Chapter 6 – Part 4

“I said I wouldn’t kill you, not that I wouldn’t torture you.”

Marsden drew his sword as if to torture the mansion’s owner inside the mansion, and Olivia barely stopped him. When she snapped at him to stop making a scene, Marsden finally calmed down.

However, because of this, the group couldn’t even enter the room and was stuck in the main building’s hallway.

“But he’ll definitely claim ignorance.”

“So you’re going to kill that rude bastard in front of dozens of witnesses? Who are you trying to inconvenience?”

“I won’t. I was wrong, buddy.”

As Marsden immediately backed down, Olivia suppressed her anger. The surrounding people looked at them with pale faces.

Among them, Gael’s expression was the worst. She wasn’t sure if it was because he was annoyed or because Marsden referred to him as a ‘rude bastard,’ but she didn’t care.

“I can’t understand why you would attack without asking anything.”

“I don’t particularly need the Count’s understanding.”

Marsden’s voice was icy, as if he had never acted obediently.

“The only reason I’m leaving the Count’s limbs intact is because Olivia is safely here.”

Hmm. Olivia found the atmosphere quite uncomfortable. She knew Marsden abnormally despised Gael, but being directly involved, she couldn’t easily adapt.

Initially, she suspected it was because the ‘real Olivia’ was supposed to be engaged to Gael. But for some time now, she had thought it was too odd to be merely jealousy.

“So, what should I do to satisfy Your Grace, the Duke? Should I tell you everything I know about the Ketteline Forest?”

“The Count seems to have a very rigid mind. It’s questionable whether your brain works properly.”

“Duke!”

Gael’s face turned red as he glared at Marsden. She almost told him that his defiant attitude was as effective as a mosquito charging at an electric fly swatter, but she held back.

Marsden, whether he cared or not, looked down at Gael domineeringly. Though Gael was tall, Marsden was unreasonably larger.

“What I want to hear is not the basic information you know about the forest but the suspicious circumstances you have noticed.”

“What… do you mean by circumstances?”

“If your brain is functioning properly, you would know the forest is being manipulated by someone. If you don’t know, it would be a serious… liability for you.”

Marsden put his hand in his coat pocket and walked toward Gael. It seemed Gael realized that Marsden’s taunt was bait for a trap.

“Let’s go somewhere more discreet to talk. If you don’t answer properly, I’ll grab you by the neck and drag you before the Emperor. And if that happens… you’re lucky if that’s all.”

Marsden smiled.

Once again, Olivia was grateful she wasn’t an enemy of that cheerful demon.

***

No matter how reckless Olivia was, she couldn’t be unaffected by the events in the forest.

Before Marsden could drag Gael to the so-called “discreet place,” Olivia declared she needed a rest.

“I feel like I’m about to collapse from exhaustion.”

Saying she felt like collapsing was effective, so Olivia was able to get to the guest room with Marsden’s support.

“Rest here. I won’t do anything strange.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I need to organize the information we gathered in the forest. We can’t afford to miss anything.”

Marsden gently stroked Olivia’s head as she lay down on the bed.

“Get some sleep. Even someone as well-trained as you must have been quite shocked. I’ll wake you up in three hours.”

Olivia didn’t hold onto Marsden. Just as he said, she was very shaken and needed to calm herself. She quickly drifted off to sleep.

That night, she dreamed again. Unlike her previous nightmares, this dream was quite warm. In some ways, it felt very awkward.

“Hello, Duke Marsden.”

In that dream, at the place where they first met during her private lessons, Olivia was a young and shy girl. Though she wore an elegant dress suited for a debutante, it couldn’t hide her youth.

“It’s nice to meet you, Lady Charbert. This is the first time we’re properly meeting, isn’t it?”

“I’ve actually seen you a few times in the mansion, Your Grace.”

“I see.”

His eyes and demeanor were much more subdued than they were now. Even so, Olivia couldn’t hide her excitement. To be precise, she didn’t try to hide it.

“I’m genuinely happy to be able to talk to you, Your Grace. I’ve been looking forward to this day.”

“Is that so? I have too.”

