Chapter 38

“I just want to enjoy it with the Duke, but you’re being so obnoxious about matters here that it’s making it worse.”

“………”

It wasn’t just about Mrs. Janet. In fact, no one in the castle welcomed Selena with open arms. Though not explicitly expressed, Selena’s inner feelings might have been cast in her eyes.

She should have trained her more thoroughly so that her lips didn’t spatter as much. Mrs. Janet thought quietly.

Selena did win in the end.

After confirming Mrs. Janet’s silence of defeat, a victorious smile appeared upon her face.

“So, if you have any problems, please speak with the Duke. Well then, I’ll be on my way now.”

Eventually, Mrs. Janet couldn’t speak up. Selena figured Mrs. Janet won’t be able to touch her on her own in the near future.

‘I’ll mess you up if you touch me.’

No one knew how it would be. But maybe it would be clearer and more physical than any verbal harassment.

She’d been letting go of her anger and encouraging Mrs. Janet’s comradeship. As a result, it was satisfactory.

Stepping lightly, she shifted away from Mrs. Janet.

Watching from afar, Juna rushed after Selena.

“Are you okay? I was so scared when I saw you with her. But you were laughing, Miss Selena. What have you been talking about?”

“Mm-hm, what do you think Mrs. Janet had to say?”

“Uh, what? Courtesy, manners, behavior, things like that? Unbelievable. Had she been saying those just because you slept in the same room as His Excellency last night?”

Juna responded uneasily. Selena just smiled.

“I want to live a quiet life. We agreed on getting along, so I’m sure you’ll take care of me.”

“I hope it goes well. Ah, the bathhouse is this way.”

The bathhouse was already empty. Only the maids, who were organizing things, worked with busy hands.

“Only one bathtub?”

“Yes. This bathroom is too small to allow more than one person to fit anyway.”

“Oh….. So the Duke has already taken a bath?”

“Yes. His Excellency has washed up and gone to his room.”

Evidently, this had happened while Selena was talking with Mrs. Janet.

It would have been a disaster if Selena and Kalcion went into the bathroom together. Mrs. Janet had managed to cause a conflict and get over the crisis.

“I’ll be bringing in the hot water right now. Just a moment, please.”

Soon, the maid returned carrying a bucket full of hot water and filled the tub before Selena’s eyes. In an instant, the bathhouse was filled with steam.

Due to the time difference with Kalcion today, the water had no flower petals like yesterday.

The wooden tub was covered with the white froth of the water, and curtains were attached to the windows. Instead of scented candles, only a single bright oil lamp was lit on the table. The lamp was inside a glass box, so there was no flicker of the flame in the slightest breeze.

The steamy air, like a fog, helped the light from the lamp to spread everywhere.

“We will return soon after having it prepared.”

Selena had a separate bathing tool. It seemed that they couldn’t prepare it in advance since Kalcion was using the bathroom before. There were many things to prepare, so the maids rushed out at the same time.

“I can’t stay like this. I’m getting into the tub.”

“Yes, allow me!”

Juna quickly went behind her and helped her take off her dress. Juna’s fingertips skillfully untied the knots. Selena sat down in the bathtub, wearing only a thin inner garment.

“Oh, I don’t have a string to put your hair up. I should go, too. I forgot to take it when we were chatting, and I don’t think anyone else will bring it. Is there anything else you need?”

“I’m thirsty. Please get me something to drink.”

“Yes, I’ll be right back!”

As Juna rushed out, the bathroom became dead silent.

“This feels nice, too.”

Perhaps it was because the windows were closed, the steam didn’t escape out anywhere. The room was still foggy as if thin white clouds were floating around.

Only the sound of water dripping from somewhere filled the emptiness. She could also hear servants chatting from afar. As she slightly moved, the sound of water splashing followed.

“Hmm…….”

She leaned back, placing her neck on the edge of the tub and looking up at the ceiling.

She was feeling drowsy. It felt relaxing to be able to soak in the bathtub every night, if nothing else. She could even relax without even spending her money.

Originally, she could have done enough with money, but there was always a limited time. No time to sleep once you go out for a shoot. Except for the disadvantages of working at the risk of her life, she slightly felt that this world was not so bad.

