Chapter 10

Even in that nervous movement, there was a surprising elegance lacking in many.

Rising to his feet, he looked down at Doah with a disdainful gaze and said, “So, have you achieved what you desired?”

“…”

It implied, ‘Why are you still here?’

Doah was momentarily at a loss for words.

Because she hadn’t achieved anything at all.

“Well, the Lord was resolute in his intentions.”

“Huh, resolute.”

Angelus sneered briefly.

It seemed like he was saying, ‘Sure, whatever.’

“Have you at least reflected on your actions? It seems the Lord did not sense any sincerity in your words.”

Rather than getting angry at his words, Doah lowered her gaze.

It was to hide her rebellious, shining eyes.

‘Too troublesome to deal with.’

However, she couldn’t keep pretending to be in a confrontational state with the First son.

If the Duke had no intention of sending Bunny out of the castle, she had to endure here until the end.

If she provocatively challenged the First Son, and her actions were restricted, it would ultimately harm only her.

‘Both of them seem eager to tear me apart right now…’

At times like this, it was better to play along like an obedient doll, unconditionally agreeing with everything he said.

If she wasn’t a fool, she would know that she was forcing it.

“You’re absolutely right.”

She slightly lowered her head, and the large eyes surrounded by dense eyelashes were half-closed.

As if deeply disheartened.

“If it’s not sincere but just a tantrum, His Excellency must have firmly rejected my demand.”

When a long shadow was cast over her reddened eyes, her already fragile impression became even more pitiable.

Eyes filled with fluctuating light were clear and transparent, but due to the shadows, they seemed to intensify, as if lacking moisture.

“It seems I’ve been feeling quite stifled while staying in the tower. Since His Excellency allowed me to stay in the main palace, I unintentionally got excited… Due to the desire to go outside the castle, even for a moment, I made a slip of the tongue.”

A face strikingly similar to Ophelia’s, to the point of being irritating.

That face emitted a precarious atmosphere, as if it would collapse at any moment.

“How can I give up the peaceful life in Kredel Castle? There is no other place for me.”

Bunny couldn’t live comfortably in Kredel Castle.

Angelus was well aware of that.

He had seen and heard about how Bunny had been treated by Ophelia’s maids.

But he thought that compensating for the damage would be enough.

Bunny would be fine, no matter what.

She always acted as if she hadn’t heard any insulting words, smiling and saying, “Brother!” as if nothing happened.

But now, her appearance…

“I will be quiet from now on. I will flawlessly fulfill the role of Lady Ophelia. I will never tarnish the name of Kredel.”

Doah spoke as if her throat were choked, then paused for a moment and continued slowly.

“Someday, I hope I can freely roam outside the castle.”

“…”

Angelus felt a slightly tightening sensation in his chest.

“Young Master, when will I be able to go outside the castle alone?”

“What could possibly be dangerous? Dad already took care of all the Mages!”

“Just for a short while…”

Breathing became increasingly difficult.

It was because he had inadvertently dredged up the guilt he had buried deep in his memory, a guilt he had never escaped throughout his life.

The longing voice flooded in uncontrollably, wreaking havoc in his mind.

The memories bound to that time were still vivid, as if the events of yesterday had just unfolded.

“…”

“Young Master?”

Perhaps it was due to the prolonged silence.

In response to Doah’s call, Angelus exhaled the breath he had momentarily held.

‘It’s just a past event.’

The once sharp and sensitive nerves had dulled a bit.

Even now, the memories etched deep in his heart left a profound sorrow, oddly excluding personal emotions and allowing him to glimpse into the future.

Whatever Bunny’s true feelings were, it was crucial not to drive her away immediately.

‘I must continue to exist in this castle as the fake Lady.’

Ophelia symbolized peace.

Therefore, revealing that she was cursed would be problematic.

However, what if she didn’t show herself in society until Ophelia became an adult?

Our honor would hit rock bottom.’

Ignorant individuals would create all sorts of rumors behind her back.

Surviving the curse was undoubtedly important, but he also had to think about what would happen after Ophelia returned.

The reason he had brought Bunny from among the numerous orphans might be the cause of all this trouble.

Until now, he had forgotten.

He had to. After all, there had been no way to communicate with Bunny.

Even though he hadn’t expected to fulfill Ophelia’s role, at least not to this extent, Bunny had strangely become quiet.

At least, outwardly for now.

He didn’t completely trust her yet.

