Episode 5
Although I regretted my forceful tone, it was too late to take back my words. Richard, who had been wearing a look of confusion all this time, slowly bent down and picked up a bundle of keys, beginning to unlock the shackles at his feet.
Watching this, I unconsciously bit down hard on the inside of my mouth. The shackles Richard was unfastening weren’t ordinary ones; they were enchanted restraints designed to control his mana. Wearing them was the only reason Richard had obediently followed Evgenia’s commands up until now.
If Richard, now a free man, were to suddenly turn and strangle me, my neck might snap instantly.
‘Though, that’s only if I weren’t wearing this bracelet.’
I glanced down at the bracelet on my wrist. It appeared to be a simple ornament, but it was actually a magical device that protected the wearer. Thanks to it, I had felt safe not only when escaping the room but even now.
‘This really is the Basilia family. Who would’ve thought there would be so many expensive magical artifacts lying around in the dressing room!’
Trusting the sturdy bracelet, I turned my back and retrieved a box that was set in a corner of the prison. As I had expected, inside were a black robe and shoes.
Strangely, the moment I entered the underground prison, I had a feeling I knew exactly what was inside the box.
“Put these on.”
I handed the robe and shoes to Richard, who was standing awkwardly after undoing his shackles, this time speaking with a gentler tone.
Though still doubtful, Richard accepted them without complaint and slowly put them on.
The clothes and shoes fit Richard’s frame perfectly, almost as if they had been prepared specifically for him, which I found curious. But without showing any sign of it, I handed over the last item I had packed—a black pouch.
Richard accepted it without a word, and I felt a sigh of relief escape me, feeling confident that our goal here was now within reach.
Of course, considering a happy future with Euclid, this was only the first step. But a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
“Well, let’s go then.”
Feeling unexpectedly refreshed, I spoke brightly. At that, Richard frowned deeply, showing emotion for the first time. I flinched without realizing it, surprised by his reaction.
‘Come to think of it, I haven’t even apologized yet. How careless of me!’
“I’m sorry for everything.”
“…….”
“Now, saying this at the last minute might seem suspicious and unbelievable. But I truly regret buying you, keeping you confined here, and causing you pain.”
As I continued speaking, Richard’s face grew increasingly contorted. Despite putting all my sincerity into my apology, my cold voice seemed to make it hard for him to feel my true intent.
Feeling even guiltier, I said what I thought would make him happiest.
“You’re free now.”
What words could be more welcome to Richard, who was born in an illegal market and lived his life as a slave? True, the branding would remain, so his legal status wouldn’t change, but after he escaped the Basilia dukedom and seized control of the underworld, it was said he no longer bore a slave mark.
‘He’ll figure out how to remove it once he’s out of here.’
“There are gold coins and jewels in the pouch. It should be enough for you to settle wherever you like.”
I said it as if it were nothing, though I had packed it full with jewels from Evgenia’s dressing room. The black pouch, which I had also found in a drawer there, looked luxurious with a shimmering sheen, a testament to the considerable value of the jewels inside.
‘With this, he might even forgive me for all the hardship he’s endured…’
I glanced at Richard, who was looking quietly at the pouch I’d given him, and then at his scarred left hand. Seeing the painful-looking wound, my conscience stirred. I happened to notice an embroidered design on the left sleeve of his robe—a golden flame identical to the one on the pouch.
But I dismissed it as nothing unusual.
I had no idea back then.
In this world, slave marks were placed on the back of the left hand.
And… the significance of a golden flame.
***
“Everything will be fine… right?”
After sending Richard off, I too exited the annex. I thought I’d feel relieved once Richard left the ducal residence, but strangely, a heavy stone seemed to settle on my chest.
To be honest, I had a vague sense that facing Richard would be no easy feat, even before I came to the annex.
But that was because I thought it would be hard to sever the bonds of resentment, not because I expected him to refuse to leave.
