Episode 42
His downcast expression was scary. If I had been a thief, I feel I would have lost my neck long ago.
“I, well, I…”
As I stammered while searching for a response, an unexpected thought occurred to me, and I quickly lifted my head.
“But how on earth did you know I was there?”
Is this man able to see through walls? How can he know there’s someone outside the door without even opening it?
“Who do you think I am?”
“My husband?”
He frowned slightly at my response.
“Knights should always be alert. They must determine where and when the opponent is attacking, before they’ve even appeared. You didn’t really think the commotion you were making outside was subtle?”
“No way. Really?”
I was mostly astounded, momentarily disregarding the gravity of the situation.
He knew I was there, even though I only came and waited outside?
“Amoide, you’re truly amazing!”
It’s no surprise someone like him would have been entangled with the female protagonist. I had to agree with Camilla – if only he weren’t sick…
“Still, you should answer right now.”
“I didn’t come to ambush you, so stop glaring at me like that.”
“Wouldn’t you be surprised too if you were me?”
“Uh, well…”
I paused, gnawing on my lower lip.
“So, spit it out, what’s going on?”
His words finally jolted me out of my reverie, and I grabbed onto one of his arms.
“Could you… hide me?”
“What?”
“I had to go out without telling Mother. But someone is raiding my room. It would be awkward if I got caught. So…”
“So, you want me to say you were with me?”
“If you really don’t like it, then…”
As I responded, I fiddled with my clasped hands. The bandage still wrapped around my hand grabbed my sight involuntarily. Amoide’s face softened somewhat as he followed my gaze.
“Why did you go out at this dangerous time of night?”
I felt conflicted by his question.
‘Do I tell him or not?’
However, as someone seeking his assistance, I couldn’t not explain the situation.
“I believe someone released a snake in my room.”
“A snake?”
His brow furrowed as he hurriedly examined me from head to toe. The hand on my shoulder was so tight that I thought my shoulder would pop out.
“Um, Amoide, that…”
“Oh.”
He loosened his grip a little, until it was comfortable.
“Who would dare do such a thing?”
“Aren’t you going to ask me if it’s true?”
Looking up at him, slightly baffled, I inquired.
This came as a surprise. I expected him to start by saying, ‘Don’t make nonsense,’ or to doubt me without even looking into it.
‘Does he trust me?’
Whatever the reason might be, it was an excellent development. It was enough that he listened to my side of the story willingly.
So I decided to be a little more forthright.
“I’m not sure yet. The only thing I know is that the snake was probably kept as a pet.”
“What exactly does that mean?”
“It means it wasn’t a wild snake that wandered in – someone in this mansion was keeping it.”
“Who would keep something so dangerous? Didn’t you notice we got rid of all the snakes not long ago?”
“I know. So I believe they’ve kept it a secret.”
Knock, knock, knock.
I flinched, startled by the unexpected knock from outside.
“Master,” the voice said, “I have something to tell you.”
I stared up at him, my eyes eager.
“What is it?” he said, reaching out and half-opening the door.
“Well, the lady has disappeared… without a word.”
With frantic eyes, I kept looking at him. I also wordlessly pleaded while clasping my hands together. I’d never hear the end of it from Camilla if Amoide were to tell the truth here.
Jean, who assisted me, may also get implicated. And it could be a great chance for whoever was upset with me to reverse all my hard work.
“The Head Maid insisted I tell you immediately, stating you should be aware of the situation.”
Amoide, who had been staring down at me patiently through the whole conversation, finally opened his mouth.
“Selene is here.”
…Then he began unbuttoning his shirt abruptly.
“What, what are you…” I whispered in fright.
“You asked me to hide you.”
As he said this, he unbuttoned a couple more buttons. His face was expressionless.
‘I can’t argue this is a loss for me?’
I was facing a visual feast for the eyes. The loose-fitting shirt fluttered in front of my nose.
‘Oh my.’
His collarbone was exposed owing to the deeply unbuttoned shirt, and then his sternum slowly came into view below it.
“Wha, what…”
What exactly is he saying? What does his bare chest have to do with this situation? My thoughts were racing as I stared at the exposed flesh, particularly his strong chest.
“We have to put on this much of a show, right?”
His breath had messed up my hair.