‘If this state can be maintained for the time being…’

After thoroughly educating Bunny, if he were to incite a miracle that drove away the epidemic, claiming, “Indeed, the symbol of peace, beloved by the gods,” he might gain even more prestige. Angelus finished his calculations and responded, “Trust you for the last time.”

Doah was bewildered. Angelus had never trusted Bunny even once, so what did he mean by the last time?

Amidst Doah’s stunned silence, he got to the point, “So far, Ophelia’s personal maids disguised themselves, pretending to use your money, and embezzled it for their own gain.”

“What?”

My money? Money?

‘Where would Bunny get money?’

Doah was dumbfounded. “What money are you talking about?”

The following words were even more absurd. Bunny had been receiving a monthly allowance of 200,000 Festa. For two years! It amounted to 4.8 million Festa, a substantial sum that could buy a small mansion in the capital.

‘To entrust such an enormous amount of money to the maids.’

What on earth could he believe in? Bunny was a child. Moreover, a child left isolated and neglected.

With such a generous budget assigned to Bunny in the future, what would happen? To those with no conscience, she must have seemed like a tempting prey.

Moreover, considering the personalities of the maids as seen through physiognomy, they were probably eager to exploit this extraordinary fortune.

Could Cradle really be unaware of this?

“Who was in charge of that matter? The finance officer?”

“As for the allowance, Mother manages it. She’s deeply saddened by what happened, being a pure and delicate lady.”

The Duchess?

With an unexpected response, she narrowed her eyes.

The Duchess, the mother of the three siblings, had given birth to Ophelia ten years ago but met an untimely death. The current Duchess was the second one.

‘Well, she was a saint, after all.’

If she had spent her whole life in a temple, it was reasonable to assume she might be unfamiliar with the ways of the world.

“So, about the compensation.”

“Yes?”

“You came for your compensation in the first place. It’s clear that you suffered and did something significant because of the maids.”

The conversation continued, prompting her to say anything she desired.

“Anything?”

Doah’s eyes widened. Angelus, who had been scratching people’s nerves with harsh words every time he spoke, was finally uttering satisfactory words.

“That’s what you’ve been waiting for.”

Angelus was meticulous in his calculations. If something was received, it should be returned, and if damage was caused, compensation should be made.

Since Bunny’s wish to go outside Cradle was thwarted, Angelus intended to offer something else.

“Your wish is quite obvious, but…”

As he mumbled, his azure eyes revealed a blatant disdain.

“This is a one-time deal.”

Simultaneously, his large hand roughly stroked her head.

‘What’s this nonsense?’

She was dumbfounded by his confident attitude, as if what she desired was entirely predictable.

It was challenging to even consider it a caress. The relentless touch caused her head to shake forcefully.

Doah moved her head backward, openly avoiding his touch.

“Excuse me, could you please remove your hand?”

Her expression conveyed disgust.

Promising to fulfill any request but then attempting to pass with a mere head pat was childish.

‘This is not some child’s play.’

She grimaced, pulling herself back as much as possible.

Thanks to the large bed, there was quite a distance between Angelus and her.

“…”

Then, his expression wavered.

Despite his efforts to maintain composure, there was a hint of inner confusion.

‘Well, if I were a real Bunny, I might have shed tears of emotion by now.’

Being rejected must be a first for him.

So, it felt even worse.

It was like seeing a child, who used to eagerly seek affection, now begging as if for alms.

Doah felt the urge to spit like an alpaca, but she held back and spoke firmly.

“Young Master, I would never make such unnecessary demands.”

“Unnecessary?”

“Yes, they have no value whatsoever.”

It was an ambiguous expression.

Whether she meant the act of stroking her head had no value or if Angelus had no value was confusing.

“I won’t ever demand family playtime from you, so there’s no need to force yourself.”

Doah spoke with determination.

“I won’t even call you big brother unless it’s necessary.”

“…”

“There probably won’t be a need to call you brother forever…”

Nevertheless, Angelus continued to gaze down at her hand in silence.

“Young Master?”

Only then did he lift his head with a surprised sound.

“Can I tell you what I want now?”

“…Yes. Speak.”

Finally, permission was granted.

“To maintain the dignity befitting Lady Ophelia’s attendant, I believe an appropriate maintenance fee is necessary.”

Doah presented a capitalistic smile, subtly emphasizing Ophelia’s status.

Her lips traced a smooth curve.

“In addition to the compensation for the damages I’ve suffered.”

Abandoning useless antics, she combined her demand for money.