Chapter 1 – Part 6

Olivia, who had lived through twenty-two difficult years, witnessed the shift from bravado to submission once again.

When Troy Marsden arrived, the vassals, who had been bowing like folded fans, caught Olivia’s eye. Should she really fold them up?

Marsden casually glanced at the vassals, then slowly approached Olivia. He gently placed his hand over hers.

“Put down the sword.”

Despite the concise words, there was a tenderness in his voice. Olivia studied the large hand for a moment, then sheathed the sword. No matter how reckless she was, she had some sense.

The corners of Marsden’s eyes curved softly, and then a cold gaze was directed at the vassals.

“I roughly understand the situation. I’ll decide on the matter of your impolite conduct later.”

“Y-Your Grace!”

As soon as they were about to act high and mighty, they trembled like they had met their true master. Olivia was inwardly irritated, but she felt the power Troy Marsden held within the Charbert household.

Though irritated, Olivia’s eyes sparkled, as if she had seized an opportunity. If power were reaching out to her, it would be foolish to refuse.

“My apologies, Your Grace.”

Olivia politely greeted Marsden.

“I wanted to have an open discussion with my vassals upon my return… But it seems I fell short. My fault entirely.”

The vassals’ eyes widened. Olivia employed the gaslighting she had learned from the male lead, Gael. Roderick’s face, as well as the vassals’, flushed with anger. It was clear they didn’t want Marsden to find out about this commotion.

“We have done nothing wrong. It was the Marchioness who first pointed a sword at us,”

“That’s true, but they insulted me first.”

‘It was those bastards who went first, Teacher.’

Olivia batted her eyes innocently. Marsden quietly observed her.

“I just wanted to let them know who the master is since they didn’t greet me when I arrived.”

Olivia quietly added, amidst the murmuring vassals.

“I see.”

A soft voice reached Olivia’s ear. Her gaze slowly shifted upward.

“I know you are not someone to carelessly point a sword.”

Hmm, no, that’s not quite right. Olivia was the one who carelessly pointed a sword at others.

Olivia flinched a little, but just nodded slightly. Marsden cleared his throat, as if changing the subject.

“Then shall we go outside and talk for a bit, Marchioness? You must be quite confused after your return.”

“I would be grateful for any help you can provide. I’ve shown my deficiencies and can only express my gratitude again and again.”

Roderick was giving her a look like, ‘how could this be?’ but Olivia didn’t pay attention to it. She turned to the vassals brightly.

“That’s enough for today’s meeting. For the next meeting, I hope you all come prepared with proper etiquette and an understanding of the social hierarchy.”

Olivia spoke in a tone that said, ‘the exit is on the right’, and then smiled at Marsden. A faint sound of someone holding the back of their neck could be heard, but Olivia didn’t care.

“Shall we go then?”

With a gaze full of various emotions, Marsden gestured towards the entrance. Olivia gave a slight bow and started walking.

What on earth is this? Olivia felt both excited and inexplicably uneasy.

The words ‘teacher’ and ‘guardian’ made her unconsciously think of Troy Marsden as an elderly man. She never expected him to be jaw-droppingly handsome.

That’s why Olivia had to be careful not to let her steps falter. She had to pretend she couldn’t hear the pounding of her own heart.

“Your Grace.”

A fluttering voice reached Olivia’s ear. When she turned her head, there stood a woman in a glamorous dress. She was not one of the maids here.

“Didn’t I say you could go ahead?”

“But I was worried about Your Grace.”

What is this?

Olivia blankly watched the conversation between the guardian and the woman. She had met Marsden 10 minutes ago, and this woman only 30 seconds ago, but she felt strange.

“There’s no need to worry. Nothing happened. And anyway, the Marchioness and I have something to discuss, so you should return first.”

“I see.”

The woman’s indifferent gaze fell on Olivia. Olivia tilted her head, sensing the coldness in it.

“But before I go, let me introduce myself. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Marchioness. I am Lottie Bartram, the third daughter of the Bartram family.”

Lottie curtsied politely to Olivia. There was no awkwardness in her movement.

“I’m… no, Olivia Charbert. It’s nice to meet you, Miss Bartram.”

Is this how it’s supposed to be done?

Greeting a noble formally for the first time felt awkward. Seeking help, Olivia looked at Marsden, and he gave her a gentle gaze. It was the first warmth she had received since coming here, and Olivia couldn’t help but be captivated by his eyes.

“Well then, I’ll see you later, Miss Bartram.”

With an impassive greeting, Marsden led Olivia away.

As she followed Marsden, Olivia glanced at Lottie’s pink eyes.

