Chapter 3 – Part 4

‘When he has that crazed, obsessive look in his eyes, why does he suddenly act so docile?’

Unfortunately, Olivia could tell that Marsden was playing the fox thanks to her sharp instincts. What irritated her was that she didn’t entirely dislike his foxy behavior.

“Hmph.”

Olivia absentmindedly stroked her neck. He knew he looked the part, and it seemed he also used his face as a weapon.

Then suddenly, Olivia had a thought. If Troy Marsden had just been an ordinary man; not someone who would end up in the trash like Gael Abyss, but someone who had no guilt or affection for her, Olivia would have used Troy Marsden like a pawn and cast him aside without hesitation.

“Are you cold, Buddy?”

But the way he looks so terrified that something might happen to her keeps making Olivia’s heart flutter and feel suffocated.

“I’m afraid I’ll regret telling you what Harry Palmer said.”

“I won’t let that happen.”

Marsden said it firmly, yet with a hint of clinging in his eyes. What made his dark eyes look so pure?

“Ah… I think I know why I didn’t say anything before. I don’t know the details Harry Palmer told me, but I guess my past self knew well enough.”

Just the gist of it was enough to honestly scare her. Even if the affection stemmed from guilt, she didn’t want to lose that shred of genuine goodwill. Marsden was one of the few people who showed her such kindness.

But she couldn’t put off what she had to do any longer.

“Harry Palmer said he put a curse on you.”

“……”

“It must be some kind of curse, I guess. I didn’t hear the details. I didn’t want to show that I was scared. I managed to fluster him, but…”

“You did well.”

Olivia’s eyes widened. Marsden was genuinely happy to hear the truth.

“You handled it wisely, Buddy.”

Olivia tightly shuts her mouth. It was the first compliment she had ever received in this world.

“If you had pried and asked him all sorts of things back then… No, he would have been even more eager to control you.”

Of course, he’s no match for her now.

Marsden casually added to lighten the mood.

“Are you worried?”

“Not at all. With you in front of me, I’m not afraid of such rascals.”

Maybe it was the light. Olivia thought Marsden’s smile was truly dazzling.

“Don’t worry, Buddy. Among those chasing sorcerers in this empire, no one knows more about magic than me. Harry Palmer isn’t powerful or skilled enough to use magic. It’ll surely be quite a challenge for him.”

Even so. Olivia still felt incredibly, terribly troubled. That despicable bastard. He knew all too well who could cause chaos for her.

Marsden set his sword on the floor.

“So, Buddy, do what you want.”

Marsden’s fingertip touched Olivia’s cheek. It was a cautious touch, like a dandelion seed brushing against the ground, yet it warmed her heart.

“I’m here for that. Just… don’t abandon me.”

Marsden’s voice trembled faintly.

Olivia was confused about what to say. Even though she couldn’t remember, Marsden’s confession stirred deep waves rather than burdened her.

She couldn’t fully trust Marsden. Olivia still felt that way. But still, it was worth a try.

“Then bear with me, Marsden.”

Olivia grabbed Marsden’s hand and pressed it against her cheek. Marsden stopped breathing for a moment.

“You were precious to me, and even if I don’t feel the same way as before, I still need you. I’ll find out what Harry Palmer did to you, no matter what it takes. Please bear with me until then.”

Marsden couldn’t blink for a moment. Olivia’s beauty in this moment was so breathtakingly beautiful that he wanted to keep it in his heart forever.

“Willingly.”

Marsden had a happier face than ever before. The warmth from Olivia’s glove made him feel overwhelmed.

“Willingly, Buddy.”

* * *

In a week, the first trial of Harry Palmer will be held at the Charbert family’s estate of Donau. The charge was illegal surveillance of the nobility. Apparently, the scoundrel had blabbed about who his master was.

It was unusual for minor gentry to be hauled into the itinerant court, which usually only summoned commoners and peasants. Of course, the imperial society protested.

The problem was that Lady Olivia Charbert didn’t even listen to them at all. Maybe that’s the beginning. If so, Harry Palmer probably won’t die prettily.

