“I think that’s a man’s name, but do you still think of another man in this shitty situation?”
The man named Walter asked, looking puzzled.
There was a slight hint of mockery, but at the same time, she felt that she had to calm the other person’s thoughts.
“It’s not like that.”
Edith gave a short but firm answer.
She didn’t raise her voice to demand where this place was or to ask to be let go just because she couldn’t figure out the man’s identity.
Even though they were of the same rank, Walter ignored Hans’s hand and opted to crush it underfoot.
Did he speak in a commanding tone with other employees?
He acted as if he were alone, holding a position of high rank.
『 No matter how he tries to act, he also came here under Sophia’s orders.』
He was just one of those who had come to violate her under impure command.
As Edith’s thoughts reached that point, she couldn’t conceal her contempt.
Observing her cold gaze, Walter twisted his lips as if he found it amusing.
“You can’t even leave here because of the imprisonment spell, and yet you make such a face… Aren’t you a little slow to understand the situation you’re in?”
Edith felt offended by his sarcastic tone but also realized an important fact.
The man was aware of the imprisonment spell.
She wonders if he was also one of Sophia’s subordinates.
“…Don’t come any closer.”
“Now you’re even giving orders.”
Walter laughed once more. This time, it was an unmistakable laugh.
“You know what I’m going to do next.”
His eyes, resembling a deep forest at night, gleamed with interest.
Edith clenched her teeth.
They were the ones who came under the orders of the Viscount’s first wife.
So, whether it was this guy or that guy…
“You probably think I’ll force myself on you.”
When Walter said that, his expression twisted strangely, causing the others to briefly leave the room.
Now alone with Edith, he let out a sly laugh and asked with a smirk.
“You’re so full of yourself, it seems that you have lived looking at yourself in a mirror all your life. You must be pretty confident in your appearance if you think a man seeing you for the first time would desire you.”
“What…”
Edith was left speechless.
However, before she could express her indignation, Walter’s gaze changed.
Beneath his black hair, his shimmering green eyes exuded vitality.
“Listen. I couldn’t care less about Sophia’s orders or your body.”
“…”
“Tell me what Nicholas Fortrion said and what he touched before the assassins reached him.”
The moment Walter said that, Edith didn’t even notice his appearance.
He was a man who knew how to instill intimidation with just his voice.
Noticing Hans, whom he referred to as a fellow co-worker, retreating in response to Walter’s gesture, Edith began to understand the reason behind it.
It seemed as if this man, relying on the instincts he was born with, could shatter his opponent’s resolve.
One couldn’t help but wonder if he could just be an ordinary servant.
“You’d better open your mouth quickly.”
“…”
Edith gulped dryly.
Her mind was not functioning properly because of the tension, especially after witnessing him effortlessly crush another man’s knuckles.
However, one thing became clear, he possessed a keen and urgent interest in Edith’s connection to the Viscount.
Furthermore, it was evident that he wielded considerable power to defy Sophia’s commands.
If that was the case, she had no choice but to take a gamble to survive in this filthy Fortrion Mansion.
“Walter, after Viscount Fortrion, who could never be alone with a woman, came to my house. Then we got into a carriage together and had a conversation until just before the attack.”
Edith looked him straight in the eye and spoke in the calmest possible voice.
Having lost her mother and finding herself alone in the world, Edith had learned a few lessons along the way.
Never reveal a weakness in front of others.
The moment she shows any sign of vulnerability, when there is neither strength nor leverage in her hands, the world turns cruel and merciless towards her.
Pretending to have and pretending to know became the best strategy she could employ within the walls of the Fortrion Mansion.
“If you’re curious about what we discussed and what he touched, try deceiving Sophia now.”
As she spoke in a firm tone, Walter frowned as if he doubted his ears.
“…Are you suggesting that I should make it seem like those bastards violated you?”
“I simply mean that I want you to deceive her. If anything occurs, I will keep my mouth shut forever.”
