Chapter 4 – Part 1

She had always thought the sound of dry wood burning was pleasant. It wasn’t always necessary to have an old-fashioned melody to calm the mind. She liked the sound of fire, and that had been true until just now.

“What on earth are you talking about, Buddy?”

But now, every sound seemed ominous. It grated on her nerves. The slightest breeze, this man’s presence—everything.

“What do you mean, ‘What are you talking about’?”

Olivia was quite angry. Troy Marsden didn’t look flustered or bewildered. If he had at least appeared confused, she might have felt some pity for him.

Or, if he had shown a guilty expression like he did when he confessed to using magic on her, she might have patiently waited for an answer.

‘But what is this?’

Olivia’s face twisted in frustration.

It felt artificial. No matter how sly and cunning he normally was, he had never worn such an irritating mask before.

“You’re so funny.”

Olivia couldn’t hold back and blurted it out. What made her even angrier was the realization that the moments he had answered her questions so far were like charity. It was Marsden’s attitude right now that made her realize that.

Hypocritical and insincere.

“You acted like you were going to tell me everything, but why the sudden change?”

“I honestly don’t understand what you’re saying. If it’s about a pool of blood… are you talking about the day you disappeared?”

Marsden’s eyes were as clear as if he had nothing to hide. But precisely because of that, there wasn’t a trace of truth in them.

“Yes. You said that on the day I disappeared, you found blood that you assumed was mine. You pretended to be shocked by the pool of blood.”Olivia pulled Marsden’s collar, bringing her face close to his. Finally, his previously calm eyes showed a slight tremor.

“I should have known. You didn’t ask anything. Not you, not even His Majesty the Emperor.”

Despite Olivia’s pressing questions, Marsden kept his mouth shut. His silence only scratched at Olivia’s already frayed nerves.

“Let me put it this way. Suppose I left behind another pool of blood and disappeared again. Then I reappeared. Would you still not ask anything?”

A trembling breath escaped through his red lips. His eyes were as red as his lips.

“…Why can’t you believe that all of a sudden?”

Finally, Marsden asked in a strained voice. Olivia threw the remaining blanket to the ground with one hand.

“Because you were one of the few strangers who could have asked me that. When Cotton asked me that earlier, it brought back some of the memories of that day in a weird way. Your screams, your pleas, your-“

“Buddy.”

“The fact that they are in my head is proof that you saw me, isn’t it? Tell me the truth. What did you see that day…?”

“Stop!”

Olivia’s body jerked violently. Even the knights standing guard from a distance turned around at the chilly, desperate tone.

“Stop it, Buddy.”

“Stop it. Don’t wear me out, Buddy.”

Her heart sank. Feeling dizzy again, Olivia let go of Marsden. Fortunately, Marsden didn’t seem to be in good shape to notice her condition.

Olivia desperately hoped, even if only inwardly, that he would face her questions without lies or evasion.

“Buddy, your memories are confused right now.”

“……”

“You might be mixing up real memories with false ones. Calm down. You can’t afford to be in pain like earlier.”

Marsden reached for the blanket on the ground, as if to wrap it around her again. Olivia stared blankly at the scene.

“I’ve only told you the truth, Buddy.”

Marsden gently wrapped the blanket around Olivia.

The memory that came with his command to stop—was that also a confusion, as he said? A hallucination created by her anxiety?

Olivia had felt frustrated while reading the original story. Why didn’t they talk about their true feelings? Why didn’t they openly discuss what they felt for each other and what they wanted to do moving forward?

Pretending to hate, pretending to let go, yet ultimately unable to stop caring about each other—why didn’t they talk about what was going on?

Olivia thought about it. Confronting Marsden wouldn’t benefit her. Even if he was involved in her death, it was wise to hold back for now.

If he was the culprit, she needed to keep him close and find evidence. If not, she needed to find out why he was keeping silent.

Instead of clashing head-on, she could try pleading desperately, asking Marsden to tell her what he was hiding, as if she were a pitiful supporting character in a romance novel.

“D*mn it.”

Olivia gritted her teeth and gave a bitter smile. Marsden flinched at her villainous expression.

“Confused about my memories? Telling the truth? Calm down? If you were in my position, could you stay calm?”

