CH 35

“…Ugh.”

I was awakened by the pain in my abdomen and the coldness in my legs, and I faintly opened my eyes. I realized that my body was lying on something soft, like a bed. After blinking several times, I tried to understand the situation with my dull, aching head. However, before my mind could start working, a gentle voice spoke to me.

Where in the Bible does it Say to C...

“Oh, you’re awake? Well, that’s helpful for me.”

Upon hearing that voice, I quickly understood the situation. I glared at the young man who was sitting next to my feet. I was lying on a sofa, and what seemed to be his coat was draped over my body, but my hands were tied together in front of me. However, my legs were not tied.

“I wish you wouldn’t stare at me so much.”

“You expect me to smile at the man who punched me and brought me here? If you think that, then you’re crazy.”

I spoke in a harsh tone, abandoning my usual ladylike speech. The room was dark, and the only light came from the moonlight shining in from outside. As I stared at the room illuminated by the moonlight, I noticed that Dorothea was lying next to me.

“Why did you bring us to this place? What do you want from us?”

“What do I want…well.”

He let out an interesting laugh and leaned closer to my face, answering my question in a calm tone.

“You can probably guess, right? Most importantly, I have business with you. I didn’t have any use for the other girl, but she was in the way, so I knocked her out and brought her here. She hasn’t woken up yet, but it seems like she realized my true identity, so I have to take care of what I was asked to do before she spreads the word.”

“What were you asked to do?”

“Well, I was asked to make you a cripple… The people who are obsessed with the son of this mansion don’t like you and would prefer to get rid of you if possible.”

His words made me widen my eyes.

I wasn’t directly told anything, but it seemed like I had earned some resentment. At this point, I thought that Jeremiah had not left my side because he was afraid of this kind of situation.

“Also…”

A hot breath touched my face, and I froze in fear.

The feeling of a hand stroking my cheek was unpleasant. The hand slid down my cheek, picked up my hair that was not tied up and scattered, and lifted it up, staring at me intently.

“Your hair is beautiful… At first, I didn’t want to be involved in any scandal, but I decided to accept it because you are my type. If you want, we can even get married. Well, all you have to do is spend the night with me today. I’ll send her home later, and you can spend the morning with me in the same bed. It’s a scenario that the lady in question will see. If this becomes a rumor and spreads, Lord Jeremiah will be disappointed in you.”

“…Marriage?”

I murmured, looking at him blankly. It seemed that he had no intention of doing anything, but then I was hit by the thought of what Jeremiah would think.

If I spent the night with this unknown man, Jeremiah would be angry and disappointed, as he should be.

Naturally, the engagement would be nullified. I wouldn’t be able to face him properly after doing something like this. I felt like crying. The most enjoyable thing in my life would be gone if this continued.

My heart was in turmoil, and anger and sadness threatened to overflow.

However, he continued to speak, ignoring my emotional state.

“Yes, marriage. It’s not such a bad thing for you. I have property, and I’m proud of my looks, which are the same as my brother’s.”

“Brother…”

“Yes, Viscount Aurelio Caldelara is my brother, we’re twins.”

His smile as he chuckled was very similar to Aurelio’s.

He had a well-proportioned face that was almost no different from Jeremiah’s, with the charm and allure unique to a military man. Why would a man like him be doing such a thing?

There was a somewhat conflicted expression on his face. It was different from the elegant and gentle smile of his brother. They were born almost at the same time, but the difference between a nobleman and an officer created a rift between the two. The reason for his conflicted expression must be hidden there.

Perhaps he is one of those men who have no shortage of women.

Some women might think it’s okay if a man like him hinted at marriage, but I was different. If I couldn’t continue to admire Jeremiah like this, there would be no reason for me to live.

Even if it was a futile struggle, I didn’t want to be captured like this.

I had to do something.

I told myself to calm down.

“I see, no wonder you don’t know Dorothea.”

“Well, yeah, I was startled when a woman with a stern face suddenly smiled at me. I thought she was going to cling to me again. I can’t believe you and she are cousins.”

“I don’t think so.”

I glared at him challengingly and took a deep breath.

It’s a shoddy resistance that can’t even be called a strategy, but there’s no other choice for now.

“Besides, I don’t think you’re as attractive as you say you are… Kyaaaaaa! Nooooo! Perverttttt!”

“…Damn it!”

A large hand reached out and covered my mouth. I don’t know where this room is, but there are more people staying in the mansion than usual. I hope someone hears us.

And…

When I looked to the side, Dorothea woke up.

She looked at me and him in surprise and confusion, and began to raise her high-pitched voice.

“Noooo! Help meeee! Lorraine, why are you tied up? I hate it! Is there anyone here?! Don’t look this way, you pervert, criminal, villain, womanizer, thug, yakuza, rat, scumbag, pervert!”

“…”

Dorothea screamed with a rich vocabulary that rang in my ears.

Whenever she faces something scary, she always screams like this. While looking at him, who covered his ears with a grimace, I stood up from the sofa and kicked him in the groin.