His attitude was very formal. Despite this, Olivia took out a chair from under the desk and sat down. Marsden, holding a piece of chalk in front of the blackboard, hesitated. So did the servants standing behind.

The lesson content was extremely boring, but Olivia’s eyes shone brightly. It was clear that her enthusiasm wasn’t due to academic interest.

“Let’s end the lesson here for today. Before you go, I have something to say to you, Lady Charbert.”

Marsden put down the chalk and turned to Olivia with his usual indifferent gaze.

“Now that you’ve had your debut, you’ll soon take over as the head of your family. This means my role as your proxy will come to an end. I won’t be doing anything for you anymore.”

“Not even one thing?”

“That’s correct.”

Olivia briefly looked down. From Marsden’s expression, it was clear he expected her to be disappointed.

“I’m relieved.”

“…?”

However, Olivia’s response was unexpected both to “current Olivia” and “Marsden of that time.”

“I’ve always felt a heavy heart. No matter what the Charbert family gave you, Your Grace helped us out of pure goodwill, even risking yourself for my sake.”

A gentle smile spread across Olivia’s lips.

“It means you won’t have to sacrifice yourself for me anymore. As the proxy Marchioness of Charbert, you won’t have to go to dangerous wars because of me. So…”

A blush appeared on Olivia’s cheeks.

“Now, we’re just teacher and student, right?”

Olivia smiled brightly. Marsden seemed at a loss for words.

He appeared unsure of how to react. As if to prove this, he forgot his usual noble manners and simply tried to leave the room.

“Teacher!”

Misinterpreting his embarrassed demeanor, Olivia cheerfully called after him.

“Take care.”

It was clear from the look on Marsden’s face that he was confused. “Current Olivia” found this amusing. It wasn’t something you’d expect the best fighter in the empire to hear.

Marsden struggled to find appropriate words, but what he said was very dry.

“Okay.”

Still, Olivia of that time smiled happily. Yes, she was very happy…

“Buddy! Are you inside?”

“Marsden…”

But suddenly, the dream turned dark. Olivia, in her red dress, looked at the door with unfocused eyes. The locked door shook violently, as if it were about to break.

Olivia muttered like a dying ember.

“I’m sorry, Marsden. For…”

Tears welled up in Olivia’s eyes.

“I’m sorry, for…”

For dying first.

“…!”

Olivia woke up from her dream at that moment. Cold sweat dripped from her forehead.

“What the…”

She sat up and touched her neck. She was drenched in cold sweat.

‘It must be a meaningless dream.’

But why did it feel so ominous? As Olivia calmed her breath, she heard a small knock, quieter than in her dream.

Looking at the clock on the wall, she realized it was already lunchtime. She had slept all morning.

“Geez, he said he’d wake me in three hours.”

Thinking it was Marsden, Olivia opened the door without much thought.

“I came to use my wish, Marchioness.”

But it was Ronae standing outside. Ronae crossed the threshold without even greeting her.

“I’m in a hurry. Can I speak now?”

While Olivia was debating whether to point out her lack of manners or clarify that she promised a favor, not granting a wish, Ronae closed the door firmly.

“What exactly are you demanding? Just to be clear, it’s within my capability…”

“Postpone the interrogation.”

Olivia’s words stopped abruptly. Her eyes sharpened.

“I can’t grant that request. I appreciate you taking me to the cabin, but I must say that’s not a significant enough reason for such a demand.”

“Then, what about the fact that I appeared just in time to save your life, Marchioness?”

What is she trying to say? Olivia was baffled.

“Do you understand what you’re saying right now? You’re essentially confessing that you’re acquainted with the man who attacked me. In fact, you’re admitting that you’re quite close to him.”

“Yes, I know. So, does that earn me my favor?”

Olivia’s decision was swift.

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Though I appreciate you showing your cards first, the interrogation of Count Abyss is essential to protect my life, those I care about, and the Donau territory.”

It was better to be a ruthless person. Olivia wanted to safeguard this life, unlike the original Olivia.

“The person you care about is Duke Marsden, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

There was no point in hiding it since it was obvious. Olivia’s confident response made Ronae’s eyes flicker with envy.

“So… as long as he’s safe, does nothing else matter to you, Marchioness?”

“What do you mean?”