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Chapter 4
My father sighed deeply.
“Get out, Ophelia. You are just making things worse.”
“No. It’s really my fault! I, I…”
Ophelia’s lips trembled. She turned to me and continued her words, “I asked Miss Evelyn. Isn’t that right, sister?”
“Uh…”
The hesitation did not last long.
“Yes, that is right. Ophelia asked me for a favor—To go out and to help her house!”
It wasn’t that I didn’t feel guilty. However, it was not a human thing to kick Ophelia’s spoon-feeding opportunities she is giving me. Above all else, I had to move to save Ophelia and all of us!
Seeing my reply, she nodded her head broadly.
“Yes, my niece and nephew are sick… but I couldn’t go out, so I asked sister to find a doctor. The Miss…”
Of course, Ophelia’s nephew is from her mother’s side.
Mother’s eyes narrowed.
“Really, Evelyn?”
“Yes.” I nodded right away.
“After all, raising a lowly bloodline is of no use.”
Ophelia bowed her head right away.
“I’m sorry. I will accept any punishment.”
“Sigh.”
My mother sighed.
“There is no punishment now. What kind of punishment should I take for you to get your act together?”
Then, my father stepped up.
“Madam, can’t you please look over this child for me this time?”
Bingo.
Ophelia’s ‘mother’s relative’ excuse was very useful.
Contrary to his fragile appearance and tone of voice, father was a businessman without blood or tears. Still, he was feeling quite guilty about ruining the life of a normal girl in the village. Thanks to this, I was able to get the reaction I wanted when I brought up Ophelia’s mother.
Well, to put it simply, a hypocrite.
Regardless, it is helping me now, so that is a good thing.
“If you say that, there is nothing wrong with it, but she is ruining our Evelyn as well. That lowly person.”
“Evelyn will come to her senses now. Wasn’t she such a straight and intelligent kid in the first place?”
“…Evelyn, get out.”
And so, Mother ordered us to leave.
Of course, Ophelia followed me as well. Sadly, in this house, Ophelia is nothing more than an ‘extra’ who has to silently behave well according to others’ will.
As soon as she came out, she was in a good mood.
“Sister, I’m so glad that you look healthy. I was really, really worried…”
I cut off Ophelia’s words.
“You need to move that stupid turtle right now.”
“Sister…?”
At my words, Ophelia widened her eyes and looked up at me. Her purple eyes were beautiful enough to captivate both young and old, but I rebuked her coldly.
“Did you think I wouldn’t know the turtle you go visit every day?”
“Of course, I thought you would. Sister knows everything.”
“Ha…”
My head hurts.
Ophelia is so kind and innocent, even to the point that a person that has to play the villain like me feels incredibly uncomfortable and frustrated.
“Anyway, that filthy turtle can no longer be raised in a pond.”
“W, why…?”
I swallowed my saliva.
The answer swelled up to my throat.
‘It is because you will run into Cassius Brudenell at the pond, trying to go see the turtle!’ was what I wanted to say, but it was impossible, so I explained calmly.
“Because we are going to fill the pond.”
“…!”
Ophelia covered her own mouth with her slender hand.
“You don’t want that turtle buried in the dirt, do you? So, hurry up and put the turtle in the tank.”
“Yes, sister…!”
Hearing my words, she hurriedly left the room, but she glanced back at me as if she had something to say.
“Sister.”
At her call, I frowned.
I do not know what kind of strange words will come out of that pretty head this time.
“Thank you.”
“Huh…?”
“You told me in advance so that the turtle would not die.”
As I was speechless and staring blankly at her, Ophelia smiled shyly and disappeared. A sigh came out of my own accord.
‘Cassius Brudenell…kidnapped such a good girl…’
Kidnapping her? Doing all sorts of unspeaking things to a girl as kind and pitiful as this…
I can’t let that happen.
Never.
***
A few days later.
Finally, the major work to completely fill the pond was completed. If it was still two days later as the same as the original, it would be the day Ophelia and Cassius met. Thankfully, the construction is almost completed.
Everyone thought I was crazy, but nonetheless, no one confronted me because I looked relatively calm, like normal.
Everything is going exceedingly well.
Thanks to this, the land has become solid and there is no moisture to be found.
‘Hm, shall we plant an apple tree later?’
After all the workers had evacuated, I strode on the ground that used to be a pond to make sure it was well-tended.
‘It is well done. Now, for the time being, I should not even go near this place…’
Just then,
A man fell from the sky.
