Since When Were You The Villain?

Chapter 53. 

  

Ian was the one who played a part in preventing her from receiving proper treatment within the family. If Ian had shown even a little consideration towards Sophia as part of the family, the servants might not have disregarded her to such an extent.  

Even her mother, Rubisella, might not have taken such extreme measures.  

Now that he’s pretending like nothing happened after coming back, he’s just another accomplice in the escalating abuse. 

“In my eyes, both you and Mother are the same.” 

In response to Sophia’s words, Ian averted his gaze and bit his lip. 

After a moment of suppressed silence, a single sentence finally escaped his lips. 

“…I’m sorry.” 

His small voice made Sophia tilt her head in surprise. 

‘Did I hear it right? It sounded like he said, “I’m sorry”?’ 

Sophia touched her ears in disbelief. Ian Fraus is a knight with a strong sense of pride and self-respect. As far as she knows, the word ‘apology’ does not exist in his dictionary. 

So, there’s no way he would say ‘I’m sorry.’ 

“What did you say?” 

Unable to believe it, Sophia asked again, and Ian trembled before opening his mouth once more. 

“I was wrong. So… I’m sorry.” 

As Ian spoke again, Sophia covered her mouth with both hands and widened her eyes in surprise.  

“Ian, what’s gotten into you today? Are you feeling unwell? Did you receive a terminal diagnosis or something?”(T/L: She really 😂) 

Sophia asked seriously, examining him closely. 

Then, Ian shouted with a flushed face, “Damn it, why do you react like that when someone apologizes!” 

He had really made a firm resolution and set aside his pride to apologize, but now that he said it out loud, he felt incredibly embarrassed. 

Even when he faced defeat in battle, he didn’t feel this humiliated. 

“If you mix insults with your apology, what am I supposed to do?” 

“Well, you keep messing with me…!” 

“Compared to what you’ve done to me so far, it’s just a drop in the ocean.” 

Once again, Ian found himself unable to respond. 

“You said you’d protect me, but after everything I’ve been through, it’s hard to believe. You apologize in words, but when we get back home, will you just lock me up in the attic?” 

Sophia said, and at that moment, Ian clenched his fist. 

Seeing the veins on his knuckles bulging, Sophia took a step back. 

‘Did I provoke him too much? He wouldn’t hit me, right?’ 

The moment she thought so, Ian fell to his knees.  

“I don’t know how to make you believe me, but I sincerely apologize. For everything I’ve done to hurt you and for standing by without doing anything. From now on, I’ll make sure you never receive such treatment again.” 

Ian’s voice was low and sincere. 

It was a reaction that Sophia had never expected, but at the same time, she could sense the sincerity behind his words.  

Sophia looked at the unfamiliar demeanour of Ian. 

‘At least he’s better than my so-called real brother.’ (T/L: Her brother in modern world.) 

Compared to her family who shamelessly demanded money and treated her poorly, Ian Fraus had some potential. 

‘Is he like recyclable trash…? Still garbage, but maybe recyclable…?’ 

Of course, she couldn’t forgive him for everything he did to ‘Sophia Fraus,’ but perhaps, as a first step, this approach might be successful. 

‘Maybe I should give him a slightly affectionate look.’ 

 Sophia thought to herself, observing Ian with a slightly endearing gaze. 

“Alright, I’ll go back to Fraus.” 

As Sophia spoke, Ian’s head shot up in surprise. 

“Really?” 

“Yes.” 

Sophia nodded, and a faint smile appeared on Ian’s lips. 

He stood up, and then grabbed her wrist. 

“Then let’s go.” 

“Wait for a second.” 

Sophia raised her hand to stop him. 

The excited and eager Ian from just a moment ago stiffened again. 

“Why?”  

“Leaving without saying anything is a bit… not good.” 

“So you wanted to wait until that jerk arrived?”  

“That jerk? Wow, you have such harsh words for my fiancé.” 

“Do you think the Grand duke will just let you go easily?” 

At Ian’s question, Sophia lowered her head. 

If this were a cliché story, he would definitely try to stop her. 

However, as a native of the Eastern Courtesy, I was indebted to him for several days, and it was not acceptable for him to leave without saying a word. (T/L: Means, according to this eastern setup.)  

Normally, in such a situation, it is customary to express gratitude in person and even offer a gift as a token of appreciation… but if I were to do that, I feel like I would become deeply entangled with Kilian. 

“Still, I do owe them a debt, so I should at least leave a letter before going.” 

As Sophia offered a compromise, Ian released her wrist. 

It was a sign that he would allow her to write a letter, even if he couldn’t see Kilian’s face. 

Sophia walked to the desk on one side of the room and opened an ink bottle, picking up a pen. 