He reached out and yanked the robe from around my shoulders. With my lips shut, all I could do was stare dumbly at what he was doing.
Swoosh.
The robe over my shoulders dropped to the floor when he loosened the string.
Our bodies were close together, and his breath was much more so.
‘How come this is happening?’
Even though he only removed the robe, I felt as though I had exposed raw skin.
Meanwhile, Amoide was inspecting me from head to toe.
“Why, why, why, for what…”
While I was muttering in a fluster, he reached out and took out the pin that had been keeping my hair held up. In a second, the tightly coiled hair cascaded down like a waterfall, extending far beyond my waist.
“That’s a little bit better.”
He nodded in approval as he looked me up and down.
“I don’t go about things half-heartedly.”
What is he talking about? What does loosening my hair and unbuttoning his shirt have in common with this situation?
I was gazing at him, a little astonished. Amoide chuckled at my expression.
“Ah, Amoide.”
He leaned forward and placed his arm around my waist. He specifically stretched out and pushed the door open fully. I was trapped between him and the wall, watching his every move with bated breath.
As I snuck a glimpse to the side, I noticed the servant standing at the entrance, puzzled at the sight facing her.
“My wife is here.”
While resting his other hand on the door, he peered down at the servant. He still had one arm wrapped around me.
The servant was taken aback by his intimidating atmosphere and just swallowed nervously. Her gaze ran over my garments, scattered on the floor near the door.
“We were having a good time, and you came in and knocked on the door and interrupted us.”
“I apologize. Today is not an appropriate day for conjugal visits…”
The servant’s cheeks flushed as she murmured. My face also became heated. If I had seen it in the light, I’m sure my face would have been as crimson as hers.
“Couples don’t only get together on the day of conjugal visits.”
He mumbled in a low tone. I shuddered at his words.
‘He’s just kidding.’
He hadn’t even touched my body on the day of the conjugal visits, but he was so skilled at making up such falsehoods. I bit my lower lip hard as I tried to not to giggle.
“I’m… I apologize. But Head Maid Greta wants you informed.”
“Greta?”
His brow furrowed halfway.
“…But why Greta?”
His voice appeared to have a slight edge to it.
“Your wife mysteriously disappeared in the middle of the night…”
“Do you think she ran away with someone?”
“No, no. Just in case the Duke is concerned.”
“So, the head maid told you to tell me because she thought I would be concerned, not because she doubted the Duchess’s whereabouts?”
His tone grew a little harsher.
“I didn’t know Greta was so thoughtful.”
“I…”
The servant mumbled.
“Tell ‘her’ that the Duchess is safe with me, so there’s no need to worry.”
“Ah, understood.”
“Do not interrupt any longer and just leave.”
“Yes.”
The servant hastily distanced herself, her head down.
Thud.
Amoide, who had been observing her until she left, shut the door.
The chamber was once again enveloped in darkness. His breath and body heat became more intense as the small amount of light leaking from the doorway was extinguished.
Thump, thump, thump.
In my ears, the sound of my heartbeat resonated. For some reason, the darkness seemed to be heightening my other senses.
“Could you please step back a little?”
His caustic tone snapped me back to reality.
That’s when I realized. I was clutching him fiercely.
“I didn’t start this!?”
Why is he upset that I’m clinging to him yet it was he who initiated this whole thing?
I grumbled and yanked myself away.
“It was all you, why are you pinning it on me now…”
His brows wrinkled slightly, and I noticed him sniffing.
“So, what are we doing now?”
What else can I do but go away quickly?
He gazed at me for a long time, his face blank.
“…What is that bad smell?”
“What?”
I was taken aback by his statement and just stared at him dumbfoundedly.
“Bad… smell?”
Sniff, sniff, sniff.
I extended my arm and started smelling myself.
“What’s that smell you’re referring to… huh?”
My arm remained elevated as I froze.
‘It’s actually me.’
There is clearly a scent, as he had said.
“How come it smells like fish…”
A recollection rushed past like lightning as I attempted to think of the explanation.
‘Jean’s carriage.’
I remembered the fish that were stacked up in Jean’s cargo compartment. I didn’t touch them directly, but it appeared that the smell transferred to me while travelling in the same carriage.
“If you go out right now, cats will absolutely adore you.”
It was obvious sarcasm.
