Chapter 8

“A guest has arrived, My Lady.”

“Escort them to the drawing room.”

“Yes, My Lady.”

It was obvious they were here for business. This would be a good time to mention that I had handed over all business rights.

Here was my goal:

Make Edwin let his guard down, pretend to marry Marquis Renold, quietly siphon money from both the family and the marquisate…

Then vanish.

Faking my death would probably be the surest method.

Before that, I’d need to take care of Sethna and release him if I wanted to avoid being chased by the imperial palace. Once he returned, he’d strike House Rosmond.

Once I escaped the family, neither Edwin nor Duke Rosmond would care about me anymore. For now, they were just taking out their frustrations by tormenting me.

Edwin, having once been abandoned, likely needed someone—anyone—from House Rosmond to hate.

When I arrived at the drawing room, a tall man I’d never seen before was standing there.

“A pleasure to meet you.”

He had an easygoing, friendly air. With honey-blond hair and striking green eyes, he was undeniably handsome.

“I am Tesis Renold, heir to Marquis Renold.”

“Ah… yes.”

He offered a handshake, but I deliberately didn’t take it. I had no idea what kind of Awakened he might be.

Instead, he withdrew his hand with a smile and took a seat. I glanced at the door, instinctively checking if it was fully closed.

Of all people, why did someone from Marquis Renold’s household have to come—especially when I was just pretending to marry into their family?

Hardly a welcome visit. Still, his constant, sunny smile made me think maybe he’d be easier to handle than most.

“I’ll be direct.”

“Go ahead.”

“You’re the one who kidnapped Crown Prince Sethna Nocturne Delmaris, aren’t you?”

“…Pardon?”

“I saw you the day it happened—saw you kidnapping him with my own eyes.”

Tesis spoke with absolute confidence.

“What are you…?”

He looked completely calm.

“Are you day-drinking?”

“I’d drink if you’d join me, but no, I’m perfectly sober.”

He watched me intently, almost playfully. Regardless, he clearly knew Sethna was here in the mansion.

“…I must have phrased that poorly.”

As he rose from his seat—

Knock knock.

“Come in.”

With a soft click, a servant entered. Serving tea was expected when a guest visited the drawing room.

“I’ve brought tea, My Lady.”

“Thank you.”

Teacups were placed before us just as Tesis was halfway to standing. As the tea was poured, he seemed frozen, then sat back down like nothing happened.

“Enjoy your time together.”

Once the maid exited and closed the door, he stared down at the tea, looking awkward.

“I misspoke earlier. Please forgive me for that.”

“…Alright.”

I tried to gauge his intentions—I still didn’t know what he was getting at.

Meanwhile, a different thought surfaced.

‘What if I just ran for it right now, sprinted straight to the train station—what would happen?’

I’d probably be caught before I got far.

The cash I could carry was limited to heavy gold coins.

Otherwise, I could take jewelry.

But withdrawing the money I’d left in the bank required paperwork—and Edwin had already discovered my fake account.

Which meant I had no emergency funds.

If I tried to sell off jewels, I’d be caught in a day. Selling stolen goods would require underground channels—but who’d be stupid enough to buy from House Rosmond, a family favored by the emperor himself?

Unless it was a priceless heirloom, my modest jewels wouldn’t cut it.

“Marry me instead of my father.”

“Cough—! What?”

I nearly choked on the tea I’d been sipping. As I spluttered, he handed me a handkerchief, looking flustered. It was white, embroidered with Marquis Renold’s sunflower crest. I wiped my mouth as he blushed furiously.

“My father is not fit to be a husband.”

“How… how did this conversation go in that direction?”

I tried to keep my composure, but he suddenly looked startled, like he’d slipped up.

“I know why you kidnapped the crown prince. It’s because Duke Rosmond is a puppeteer, isn’t it?”

“…That’s…”

“Duke Rosmond plans to turn His Highness into a puppet and rule from the shadows.”

His reasoning wasn’t wrong, and I couldn’t refute him.

“My Lady, I understand the situation you’re in. Can you confirm if I’m right?”

He gave me a naive, innocent look.

“It seems you’ve been forced into loyalty to House Rosmond. You were threatened—if you didn’t take the crown prince, your life would be in danger.”

“…”

“My ability is telepathy.”

I coughed, straightening in my seat, and stared directly into his eyes.

“But I can’t read minds without physical contact. And my ability is top-tier.”

He smiled, making eye contact like he truly meant it.

“I read the memories of someone who witnessed it all.”

“That wasn’t me.”

“My Lady, this isn’t the first time we’ve met. I first saw you at the debutante ball.”

I’d met so many people at the debutante ball that I couldn’t remember. I tried to recall but couldn’t.

Tesis then spoke with a gentle, cautious voice.

“We danced that night, and I accidentally read your thoughts. You didn’t want to be sold off in a political marriage. And I know the atrocities committed by House Rosmond.”

“…How much?”

“I know most of what you were thinking that day.”

I’d assumed the young marquis had awakened, but I hadn’t expected a telepath. And mental-type Awakened usually hid their abilities.

If he revealed the limits of his power, people like me would simply avoid touching him.

And yet… he was even telling me his weakness.

“I can’t trust you, Young Marquis.”

“I understand. My ability isn’t one-way. May I… borrow your hand to prove it?”

I couldn’t trust him, but I couldn’t afford to let word spread that Crown Prince Sethna was in this mansion.

Slowly, I reached out my hand. He didn’t grab it immediately—he looked into my eyes and spoke.

“I came to share my sincerity. I’ve always… struggled to speak clearly and concisely. I’m sure I’ve flustered you with my clumsy words, but… I didn’t come with any intention to harm you.”

“…Alright.”

“I mean it.”

With that, he took my hand firmly.

“Ah, s-sorry.”

A moment late, he realized he was wearing gloves. He quickly let go, pulled them off, and clasped my hand again. A warm sensation spread from his palm into mine.

“I can read others’ memories—or share my own with them.”

As he spoke, his green eyes shimmered red.

Then, suddenly, a memory he had read seemed to flash before my eyes.

‘We leave immediately.’

‘Yes, My Lady.’

In the memory, it was unmistakably me. Platinum hair, violet eyes—and even though I was seeing it through a mirror, the face was familiar. Beside me stood Sethna, bound as if he’d been kidnapped.

“This doesn’t make sense. If I were the culprit, why would I show my face like that?”

“I thought the same. So it must be… Duke Rosmond leaked this on purpose.”

No—it couldn’t be Father. It was Edwin who had threatened me.

‘If you run, you’ll become the crown prince’s kidnapper.’

Edwin must’ve found some copycat ability user and orchestrated this.

Just then, another memory surged into view.

It was me again.

But I looked slightly different—more striking than when I saw myself in the mirror. My platinum hair fell over my shoulders, catching the eye. When our gazes met, I saw myself smiling reflexively—and felt myself gasp.

‘Hello.’

The moment I heard that, my heartbeat pounded wildly in my ears, like a runaway drumbeat. Every time I saw that curved smile, a strange, crushing pain squeezed in my chest.

“T-this isn’t right!”

Tesis suddenly yanked his hand away.

His flushed face, unmistakably red, seemed to prove just how vivid and powerful that memory was to him.