Kiel reached out and touched a few strands of Dorothea's glossy hair.
He opened his mouth as he gazed at the hair that shone in the lamplight like a thin silver thread.
“I thought it was reckless from the first time I saw it.”
“...”
“That suggestion just now sounded like the devil’s whispering.”
Just as there are poisonous seeds inside the sweet flesh.
Kiel's smile deepened.
“I’m really tempted, but I’m afraid to accept your offer.”
“I never do anything that would harm my benefactor.”
“Then let me ask you. Was the reason you came down here to find me only because of grace?”
“...”
Despite the smile in his voice, there was not a hint of mischief in his eyes.
Dorothea, who had received his cold gaze in its entirety, faced him with the same calm gaze as five years ago.
If anything had changed, it would be that her eyes, which had been close to pink, had become a dark blue.
'They said that she has grown steadily for 5 years, but her appearance has changed surprisingly.'
As if other characters were mixed in.
The protagonist, whose eyes were covered in deep darkness, nodded.
“I guess you probably didn’t intend to come back again. I guess you were somewhat consciously avoiding me and my uncle.”
"However?"
“I need my benefactor.”
“Do you need me?”
Kiel muttered as if he was thinking about it.
“I feel like you can lead me to the answer to the question I have been wondering about.”
It couldn't have been a coincidence that she happened to come face to face with Kiel at the same time that Raymond's body was restored that day.
If it is a relationship that may continue to be complicated and entangled in the future, it would be better to quickly repay the debt that has been forgiven.
Only by repaying the old favor, if they ever come into conflict with each other, will she be able to hold a knife to his neck with confidence?
Dorothea's words became more murderous.
It must not have been him, but the shadow that had been lurking behind Kiel the whole time.
Before Kiel could utter a word to stop her, someone broke through the barrier Dorothea had set up and burst into the room.
At the same time, the murderous aura that had filled the room subsided.
“Uncle.”
Dorothea greeted Colin with a smiling face and linked arms with him with an innocent expression as if she knew nothing.
Colin, who was about to quickly pull his arm away, glanced at Kiel in front of him and then hesitantly gave his arm to his niece, who wasn't his niece.
“Ah, Sir Colin, how did you come here at this late hour?”
“I just came to say good night to my niece. More importantly, I think the Count should not be entering a lady’s room at this late hour.”
Kiel quietly stepped back after seeing the face that clearly showed signs of caution.
“I was just about to turn back.”
"Jmm."
“Would you like to go back together?”
“Okay. I can find my way to my room...”
“That’s not it.”
Kiel laughed heartily.
“Because I’m planning to sleep in the room right next to Sir Colin.”
“...”
“It’s a shame there’s a wall between us, but I’ve pushed the bed as close to the wall as possible, so I think I’ll be able to sleep very happily tonight.”
“...”
Colin, whose face clearly showed his hatred for him, disappeared down the hallway with Kiel, grumbling.
Dorothea, who had been watching his back blankly, slowly closed the door.
'You're approaching us quite aggressively, considering you haven't come looking for us before.'
Even the fact that he insisted on using the room next to Colin's.
If they hadn't met, it might not have been known, but since they were together, it seemed like he was planning to 'take advantage' of Colin's strengths.
“That means it has reached its limit.”
The Count's physical body and his wounded soul.
Dorothea returned to bed and smiled at the crows crouching outside the window.
“You don’t have to whine so much, there will soon be a time when you will be of use.”
When that time comes, I'll let you eat as much as you want.
The thick, unclean darkness that permeates every corner of this castle.
Richard seemed determined to catch the Emperor's eye and not miss this opportunity.
The nobles, who had been treated to a mouth-watering meal from the morning, exchanged uncomfortable glances.
Amid the chaotic atmosphere, only the two of them were able to truly enjoy the sumptuous meal prepared in the morning.
“Oh, really. After eating this filling meal, I definitely need to exercise after eating.”
Aiden, who was eating while laughing heartily, put a fatty piece of meat down in front of Colin, who was unusually weak today.
“Brother, you are truly frail. You need to get better so you can take care of Thea.”
"Shut up."
Dorothea continued eating, with Colin's nervous, rasping voice playing in the background.
It was a very satisfying breakfast, thanks to the excellent skills of the head chef who was said to have come directly from the palace.
As she was just cutting into the tender, sous vide chicken breast with her knife, someone spoke up.
