RYL Chapter 37

Chapter 37

I swallowed nervously as I met his unwavering gaze.

“I’m not sure what you mean…”

I forced a smile, pretending not to know, but the villain blocked my escape with a firm voice.

“I know you’re close to Sabrina.”

Tsk…

So, he already investigated everything.

But seriously, does it even make sense for him to go this far over a mere maid?

“Oh, Sabrina? Hmm… I don’t know where she is either.”

I responded casually, but his cold stare made me break out in a cold sweat.

Trying not to show my nervousness, I deliberately changed the subject.

“Shouldn’t we introduce ourselves first? That would be polite, don’t you think?”

The villain, who had been looking down at me, sighed as if annoyed and spoke briefly.

“You already seem to know, but I am Theobald von Valerian, head of the Valerian Ducal House.”

After saying that, he raised an eyebrow as if to say, Happy now? Then, he glanced at the carriage behind me.

A cold sweat ran down my back, and I swallowed dryly.

“Did you come here alone?” he asked, staring at the carriage.

Damn it, this guy is sharp…

His intense aura sent shivers down my spine, but I forced a smile and answered calmly.

“Yes, I came alone. Is there a problem…?”

Just as I felt my lips twitch from the tension, he looked straight at me and said in an icy tone,

“May I check inside the carriage?”

“What??”

Caught off guard, I let out a high-pitched squeak.

Whether he took my reaction as permission or not, the villain started walking toward the carriage.

Panicked, I quickly ran in front of him and blocked the door.

“T-This is extremely rude!”

The villain tilted his head slightly.

“Is there a reason you’re so desperate to stop me?”

“There’s nothing inside the carriage!”

“If there’s nothing, then there shouldn’t be a problem if I check, right?”

“…….”

“…….”

What the—? Did I just lose in an argument?! This guy is no ordinary person.

Then, as he reached for the carriage door handle, I pressed my back firmly against it.

As a result, I ended up trapped between the carriage and the villain, who now loomed over me.

He frowned as he looked down at me.

“Move aside.”

“You move your hand first.”

I didn’t expect him to be this obsessed with Sabrina…

This situation was getting more complicated than I thought. If he managed to capture Sabrina, it felt like only a matter of time before she met a terrible fate.

Just what kind of life had she been living to make him go this crazy?

No matter how reckless or wild she could be, Sabrina was still one of my closest friends, along with Lilianne. There was no way I would let her get caught!

As I stood my ground with a determined expression, the villain stared at me.

We locked eyes for a long moment, both refusing to back down—until a third voice interrupted.

“Take your hand off her.”

Startled, both the villain and I turned to the source of the voice.

Standing there, arms crossed, was Mathieu, glaring at us.

What the hell is he doing here?

Before I could even process it, Mathieu strode forward and grabbed the duke’s wrist—the same one that was reaching over my shoulder.

Wait… huh?

“She said no.”

What the…?

“Do you really think any woman would appreciate being pushed around like this?”

Oh no. He’s completely misunderstanding the situation.

“I know Claire well. She hates aggressive men like you.”

Excuse me? The most aggressive man in my life has been you, Mathieu.

Even the villain looked baffled by Mathieu’s words.

Why do I feel secondhand embarrassment right now…?

Then, tightening his grip on the duke’s wrist, Mathieu delivered his final warning.

“If you don’t back off, I won’t hesitate to use force.”

No, no, no. That’s not what’s happening here…

My face burned with embarrassment, but to my surprise, the villain let go of the carriage and took a step back.

Wait… did that actually work?

Mathieu then moved closer to me, as if to shield me.

“Are you alright?”

No. I’m ashamed because of you.

As I struggled to recover from my humiliation, the villain watched us for a moment before speaking indifferently.

“I’ll be leaving for today.”

Then, instead of looking at us, he turned his gaze toward the mansion entrance.

With a polite nod, he added, “Goodbye.”

…Huh?

A moment ago, he was acting so forceful, and now he’s backing off just like that?

I stood there, dazed, watching him get into his carriage.

Even as he drove off, I couldn’t shake off my confusion.

Mathieu, however, frowned and turned to me.

“How do you even know Duke Valerian?”

I completely ignored his questioning. Instead, I slowly opened the carriage door.

I was worried about Sabrina, who must have been holding her breath inside.

But then—

“As someone who’s been your friend for ten years, let me just say this—Duke Valerian is dangerous.”

I ignored his so-called ‘friendly’ advice and looked around the carriage.

…She’s gone?

The carriage, which should have had Sabrina hiding inside, was completely empty.

Just in case, I checked the ceiling, under the seats—nothing.

Then, my eyes landed on the opposite door.

…Did she sneak out while I was distracted?

“Hey, are you even listening to me?”

Annoyed by Mathieu hovering beside me, I turned to him with an exasperated sigh.

“Okay, but why are you even here?”

At my question, Mathieu stiffened awkwardly and reached into his jacket.

He then pulled out an envelope, which looked like an invitation.

“A ball at the Lorentino Ducal House. My father told me to deliver an invitation to the Devonshire family.”

I frowned, puzzled.

“Why did you come to deliver this in person when you could’ve just sent it by mail?”

My question hit the mark, and Mathieu looked startled.

Then, as if realizing something shocking, he muttered to himself,

“Good question…”

I raised an eyebrow at his dazed expression and snatched the invitation from his hand.

Well, either way, a ball hosted by one of the three great ducal houses would be a good opportunity to promote the salon.

Just then—

Out of nowhere, Sabrina appeared like a ghost and stepped between me and Mathieu.

She glared at him and repeated my exact words.

“Why is he here again?”

Wait—where did you even come from?!

Sabrina bared her teeth at Mathieu like a guard dog.

“Why is a broken engagement man showing up at his ex-fiancée’s house?”

She looked ready to tear him apart, so I quickly grabbed her arm.

“Whoa, calm down…”

Then, the ever-clueless young duke added,

“Is she your new personal maid?”

Since Sabrina was wearing a simple dress to avoid attracting attention from the villain, Mathieu must have mistaken her for a servant.

Sabrina’s veins popped on her forehead as she practically growled,

“Yeah, I’m a maid!”

Uh… but you are a maid. Why are you getting mad?

She looked ready to break free and attack him any second.

Mathieu, clearly thrown off, frowned.

“Your maid is a bit rude…”

Before things got worse, I sighed and looked at Mathieu with irritation.

“If you’re done with your business, please leave.”

Mathieu rubbed his neck, looking conflicted, then turned to go.

“Fine. I’ll see you at the ball.”

Wait—who said I was going?!

I didn’t bother answering and instead focused on dragging the fuming Sabrina back into the mansion.