🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 12
Unconscious Jealousy
2022.01.11
Johann looked at Erich with a cold voice.
“Since the countess knew about Marquis Gaspar’s amethyst necklace, there might be a connection to the Libertan dukedom. I trust you won’t disappoint me further, right?”
“Of course not.”
Erich, from the Libertan retinue, was the one among the Blanchet members who could uncover the Libertan family’s corruption best. Yet, even while hearing about this important mission, all Erich could focus on was the teddy bear-shaped cookie.
‘It must be related to that fake one.’
Otherwise, there would be no reason for such a cute cookie in Johann’s pristine office. Suddenly, Erich remembered Johann examining a woman’s accessory on top of it.
‘Master said it was all to execute a perfect plan…’
Erich suddenly felt that everything Johann had done was to protect and worry about the fake.
“I won’t disappoint you.”
Johann tapped his desk with his index finger and said:
“And we are discarding Plan A of the fake Lily Project.”
“Excuse me?”
The lily is the symbol of the Libertan dukedom. The “fake lily” symbolized Estelle. Erich asked, eyes full of questions.
“Plan A is an excellent way to test the spy using the fake as bait. Didn’t you deliberately let Libertan’s rat live for that purpose?”
Plan A involved using a Libertan spy to test Estelle—a method to raise her anxiety and dependence while posing a physical threat, the most efficient approach.
“In that case, you’d have to use the spy differently. Is there a reason?”
“It’s too risky to move the spy already.”
“You don’t mean… the problem is that the fake is in danger?”
Erich’s voice rose with emotion. If his master, like him, had been swayed by that woman’s schemes…
“She is a woman who doesn’t need such precious treatment. Her value, at most…”
Suddenly, Estelle’s face flashed through Erich’s mind—standing by the window, crying.
“When did you start questioning me?”
Erich realized his mistake. He had been captivated by a mere woman and acted disrespectfully toward his master.
“I apologize.”
Erich knelt, looking up at Johann. Johann’s merciless expression did not change.
“I won’t say it twice. Plan A is canceled. Inform Patricia as well.”
Only then did Erich obey without further words.
“I will follow.”
A loyal retainer advises his master but must never overturn the decision. Erich left Johann’s office. Looking closely at the mission, he noted the timeline.
‘I won’t be able to return to the mansion until I find all the connections.’
It almost felt as if Johann wanted to keep him away from the mansion.
‘Or… maybe my master is jealous and is sending me away.’
But Johann’s face revealed no trace of such emotion. At the last moment, Erich saw the relentless Blanchet duke he had always served. He forced himself to dismiss his lingering doubts.
‘Even if I don’t know, my master won’t waver.’
There was a clear reason why everyone in the Blanchet household worshiped Johann, who had been nothing at the time. Johann was perfect: extraordinary looks, innate combat ability, brilliant intellect, merciless charisma that seemed to dominate everyone, and a noble stance even in mud. He was a born ruler. Even as the Blanchet family fell, people risked everything to follow him. They were sure Johann could make the impossible possible. In turn, Johann utterly destroyed the vile Libertan family.
Meanwhile, as soon as Johann sensed Erich’s departure, he turned to a small model of the Libertan mansion. The lily crest in the very center represented Libertan. This model had carried many meanings. Johann’s bored gaze fixed on the room in the Libertan mansion that received the most sunlight—the room for the beloved princess, Estelle. He stared at it listlessly, tapping it lightly with his long, pale fingers. The soft taps echoed in the silent room.
‘The tears were because dust got into my eyes.’
‘I tend to cry easily, even over trivial things.’
Even after being scolded harshly by Erich, Estelle had made excuses for herself.
‘No one hated me that much here. Even if they did, it wouldn’t feel unfair.’
Estelle, who had been unable to help the duchess or receive proper greetings from the head maid, didn’t even get angry.
‘Naturally, they would hate me here.’
Seeing her indifferent face, Johann felt even sadder.
‘So how could I look good? Even I wouldn’t like it if someone like me entered as the duchess.’
So Johann changed his plan. Estelle was the final stage of revenge. There was no need to act hastily while the Libertan couple, who had directly committed crimes, were still alive.
‘Estelle already trusts me.’
Of course, the black magic book she had brought to the garden was peculiar. Johann realized he was thinking of Estelle.
“Interesting.”
His index finger, which had moved rhythmically, stopped.
“Very interesting.”
Then his finger crushed the model room completely.
As soon as I entered the room, I collapsed onto the bed.
‘Of course, I went back and forth twice.’
I had foolishly left the black magic book I’d borrowed from the library in the garden after Johann had toyed with me, forcing another trip.
‘Johann probably saw the book I borrowed.’
I worried if my suspicion was unnecessary.
‘Maybe I shouldn’t have borrowed it at all.’
Kicking the blanket and hugging my pillow, I noticed the red mark left on my wrist by Johann. A mark of possession, a trace of obsession. I shivered remembering the moment his teeth grazed me. My face flushed, burying it in the pillow.
‘I must be crazy!’
No matter that it was to tempt me! Could he really act like that with no feelings?
‘…That’s why he’s the mastermind.’
A man capable of anything for revenge—Johann Blanchet.
‘Will he come tonight too?’
Recalling the image of him lying in just a robe last night made my face burn again. I had never thought of myself as bold, but his exquisite physique…
-Be careful.
