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When Killian returns, how will he explain this, how will the door be fixed, and how to report the damage to the parts of the estate belonging to the royal family!
The things he needs to solve come flooding in.
However, Ian had no interest in the mental well-being of the Grand Duke’s butler. He had thrown more coins than Killian had given to the Fraus family, so it should be fine.
Stepping on the broken entrance of the grand ducal residence, Ian entered the estate.
“So… where is Sophia?”
Having entered the estate without knowing where Sophia’s room was, Ian belatedly realized the fact.
However, the mentally devastated butler could not provide an answer.
Ian passed by the lifeless form of the butler and entered the mansion.
Startled by the unfamiliar guest, the servants of the Grand Duke’s residence looked at him in surprise and froze in their tracks.
Ian picked the one of them who was closest and asked.
“Sophia Fraus.”
“Yes? Ah, Miss Sophia is on the first floor.
When asked confidently, the servant answered without knowing it.
Then, Ian made his way up the central staircase of the Grand Duke’s residence. Just like the servants of the Fraus family couldn’t stop Killian, the servants of the Rivelon family couldn’t stop Ian either.
After witnessing the broken front entrance, no one would dare to stop him.
Arriving at the first floor, Ian hesitated, trying to decide which way to go.
“It’s that way…!” A servant on the first floor quickly pointed towards Sophia’s room.
At the same time, a maid who was in front of Sophia’s room knocked on the door to inform her of the guest’s arrival.
“Miss! A guest has arrived!”
“A guest?”
“He’s your younger brother.”
Before the answer was finished, Ian, who had arrived in front of the door, interrupted.
“Sophia, open the door.”
Inside the room, Sophia, who was sipping her tea and reading a book, raised her head at the familiar voice.
Why does that voice sound familiar?
It had been a long time since she heard that voice, but she couldn’t forget it.
It was Ian Fraus.
‘Why is he here?’
As Sophia hesitated to respond, Ian quietly parted his lips.
“If you don’t open the door, I’ll open it myself and come in.”
With her answer delayed due to surprise, Ian began counting as if giving her five seconds.
“Five.”
“Four.”
“Wait, hold on! Why are you here?!”
Sophia quickly stood up from her seat and asked.
Not knowing the reason for his sudden visit, she tried to plead for an explanation, but Ian showed no mercy.
“Three.”
“Why did you come here? What’s the matter?!”
Sophia rushed towards the door and questioned him.
“Two.”
No, why is he counting instead of answering? It’s only making it scarier!
Sophia finally flung the door open.
As soon as she opened the door, she trembled at the sight of Ian.
‘He really came?’
As soon as Sophia opened the door, she hesitated and took half a step back.
The younger brother, whom she hadn’t seen in a while, was still radiating a cold aura from his handsome face.
She was dressed comfortably in a casual one-piece dress, with her ponytail tied loosely below. Her complexion seemed healthier than before, and she had gained a bit of weight in her previously too-thin body.
And that’s why… he was a little more annoyed.
“You seem to have been doing well.”
“I’m trying to be better than you.” (T/L: emotional damage.)
Sophia retorted without hesitation.
Ian, not quite accustomed to seeing Sophia in this state, clenched his jaw slightly.
“Come out.”
“Why?” (Sophia)
“Why, you ask?” (Ian)
“Tell me why.” (Sophia)
“….”
Translator: HaileyFranchette. Read on moonlight novels only
Ian glanced at the servants who were around them.
Though the servants should have discreetly given them some space, it seemed that they were not willing to leave a guest who had boldly entered the grand duke’s residence alone.
“Let’s talk alone for a moment, Sophia.”
Finally, Ian gently nudged Sophia inward and walked into her room.
‘How dare you barge into a lady’s room without permission!’
Such rudeness! Where did he throw away the manners of nobles and the chivalry of knights?
Ian closed the door to ensure that the servants couldn’t overhear their conversation, and then took a quick look around her bedroom.
It was like a palace compared to the attic room. Spacious, clean, and well-furnished, it was even better than the room Sophia had been given in the main mansion prepared by the Fraus family.
Moreover, the terrace connected to the room overlooked the garden, allowing ample sunlight to stream in. On the table by the window, there was a vase of fresh flowers, a cup of tea that Sophia had been drinking, and the book she had been reading.
It was an environment that could explain why Sophia didn’t want to return to Fraus.
But even so, she couldn’t stay here forever. She was still ‘Sophia’ and not ‘Rivelon.’
“Come back home, Sophia.”
After examining the room, Ian turned to Sophia and spoke again.
Sophia pouted her lips in annoyance at Ian’s commanding tone. “You’re still as presumptuous as ever, Ian.”
