Episode 8
“Your Grace, there’s something I want to tell you.”
A vague brown-haired marquess’ daughter shouldn’t be occupying the protagonist’s place.
Which means, your side is not where I belong.
I need to find my rightful place.
Jeralach Cygnus must end up with Leoni Almaz. Do you understand?
I calmed my breathing as I looked at him.
Facing Jeralach stirred a tangled mess of emotions within me.
Perhaps it was because I’d died nineteen times at his hands that I feared him, and yet, thinking of how kindly he treated me not long ago, I couldn’t say it was entirely horrific.
But regardless of my feelings, I mustn’t get entangled with Jeralach if I want to get out of here.
Let’s repeat this again.
Jeralach Cygnus belongs to Leoni!
Jeralach is Leoni’s man—kind and beautiful Leoni’s!
And if the ending is already set, if that’s the only way I can survive, I’d rather not grow close to him and die by his hands again.
It would be far better for him to hate and despise me, to remain strangers.
“You have something to say?”
“Yes.”
When I said I had something to say, Jeralach finally sat down and looked at me with a languid gaze.
Ugh, so dangerous.
Don’t look. Just don’t look at him.
His gaze blocked my words, and I couldn’t speak easily. Then, he slyly narrowed his beautiful eyes and whispered.
“You’re not trying to say that we should pretend that night never happened, are you?”
“…What?”
“Surely you’re not so shameless as to erase such a heated event between us.”
“…….”
“If not, then go ahead, say whatever you like.”
Jeralach leaned back in his chair and stared at me with a persistent gaze.
Wow. Shameless?
“Sha–shameless?”
“Collapsing in front of me and seducing me only to try and escape by yourself—is that not shameless?”
“Seduced? Me?”
“Yes, you.”
Wow. Seduced? I just had a bit too much to drink!
And I walked straight into a fountain, remember?
Then I became completely incoherent and said all kinds of nonsense—how on earth is that seduction?
Even as a method to turn someone off, it would’ve been convincing!
This is honestly unfair!
“No, no, I never meant for anything like that to happen.”
“…….”
“I passed out only because I drank too much.”
I figured I should explain why I drank so much, but it’s not like he’d understand even if I did!
I’ve actually died multiple times—exactly nineteen, to be precise.
No matter what I tried, I always ended up dead. And always by your hands.
I drank like I wanted to die because I really had no other choice.
But how could I possibly explain that?
Even if I did, would he believe me?
As I stood there, unable to say a word, Jeralach spoke first.
“Could it be… you…”
“…….”
“…are going through something?”
His eyes, which had been gazing at me lazily, changed somehow.
Up until then, they’d been somewhat playful despite their intensity—but now, they had become sharp, like those of an investigator.
And at the same time, a memory from the past surfaced.
I instinctively wrapped my arms around my shoulders, chilled.
“I remember what you said that night. You said you didn’t know who you were—that you were confused. You even said you didn’t know where you were. Odd things, really.”
“…….”
“You didn’t say it outright, but if something is troubling you…”
“…….”
“…could you tell me?”
“…….”
“If it’s something I can help with, I’ll try.”
At his final words, I couldn’t help but clench my parched fists tightly.
My heart was pounding like it would burst, and my head spun like I was suffering another hangover.
But no matter how much he asked, it was something I could never tell him.
“No, it’s nothing like that. It’s just… I feel like I’ve committed a grave offense toward you, Your Grace.”
“…….”
Then, a sudden idea flashed through my mind.
A smooth way out of this situation, perhaps!
“Well, how should I say this…”
I cautiously began, watching his reaction.
“There is one thing that’s been bothering me.”
“Go on.”
Jeralach leaned slightly toward me and asked.
“Your Grace is someone of incredibly high status, while I’m just a lowly daughter from a humble family…”
When I said that, Jeralach raised one corner of his lips in amusement.
“So?”
“Surely there’s a noble lady somewhere who would be more suitable for you.”
“That’s it.”
“Pardon?”
Now his expression relaxed into one of composed ease.
“So that’s what’s been troubling you?”
“…?”
“Does the Marquess of Bernadette want a new title? I could grant another, for your sake.”
What in the world are you talking about?
I was struck dumb, mouth agape.
Ah, so that’s why Father’s nostrils had flared with pride.
“Judging by your expression, that’s not the issue.”
Where did he learn to read people like this?
Why is he so perceptive?
“If it’s not that, then tell me.”
“But…”
“I haven’t been able to forget the anxious look in your eyes since that night. I want to know—what’s troubling you.”
Jeralach’s gaze made it hard to breathe.
There were likely many reasons behind that anxious look.
Between Jeralach Cygnus and me is a situation far too complex to define in a single word.
He’s the man who once had me hanged to protect the woman he loves. The very person I’ve been desperately trying to avoid all this time.
Deep in my heart, there must’ve always been a resolve to stay away from him.
And the fear that my actions might ruin everything added to my distress.
However, since that night, a new emotion had settled on top of that fear.
Fortunately, it seemed Jeralach had decided to stop his interrogation here.
“Is it something that just needs time?”
As I sat in silence, tearing at my fingers, he spoke again.
“Yes… I think so.”
Caught off guard, I answered, and he gave a dry smile.
In this terrifying and confusing situation, I forced myself to smile back, wanting to escape.
“There’s a ball in three days. I hope to see you then with a more relaxed expression.”
But… there’s no way I’ll ever be relaxed in front of you.
“Um, about that ball…”
I meant to say I probably wouldn’t be attending.
But Jeralach gave me a chilling look—so sharp it seemed like he’d lash out at me then and there if I refused.
“The ball…?”
“I’ll do my best to prepare and attend.”
“I’ll be looking forward to it.”
With that, Jeralach rose from his seat.
When he stepped out of the parlor, my mother and father were standing upright with their hands neatly folded.
Surely they hadn’t been standing like that the whole time?
Jeralach paused for a moment at the sight of them, like stone statues, then calmly spoke.
“Thank you for welcoming me so graciously despite the unexpected visit.”
At times like this, he really did appear to be a courteous and composed gentleman.
But the expression he showed me earlier was still terrifying.
“It’s nothing at all. Please feel free to visit anytime,” my father said quickly, and Mother immediately jumped in.
“Your Grace…”
I glanced at her nervously.
“We were just about to have tea. Would you care to join us? It’s a delightful new blend we recently acquired.”
Mother’s face turned pale, then flushed red again as she barely managed to ask calmly.
Apparently satisfied with her composure, she pressed on with a bit more confidence.
“A–And if time allows, perhaps you could stay for lunch as well…”
She clasped her hands together, full of hope.
“I’m afraid I’ll have to decline today. But next time, certainly.”
Thank goodness.
I barely managed to stop myself from grinning like a fool.
“We’ll be looking forward to that day, then.”
“I understand.”
As Jeralach turned to leave with a short reply—
A sudden presence made me turn my head toward the front entrance.
Thud, thud—unfamiliar footsteps echoed—
And then, a very tall man stood at the threshold.
“Oh? Everyone’s out to greet me? I must be someone quite important then.”
It was a face I had never seen before.
