Chapter 75

“Are you out of your mind?”

Words came out of my mouth before I could even think about it. Of course, the thoughts that followed were not significantly different either.

“Do you know where this is…!”

“It’s Count Garneid’s mansion where Eve’s the heir.”

“….”

“I’ve heard the news. I heard you broke up with him?”

“Yes.”

I nodded my head indifferently. Already, it seems that rumors of breaking off the engagement between Cassius and I had spread throughout the social circles. It was no wonder that he found out about it as soon as Gabriel entered the Empire.

“So, why are you here?”

Gabriel gazed at me intently. As I felt the weight of the gaze, I turned my head away.

“I miss Eve.”

“If you’re here to ask me to marry, tell me now. I’ll reject you right away.”

“You’re cold-hearted.”

Even though Gabriel smiled softly, his eyes didn’t smile at all as he continued, “Half right, half wrong. It’s true that I came to see Eve, though…”

As he gradually closed the gap between me, I could feel his hot breath brushing against my ear.

“I didn’t come here to marry you.”

“…Did you just come to see me?”

“Yes.”

At that, Gabriel nodded.

“Is that not enough?”

“That’s not it, but…”

I blurred the end of my words. Given that Gabriel said that he loved me, it was not strange if he came to visit me like this. However, there was something dubious about it. Did he not return to the Kingdom of Bynell?

Though now, he said he came all the way to the Empire to see just me…?

“There must be other reasons for you to come to the Empire?”

“That’s right.”

While his tone was still light, his face immediately hardened. Seeing that, I persisted.

“Didn’t you come here to ask me for help with that?”

“…Was it that obvious?”

“Shall I reckon more? You must’ve come to ask for help to bring down the Duke of Brudenell.”

“That’s not true.”

“That’s surprising.”

I raised one eyebrow.

“I remember that it was because I was Lord Cassius’ fiancée that you approached me, but now, you’re saying no?”

“…The purpose has changed.”

“What is it, then?”

“The downfall of the Duke of Brudenell isn’t necessary. All I want is the death of Cassius Brudenell.”

As he said so, the corners of Gabriel’s lips twisted up.

“Does this fit your interest, Eve?”

“…Lucifer Bynell.”

I tried to lower my voice as sharply as possible.

“Go away.”

“I’m disappointed.”

Gabriel, no, Lucifer smirked and clung to me. I did not know how the face that used to only look friendly in the past looked so eerie now.

“Is that what the friendship between us was after all?”

“I’ve no intention of killing anyone.”

If his purpose was to satisfy the interests of other countries, I did not want to get my hands dirty because of that.

“I see.”

Lucifer nodded his head.

“Then, you can help me with something simple. We’ll take care of the rest.”

“I’m not doing it.”

I refused at once.

When I refused to kill, he then asked for help with the murder. I wanted to shake myself, who once saw Gabriel in a good light. In the end, it seemed that his purpose was set from the beginning.

…The death of Cassius Brudenell.

‘This didn’t change from the original novel.’

Even if he had good feelings towards me along the way, it could not change that… No, was it even true that he had a crush on me?

“I can’t help it.”

Suddenly, Lucifer sighed.

“I was hoping you’d accept it… Now, I have to keep your mouth shut. This is cumbersome.”

“Are you going to kill me, then?”

Although I asked as if it was nothing, cold sweat dripped onto my palms.

“No way.”

At that, he let out a smirk.

“…But, I can use the same method as Cassius Brudenell.”

“….”

My blood ran cold.

“I…I really misunderstood you.”

There is one thing that Lucifer Bynell overlooked. It was that this is Count Garneid’s territory, and I am the heir of Count Garneid. Near this very point in the garden where I stood, there was a device for direct contact with the County’s guards.

I crept backwards, pretending to be taking a step away from him.

Teuk.

‘It hurts…!’

I clenched my teeth. It was because Lucifer forcibly grabbed my arm.

“You have to be careful, Eve.”

Then, he whispered in my ear, “What would happen if this slender arm breaks while trying to call someone?”