An unknown voice came. I startled like a child caught in mischief and looked around. No one was nearby.
-Danger is coming.
The voice was clear, as if whispered in my ear.
‘A man’s voice?’
It seemed layered, as if multiple people spoke at once. I thought I had heard it in the study too.
‘From outside the window?’
I rose to the window when there was a knock. I froze and looked at the door. Knock, knock, knock, knock. Unlike Betty, it was intimidating. I clutched the pillow as someone outside flung the door open. A stranger I had never seen. He looked ordinary but held a blue dagger. The man bowed politely.
“Good day, miss. My name is Anton.”
I laughed at the unprecedented courtesy from the Libertan family.
“Oh… are you talking about me?”
“Are you not Miss Estelle of the Libertan dukedom?”
“…Yes, that’s right. What’s happening here?”
“I’ve come under the orders of the Libertan duke to rescue you.”
Now I remembered the original story.
‘The spy from Libertan…’
Back then, Estelle was shaken by the news that someone had come to take her from the Libertan mansion. Especially upon learning that her abusive foster parents longed for her, she considered betraying the mastermind and escaping. This was her first attempted escape.
‘But it was a trap set by the mastermind.’
Later, as befitting a Libertan daughter, she was scorned and blamed as a traitor. Then she became obsessed with Johann, the only person she could trust.
‘This time, I just need to not run away.’
Luckily, I had no attachment to the Libertan couple.
“Miss, how difficult it must have been for you to be confined here all this time.”
Anton spoke as if pitying me. His sharp brown eyes swept over me.
“The Libertan duke sent me to rescue you.”
“My… parents?”
“Yes. They miss you dearly. Otherwise, why would I be here?”
I nodded, innocently questioning.
“My parents wouldn’t miss me…”
“If you don’t believe me, follow me. The escape route is secured. Shall we go?”
Anton approached with the threatening dagger.
‘If I refuse, it might be a problem…’
No one else could protect me, while Anton held a weapon.
‘If this is Johann’s plan…’
Even my getting hurt might be part of his design. The weaker I became, the more dependent I’d feel.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t fully understand the situation yet.”
I asked rationally, stalling.
“I can’t believe you were truly sent by my father.”
“Ah! That’s reasonable.”
Anton took a notebook from his pocket, engraved with the Libertan lily crest.
“See? Let’s go now.”
“It’s too far; I can’t tell if it’s real.”
Anton frowned slightly but didn’t get angry, pushing the notebook to the floor.
“The Libertan duke gave this to me. It was hard to keep it safe in such a dangerous place.”
I slowly picked it up, pretending to check. After all, it was real.
“Now you understand? We don’t have much time. We must escape quickly!”
“I know you’re really sent by my father, but…”
I feigned hesitation, questioning him.
“Why are my parents secretly trying to get me out?”
“I will explain once we’re out of this mansion. Escape comes first.”
“This marriage is something my father insists must be protected. I can’t act recklessly without explanation.”
Anton’s expression twisted.
‘Hah… really.’
“I understand your frustration, but if I escape, the nobility might misunderstand the Libertan family.”
I answered meekly, lowering my gaze. Anton hit his chest, exasperated. He didn’t seem very patient.
‘How much time can I buy?’
If I held out, would someone come to rescue me?
‘Johann.’
Even though he put me in danger, I thought of him. The man who said he would protect and take responsibility for me.
‘Doesn’t he think I’m worth the risk to bring here?’
That must be what Johann meant by my value. So this situation was made by him to torment me. Fear and a sense of betrayal surged in my heart. Following the original story, this was expected. Without Johann’s tacit approval, the spy couldn’t have reached here. I noticed the red mark on my wrist again. Strangely, I felt it might protect me.
“Your current danger among the nobles isn’t the main concern.”
“Then what is?”
Anton seemed hesitant to bring up ‘treason,’ conflicted whether it would help me escape. I wouldn’t run either way.
“Your marriage has already lost meaning. The Blanchet duke is the one who placed the debt on the Libertan family.”
“…I see.”
“You are not in a safe situation. The Blanchet duke was behind the murders near the capital. If you stay, you could die too.”
Luckily, I knew this. The mastermind Johann had brutally killed all the enemies who murdered his younger sister and parents, even displaying the bodies as warnings.
‘What a meticulous, dangerous man…’
Among those he took revenge on, I alone had committed no sins. That was the most pitiful.
‘One day, Johann will probably kill me.’
No matter what I do, he would not stop seeking revenge on the Libertan family. But for now, the immediate threat was the man with the dagger. Any wrong word could get me hurt.
“Do you now understand the situation?”
“Yes.”
Then the floor beneath me trembled slightly.
“So, the Blanchet duke is the one who put the debt on our family.”
“Yes.”
“And also responsible for the murders near the capital.”
I heard people moving. Johann’s proximity seemed likely.
‘Good.’
If Johann was close, there was a gamble I could take.
‘The black magic is scary…’
Anton’s dagger gleamed sharply. Yet if Johann arrived at the right time, I could be safe. Even if slightly injured, it would be a chance to earn favor with the mastermind.
“But still, I won’t follow you.”
“…You refuse to follow?”
“I will meet my husband, the duke, and confirm the truth before acting.”
Anton’s expression changed instantly.
