Chapter 6

Chapter 6

I did not forget to wrap the bandage by pressing firmly on the wound to allow the medicine to penetrate well.

After all the treatment was over, Cassius opened his mouth and spoke quietly.

“This is very interesting.”

“….?”

I narrowed my eyes and glared at him. What kind of nonsense is this again?

“Young Lady saved my life. I will never forget this grace until the day I die.”

You can forget…

No, forget it. Please!

Cassius continued speaking, regardless of my reaction. “But, it is very strange… Why was Young Lady so rude to me while treating me?”

I was dying from the injustice.

Then, is it not rude to jump over someone else’s fence and injure himself in front of the owner of the house? No, this is not rude. Should I call it insane?

Cassius tilted his head as if expecting an answer from me. Suddenly, making a sound as if he had realized something.

“Oh, I should change the question.”

He gazed deeply into my eyes.

The golden eyes flashed dangerously.

“Young Lady, why did you save me?”

A cool sensation grazed my back.

It was because I remembered reading Cassius’ words as lines in the original novel. Naturally, in the original story, it was a line that he said to Ophelia, who treated him with sincerity.

‘What did Ophelia say then…?’

It seems that she gave an Ophelia-like answer, saying that she could not leave the dying person alone or that the wounded must be treated, which is totally not helpful in the current situation.

I took one deep breath.

“Sir… Wouldn’t I be a murderer if I left it alone?”

Sir.

It was the most appropriate title to refer to a young nobleman since the majority of young noblemen held knighthoods.

Cassius frowned at her.

“You do not want to be a murderer, do you?”

I picked my answer slowly.

An angelic answer, such as how a person can kill someone else, was absolutely forbidden, so it was difficult.

“I do not want to be a murderer who gets caught and goes to jail.”

“You mean it is all right if you do not get caught?

“Of course.”

Cassius asked again curiously.

“With the power of Count Garneid, can’t you just bury the sins of turning a blind eye to a dying man?”

Hearing his reply, it seems that Cassius had no intention of hiding the fact that he now knew who I am.

“If I had not saved you, you would have died inside our wall.”

At my words, he nodded his head gracefully.

It was fortunate that there are words that could convince that man.

“Then, wouldn’t my family be executed for letting the Duke die, would they?”

It was only after hearing Cassius’ answer that I realized I had made a mistake-

…An irreversible mistake.

“Young Lady, do you know who I am?”

The strength in my legs was gone.

Contrary to the fact that Cassius Brudenell does not even have the strength to lift a finger now since he had lost so much blood. But, why-

His golden eyes that were staring at me felt like the eyes of a beast looking at his prey.

“Why aren’t you answering?”

His voice was soft.

I shook my head vigorously as I trembled. Isn’t there a saying that even if you go into a tiger’s den, you can survive if you keep your mind straight?

My gaze automatically went to the Cassius’ wound that I had just treated earlier.

‘…I’d rather kill him.’

The enormous amount of bleeding was difficult to recover easily without Ophelia’s attentive care in the first place. So, even if I have never held a sword properly, I’d be able to kill at least one person who could not resist properly.

I slowly moved towards Cassius’ sword—so slowly that he did not notice…

“Are you going to kill me?”

Stop.

My body stiffened.

However, Cassius did not appear upset or rattled. Instead, he was only asking the truth in a calm voice.

“…No.”

I put my hands behind my back and hurriedly withdrew from the sword.

“Lies do not work for me.”

“….”

I’m doomed.

I shut my eyes tightly.

At Cassius’ word, the lost reason returned and awakened me.

‘Yeah, if I kill this guy… I will definitely taste the revenge of the Duke.’

Rather, it might be a more comfortable ending to die alive in the fire ignited by Cassius Brudenell, as in the original story.

I answered in a dry voice.

“As I said before, if I kill the Duke, I will get revenge on the Duke of Brudenell. So, I will not kill you.”

Cassius smiled instead of answering.

It was the smile of a winner.

***

A week passed.

I work diligently to make sure to take care of Cassius so he would not die.

Of course, it was not particularly meticulous care. But, that did not mean I was not afraid to handle him as harshly as when I first applied the medicine for him. Fortunately, he eventually became well enough to treat himself roughly.