“…Son of a b*tch.”

I chewed out curses that I was swallowing.

Lucifer chuckled.

“Poor thing. It’s like you’re not able to properly defy the dog you own.”

“….”

“Let’s see what happened, even if you scream. If you do, your mouth will be shut right away, but…”

“Where are you going to take me?”

“It wouldn’t be fun if I told you?”

Lucifer asked back in a voice with a smile on his face.

I swallowed dry saliva. It was because the realization had come to me suddenly.

‘…They were of the same kind.’

Lucifer was not too different from Cassius either. However, unlike Cassius, he was only good at hiding his true nature and pretending to be a friendly person.

‘This is worse.’

I at least knew about Cassius Brudenell and was able to respond. But Lucifer Bynell…

“Eve, hold on a little longer.”

‘What…?’

The moment I thought, a needle flashed in front of his eyes.

‘….!’

My head was spinning quickly. The worst case was that it was poison, if not, it could be sleeping pills or anesthetics.

If I did not struggle right away, I would either die or be dragged away. With that thought, I pushed Lucifer away as hard as I could. He paused his movements for a while, perhaps surprised when I, who had not been properly resisting, struggled, and there was a gap between us.

Chomp!

I bit his hand as hard as I could. The bite was so powerful that I could feel the taste of blood. Even though it was unsightly, could I even do anything?

I want to live first.

Astonished, Lucifer shrieked and dropped the needle to the ground. I immediately trampled it on to soil it completely.

Now, even if I were stabbed, it would have no effect.

“Sister!”

Just then, Ophelia’s furious voice was heard.

“Everyone, catch that man! You mustn’t do any harm to Young Lady Garneid!”

Even in a serious situation, laughter came out of its own accord.

My sister, is she not pretty good…?

Now, it seems that you really would not have to worry about everything. Was it because I had been away for a while?

The next moment, Lucifer threw me to the ground, and I fell face on.

“Ugh…!”

I struggled to hold back the scream that almost escaped. It was because even if I screamed, only rumors would spread that Evelyn Garneid was seriously wounded by the assailant, that she might be dying, and that I would be humiliated.

In the past, I would not have paid much attention to it. However, it was best to be as careful as possible now that the Count was to be abdicated early.

“What are you all doing, not chasing that monster? And, quickly bring my sister into the mansion. Call the doctor!”

“You don’t have to do that.”

I staggered up, spitting out the dirt.

“I’m fine.”

“Where are you okay? Your cheeks are all scraped…”

Ophelia, who was crying, touched my cheek.

“The banquet?”

“It was time to take a break. Everyone seemed to want to take a break, so I brought soft cushions and chairs and prepared a lot of alcohol.”

”Good job.”

Apparently, Ophelia had an unexpected talent.

“How many do you think realized that I’m missing?”

“Well… three? Not a lot.”

If three people caught Ophelia’s eyes, it must be said that about ten people actually noticed. Nevertheless, I could not return to the banquet as I was in this state.

“I’m sorry, Ophelia. I think you’ll have to cover until the end.”

“Sister, just think of resting! I’ll take care of everything, just make sure you rest well.”

“It’s fine. Just say I got a headache and went into the bedroom to lie down. There’s no need to say anything more than that.”

Although it was not the best way, it was not the worst way either. Thanks to Ophelia, I was able to do this, too.

However, she seemed to think differently.

“But sister, then your reputation…”

“Could my reputation get any worse than now?”

Ophelia bit her mouth.

While she felt a little sorry, it was true. One day, she would also be freed from her only shortcoming of considering me an idol, too.

“Th-then, hurry up and get some rest! Sister looks really ill right now. Your complexion doesn’t look very good either.”

“Oh, sorry. I have a place to go.”

“…A place to go? With this body, where are you going?”

“I’m not a patient just because I have a bit of a scratch.”

I uttered my words lightly. Fortunately, Ophelia did not continue to inquire about where I was going, perhaps only focusing on the fact that I was injured or where she was going.

It was a great relief.

Had she known where I was going, she would have been desperately against it.