SCMBRN Chapter 23

Eugen looked confused, clearly not understanding.

 

“Tied up? Why?”

 

“Well… please don’t take it the wrong way. It’s not that I think you’re a bad person.”

 

I came clean about how severe Eugen’s sleeping habits were, and that because of it, I couldn’t share a bed with him under the current circumstances.

 

“…I see. I didn’t know.”

 

He answered with a blank expression, but there was a brief silence where I sensed a hint of shock.

 

So he really didn’t know about his own sleeping habits.

 

“I usually sleep alone. In a private tent. The others never said anything.”

 

“It’s alright, it’s alright! It’s not like you can control your sleep habits. It’s not your fault!”

 

“…Thank you.”

 

“No need to thank me.”

 

“You can tie me up as much as you want.”

 

“Um, I know I suggested it, but are you really okay with it? Sleeping while tied up must be uncomfortable.”

 

“It’s fine. It’s not like it’s a life-threatening situation.”

 

So it would have to be a life-or-death scenario for Eugen to feel uncomfortable?

 

His words once again reminded me of the harsh life he had led.

 

In any case, now that I had his consent, it was time to get ready for bed in earnest.

 

“Are you dressed?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

While I had my back turned, Eugen changed into the sleepwear he had brought and climbed onto the bed.

 

“Tie me up.”

 

He then obediently brought his wrists together and held them out to me.

 

“Uh, okay.”

 

Feeling flustered by the awkward situation, I clumsily tied his wrists with a rope.

 

But it wasn’t as easy as I thought. I had never tied someone up before, so of course I had no clue what I was doing.

 

“…Is this how it’s done?”

 

Naturally, as I fumbled with the rope, Eugen offered some advice.

 

“More like this, rather.”

 

“Oh wow, you really know how to do this.”

 

“There are times when I need to restrain people.”

 

Why would a mercenary need to restrain someone? That question was sure to be met with a terrifying answer, so I decided not to ask.

 

“All done!”

 

About thirty minutes later, after finishing everything, I exclaimed with pride.

 

“How is it? Can you move?”

 

“Hmm.”

 

Lying on the bed with his hands and feet bound, Eugen wriggled a little before answering.

 

“A bit. But not much.”

 

“If you can only move a little, that’s fine. I’m not a very light sleeper anyway.”

 

“That’s a relief.”

 

“If your limbs go numb or you need to use the bathroom, wake me up.”

 

I waved the dagger Charlotte usually carried for self-defense.

 

“I tied you up pretty tight, so you won’t be able to undo it with just your hands, but in an emergency, you can use this to cut the rope.”

 

“Got it. Thanks.”

 

“I should be the one thanking you. You agreed to this even though it must be uncomfortable.”

 

“I’m the one imposing on you in the first place.”

 

It was a heartwarming and commendable exchange. Completely different from the tense atmosphere of the previous night, when I had been on edge trying to figure out Raynard’s intentions.

 

Thinking that tonight would pass peacefully, I smiled to myself and pulled the blanket over Eugen.

 

“Get some good sleep. Make up for what you’ve missed.”

 

“You too. But… it’s kind of strange.”

 

“What is?”

 

“The rope. It was already in the room. I don’t have any in mine.”

 

‘Why the rope?’ I nearly asked, but quickly shut my mouth.

 

From Eugen’s perspective, I wasn’t supposed to know the reason he had come to visit me until he told me himself.

 

Yet I had pulled a rope from my desk drawer.

 

In other words, he now thought I was someone who casually kept rope in her room.

 

‘If it were in a storage room, maybe, but most people don’t keep rope in their bedroom.’

 

Feeling a bit anxious, I sneaked a glance at Eugen’s face.

 

Thankfully, his gaze held no trace of suspicion as he looked at me.

 

“Oh, the rope?”

 

I feigned calm as I replied.

 

“I needed it for something in here a while back. I just never put it away.”

 

“I see.”

 

He didn’t ask any more questions, and I quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

 

‘That was close.’

 

If it had been Raynard instead of Eugen, he would’ve asked what exactly I needed the rope for, down to the smallest detail.

 

And then he might have realized he wasn’t the only one affected by the curse.

 

If that happened, who knew how things would spiral?

 

‘Jayden’s one thing, but…’

 

In the novel, Eugen and Raynard never got along. And Kyrie, with her profession, was the most likely to trace the curse to its source.

 

If Eugen and Raynard ever started fighting in my room with blades drawn…

 

Or if Kyrie, backed by Raynard’s full support, uncovered that I was closely tied to the curse…

 

‘No way! Absolutely not!’

 

I shivered at the terrible thought.

 

I had considered this scenario countless times throughout the day, and each time I’d come to the same conclusion, keep it hidden for now.