‘It means I can live like this forever after this work.’

This job was not something she had to commit her entire life to, rather, it was a short-term job that would end once they find the criminal. In her world, people who caught criminals risked their lives to infiltrate and investigate.

She wondered if something dangerous would happen here. For instance, a serial killer wielding a knife appears in a social store. Fionel and Rosalyn’s murderous threats could have just served as the biggest curses from ladies.

Her mind followed soon after her body soaked in the warm water. She closed her eyes.

“Hm?”

It was at that moment when she felt the light suddenly go out. Even if her eyes were closed, she could feel the light through her eyelids. The cool breeze blew in from somewhere, quickly darkening her surroundings.

“Juna……?”

She recalled that she was enjoying this only a few seconds ago. Juna could not have returned in such a short time.

‘Was any window open that blew the light off?’

However, the oil lamp she saw earlier wouldn’t just go off even if there was a storm. It can’t go out unless someone turned it off on purpose.

She was immersed in warm water, but cold chills ran through her body. It didn’t feel good anymore.

Tightly holding the edge, she prepared to raise herself. If anything happens, whom should she call?

‘Juna? Mrs. Janet? Kalcion?’

But it seemed like no one would run to save her. However, before Selena could think any further, the shadow that had permeated the corner of her vision moved.

She thought that one of the maids had returned after accumulating something, but no one could walk so swiftly in such darkness.

‘It’s an assassination!’

She did think there was a chance she’d die, but she never thought anyone could really kill her.

‘Did the death threat meant they had to send an assassin?!’

It hadn’t been long since she came to this world, but there were already so many people who she couldn’t even think of facing. The movements of the mysterious man were so fast that he could not even be seen.

He was a master at it! Selena hurriedly turned around in the tub to avoid the hand that flew in.

“Kyaaaaaaah!”

It was the best self-defense force for an opponent who was likely stronger than her. She was able to avoid the attack, so she had a chance to scream her lungs out.

The killer took note of this failure and aimed at Selena’s hair. It was impossible for her to avoid all attacks in a dark place.

If he grabbed her head in the bathtub, she was done for. She had to live whether to catch a criminal or not.

She desperately tried to get out of the tub, but the man’s hands were faster. A right hand gripped her hair.

“Urgh!”

He was trying to drag her into the tub. Selena tightened her toes, punching at the arm of the mysterious man.

However, the man was unaffected by it. She was in danger of being drowned. Selena screamed.

“Help! Somebody help! Aaargh!”

While struggling to push him off, she grabbed a wooden bucket that was on the floor. She flung it toward the head of the man without a second thought.

With a relatively loud roar, the hand of the man loosened. Then, she heard footsteps rushing from outside the door.

“Selena!”

It was Kalcion.

Giving up on Selena, the assassin ran out of the room through the upper gate. Almost at the same time, the door opened, revealing Kalcion and the knights rushing in.

“Over there!”

Selena pointed at the window as she groaned.

“Dion, get him!”

The footsteps drifted away at Kalcion’s command.

Selena panted as she took in her surroundings. The doors and windows were opened, slowly carrying away the steam that was trapped inside.

Given that the foggy steam was still there, the time when she was attacked by the man was not long ago. In that short period of time, her limbs were trembling. She still couldn’t hear a sound as her ears were ringing.

She stooped down to sit, leaning against the tub. She could see Kalcion approaching her. His face was blank.

“When did he come in?”

His cool voice penetrated her body like cold air. Thanks to this, her heavy breaths began to calm down because of the embarrassment rushing to her cheeks.

“It happened…… as soon as all the maids left.”

However, she was not completely calm yet. She felt breathless even with uttering a single word. Lowering her head, she breathed in deeply.

The vibration of her deafening ears subsided, and her shaking vision also found its place. The harsh breaths from her mouth also became frequent.

“Whew…….”

Only after taking in a final deep breath did she raise her head, only to be met with Kalcion’s eyes. He was looking down at her. Those blue-gray eyes of his were still. But in them, Selena saw his anger fluttering, and because of that, she knew she made a smart move.