Chapter 9

Chapter 9

But, even if I thought that, I could not say anything because Cassius was a madman who would forget the grace and only remember Ophelia.

Either way, he continued.

“If I get the chance one day, I will definitely return the favor.”

“You do not have to pay me back.”

I shook my head.

“So if you can keep your promise about Ophelia…”

“I am not a man who breaks promises.”

Cassius solemnly declared.

“I will not secretly seek Miss Ophelia. It is not going to happen like you are worried about.”

Nonetheless, I knew.

What he said are just words to ease my vigilance.

The good news was that Ophelia was still alive.

Since the Duke of Brudenell is still alive, he cannot kidnap Ophelia and make her Duchess as in the original story. It would take a considerable amount of time to put Duke Brudenell into a coma, though still, I could not be relieved.

Because while making Ophelia a Duchess is difficult, kidnapping was possible at any time.

‘How should we solve the Duke of Brudenell problem…?’

The reason that Cassius was able to wield uncontrollable power in the original was because Duke Brudenell was in a coma.

However, I did not intend to mess up everything by sending a hasty letter like last time.

Now that I think about it, it would have been best to just keep Ophelia locked up, leaving him to die or not get stabbed in the stomach.

‘I have to be careful this time.’

As I gazed straight up at Cassius, the golden eyes trembled with a strange heat. Feeling uncomfortable for some reason, I swallowed dry saliva and opened my mouth.

“You must keep that promise.”

“Of course, Evelyn.”

I hurried back home without saying goodbye—As I felt Cassius’ persistent gaze pouring down to my back.

When I knocked on Ophelia’s door, although instead of the owner of the room, two of her maids came out and greeted me politely.

“What about Ophelia? What did she do today?”

When asked, the two maids took turns answering.

“She just keeps embroidering.”

“She does not even go near the window since the Young Lady was mad at her for looking out the window before either!”

“The same goes for the door. After listening to the Young Lady, she does not even come close to it, as if you have poisoned the door.”

“I think you can rest assured.”

“Is that so?”

I raised one eyebrow.

Ever since Cassius Brudenell did something crazy, I could not trust anything because that crazy guy with such power from the original story could be able to do anything.

No matter how much Ophelia was locked up, the anxiety that he could even climb through her window sill like Romeo did not go away for a moment.

The maid slowly looked into my eyes and said,

“Do not worry, Young Lady. You can certainly rest assured. We are watching her every move.”

“All right.”

Nodding at the maids, I finally opened the door.

“Sister!”

Seeing me, Ophelia smiled broadly.

As Ophelia got excited as soon as she heard a knock on the door, I clenched my fists and placed them on my knees.

“Are you feeling well? You still look tired. Sister, come here and take a break. The oranges I ate for breakfast were so delicious that I left some!”

I tried not to smile bitterly.

Now, at my command, Ophelia was given the exact same meal that was brought to me. So, of course, I ate the orange that Ophelia ate for breakfast.

To be honest…

It was just orange.

A plain orange with nothing special about it.

Honestly, I think the southern oranges that came up last week were more delicious, but I did not express my thoughts and ate the oranges Ophelia gave me.

“It is delicious.”

“Right? Every time I see you, I feel sad. Please eat a lot, sister.”

“I am already eating a lot.”

“Then, eat more. I wish I could cook for my sister…”

“Ophelia.” I interrupted Ophelia.

“You do not have to cook or clean anymore. You just need to stay here. All right?”

“Yes.”

Ophelia nodded her head, smiled softly and opened her mouth.

“It is nice that you come to see me like this every day. I used to have to go find sister.” She said, staring up at me with her moist violet eyes.

“You have to get out of here soon… because sister is busy. Will you come back tomorrow?”

I nodded.

“Sure. I will come every day.”

Of course, not everyone agreed with my decision to keep Ophelia in captivity like this.

In particular, my father was outspokenly displeased. Although I was not friendly with Ophelia, there was controversy among the employees who recognized the child’s good nature.

Nevertheless, I had a strong ally.

It was my mother.

‘Good job, Evelyn. That girl was really too much.’

A word from mother completely ended the situation, and Ophelia was unable to take a single step out of this room.

Needless to say, she seemed very satisfied with this situation.

