Chapter 9.5

“Miss Mansfield, you must have been very shocked as well. How could someone be so different from their image all this time?”

“Y-yes, exactly. So, Lady Obelir, I wanted to ask if you also didn’t get formally engaged for the same reason as me.”

Since it seemed she was talking about Helion being different from his image, Claire carefully probed further.

“That’s right. But what I know and what you know might be a little different. I tried to tolerate as much as I could.”

“How is it different?”

“A pure lady like you would be too shocked, so I can’t bring myself to say it. Honestly, the second son of the Radner family is much better. Goodness, the more I think about it, the more absurd it seems.”

To think that Rexion, who had a bad reputation, was much better than Helion, who was known for his kindness… The more they talked, the more questions filled Claire’s mind.

“You’ve asked everything you wanted to, right? I have to go, so I think our conversation should end here. It was nice meeting you, Miss Mansfield.”

Claire had many more questions, but Lady Obelir was the first to say goodbye, as if she didn’t want to continue the conversation.

“I’m sure it was unpleasant to answer such personal questions, but thank you for your kindness, Lady Obelir.”

Claire hadn’t managed to ask the question she really wanted to—about Lady Obelir’s relationship with Rexion—but since she learned things she hadn’t known before, she decided to be satisfied for now.

After giving Lady Obelir a bright smile, Claire walked toward her own carriage.

The whole way, she replayed her conversation with Lady Obelir in her mind.

‘The truth is, my brother never intended to truly marry you.’

And also Rexion’s words.

She didn’t know the exact truth yet, but there was something in common between what Rexion and Lady Obelir said. That was, that Helion was not a good person.

What kind of person was Helion Radner, really?

The thought that a man good enough to save her life might actually not be a good man left her mind in turmoil.

Thinking of the Helion she had seen until now, it was hard to believe, but honestly, she found herself hoping he wasn’t a good person. That way, Rexion’s words would be true.

Would all my questions be answered tonight?

She couldn’t be sure if going to the Radner family’s villa tonight would ease her frustration, but she wished the appointed time would come quickly. Only by going there did she feel she could finally clear the lump in her throat.

Feeling anxious, Claire paced around her room, unable to settle down until the promised time. When the time approached, she told her parents that she would spend time with Rona, then headed to the villa.

* * *

“Have you arrived well?”

When Claire arrived at the villa, it was Rexion who greeted her.

Perhaps because it was late in the evening, the villa felt different from during the day. Without bright lights, it looked dark and gloomy.

“Is there anyone else besides us?”

Feeling uneasy, Claire looked around as she asked.

“Shh. From now on, you’ll need to keep your voice down.”

Rexion answered, pressing his index finger to her lips. She didn’t understand, but she felt she should follow his lead for now.

When she nodded, Rexion nodded back in confirmation, then gave an order to the attendant.

“You didn’t mention that I was here, did you?”

“Of course not.”

Seeing him instruct the attendant to keep their presence at the villa a secret made Claire feel like they were doing something they shouldn’t.

“Let’s go this way.”

Rexion gestured for the anxious Claire to follow, and she blinked and walked after him.

The room they entered was a study lined with all sorts of books. The moment she saw there was no bed, she felt a strange sensation.

Was I, perhaps, subconsciously hoping for something?

She hadn’t even said she would accept Rexion’s feelings, yet here she was, getting ahead of herself and feeling embarrassed.

“Please, have a seat.”

Without fully closing the door, Rexion offered her a seat on the sofa, then sat across from her.

They sat facing each other, but since no conversation passed between them, only heavy silence filled the room. It felt like even the air was pressing down on her breathing.

Claire felt awkward just facing Rexion without even a cup of tea between them. 

What on earth was he trying to show me?

“Um….”

“Shh! Could you please be quiet for a moment?”

She was about to ask why he’d brought her here, but Rexion stopped her before she could. She nodded, eyes wide, just as—

From outside the door, she heard some noisy talking and laughter, and among them was a voice she recognized.

“I’ll make tonight unforgettable—just trust me.”

“Sir Helion, really? You’ll do it like last time?”

The moment she heard the name clearly, Claire’s heart dropped.

“Of course.”

“It’s me. I’m first tonight.”

“What are you talking about? It’s up to Sir Helion to choose—there’s no order for us.”

The women, with coquettish voices, were seducing the man, and he, enjoying their affection, kissed them with noisy, smacking sounds.

Claire’s eyes widened like a rabbit’s, unable to believe what she was hearing.

Surely, they weren’t doing what I thought they were? What could three people possibly be doing together?

Their conversation sounded so lewd that Claire hoped it was just her imagination running wild. Maybe she was possessed by a momentary wickedness, imagining something strange.

“Ah, ah…”

“Me too. Touch me too, mm!”

But when she heard the shameful sounds, she realized it wasn’t her imagination. Even just the sounds in the air made it clear how tangled the relationship was—two women and one man.

Claire’s face started to turn red.

Messy, wet sounds and the women’s m*ans echoed down the hallway. Just hearing it, she could tell how deeply involved they were.

The lewd sounds echoing in the hallway faded as a door closed.

But since it was the room next door, she could still hear a little. Every time she heard the m*ans of the two women, the image of the three of them tangled together came to mind, and each time, Claire felt goosebumps and her hair stand on end.

Was this the reason Lady Obelir said the engagement didn’t go through?

The m*ans ringing in her ears were so hard to listen to that Claire instinctively covered both her ears with her hands.

“Are you all right?”

Rexion handed her a handkerchief with worried eyes.

“Ah….”

Only then did Claire realize she was sweating coldly.

“Why did you show me that? They’re really doing what I think they’re doing, aren’t they? How could anyone do something like that?”

Claire wiped the sweat from her brow as she asked. There was a hint of resentment in her gaze toward Rexion.

She had vaguely thought that Helion might be a bad man, but his actions were beyond imagination. Knowing something she shouldn’t have made her feel even more unsettled.