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Chapter 06
“I Absolutely Hate Hide-and-Seek”
After placing the white handkerchief into his chest pocket, Julian’s dignified footsteps moved toward the bookshelf.
“Just as I thought.”
The Grand Duke muttered quietly as his red gaze scanned the small portraits placed among the shelves.
His eyes suddenly stopped on one frame.
Inside the delicate frame were Bonte, Tiana, and Matilda smiling together.
Julian stared at it for a long moment, then bit down on his lower lip.
“Seal it.”
“Pardon, Your Grace?”
“All of it.”
Crash!
The frame fell to the floor with a sharp, ringing sound.
Crack.
He stepped on the shattered glass with his black boot and spoke coldly.
“Not even an ant should be able to leave until she is found.”
Tiana stared at the crushed glass in shock, unable to close her mouth.
Those crimson eyes looked as if they could tear her throat out at any moment.
His perfectly composed lips twisted slightly as a chilling voice fell.
“I really do hate hide-and-seek.”
Daphne could only think that she was lucky to be alive.
Old wooden crates and piles of hay surrounded her.
Even if she had fallen down the stairs, she would have survived—so this much was nothing, she told herself.
But pain spread through her entire body.
She clenched her trembling fingers, trying to steady herself, but her strength quickly faded.
She forced her aching body out from between the crates and hay.
“Maybe the door is still open.”
She remembered the sound of hurried footsteps as someone ran out in panic.
With Mary’s personality, there was no way she would have carefully locked the door.
Daphne limped toward the faint light ahead.
“Aah!”
Far away, a faint glow appeared.
The path leading up to the surface, where the sunset sky could be seen.
She quickened her pace.
When she finally reached the heavy wooden door—
“Lady Daphne.”
A familiar, unwanted voice froze her in place.
Her hopeful expression collapsed instantly.
The man standing before the door looked down at her, his shadow swallowing her whole.
“Do you really think you can break off our engagement?”
It was Robert, his blue eyes flashing sharply.
“Why are you here?”
“Does that matter?”
He descended the stairs step by step, his gaze cutting like a blade.
Daphne, bruised all over, gritted her teeth.
“You were the one who closed the window earlier, weren’t you?”
“I don’t care.”
Robert had been irritated by this woman’s defiant gaze since the banquet.
Mocking whispers echoed in his memory.
“Lady Daphne, congratulations on finally having a lover. I don’t care if you become another man’s mistress.”
“If that’s the case, why don’t you make a mistress of your own?”
Daphne had heard similar words from him in her past life as well.
Robert’s lips curled into a sneer.
“Bastard,” she thought.
He was less merciful than any demon from hell.
She bit her lip hard, holding back her rage. She had to get out first.
“But you will marry me.”
His blue eyes burned with anger.
“I’ll even allow you to keep a lover after we marry.”
He grabbed her shoulder tightly.
The pressure was so strong it felt like her bones might break.
“This is all under the assumption that we are married.”
“I refuse. Even if I die, I will never marry you.”
“Then stay here a little longer—for both our sakes.”
He shoved her aside and turned away.
Daphne grabbed his leg as he passed.
“Ugh!”
Thud!
Robert lost his balance and hit the stairs with a groan.
“You think you’ll get away with this?”
“What are you talking about?”
Ignoring the pain in his voice, Daphne stomped on his hand.
“Ugh!”
She followed up by pressing down on his back.
“This is attempted murder, you know.”
She used his own words against him.
She ran toward the light again.
But Robert blocked her path at the top.
“You think I’ll give up over something like this?”
He grabbed the door handle and slowly closed it.
Daphne reached out desperately.
“You’re having an affair with Tiana.”
His eyes wavered.
“Do you think Matilda will let you live if this gets out?”
Robert’s expression hardened.
“No one would believe a lady like you.”
But Daphne continued calmly.
“At the banquet—Tiana’s necklace. It wasn’t pink, was it?”
“….”
“The letter and necklace you sent her. Who do you think has them?”
His eyes wavered again.
“If I use your affair as grounds for annulment, Matilda will kill you too.”
Robert finally spoke coldly.
“If you disappear, everything will be resolved.”
He shoved her away.
“If I imprison you here and proceed with the marriage quickly, it will be over.”
Clang!
The door shut, cutting off the light.
Daphne collapsed in despair.
“Open this door! Open it!”
Bang! Bang! Bang!
“Please…!”
Her voice broke.
Then—
Sniff.
A burning smell filled the air.
Flames were rising.
“No… I have to survive this time.”
She climbed back up and slammed the door again.
“Ludwig! Open the door!”
Bang! Bang!
Her strength began to fade.
Bang!
Her final blow slipped off the door.
“Someone… please help me…”
Her legs gave out.
And then—
BOOM!
A deafening explosion came from the other side of the door.
This time, it was not her doing.
