“Shouldn’t I at least know the name of the person I’m going to be staying with?”
'We're staying together.'
Ravieli almost snorted.
She didn't want to deal with this strange man.
It was none of her business whether Theano came and kicked him out or whether he was recognized as his son and settled down in this house.
“I am Lucian Meyer.”
The one who caught the indifferent face again was a man named Lucian.
Even standing in the reception room felt tiring, so Ravieli blurted out her name.
“Ravieli Lewin.”
But at that moment, the man who had been acting as if he wouldn't be flustered by anything twitched for the first time.
Lucian changed his expression and spoke again.
It's like acting to hide his embarrassment.
“You’re very surprised.”
He lowered his eyebrows as if he found Ravieli quite annoying.
“...”
“Is it because the Marquis’s son suddenly appeared, or because the son is older than expected?”
This question sounded quite rude.
“No, as far as I know, the Marquis has no son.”
“Oh, I see.”
Lucian smiled, revealing his even teeth.
He didn't seem at all concerned about how serious the situation was or how big the repercussions would be.
'Are you laughing in the middle of all this?'
About three months ago, Ravieli lost everything in the sudden downfall of his family.
Her fiancé had turned his back on her, and the one who took her in was Theano, who had lost his wife long ago.
He offered to be Ravieli's guardian until she found a husband and became independent.
It was a grateful and fortunate thing.
At that moment, Lucian opened his mouth to speak to Ravieli, who was standing like a tall tree.
“If you find it hard to believe... shall I prove it to you?”
Lucian knocked on his bag a couple of times, which was on the sofa.
“It’s all here.”
“...”
“You don’t know how stupid a father can be when he’s in love.”
A man in love just runs forward like a horse that has lost its way.
Not knowing where his hooves were treading, he just let out a wet, rough breath.
“What is that?”
“It means that he did something foolish to woo the woman in front of him.”
It was when Lucian spat out his last words with a sharp tongue.
The maid, Mage, appeared with tea.
“I don’t know when the Marquis will return.”
“Oh, then first, please give me a room so I can rest. I’ve come quite a long way, so I’m tired.”
“...”
“Oh, by the way, I already tied my horse to the stable. He’s a fine horse, so he won’t make a fuss.”
At Lucian's words, the maid looked at Ravieli.
She will wait for her answer.
She can't kick out someone who comes into this house.
But more than that, Ravieli was not confident in defeating Lucian.
“Meiji, please give him a small room on the second floor.”
"Yes."
That was all.
Ravieli quietly went up to the second floor and sat down on the bed.
Then, she brought her legs together, raised her knees, and quietly recalled what had happened a little while ago.
'He said Lucian Meyer.'
Although he had great wealth, he had no children, so many people wanted to steal Theano's money.
They even suggested investments by mentioning unfamiliar names, and even stayed at his mansion for days, suggesting that they do business together.
Of course, some came to see him, claiming to be distant relatives of Theano.
Although he was the first person to call himself his son, it was clear that Lucian Meyer was no different from the others who had come before.
'He seems like a scammer, but... who would know?'
Ravieli gently stroked her cheek and stood up.
She needed something to stimulate her thoughts. Ravieli picked up the book she'd been reading the night before and began to focus on the letters.
Although Theano said she always read stupid things, nothing liberated her more than reading novels.
To live with him in this mansion, she absolutely needed a liberated zone.
She simply chose to read instead of hanging herself.
Ravieli sat down by the window overlooking the mansion entrance and began reading a book.
It got a little better while she was reading the novel.
And how much time passed?
Ravieli raised her head to relax her stiff neck, and at the end of her gaze, Theano's carriage was visible in the distance.
'It's going to get pretty noisy now.'
Although she wondered how it would end, Ravieli waited quietly for evening to come.
And when she went down to the first floor at the maid's call, Theano stood next to Lucian and greeted Ravieli.
“Ravieli.”
A short, silver-embroidered gown gleams.
Ravieli, who didn't want to look at Theano's face, forced her gaze to the buttons of his tuxedo.
"Yes."
The sight of the two people standing together looked more peaceful than she thought.
But Theano had a somewhat surprised face.
His complexion was dark, and he was complaining of discomfort all over his body.
But he suppressed all that and continued speaking in as calm a voice as possible.
"Ravieli, I'm sure you've already exchanged greetings, but let me introduce him formally. This is my son, Lucian Meyer."
As Theano finished speaking, Lucian smiled softly and looked at Ravieli.
"Nice to meet you."
Lucian greeted her in a fairly polite voice.
It looked a little different than in the morning.
'It must be because Theano is next to him.'
Ravieli received Lucian's greeting with a blank expression.
