Chapter 1 – Part 7

Harry Palmer had once received a confession. It was from the young Lady Charbert.

“Harry, I’m scared of Lord Palmer. This is a secret.”

His father had early on secured the position of head of the Charbert family’s vassals, as there was money in military supplies.

“Don’t worry, My Lady. I’m here. I’ll be your friend. In return…”

You must listen to me carefully, okay?

Harry took the cigarette out of his mouth and blew out the smoke. His father was useful in many ways. Thanks to him, he could raise Olivia as he pleased.

“Lord Palmer, the carriage has arrived.”

But it was said that the foal had become a wild horse.

Harry recalled his deceased father. Indeed, his father had been useful.

Even if the woman had gone mad, evoking the trauma left by her father would soon make her docile. That was how he had tamed Olivia.

‘Olivia, a fool like you will be thrown away just like before.’

Harry laughed. He was glad the woman had not died.

He was glad that foolish woman was still alive.

* * *

Had Buddy ever experienced so many emotions in such a short time? She lay on the bed, feeling dazed.

The thunderbolt-like confession. It was shocking enough to receive it from a man she didn’t remember, but the events that followed were even more shocking.

Boom!

Olivia felt her mind grind to a halt when she heard the explosion. When she finally regained her senses, she saw Marsden embracing her. Olivia then realized what had happened.

“What was bound to happen has happened. We must go.”

As if the confession had never occurred, Marsden hurriedly ushered Olivia into the carriage. The moment he swiftly set the carriage in motion, a series of explosions rang out.

“This is a common occurrence in the border area. But it’s not military. There are bands of thieves lately raiding nearby villages, using crude bombs to hit food warehouses. It’s surely them.”

Olivia listened to Marsden in silence. Even though she had just been inserted, the fact that someone knew the border situation better than her was a bit demoralizing.

But Olivia quickly brushed aside that feeling. She may be ignorant, but she was just starting. There was no need to despair over her inadequacies.

In fact, Olivia had no time to be consumed by negative emotions. And for good reason…

“Buddy, you weren’t scared, were you? Is your heart okay?”

“Buddy, your face looks unwell. Shall I have a knight fetch a sedative for you?”

“Buddy, it’s not shaking you too much, is it?”

“Buddy…”

Contrary to the composed Olivia, Marsden was making quite a fuss. This was apparently her first time being treated in such a way, so Olivia felt quite perplexed. Every time the carriage bounced, Marsden was trembling so much that Olivia felt as if she had just been born.

Even when getting off the carriage, Olivia was anxious about accidentally bumping into something. She had never imagined there would be someone like this around her.

Just how close was Troy Marsden to Olivia?

To find out that fact, Olivia needed to be close to Mas. Mas – the nickname Olivia had for Troy Marsden.

It wouldn’t be a bad idea. She could listen to the details of her death, and more importantly, as a duke, getting close to him would also benefit her as a marchioness.

“Haah…”

But why does this feel so unsettling? Her heart felt heavy, and she couldn’t sleep despite the late hour.

Don’t underestimate her – she had properly shown her capabilities to the vassals and Gael. Olivia knew that, from certain perspectives, her actions could be seen as reckless.

But somehow, Olivia just wanted to do something good for the original Olivia. The character had always lingered in the back of her mind. As someone who cared for that character, she wanted to do at least one good thing.

“It looks like I won’t be sleeping.”

Olivia got up from the bed and put on her nightgown. Even if she couldn’t handle everything on her own right away, she couldn’t keep relying on Marsden’s help forever. If she couldn’t sleep, she might as well use the time to study.

The recent developments at the border area and the Charbert family’s duties – Olivia gathered all the relevant materials and stacked them on the table. She sighed lightly.

“Maybe it would have been better to be born as some noble lady who just does tea time.”

There didn’t seem to be a heroine who had to immediately don armor. Olivia shook her head and sat on the sofa.

Outside, the rain was pouring down heavily, like a rainy season instead of a spring shower. Occasional thunder rumbled as if splitting the ground. Olivia flinched at the sound but did not stop studying.

She recalled Marsden’s words.

“Ask for an audience with His Majesty the Emperor, Buddy. As you know, the Charbert family is deeply corrupted. Overturn it. I’ll help you.”

Olivia had meant to ask why he was helping her so much, but she closed her mouth. She felt like she might hear a confession of love.

Olivia still hadn’t decided how to respond to that confession, so for now, she had simply accepted Marsden’s proposal.

‘Power is best utilized, after all.’

Olivia shrugged her shoulders. It felt like she was avoiding a rotten rope only to grab one coated with poison.

So she should prepare a backup plan in case Marsden tries to use her.

“…?”

Deeply focused, Olivia was suddenly struck by a sense of déjà vu. Amidst the thundering sound of rain, an incongruous noise reached her ears.

Thump, thump.

Holding her breath, Olivia put down her pen. That sound of footsteps was undoubtedly human.

A servant? A maid? No, it wasn’t a woman. She wouldn’t be striding through the hallway like a master.

With an uneasy feeling, Olivia drew a dagger from the drawer and tucked it into her waistband. Olivia’s instinct as ‘Olivia’ was warning her to be cautious of the owner of those footsteps.

Carefully, Olivia opened the door and peeked outside. There was indeed a towering figure in the distance down the hallway. That figure was…

“Gael Abyss?”

“Hello, Liv.”

Olivia stared in shock at the man drenched in rain. Droplets were dripping from his silver hair, which resembled clear water, and his black robe was sagging.

Even more startling was his deathly pale face, like a ghost.

“How did you get in? The knights must have stopped you.”

“Didn’t you say I could come in without permission? Or have you forgotten that too?”

Gael chuckled. Olivia changed her mind – she wanted to punch him. What did he find so pretty about her?

“But why come at this late hour? Leave at once. Even if you’re a count, I have no reason to tolerate such an embarrassment.”

“Are you still pretending? You must want to apologize to me.”

“That’s a ridiculous thing to say.”

Olivia knew her reputation in society had plummeted. But she had no intention of apologizing to Gael – she would restore her honor through her own capabilities.

“Are you really that angry with me?”

“Yes, I’m angry. But it’s probably not for the reason you think, Count.”

“No, you’re right.”

Gael slowly walked closer.

“You’re doing this to make me go crazy, to make me cling to you, Olivia.”

“That’s nonsense again.”

Olivia drew the dagger from her waistband.

“Keep talking nonsense and I’ll subdue you and call the knights. Leave.”

There were so many things she had to do; this was no time for this insignificant man’s antics. Olivia glared fiercely, but Gael did not stop his advance.

“You faked being missing and pretended to have fallen out of love, just to fully have me back. Liv, isn’t this tiring for you too?”

“If you’re delusional, should I give you a good smack on the head?”

As Gael tried to come closer, Olivia slightly unsheathed her blade. Gael finally halted his steps.

“You women are all the same. You throw away all decency when you’re clinging and waiting, but then when you change your mind, you act like the victim.”

Hearing the curse words coming from Olivia’s mouth, Gael’s expression hardened with displeasure.

“I understand how pathetic my situation is because of you, so get out of here while you’re still in one piece. Before I really castrate you.”

“Wow, you’ve got some guts this time, Liv.”

“Don’t call me by name. It’s really disgusting.”

Olivia’s grip on the hilt tightened. She was already frustrated that an outsider had so easily infiltrated the manor. How dare the master of the house be so disrespected, making the border marchioness’ defenses so weak.

Part of the blame was surely Olivia’s. She had to rectify this immediately.

“Ah, is it because you have given your heart to someone?”

“Someone?”