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~Chapter 18~
Killian’s eyes shone dangerously.
To say she wasn’t afraid would be a lie. Aisha knew exactly what kind of man he was.
But—
“No. I can’t.”
Rune wasn’t normal either. Killian might not kill her right now, but if she ever revealed Rune’s secret, who knew how they would react?
“I can’t get caught.”
Besides, Killian didn’t have any real proof she was connected to Rune.
“You… you saw them too, didn’t you? The kids on the street who handed out flyers.”
Aisha made her choice. She decided to use the safest tactic she had—skills she’d honed as a reporter.
“My little brother Leoric and those kids helped with editing and publishing. Information came from scattered sources here and there. But I can’t reveal who they are. A reporter’s first duty is to protect sources. They only know me as a Sunday Exposé reporter, not as Aisha Ashton. Still, they trusted me enough to help. How could I betray that?”
She rattled off her explanation like she was reading a memorized script, giving him no time to think.
“And Rune? That dark guild? I don’t even know why you’d suspect me of being connected to them. I hate that kind of group. The only thing I know about Rune is the name itself!”
Feign ignorance.
“Honestly, Duke, this feels like a spy movie. Why would Rune bother helping someone like me, just a count’s daughter? Maybe you’ve spent too long at war. You’ve become paranoid. That’s really concerning.”
And she added subtle gaslighting.
“Is it working?”
She glanced at Killian. But his expression didn’t change. His cold face gave away nothing.
Finally—
“…Is that so?”
He stared at her, arms crossed.
“Of course! Why would I lie, especially now that I’ve been dragged here with you?”
Aisha widened her eyes innocently as she spoke.
Killian almost laughed.
You’re lying. Right now.
He still remembered clearly—Aisha’s letter to Til.
She has no intention of admitting it yet.
It was a shame. Without torture, he had no way of forcing her to tell the truth. Unless she confessed, he would never hear her admit to Rune.
“…Fine.”
“…Huh?”
“Go back. Leave the article here.”
“…Yes.”
Aisha placed the article in the drawer. Killian gestured for her to leave. She hated how it felt like being treated like a dog, but she had no choice.
They walked down the long hall in silence. From the office to their bedrooms was quite a distance. The silence was so awkward, Aisha almost wished she was walking alone.
At last, they reached their rooms.
…Should I at least say goodnight? He is the man holding my life, after all.
“Better get used to the Winters family rules quickly.”
Killian broke the silence first.
“Unless you want rumors spreading that Aisha Ashton is nothing like the article described.”
That was all.
He slammed his door shut, leaving Aisha standing in the hallway with a dumbfounded face.
“Seriously. Rules, rules, rules.”
Was he haunted by some ghost that died from breaking rules? She muttered as she opened her door and collapsed onto her bed, exhausted.
“Not even during my exams did I have it this bad.”
All day, no sleep, forced to sit at that tiny desk—“the thinking chair”—and write articles under Killian’s watchful eyes. Articles about him, no less.
It was maddening.
“Damn it.”
If only Leoric had booked an earlier ship! She wouldn’t be suffering like this now. She once praised him as her greatest blessing, but now she cursed him bitterly.
“How long am I supposed to live like this? I’ll go crazy—”
She rambled to herself like a madwoman.
Then—
From the open terrace, she felt a presence.
“….”
Her face turned pale.
“Did I leave that door open?”
No. She had closed it after feeling the freezing winter wind.
So who opened it?
And what was that presence?
Just as Aisha debated whether to scream—
From beyond the terrace came a voice, mixed with laughter.
“Looking at your face, you seem close to death.”
“…Huh?”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look like that before.”
“…T-Til?”
Aisha froze, stunned.
There, sitting casually on the terrace railing—was Til.