‘You took that child out of the basement and moved her to the room next to you. I was wondering what the hell were you thinking… I guess there is a reason for everything.’

Ironically, thanks to my mother’s support, Ophelia and I were able to spend such a close time together.

“Ophelia, if you feel uncomfortable, please tell me. Let me know if you have anything you want. I will try as hard as I can…”

“All I need is you.”

She then gently rested her head on my shoulder. Even though she was not wearing any perfume, I could still smell a subtle peach scent from Ophelia.

“I do not need anything else.”

Feeling the warmth of her Ophelia, I made up my mind.

I will protect this child.

No matter what happens, for the rest of my life.

However, my resolution soon ran into a great hurdle.

It was because of Cassius Brudenell’s visit.

It was two days after Cassius Brudenell returned home.

My mother called me with a radiant look on her face. As I went to visit her, I felt a little nervous.

‘Maybe she is asking me to release Ophelia’s confinement…’

Because sometimes my mother seemed to have some remorse for her, she would treat Ophelia well with a guilty conscience. However, obviously, it was just a sudden whim, and she turned around quickly.

When I cautiously entered the office, mother greeted me brightly with a face full of joy.

“Come here, Evelyn.”

“What is going on?”

She paused for a moment.

“Duke Cassius Brudenell… He is coming to see you.”

“….”

I lost strength in my legs.

Why did he come back?

Besides, this was also a formal visit—

Meanwhile, my mother did not seem to appreciate my lukewarm response. “Get a hold of yourself. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Duke Cassius came to see you…”

It seemed that laughter would spring out of the ironic situation.

How will my mother react when she finds out that Cassius Brudenell came here to see Ophelia, not me?

“What are you waiting for? Come on, get ready!”

All of a sudden, I was led by my mother’s maids to be dressed from head to toe.

“It’s like a dream that the Duke Cassius Brudenell is coming.”

“Marriage between the Duke and the Countess will be greatly rewarded to both of the families.”

She kept on continuing her words,

“Evelyn, do not miss this opportunity!”

Apparently, the maids seemed to have the same misunderstanding as mother.

They even took it a step further by combing my hair out as well.

“You are so beautiful, Evelyn. Duke Cassius Brudenell is also a handsome man. Just imagine looking at the two of you together… I hope you get along well with him.”

“….”

It was half right, half wrong.

Cassius Brudenell was definitely a handsome man, but I—Well, I am not ugly, though it was not an appearance that would dare to be compared to Cassius.

Regardless, my mother’s maid did not pay attention to my silence and began to put pearls on my hair.

“It reminds me of the past. How pretty Evelyn was when you were young…”

I smiled bitterly

All of my mother’s maids came from the lower aristocracy. Since all of them were old noble wives, I couldn’t possibly order them to stop and leave.

It was evident that this was also her mother’s calculation.

It is not the first time I have run away from a place like this.

As I barely finished dressing up, my mother, who was as lavishly dressed as me, came in elegantly.

“Duke Cassius… it has been a long time since I saw him.”

“Did you know him?”

“Well, I have only seen him a few times when he was young, though… that was more than ten years ago, so it has been a long time.”

Originally, it was usual for the most prestigious family in the Empire, like the Duke of Brudenell, and an ordinary Countess like us to have no ties. However, my mother was the marquis until her father’s family fell.

Therefore, it was not strange that she had met the young Cassius several times.

“It is my first time seeing him.”

“Really, Evelyn?”

“Yes. When will I have a chance to see him? Duke Cassius rarely attends dances or tea parties.”

There was a reason why no issue has occurred even though he has been locked up in my basement for weeks.

Before Duke Brudenell fell into a coma, Cassius Brudenell served as the Duke’s shadow in all sorts of dirty jobs. So, naturally, it was not uncommon for him to disappear from the Capital.

“That is right—But, so do you.”

“….”

“No, it would be more accurate to say that it was half a year ago.”

My mother was right.

Ever since I became Evelynn, I have avoided all dances and tea parties.

It was because I was in a hurry to find a way to survive immediately, besides, I did not want to bear the unwelcome glances as Count Garneid’s madwoman when I went out occasionally.

“Duke Cassiussaid he knew you, Evelyn.”

“….”

“Do you know why?”