Chapter 7 – Part 6

Marsden realized he had been complacent. He had considered many possibilities, but the idea that Olivia would hold herself hostage hadn’t crossed his mind, even a little.

Or maybe, it was a possibility he could have easily thought of, but his instincts had ignored it.

“First, let’s go to the duke’s residence.”

This was all Marsden could say. A sorcerer allied with Harry Palmer was inside this prison, and no matter how big the prison was, he didn’t want Olivia in the same space.

Olivia nodded calmly and stood up, leaving the room. There was an intimidating aura about her, the kind only someone with absolute control could exude.

‘What should I do?’

But for Marsden, that wasn’t the point. In this relationship, Olivia had always been the absolute authority. That had been a given truth since the moment they first met.

So, there was no objection. He had merely forgotten that this fact was tied to Olivia’s safety.

“Where should I go?”

Upon arriving at the duke’s residence, Olivia acted thoroughly like an outsider. All Marsden could do was exhale his trembling breath.

“There is a room prepared for the Marchioness by the Duke…”

“No, give me a standard guest room. And wake me up at 6 AM tomorrow?”

“What? Why so early…?”

Ricardo, standing beside them, fumbled. Olivia massaged her shoulders firmly.

“I need to interrogate the sorcerer. And I need to deal with Gael like linking dried fish. Tell Glenn to come at that time too.”

Glenn had gone to investigate the castle where the sorcerer had stayed. Although there were enough people, it was to guard against potential internal spies. Bay also participated in this.

“Oh, and…”

Olivia glanced at Marsden with a dismissive look, as if giving orders to a subordinate.

“Sort out what you’ll teach me first, Duke. Don’t think about following me.”

“……”

Marsden ground his teeth quietly. This was indeed the ultimate punishment. She wasn’t completely distancing herself, nor was she keeping him close. It was his responsibility to ponder how much she would delve into magic.

“When will you come?”

Marsden grabbed Olivia, who was turning away to avoid him. Despite the determination in his voice, Olivia reacted indifferently.

“I don’t know. Who knows how long the interrogation will take. Just attend to your own business, Duke. Don’t worry about me.”

Again with the “Duke.” Marsden was convinced that if he could hold onto that title, he could beg even more pathetically than before.

‘Not just kneeling, I’d even bow my head to the ground.’

He thought he could even cut off his fingers. Maybe gouge out his eyes. Well, he’d need to see Olivia’s face, so maybe just one eye…

“Then please follow me to this room.”

Ricardo glanced at Marsden, who was lost in thought, and guided Olivia to the inner guest room. Marsden watched her with an intense gaze until she entered the room.

Ricardo looked at Marsden with an exasperated expression. Finally, he couldn’t hold back his scolding.

“Your Grace, didn’t I tell you not to deceive the Marchioness? It was truly a foolish method.”

What good was it being a man admired by high society ladies when he couldn’t even properly win over the woman he liked?

Ricardo wondered if this was how a father felt about his son. Frustrated, but he spoke gently, not sharply.

“Even now, go and apologize. You might have been a bit rough with your words, but you’re a kind person at heart. If you sincerely reflect, she might forgive you.”

It was both to calm Marsden’s nerves and because he meant it.

People gossiped that the Marchioness of Charbert, or the border master of Donau, had become a completely different person, but Ricardo disagreed. No matter what he had gone through, his nature remained warm.

‘That’s why I thought she’d be suitable wife for him!’

Whether in the past or now, Olivia was the only one who could handle this loose cannon of a Duke. Ricardo coaxed Marsden once again.

“Hurry up. Before she falls asleep….”

“I can’t promise to keep my word.”

Marsden leaned against the wall with a troubled expression. Like a fresh, towering tree suddenly withering in despair.

“If the price for this incident is Buddy taking me hostage, then what comes next?”

“……”

“If I break my promise again because I can’t control myself, what will happen then?”

His large, bandaged hand covered his eyes.

“I don’t even want to imagine.”

Seeing him on the verge of collapse, Ricardo stopped scolding and led him to his bedroom. At that moment, his sturdy master felt like a small child.

***

When Olivia got out of bed after staying awake all night, she was disappointed not to feel any presence until then. She had hoped he might show up with a written pledge never to do it again.

Knowing her feelings, Ricardo guided Olivia to the dining room just as she woke up. The breakfast table was set with her favorite pumpkin soup and various breads.

It irritated Olivia that Marsden seemed to have paid attention to even this. Of course, she enjoyed the meal itself.

Upon arriving at the prison, she interrogated the sorcerer with Glenn. The sorcerer admitted to receiving some money from Gael to make a living.

However, the sorcerer denied Gael’s deep involvement in the incident, including the attack on Olivia.

“It’s absurd to claim that he just received financial help out of old affection, even if he isn’t the perpetrator of the attack.”

“No further evidence has been found that Gael Abyss was more deeply involved in the sorcerer’s activities at the castle where he stayed, correct?”

“We found a few telegrams exchanged with the Count of Abyss, but it’s hard to claim that the Count financially supported the magic based on that alone.”

“We need more interrogation.”

Olivia, displeased, flipped through the documents in the interrogation room where they were alone.

“It’s hard to take stronger measures against Gael Abyss despite the issues arising in the Kettlelin Forest he ‘protects,’ huh.”

“Without direct evidence that Gael Abyss personally engaged in or facilitated the magic, it’s difficult to bring him to a noble trial even if we criticize his incompetence. Moreover, even if he did engage in magic, considering his title, it might end with a reprimand.”

Glenn, too, wore a frustrated expression as he explained. His eyes moved constantly, deep in thought.

“A reprimand, considering his title….”

“It’s just my speculation.”

As Olivia muttered something incomprehensible, Glenn, misunderstanding her emotions, hastily explained.

“The Count of Abyss may have many followers, but they are no match for the Marchioness’s.”

“Hmm? I’m only now properly gathering my people.”

She had her people. She could name a few: the captain of the knights, Glenn; the maid, Melanie; and the few true vassals like Illehan.

But there were more people who hated and envied her. Glenn, aware of this, pointed out.

“That’s precisely it. You’re ‘properly’ gathering them now.”

A gentle warmth filled Glenn’s eyes.

“The other side may have more in number, but here, the depth is greater. Some have only recently started genuinely looking at you, but soon they too will share the same depth.”

Olivia, unaccustomed to praise, found his words embarrassingly flattering. She was more familiar with criticism than compliments.

“So don’t try to solve everything alone. I understand you’re hastening things because of your promise to His Majesty, but…”

As usual, Glenn’s words of comfort suddenly halted, and Olivia looked at him curiously. Eventually, Glenn’s eyes glimmered with realization.

“Marchioness, you secured a month from His Majesty to find the culprit, didn’t you? By staking your title.”

“And?”

“You haven’t staked anything else yet, have you?”

Are you suggesting a gamble? Olivia pouted in silence, prompting Glenn to speak more assertively.

“I have a good plan. A way to buy more time and summon the Count of Abyss to the imperial palace for questioning.”

His sparkling eyes showed determination. When Olivia gestured for him to continue, Glenn spoke rapidly.

“I’ll put the Duke and my position on the line too. That way, we can buy time and bring the Count of Abyss in.”

“What? Are you suggesting we negotiate with His Majesty as I did?”

“Is there any reason we can’t?”

Glenn grinned.

“Why didn’t I think of this sooner?”

Is he crazy?

Olivia considered telling him to be quiet but held back. As crazy as it seemed, it was a pretty decent plan.