116.

Facing his master, Liam swallowed hard.

When they were still young.

When they had resolved to assassinate the boss of the organization that had abused them.

He had worn that same expression.

The kind that said he would achieve his goal, no matter what, even if it meant killing everyone who stood in his way…

“Anyway, I suppose we have to bring her back eventually…”

Liam straightened his shoulders, tense.

No matter how powerful the Marquisate of Offenheir was, going up against both Kalleid and Luneburg at the same time would be too much.

It would become a long and drawn-out war.

But then.

“For now, let’s give her some time.”

“…Marquis?”

At the completely unexpected words, Liam’s eyes widened in surprise as he looked at Dante.

But Dante seemed to have nothing more to say.

“You can leave now.”

“…”

Liam hesitated for a moment, but Dante was unusually calm and rational at that moment.

He’d be fine left alone like this.

“Rest well, Marquis.”

Liam gave a respectful bow before stepping out.

Click.

The door closed.

Dante pulled a cigarette from his case and lit it with a match.

Sss.

The end of the cigarette burned a bright red as it caught fire.

A moment later.

“…Hoo.”

As he exhaled a long breath, the thick smoke filled the room.

Dante stared blankly at the swirling smoke.

“Elze.”

He whispered softly.

The last look he saw on Elze’s face kept flashing in his mind.

That carefree gaze.

As if to say, “You mean nothing to me, you’re worthless in my life”…

Kalleid and Luneburg.

There were so many problems that needed to be dealt with.

…And yet.

In the end, all of his thoughts always circled back to Elze.

“This is pathetic.”

Dante shut his eyes tightly.

As if doing so might finally free him from the persistent image of Elze haunting his mind.

* * *

5. The True Owner of the Shoes

I cautiously peeked out, checking if anyone was walking through the hallway.

Then, I carefully stepped into the corridor.

I took great care to walk without making any noise.

Thanks to my efforts, I managed to leave the house without running into anyone.

“…Ha.”

Just as I let out a short sigh of relief.

“Greetings, Lady Lepherian.”

A polite voice greeted me.

I flinched and stiffened my shoulders, turning around.

A maid stood behind me, her face expressionless as she looked at me.

“Where are you headed?”

As if it was only natural, she asked about my destination.

I bit my lip.

“The backyard.”

“I see. Understood.”

The maid bowed again and stepped back.

But her gaze, sharp as a needle, continued to follow me.

I could feel it prickling my back, like being stabbed by tiny needles.

“…”

I resumed walking.

Lucian’s people were always extremely polite to me on the surface.

But just like a hidden needle in one’s pocket eventually piercing through, they couldn’t hide their sharp hostility.

Of course, I understood their position.

After all, it was because of me that Lucian was gravely injured.

So, knowing all too well that they had every reason to act that way, still…

‘What’s different?’

My chest tightened with unease.

Dante’s people treated me like I was invisible, following only his commands.

Lucian’s people openly watched me with cold, disdainful eyes.

I thought I had barely escaped Dante’s cage.

But now, it felt like I had simply entered a new one.

‘I need to stop thinking like this.’

The more I dwelled on these thoughts, the more depressed I became.

It was better to focus on more productive thoughts.

Like, perhaps, what Dante was thinking right now…

‘Come to think of it, it’s strange how Dante has been so quiet despite my escape.’

I had been sure he would come chasing after me in a rage.

‘Could it be… that he’s considering my feelings?’

The thought crossed my mind involuntarily, and I let out a short, bitter laugh.

‘As if.’

And right then.

“Lady Lepherian.”

Someone blocked my way as I was about to slip into the backyard.

I looked up.

It was a familiar face.

“Sir Mason.”

He was the knight Lucian had assigned to guard me.

He was known as one of the most skilled knights in the Duke of Kalleid’s household, and had once been Lucian’s personal guard.

And now, this knight had to follow me around as my escort.

He must have felt as if he had been demoted.

Maybe that’s why Sir Mason disliked me so much.

“Please go back inside.”

Just the fact that he was blocking my way like this said it all.

I responded as gently as I could.

“I was only going for a walk. I’ve been feeling a bit stifled.”

In truth, Sir Mason’s actions were a bit over the top.

Lucian had given me permission to move freely within the mansion.

And the mansion included the attached garden.

After hearing my answer, Sir Mason stared at me with clear dissatisfaction for a long moment.

‘How dare someone like you talk back to me?’

That unspoken sentiment was obvious in his gaze.

After a pause, Sir Mason spoke in a cold, indifferent tone.

“Wouldn’t it be better for you to stay in your room and wait quietly for the Duke to call for you?”

“Pardon?”

“Think about it. The Duke injured himself while trying to bring you back…”

Sir Mason looked me up and down.

“If it were me, I wouldn’t be wandering the mansion under the guise of a walk.”

“…That’s…”

“The Duke could summon you at any moment.”

“…”

I gritted my teeth.

‘What do they want from me?’

The frustration boiled up inside me.

The doctor had insisted that I keep my distance from Lucian, as my presence was hindering his recovery.

And the servants…

…They wanted me to stay quietly in my room so I could rush to Lucian’s side the moment he called for me.

A life centered entirely around Lucian.

So how was this life any different from the one I had with Dante?

Living in Dante’s mansion, playing the role of his perfect little doll.

And now, the way these people were forcing me to live…

‘No, I shouldn’t be thinking like this.’

I tried hard to calm my thoughts.

Lucian had been injured while trying to save me, after all.

“To be honest, my being assigned to protect you feels like a waste of manpower.”

Sir Mason added, his tone still disgruntled.

“The Duke specifically ordered me to make sure you don’t suffer even a scratch, so I can’t not guard you.”

Lies.

I clenched my fists tightly.

‘It’s not protection—it’s surveillance.’

Ever since the first day I arrived at this safehouse and told Lucian I wanted to leave quietly…

Lucian had been keeping close watch on my every move.

As if…

As if he thought I might disappear at any moment.

I don’t blame Lucian for feeling the way he does.

After all, I hadn’t kept a single promise I made to him.

But.

“I never…”

A trembling voice escaped my lips.

I never once asked Lucian to rescue me.

In fact, I had intended to reject Lucian’s proposal, considering the delicate relationship between Kalleid and Offenheir.

It wasn’t my intention to hurt Lucian either…

Unspoken protests bubbled up from deep within my chest.

If I had known I would be trapped like this, I would never have come with Lucian so willingly!

But.

‘Even if I leave, where would I go?’

Without Lucian’s protection, I would just be dragged back to Dante.

And besides…

‘Lucian would never let me leave so easily…’

A crushing weight of self-reproach pressed heavily on my shoulders.

“Lady?”

Sir Mason looked at me with a suspicious expression.

It felt like someone was tightening a noose around my neck, making it hard to breathe.

Only after several deep breaths was I able to force a smile, or something resembling one, onto my face.

“You’re right, Sir Mason.”

“Good, then let’s head back inside.”

Sir Mason stepped forward and ushered me back toward the mansion.

Instinctively, I took a step back, biting my lip.

I felt like a rabbit being cornered by a hunter.

But then.

“Elze!”

A lively voice called out.

Startled, I turned around to see Marguerite approaching with a bright smile.

She walked toward us with light, graceful steps.

“It’s been a while, Sir Mason!”

The knight’s face lit up when he saw her.

“Ah, Lady Marguerite. It’s so good to see you.”