Meanwhile, Theano, who had been glancing at the two, stroked his short, stiff beard and turned to the maid.
"Give him the largest room on the second floor. And bring some Chechens over tomorrow. I need to refurbish the furniture."
“Yes, master.”
Then Lucian suddenly opened his mouth.
“I choose my own furniture. I have my own taste.”
“Well, well... do whatever you want.”
As the two people were talking, a crack appeared on Ravieli's face, who had been slightly bowing her head.
***
That night, Ravieli had a very tense expression on her face.
As she was trembling with anxiety, a rather thick hand wrapped around her shoulder from behind.
Ravieli accepted the touch without saying anything, as if it was familiar.
In fact, Theano Meyer did not simply offer himself as Ravieli's guardian out of kindness.
“Right, good.”
He was a renowned scholar of considerable repute in the empire.
When Ravieli Lewin, shunned even by her own relatives, was forced out onto the streets, Theano took her upon himself to be her guardian.
Everyone praised the Marquis, but in fact, Theano's purpose was different.
“Yes.”
He pretended to take care of poor Ravieli, intending to take her as his wife when the time came.
Of course, everyone in the mansion already regarded her as the mistress of the Meyers.
Theano Meyer was a respectable gentleman during the day, but when the sun went down, he would sneak up on Ravieli's bed.
“If you don’t want to starve to death, you’d better follow along.”
Her body automatically shrinks at the hot air she feels on her neck.
It's because of the unpleasant atmosphere.
She couldn't see him, but she thought she knew his expression.
He'll be smiling faintly, showing his teeth.
But fortunately or unfortunately, Ravieli, who was insensitive, could not feel any sensation.
She thought it was because God took pity on her.
That this would be the only mercy God had granted her.
It was when Ravieli let herself go, desperately wishing for the night to end.
“Ugh, ugh...”
When she jolted awake, the surroundings were already shrouded in darkness.
'It's a dream.'
Ravieli wiped her forehead, which was drenched in cold sweat, and let out a long breath.
She often had dreams of being abused.
This is because the number of times she is forced to perform sadistic acts and spread her legs against her will has increased.
Thanks to this, Ravieli was in pain whether she was awake or not.
She closed her eyes, trying to fall back asleep, but it wasn't easy. The dream was so vivid it felt like reality.
Ravieli rubbed her arms and legs wildly, trying to deny her body.
'No...'
After tossing and turning several times, she finally sat upright, and her body was swaying dizzily in the dim candlelight.
It's been so long since she last fell asleep that she can't even remember.
Since entering Theano's mansion, Ravieli has suffered from terrible insomnia, nightmares, and depression.
There was no hope for her, as she had nowhere else to go but here, as it was a matter that would only end with the death of the owner of the mansion.
Even though her mind was usually hazy, as if covered in fog, when she lay down in bed, it became clearer.
She thought this was because of the traces of Theano that remained throughout the mansion.
'Do I have a fever?'
She stayed in her room all day, except when a guest came over for a short while, and her whole body felt heavy, as if she had a cold.
It was when she lifted her hand like a dry log and placed it on her forehead.
Knock knock.
Someone knocked cautiously on her door.
"...Yes."
Ravieli also answered in a small voice that was barely audible.
It was obvious who would open the door and come in at this hour, so the end of her voice trembled.
It must be Theano Meyer.
But it couldn't be Theano.
He was clearly a guardian, and the empire was currently under a celibacy decree centered around Rotten.
The empire was waiting for the birth of a new saint.
To gather strength for the sacred prayers that would last about a month, the Emperor issued an edict of abstinence to the nobles of Viscount and above.
“Ravieli.”
The one who opened the door and came in cautiously was, as expected, Theano.
He approached Ravieli with a rather tired face.
She had to force herself to sleep when it wouldn't come. No, she had to at least pretend to sleep.
Of course, that doesn't mean Theano would just go back.
“You’re still not asleep.”
"...Yes."
Theano sat down on the edge of Ravieli's bed and began to speak.
“Today, something... how should I put it, unexpected happened to us.”
'I wonder if he's going to talk about that conman.'
Ravieli swallowed dryly and bowed her head slightly.
“That child, that child who is my son... Don’t mind it, Ravieli.”
Theano was usually a very gentle man.
He didn't make a single sound, as if he wouldn't be startled even if thunder struck nearby.
Of course, the exception was in bed.
It was the first time he had expressed his emotions in this way.
She thought it had nothing to do with her, but now she wanted to know what would happen.
Without Theano, wouldn't the mansion be empty with a stranger?
“Why did you accept that person?”
Ravieli asked with courage.
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