Chapter 6 – Part 5

“What do you mean?”

“Would you be okay if he married another woman?”

What a ridiculous situation. Olivia sighed. She had an inkling why Ronae was asking this, which only made her angrier.

“That’s not something someone who used unheard-of magic to make him fall in love with her should be saying.”

“W-what are you talking about?”

“I don’t want to believe that I genuinely loved Gael Abyss, but even if I concede a hundred times that I did, how can someone who unfairly stole someone’s heart have the audacity to ask such a thing?”

Ronae’s expression showed that she was the most embarrassed and humiliated since they had met.

“Do you know what it means to care about someone? I think you’re trying to push me to give up because Lottie Bartram likes Marsden, but if you have any conscience, you’d know what to say and what not to say, Ronae Bartram.”

Although it was abrupt and harsh, Olivia was genuinely angry. While this woman hadn’t hurt or endangered anyone, she had used unfair means to force someone’s affections toward herself.

“This is your first and last warning, Ronae. Don’t mess with Marsden. The Bartram family doesn’t have to sacrifice my men to you two sisters, do they?”

Don’t you think so? Olivia smiled.

People were not objects. Even though she tried to speak sternly, it didn’t feel good. She didn’t want to discuss Marsden lightly, unlike Gael Abyss, who deserved any insult.

“Do you have anything else to say? I feel like I’ve repaid you by tolerating your rudeness.”

Olivia wanted to say more, but she held back. Going further would mean she was reacting excessively. Olivia stepped aside to pass Ronae.

“I’m sorry, Marchioness.”

Ronae’s voice stopped Olivia. It sounded so sad that Olivia was slightly taken aback.

“I accept your apology, but I don’t wish to continue this conversation with you.”

As she tried to leave, Ronae lightly grabbed the edge of Olivia’s coat. It felt so desperate that she couldn’t shake her off.

Moreover, Ronae’s next words completely turned Olivia around.

“Please help me escape, Marchioness.”

Ronae clung to Olivia’s coat with trembling hands.

“Help me escape from Gael. That’s all I ask. Please… help me live freely away from him.”

‘That’s really all I want.’

Ronae started crying like a child. Olivia had a hard time calming her down.

* * *

“Hah…”

“Buddy, your manner of speaking is strong, but your actions are angelic.”

Marsden handed Olivia a glass of cold water. They had barely touched their lunch and were now in her room. She didn’t want to sit across from Gael and eat anyway.

“How could I just leave her when she’s crying so sorrowfully? I tend to cry along when others cry.”

Despite not being the protagonist, Ronae’s tears were heart-wrenching. She stopped crying quickly, but her red nose and eyes couldn’t be hidden. This made the lunch atmosphere worse, and the food was tasteless.

“So you wiped her tears and comforted her? What if it was all an act?”

Marsden’s tone was more worried than scolding. Since Ronae was Gael’s fiancée, it was natural to be wary.

“Honestly, it annoyed me too. Why was she crying after all she did? It was all her own doing, and I thought there was nothing to be sorry about. But…”

Olivia recalled Ronae’s appearance.

Despite her glamorous look, her protruding belly and hollow cheeks stood out. Her eyes, devoid of any hope for tomorrow, seemed desperate to seek help from anyone passing by, which pierced Olivia’s heart.

“I don’t know. Maybe it’s because I felt I had cried like that in the past. There were times when I just wanted to grab someone and beg for help.”

Her introverted and prickly nature often led to misunderstandings. At those times, she wanted to grab a kind-looking adult and cry her heart out.

“When? Was it when I wasn’t around?”

Marsden seemed to misunderstand her words. His imploring black eyes made Olivia realize her mistake.

“No, it was just a figure of speech. Everyone has those moments. Besides, I hardly remember my past, so what does it matter?”

Hmm?

A sudden thought crossed Olivia’s mind.

Has Marsden ever asked how she returned to him?

“Did you end your conversation with Lady Bartram? Was it just crying and nothing else?”

Olivia’s question faded as Marsden asked his own. She put down her glass.

“You really don’t have any affection for the Bartram family, do you? It seems like the second daughter likes you.”

“I’ve never been curious about how Lady Bartram feels.”

“Even though she’s been following you around? She even followed you when I caused a scene at the meeting hall right after I returned.”

That felt like ages ago. Marsden tilted his head with a nonchalant expression.

“Did she? But that’s not important right now. So, did the conversation end? I’d prefer it if you didn’t get involved with anyone associated with Gael Abyss.”

Marsden leaned toward Olivia.

“But since you postponed the interrogation, that’s not possible right now, is it? Did you find something?”

His handsome face was quite close. Olivia considered teasing him with a kiss on the cheek but decided against it, thinking it might backfire. Instead, she pulled out a note from her coat pocket that had the attacker’s location written on it.

“I told you that the attacker is acquainted with Ronae, right?”

“Yes, so?”

“Ronae told me who it is. According to her, they frequently change locations, so it’s best to find them quickly.”

Marsden fell silent, a deep mistrust flickering in his eyes. Eventually, he spoke again.

“Buddy, I don’t mean to disparage Lady Bartram, but we don’t know what happened between her and Gael Abyss. We can’t rashly get involved. More importantly, if this is a trap, you could be in danger. Of course, I’ll be with you.”

Even while speaking logically, Marsden didn’t forget to emphasize his last words. Olivia, feeling a bit pleased, poked his cheek.

“So, you’re saying that Ronae’s tears might have been part of a ploy with Gael?”

Marsden’s silence was a clear affirmative.

“I understand your concern. Even if Ronae’s request is genuine, fulfilling it is too risky, and if it’s false, we could get hurt. But…”

Olivia bumped her forehead against Marsden’s.“Even if it’s a trap, we can learn more and faster than just torturing Gael. It’s a more efficient way to save time, in my opinion.”

Marsden’s earlobes gradually turned red, making Olivia smile at how easily flustered he was.

“I noticed elite knights stationed at every corner. I figured it was to track us if we entered the forest, but seeing this, it makes even more sense.”

Olivia pulled away and unfolded the note. It detailed something like a map, with Olivia’s long fingers tapping on it.

“They dug tunnels. No wonder we couldn’t find them.”

* * *

The interrogation was postponed. Olivia and Marsdenden left, saying they would return later. Increased surveillance was implemented to prevent them from sneaking into the forest, but not a single footprint was found.

Thinking they might have evaded the watchful eyes, a few knights were sent out, but no signs of anyone else were detected.

“Keep monitoring in shifts, just in case.”

“Yes, Count.”

The chilly air hung in the office as Gael remained alone. Feeling suffocated, he hastily lit a cigarette and exhaled the smoke.

‘Why did she cry?’

With the cigarette in his mouth, Gael took another deep breath. It was so strong that Ronae wouldn’t come near him when he smoked it. He needed time to think.

She definitely cried. She didn’t seem to hide it either, meeting his eyes straight on.

‘She was definitely with Olivia.’

What did the two of them talk about?

Gael tapped the desk. He knew Ronae roamed around the mansion when she visited, though she couldn’t go anywhere discreet given her condition. The situation was unsettling.

‘I should confine her to the mansion again.’

It was time to start the process. Gael pulled the bell rope to summon a knight.

* * *