Chapter 8

While weighing the better option, Lilien immediately nodded.

“Y-Yes! Actually, I also feel a little uneasy about telling my younger brother…”

Right, she must have been worried that I would hold a grudge and reveal this to someone else.

Feeling relieved that our interests aligned, I looked around the bedroom.

Finally, my gaze landed on the comfortable-looking bed. Maybe it was because the tension had eased. The fatigue that had built up since morning suddenly rushed in.

I turned to Lilien with a weary expression.

“Lady Lilien, I’m sorry, but I’d like to rest now.”

“Ah, look at me! You must be tired, yet I kept holding you up! I’ll instruct the maids, so if you need anything, feel free to ask them.”

“Thank you.”

I watched the door until Lilien had completely disappeared, then went to the bed and shook the servant’s bell.

Unlike the Buell Count’s mansion, where maids appeared sluggishly, the maids here arrived swiftly and served me with great dedication.

They chattered away while attending to my bath so that I wouldn’t feel bored, and they made sure my mouth was never idle by offering me seasonal fruits.

As I sat in the bathtub, enjoying a soothing massage, I thought, ‘This is the best treatment my body has ever known.’

‘It must be because I’m Lilien’s first guest. She truly cherishes me.’

After drinking a steaming cup of chamomile tea, I dived onto the bed and let out a satisfied laugh.

“Ah, I feel alive again.”

Lying face down on the crisp sheets, I happily rubbed my face against them before half-opening my eyes.

‘Maybe I should stay for a few more days before her younger brother returns?’

It wasn’t just me—anyone would find it hard to leave such luxury.

‘…No, I shouldn’t get distracted.’

Once my luggage arrived tomorrow, I would sell my goods to the merchants, secure funds, and rely on my uncle while preparing for my divorce.

Going over my plan carefully, I blew out the candle left burning by the maid and turned onto my side.

A lot had happened in just one day, leaving me utterly exhausted. My entire body felt as if it were melting like chocolate, and sleep was quickly approaching. But as I reflected on the day’s events, my mind became too restless to drift off easily. I struggled against the drowsiness for a while, but just as I was about to fall asleep—

“Who are you?”

A cold blade suddenly pressed against my slender neck.

My eyes flew open. My heart pounded fiercely at the sight of the sharp blade extending toward my throat.

Every cell in my body, which had been melting away in relaxation, instantly detected danger and awakened.

Through my narrowed eyes, I saw a shadow flickering in the darkness.

‘A petty thief? An assassin? No, if they were either, they wouldn’t have asked who I was.’

Forcing myself to appear calm, I opened my mouth.

“I should be asking you that. Who are you?”

Instead of answering, the figure stepped forward, allowing the lantern light to reveal his face.

“…”

For a moment, I wondered if I was dreaming.

Golden eyes tinged with a reddish hue, a smooth and well-defined nose, and elegantly closed lips—he was a stunningly handsome man. His silver hair, reaching his shoulders, looked untouched by human hands for years, yet it didn’t detract from his beauty. Instead, it added a wild, untamed charm.

I was momentarily dazed by his face before realizing my precarious situation.

‘Why is he here? He’s supposed to return in five days!’

Unless I had suddenly developed amnesia, the man before me was undoubtedly Duke Mipedian—the one who had killed me in the original story.

Kwang! At that moment, lightning struck.

The thunderous roar sent a shiver through my body. As the flickering light illuminated the room, my eyes met his.

His golden eyes were filled with deadly intent.

I’m going to die. That man is going to kill me.

A chilling fear gripped my spine as his piercing gaze remained locked onto me, unyielding.

“I’ll ask again. Who are you?”

His deep, smooth voice questioned me once more.

“Uh… well…”

As I desperately searched for an answer to save myself, the door cautiously opened, and Lilien entered, holding a soft lantern.

“Madam Buell, are you awake? The thunder woke me up, and I thought you might—Kyaa! Edmund, what are you doing?!”

“…Sister.”

At that moment, his gaze finally shifted away from me, miraculously saving me from the crisis.

After the events of that dawn, morning arrived as I dressed and composed myself.

Calming my shaken nerves, I had just reached the drawing room when I hesitated behind the slightly open door.

“What should I do? If Madam Buell gets angry and decides to leave immediately…”

Lilien paced around the chair, nervously biting her nails.

Meanwhile, Edmund, who had been sitting quietly with his eyes downcast, frowned slightly.

“Sister, please sit down. You’re making me dizzy.”

Lilien glanced at him and meekly took a seat.

“Okay…”

‘He’s not particularly affectionate with Lilien either, huh?’

Observing them from behind the door, I decided not to keep them waiting any longer. Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the room.

“Did I keep you waiting?”

“Oh, you’re here!”

Lilien jumped up to greet me.

“Please, sit down, Lady Lilien.”

I ordered jasmine tea from a nearby maid and sat across from her.

Even after the tea was served, the atmosphere in the drawing room remained tense.

As expected, the first to break the silence was the overly anxious Lilien.

“I’m so sorry. It was my mistake. I had no idea my brother would come…”

“It’s fine, Lady Lilien.”

“R-Really…?”

She looked at me with tearful, wide eyes.

I nodded gently, offering a reassuring smile.

Only then did she sigh in relief and lean back in her chair.

Honestly, I wasn’t fine.

The memory of his murderous intent still lingered, making me want to flee immediately.

I nervously bit my lip and stole a glance at Edmund, who sat across from me, enjoying his tea as if he were out on a leisurely morning stroll.

‘But seriously, why is he here when he was supposed to return in five days?’

The lingering question was soon answered by Lilien.

“While you were in the bath, the head maid reported the news through the communication channel. My brother heard and returned early via portal. He’s always been an overprotective brother…”

‘Damn that head maid.’

I clenched my teeth in frustration but masked my true feelings with a polite smile.

“I see. Well, I suppose it’s natural for him to worry about a stranger staying in the mansion.”

“Thank you for understanding. Oh, by the way—”

Lilien nudged Edmund with her elbow.

“Edmund, you need to apologize to her.”