Marsden’s face stiffened under her barrage of questions. The knights, sensing something amiss, began to inch closer. Marsden placed his hands on Olivia’s shoulders, trying to calm her.

But it had the opposite effect. Olivia began to snarl.

“Apologize? Then you should spill the truth, every detail, instead of saying I’m confused! Do you think I’m dreaming?”

“Buddy. Listen to me…….”

“If you weren’t planning to explain, why even listen to me? That’s what drove me crazy reading this: Gael, Ronae, why won’t you just spit it out instead of swallowing it down like when I eat éclairs? Stop acting alone and talk!”

Marsden’s mouth opened slowly, his eyes confused about where to begin.

‘That’s how I feel, you bastard.’

“I can’t understand it. Let’s say you’re keeping quiet for my sake. Should I then say, ‘Thank you, Your Grace, for considering my fragile mind!’? Do you really not know what’s best for me? You regretful bastard!”

‘Thunk’ Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a knight drop the fruit he was eating. That exasperated expression was the 132nd she’d seen today.

Olivia didn’t care. She threw the blanket Marsden had just draped over her onto the ground. If he weren’t a duke, she’d have kicked him already.

“I’m not going to beg you for the truth. I believe in myself. I’ll get through this, remember everything, and find out who did this to me within a month. I’ll destroy them. Neither you nor His Majesty can make me a pawn. If you’re in charge, so am I.”

Marsden’s face showed a mix of emotions—admiration or worry. Whatever it was, she didn’t care.

“If you’re going to lie, just say you don’t want to talk. Otherwise, we’re done.”

“That’s…”

Marsden’s face contorted. He was afraid of mere words. Olivia steeled herself against any weakening of resolve.

“Answer me.”

Even a duke isn’t scarier than those prison inmates. Olivia stared at him calmly.

It was quite amusing to see the distortion and anguish in his handsome features. He’s probably done something he’s going to regret, so let’s give him a good roll.

“…Alright.”

“Louder.”

Olivia crossed her arms. Marsden clutched the blanket and spoke again.

“Alright. So wrap up, Buddy. It’s cold.”

Even now, he worries about her. Annoyed, Olivia ignored his hand, offering the blanket.

“I’m heading to the fortress. Forget rest. Even those claiming to be allies act like this.”

“Buddy, please.”

“Glenn! We’re leaving.”

Olivia called out as she moved. Glenn signaled the knights.

“We’re heading to the fortress immediately.”

“Yes!”

The knights moved quickly. Olivia mounted her horse, guided by Glenn.

Behind her, Marsden’s gaze was relentless. She heard the sound of him mounting his horse, unwilling to be left behind.

Let him follow if he wants.

Olivia wasn’t going to be easily swayed by anything or anyone, not even Troy Marsden.

* * *

At 11 PM, the Flatd Fortress was in an uproar.

Apprentice knight Kellic had disappeared. Everyone believed he’d return in a day or two, but he didn’t.

Lizzy watched the bustling scene with anxious eyes.

The apprentice knight, Kellic.

He was the one who had stolen the bomb from Flatd Fortress a while ago.

* * *

The atmosphere at Flatd Fortress was unusually different. Lizzy thought the change might even be exciting.

No matter what people thought of her marchioness, Olivia was an absolute leader on the battlefield. High-ranking nobles often avoided battles, sending substitutes, making the battlefield Olivia’s domain.

Lizzy had observed her from afar. In town, they called Olivia an outcast, a puppet Marchioness, but at Flatd, she shone. Lizzy realized what a noble and warrior she truly was.

When they said Olivia was dead, Lizzy felt a profound loss. Not as deeply as her father’s, but Olivia had been significant in her life. A magnificent and righteous person.

‘The Marchioness is gone now.’

Even reminding herself of that fact yielded the same result. She wished the Marchioness would return, even if not as impressive as before, just back to their original place.

But that wish came true. Whether it was good or bad, Lizzy was summoned as a witness before Olivia. Contrary to the rumors that she had become mentally unstable and violent, Olivia’s demeanor towards Lizzy was gentle and kind.

“Your name is Elizabeth Klein, right? Can I call you Elizabeth?”