“The young lady of the Viscount Germain is nowhere to be seen.”
“She looked a little tired, perhaps because she had trouble sleeping in an unfamiliar place, so I advised her to rest.”
Count Jubel nodded at Dorothea's answer and drew everyone's attention with a cough.
“I think it would be a good idea to briefly organize today’s schedule and decide how to visit the spiritual grounds.”
Count Kiel, who had affectionately placed 'nutritious food' in front of Colin, opened his mouth.
“Because it was such a sudden visit, I wasn’t fully prepared, but I tried to roughly match the characteristics of the territory...”
Dorothea's hand, which was bringing a piece of meat to her mouth, stopped for a moment as she listened to the words that came out naturally as if they had been prepared in advance.
It was a fleeting moment, so fleeting that she didn't even notice the shadow standing behind him.
The savory sauce spread on the softly chewy meat filled her mouth.
Her eyes blinked slowly, never stopping to savor the food she was chewing.
'The Ministry of Peace responded.'
Not many people had the peace sign she gave them.
At this early in the morning, the Count's family must be busy preparing meals.
There would be no one left the mansion, and if something had happened to the Marquis, a signal would have been sent to Lily, who had been sent back the night before.
'So, it became so difficult that the amulet started to react...'
Is it Marilyn?
Dorothea felt a tingling sensation run through her toes as she forked over the remaining pieces of meat.
As the danger drew nearer, the tingling sensation behind her back became stronger and faster, warning her.
She put her fork down on her plate, her mind drawing a map of the place.
“I would like to explore the hunting grounds here, Count Spencer.”
“...”
The nobles who were chatting about taking a walk along the beach and enjoying the beautiful view of the castle suddenly fell silent.
The faces of those who had witnessed the barbaric scenes yesterday in the name of obtaining fresh meat were tinged with disgust.
Fortunately, Dorothea added.
“We should split up our group so that we can quickly get to know the territory. Since I have an uncle, I plan to go out and explore a distant place.”
There was concern in the eyes of those exchanging glances.
While agreeing to split the group, there was a clear hesitation on the part of some who might need to keep an eye on Dorothea's movements.
That's understandable, wasn't it because of Dorothea's trick that they ended up coming here for a field trip?
“Well, good! I’ll join you in exploring the hunting grounds.”
Richard shrugged.
Although there was an unpleasant incident at the last hunting competition, isn't hunting really his specialty?
'The more I look at her, the more useful she seems.'
In exchanges with other countries, it is important to take the initiative.
If he shows off his hunting skills and makes the lowly kingdom bow down, His Majesty will have no choice but to acknowledge him.
The nobles quickly turned pale as they saw the proud face of the Third Prince.
'That needs to be stopped.'
'We must prevent any more accidents.'
Who on earth can take the reins of that scoundrel?
Dorothea was busy smirking and constantly provoking Richard, wondering what else he was thinking.
A soft voice flew in like a ray of light in the gloomy atmosphere.
“I will personally guide you to the hunting grounds.”
Count Kiel's words caught the attention of the picky nobles.
'Indeed. That was a great decision.'
'See the sacrificial spirit of trying to stop things by tying yourself to that scoundrel.'
Count Kiel, armed with a spirit of sacrifice, smiled affectionately at Colin Highclere.
“I’ll choose a relatively gentle mare for you. She’ll be easy to ride.”
Philip, who was nearby, looked at the Count, who was affectionately talking to his father, with complicated feelings, and glanced at Dorothea, who had finished her meal faster than usual for some reason.
Although she was still smiling faintly and looking ahead calmly, she felt an unfamiliar atmosphere different from usual.
At that moment, Marilyn had her mouth covered with a pale face.
The carriage was moving at a crazy speed and the shaking was so violent that it was difficult to sit properly.
The man holding the child with a pale face was completely sitting on the floor of the carriage.
'What the hell is going on!'
Her jaw was sore from clenching her teeth to stifle the screams that threatened to escape.
Whee- Whee-.
An arrow flying towards the carriage was seen to miss through the slightly open window, accompanied by the ominous sound of the wind.
“Bow your head.”
Something flew in through the gap between the open windows, was blocked by Luke's sword, and sank to the floor.
Marilyn gulped as she saw a spear the size of her palm slams into her foot.
The curses spewed by the Dane driving the carriage rang vividly in her ears.
“Just a little further and you’ll reach Spencer’s Earldom.”
