115

“Did you have a dream you want to talk about?”

Marguerite’s unexpected question broke the silence.

“Huh?”

I blinked, taken aback by her sudden suggestion.

Marguerite leaned in, her voice soft and full of concern.

“They say that sharing your bad dreams with someone can help ease your heart. Wouldn’t it be better if you talked about it?”

“I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine.”

I replied, trying to dismiss the conversation.

Marguerite pouted, her lips forming a slight frown.

“Elze, I feel like you’re keeping me at a distance. I really want us to be closer.”

Then, without warning, her expression shifted into a curious smile.

“Or… do you perhaps dislike me?”

“…”

A strange pressure radiated from her, almost as if she were demanding an answer.

I felt cornered.

‘What should I do?’

As my mind raced for a response, Marguerite’s attention suddenly shifted behind me.

“Oh?”

Her wide eyes sparkled as she exclaimed.

“Benedict!”

She stood abruptly and hurried toward the man approaching us.

Turning around, I saw Benedict walking toward us, his face weary from exhaustion.

“…Count Luneburg.”

I greeted softly.

“Ah, Lady Lepherian.”

A complicated expression crossed Benedict’s face—an unsettling mix of regret and resentment.

I felt a wave of confusion wash over me.

‘Why is he looking at me like that?’

It felt strange that this cold-hearted merchant had personally come to rescue me with Lucian. After all, there was no benefit for him in helping me. If anything, getting involved might cause trouble with Dante, or worse…

Marguerite quickly asked Benedict.

“So, did you manage to shake off the Marquis?”

“More or less. Surprisingly, the chase didn’t get too intense,” Benedict replied, exchanging a few words with her before walking toward me.

“Why are you sitting out here in the cold?”

He asked, his tone slightly scolding.

Without waiting for a reply, he took off his coat and placed it over my shoulders.

The warmth from his coat spread across my body, and it was only then I realized just how cold I had been.

“I’m fine.”

I said hastily, trying to return the coat to him.

I didn’t want to take advantage of his kindness, especially when Marguerite, the heroine of this world, was standing right beside us.

It felt strange to accept his care in front of her.

However, Marguerite didn’t seem bothered at all.

If anything…

‘Why does she look so amused?’

Marguerite’s expression was one of mild curiosity as she alternated her gaze between Benedict and me.

‘Am I just being overly sensitive?’

Maybe she was simply happy that Benedict had returned safely.

“Well then, I’ll go let the others know that Benedict has come back safely.”

Marguerite said, flashing a quick glance at us.

As she prepared to leave, she gave us a final reminder.

“It’s cold, so don’t stay out here too long, alright?”

“Thank you,”

Benedict nodded.

Marguerite smiled, her eyes crinkling as she offered a brief wave before disappearing toward the mansion.

We both watched her retreating figure in silence.

“…”

“…”

The air between us grew heavy, thick with an awkward quiet.

I didn’t have the courage to speak first, and Benedict seemed in no hurry to break the silence either.

He simply leaned back against the bench, closing his eyes, his exhaustion evident.

‘This is so awkward…’

Eventually, feeling like I had no choice, I spoke up, my voice cautious.

“How did you know the Marquis would be away today?”

I had braced myself to be ignored, but Benedict’s response was surprisingly quick, though irritated.

“Because I made it happen.”

Benedict? I blinked, caught off guard by his answer.

At that moment, Benedict’s eyes flew open, fixing on me with a sharp gaze. His normally composed, intelligent violet eyes now glinted with deep resentment.

“So, did it feel good for you, my lady?”

“Pardon?”

“When you hit me over the head and ran off by yourself.”

“…”

I pressed my lips together in silence. Perhaps, from Benedict’s perspective, it might have felt unfair. He had wasted time and effort on me in the end. But I had paid him well, more than enough to compensate for his time—time that was considered among the most valuable in the empire.

‘Then why?’

Why was he looking at me with such bitterness?

“Why did you come to rescue me, Count?”

I asked carefully, trying to avoid sounding accusatory.

“Our deal was already finished, wasn’t it?”

“I don’t know.”

His response was sharp.

Don’t know? I blinked in confusion.

And then, all at once, Benedict exploded with anger.

“I said, I don’t know, damn it!”

“…”

I was at a loss for words. It was the first time I had seen him lose his composure like this.

“I don’t know why I saved you! All I’ve done is put myself at odds with the Offenheir Marquis! Why did I even bother…?”

His voice, which had been full of fury, faltered. Gritting his teeth, Benedict muttered quietly through clenched jaws.

“…I just couldn’t stand it.”

I stared at him, bewildered.

Benedict’s expression twisted slowly, like a sandcastle crumbling under the waves.

“The thought of you in that Marquis’s hands—just that thought made me lose it.”

“…”

“Yes, that’s why I saved you. Is that so strange?”

Benedict snapped, standing up abruptly, as though he couldn’t bear to look at me any longer.

After a brief pause, he spoke again, more subdued.

“…You should go back inside. It’s cold.”

“Count.”

I called out to him carefully, but Benedict ignored me, walking away as if fleeing from the conversation.

“…”

I bit my lower lip, unable to tear my eyes away from his retreating figure.

* * *

“So, you’re saying both Kalleid and Luneburg worked together to help her escape?”

Dante drawled lazily as he questioned Liam.

“Quite the extravagant getaway.”

Dante chuckled darkly to himself.

“Ah, I didn’t expect them to outplay me like this.”

“…Marquis.”

“To think that snake, Count Luneburg, would use the Latrang merchant group.”

But the amusement was short-lived. Dante’s smile disappeared, his expression hardening, cold as ice.

“But tell me, that silver-haired woman—Marguerite, wasn’t it?”

His red eyes narrowed.

“I heard she managed to stop Kalleid’s rampage.”

“Yes, according to the testimony of the men who were there.”

Liam responded, straightening up.

“It seems to be true.”

“…So, the Count and the Duke are willing to protect her that fiercely.”

Dante frowned.

He had heard of Marguerite before. Of course, he had—during the three years Elze had been gone, both Benedict and Lucian had spent their time with her. Anyone paying attention to Kalleid and Luneburg would know that much.

But Dante had never liked her.

“…She’s an unpleasant woman.”

With her refined beauty and silver hair flowing like a waterfall, Marguerite reminded him, in some way, of his mother.

And Dante found that deeply unsettling.

Moreover…

“Hey, Liam.”

Dante cast a glance at Liam, his expression thoughtful.

“Don’t you think both the Count and the Duke have changed dramatically since that woman came into the picture?”

Liam’s eyes widened.

“Isn’t that strange? The Benedict I knew was a cunning bastard who always looked out for his own gain,” Dante said, shrugging. “But now, he’s attacking me recklessly, without a second thought.”

“…”

“He’s not the type to pick a fight with Offenheir unless it’s in his best interest.”

Liam pondered for a moment before nodding slowly.

“It does seem like there’s been a shift… but I’m not sure if it’s directly related to that woman.”

“Well, whether they’ve lost their minds has nothing to do with me.” Dante murmured, his face dark with irritation.

“But interfering with my plans—now that’s a problem.”