Chapter 14
From that point on, everything progressed without a hitch.
Castian and Count Pilgrin pressed their seals onto the contract, and just like that, the ownership of the forest and mine changed hands.
Count Pilgrin, who had been silently staring at the contract, spoke with an ironic tone.
> “You’re doing this because you need Marcus’ healing power, aren’t you?”
Castian didn’t answer. He simply rose to his feet. But even as he turned away, the Count hurled his words at his back.
> “Even for a Duke, that one won’t be easy to win over. He doesn’t respond to persuasion or threats.”
He didn’t sound like a man merely venting his frustration.
Well, he had a justifiable reason—claiming Marcus had hit his son—so he probably tried everything he could. After all, this was a rare opportunity.
He even went as far as imprisoning a priest.
Worried, I glanced at Castian, but he acted as though he hadn’t heard a word of the Count’s rant.
Snubbed to the end, Count Pilgrin stomped out of the barracks, practically kicking the ground.
> “This was a mistake! Pack up and withdraw—now!”
His furious bellow echoed outside as his men scrambled to pack their things.
As I watched them leave, the soft cry of a wolf pup reached my ears again.
The hunters were trying to move the cage that held the little wolf.
> “Um… I think it’d be better if you left that one here.”
The hunters paused, scowling at me. But when they spotted Castian standing by my side, they flinched.
Looking between the Duke and Count Pilgrin, the hunters ultimately left behind not only the cage with the wolf pup, but also the large carcass of the dead wolf.
With one last fierce glare from the Count, the hunters disappeared entirely from sight.
I turned my attention to the whining wolf pup inside the cage.
> “It looks hurt… Poor thing.”
It was a dilemma.
The little creature bared its teeth at me despite its injured leg and the blood dripping from it.
And it wasn’t just the pup. Even the large, dead wolf nearby presented a problem.
While I was trying to figure out what to do with them, Castian spoke decisively:
> “We’ll need treatment.”
He was right. The injured wolf needed healing—and so did Castian.
It was time to meet Marcus.
We handed the wolves over to Izel and spent the night in the carriage.
I had sworn never to ride another four-legged beast again, but with Eden unavailable to serve as the coachman, I had no choice.
Once again, Castian effortlessly lifted me and seated me on the horse.
As he gently set the horse into motion, I braced for my tailbone to shatter—but surprisingly, the ride was smoother than expected.
Maybe last time had just been too fast?
This time, I even had the leisure to look around and take in the surroundings.
After a while, I craned my neck and looked up at Castian.
> “Are you uncomfortable?”
His low, pleasant voice held a gentle tone.
I shook my head, but the horse slowed down even more.
He could be surprisingly considerate. But earlier, when he was dealing with Count Pilgrin, it had felt like a storm front was moving through.
He had been the textbook definition of a cold-hearted villain.
The Count’s resentful final glare still lingered in my mind.
Castian might not care—he was a Duke, after all—but I was just a regular person. Someone who had lived their life reading the room and bowing when necessary.
This wasn’t something I’d get used to easily.
After some hesitation, I cautiously asked:
> “Your Grace… do you have a lot of friends?”
> “None.”
When I tilted my head at him, Castian added as if trying to justify himself:
> “I never needed any.”
It was a strange answer, but somehow, I found it convincing.
Maybe that’s why his personality turned out like that.
I nodded in agreement, and then he returned the question.
> “Lydia. Do you have many friends?”
> “Ah… No. I don’t either.”
Now that I said it, I realized I wasn’t one to talk.
I hadn’t had many friends in my original world, and here… I barely knew anyone at all.
The people I did know would probably toss me aside the moment they discovered I’d been involved with black magic.
As I sighed, Castian asked another question:
> “What about family? Or a lover?”
> “Nope. None of that either.”
Since I had no memories, even if I did have those things once, they didn’t matter now.
As the words left my mouth, the emptiness hit me.
No job, no house, no money. I used to make a living as a web designer, but in this world, I had no way to earn a living.
Even after convincing Marcus to heal Castian, I had no idea where to go next.
Was my life… really going to be okay?
Just then, Castian surprised me with an unexpected offer.
> “If you need one… I’ll be that for you.”
> “Huh?”
> “To put it plainly—I’ve realized I need one now.”
It sounded like a riddle, but then it clicked.
Given our earlier conversation, the only thing he hadn’t needed before but did now—was a friend.
I had no idea what made him change his mind so suddenly, but I had no reason to refuse.
Honestly, I had saved his life. The least he could do was be my friend.
Besides, if you’re going to have a friend, a Duke is the best kind to have.
With my future uncertain, a rich friend could at least keep me off the streets.
Before he could change his mind, I blurted out:
> “Deal!”
I couldn’t see his face directly since he was behind me, but I could clearly feel the curve of a satisfied smile forming on his lips.
The angle of that smile seemed oddly dangerous, and in the next moment, he leaned forward.
His lips brushed close to my ear as he spoke each word slowly, like he was sealing a vow.
> “You agreed. Remember that, Lydia.”
His solemn tone made me turn to look at him.
I’d been curious what kind of expression he was making, and I was startled by how bright his smile was.
He had been unusually cheerful all day, but this was the first time I’d seen him smile so openly.
It felt a little embarrassing, seeing him look so happy just to make a friend.
Still, I resolved to treat him well—no matter what my situation was.
And with that, we finally arrived at the prison.
The moment we stepped inside, a thunderous voice rang out:
> “HEY YOU MOTHERXXXXXXX!!! LET ME OUT RIGHT NOW!! EVEN A XXXX WOULD DO A BETTER JOB THAN YOU BASTARDS!!!”
Castian clicked his tongue and gently covered my ears with his hands, but it was no use.
Marcus’ booming voice could shatter walls.
What kind of priest curses like that…?
Dazed by the sheer creativity and volume of the insults, I followed Castian forward.
There, hanging from the bars like a monkey, was a man.
His golden hair sparkled brighter than the sunlight streaming through the tiny window, and his gentle green eyes radiated kindness…
…completely at odds with the foul curses spilling from his lips.
I was stunned.
> “Priest Marcus,” Castian addressed the foul-mouthed beauty in the cell.
> “Who the hell are you?”
> “The one here to get you out.”
As he held up the release documents, Marcus narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing him.
The man, known for his extreme misanthropy, scoffed coldly.
> “You want something from me too, don’t you?”
> “You want something from me as well.”
Castian unfolded the release order he had obtained from Count Pilgrin.
I thought Marcus would be overjoyed to regain his freedom—but he turned his head away from both Castian and the document.
> “I don’t need that crap. Imprison me when you want, free me when you want—that’s all nobles ever do.”
He muttered cynically, then sat down on the floor of the cell with a thud.
