Chapter 8 – Part 8

After returning from the palace, Olivia immediately ordered Glenn to find out if they could plant a spy in the Abyss Count’s residence. She didn’t know how successful it would be, but provoking Gael was part of the plan, and she thought he might start something new.

Glenn promptly began discussing with Illehan to find a trustworthy spy. Since they couldn’t afford to get caught, it might take a day or two.

“By the way, are you sure about this?”

“About what?”

“Visiting the Duke’s residence every day.”

Glenn asked with concern before their departure. Olivia shrugged lightly.

“We’ve managed to cage the beast; now we need to feed it on time. It’ll only take an hour or two.”

“What exactly are you planning to feed it?”

He sounded like a worried father. Olivia playfully patted Glenn’s shoulder.

“Oh, don’t worry. Everything will go as planned.”

“If everything went as planned, you wouldn’t be on the emperor’s bad side…”

“Quiet.”

This time, she patted his shoulder hard. Glenn groaned in pain.

“I’m just concerned. The late Marquis once told me to choose a son-in-law who would listen well to the Marchioness.”

Olivia laughed, amused by Glenn’s fatherly concern.

“Goodness, you were just a kid back then too. Why don’t you get married quickly? Maybe I should switch my bodyguard to Bay.”

“I’m not leaving until the Marchioness marries a decent man!”

Glenn clung tightly to Olivia, trembling. Olivia pushed him away in disgust and patted the horse the coachman had brought.

“Shall we go? I’d like to arrive before it rains.”

As Olivia looked up at the sky, Glenn also lifted his head. The sky was indeed dark.

* * *

Riding towards the duke’s residence, Olivia carefully reviewed all the information related to the culprit.

Olivia, who had moved alone to the annex. The only person seen afterward was Marsden. He claimed he had stopped by while dealing with the sorcerers because he felt something was off, but it was likely he knew more.

‘The culprit is a man who knows him.’

That’s what Olivia was curious about. How did he know she was in danger and come? And if he arrived after she disappeared, how did he find out who the culprit was?

Where had her body been before she woke up one day in her bedroom, possessed by a ‘new soul’?

‘Am I really a new soul?’

Even with the cool wind blowing, her complicated thoughts didn’t fade. She wondered if she had just returned after a long detour.

In that case, she wanted to know who did this with an even stronger conviction than before. To find out, she had to dig up what Marsden knew. Taking him hostage might give her the opportunity to uncover the truth.

Without stopping for a moment, Olivia smoothly entered the duke’s residence. It seemed she had arranged for the knights to let her through the main gate without hassle.

Olivia was greeted warmly by the head butler, Ricardo, as she went inside. Glenn followed closely behind.

“Glenn, from here on, I’ll go in alone.”

“But…!”

At Marsden’s door, Olivia gently reassured Glenn. Despite this, Glenn couldn’t take a step back.

“What are you worried about, Glenn?”

“…I told you. I hope you meet a good man. Someone who won’t hurt you, Marchioness.”

Ricardo was nearby, but Glenn didn’t mince his words. Ricardo stood silently beside them.

Olivia didn’t know what Glenn had seen in Marsden to suddenly act like this, but she didn’t want to scold his sincere concern.

“Don’t worry, Glenn. It’s not me who’s in danger because of that man; it’s that man who’s going to be in danger because of me.”

Olivia winked at Glenn before opening the door and going in.

“And I will definitely marry a good man.”

She said it deliberately to make a point, but his sulky expression made her think he looked adorably cute. It was a big problem if he became endearing and she grew fond of him.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Yes.”

“Did you eat well?”

“Yes.”

Marsden answered calmly, but there was a hint of nervousness.

“…Did you sleep and eat well?”

Maybe he had grown up a bit; instead of complaining about her conversation with Glenn, he asked about her well-being.

“I ate well but didn’t sleep well. With little time left and someone pushing hard for their own thoughts, my body aches all over.”

“Are you still in pain? Let me see.”

Though she was teasing, he stepped closer as if he didn’t notice. Olivia slapped Marsden’s hand away. She felt the bandages, indicating that they had agreed not to wear gloves when alone.

“It’s fine. Melanie gave me a delicate massage.”

“I’m good at massages too. I used to help you when you couldn’t get up…”

“Enough, enough!”

It was funny to see him jealous of Melanie, but Olivia hastily stopped him when the conversation turned to an embarrassing topic.

“Bragging about not being able to control yourself.”

“Isn’t it better to have control than not at all?”

“Oh, really?”

His casual comment embarrassed Olivia. She waved her hand dismissively.

“Forget the useless stuff. Where will the lesson be?”

“Before that.”

Marsden fidgeted with his hands, hesitating.

“Did you talk about marriage? With Glenn.”

So transparent. Olivia shook her head. How could someone so straightforward about his curiosity waste time pushing away the person he liked?

She still didn’t like it. With a mischievous grin, Olivia replied.

“Glenn is like a friend and a big brother to me. I’ve known him longer than you.”

“No, you’re mistaken. I knew you five and a half days before Glenn did.”

“Oh? Really?”

“Yeah, that means we met as kids, so if you’re going to talk about marriage, you might as well do it with me.”

No one could beat his audacity. Olivia decided to be honest.

“Just… seeing me struggle lately makes him wish I had someone reliable by my side. And I think he doesn’t like you.”

Olivia pointed at Marsden with her index finger. Marsden rolled his eyes in dissatisfaction.

“When was he happy to have a new brother?”

“Do you think you’re as charming as I am? Glenn puts me first.”

She felt proud saying it. Just two weeks ago, their relationship had been awkward. It felt good to return to their once-close bond.

“I don’t like that at all.”

“What are you going to do if you don’t like it?”

“Hah… I’ve always thought this, but Buddy, you really attract trouble.”

“Are you seriously calling Glenn caring about me trouble?”

Olivia stopped in her tracks as Marsden undid the top button of her coat. Ignoring her reaction, Marsden unbuttoned the rest and touched her white neck.

“It’s spring, so are you bundled up to hide those embarrassing marks?”

Olivia’s cheeks flushed, and she felt a shiver down her spine.

Marsden often did this. When he showed possessiveness, his tone would change.

“Sir Miles is a man too, Buddy.”

“…”

“Since you have no blood relation, I have to be wary of him.”

Olivia swallowed hard, making sure it was inaudible. She recalled his words about not hating confinement unless one was a pervert, which made her even more nervous.

“I want to leave another mark now.”

As his breath drew closer, Olivia inhaled sharply. This was dangerous. A warning, a clear warning.

“Ugh, seriously! Can you focus?”

When Olivia pushed him away, Marsden stepped back without a word, looking very relaxed with his hands in his dress pants pockets and his head tilted to one side.

‘Something feels different about him.’

Olivia narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing Marsden, but she couldn’t pinpoint the change. She pushed the strange feeling to the back of her mind.

“So, where’s the lesson? I want to learn quickly, Teacher.”

Even though she asked to provoke him, Marsden simply looked down at her in silence. What’s with his attitude?

“What you want to confirm is how much magic is needed to cause bodily harm, why I’m like this, and whether it’s related to your disappearance.”

A faint smile appeared on Marsden’s lips.

“That means taking off clothes again. So, the bedroom, right?”