Chapter 21

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: Chapter 119

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Seeing him switch tactics so abruptly, it was clear he never intended to hide it properly from the start.

I gritted my teeth.

It was laughable how I'd fallen for his fake theatrics, even briefly wondering if he might not have done it.

"What the hell were you thinking, pulling this shit?"

"You know what?"

"What."

"I get all excited when you talk down to me like that."

He murmured in rapture.

"I'm not in the mood for jokes. What is this all about?"

"Didn't I tell you before? You're not going anywhere without my permission."

How could I forget that?

<Now it's your turn to suffer.>

<From now on, you can't go anywhere without my permission.>

Even thinking about it again left me breathless with disbelief.

"You already got what you wanted back then."

My voice boiled over with seething anger.

"It's not enough, Rozhi."

"......Is betraying you three years ago really worth dragging this out for revenge?"

"I'm not trying to get revenge on you."

"Then what?"

"I want to have you."

"......"

"I want to have you, regardless of any scents."

His eyes sparkled like a child's discovering a coveted toy.

"No man in this world would take as a fiancée the woman who tried to assassinate a war hero."

"......"

"Just me."

He murmured with utter conviction.

But then, as if struck by a thought, he furrowed his brow.

"Actually, no. You're so beautiful, plenty of others would still covet you."

"......"

"I wish you were pretty only in my eyes, but you're too damn pretty."

He grumbled irritably.

"What do I have to do to make sure no one else looks at you, Rozhi?"

"So that's your reason for this mess?"

Rihart didn't deny it.

"Just explain it away, and it'll be fine. Your setup is full of holes anyway. I can clear this up in no time."

"Holes can be patched, Rozhi."

"So in the end, you're just hell-bent on framing me as a criminal?"

He fell silent.

"Rihart."

Calling his name, he slowly rose to his feet.

He took the hand I'd used to shove him away and held it again.

He fiddled with my fingertips before pressing his forehead to the back of my hand.

"And I'm keeping your secret hidden too."

"My secret?"

"That you're connected to the Demon Worshippers."

Lately, I'd been dredging up memories from three years ago more often.

Some I remembered clearly, others not, but this one was crystal clear.

I definitely remembered.

'It was the pendant.'

They'd said a Demon Worshipper's aura came from Rose's belongings.

That much had shocked me, so it stuck even after three years.

Of course, deeming it too dangerous to keep, I'd tossed it overboard from the ship I was fleeing on back then.

I'd wondered why Rose had such a thing, but prying felt like stepping into a swamp.

Better not to get tangled up and just live quietly.

By now, that pendant was lost in the ocean depths.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

With no evidence, playing dumb was easy.

Rihart looked like he'd expected as much.

"You know the Demon Worshippers have been getting bold lately?"

He asked calmly.

"It's all over the newspapers. Why wouldn't I know?"

"They've been stirring up trouble near the Northern Region too, which is why I came here."

I hadn't paid attention, so I had no clue. Of all reasons.

"Of course, I came myself instead of sending someone else, to see you."

"......So you recognized me at the illegal auction?"

"More like I came to confirm it."

Until then, he'd only suspected, but me removing my mask at the banquet confirmed it.

"So what if you came here?"

"What do you think would happen if I said you seem connected to the Demon Worshippers?"

"No one's gonna buy baseless claims."

"Evidence doesn't matter."

The tips of his fingers tickled my palm.

My fingers twitched at the unfamiliar sensation, trying to pull away, but he gently gripped them to hold me in place.

"It's who says it that matters."

Damn him...

"Don't refuse the engagement, Rozhi."

He begged as if I had a choice, even though he'd force it anyway.

"You know what, Rihart?"

He looked up at me.

"If I were still just a servant in the marquis's household, I'd be thrown in jail right now."

"......"

"Even without hard evidence, I'd be fair game for the higher-ups. They'd lock me up without mercy—easiest solution."

I gave a bitter smile.

"But now, even with suspicious evidence, they're hesitating."

Not because of me exactly, but fear of upsetting Arjen.

"See? Power's a wonderful thing. I'm not even your fiancée yet, and my treatment's already improved."

He listened quietly.

"Truth is, I wasn't thrilled about the engagement."

I'd only agreed under duress.

I flashed Rihart a bright, innocent smile.

"Thanks to you, now I actually want it."

Unlike my beaming grin, his smile vanished completely.

"It's all because of you."

I hoped those words seared into his mind as I yanked my hand free.

"If you want power, I can give it to you."

Rihart said in a lowered voice. The composure was gone; now he sounded anxious.

Unfortunately.

"For some reason, I don't want anything from you."

Arjen too, but between them, Rihart grated more right now.

I left the room without another glance.

Outside waited the priests, Arjen who'd been with them, and the count—who hadn't been there before entering.

The count eyed me as if he had something to say, glancing at the others before subtly signaling me.

Understanding, I nodded.

"I'd like a word."

I nodded again and slipped away with the count.

The priests shot me displeased looks, but with the castle's lord insisting, what could they do?

No flight risk apparent, so they let me go.

"......What in the world happened?"

"Suddenly so formal?"

"You're the Marquis Evantes's fiancée now. Things are different."

Quick change of tune.

"I don't know what happened either."

"So you didn't do it?"

"Am I crazy? And poisoned or not, could I even stab him?"

The priests claimed even an old man could, but that was a stretch.

"Then good. Once the captain wakes, he'll clear it up."

"......We'll see."

I wasn't sure. Rihart's unpredictability was the real issue.

"Count, I have an urgent favor to ask. Will you hear me out?"

The unfolding situation had reached Yurta's ears too.

Odd if it hadn't, with all the commotion.

He'd been about to leave the North.

To justify coming north, he'd even given this count funding, enjoying the perks.

But with Rose gone, no reason to stay.

He'd been preparing to head to the capital with her.

"......Sis is in that kind of mess?"

Ridiculous.

Rose as the prime suspect in assaulting the Holy Knight Captain?

But Yurta welcomed it.

If her involvement surfaced, the engagement would shatter.

No one wants a killer as a fiancée, and even if cleared, scandal lingers.

A perfectionist like Marquis Evantes wouldn't keep her.

No—sis was too beautiful; he might be blinded and cling anyway.

Brief internal conflict, but ultimately, this worked in his favor.

Unable to hide his smile, he headed to Rose's room.

"Sis."

Calling her opened the door.

She looked flustered at his visit.

Disheveled hair clinging to her face, slightly parted lips in surprise—all perfect.

But she soon smiled in relief.

Not the face she'd make seeing him, Yurta noted inwardly, surprised.

He picked words to comfort her on the situation.

Didn't want her hate, so play nice upfront.

That pointless worry vanished.

When Rose suddenly hugged him.

Shock and tension made Yurta's muscles tense. Breath caught.

His leisure shattered; faint excitement rippled deep.

"......Yurta."

With teary eyes, she caressed his cheek tenderly, like touching something precious.

"Kidnap me."

"......"

"Somewhere no one can find."