 

What if I got found out? I’d just say I was scared people would get suspicious if four people were involved in the curse. That should work.

 

‘Anyway, I have to be careful.’

 

Once again, I was reminded that while Eugen might be a bit naïve in the novel, he was by no means foolish.

 

He had sharp instincts and often saw things from unique perspectives, giving him an occasional air of perceptiveness.

 

Not someone to be underestimated.

 

“Charlotte.”

 

Eugen’s puzzled voice pierced through the silence, jolting me back to awareness.

 

“What are you doing? Aren’t you going to sleep?”

 

“Oh, right. I’ll go turn off the light.”

 

And then, knock knock knock. A quick knock stopped me in my tracks.

 

Someone was knocking on my bedroom door.

 

“Sister? Sister, are you there?”

 

Before I could even register who it was, Jayden’s voice rang out.

 

At the same time, I saw Eugen squirm slightly at the unexpected appearance of a third party.

 

Though he made no sound, his eyes met mine, silently asking what he should do.

 

I pressed a finger to my lips and looked at him, then called out to Jayden beyond the door.

 

“What is it in the middle of the night? Is there a fire or something?”

 

“Oh, you’re awake.”

 

“I was just about to get in bed.”

 

“I’m sorry, but could you open the door? I have something important to tell you.”

 

What now? I racked my brain but couldn’t think of any reason.

 

It hadn’t even been a week since Jayden last slept in my bed. Too soon for him to be driven by insomnia again.

 

“Sister? Is it difficult to open the door?”

 

Jayden continued pressing me.

 

Judging from his tone, he wouldn’t back off even if I told him we could talk tomorrow.

 

No choice. I gestured to Eugen to stay absolutely still, then cracked the door open just enough to show my face.

 

“What is it? I’m about to collapse from sleep.”

 

Jayden, also in pajamas, came into view with a serious expression and lowered voice.

 

“Is everything alright?”

 

“Everything’s fine.”

 

“If that’s the case, I’m relieved, but…”

 

“Then tell me what this is about.”

 

“I think I saw something.”

 

“Saw what?”

 

Jayden hesitated before continuing.

 

“I was thinking of taking a short walk before bed and was circling the mansion when I happened to glance outside…”

 

“And?”

 

“The shrubs in the garden were moving unnaturally. Something had passed by.”

 

“Probably an animal? There’s that cat the servants feed sometimes.”

 

“No. It was dark so I couldn’t see clearly, but the shape I caught a glimpse of was much bigger than a cat.”

 

I was almost certain. What Jayden saw was most likely Eugen.

 

He must have been lucky, but still managed to spot the Mercenary King moving in secret. Unnecessarily sharp eyes.

 

“I went outside to check, but there were no traces left.”

 

“Then maybe you were mistaken?”

 

“Perhaps, but it still didn’t sit right with me, so I’ve been checking around the nearby rooms.”

 

“You’re doing a lot. But I don’t think anyone came this way.”

 

“That’s good to hear. Still, just to be safe, I’d like to check the terrace before I go.”

 

“What? No. Why there?”

 

“There could be someone hiding out there. It’s dangerous, so let me take a look.”

 

“No, there’s no one. I already checked.”

 

“How can you be so sure? Someone could’ve snuck in while you were getting ready for bed.”

 

“I said no. Just go back.”

 

I tried to close the door, but Jayden was quicker, slipping his foot in to block it.

 

“Why are you so persistent!”

 

“Do you realize how strange you’re acting right now? You seem oddly nervous.”

 

“Nervous, my foot.”

 

“And the sister I know would have already told me to hurry up and check, just to get rid of me.”

 

That sounded exactly like something the real Charlotte would do, so I couldn’t argue.

 

“Don’t tell me…”

 

As we stood there in a standoff, Jayden’s gaze suddenly sharpened.

 

“Is someone in there? Are you being threatened?”

 

Jayden truly had a wild imagination.

 

“No!”

 

“Then why are you trying so hard to stop me from going inside?”

 

Because there’s a handsome, innocent-looking man tied up tightly with rope on my bed. And I, currently known as a wicked villainess, am the only other person here.

 

From an objective perspective, this scene was indistinguishable from a crime scene. I was the perverse aggressor, and Eugen the helpless victim.

 

Even if I explained that everything was consensual and my explanation was accepted, that in itself would still be a huge problem.

 

‘I can see it. I see it.’

 

Jayden’s icy glare. The horrified expressions of the rest of the family.

 

“Don’t come in!”

 

Desperate to avoid the worst-case scenario, I mustered every ounce of strength I had left…

 

“Sister!”

 

Crash!

 

But it wasn’t enough to stop Jayden, who had already decided to force the door open.

 

He barged into the room, yanked me behind him, and drew his sword.

 

Then his eyes widened as he took in the scene before him.