Suddenly, Olivia swallowed a small gasp. Pink eyes. And Lottie Bartram.

Over the past few days, the eyes that looked at Olivia were either curious or disdainful. But Lottie’s gaze was something entirely different.

‘Bartram.’

Seeing Lottie’s eyes, Olivia remembered that name. Under the indifference lay a thick, intense jealousy and hatred.

Bartram was the heroine’s surname.

And Lottie Bartram was the heroine’s sister.

* * *

Olivia rode in Marsden’s carriage, heading somewhere. The carriage was as big as a room, but sitting next to Marsden, it felt cramped.

Contrary to Olivia’s expectation that Marsden would interrogate her, he remained silent. Yet he never took his eyes off her, making Olivia quite uneasy.

‘What’s wrong with him, really?’

No one had told Olivia that Troy Marsden was a tall, handsome, and wealthy man, and she was still flustered. Having such an extraordinary man staring at her intently was nothing short of torment.

“We have arrived!”

The coachman announced their arrival, and Olivia disembarked with Marsden’s escort. She looked around the solemn-looking open field.

“Isn’t this the Empire’s border?”

Olivia asked as she stood facing Marsden. This was the border adjacent to other kingdoms. As a border master, a faint memory remained in Olivia’s mind.

“I thought it would be better to explain while directly showing you, rather than just talking inside.”

“I agree. I hate studying over tea.”

Olivia looked at the iron cages scattered around, understanding. It seemed her guardian had brought her here to give her some advice.

But the voice of Marsden that should have followed did not come. When she rolled her eyes and turned her gaze, Marsden was also looking at her.

Thump, thump, thump.

Olivia almost put her hand on her heart, but quickly withdrew it.

This wasn’t just arrhythmia! It was a siren, a warning light. She was no fool.

‘Teacher’, ‘guardian’ – it was not simply that. Olivia Charbert knew this man not just well, but rather she…

“Buddy.”

“Eek!”

Olivia let out a strange sound and quickly covered her mouth. As Marsden took a step closer, the distance between them instantly shortened.

“Why, why are you doing this?”

“…”

Olivia maintained her composure, even as her heart raced in her imagination. Marsden pulled out the card of silence again.

What was that expression? Olivia really couldn’t read anything from him. It wasn’t because he wore a mask like Lottie, but because so many emotions were contained in it. Olivia was almost suffocating for a moment.

“I thought it would be better if you forgot.”

A sad smile formed on Marsden’s lips.

“But I guess I didn’t truly want that, Buddy. Seeing you in this anguish…”

Marsden realized that Olivia didn’t remember him. How did he know? The suspicion had arrived before that realization.
“I had so much I wanted to say, but I don’t know where to start. I’m so desperately sad and so desperately happy.”
He seemed to be suppressing his emotions with all his might, afraid she might suffocate from the flood of feelings.

Is this just a teacher-student relationship? Olivia couldn’t understand it.

“Yes, I don’t remember you. To me, you’re just a duke, a guardian, and a teacher. And even those titles are just something I’ve learned from documents.”

Marsden didn’t respond, but Olivia intuitively knew that she had stabbed him with those words.

“But that’s not all, is it?”

Olivia moved closer to Marsden. She could feel his breath right above her.

“You know something, don’t you? About me and my memories.”

Olivia’s heart shrank with tension.

“If you really were my teacher and guardian, could you please tell me? Just how much do you know about me? I’m quite confused.”

“Yes, it’s what I’ve longed for every moment.”

Though Olivia thought it was a bit of an overreaction, Marsden was not flustered. His calloused hand gently touched her cheek.

“Can I tell you one thing first?”

Olivia took a deep breath. Marsden’s voice was trembling.

“Buddy, I… I’ve missed you too much.”

Marsden’s eyes reddened like dew on leaves. Soon, his large hand covered Olivia’s cheek, as if cherishing her.

She couldn’t avoid it. She didn’t want to…

“I’ve missed you so much.”

She didn’t want to avoid it. Her heart commanded her not to.

“I’ve missed you so much, Buddy. Every second, every moment, I ached for you. I felt like I was going to die.”

It would have been easier if he had said this while crying; his smiling face made it even harder to shake off.

“I’ve always wanted to tell you. Always, always…..I love you.”

Olivia found herself caught up in the confession of a man she didn’t even remember. A man who had not even a single line in the original work.

‘What on earth is this?’

Olivia sniffled inwardly.

‘Mom, I got confessed to by a stranger.’

After the initial outburst, a voice arose in her head.

“I love you too, Mas.”

It was a confession.

Not to the male lead, Gael Abyss, but to this man standing before her,

Olivia Charbert’s confession.