| Chapter 13: A Way to Save Him

“What do you mean? When? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“Sister, you’re hurting me…”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

Natasha stopped, her hands gripping Sophia’s shoulders as if interrogating her. At the sight of Sophia shrinking away, she quickly loosened her hold.

“It wasn’t anything serious, so I didn’t think I needed to mention it. He said he was just stopping by to check on me.”

No, that can’t be true.

Natasha shook her head, her face dark with worry. There was no way that man visited without ulterior motives.

“Really, it was nothing. He didn’t stay for even five minutes. He even said he’d order quilted curtains for my room because it felt chilly.”
“Why would you accept something like that from him?”

Natasha’s voice rose, startling Sophia. Why would Sergei care if her room was cold unless he had some twisted reason to be there?

That wretched man!

Natasha clenched her fists so tightly that her knuckles turned white. She was startled by her own thoughts—never before had she entertained such harsh words about anyone. But what else could he be called? A monster, no less.

To even think about laying a hand on Sophia, this delicate blossom of a girl who deserved every layer of protection in the world…

I won’t allow it. Even if it costs me everything, I’ll ensure he doesn’t touch so much as a strand of her hair.

“Did I do something wrong, Sister? I couldn’t exactly refuse him. He came to check on me and even praised me, saying I’ve grown into a fine young lady.”

Natasha didn’t even flinch as the word scoundrel surfaced in her mind. A fine young lady? What an obscene thing to say. There was no way those words weren’t laced with his vile intentions.

His earlier threat echoed in her mind. “Your role will have to be taken over by Sophia.” Those words hadn’t been empty. He had already set his sights on Sophia before saying them.

Maybe his visit to Sophia had been another calculated move, a deliberate gesture to provoke and threaten her. But still, the thought of Sophia catching his attention filled Natasha with dread.

“Are you mad at me? I’m sorry, Sister.”
“No, no, it’s not your fault at all.”

Natasha pulled Sophia into a tight embrace, gently patting her back. How could this innocent child be to blame?

Don’t worry about anything. I’ll protect you, no matter what it takes.

Natasha bit her lip, silently making that vow.

* * *

After comforting Sophia, Natasha returned to her room, too restless to sit down. She paced back and forth, her thoughts in disarray.

Sophia was safe for now. Knowing Sergei had been near her made Natasha’s blood boil, but for the moment, nothing had happened. She could protect Sophia, even if it meant sacrificing herself.

But what about Alexei?

“…Lady Natasha! You can’t truly mean this! You will regret it!”

Those fiery red eyes, glaring at her with a mix of anger and disbelief, haunted her mind.

“I don’t give second chances.”

The memory of his cold voice, as he stood by a grave, cutting off a vagrant’s ear without hesitation, overlapped with the present.

“I’ll remember that promise, Lady Natasha.”

His sorrowful gaze drifted further and further into her memory, leaving behind an ache she couldn’t ignore.

“A promise… I’ll keep it.”

Her whispered words echoed faintly in her empty room.

At the time, she didn’t know how hard it would be to keep that promise.

She had turned her back on him twice—the man who had only ever wanted to be acknowledged by her. Twice, she had denied him.

She shouldn’t have made that promise.
She shouldn’t have crossed paths with him.
She shouldn’t have let him into her heart.

Natasha stared down at her palm, still faintly red. The sting from slapping his rough cheek lingered, a sensation that had traveled back to her hand with force. The look he gave her, shocked and as though struck by lightning, had left an unerasable mark on her heart.

She had no courage to defend him.

She had broken the promise he had so earnestly made her keep.

The only way to protect him from a harsher punishment under Sergei’s merciless watch was to pretend she despised him. To reject him, deny him, and even strike him—to prove that she harbored not a shred of care or sympathy for him.

Natasha had never hated herself more.

She didn’t fear his hatred or his contempt anymore. What scared her more was the disgust she felt toward herself. She couldn’t even forgive herself.

Isn’t there any way to save him now?

Natasha frantically overturned the jewelry box on her vanity, trembling hands counting the ornaments. She would give them all away if it meant she could save him. Not one piece would be too precious.

But would it work? Was there a way?

The reason she had slapped Alexei so fiercely in front of Sergei wasn’t only to silence him before he could say anything that might anger Sergei further. It was also a calculated act—to make Sergei believe she despised Alexei completely. Perhaps, if she played her cards right, she could secretly free him from the dungeon without arousing Sergei’s suspicion.

But how?

In the Duchy of Ivanov, there wasn’t a single corner where Sergei’s gaze didn’t reach. She had no allies, no one she could trust to stand by her. Even with all the jewels she had, could she hire a secret mercenary to help her? Was it even possible?

No, I have to try. I must do something.

Determined, Natasha gathered the scattered jewels into a small pouch. Just then, the door swung open without so much as a knock. Sergei entered, his face flushed from drinking.

“Ah, my sweet, sweet Natasha.”

“O… Brother? What brings you here?”

Natasha hastily shoved the pouch into her vanity drawer and stood up, forcing a calm expression.

“That wretched slave—Alexei, or whatever his name is.”

At the sound of Alexei’s name from Sergei’s lips, Natasha’s heart sank. Did Sergei know about her connection to Alexei? Had Alexei confessed everything under torture?

No, that couldn’t be.

No matter how cruel the torture, Alexei wouldn’t have broken. But what if… what if his resentment toward her for betraying him and accusing him of theft had driven him to reveal everything to Sergei voluntarily?

No, he’s not that kind of man.

Natasha shook off the unsettling thought, though she felt ashamed for even doubting him when she was the one who had acted so despicably toward him.

“What about him?”

She feigned disinterest, masking her unease with a look of disdain, as though even hearing Alexei’s name disgusted her.

“Ah, forgive me for uttering such a lowly name and upsetting you,” Sergei said, watching her delicate brows knit with apparent satisfaction.

“You must feel the same way I do. That’s why I came to discuss how we should deal with that miserable thief.”

Leaning against the doorframe, Sergei took a swig from the wine bottle in his hand. Dark red wine spilled down the corners of his mouth as he drank. Natasha, staring at the mess, finally asked, “Deal with him? How?”

“I’ve come up with an excellent idea…”

Sergei’s drunken, reddened eyes narrowed into slits. Whenever he wore that snake-like expression, it meant he was plotting something vile. Natasha’s unease grew as she waited for him to continue.

“Why don’t we make him your personal bedroom slave?”

Sergei smirked, wiping his mouth lazily with his sleeve, then turned his piercing gaze on Natasha. His words hung in the air like a dagger, leaving Natasha frozen in place.