CATBP~10

Chapter  10

Inside the office.

After Helen left, Lucas sat on the sofa with his arms crossed, staring intently at the marriage registration form bearing her signature.

Oh, come on. I’d never expect such a thing from you, Your Grace, so don’t worry!

I just hope we can part ways whenever we want.

The moment he heard those words, Lucas was unsettled by his own displeasure at them.

That was precisely why he had avoided her until now.

But ignoring her would solve nothing anymore.

Lucas recalled the report on “Helen” that he’d received after seeing her for the second time.

It detailed her unknown origins, how she came to the estate, and what she had done so far.

Unidentified identity. Coincidentally, she had lost her memory, and even her name had been given to her by his niece. And the report made it clear that Fey especially followed her around.

“This is the first time.”

Many had approached Fey simply because she was the young successor of Igaluk, but Fey had never acted the way they wanted.

Yet Fey was experiencing her strange symptoms and clinging to someone like a baby bird for the first time—because of Helen.

That was why Lucas realized what these strange symptoms within himself meant.

“It must be that she’s dared to use some kind of trick not only on me but on Fey as well.”

He thought back to the unusual feelings he’d experienced and brushed his fingers over Helen’s signature.

When he didn’t see her, he kept thinking of her and wanting to. When she was in front of him, he wanted to stay closer. When he heard she was unwell, he became angry at her frail body—simply because she had slept with the window open one night.

If Fey was feeling the same, it was no wonder she clung to Helen.

“Fey is still young, so she probably hasn’t even realized the strangeness.”

But Lucas was an adult, and as a divine beast, his power was far stronger—so much so that Fey’s own mother, his half-sister, had once been jealous.

So he wasn’t completely helpless against such vile sorcery—he could at least be wary of it.

“If it’s this flawless, then it’s more likely mind-control magic than a curse.”

There were many types of curses and mind-controlling spells, but they had things in common.

First, they were always malicious. Second, they were insidious, leaving traces not only on the victim but also on the caster.

Since those traces couldn’t be hidden, users of dark magic often acted like harmless people, disguising themselves so that no one would ever suspect them.

The veins on the back of Lucas’s hand bulged as his grip tightened, crumpling the marriage registration form.

He wanted to behead her immediately, but doing so might harm Fey, who was now completely enthralled.

“It’s better to play along with her wishes for now—to lull her into thinking she can no longer use Fey for her schemes.”

Once he reached the capital and broke this vile enchantment—

That would be the end of her.

Lucas’s golden eyes gleamed sharply.

The very next day, the news that Helen had become the duchess spread throughout the villa.

Since the duke had personally ordered it announced, it was no wonder the news traveled swiftly, like wings sprouting on it.

Everyone was shocked. Whenever two or more servants met, they whispered about it. And with each whisper, new rumors spread.

For example, that Helen often went to the duke’s office.

Or that in the morning, someone had seen the duke gazing up at the lady’s chambers from the garden.

Stories like that.

Bell entered a certain room.

All the furniture was of the highest quality, the curtains and bedding crimson. The lavish décor had been tailored to its former occupant’s taste.

The villa’s maids cleaned daily, so not a speck of dust lay there.

But there was no warmth of human presence.

“My lady…”

Her mistress—who had vanished so cruelly. In spring, the former duchess, Fey’s mother, had always stayed here.

Bell’s brown eyes glistened with longing.

But now wasn’t the time to dwell on the past.

“My lady. Lord Lucas has taken a wife. He’s broken his vow never to marry!”

Bell’s voice was slowly steeped in anger.

She wanted to storm to him right now and demand an explanation.

“Wasn’t that vow made for the young master’s sake? So that he could pass the ducal title down to him!”

She had always known, deep down, that this vow might one day be broken.

The nobility, and Lucas’s own people, had always wanted him to marry.

But hearing the news earlier than expected twisted Bell’s insides.

And worse—the new duchess was Helen.

The woman who always smiled so brightly in front of the young master.

Yet her approach had always hidden sinister intent.

“My instincts were right.”

There had always been a reason she found Helen so unsettling.

“If those two ever had a child…”

If Helen bore a child, the young master’s life would surely be endangered.

Or perhaps even before that, he might already be at risk.

Bell bit her nail until it cracked.

“My poor young master.”

Thinking of the child, betrayed by those he trusted most, Bell rose again.

“But do not worry. This nanny will protect you—always.”

In her late mistress’s stead.

Resolute determination glimmered in her clenched fist.

Her gaze landed on a golden jewelry box.

Inside, it held a collection of yellow-hued gems.

They sparkled brilliantly in the light.

“Yes. With this…”

Bell’s lips curved into a chilling smile.

“Thank you for your hard work today, my lady.”

A man with chestnut hair neatly tied back greeted me politely.

He was Dion, the duke’s attendant.

Unlike Gregor, Dion was not a character who appeared in The Secret Night.

“Thank you, Dion. Thanks to you, I’m learning quickly.”

“Not at all. In fact, you’re such a fast learner that it’s a pleasure to teach you.”

From the very first day, he never held back on praise.

And unlike the other ducal retainers, he alone treated me with open kindness.

“Because of you, my shoulders feel a little broader with pride.”

“Haha. By the way, my lady, have you not been visiting the duke lately?”

“Ah… I’ve just had so much to do these days.”

Between fangirling over my favorite and studying what I had to learn, there wasn’t enough time.

“He may not show it, but I’m sure His Grace wishes to see you.”

“Eh. I doubt that.”

Unless, of course, he secretly enjoyed it when I wasn’t around.

“…Pardon?”

“I mean, I’ll have to visit him soon. That’s what I said.”

“…I see.”

“Anyway, Dion, did you change your perfume?”

“Yes, I grew tired of the old one. You’re the first to notice right away, my lady. As expected…”

And then came more of Dion’s endless compliments.

“Good. He bought it.”

My lie and topic shift had worked.

Still, I really did plan to visit Lucas soon.

Staying close to Fey and the duke was only the first step.

The second was to slowly smoothen my relationship with the duke.

“And I already know exactly how.”

I grinned, glancing in the direction of his office, where my favorite’s guardian would be.

But before that, there was something else I needed.

And that was—

Fangirling!

There’s a saying: even Mount Geumgang must be seen after a meal.

Following the wisdom of the ancestors, I ran straight to my favorite’s room.

“Fey, I’m here!”

“Auntie’s here?”

“Ghhhk!”

…Auntie, he said.

Struck by my favorite’s “auntie attack,” I fell to my knees.

“Auntie? What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

“Mm. Yeah, a little.”

“Gasp! Where?”

“My heart…”

Because you just broke it.

“Should I call the doctor?!”

Panicked, Fey tried to rush outside to fetch one.

“No, no doctor needed. Just blow on it for me.”

“Okay! I’ll blow—hoo~!”

And with that, my favorite’s “hoo~” healed me completely.

A cure-all indeed…

“Helen, your nose is bleeding.”

“Ah. But my heart’s fine now.”

I pressed a handkerchief to my nose and gave him a thumbs-up.

Just then came a knock, followed by Bell’s voice.

“Young master, pardon the intrusion.”

She entered, bowing low before lifting her head.

The moment her gaze landed on me, her nose twitched, and I flinched.

It wasn’t my imagination—her stare carried sharp hostility.

Fey quickly stepped in front of me, as if to shield me.

Though his small body couldn’t block Bell’s figure, it gave me just enough time to compose myself with a smile.

“So, Bell. What’s with the jewelry box?”

“This belonged to the late duchess, the young master’s mother. I thought the young master might like to see it.”

…His mother?!

My eyes widened.