Exactly above my head.
Have you ever been crushed by someone who fell from the sky?
Well, let me tell you… It’s very, very painful.
Nevertheless, I clenched my teeth and held back the scream. Because I could only think of one man who would jump over my head like this—
Cassius Brudenell!
I opened my eyes, hoping it wasn’t him…
Even if it was a thief or an armed robber right now, I would undoubtedly hum out of joy. But, the reflection in front of me…
Black hair shattered on the face of the statue-like, handsome face.
The golden eyes glistened alluringly.
Just by the mere touch of his languid gaze, I felt as though my whole body was possessed.
That is right.
Unquestionably, it was Cassius Brudenell.
Cassius Brudenell as described in the original novel!
Despair rushed in like a tsunami, shattering my remaining rationality. I stepped back, desperately moving my legs as they were paralyzed by pain.
“…Ugh.”
Unfortunately, I fell right away.
And the cause for the unfortunate thing wasn’t because I tripped on my feet or fell down but because my legs were weak.
…It was because Cassius Brudenell pulled my sleeve.
“Young Lady.”
The alluring voice tickled my ears.
“It hurts…”
Huh? Who?
Surely, he is not saying he is hurt now, is he?
Even when I was the one who got squished by him?
Seeing my reaction, Cassius Brudenell’s perfect forehead frowned slightly.
“It’s so painful…”
Ah, really now?
I had to try not to laugh.
‘What the hell is he doing?’
Would the person who crushed others get hurt, or would the person crushed by that person be hurt? That’s something you can tell without even the need to compare them. In addition, he pulled on my sleeve and I even fell over again, too.
However, the absurdity was short-lived, and instead, fear rose in my heart.
A warning was sent.
The inn was also closed.
And, after all that effort, Cassius Brudenell appeared unharmed—In the place of the well-filled pond!
‘Obviously, it was written that there was no reason for him to jump over the Count’s fence if he wasn’t seriously injured…!’
I stared blankly at Cassius in despair and disappointment.
Cassius’ seductive lips moved once more.
“Please treat me, Young Lady.”
Am I a doctor now?
Fortunately, I was able to attach my shattered reason just before snapping the hateful words at Cassius.
“Please leave immediately. If you leave quietly, I will not ask you about the crime of breaking into here, Count.”
“Crime…?”
His eyes narrowed.
“Is it a sin to jump over a wall to survive?”
“To survive…?”
I asked involuntarily and swiftly covered my mouth.
The Tovetun Inn, where Cassius was injured in the original, was closed. So, obviously, he shouldn’t have been hurt?
“Yes, I jumped over in such a hurry that I was seriously injured.”
He said, staggered like crazy.
“…”
I shut my eyes tight before opening them again.
Of course, there was no way he could have been hurt because he used a noble young girl in a skimpy dress as a cushion.
Still, it would not do any good to point that out right now. It was already too late to run away, leaving Cassius Brudenell alone. If I didn’t take any action, I would surely be harmed, saying that the heir of Count Garneid had left the sick man behind.
And so, I approached Cassius.
I was afraid as it was the body of someone of such high status.
Slowly, I precariously lifted Cassius up with all my strength.
“…!”
His golden eyes widened in surprise as he saw me holding his arm. Even his appearance was so gorgeous that even I, who knew his dark side, was heartbroken.
Though, Cassius Brudenell did not fall as he should have if he had injured his leg. Rather, the firm chest showed off its presence.
“…Okay.”
I groaned and pulled his arm up with all my might, but Cassius Brudenell did not budge.
Moments later, I exclaimed in shock as I looked up at him, who suddenly got up, as he was taller than me.
“As expected, you are not hurt!”
“…”
Cassius was silent for a moment.
Nervous by the silence, I shut my mouth at the same time and glanced up to see his face. Finally, he opened his mouth.
“Young Lady is right. I have not been hurt yet.”
…Yet?
As soon as the word crossed my mind, Cassius pulled a dagger out of his chest. At that moment, red blood spattered in front of my eyes.
It wasn’t mine. It was Cassius’ blood.
Even that, what surprised me more than his sudden action, was the position in which Cassus had injured himself—
The area that narrowly escaped the heart.
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In the original novel, Cassius Brudenell was stabbed at the Tovetun Inn at that point as well.
As I panicked, unable to respond to the sudden situation, his eyes narrowed. Then, a mournful voice came out of his mouth.
“Please save me… Young Lady.”
I think.
I am screwed…