Chapter 52: He Accepted The Request

Richton’s voice was so resolute that even Count Will could not refuse. Azmaria staggered from her seat with an awkward smile.

“Richton, you remember those words from back then. I-I, just the fact that you didn’t forget me…….”

Have I ever said something like that? Maybe Azmaria had more memories of Agrane. How did she have Agrane’s memory? How could Richton know such a fact? Worrying was always in place. Soon Richton took his gaze away from her.

“There is no answer to my question, even if I listen. Miss Agrane Karold doesn’t seem to have the confidence to choose the right option. So Susan, you….”

“The maid tried to kill me, Richton!”

It was a cry that could never be considered a scream from such a small body. Azmaria took off her lace gloves with trembling hands. A bad blister revealed the red back of the hand.

“Ah, this wound! It’s the maid next to you who left this terrible scar. Last night, I held back my tears… I couldn’t even sleep in the burning pain. What the hell are you going to entrust to a maid who does her wickedness on your back?”

Richton’s expression was unimpressed.

“Lovely, slender, Agrane Karold, I can’t believe you’re talking about the pain on the back of your hand. Agrane Karold, as I know her, is a woman who takes what she wants even by sacrificing her own wrist.”

There was a shapeless pressure. Richton seemed very unhappy with the mention of Agrane from Azmaria’s mouth.

‘You’re pushing me without even knowing.’

It didn’t matter if she died or not. However, I wanted to be as far away from the damage as possible.

“Miss Azmaria is very tender-hearted and kind. You’ll show your love with pearl earrings even to an ugly maid like me.”

Richton laughed in vain.

“Maybe she gave me the cheek after receiving the pearl.”

“You should have been able to say no to either.”

“Is it okay if I cut off her neck in return for giving you your cheek?”

It was a sweet voice. Like someone else.

“Your Excellency.”

It was the time when I was wondering what the right answer would be. Keane, who was watching the situation without saying a word, immediately stepped forward.

“You have a promise with me. Please don’t forget that promise.”

It was the first time Keane had gone against Richton in this way. He was more like Ingord’s dog than I was.

“Promise… Keane. Do you mean that all her remarks sound sincere to you?”

“Even the smallest of possibilities are precious to me.”

“So, do you want me to guarantee the life of Miss Azmaria Will?”

What was the promise? What was the connection that made Richton take a step back?

“…Yes.”

Keane, who had always been relaxed, never lost his nerve in front of Richton. Was it because he mentioned the promise between them? Somehow it seemed even more so today.

“Sir Keane? What’s that….”

Azmaria looked up at Keane with a confused face. But Keane did not take his eyes off Richton until the end. But there was no answer from him. Everyone held their breath and looked at him, but the parlour was silent as Richton awaited my decision. Like a dog waiting for submission.

Should I save her? Was there a reason why I had to save her? If there was, it was just that Keane wanted it. I just didn’t trust him anymore, and there was no ill feeling. On the contrary, I once owed him a debt.

The worries didn’t last long. Because there were many more sufferings in the world than death.

“I don’t think you can kill an innocent girl like this, my lord.”

“That’s merciful.”

“Let’s send her to Wilhelm. You’re sending everything back to its original place. You never know. As the master said, will she sacrifice her wrist to get what she wants? For example…like master.”

At that time, Azmaria got up as if in a seizure. Her red, bloodshot eyes glared at me in an instant. She grabbed me and dragged me down to the floor.

“Shut up, shut up! Shut up!”

My face took shape on the precariously shaking retina. Suddenly, Ariel from the Marquis of Krohertz came to mind. Why was everyone stepping into the gutter on their own?

“By his side is like being in a cage similar to an iron castle! It’s a hell from which you can’t escape!”

Azmaria strangled me with both her weak hands.

“Have you ever licked Wilhelm’s feet? Have you ever been a docile bastard who only barks? It was all about a subject that, at best, was all about suffering. That voice telling me to go back….”

“Then get out.”

I wanted to spit on the ugly distorted face if I could. However, I did not want to hear the eardrum-tearing scream anymore, so he replaced it with a mumble.

“All you can do is cry like a baby. Are you afraid? If you’re afraid, why don’t you cut off your wings and get out of the cage? Or are you afraid of even escaping? Funny how you’re afraid of a girl who was willing to do anything to kill me, like a dog.”

