Chapter 5 – The Beginning of a Persistent Nightmare

They say people are scarier than ghosts—Diana never thought she’d understand that phrase so well.

Should I just faint right now?
Or maybe fling myself over the railing, even if I break a few bones?

Before she could decide, a low voice called her name.

“Miss Diana.”

Ian had silently closed the distance, gripping her arm tightly as if to keep her from escaping.

His palm was strangely hot.

No, I can’t stay silent. I have to say something!

If she kept her mouth shut, she was surely doomed.

But knowing that didn’t make it any easier to speak—her throat felt like it was tied with a noose.

“I… didn’t hear… anything…”

Her voice trembled, unfamiliar even to her own ears.

“Is that really true?”

“…”

“You’d better be honest. Depending on your answer…”

Depending on my answer, what?
Why stop there? Finish the sentence, you psycho!

Diana nearly burst into tears.

What truly terrified her wasn’t what he said—it was what he didn’t. She could easily guess the rest.

If she brought up even a word about casinos or money laundering, she’d probably vanish without a trace.

“I really didn’t hear anything! More importantly, you’re too close. Let go of me—”

She tried to shake his hand off.

Tried.

Maybe he noticed she was planning to bolt the moment he let go?

Instead of stepping back, Ian pulled her even closer, wrapping one arm tightly around her waist.

How can such a lean-looking guy have monster strength like this?!

Just then—

“Diana, are you in here?”

The lounge door swung open like a miracle.

It was her mother—and the Duke’s aunt, Madam Crawford.

They had apparently gone looking for Diana after she’d vanished without a word and had no trouble spotting the two in the dark room.

“Diana, my goodness!”

“Ian?!”

A man and woman, alone in a dark room.
Diana trying to push him away.
Ian clinging tightly to her waist.

It looked bad. Very bad.

“Good heavens—Ian Crawford!!”

Their shocked faces said it all.

“Have you lost your mind? What do you think you’re doing in a place like this?!”

“Aunt, it’s not what it looks like—”

“Don’t lie to me! Let go of her this instant!”

Madam Crawford’s fury echoed.

Now that others had seen it, Ian had no choice but to let go.

“…My apologies.”

His expression showed he still had something to say, but his hands fell from her waist.

Diana quickly stepped away from him.

I—I survived…

Her relief didn’t last long.

Two pairs of eyes—her mother’s and Madam Crawford’s—were now locked on her with intense concern.

I think I know exactly what they’re misunderstanding…

Alone in a dark lounge. A man and a woman. Holding each other.

Anyone would get the wrong idea.

“I’ll explain everything,” she offered.

“You keep quiet!” snapped Madam Crawford.
“I saw it with my own eyes. How dare you treat a lady like that!”

Ian took all the heat alone.

Even Madam Crawford doesn’t trust him…?

Diana glanced sideways at Ian.

“Are you alright, Diana?” her mother asked.

“Yes.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I’m fine. Why would I lie?”

She nodded quickly, trying to protect herself—and Ian.

The last thing she wanted was to provoke this villain any further.

“The Young Duke was actually helping me.”

“…Helping you?”

“Yes. My heel broke and I stumbled. I lost my balance for a moment.”

She subtly showed her damaged shoe.

“I’m sorry for worrying you, but nothing happened. Really.”

“Miss Diana, are you sure? You don’t have to hide anything,” said Madam Crawford.

“I’ve told you the truth. Please believe me.”

If she actually said what happened, she’d probably die the next day. Side characters with loose lips always got axed.

So Diana smiled sweetly and feigned calm.

“Ian,” Madam Crawford demanded, “is that true? Were you just escorting her?”

“Yes,” he answered, unfazed.

Only one person here knew he was lying—
Ian Crawford himself.

“Just as Miss Diana said.”

“You always avoided being alone with women, but now you’re helping her?”

Finally, the rage in Madam Crawford’s eyes began to fade.

In its place was something else—curiosity… and hope.

“I was only doing what a gentleman should. Aunt, you still underestimate me.”

Ian’s smile returned—calm and professional.

Back to his usual mask.

But even after the misunderstanding had been cleared, his gaze lingered on Diana.

She pretended not to notice. But it felt like being the heroine in a horror film.

“Mother, I think we should head home now,” she said.

“Yes, let’s do that. Thank you, Madam Crawford. We’ll be in touch.”

Even as they exchanged polite farewells, Diana could still feel someone’s eyes burning holes in her back.

Will this really be the last time I see him?

Like a cursed doll from a horror movie, no matter how far you run, it always comes back.

“Take care on your way back, Miss Diana,” Ian said gently.

Yeah. That creepy feeling? Not a misunderstanding.

Later That Night

“Do you think the Young Duke might be interested in you?”

On the ride home, Diana broke into a cold sweat dealing with her oddly cheerful mother.

Helena’s attitude had taken a sharp turn.

“He couldn’t take his eyes off you!”

More like it was annoying.

“I really don’t think that’s the case.”

“But he helped you, even escorted you to the lounge. Isn’t that sweet?”

“Yes, very gentlemanly of him,” she replied, keeping up the facade.

Diana knew exactly why her mother was misunderstanding.

Even outsiders could see how intense Ian’s gaze had been.

I should’ve denied everything more strongly…

She should’ve just played dumb—said she hadn’t heard anything or even seen Ian at all.

There’s no way Ian Crawford will back down so easily…

That ominous hunch had her trembling.

That night, Diana dreamed of Ian chasing her with a noose in hand.

“Worst. Nightmare. Ever.”

And yet, the real nightmare came four days later.

Four Days Later

“Diana, the Young Duke says he’d like to meet you again.”

“…What?”

“He said he enjoyed your last meeting and wants to have tea together. He sent a letter!”

Diana couldn’t believe her ears.

Was there another Ian Crawford in the world? Or was this some kind of hidden camera prank?

“I told you! He’s interested in you!”

While Diana sat in stunned silence, her mother looked absolutely delighted.

“He even said he’ll come according to our schedule. How considerate!”

“Uh…”

“I should tell Irma to start preparing for the visit!”

“W-Wait! Mother, hold on a second!”

Diana snapped back to reality and rushed to stop her.

“The letter… Are you sure it’s from the Duke Crawford?”

“Of course it is. Why do you ask?”

“I’m just surprised. After how awkward things were that night, it’s hard to believe he enjoyed it…”

She knew how her parents would interpret this.

If things went well, this wouldn’t stop at tea—it could mean an engagement.

A golden opportunity to strengthen their family’s ties to the powerful Crawford House.

So for three whole days, she’d been careful to explain that absolutely nothing happened.

But apparently, that caution just added fuel to the fire.

I can hear my mom’s hope circuits revving up…

“That’s how these things work, sweetheart. Love starts in strange ways. Maybe the Young Duke was nervous, too.”

No, mom. No, no, no. A thousand times no.

Diana shivered, remembering Ian’s cold stare.

“Still… it didn’t feel like that at all.”

“Oh, really?”

“Why are you smiling like that?”

“Because the Young Duke clearly saw something special in you.”

Diana gave her mom a bewildered look.

“Sometimes, when looking for a partner, you just know.
A gut feeling. Like, ‘This is the one.’
Maybe that’s how he felt about you.”

Too much optimism, Mom. And way too much guessing.

“Anyway, the letter’s here. Read it, and don’t forget to send a reply before noon.”

Her mother hummed joyfully as she walked away to find the housekeeper.

“A gut feeling…?”

Diana stood frozen for a moment…
Then slowly opened Ian Crawford’s letter.