Gael put down the local newspaper. Many nobles were pressing the matter, but for some reason, the Emperor was chuckling it off genially. Just what kind of deal did he make with Olivia that the Emperor was keeping his mouth shut?

“Busy as always, I didn’t expect you to be reading newspapers.”

Gael raised his gaze at the sarcastic tone. In the study’s doorway, Lottie, dressed in a glamorous dress, glared at him.

“Understanding how society operates is also part of a Count’s duty, My Lady. If you’re going to waste your time, why not visit your sister?”

Lottie bit her lower lip tightly. She despised that man; absolutely despised him.

“Or perhaps you should come up with a plan to entangle Troy Marsden instead. That would be much more helpful.”

“And you call that a plan…!”

“Why not? Wasn’t you equally disgusted watching that man circle around her?”

Lottie was struck speechless. Gael chuckled as if he enjoyed it.

“Unfortunately, putting Olivia in a mental hospital failed. As long as Olivia remains like this, both you and I will continue to face difficulties.”

Gael, now familiar with Bartram’s study, looked around. The scent of lavender filled the room, offering some comfort amidst the turmoil.

“So let’s use our heads.”

“……”

“Let’s stop tearing each other apart like dogs.”

Lottie stared back sharply at Gael. His eyes, devoid of any warmth, froze Lottie involuntarily.

Occasionally, Lottie wondered what her sister had seen in that man to fall in love. She had said something at the time, but she hadn’t listened because she didn’t want to.

When Lottie finally asked first, Ronae had clamped her mouth shut.

“I wish for that too. It would be better if I never had to cross paths with the Count.”

“That’s what I wish for as well. Once the spell is broken, neither you nor her kin will have to see me ever again.”

Gael spoke with undisguised contempt.

“Let’s figure out what to do about Olivia first.”

“Will Mas stay quiet?”

When Lottie used that nickname, Gael narrowed his eyes. Lottie bit her lip in embarrassment.

“I’ll handle Marsden somehow. You just need to keep hanging around that man.”

“What exactly are we supposed to do?”

When Lottie looked anxiously at Gael, he smiled faintly.

“Understand this, My Lady. People with inferiority complexes are the easiest to handle. Just bow a little in front of them, and they’ll fall for it without suspicion. That’s what Harry Palmer did. He has a deep inferiority complex when it comes to Olivia.”

It was a new piece of information. Lottie stood there dumbfounded as Gael leaned back in his chair as if he were annoyed.

“You’ll see when Harry Palmer’s trial comes. Until then, take care of Ronae.”

Gael closed his eyes wearily.

“I can’t bear it if he dies before the spell is lifted.”

***

Olivia was beginning to realize just how important it was to strategize.

Harry Palmer had a broken right ankle and gold on his right wrist. He was being held in the dusty underground prison of the Charbert estate. It wasn’t exactly a real prison, so Olivia felt a little disappointed. Once Charbert’s independent prison facilities were fully operational, Harry Palmer would be the first prisoner in that prison.

“Exciting.”

Naturally, the rabble made a lot of noise, and Olivia had only one thing to say to them.

“If you feel unfairly treated, go talk to His Majesty.”

The messengers were almost frothing at the mouth. The Emperor wasn’t a neighborhood emperor or someone you could meet just because you had rank or money left. Even if you asked to meet him, the royal family wouldn’t respond.

Of course, Olivia didn’t completely trust Emperor Hellebore. In fact, she was secretly curious about Hellebore’s intentions. It was more of an anxiety. Was it because she hoped the change in place would not be empty again? She accepted the proposal. There wasn’t enough evidence to believe that.

But Olivia didn’t hang on to the problem because Hellebore’s intention wasn’t an urgent problem right now.

Instead, Hellebore had become a good means. Olivia was learning that she should use it well, even if it was dangerous. Even if it’s Troy Marsden.

“Willingly, Buddy.”

She couldn’t remember what wounds he had inflicted. Still, Olivia decided to keep Troy Marsden in her grasp. She instinctively felt that his affection, stemming from guilt, was not at all shallow.

“My Lady, this is Melanie. May I come in?”

“Sure.”