“...”
“If we’re lucky, we’ll arrive without any problems.”
What happens if you're unlucky?
Marilyn's eyes turned to the drooping child.
How on earth did things turn out like this?
Clearly, until the morning, she was living an ordinary daily life, not much different from any other time.
Marilyn, curled up with her ears covered, recalled how things started.
Although the strained relationship with Dorothea seemed to have been resolved, the rumors about Marilyn still did not subside.
To avoid being talked about by the nobles, she stopped by the store early in the morning to buy something and was on her way out.
A shabby-looking woman suddenly jumped in front of the carriage.
“We must see the young lady Dorothea Highclere!”
As the carriage stopped to calm the startled horses, an urgent voice made Marilyn look out of the carriage.
“Yes, I heard that you are the best friend and soulmate of Lady Dorothea.”
The moment the man called Dorothea and Marilyn soulmates in a booming voice, Marilyn got out of the carriage with a serious expression on her face without realizing it.
“What are you talking about!”
“We would like to see Lady Dorothea and speak to her in person...”
Marilyn, who was hurriedly trying to get him to shut up, saw the child lying limp in the man's arms.
The child's body was limp, limp, and grotesquely bent at the joints.
Marilyn's eyes widened at the familiar feeling of foreboding.
“This child...”
“Please save me, Young Lady. I need to see you soon. My child...”
Marilyn glanced quickly at the child.
'No, not like Lord Raymond.'
Unlike him, his pulse was beating faintly and he was breathing lightly.
He didn't rush at her with a ferocious look as if he was going to bite her, and her eyes didn't have a gray-white color that looked like something had been added to them.
'But it's definitely a bit strange.'
And to mention Lady Dorothea.
What does this man have to do with her?
“I heard that there is no wall between the two of you, so much so that Lady Marilyn will meet the Lady whenever she wants!”
“Stop making that noise!”
The sobbing man's words made Marilyn want to cry instead.
As the number of eyes watching her on the street increased, she became even more concerned about the words coming out of her mouth.
'Who the hell is my soulmate, who has no walls, who is my best friend!'
Sounds like a big problem.
Just as she was about to open her mouth to somehow manage the situation, a dark shadow fell over her and the man's heads.
He opened his mouth as he gazed at the hair that shone in the lamplight like a thin silver thread.
“I thought it was reckless from the first time I saw it.”
“...”
“That suggestion just now sounded like the devil’s whispering.”
Just as there are poisonous seeds inside the sweet flesh.
Kiel's smile deepened.
“I’m really tempted, but I’m afraid to accept your offer.”
“I never do anything that would harm my benefactor.”
“Then let me ask you. Was the reason you came down here to find me only because of grace?”
“...”
Despite the smile in his voice, there was not a hint of mischief in his eyes.
Dorothea, who had received his cold gaze in its entirety, faced him with the same calm gaze as five years ago.
If anything had changed, it would be that her eyes, which had been close to pink, had become a dark blue.
'They said that she has grown steadily for 5 years, but her appearance has changed surprisingly.'
As if other characters were mixed in.
The protagonist, whose eyes were covered in deep darkness, nodded.
“I guess you probably didn’t intend to come back again. I guess you were somewhat consciously avoiding me and my uncle.”
"However?"
“I need my benefactor.”
“Do you need me?”
Kiel muttered as if he was thinking about it.
“I feel like you can lead me to the answer to the question I have been wondering about.”
It couldn't have been a coincidence that she happened to come face to face with Kiel at the same time that Raymond's body was restored that day.
If it is a relationship that may continue to be complicated and entangled in the future, it would be better to quickly repay the debt that has been forgiven.
Only by repaying the old favor, if they ever come into conflict with each other, will she be able to hold a knife to his neck with confidence?
Dorothea's words became more murderous.
It must not have been him, but the shadow that had been lurking behind Kiel the whole time.
Before Kiel could utter a word to stop her, someone broke through the barrier Dorothea had set up and burst into the room.
At the same time, the murderous aura that had filled the room subsided.
“Uncle.”
Dorothea greeted Colin with a smiling face and linked arms with him with an innocent expression as if she knew nothing.
Colin, who was about to quickly pull his arm away, glanced at Kiel in front of him and then hesitantly gave his arm to his niece, who wasn't his niece.
“Ah, Sir Colin, how did you come here at this late hour?”
