Pardon the Abduction, Holy Knight - It's an Emergency - Chapter 1.9

Suddenly, as if discovering something, she reached out towards the window.

“This is so tiresome. Even here, it’s about Rosemary?”

What Serena held in her hand was a gossip magazine.

I had briefly looked at it because it contained news about me running away because I didn’t want to marry Count Robert.

I had forgotten to put it away after leaving it on the windowsill due to Serena’s urgent visit.

“How much more can they talk about someone who’s already left this place? It’s causing a fuss everywhere. You too, proprietor. Instead of wasting time on this, pay more attention to my request.”

As I listened to Serena’s words, I suddenly became curious.

I had tried not to be interested in Rosemary’s past, but.

What kind of relationship did they have for Serena to dislike Rosemary so much?

“Do you know this person, customer?”

“Who? Rosemary?”

The corners of Serena’s mouth curved into a sneer.

“Of course. I know her very well. I probably know more about her than her own parents do.”

Serena’s voice tone lowered as she spoke sarcastically.

“A liar and a pathological liar.”

I blinked slowly.

How full of malice that low voice was. Even though I wasn’t really Rosemary, it stung as if a sharp blade had grazed my chest.

“And she’s extremely timid on top of that. Yet, she follows like a dog if you show her even a little attention. Pfft. Even our house servants don’t go that far.”

Serena suddenly burst into laughter as if remembering something.

“It’s a bit of an old story, but there was such an incident. It was when she first stepped into high society. She was awkwardly fidgeting alone at a party. So my friends and I kindly approached her. We told her various pieces of gossip circulating in high society.”

I nodded, encouraging her to say more.

“One of them was a warning to be careful because there were perverted nobles who enjoyed tormenting people. In the short time we went to the restroom and came back, she had gone and told this to a gathering of other nobles! And that too, in a place where Marquis Berto was present!”

Kya-ha-ha. Serena’s laughter rang painfully in my ears.

“She seemed to know nothing about high society gossip as if she had no sources at all. Anyway, from then on, I knew. That Rosemary was a serious novice.”

As Serena said this, her eyes gleamed like a hyena that had found its prey.

What followed were stories about how Serena had tormented Rosemary.

How she humiliated her with her attire at a garden party. How she gave Rosemary a different meeting place, causing her to get soaked in the rain until she caught the flu.

There were too many incidents to list them all.

It left a bitter taste in my mouth.

***

I remained lost in thought for a long time even after Serena left.

“Master, what are you thinking about? Your expression is serious. Kekeke.”

“A little…”

I turned my head to look at the sky. The softly sunset-tinged sky wasn’t beautiful at all.

“How vexing.”

It wasn’t something I had experienced. So I didn’t need to be angry or hurt.

But now, I am Rosemary.

So it’s up to the current me to decide what to do from now on, right?

“I guess I can’t be a saint after all.”

“Huh? Master, what did you say?”

No. As I shook my head, I heard a pleasant low voice from in front of me.

“Why did you just listen?”

Adriel, sitting across the table, was looking down.

I asked in confusion.

“About what?”

“That person you call a customer.”

“Ah… Well, was there anything particular to say? In that situation.”

When I answered nonchalantly, Adriel suddenly raised his head.

“Nothing to say? That’s unlike you, My Lady. You should have done to her what you did to me…!”

Adriel, who had flared up, belatedly realized what he was saying and gaped.

“Forget it. Just now, I misspoke.”

“……”

What? Don’t tell me you’re sympathizing with me now?

I couldn’t help but laugh.

This person is really strange. Empathizing with his kidnapper…

“Gasp.”

As I was chuckling softly, I suddenly covered my mouth with both hands at a thought that occurred to me.

“What’s wrong?”

I broke out in a cold sweat as I looked at Adriel, who was eyeing me suspiciously.

This isn’t Stockholm syndrome or something, is it?

I suddenly became afraid of what would happen if Adriel insisted on staying here.

“Ah, it’s nothing. Just eat your meal.”

The thought that I needed to get his signature and send him away quickly grew stronger.

***

Under the massive crystal chandelier.

Nobles adorned like peacocks showing off their colorful feathers were each engaged in conversation.

Whether superficial or sincere, everyone was laughing and chatting, except for one person standing in a corner of the ballroom with a tense expression.

It was Serena.

Nervously fidgeting with her lace-trimmed gloves, Serena recalled the events of just a few days ago.

“It’s the only way to captivate Marquis Berto.”

“…What?”

That day, Serena heard the most absurd advice at the Red Thread Information Guild.

“I, I must have heard wrong. What are you telling me to do to my body?”

As if not seeing Serena’s dumbfounded face, the guild’s proprietor simply replied in a calm tone that she had heard correctly.

Serena’s hands trembled with humiliation.

“Are you… are you joking with me right now?! How could I possibly do such a thing to my body…!”

“Didn’t you say you’d do anything to have the Marquis?”

“That’s…!”

At the guild proprietor’s serious voice, Serena bit her lower lip.

“Even so… even so, this is…”

“If you don’t like it, you can stop. After all, all decisions are made by the customer.”

“……”

Storming out of the guild, Serena thought this couldn’t be right no matter how she looked at it.

Do they think I’m crazy enough to do such a thing?

I absolutely won’t do it!

However, that resolve crumbled not long after.

Because after that, Marquis Berto’s interest in Serena decreased dramatically, and finally, as if he had lost all interest, he even refused to meet her.

Serena spent nights in tears.

She had almost made it.

Now what should she do…

It was natural for Serena to recall the advice she received from the guild.

Her unacceptable feelings led her to the back alleys where commoners frequented.

As a result, Serena succeeded in turning Marquis Berto’s heart.

Because Marquis Berto hugged Serena with a bright smile as if he couldn’t be happier.

Although there were many things to worry about, like silencing the maids who assisted with bathing, such concerns seemed like nothing compared to Marquis Berto’s smile.

And as time passed, now.

Serena found herself facing the greatest challenge of her life.

A red dress with a deeply cut back.

Although she barely covered it with her long hair, she was terribly anxious, not knowing when it might be discovered.

‘Why did the Marquis have to give such a dress as a gift…’

She regretted not refusing it.

But what could she do?

She couldn’t possibly refuse the Marquis who handed her the dress with such an exciting smile.

“Serena.”

Just as she was anxiously biting her lips, Marquis Berto approached with a group of nobles.