Chapter 102: Tpcp 102
The Predator’s Contract Partner
As if she had been kidnapped, the place where Elisha was brought was unexpected: It was Jacobâs mansion.
âGaju, is staying at our house, right? Carola is so happy. Weâve been decorating your guest room for three days. Carola hopes you stay here for a long time.â [t1v: Carola speaks of herself in 3rd person to be âcuteâ *gag*]
For a moment, Elisha was perplexed as to whether it was more painful to have to hear Carolaâs babbling, or whether it was more unbearable for her to be dragged into Jacobâs hellish mansion. Because both were downright terrifying.
âThere has been contact with the general. If he hears about the situation now, he will do something about it,â
Nora whispered.
âProbably Lucerne wonât come,â
Elisha whispered. Noraâs eyes widened.
âWhat?â
Lucerne had said as he went out in the morning:
âSoon, the Head will come or call us. And Iâm going to find out who it will be between you and me.â
âWhy between us?â
âGaju also hears rumors.â
âAh, you mean the rumor that after you married me, you became blind to women and started a reckless fight with Cartier enemies?â
To be precise, it was rumored that Elisha was corrupting him. Lucerne was popular among the people of the Empire, and his wife, was rapidly becoming that1villainess.
At the same time, she had a reputation for being a rare beauty who possessed Lucerne. Either way, she was neither interested nor pleased.
âYes. After all, I have let him know that I am not blind when it comes to you and you canât control me.â
âI know. I wonât mind it if youâre cold to me in front of the Duke. We shouldnât be misunderstood just because we covet each other.â
âWhy do you understand me so quickly? Itâs disappointing.â
Having said that, Lucerne looked at her and grazed her lips a few times. Having received his unfamiliar gaze, she sought to distract herself and helped him button up his military uniform.
That was the end of this morningâs conversation.
âThe Head is worried that Lucerne will act up if Iâm missing. He wonât come to help me out of my troubles, since staying still will be the best thing he can do to alleviate this impractical misunderstanding.â
Come to think of it, Lucerne had no particular reason to pick her up, even if Gaju hadnât been involved. If he had to come, it would be out of apprehension that she would make a mistake in front of the Lord.
Jacob was not in the house.
âCarolaâs husband is also very happy to do the work the Lord has assigned him! Are you entrusting us with inspections of local businesses? Carola is very grateful and happy. Her husband will come back when he has grown.â
As Carola fluttered, Elisha learned of Jacobâs whereabouts with a slight headache.
âCarola, how can I get you to keep your mouth shut?â
Jacobâs house was decorated to the point of being overly lavish. Jacob and Carola had different tastes, and they both liked different kinds of glamour. So, the two of them, who did not know the proper line, competed to decorate the inside of the house until the inside was stuffed with overly colorful, disorderly, gorgeous items.
âThis staircaseâ¦.â
As she climbed the white marble stairs with golden handles in the center of the mansion, she paused for a moment.
Elisha from her previous life could never climb these stairs. If she had misstepped here and got caught, it would be a day she would be brutally beaten by Carolaâs maids.
She recalled her room under the creaky old wooden stairs that the servants used.
âWhat are you doing without coming up?â
Gaju looked at her and asked. Elisha hid her feelings and followed him up.
***
Elisha was led to the large drawing room with the maid. When Carola tried to follow Gaju in, the Head stopped her.
âCarola, you go out.â
âBut Carola⦠⦠.â
âLeave us.â
As she walked out reluctantly, Gaju looked coldly at Elisha. The murderous aura emanating from his body was not lacking even if he had been a butcher rather than a head of a prestigious family. Elishaâs hands were wet with cold sweat.
âDid you whisper into Lucerneâs ear and manipulate him?â
âI donât know what youâre talking about.â
âDonât pretend you donât know!â
Gaju roared.
âI know you grew up in one of Rosariaâs monasteries and I know that Lucerne recently took you to see her. Do you think Iâd be so stupid that I wouldnât be able to see through it? You have dared to be hostile to the Cartiers and take the temple out of our hands, so I must punish you severly.â
â⦠⦠.ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Elisha was quietly listening to Gaju. The corners of her eyes trembled slightly, but she still donned a detached expression and looked aloof.
âLucerne knows that even I canât touch my family easily. But you are different. I will decide whether or not to send you back today based on your answer. Why the hell did you do such a thing?â
âI donât know what my husband does. My work is to give him the Countâs title, not to dictate his will.â
âAre you treating me like a fool? Know that the more you use your mouth to try and fool me, the more of your tongue you will lose.â
Elisha looked into his eyes calmly. The Head internally flinched: Why the hell wasnât she scared?â he thought it was strange.
âI am a nominal wife that entered into a marriage to make my husband an aristocrat. I am fully aware that thinking is above my station.â
â⦠⦠.â
âSince you ask, may I think about it, this time?â