[To His Grace Killian Viprons Rivelon,] 

She started her letter with a simple and concise greeting, leaving out any endearments or titles like “my dear” or “my fiancé.” 

[I am writing this letter suddenly, as I am returning home. 

As his Highness Mikhail expressed concern, I believe that if we continue living together as we are now, it could lead to misunderstandings from others. 

I am truly grateful for the kindness you have shown us during this time. It pains me that I cannot bid you farewell in person. 

However, leaving without saying anything feels improper, so I leave this letter and a token of gratitude. 

Thank you for your assistance. 

Take care and always live ‘kindly and justly’ as I sincerely wish. 

 

From, 

Sophia Fraus.]  

Sophia read the letter over once again. 

‘Hmm… I hope Kilian doesn’t think I’m running away… It somehow looks like a letter from a runaway heroine in a novel.’ 

Worried about possible misunderstandings, Sophia added a postscript. 

[P.S: I am not running away. I am going back home, really. It is just a 15-minute carriage ride from here.] 

Feeling relieved after writing that, Sophia signed her name at the end. 

[Sophia Fraus]  

As she spread the paper to let the ink dry, Sophia turned her head to look at Ian. 

“Do you have money?”  

“Why?” 

“If you do, give me some.” 

Sophia held her hand, and Ian reluctantly offered the money from his bosom. 

Ten gold coins.  

It was the money left over from throwing the money bag at Garfield earlier. 

Sophia was surprised to see that too. 

‘Why does he carry around so much money?’ 

Each gold coin was worth about a hundred thousand won (currency value in modern world). It was a significant denomination, and ordinary people wouldn’t usually carry such large sums with them. It could make them a target for pickpockets or thieves. 

But ten gold coins! It seemed like he had the confidence that he wouldn’t be targeted by thieves or robbers. 

‘Well, who would dare to target Ian Fraus purse anyway?’ 

They might end up dead if they tried. 

Sophia put the ten gold coins she received from him into a white envelope she found in the drawer, along with the letter she wrote. 

“Are you giving this to that guy?” 

“I can’t just leave it lying around.” 

“Why are you giving that money to the Duke?”  

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll pay you back when I go back.” 

“It’s not because it’s my money, but why did you give it to the Grand Duke?” 

“I know how much of a debt I owe just by being in this house. But if I wash my hands of it and run away, do you think he’ll come looking for me to settle it? It’s only right to repay a debt when you’re indebted.”  

A debt was a debt, and if left unpaid, it would eventually catch up to you. 

Though what Sophia owed Kilian was worth far more than ten gold coins, she felt that at least this much would satisfy the minimum requirement. 

Sophia melted the red wax and sealed the letter with a stamp, placing it neatly on the well-kept bed. 

‘Hmm! At least I’m not a runaway now!’ 

She hadn’t greeted him in person, but she had shown some courtesy with the money. 

Sophia packed the essential belongings into her bag. 

In truth, she had arrived here almost empty-handed, so there wasn’t much to take with her. 

She decided to leave some of the things Killian had given her at the Grand duke’s residence. 

As for dresses and bulkier items, she could arrange for the servants to pick them up. 

With her bag packed lightly, Sophia turned around, and Ian seemed to be waiting as he promptly took her bag from her. 

It wasn’t that he wanted to help because it was heavy, but rather, he seemed eager to leave the Grand duke’s residence as soon as possible. 

He looked at her intently, wondering why she was in such a hurry. 

“Alright, let’s go!” 

Sophia double-checked the sealed envelope on the bed one last time before leaving the room. 

* * * 

Translator: HaileyFranchette. Read on moonlight novels only

Ian called for the carriage and Sophia got in without any objections. They sat side by side as the carriage drove. 

‘More than anything, you are the biggest problem.’ 

‘What?’ 

‘You are also the one who tormented me.’ 

He remembered what Sophia had said to him.  

Killian and others also told him that he had wronged Sophia, and he couldn’t deny it.  

It’s true that Sophia wore a frightened expression more often than smiled when she saw him  

That’s why he couldn’t bring himself to explain the things he had done for her. Talking about it would only sound like excuses.  

‘Ian, in the future, you will be leading this family. Shouldn’t you take care of the family matters? 

When Count Fraus asked him to take care of the affairs of the Fraus family, Ian had refused, using the excuse of being a knight. 

‘Since Sophia is here, let her take care of it,’ Ian had arranged it that way. 

Sophia taking care of the affairs of the Fraus family was at Ian’s discretion.(T/L: This little twists here and there in the story makes it intriguing and engaging, no offense to people who don’t like this. Your opinion is respected.) 

 

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