CH 18

Gareth washed his face and got dressed in his chainmail. He decided to leave as soon as he and his men had breakfast. An irritated expression suddenly appeared on his face when he realized he couldn’t get a wink of sleep all night. Whenever he closed his eyes, he saw that woman’s raven hair and darkened emerald eyes. He was going crazy. He had always had his way with whatever woman he wanted until now. None of them had ever lingered in his memories the next morning like this. 

“I couldn’t have her in the end. How annoying,” he muttered to himself, carefully buckling his sword belt before putting on his greaves. It was ridiculous that he had misunderstood her, but it was more absurd that she had resisted him so harshly.

“It would’ve been fun. What a disappointment.” That disappointment would soon fade away once he left this place. Still, Gareth had to respect Elena for her courage. 

When he finished arming himself, Gareth went downstairs with his belongings and observed his men. It seemed that they were more rested after a good night’s sleep. When he arrived, Giggs quickly approached him to help him with his things. 

“Give the horses plenty of water and hay and brush out their manes as well. We’ll leave right after breakfast,” Gareth said. 

“Yes, sir.” Giggs beckoned a few of the men out the hall door, and Gareth walked to the table. He sat down at the same place he sat last night, then waited for Elena to appear. Wishing to see her once more before leaving, he stared at the kitchen. 

As he did, a maid came up behind him and delivered a message from the count. Gareth jumped out of his seat soon after, following the maid to the study where Count Townsend was waiting.

* * *

When Gareth entered the study, he was greeted by the count, who had his hands folded behind his back. The man’s expression looked unusual for some reason, but Gareth didn’t care. 

“Did you… have a comfortable stay?” Count Townsend asked. He still felt uncomfortable about talking to Gareth informally. Fear lay dormant within him since he didn’t know when this barbaric man might cause trouble. Nevertheless, the count’s lips twitched uncontrollably from the anger he couldn’t suppress. 

“Yes,” Gareth answered brusquely.

Count Townsend inhaled deeply, then remained silent. Gareth crossed his arms and watched him with cold eyes. Count Townsend looked into Gareth’s frightening, lifeless eyes for a moment, then finally opened his mouth. “It seems that you’ve been overcompensated for the little thing you did for my land yesterday.”

“Are you talking about the room that was given to me, or the meal?” Gareth asked indifferently.

At his nonchalant words, Count Townsend let down his guard and said, “Both. You dared to touch my daughter.”

‘Ah, that.’ Gareth shrugged lightly as if it didn’t matter to him. He didn’t really touch the count’s daughter, but couldn’t say that he didn’t, either. It wasn’t his nature to lie. 

Count Townsend’s anger ignited at Gareth’s nonchalant gesture. “What are you going to do now?” 

“What do you mean?” Gareth didn’t understand what the count wanted back. The only thing he had done was kiss his daughter. He on the other hand still had a stinging scalp. On top of that, there were traces left from her biting his lips, which rather… reminded him of the sweetness he had tasted on them. Gareth rubbed his lips with his fingers without realizing it. 

Count Townsend became taken aback at the sight of Gareth unfolding his arms and touching his lips. ‘What were you trying to do with this guy, Elena?’ he thought frantically.

He was certain that this man never forced Elena to come over to his room, and that it was Elena who walked out of his room at night. He never thought she would do such a thing. He hadn’t slept because of how angry he had been. ‘I had told her to stay well-behaved. How dare she…’ 

“I see. You have no intention of taking responsibility. Alright,” Count Townsend spoke dryly, then passed by Gareth.

Gareth, unaware of what was happening, frowned and reached out to grab the count’s skinny arm.

“Take responsibility for what?” he asked. Count Townsend struggled to shake him off, but Gareth’s hand didn’t budge, “If you start saying something, finish it. Take responsibility for what?” 

Gareth hated repeating himself, and he also hated being misunderstood. If someone had a problem with him, he would usually have to make them tell him outright. Perhaps that was why he thought Elena was a remarkable woman, given how she was able to speak to him like she did last night. Her pride and her courage were extraordinary. 

His beard trembling, Count Townsend looked up at Gareth. The man was at least a handspan taller than him. He replied as if Gareth had said something disgusting, “Elena. Who is going to marry my daughter now that she’s lost her virginity?”

“What?” Gareth finally realized what the stubborn old man was concerned about.

“I saw it with my own eyes last night. I saw my daughter leave your room, and you came out after her.” Count Townsend still couldn’t vent his anger on Gareth because he was afraid of the man’s grip and cold glare. He knew that Gareth was able to exterminate him and all the knights in this castle if he chose to. He was sure of it.

“You’re talking nonsense,” Gareth said callously. He was in a foul mood. If he had actually gotten to sleep with Elena, Gareth would have accepted the count’s words. However, he had not even had that; he had been haunted by her all night instead. Gareth clicked his tongue, then released the count’s arm. It was a ridiculous remark. 

“Now that I think about it, it seems that she inherited talking nonsense from her father,” Gareth spit out whatever he could think of. He had tried not to speak recklessly because of the hospitality he had received, but his intention to be completely well-mannered disappeared after he realized the misunderstanding before him.