Chapter 68
Marsha looked at him with suspicion.
“Do you still have more to say?”
“Of course.”
So he was going to press her, demanding to know exactly what she and Urian had talked about.
Marsha eyed him warily as she sat down.
“I think that man came here for a different reason.”
“Ah.”
Marsha explained that Urian had only come to confirm the case documents.
Hearing this, Claudio nodded.
At least she kept her word and didn’t mention the rest.
Still, the miner’s death was bizarre.
Even if one overlooked the mutilated face, something else stood out.
Severing the carotid artery and then defacing the corpse—fine, but why had the body’s clothes been so immaculately clean?
As if someone had dressed him in new clothes after the killing.
The first time Claudio had reviewed the documents, he had been forced to laugh bitterly.
Even after four years, so many suspicious details remained.
What had the officers back then actually done?
Were they incompetent—or something worse…?
His brow furrowed slightly, and at that moment Marsha spoke.
“I feel guilty for dragging you into my affairs. You should already be pouring all your focus into catching the one who attacked you, and here I am making you worry about me too…”
He gave a soft laugh.
“I can’t ignore it. We made a contract, remember? My circumstances come after that.”
“There’s such a thing as timing when it comes to catching criminals,” Marsha said gravely.
“I never stopped looking into my own case. I just didn’t talk about it. So all you need to do is make sure I’m fulfilling my end of our contract. I’ll be making sure you’re working hard at yours, too.”
Marsha narrowed her eyes and pushed out her lower lip.
“…I’ve already been working very hard.”
“Really? Doing what, exactly?”
Claudio leaned his chin against his hand, eyes crinkling.
His tone was gentle, his smile easy, yet there was something mischievous in it.
“I’ve gone through fifteen different catalogues already. And the flowers—you even had someone bring me a dictionary.”
It might have sounded as if she had been idly playing with fashion and flowers, but in truth Marsha had been sweating bullets.
Four years ago, choosing dresses had thrilled her.
When her father told her to prepare for her debut, her heart had raced with excitement.
So why now did it feel only like a heavy burden?
Is it because this is his party?
After all, the host was Claudio himself.
What if she chose poorly, and people questioned his taste?
But more than that…
Marsha narrowed her eyes and muttered,
“I keep wondering if this party should even be held at all.”
Urian had said it was the most Claudio-like choice possible.
But to Marsha, it still felt troubling.
“People will get the wrong idea.”
“What kind of idea?” Claudio asked, amused.
Marsha answered with earnest seriousness.
“That Duke Gloria is… well, a little…”
She faltered, lips moving soundlessly as she averted her gaze.
Claudio, realizing the words she had swallowed, let out a disbelieving snort.
“That my head isn’t screwed on right?”
“No, I only meant—people might think that.”
“And why would they think that?”
Marsha felt exasperated.
Why?
Obviously because he was throwing a party for her.
People would surely whisper, Why on earth is Duke Gloria hosting a ball for such a country nobody?
Even if she saved his life, it’s too strange!
“Be honest. You lied when you said you never attended parties, didn’t you?”
“I already told you. Now and then, when necessary—always alone.”
Leaning forward, he stressed each word with sharp finality.
Marsha sighed.
“Just showing up with me will be enough to set tongues wagging. Everyone will ask why Duke Gloria is dragging such a rustic girl around. They’ll say, Even if she saved his life, isn’t a bit of money enough? Why go this far?”
All the while she spoke, Claudio’s brow remained furrowed.
Her voice was soft, lovely—but the words were anything but.
“And if you’re not just attending but hosting the party yourself? All the worse. I can’t help but worry that even after I’m gone, ugly rumors will keep following you.”
After I’m gone.
The phrase made his lower lashes twitch.
She never fails to say something that twists my insides.
Unable to take more, Claudio cut in.
“Forget what others think. I’m not in a position where such gossip could touch my honor anyway.”
“But still…”
“What you should be worrying about isn’t my reputation. It’s making sure Beatrice never gets close to me again. Why keep wasting thought on nonsense?”
Marsha’s eyes trembled.
Nonsense—the words felt like a sharp slap, as though he were telling her not to overstep her place.
And Claudio immediately realized his mistake.
Marsha had only been worrying for his sake.
But hearing her speak again of leaving him had made his temper flare, and the words had slipped out too harshly.
He glanced at her quickly.
Her lashes weren’t trembling, her lips weren’t quivering, but the subdued heaviness in her expression told him enough.
Panicking, he rushed to amend himself.
“What I meant was—not that you shouldn’t think deeply. Just that… you don’t need to drown yourself in unnecessary worries…”
He pinched the bridge of his nose, grimacing.
His words tangled, stumbling out clumsily.
Since when have I ever been this tongue-tied?
But there was no time for self-reproach.
How could he make her understand what he really meant?
As he struggled, Marsha spoke again.
“…Then let me ask you one more thing.”
Taking a steadying breath, she continued calmly.
“Since this is your party, couldn’t you simply not invite that young lady?”
Claudio’s eyes widened.
She was right—he didn’t have to invite Beatrice.
He certainly had no wish for Marsha to ever cross paths with that wretched woman.
But there was a problem.
He had already told Marsha that Beatrice was the reason he needed her at his side.
Idiot.
Why had he chosen that excuse?
Claudio wanted nothing more than to go back and pummel his past self.
He had been so desperate just to take Marsha along that he hadn’t thought of a better reason.
He should have said this instead: I must attend, but I’m too afraid of the women there to ask anyone.
You’re the only one I can endure—so please, save this pathetic man and stay by me.
That pitiful, foolish plea would have been far better than hiding behind Beatrice’s name.
While he hesitated, Marsha shook her head.
“Ah, that was shortsighted of me. No matter what kind of person she is, she’ll soon be queen. You couldn’t possibly leave her out.”
“No…”
The denial burst from him instinctively.
Marsha waited, but his lips moved without sound.
When nothing more came, she rose from her seat.
“Why?”
“We only planned to rest a little. I shouldn’t keep the butler waiting any longer.”
“Take it easy. There’s no rush—we have plenty of time.”
“Do we?”
He thought she would sit back down.
But instead she walked toward the door.
“Where are you going? This is your room.”
“I’ve been stuck here all day. I thought I’d take a walk. Is that not allowed?”
The words sounded like an accusation: Am I not even allowed to leave this room?
“No, no—of course you can go if you want.”
With a groan, Claudio rose as well.
“I’ll come with you.”
“You must be tired from going out earlier. I’ll go alone.”
“But I—”
“Or are you afraid I’ll do something foolish if I’m left by myself?”
Her face was cold as she asked it.
“…Of course not.”
“Then I can go alone.”
With that, Marsha left the room.
Claudio, left behind, raked his fingers through his hair and tilted back his head in frustration.
