Chapter 05
They say people are scarier than ghosts.
She never thought she’d understand that like this.
Should I pretend to faint right now?
Or should I just jump over the railing, even if I break a few bones?
“Miss Diana.”
While she was imagining all sorts of desperate options, Ian had already approached and grabbed her so she couldn’t run.
His hand felt unusually hot.
No, I have to say something!
If she stayed silent, she would only make things worse.
She knew that—but her voice wouldn’t come out.
It felt like a noose was tightening around her throat.
“I… didn’t…”
“……”
“I didn’t hear anything.”
She tried to speak without trembling, but even her own voice sounded unfamiliar.
“Is that true?”
“……”
“You’d better answer honestly. Depending on your answer…”
Depending on her answer… what?
Why did he stop there?!
Diana felt like crying.
What made it worse was that she could easily imagine what came next.
If she mentioned anything about the casino losses, she might not even leave a body behind.
“I really didn’t hear anything. And you’re too close. Let go—”
She tried to push his hand away.
No—she intended to.
Did he realize she would run the moment he let go?
Instead of stepping back, Ian moved even closer and grabbed her waist.
Where did that kind of strength even come from in such a lean body?
Cold sweat ran down her back—
And then—
“Diana, are you here?”
Like a miracle, the lounge door opened.
Her saviors appeared.
Her mother—and Duchess Crawford.
They must have been looking for her.
The two noblewomen quickly spotted them in the dim room.
“Oh my, Diana!”
“…Ian?”
A dark lounge.
A man and a woman pressed close together.
Diana is trying to push him away, Ian holding her firmly.
“Good heavens… Ian Crawford!!”
Anyone would misunderstand.
Shock filled both women’s faces.
“Have you lost your mind?! What are you doing here?!”
“It’s not what it looks like, Aunt.”
“What do you mean it’s not?! I saw it myself! Let go of her immediately!”
The duchess shouted furiously.
At this point, Ian couldn’t keep holding her.
“…My apologies.”
He looked like he still had something to say but released her waist.
Diana immediately stepped away from him.
I-I’m alive…
But the relief didn’t last long.
Now she had to face the two women staring at her.
Especially her mother—the pressure in her gaze was intense.
I think I know exactly what they’re misunderstanding.
A man and a woman who went for a walk…
Now alone together in a dark lounge, pressed close.
Of course it looked suspicious.
“I’ll explain everything.”
“Be quiet.”
“Aunt, just now— “
“I said be quiet! No matter how young and impulsive you are, how could you treat a lady like this?!”
The problem was that all the blame was falling on Ian.
My mother is one thing, but even the duchess is misunderstanding.
Did she distrust him that much?
Diana glanced sideways at Ian.
“Are you alright, Diana?”
“…Yes.”
“Are you really alright?”
That question carried more than just concern for injuries.
“I’m really fine. Why would I lie?”
She quickly nodded.
What would happen if Ian Crawford were branded as a scoundrel because of her?
“Ian helped me.”
“…Helped you?”
“Yes. My shoe broke, and I stumbled. I got a little dizzy and lost my balance.”
She showed them her damaged shoe.
“I’m sorry for worrying you. But nothing happened.”
“Miss Diana, is that really true? You can speak honestly.”
“I’ve already said everything. Please clear up the misunderstanding.”
If she did speak honestly…
She couldn’t even imagine what would happen.
As a minor character with loose lips, wouldn’t she just be killed off by the villain?
Half convinced of that, Diana forced a bright smile.
***
“Ian, tell me. Did you really escort Miss Diana here?”
“Yes.”
There was only one person who knew this was a lie.
Ian Crawford.
“It’s exactly as Miss Diana said.”
“You? The same person who avoids being alone with women—helped her?”
Only then did the anger fade from the duchess’s eyes.
In its place came something else.
Curiosity—and hope.
“I only did what a gentleman should. You still judge me too harshly, Aunt.”
His polite, composed smile returned.
Back to his usual self.
But even after clearing up the misunderstanding, Ian’s gaze remained fixed on Diana.
She pretended not to notice—
But it felt like she was inside a horror movie.
***
“Mother, I think we should leave now.”
“Yes, let’s do that. We’ll take our leave, Duchess.”
“Very well. I’ll be in touch soon, Helena.”
Even during their polite farewell, that unsettling gaze didn’t leave her.
“…Then, excuse us.”
Will this be the last time we meet?
Like a cursed doll in a horror story—
Even if you throw it away or burn it, it always comes back.
“Please return safely, Miss Diana.”
The feeling she got from Ian—
It definitely wasn’t her imagination.
***
After the Party
“Do you think the young Duke Crawford has taken a liking to you?”
On the way home, Diana struggled to deal with her oddly excited mother.
Helena’s attitude had changed completely.
“He couldn’t take his eyes off you.”
“…I don’t think that’s the case.”
“But he supported you himself and brought you to the lounge.”
“Yes… he lived up to his reputation as a gentleman.”
She tried her best to deflect, but she understood why her mother thought this way.
From an outsider’s perspective, Ian’s attention had been intense.
I should have denied it more clearly.
“I didn’t hear anything. When did you arrive? I didn’t even notice.”
She should have shut it down completely.
Will Ian Crawford just let this go?
What if he tries to approach her again?
The more she thought about it, the more terrified she became.
That night, she even dreamed of Ian chasing her with a noose.
This is the worst!
But the real nightmare came later.
***
Four Days Later
A shocking piece of news arrived.
“Diana, the young duke wants to meet you again.”
“…What?”
“It seems he enjoyed your last meeting. He sent a letter asking to have tea together.”
Diana doubted her ears.
Was there another Ian Crawford in this world?
Or was this some kind of prank?
“I told you—he likes you!”
Unlike Diana, who was in shock, her mother looked thrilled.
“This time, he even said he’d visit according to our schedule. How thoughtful, especially when he’s so busy.”
“Uh…”
“Oh, this won’t do. I need to tell Ilma to prepare for guests immediately.”
“W-Wait, Mother!”
Diana hurriedly stopped her.
“That letter… it really came from the Crawford family?”
“Of course. Why?”
“I’m just surprised. I only showed him my worst side—I can’t believe he enjoyed it…”
She knew exactly how her parents would see this.
If things went well, it wouldn’t just end in an engagement.
It would be a huge opportunity for their family.
That’s why, for the past three days, she had emphasized that nothing happened.
She even told them not to expect too much.
But it seemed that only fueled their hopes.
Seeing her mother’s shining eyes felt unreal.
It was like she could hear her imagination running wild.
“Relationships are always like that. The more cautious you are, the harder it is. Perhaps he was just nervous.”
No. Absolutely not, Mother.
Diana shuddered, remembering Ian’s cold expression.
“It really didn’t feel like that…”
“Oh my, is that so?”
“Why are you smiling like that?”
“Because I think he saw something special in you.”
Diana looked at her mother, who was smiling brightly.
“When you’re looking for a marriage partner, sometimes you just know. You feel like, ‘This is the person I’ll marry.’ Maybe he felt that about you.”
Mother… You’re jumping to conclusions way too much.
Especially about what someone else is thinking.
“Anyway, since the letter has arrived, read it. And don’t forget to send a reply this morning.”
Her mother left cheerfully.
“…You can just know?”
Still stunned, Diana slowly opened the letter from Ian Crawford.
