Chapter 64
Living Together?
I was turning my head in thought when I locked eyes with Lily, who had been hovering near the entrance.
It looked like she’d come inside after waiting in the garden once the lockdown was lifted. The sight of me with Damian seemed to shock her deeply.
“It’s late either way, but are you sure you’re okay? I could take you home.”
“You have a carriage, don’t you?”
Well, yes, but…
As I looked uneasily between Damian and Lily, Damian took a step sideways to block my line of sight to her.
“Don’t mind it. Let’s go.”
He extended his arm near my shoulder like a protective fence and gently pushed me forward.
His touch was so careful that it didn’t feel awkward at all. Naturally, my feet followed where he guided.
“Ah.”
I met eyes with Countess Charat, who was being dragged away with her hands tied behind her back.
She smiled at me—as if to say, You understand me, don’t you?
Still…
I glanced back. Damian was silently watching the countess, his expression a storm of emotions sunk deep in his eyes.
Suddenly, I recalled the hunting competition. I couldn’t help but prod, wondering if Damian might be sympathizing with the countess.
“Even if things had worked out between you and Lily, you wouldn’t have tried to kill her.”
“Why?”
“Uh, I mean… because if you died, she’d never get to see you again. That would’ve been worse.”
Back then, Siena wouldn’t have been able to endure if Damian died or disappeared.
But his question had caught me so off guard that I blurted out that answer, and I immediately regretted it.
Would he take it the wrong way?
“I meant back then. In the past.”
“Okay.”
“I’m talking about when I was your fiancée. Not now.”
“I get it. More importantly, Siena—don’t dwell on what the countess said. It was nothing more than a selfish justification for murder.”
“…Yes.”
Still, it left a bitter taste.
The ones who were truly at fault were the cheating count and Judis. The countess, who had to witness her husband’s betrayal firsthand, had dirtied her hands for nothing.
She only ended up ruining herself.
Yes, murder is a crime no excuse can justify, and she would face the consequences. But what about the children? The count’s and countess’s kids had just lost both parents in one night.
This case would likely be the talk of high society for a while.
“Thank you, Miss Siena. Thanks to you, I’ve cleared my name.”
Judis approached, speaking sweetly.
The click-clack of her shoes was annoyingly cheerful.
She clicked her tongue as she glanced toward the arrested Countess Charat.
“Such a scary woman. No wonder her husband cheated.”
“….”
What a shameless woman.
She had played along willingly and yet acted like she was above it all. I had no desire to talk to her.
“I owe you big this time. If I ever get the chance, I’ll pay you back.”
“No need. I only did it to clear my own name.”
“Don’t be like that. Our trade guild’s quite influential. Knowing me could benefit you in many ways.”
She gave me a bright, friendly smile and gently took my hand before letting it go.
Her attitude was so warm and familiar—like she was talking to a dear friend or little sister—that I was dumbfounded.
“See you again, Miss Siena.”
With that, she waved dramatically and walked off.
She glanced up toward the second floor, where the incident had occurred, but quickly left the building.
On her way out, she passed Lily, who stood frozen in the entrance hall.
Their eyes briefly met in midair—Judis left first.
Ah, again.
Lily gave that vague smile I’d seen once before… and then left the mansion without even sparing Damian a glance.
* *
Inside the carriage.
I kept glancing at the man seated across from me.
He remained quiet, saying nothing, just sitting there.
But it wasn’t an uncomfortable silence.
Today, the usual intensity that surrounded him had dulled significantly.
What’s going on?
Even after our engagement was broken, Damian had never hidden his displeasure in front of me.
He still acted like he had the right to control me—as if, even without commanding or forcing me, I’d naturally follow his lead.
For years, we had a clearly defined master-servant dynamic. It wouldn’t change overnight.
But today… that balance had shifted.
So abruptly that it caught me off guard.
He had crumbled like a stick snapped from too much pressure—no longer imposing any will on me, simply letting me do as I pleased.
He even offered to assist me the whole time, playing the role of Watson—and frankly, more reliable than him.
“We’ve arrived.”
At Damian’s quiet prompt, I prepared to disembark.
He escorted me off the carriage as naturally as if it were second nature, walking me all the way to the garden gate.
“Thank you for everything today, Duke.”
“Think nothing of it.”
“Get home safe.”
I offered a farewell, but he lingered, holding the low gate beside him without moving.
Though this wasn’t his first visit, he looked around my modest home as if seeing it for the first time.
He even chuckled softly when he noticed the flourishing tomato vines, potato stalks, and onions in the vegetable patch.
Finally, he glanced up at the darkened house and asked carefully:
“You’re really living with him?”
“No. I was just mad at my father when I said that.”
“Really?”
“I wouldn’t lie about something like that.”
There was nothing to gain by lying to Damian.
He wasn’t clingy or hard to shake off like Count Hargreaves, so there was no reason to use that kind of excuse—
Wait, why’s he smiling?
“Well, if it’s not true, that’s all I needed to hear. Get some rest, Siena. It’s been a rough day.”
“…Thanks for seeing me home even though you must be tired.”
He even looked cheerful—so much so I felt thrown off again.
He gently pushed me toward the house, prompting me to go in first.
Before I opened the door, I peeked back.
He was still standing there, like a stone statue, quietly watching me.
<SYSTEM>
Damian Ortiz’s affection has surpassed 50%.
Halfway to success! Only 50% more until full conquest!
Let’s go all the way to the ending! Fighting!
What… the heck?
My heart felt weird. Not just weird—so unsettled it made my chest tighten.
His expressions, his smile, his gaze—I couldn’t trust any of it.
I was 100% sure: Damian didn’t love “Siena.”
That was the predetermined scenario, and that’s how things had gone.
“What is this? Could the timing be any worse? Why now, after I kicked him to the curb?”
Of course, he hadn’t confessed or asked to come back.
He had just… exposed a jumble of emotions he didn’t even understand himself.
Maybe it’s just attachment?
We’d bickered for years. That sort of bond might form, sure.
That reasonable explanation gave me momentary peace… until the next message appeared and shattered it.
[Damian Ortiz’s Affection: 48% ⟶ 52%]
<SYSTEM>
You’ve crossed 50% for the first time—here’s your reward.
Check your inventory under <ABOUT YOU> for item and description.
Ugh. I couldn’t even begin to describe how mixed-up I felt.
* *
After enduring Leonardo’s overenthusiastic welcome and taking a much-needed shower, I threw on pajamas and collapsed onto the bed.
Of course, I couldn’t lie comfortably—Leonardo took up more than half of it.
I squeezed myself into a corner and opened the status window.
[ABOUT YOU]
Name: Siena Hargreaves
Age: 21
Occupation: Investor, Imperial Fiancée Candidate
Wealth: 210,931,005G
Current Status: ☔
Inventory: Harness (Equipped), Imperial Palace Map, Reignited Lantern (Restored as surprise reward), Bonk Mallet of Darkness, Emperor’s Seal, Crimson Rose of the Valley, Potion of Hearing Thoughts for 30 Minutes
Public Opinion:
You solved a murder? Did it feel easy because you’ve done it before?
Current Capture Targets:
✤ Damian Ortiz: Hey… are you awake?
♦ Nox Green: Please, don’t let your affection change…
♠ Leon/Aiden: Let’s wait and see. I’ve got the seal and the ledger—just need one good hit.
♥ Huperion: What am I supposed to do with this guy?
Ah, so the “surprise reward” Watson requested was restoring the lantern.
I’d only used it once before it broke—what a waste.
And as for the reward for reaching 50% with Damian…
