abcnovels
Chapter 55: Chapter 1, Episode 55
Chapter 55: Chapter 1, Episode 55
Chapter 55: Chapter 1, Episode 55
Translated by KaiesV
Edited by KaiesV
No one came after dark that day.
In a room without even moonlight, there was no way I could sleep in a catatonic state without knowing when someone might come. In addition to this, I was forced to expend my strength and energy caring for a woman who had nightmares when she was asleep and panicked when she woke up.
?It’s alright, it’s alright.?
How many times have I uttered the word?alright?in the past night?
?It’s alright, it’s definitely alright.?
I spin the words as if to the woman who is asleep with my hand in hers, and to myself.
At first, they were words I was spitting out to calm her panicked mind. It is strange because before I knew it, the words, which were supposed to be baseless, really made me feel as if I was doing okay. It was a successful self-suggestion in an unexpected place, even though the words were spoken to her.
The fear has not gone away. I even have the urge to cry out for someone to help me. But I can’t do that in front of this woman. I’m aware that I am her confidant. I promised to help her. I have no intention of going back on that promise.
I vowed to do so, so I can stay calm like this. Just as her heart now rests in me, my heart also rests in her.
Biting my lip tightly, I shift my gaze to the shriveled ring on my left ring finger. How great you are, Liam-kun, to be healed by that alone. When I thought of that, my biting lips loosened and the edges of my mouth lifted.
I love to be strong. I can’t stand to lose.
My body is tired, but I am desperately trying to muster up the energy I need. Until help arrives, I will make it through, protecting myself and even her body and mind. We have to do what we can to make that happen.
How much time has passed since then?
A long time has passed since the sun rose. The air of human activity could be felt from inside the quiet mansion. A short time later, the man with an eye patch appeared for the first time since last night.
?Yo. You guys seem to be getting along pretty well, don’t you??
The man with the eye patch who cleared his throat with snicker as soon as he saw us.
The man with the eye patch we saw under the sunlight was a young man, still in his twenties. Her left eye has a fresh scar that cannot be hidden even with an eye patch, and peeking out of her other eye is a deep sea-blue color. Although they are a beautiful color, there is no light in their eyes at all. The reason why I can’t shake off the creepiness toward the man, even though his expression is smiling, is because of these lightless eyes.
?…Thanks to you.?
But I’m not going to lose. I replied, smiling at him.
?I left you overnight in total darkness and thought you might be a little weakened but, kuku, you’re fine.?
?Oh, people rest better in the dark when they sleep, you know??
I wasn’t lying. But my scowl and the dark circles that must have formed under my eyes would have revealed that I hadn’t slept at all. But that’s okay.
?You are more brazen than you think, my lady-in-waiting.?
?I am honored by your compliments.?
?Are you just being stubborn, or do you have a lot of guts? Or is it because you’ve been through a certain amount of hell… which is it??
?Fufu, I’ll leave it to your imagination.?
It’s everything, you idiot.
?Do you really think I’d be offended by such an attitude??
Certainly my attitude would appear to be an attempt to offend the man. I’m not frightened, I’m not submissive, I’m provocative. But I’m sure even the man understands to some extent that this isn’t the case. In fact, the man doesn’t show the slightest sign of anger.
?But you like this type of woman, don’t you??
Yes, I am only trying to speak amicably.
?You want me to like you… huh.?
?Well, in a sense, yes.?
This man laughed and said he didn’t hate me for glaring at him. The roughnecks around him also laughed as they followed suit. I imagine that this man with the eye patch is the boss of the ruffians. That’s why I decided to take the gamble.
?I have a lot of questions, and I’d be happy to at least talk to you about them, wouldn’t you??
?Is that the spirit of probing??
?Definitely not. There is not much I can do to probe you, is there? Please forgive me for that.?
“You’re not that small in capacity, are you?” He smiled thinly. The way the man looked at me with a somewhat amused air convinced me that I had made the right decision.
There are villains who can easily kill people for reasons such as leisure or boredom. Fun is the best, and they hate boring things. On the contrary, there is a broken person who shows a bizarre obsession with things that interest him, and even if he knows they are poisonous, he will gulp them down with glee as long as he enjoys them.
I know only one such person close to me.
A person who would take the initiative to get his hands dirty if he found it interesting, even if it was something that people feared or loathed. And this man was very much like that person.
I am well aware that this is a dangerous gamble. The first barrier to our safe survival is absolutely to get this man’s attention.
?What’s in it for me? I mean, the market for these things is an equivalent exchange, right??
?Well, you say the strangest things. I only ask for an apology for scaring the ladies.?
It’s very selfish of me to say that he apologize for scaring us ladies.
?Besides, it’s up to you to get something out of me.?
But that level of bullishness is just right, isn’t it?
?What shall I doooo??
The voice of the man with the eye patch, who deliberately shows an air of distress, definitely contains a hint of amusement. My grip is good.
?But you know, Miss Lady-in-waiting. If you want me to like you, you know what the easiest way is??
The man with the eye patch smirked, grabbed my chin and forced me to look up. I brought my face so close to his that I could catch my breath.
?Try flirting with me and being my bitch, and I might accidentally divulge what you want to hear in bed, how’s that for a deal??
I don’t really mean what I say. I know he is just trying to test me, but a chill runs down my back and my legs almost cower. But don’t get upset. Don’t get angry. Don’t be frightened.
I must muster what little energy I have so that I won’t be noticed.
?Ohh, I guess I was wrong…?
I tilt my head slightly and put my hands on my cheeks as I cross my arms, showing this as deliberate and deliberate as the man did to me earlier.
?You would get tired of things that are so easy to get, wouldn’t you? I don’t think it’s fun, but do you enjoy it??
“Is that really it?” I wondered, mockingly and sincerely.
?…You’re interesting, huh.?
I was so happy to hear his words that I was gut-punched inside.
?I’ll take you for a ride. I don’t know what you have in mind, but it’ll be fun.?
You won’t regret it. It may be the beginning of hell for you, but rest assured that you will never be bored.
?I’m Rio. In case you’re wondering, I’m supposed to be the head of the group that’s here.?
It’s surprising that he introduced themselves to me.
?Thank you very much for your kindness. Would you like me to identify myself as well??
He called me?Miss Lady-in-waiting,?so I’m sure he had a good grasp of who I am, but I’m going to ask him in passing.
The man, who introduced himself as Rio, just looked at me with amusement.
I let out a big sigh inwardly at the sight of him. He was a real pain in the ass, though I had decided to attract his interest on my own volition.
I patted my dress with a loud clang and straightened my appearance.
?I am Marshallie Gracis, Imprisoned First Lady-in-waiting to the Queen.?
I didn’t say, “Please to make your acquaintance,” though. I blurted it out only in my chest and performed a perfect carte blanche.
Rio laughed at my performance, clearing his throat in satisfaction.