‘After all, I didn’t think he’d actually resist going!’
I let out a deep sigh, recalling the bewildering moment that had just passed.
– Leave? Why?
– What? Why do you ask?
Does he not understand?
Has living as a slave for so long affected his mind?
As Richard’s crimson eyes wavered in confusion, I too felt a sudden surge of bewilderment. Then, all at once, Richard fell to his knees before me.
– M-Master!
Hearing the unexpected word, I inhaled sharply.
Richard, who seemed frozen in place, shuffled forward on his knees toward me.
– Is it because I didn’t call you “Master”… that you’re abandoning me? I was wrong. Please, don’t throw me away.
Richard clung to me, his voice trembling.
Even after reading the novel multiple times, I couldn’t hide my astonishment at the unexpected scene before me.
Moreover, the expression on Richard’s face, fully revealing his emotions, looked surprisingly young.
Only then did I recall Richard’s age.
‘He was only eighteen…’
Four years younger than Evgenia.
A boy still young, wounded, and starving.
In that moment, I felt a deep sympathy for Richard, who clung to me, pleading not to be abandoned.
However, I did not change my decision to expel him from the ducal estate.
Fortunately, Richard, perhaps sensing that my mind wouldn’t change, slowly stood up and walked out of the prison.
His retreating figure, moving sluggishly as if hoping someone would stop him, lingered in my mind.
‘Ugh, it was Evgenia who locked him up, and I only let him go. So why should I feel guilty?’
I shook my head, casting off the heavy feeling.
If everything went as I expected, I would soon be married, and I couldn’t keep Richard around out of a fleeting sense of pity.
Evgenia, knowing nothing about him, had bought Richard as a slave simply because of his eye color, but in truth, he was like a ticking time bomb.
His true status was one that even the powerful Basilia Ducal House, second only to the royal family, could hardly handle.
Besides, although today he’d shown a side I hadn’t expected, Richard was by no means a weak individual.
He was planning to escape the ducal estate on his own soon anyway.
Of course, it helped that Evgenia, perhaps losing her mind in the rush of her forced marriage, had dropped a bundle of keys and a magic restraint right in front of his cell, making it easy for him to flee.
The point was that Richard had single-handedly broken through the heavily guarded Basilia Ducal House, where knights were stationed at every turn, and escaped the mansion.
‘In short, he only couldn’t use his power because of the restraint, meaning he’s a formidable person.’
And once Richard escaped the Basilia estate, he erased his slave brand entirely and took over the underworld. He became the master of a vast assassination guild called “Black.”
Right, so I have no need to worry about Richard.
Whether he takes over the underworld or uses the money I gave him to pursue freedom.
Though he’ll likely follow the original storyline seeking revenge, it’s fine as long as I’m not one of his targets.
As my thoughts settled, my heart felt noticeably lighter.
Now I could go back to my room and reassure Anne, who must be worried…
“Hey.”
At that moment, a voice behind me made my body freeze.
2. The Villainess’s Family.
‘Did I… did I get caught?’
I’d checked the knights’ shift times and movements meticulously!
In my shock, I didn’t even realize the tone of the voice calling me was unusual. I simply pressed down on my nearly bursting heart, holding my breath.
Please, let it not be me they noticed!
But, contrary to my desperate hope, the sound of steady, unhesitant footsteps stopped right in front of me.
I swallowed hard and slowly lifted my head.
A man, looking unmistakably like a knight, with a crisp uniform, short hair, and a sword strapped to his waist, was glaring down at me.
He must’ve recognized me once he saw my face.
Even as he confronted Evgenia, one of the most formidable figures, he didn’t flinch, not even a twitch of his eyebrow.
The man’s identity became clear in an instant.
Not knowing would’ve been strange.
Black hair and blue eyes, just like Evgenia’s.
This man was certainly…
“Alexis.”
Evgenia’s younger brother and a royal knight, Alexis Basilia.
• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Esraa• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •
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