, finally gave up.

“I’ll try to talk to him. As for meeting him… alright, I’ll allow it if you stay quiet.”

“Being quiet is my specialty. I’ll stay still.”

“…Absolutely. Don’t open your mouth until I give you permission to speak.”

Baptiste looked at Joseph with anxious eyes. Joseph, seizing the opportunity, nodded vigorously and loudly assured him not to worry.

“Don’t worry!”

“This is a promise. You must stay quiet. Don’t forget that my head could roll if you don’t.”

Baptiste implored Joseph repeatedly.

Yes, since things had come to this, he might as well use Joseph to ask Medric to reconsider taking Eve.

It was proper etiquette for higher-ranking families not to covet what someone below them cherished.

Who knows? Perhaps he would take pity on Joseph’s earnest desire and yield.

Baptiste decided to look on the bright side of the situation.