“I just came to say good night to my niece. More importantly, I think the Count should not be entering a lady’s room at this late hour.”
Kiel quietly stepped back after seeing the face that clearly showed signs of caution.
“I was just about to turn back.”
"Jmm."
“Would you like to go back together?”
“Okay. I can find my way to my room...”
“That’s not it.”
Kiel laughed heartily.
“Because I’m planning to sleep in the room right next to Sir Colin.”
“...”
“It’s a shame there’s a wall between us, but I’ve pushed the bed as close to the wall as possible, so I think I’ll be able to sleep very happily tonight.”
“...”
Colin, whose face clearly showed his hatred for him, disappeared down the hallway with Kiel, grumbling.
Dorothea, who had been watching his back blankly, slowly closed the door.
'You're approaching us quite aggressively, considering you haven't come looking for us before.'
Even the fact that he insisted on using the room next to Colin's.
If they hadn't met, it might not have been known, but since they were together, it seemed like he was planning to 'take advantage' of Colin's strengths.
“That means it has reached its limit.”
The Count's physical body and his wounded soul.
Dorothea returned to bed and smiled at the crows crouching outside the window.
“You don’t have to whine so much, there will soon be a time when you will be of use.”
When that time comes, I'll let you eat as much as you want.
The thick, unclean darkness that permeates every corner of this castle.
***
Richard seemed determined to catch the Emperor's eye and not miss this opportunity.
The nobles, who had been treated to a mouth-watering meal from the morning, exchanged uncomfortable glances.
Amid the chaotic atmosphere, only the two of them were able to truly enjoy the sumptuous meal prepared in the morning.
“Oh, really. After eating this filling meal, I definitely need to exercise after eating.”
Aiden, who was eating while laughing heartily, put a fatty piece of meat down in front of Colin, who was unusually weak today.
“Brother, you are truly frail. You need to get better so you can take care of Thea.”
"Shut up."
Dorothea continued eating, with Colin's nervous, rasping voice playing in the background.
It was a very satisfying breakfast, thanks to the excellent skills of the head chef who was said to have come directly from the palace.
As she was just cutting into the tender, sous vide chicken breast with her knife, someone spoke up.
“The young lady of the Viscount Germain is nowhere to be seen.”
“She looked a little tired, perhaps because she had trouble sleeping in an unfamiliar place, so I advised her to rest.”
Count Jubel nodded at Dorothea's answer and drew everyone's attention with a cough.
“I think it would be a good idea to briefly organize today’s schedule and decide how to visit the spiritual grounds.”
Count Kiel, who had affectionately placed 'nutritious food' in front of Colin, opened his mouth.
“Because it was such a sudden visit, I wasn’t fully prepared, but I tried to roughly match the characteristics of the territory...”
Dorothea's hand, which was bringing a piece of meat to her mouth, stopped for a moment as she listened to the words that came out naturally as if they had been prepared in advance.
It was a fleeting moment, so fleeting that she didn't even notice the shadow standing behind him.
The savory sauce spread on the softly chewy meat filled her mouth.
Her eyes blinked slowly, never stopping to savor the food she was chewing.
'The Ministry of Peace responded.'
Not many people had the peace sign she gave them.
At this early in the morning, the Count's family must be busy preparing meals.
There would be no one left the mansion, and if something had happened to the Marquis, a signal would have been sent to Lily, who had been sent back the night before.
'So, it became so difficult that the amulet started to react...'
Is it Marilyn?
Dorothea felt a tingling sensation run through her toes as she forked over the remaining pieces of meat.
As the danger drew nearer, the tingling sensation behind her back became stronger and faster, warning her.
She put her fork down on her plate, her mind drawing a map of the place.
“I would like to explore the hunting grounds here, Count Spencer.”
“...”
The nobles who were chatting about taking a walk along the beach and enjoying the beautiful view of the castle suddenly fell silent.
The faces of those who had witnessed the barbaric scenes yesterday in the name of obtaining fresh meat were tinged with disgust.
Fortunately, Dorothea added.
“We should split up our group so that we can quickly get to know the territory. Since I have an uncle, I plan to go out and explore a distant place.”
There was concern in the eyes of those exchanging glances.
While agreeing to split the group, there was a clear hesitation on the part of some who might need to keep an eye on Dorothea's movements.
That's understandable, wasn't it because of Dorothea's trick that they ended up coming here for a field trip?