Walter’s gaze subtly shifted when looking at Edith.
Until that moment, it seemed as though he was scrutinizing his target, but now his eyes sparkled with interest as if he had stumbled upon something intriguing.
“Are you suggesting that we make a deal… you and me?”
Walter frowned and lowered his voice.
To Edith, his behavior offered a glimmer of hope.
She believed that if he thought she was merely spouting nonsense, he would have resorted to physical force to threaten her.
『 He’s only threatening me verbally, so that means any information I can reveal is very important to him.』
So, Edit acted like she knew something important.
“Yeah, a deal. But before I reveal what I know, I need to make sure you can keep it to yourself.”
“Judging by the way you talk, you don’t seem crazy.”
As his voice growled low like a beast, Edith nodded, unable to speak up.
Her blue eyes shimmered with a determined resolve that refused to surrender completely in the face of a threat.
Walter instinctively realized that things weren’t proceeding as smoothly as he had initially expected.
“What if I don’t want to?”
“I’ll bite my tongue before you hurt me.”
“…”
Thunk—!
Walter snatched the sharp stone from Edith’s grasp and forcefully threw it to the ground in the distance.
He must have realized that she posed no threat to him and that if she couldn’t bite her tongue, she might resort to self-harm as a form of intimidation.
Contrary to her modest demeanor, the woman was not easily swayed.
『 …Did it not work?』
However, contrary to Walter’s assessment, Edith was going to great lengths to hide her trembling inner thoughts.
Although she had gambled with him, if he didn’t accept her deal, there would be no one to save her, even if something dangerous happened in this place.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that her future depended solely on the man she had before her eyes.
『 There is nothing remarkable about the Viscount’s actions that I recall.』
What was the Viscount hiding?
Edith had doubts, but she had to conceal them.
She had to pretend that she knew something extraordinary so that he would be eager to find out.
“Damn it…”
Walter let out a small sigh.
He hadn’t anticipated the situation taking such a turn.
He looked at Edith with an annoyed look for a long moment before kneeling before her.
Caught off guard, Edith held her breath as his face drew near.
“Don’t resist. Come here.”
In a low, intimate voice, he grabbed Edith’s chin and placed his thumb over her lips.
The moment the man’s large hand covered her face, bad thoughts passed through Edith’s head.
『 So, does he have no intention of cooperating with me, even if I reveal what happened before the attack?』
Walter’s hand, which had been caressing Edith’s lips, swiftly moved to her leg.
Deliberately, he squeezed her delicate flesh, intentionally leaving visible marks.
The moment the stranger’s fingertips made contact with her bare legs, fear caused Edith to close her eyes.
Upon seeing her reaction, Walter smirked once again.
“Why are your eyes closed? Is there something you’re anticipating?”
“What… Get your hands off me.”
“You asked me to do it, so I have to do it.”
Rip—!
Walter forcefully tore apart the hem of Edith’s skirt.
Edith, aware that her clothes were made of sturdy fabric, could only be astonished by his strength.
No, it went beyond that.
“What do you think you’re doing? I never asked you to do anything.”
Taken aback, Walter reached out his hand once more, this time toward Edith’s face.
He ran his fingers through her long, luscious blonde hair.
“You told me to deceive Sophia on the condition that you would disclose the Viscount’s whereabouts.”
His large hand messed up her hair.
“Words alone won’t deceive Sophia.”
“…”
“If I’ve come this far and you don’t know anything, you should be prepared.”
Walter withdrew his hand from her blonde hair and stood up.
Then he looked at her legs and smirked.
“Since I’ve marked you to this extent, the deal is done, Edith.”
With that said, Walter left.
Left alone, Edith became aware of a burning sensation on her legs and turned her head.
『 What the hell is this… 』
Left alone, Edith became aware of a burning sensation on her legs and turned her head.
As if they had shared an intense and intimate encounter, his touch had left red marks on her skin.
❀.°• ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ •°.❀
