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~Chapter 17~
Aisha glared at Killian like she wanted to kill him.
What’s next? Was he planning to beat her?
“Over there.”
But Killian’s reaction was different from what she expected.
“Sit over there.”
Aisha’s eyes followed his hand. In front of the wall was a small desk and a chair.
“Ah… it’s like the thinking chair for kids.”
Aisha frowned unwillingly.
“You can read a book or write something. But remember this—before leaving this room, you must show me everything you’ve written.”
“……”
“And this is the most important rule, Aisha Ashton. As long as I’m in this office, you cannot move a step away from here. Today, things got delayed because you overslept. But from tomorrow, you’ll spend every moment with me. Three meals, and even the time here in my office.”
It was true. This was the worst torture.
From the moment she was dragged into the Winters Duchy, she expected hardship, but this? Being monitored every second except for when she slept?
“For your information, everyone in this family wakes up at 6 a.m.”
That cursed rule again. Sien had said the same thing earlier. How many ridiculous rules did this Winters house even have?
‘These people aren’t normal.’
Aisha looked at Killian with open disgust.
“Of course, the word ‘education’ was just a lie.”
“I thought you already knew that.”
“Well, yes. But you could’ve explained things more clearly.”
“I wasn’t finished talking. You just interrupted me.”
Damn it.
Aisha clenched her fists, trembling.
“Lastly, about my working hours. Or more exactly—when I leave this office.”
Yes, that was what she wanted to ask. If there was at least a set time, she might survive. After all, even Killian Winters was human—he couldn’t work late every single night.
“That time isn’t fixed.”
“……”
“Some days I leave at dawn, other days at midnight. To run a house like this, there’s a mountain of work.”
“Then… until then, I have to stay here too?”
“You understood correctly.”
Killian nodded.
“I’ll return to my work. You can do your own task. Read, if your brain can keep up.”
“……”
“Or write. You’re good at that, aren’t you? Spouting nonsense.”
I swear I’ll take revenge. One day. I promise on my honor.
Aisha’s eyes burned with rage.
“Why? Should I give you new gossip for the next issue?”
“Oh, no need.”
Aisha forced a smile, veins standing on her forehead.
“Your very existence is already content.”
“…What?”
She ignored him and asked instead:
“Where’s paper and pen?”
“In the drawer.”
“Good.”
She had no choice. She dragged herself to the small desk and sat down.
What should I even write? It’s not like he’ll let me publish an article from here anyway…
While she hesitated—
“Why aren’t you writing anything?”
Killian’s voice came from behind.
“…Excuse me?”
“Write.”
“……”
“An article. A new issue.”
“…Are you serious?”
Wasn’t the whole reason he brought her here to stop Sunday Exposé?
“Last night, I thought about it, Aisha Ashton.”
“…About what?”
“Whatever it is, flipping high society upside down with only your writing is a kind of talent.”
What was wrong with this man?
“Wouldn’t it be a waste to bury that talent?”
“……”
“You can write about me. Go ahead. Killian Winters Special Issue No. 6.”
Killian smiled.
But that smile felt less kind and more like a threat.
“Of course, I’ll decide the theme.”
And soon, Aisha realized what he meant.
“Killian Winters Special No. 6: Killian Winters’s fiancée, Aisha Ashton.”
He wasn’t wrong.
“She’s so bold she even cut ties with her family, yet charming enough to steal Killian Winters’s heart in an instant. A goddess in beauty, a fairy in loveliness…”
“……”
“This issue will reveal everything about Aisha Ashton. What do you think?”
“Haha… ha…”
There was a saying: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
Killian clearly believed it.
“You’ll become famous, Aisha Ashton. This article will mark you as someone unforgettable in high society.”
“…Or it’ll mark me for death.”
“That too is possible.” Killian shrugged.
“This morning alone, I received about twenty blood-written letters.”
“…Blood letters?”
“They all said the same: they refuse to accept our engagement. They claim they are the ones who love me, and you can’t possibly be my fiancée.”
“…Sorry, but isn’t that too much text to write with blood?”
“Apparently, some noble ladies fainted. Rumor is it was from blood loss.”
He didn’t spare her at all. Every word stabbed at her.
“Now, start writing, Aisha Ashton. Everyone’s waiting for your article.”
Aisha bit her lip hard.
Fine. So be it. You think I can’t write?
If she was going to be exposed anyway, she might as well shape the story in her favor.
Besides, Rune is there. Til must’ve already gotten the message. If I don’t send in an article, he’ll never stay quiet.
No choice. Write.
Aisha grabbed the pen with determination. Killian watched her calmly—his face fresh, almost cheerful.
That night, Killian finally rose from his work. It was nearly 11:30 p.m.
What a terrible man.
He hadn’t taken a single break, and Aisha had been suffering from the tension all day.
“Today I finished fairly early.”
Early? Really?
Killian walked over to her desk and held out his hand.
“…Huh?”
“Hand it over. The article.”
“….”
“Wouldn’t I want to check it first? What if you wrote more lies about me? And anyway, I gave you the topic this time.”
Damn him.
But she had no choice but to hand it over.
Killian read the papers slowly, carefully.
Soon, his face twisted in disbelief.
“…‘The flower of the Ashton family, Aisha Ashton, was always graceful and noble. This, we believe, is what captured the Duke’s heart.’ Really?”
Aisha gave a weak smile.
If I knew he’d read it so closely, I wouldn’t have exaggerated so much.
Killian kept reading.
“…‘We also learned the Duke assigned his knights to protect her safety.’ When did I ever say such nonsense?”
“What else could I do? I might get stoned to death otherwise.”
“……”
“It’s just a figure of speech! This way, at least no one will openly attack me.”
Killian laughed in disbelief and set the papers down.
Still, he noticed—the article focused more on Aisha than on him. For once, she had sold herself more than him. Truly, she was unbelievable.
“This really is a crazy magazine.”
“Oh my, what an offensive word from the noble Duke Killian. That’s not very aristocratic of you.”
“I wasn’t joking.”
“…What?”
“Anyway.”
Wait. Did he just call me insane? Aisha’s forehead throbbed.
“From now on, all your articles will be checked by me before release. And…”
Killian hesitated, rubbing his chin. His expression turned slightly strange.
“…After reading all the past issues, it’s hard to believe you gathered all that information alone.”
“…What?”
“Do you have helpers?”
Aisha froze.
Did he already suspect Rune? Was he testing her?
No. She could never admit that.
She remembered Til’s warning from the beginning.
“Now that you’re connected to Rune, you must follow our rule. Never reveal anything about Rune. Especially not about me. If you break this rule… well, you already know how such things usually end.”
They’ll kill me. Without hesitation.
Killian’s voice cut through her fear.
“Answer me, Aisha Ashton.”