“Well, good! I’ll join you in exploring the hunting grounds.”
Richard shrugged.
Although there was an unpleasant incident at the last hunting competition, isn't hunting really his specialty?
'The more I look at her, the more useful she seems.'
In exchanges with other countries, it is important to take the initiative.
If he shows off his hunting skills and makes the lowly kingdom bow down, His Majesty will have no choice but to acknowledge him.
The nobles quickly turned pale as they saw the proud face of the Third Prince.
'That needs to be stopped.'
'We must prevent any more accidents.'
Who on earth can take the reins of that scoundrel?
Dorothea was busy smirking and constantly provoking Richard, wondering what else he was thinking.
A soft voice flew in like a ray of light in the gloomy atmosphere.
“I will personally guide you to the hunting grounds.”
Count Kiel's words caught the attention of the picky nobles.
'Indeed. That was a great decision.'
'See the sacrificial spirit of trying to stop things by tying yourself to that scoundrel.'
Count Kiel, armed with a spirit of sacrifice, smiled affectionately at Colin Highclere.
“I’ll choose a relatively gentle mare for you. She’ll be easy to ride.”
Philip, who was nearby, looked at the Count, who was affectionately talking to his father, with complicated feelings, and glanced at Dorothea, who had finished her meal faster than usual for some reason.
Although she was still smiling faintly and looking ahead calmly, she felt an unfamiliar atmosphere different from usual.
***
At that moment, Marilyn had her mouth covered with a pale face.
The carriage was moving at a crazy speed and the shaking was so violent that it was difficult to sit properly.
The man holding the child with a pale face was completely sitting on the floor of the carriage.
'What the hell is going on!'
Her jaw was sore from clenching her teeth to stifle the screams that threatened to escape.
Whee- Whee-.
An arrow flying towards the carriage was seen to miss through the slightly open window, accompanied by the ominous sound of the wind.
“Bow your head.”
Something flew in through the gap between the open windows, was blocked by Luke's sword, and sank to the floor.
Marilyn gulped as she saw a spear the size of her palm slams into her foot.
The curses spewed by the Dane driving the carriage rang vividly in her ears.
“Just a little further and you’ll reach Spencer’s Earldom.”
“...”
“If we’re lucky, we’ll arrive without any problems.”
What happens if you're unlucky?
Marilyn's eyes turned to the drooping child.
How on earth did things turn out like this?
Clearly, until the morning, she was living an ordinary daily life, not much different from any other time.
Marilyn, curled up with her ears covered, recalled how things started.
***
Although the strained relationship with Dorothea seemed to have been resolved, the rumors about Marilyn still did not subside.
To avoid being talked about by the nobles, she stopped by the store early in the morning to buy something and was on her way out.
A shabby-looking woman suddenly jumped in front of the carriage.
“We must see the young lady Dorothea Highclere!”
As the carriage stopped to calm the startled horses, an urgent voice made Marilyn look out of the carriage.
“Yes, I heard that you are the best friend and soulmate of Lady Dorothea.”
The moment the man called Dorothea and Marilyn soulmates in a booming voice, Marilyn got out of the carriage with a serious expression on her face without realizing it.
“What are you talking about!”
“We would like to see Lady Dorothea and speak to her in person...”
Marilyn, who was hurriedly trying to get him to shut up, saw the child lying limp in the man's arms.
The child's body was limp, limp, and grotesquely bent at the joints.
Marilyn's eyes widened at the familiar feeling of foreboding.
“This child...”
“Please save me, Young Lady. I need to see you soon. My child...”
Marilyn glanced quickly at the child.
'No, not like Lord Raymond.'
Unlike him, his pulse was beating faintly and he was breathing lightly.
He didn't rush at her with a ferocious look as if he was going to bite her, and her eyes didn't have a gray-white color that looked like something had been added to them.
'But it's definitely a bit strange.'
And to mention Lady Dorothea.
What does this man have to do with her?
“I heard that there is no wall between the two of you, so much so that Lady Marilyn will meet the Lady whenever she wants!”
“Stop making that noise!”
The sobbing man's words made Marilyn want to cry instead.
As the number of eyes watching her on the street increased, she became even more concerned about the words coming out of her mouth.
'Who the hell is my soulmate, who has no walls, who is my best friend!'
Sounds like a big problem.
Just as she was about to open her mouth to somehow manage the situation, a dark shadow fell over her and the man's heads.
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