He came without any prior notice and was expected to do whatever he pleased.
“Do you even know what your current situation is like?”
“As you can see, I’m living well and eating well.”
She said that, but in reality, Sophia was somewhat glad that Ian had come. She had been worried that if she stayed in this house for too long, she might completely fall under Kilian’s influence.
“People are starting to notice that you’re living at the Grand Duke’s residence.”
“Finally noticing, huh? Some people are quick, I guess.”
“That’s not the time to say that. Don’t you know that when such rumours spread, it’s not good for you?”
Ian’s voice grew a little louder.
Sophia was well aware that if those rumours spread, it wouldn’t be good for her.
In a noble society, most people are conservative. Even in modern society, there are people who frown upon unmarried couples cohabitating, so how would it be any different here? Even though they are engaged and will eventually get married, Sophia couldn’t understand why people were so concerned. However, in a society where reputation and appearance matter, such a situation would never be positively accepted.
Even the imperial family seemed unlikely to welcome a daughter-in-law like this with open arms.
“To be honest, I don’t really care if rumours spread or not.”
Sophia considered returning to Fraus not because of the rumours, but because of her relationship with Killian.
She was sure that staying here would provoke Kilian’s reaction.
With her arms crossed, Sophia looked at Ian.
‘If I use Ian well now, I’ll be able to get it when I go back to Fraus.’
Unbeknownst to Ian, Sophia began planting some bait.
“Ian, which do you think is better: getting slapped and humiliated, or having rumours spread about cohabitating with your fiancé?”
Ian bit his lip, unknowingly falling into Sophia’s scheme.
After Killian’s visit to Fraus last time, he had heard everything about what his stepmother, Rubisella, had done to Sophia.
The abuse and mistreatment from his mother were much worse than he had imagined.
There were even things happening behind the scenes that exceeded his wildest imagination.
On the days when Ian returned to Fraus, Rubisella would stop her abuse towards Sophia and focus on taking care of Ian, which made him unaware of the extent of the mistreatment Sophia endured.
Nevertheless, Ian didn’t want to keep Sophia here any longer.
“…I changed your room. To the main building.”
“Is the room really the issue, Ian?”
Sophia questioned Ian, and Ian found himself unable to answer.
He knew that it wasn’t just about the attic room.
Frustrated, Ian exhaled and ran his fingers through his red hair.
“Still, leave this place.”
“Ian, repeating the same words won’t change anything.”
“Leave. I’ll protect you so that you don’t have to endure that kind of treatment again.”
Ian met Sophia’s gaze as he spoke.
Sophia’s mind went blank for a moment.
His gaze was surprisingly serious.
‘What’s with him…? Why is he suddenly saying lines like a male lead and making my heart flutter?
A good-looking person could easily make someone’s heart skip a beat.
‘Why is he acting like this all of a sudden?’
‘I might not be the original heroine, but since I’m a novel transmigrator, I can still be considered the novel’s main character… Is this the beginning of my family members’ fussing over me for my sake?’
Sophia thought, playing with her earlobe.
However, since Ian went to such lengths, she couldn’t refuse his offer.
Of course, she couldn’t easily accept it either, as it would seem too easy to fall for him.
“If I can be treated as a lady of Fraus family, then I’m willing to consider going back.”
She replied, acknowledging his point.
Translator: HaileyFranchette. Read on moonlight novels only
As Sophia subtly gave him some room, a glimmer of light appeared in Ian’s eyes.
“In return, I need a definite guarantee that I will be treated well.”
“Of course.”
“At the very least, I hope the members of your family will respect me and treat me kindly.”
“They will.”
“And your mother…”
“I know. I’ll handle her. Just stay calm.”
“More than anything, you’re the biggest problem.”
“What…?”
Ian’s enthusiastic expression hardened with a cold edge.
“You’re also one of the culprits who tormented me.”
“What are you talking about…? I haven’t even been at home much!”
“That’s true. But every time you came, you tormented me.”
“But I never hit you.”
“Is that something to be proud of? And what about this?”
Sophia pointed to a faint, thin scar remaining on her neck.
The mark on her neck was the scar from when Ian pressed a knife against her throat.
His mouth fell shut.
“Violence isn’t just about causing physical harm. Sometimes, psychological violence can be even more cruel and unbearable!”
Ian, who had spent time in the Order of Knights, would know that well. There were often times when enduring physical pain was preferable to enduring the torment of words and psychological pressure.
“Because of your blatant disregard for me, the maidservants have become bold and disrespectful towards me.”
Sophia scolded him, placing her hand on her hip.