Before she could do any more, I pushed her body and stood up. It wasn’t her disassembled face. She didn’t seem to understand what I was saying.

Yes, because a woman who wasn’t Agrane pretended to know her.

“Now it’s time to wrap up the discussion, Count.”

Count Will groaned at Richton’s words. I felt extremely tired. It was at the level that I wondered if it would have been more convenient to just leave it alone to kill it.

“Then I’ll be on my way home.”

Richton spoke in a relaxed tone while dusting his clothes.

“Get the right medicine from Berkne.”

He nodded and left the parlour instead of answering. I couldn’t clear my mind all the way across the empty hallway.

‘Why did you call me?’

He promised to marry Azmaria according to my choice, so would he follow my choice after that? It couldn’t be the only reason Richton called me.

“Agrane.”

Someone pulled my arm lightly and dragged me into the shadow beyond the reach of the lamp.

Wilhelm. Yes, he was there. I managed to suppress the desire to escape. I couldn’t show that attitude here. I forced my voice out of my locked up throat.

“Don’t call me by that name.”

“Your cheek hasn’t subsided a bit.”

“It’s only been a day.”

Wilhelm swept my face down with a friendly gaze. Peace was flowing in the enemy’s eyes, shining darkly in the shade. His face in the dream was unimaginable.

“I don’t know if I’m mistaken, but… you don’t look good.”

His smooth fingers swept my hair behind my ears. But I didn’t have the energy left to fight him. I spat out the answer that Wilhelm might be hoping for.

“I saw the ‘them’ you said. The one who pretends to know everything about you, and treats you like a monster.”

“You mean Miss Azmaria Will.”

I nodded my head.

“Are you afraid that you will be denied because of her presence?”

“There were times like that.”

“That means not now. Does that mean you don’t mind being denied? Or….”

His smooth smile faded away.

“Do you mean it won’t happen?”

If I said I remembered him from the past, what would Wilhelm’s attitude be? Would it be the same then as now? Or like in the past…. I was a beat late in replying because I was thinking of useless thoughts. I shook my head and took a step back.

“Too close. I’m afraid you’ll hear my heartbeat.”

“You seem to be unable to hear my heartbeat.”

I didn’t have enough time to worry about that. Wilhelm leaned closer than I had backed off. The serious and good impression that I recognized at the first meeting remained. However, unlike then, the moist moss-colored shade, which was unknown, was swaying in his eyes.

I felt like he would read my mind if I faced him for a long time, so I looked down as if nothing had happened.

“You know what? The first time I saw you and the current time you… It’s a little different.”

“I haven’t changed. Susan’s eyes on me have changed.”

Wilhelm slowly swept my shoulder. There was no unpleasant intention. It seemed rather like an act of reassurance to me.

“If you come back to me, you will be able to live as a Nui.”

“That’s consistent. Is Agrane so precious to you? I don’t think Agrane is your real sister.”

“There is nothing special about blood ties except for the fact that they are the closest communal group. And to be honest, we are related by blood. Because my mother and Miss Susan’s mother are first cousins.”

Even if you are a sixth cousin, you are no different.

“But Susan. What matters to me are not blood ties. Aren’t there a lot more important things than that in the world? Pleasure, enjoyment, excitement, satisfaction….”

The more I heard the words listed, the more I remembered Wilhelm in my dream. Before the hidden fear was revived, I hurriedly opened my mouth.

“Those are the emotions that a lover would give. Your relatives and sisters have nothing to do with me. Coincidentally, Wilhelm. The one who will return to you will be Azmaria Will, not me. Because it’s been decided that way.”

“I don’t know.”

Wilhelm’s voice was supremely soft.

“If Duke Richton truly hated Agrane Karold…… he will send the real, not the fake. He knows that it is the best revenge.”

Then he asked with a soft smile.

“Do you still love him?”

I didn’t answer. Wilhelm did not urge me to answer more than that, and I’m glad he didn’t. Fortunately. What was fortunate? I felt a sense of dread when I saw myself relieved. Wilhelm followed me with his eyes until the end as I ran out of the long hallway. I haven’t personally seen it, but I could feel it.

***

The next day, after several days of pouring rain stopped and the last supper was over, Berkne came to the kitchen and called me out quietly. He spoke,

“Prince Wilhelm wanted to take you away, and his Excellency accepted the request.”