Cassius seemed to be half happy with the change, and half regretted it.

As he was changing the bandages with his skillful hands, Cassius muttered in a languid voice.

“I remember your touch on the first day. It was rough and clumsy—though it’s still not bad, but… it is kind of sad.”

I was dumbfounded and could not answer anything.

What kind of crazy thinking makes him feel regret?

Seeing me silently blinking, Cassius gazed at into my eyes before slowly opening his mouth.

“Come here.”

It was a charming yet cool voice.

My hands that were getting rid of the old bandages paused, and I obeyed his orders as if possessed.

“Young Lady, can I ask you a favor?”

“…What is it?”

My hand trembled.

It was somewhat unpredictable to know what this madman would be asking for. I was not afraid because I could guess the request. Still, the fear that came from the fact that I could not guess at all took over me.

Cassius’ golden eyes stared at me as if it was about to swallow my face.

“….”

After a moment of silence, he grinned.

The cool energy from a while ago was gone, and a gentle voice came out of his mouth instead.

“Please tell me the name of the Young Lady.”

The slight feeling of relief washed over me.

I gritted my teeth and answered.

“I’m certain you already know my name.”

This man already knew that he had jumped into Count Garneid’s mansion.

Evelyn Ganid was the only young noblewoman of Count Garneid’s, so there was no way he could not know my name.

“Of course, I know.”

The man’s eyes drew soft lines.

“But, I want to hear from the Young Lady directly.”

“…Evelyn.”

I replied reluctantly.

“Evelyn… It suits you well.”

Cassius rolled my name on his tongue as though it were sweet candy.

“….”

.

Seriously, I want to quit all of this and cry. Originally, it was Ophelia who was supposed to be here.

Not me.

He was supposed to tell Ophelia this cheesy line, like ‘Ophelia, your name is as pretty as you,’ not me. Nonetheless, if we let it happen, the fate of all of us was very apparent.

‘….’

I clenched my teeth tighter.

To be honest, I just wanted to tell Cassius everything.

The moment he sees Ophelia, he will fall in love with her and he will lose sight of everything. Moreover, in return, I will die and Ophelia will curse him for the rest of her life.

However, there is no guarantee that Cassius would believe me, and he might do something even crazier if he actually does believe.

“Then, tell me, Evelyn. Why did you send me the letters?”

“….!”

My body stiffened again.

‘How…?’

Obviously, I sent a warning to him, thoroughly hiding my identity. Even though I was a little suspicious when I reported the inn to the guards, I never did anything that would reveal my identity…

“Are you wondering how I found that out?”

“….”

“Well, you do not need to worry about that, Evelyn. Just know this…”

Cassius’ golden eyes slowly engulfed me.

“You will never get away from me.”

H, Hold on—

After hearing his words, I opened my mouth stupidly before hurriedly closed it. It was the same line I have seen over and over in the original novel.

A line that was like the trademark of an obsessive man hit my ear heavily.

I stared blankly at Cassius. The yellow-golden eyes glowed dangerously in the darkness of the basement.

‘No way, Cassius made me…’

Maybe, I might come to like it…?

‘…No!’ I screamed inwardly.

Even though I wanted to avoid the life of an extra that was burned alive, I also did not want to be the heroine of the waste.

I staggered away from Cassius.

“Evelyn?”

Cassius looked up at me with a puzzled look.

‘….’

Seeing that face, all sorts of emotions swirled inside me. For the last half a year, I struggled to get all of us away from this man. But, it all went to waste.

…No, it was worse than that.

Now, I am the target of this man.

He called my name once more.

“…Evelyn.”

I stared straight at him.

“Do not say my name.”

“….”

Silence enveloped the room.

Cassius did not say anything, just gazing at me quietly. It was a terrifyingly quiet gaze.

Tears welled up in my eyes from fear.

It was a time when I endured with one heart that I never wanted to shed tears in front of this man.

Thump. Thump.

Suddenly, I could hear the sound of footsteps coming down into the basement. Both Cassius and I turned our heads towards the entrance at the same time.

Ophelia’s gentle voice was heard.

“Sister, I’m really sorry, but I hid the turtle food on the floor. May I come in?”