PVMC 15

Chapter 15

Sometimes he really does catch me off guard.

Judging by his personality, it was hard to imagine how he could ever become a villain—but the things he occasionally let slip made it painfully clear that this kid really was budding final-boss material.

He must have learned it from those bastards. If he’d grown up in that kind of environment from birth, then naturally the things he saw and learned would have been nothing but rotten.

Education really is important.

It would’ve been even better if I’d met him before he was sent to the slave market…

No—never mind.

Meeting him now was already something.

I’d met him before he went to Frombel, so there was still a chance. If he started receiving a proper education and lived a stable life from now on, things would definitely improve. Besides, his innate personality was gentle enough.

At least he wasn’t someone sly and conniving from birth like Xavier. That alone was a blessing. If he’d stayed there any longer, he might have ended up completely tainted.

“Mathias.”

“Yeah.”

Mathias answered obediently and glanced sideways at the hand resting on his head. Feeling his gaze, I flinched.

“Ah, sorry. Was that uncomfortable?”

“No.”

Mathias shook his head. Still, I couldn’t help worrying.

“You’re really okay?”

He’d been abused for such a long time. He’d said he was fine before too, but trauma had a way of resurfacing suddenly.

Just in case, I started to pull my hand away—

But Mathias quickly grabbed onto the warmth.

Startled by the sudden movement, I twitched. He placed my hand back on his head and lowered his gaze.

Beneath his long, densely woven lashes, his red eyes settled into a calm, relaxed look.

“I like this.”

Mathias rubbed his head against my palm.

As if it were too precious to lose. As if he desperately wanted to keep it. He clung to my hand.

His loosened lips soon curved into a satisfied smile.

His intelligent eyes narrowed softly. His slender body, hidden beneath his shirt, leaned heavily toward me. The sofa sank under the added weight.

“Pet me more.”

He murmured quietly.

Sophia covered her mouth in silence.

Y-you little demon.

His ability to charm people was no joke.

.

.

.

Of course, they say everyone feels things similarly—and I was no exception in sensing danger.

…That was close.

I almost completely fell for it.

Recalling how he’d clung to me earlier, I cleared my throat awkwardly.

Really, a pretty face was more terrifying than brute force. When someone that good-looking asked to be petted, there was just no way to resist.

So this must be how a tyrant with a beauty capable of toppling nations feels…

No wonder everyone lost their minds over honey traps. I fully understood their weakness now as I roughly dried my wet hair with a towel.

Right after having dinner with Mathias, I finished showering and headed straight back to my study.

I need to send it quickly.

One week remained. Within that time, I had to persuade Lady Odilon and go deal with Xavier.

To do that, contacting her as soon as possible came first.

I pulled the prepared stationery toward me and lifted my pen.

<Dear Lady Odilon,>

After starting with a brief introduction, I grinned.

You’re done for.

Early morning.

A maid who had just received a letter from the postman hurried along.

The moment she entered the main building, she climbed the stairs and headed straight for the drawing room where the lady of the house would be.

It was a time when most people wouldn’t even be awake yet, but the lady rarely slept much. By now, she would surely be reading the newspaper with a cup of warm coffee.

“Madam. It’s Lily.”

After steadying her breath, the maid carefully opened the door.

Sure enough—

The lady, already freshly washed, sat elegantly reading the newspaper.

The maid bowed her head politely and approached with quick, small steps.

“What is it?”

The lady asked without taking her eyes off the paper. The maid slowly placed the letter on the round table, then took out a gold coin she had received earlier and set it beside it.

“A letter just arrived.”

“A letter?”

Lady Odilon lifted her gaze from the newspaper. Scanning the table with curious eyes, she raised one eyebrow slightly.

A letter and a gold coin.

It was a sort of request to deliver the letter quickly—but not just anyone could do this. It applied only to letters bearing the seal of a house head.

This letter also bore such a seal, which was why the maid had rushed to find her mistress.

Folding the newspaper, Lady Odilon reached for the table.

The maid, sensing the moment, took the paper from her and handed over a paper knife that had been resting on the table.

“No message besides the coin?”

“No, madam. There were no other instructions.”

“I see. You may go.”

The maid bowed deeply.

Click—
As the door closed, Lady Odilon examined the letter.

A white deer, adorned with a laurel wreath.

“…Hmm?”

She tilted her head, a place naturally coming to mind.

There was only one house that would use a white deer as its seal.

But after the dispute over the engagement, it had been a very long time since they had sent a letter first.

Besides, hadn’t the count and countess passed away recently?

If so, there was only one person who could use the family head’s seal now—the young lady of Renesti, who had once nearly become her son’s fiancée.

But why would that young lady send her a letter? Unable to understand, Lady Odilon opened it more quickly.

And the moment she read the contents—

“……”

Her expression darkened.

Her eyes darted left and right as she skimmed through the lines. After reading it rapidly, she reflexively grabbed the bell nearby.

“You called for me, madam.”

“Prepare some writing paper immediately.”

<The matter currently giving you the biggest headache—I can resolve it for you.>

<Of course, without damaging your honor in the slightest.>

She didn’t know what reason there was for writing such a letter, but—

How dare she send me something like this.

She would have to see that impudent face for herself.

“Miss! Miss!”

Just past noon.

Sophia burst into the dining room, where lunch was in full swing, and drew in a sharp breath.

I, who had been eating with Mathias, paused with a small tomato halfway to my mouth.

Hurrying over, Sophia held out a letter.

The letter she had just received from the postman was wrapped in an elegant green envelope.

Instinctively realizing what it was, I set down my fork.

I quickly took the letter and examined the seal.

A hawk with its wings fully spread.

Odilon.

After confirming the sender, I smiled in satisfaction. Just as I’d expected.

She replied faster than I thought.

I’d sent it in a hurry last night, so it should’ve arrived by dawn at the latest. If it came back within just a few hours, it meant Lady Odilon had sent her own messenger.

Well, it was about her husband, after all. Of course it would be an enticing proposal.

I hastily broke the seal and unfolded the letter.

Neat handwriting befitting her usual character caught my eye. The contents were brief and to the point.

After reading through her position, I slowly parted my lips.

“Sophia.”

“Yes, miss!”

“Prepare to go out immediately.”

I set the letter down quickly.

“There’s somewhere I need to go—urgently.”

“!”

Sophia’s eyes widened, then she nodded with a determined expression.

At that moment, Mathias, who had been eating with us, rolled his eyes thoughtfully.

He glanced at the letter, narrowing his gaze.