YPDM 18

chapter 18

His attitude was nothing short of respectful, yet his dry voice betrayed no emotion.

“Butler.”

Fortunately, I could guess who the man was from his outfit.

‘Did he perhaps see me?’

My heart pounded, but I tried hard not to show it and opened my mouth.

“What business do you have with me?”

Still expressionless, he replied politely in a stiff voice.

“The master has summoned you, my lady.”

I could more or less guess why Viscount Brien was calling me.

‘Did Lennox already contact him?’

Regardless of my dislike for the Viscount, his approval was necessary if I wanted to marry Lennox.

I wasn’t too worried.

If it were a marriage with the Duke of Cravant, the Viscount would welcome it with open arms.

That’s what I thought, anyway.

“You summoned me.”

What greeted me was the Viscount’s furious shout.

“Olavia Brien!”

The Viscount slammed the desk with a thud. His tightly clenched fist trembled violently.

A thick vein bulged on his forehead.

‘What the hell is this about now?’

I had no idea why the Viscount was suddenly so enraged at me.

“Could you start by explaining what this is about?”

“You’re going to marry Lennox Cravant? Who gave you permission to do that?!”

“Isn’t the Cravant family a perfect match for us? I don’t understand why you’re so angry.”

“Hm?”

The Viscount tilted his head at my words, then slowly nodded.

“I see… Yes, you’re right.”

‘What?’

His attitude changed instantly, like flipping a switch.

“You’re right. A marriage with Duke Cravant—it’s something to celebrate! Of course it is!”

Just as I thought something was off and looked at him—

‘…!’

The Viscount suddenly started shaking his head violently.

“No, no, no, no.”

His eyes had rolled halfway back into his head.

The whites of his eyes were practically all I could see—it was chilling.

‘What is this…?’

Still trembling, he twisted his neck back and forth in jerky movements.

“No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!”

His grotesquely contorted face, the oddly glossy eyes, the disturbingly twisted lips—

This was dangerous.

A gut instinct told me I shouldn’t be here with him.

‘He’s not in his right mind.’

I instinctively began to step back, trying to get away from him.

At that moment, the Viscount froze completely.

The whites in his eyes returned to their proper place as he stared straight at me.

A shiver ran down my spine.

“Lennox Cravant is not allowed!”

The Viscount’s face twisted with rage as he lunged toward me.

‘He’s lost it!’

Just before his large hand could grab my shoulder, I quickly ducked out of the way.

He crashed into the table and fell over.

“Urgh!”

The table overturned, and a loud crash filled the room as dishes and objects shattered.

He groaned, clutching his forehead.

“Ugh…ugh…”

I didn’t bother to check further. I bolted toward the door.

‘I have to get out of here.’

The Viscount clearly wasn’t in his right mind. Staying here would only end badly.

I could figure out the rest after I got to my room…

“Ugh…”

Damn it. I was so close.

I stopped just short of the door handle, my hand nearly there, and turned back.

I couldn’t just leave an injured person behind.

What if he died while I was gone?

So this was purely for my own peace of mind.

“Excuse me, are you all right?”

It looked like he’d hit his head.

When I carefully pulled away the hand clutching his head, a large swelling was visible.

At least there was no blood. That was a relief.

“I’ll call someone. Just stay still—if it’s a concussion, you shouldn’t move carelessly.”

Whether it was a butler or a servant, things could be sorted once help came. I was just about to stand up when—

“Olavia?”

The Viscount was suddenly looking up at me.

“Why are you here?”

He seemed genuinely surprised, one hand holding his head.

“What brought you to see me?”

“…You summoned me.”

“I did?”

He blinked in confusion. He clearly didn’t remember.

‘Don’t tell me he actually forgot?’

“Ugh…”

He groaned as he slowly tried to sit up.

I hesitated for a moment before helping him to the floor.

He winced in pain, massaging his temple, then shook his head roughly.

As if he really had amnesia.

“What on earth happened? The room is a disaster.”

He looked around at the broken mess on the floor and finally spoke.

‘I don’t think he’s lying…’

For someone who had just lunged at me like a madman, his demeanor was eerily calm.

“You really don’t remember?”

“No. I remember coming into the study and looking through documents… but it feels like I was possessed by a ghost.”

His eyes were sincere, but I decided to tread carefully.

Just thinking about how his eyes had rolled back seconds ago made my neck go cold.

“What were we talking about?”

I looked at him silently.

‘What if I tell him and he snaps again?’

After witnessing such a grotesque scene, I wasn’t sure whether to speak or not.

‘But this is something that has to be settled eventually. It’s a good marriage, even from his perspective.’

I swallowed hard and made up my mind.

“My marriage.”

“Marriage?”

He looked puzzled at first, then nodded as if he understood.

“Don’t worry. I’ll find you a good match soon. It’s unfortunate the arrangement with the Marquess of Bellot fell through, but—”

“It’s fine. I’ve found a better match.”

His eyes widened.

Then the questions came pouring out.

“R-Really? You did? Since when? No—first, I need to know who the man is—”

Just then—

“Viscount Brien.”

A low, deep voice, like a cavern’s echo, cut through the air.

“Pleased to meet you.”

A breeze blew in from somewhere, ruffling my skirt.

‘Ah…’

As I instinctively turned my head, I saw the door wide open, a dim hallway lit faintly by flickering lamplight.

“We meet again.”

There, standing unmistakably in the doorway—

“Olavia.”

He gazed at me silently for a moment before taking a slow step forward.

His approaching footsteps were crisp in the silence, but I couldn’t move.

He stopped only once he reached the threshold.

Standing in the delicate boundary between light and shadow, half of his beautiful face emerged into view—so stunning it made my heart drop.

Gasp—

The Viscount audibly sucked in his breath at the unexpected visitor.

“I believe you know who I am by now.”

The room had gone deathly silent.

“Since this is our formal introduction, allow me to say it again.”

His voice was gentle.

But his arrogant gaze, relaxed posture, and lazy smile were those of a natural-born ruler.

“I am Lennox Cravant.”

I barely managed to move my lips.

“Your Grace, Your Highness.”

But my voice broke in places, following the violent beating of my heart. I was clearly shaken.

That’s how unexpected Lennox’s appearance was.

“How did you…?”

My question, clumsily revealing my inner turmoil, remained unfinished—swallowed back down my throat.

But Lennox seemed to understand anyway and gave a small nod.

“I came to see you.”

“You came to see me?”

At this hour? Without any notice?

Maybe he noticed my disbelief, because he chuckled softly.

His cold features relaxed into a breathtaking smile.

This man definitely knew how dazzling his smile was.

And he clearly knew how to wield that charm like a weapon.

His beautifully curved lips opened again.

“Why are you so surprised? It’s not like I’m somewhere I shouldn’t be.”

As I stood frozen, dumbfounded, I finally snapped out of it.

Get it together. Even in a tiger’s den, you survive if you keep your wits.

In this case, it was more like the tiger had invaded the rabbit’s burrow—but still.

“Do you have some urgent business?”

“Do I need a reason to see you?”

Excuse me, Your Grace. You came barging into someone’s house without an appointment and say it like I’m the one at fault?

Regardless, I needed to take control of this situation.

Especially with the Viscount frozen like an ice sculpture, eyes wide in shock.

“It’s quite late. How about we continue this tomorrow?”

But I had overlooked something important.

When a man like Lennox, who could easily sneak in without being seen, showed up like this—

“Oh dear.”

—it meant he had come with full intent and preparation.

“To treat your one and only lover so coldly… my fiancée, you wound me.”