Chapter 8 – Part 5

Olivia decided to wait calmly for Marsden, as befit her noble status. After all, she was guilty of something she hadn’t done, and Hellebore had announced that the sorcerer had escaped. Wandering around would do her no good.

She made the decision to go out about an hour after parting with Marsden. It was partly because she felt stifled staying in the room, but also because she hoped that roaming around might trigger some old memories.

‘Gael Abyss?’

As she was looking around the palace with an attendant, she happened to run into Gael. It might have been fortunate or unfortunate, but there he was.

She couldn’t immediately tell how the interrogation had gone, but the high intensity of it was evident. His haggard appearance and weak steps were proof enough.

She could have just passed by, but Olivia wanted to give Gael a hard time. She also wanted to provoke him and see his reaction, since recent events were all somehow connected to him.

“Though I’ve been clouded by corrupt magic, you know my heart has always belonged to you, Marchioness.”

But Gael was acting more exaggerated than before, deliberately making his movements large and raising his voice. Olivia, who had been dealing with him appropriately, soon reached a conclusion.

‘They must have mentioned Harry during the interrogation.’

Since the sorcerer had dealings with Harry and Gael had backed him, Marsden must have brought it up. Whether Gael denied or admitted it, he couldn’t be completely unconnected to Harry’s request. Even if he managed to cover it up, he couldn’t be at ease. It had already negatively affected both her and Marsden.

‘So, he’s trying to play the pitiful victim in front of an audience?’

Olivia suppressed a laugh and responded appropriately to Gael. Then, unable to tolerate his pitiful act any longer, she said something to reveal his true nature. She told him she probably never loved him even once.

She immediately noticed Gael’s body tremble at those words.

He was a man of immense pride. When she had just returned, he chided her for not seeking him out and then acted tenderly as if he had deleted the memory of her rejecting him.

It was a form of escapism. Olivia seized the opportunity. She wanted to understand why this man couldn’t let go of her, why he acted like a lover despite such a humiliating reunion.

‘Oh, look at that?’

She waited quietly and noticed Gael’s hand slowly rising. From a knight’s perspective, it was clear that he was about to act impulsively, unable to control his urge.

Of course, she didn’t expect to see the end of Gael’s genuine reaction. She had already spotted Marsden approaching like a raging beast from the other end of the corridor.

From that point on, stopping Marsden became her top priority. Even as she dragged Marsden away, she discreetly observed Gael. His eyes were filled with dark, indescribable emotions.

“Phew, you’re really heavy!”

Olivia sighed in relief as she finally dragged Marsden into the room.

“Did you see that just now? When I said I might have never loved him, his expression froze. There’s definitely something off about that guy.”

“…Buddy.”

“Save your anger for later. Now’s not the time for you to be upset because I was briefly with Gael Abyss, okay?”

Olivia tilted her head, as if she could read Marsden’s thoughts. Marsden decided to calm down. He had planned to briefly explain the contents of the interrogation to Olivia anyway.

Olivia listened to Marsden’s explanation without even thinking of sitting down. She nodded, as if she had already guessed as much.

“One thing’s for sure: even if Gael is punished, it won’t be severe, right?”

“At worst, he’ll be expelled from the capital. The Emperor must think that level of humiliation is a fitting punishment.”

“Ha, for someone who might be a first-degree criminal?”

Olivia snorted. It was impossible for such a guy to be innocent. Her instincts were accurate. She had a knack for spotting shady people!

Olivia meticulously went over the details Marsden had shared from the interrogation. She wanted to ensure she hadn’t missed anything. Then, a question arose.

“Marsden, you said Buck Rodley was a vassal of the Abyss County.”

“Yes.”

“Then he had no contact with me at all?”

“None.”

Marsden frowned, as if repulsed by the thought of any filth rubbing off on her.

“Then that’s strange.”

“What’s strange?”

Marsden took a breath, trying to clear his throat. The image of Olivia standing close to Gael and whispering in his ear was still vivid in his mind. It made his possessiveness and anxiety flare up.

“Harry once testified that the sorcerer said he would do anything to make me unhappy.”

“The sorcerer?”

“Yes, but if I had no contact with Buck Rodley, why would he want my unhappiness?”

Marsden tilted his head at that point. Despite thoroughly reviewing the documents, if his assumptions were correct, Buck Rodley had never even seen Olivia’s face.

“That’s strange. Let me share my theory.”

Olivia sat on the couch, crossing her legs and touching her fingertips together like a detective. It was an adorable mimicry that almost made Marsden smile despite his sour mood.

“Tell me.”

Marsden surrendered, removing his formal jacket and draping it over the couch. He perched on the armrest of a single-seat sofa.

“Buck Rodley doesn’t necessarily have to be just one person.”

“What do you mean?”

“You know Harry Palmer. He’s ignorant, clueless, can’t see beyond his nose, arrogant, and utterly vulgar. For example, if an accomplice or someone else pretended to be Buck, do you think he would have noticed?”

It was a scenario that hadn’t occurred to him. Given the number of sorcerers around, it was a plausible possibility.

“That makes sense. So, if Buck Rodley often lent his name to someone else, and that person had a grudge against you?”

“Well, that’s a possibility, isn’t it?”

Marsden meticulously analyzed Olivia’s words in his mind. One thing puzzled him: why go through the trouble of switching people when dealing with Harry? Harry didn’t know Buck Rodley’s name anyway, so there was no need for such a deception.

“The reason for switching people is unclear. Anyway, what I’m saying is that the sorcerer probably didn’t act alone. We should investigate if there are others involved.”

Marsden nodded,

“You’re right. The case isn’t over. We’ll investigate thoroughly until everything is clear.”

“Alright. I guess I should start learning how to farm.”

“Buddy.”

“If someone would just say something, everything would be solved.”

Marsden swallowed hard, looking pained. Then his gaze, calm yet tumultuous, fell on Olivia.

“Or you could let me take revenge for you.”

“……”

“You wouldn’t like that.”

Yes, she wouldn’t. This revenge was hers alone. She didn’t want to give it to anyone else. The reason was…

“Do you know why I dislike Gael Abyss even more than when I first returned?”

Marsden waited silently for her to continue. Olivia spoke the thoughts she had kept to herself.

“I’ve endured all this time believing that my past self and my present self were entirely different people. I thought I had to become ‘Olivia’ to survive here.”

Marsden frowned slightly, sensing some ambiguity in her words. However, his expression showed more focus than frustration, allowing Olivia to continue.

“But the more I look at you, the more I feel like I’m Olivia.”

“……”

“I hate seeing you in pain. I think I could endure it if you weren’t by my side. I probably felt this way before too.”

She had always believed she was just a person who had possessed ‘Olivia Charbert,’ no matter how much her emotions aligned with the character. But now, she began to genuinely doubt that firmly held belief.

“Don’t say things like that.”

“That’s why this revenge is mine.”

Olivia pulled Marsden onto the couch with her, their bodies overlapping.

“If you can’t help me, don’t stop me.”

She wrapped her arms around Marsden’s neck. Sensing that this could be the last time, Marsden urgently cupped her cheeks in his hands. Olivia poked his cheeks.

“So, don’t waste time and kiss me, you foolish man.”

With those words, Olivia lost control over her body. And perhaps tonight, it wouldn’t just end with a kiss.