ITVDWBE 64

~Chapter 64~

“What emotions do you see in me right now? If you still think I’m giving you any leeway, I might just slip and let go.”

“Hngk! Mmph!”

Bianca was overwhelmed with terror as the dagger embedded in her shoulder pressed in deeper.

Yet, seeing the raw fear on her face only made Richard suppress the fury that had been boiling inside.

“Be grateful I chose to teach you a lesson instead of taking your life.”

It was the first time Bianca had ever felt such blatant hostility. Everyone she’d ever met had adored her—she had always been loved wherever she went.

Now, faced with Richard’s cold hatred, her mind reeled in confusion.

“I don’t want to hear your voice. Leave now. They’ll recognize the sword’s crest—no one will ask questions.”

Even after he removed his hand from her mouth, Bianca couldn’t utter a word. Terrified, she clutched her wounded shoulder and staggered away, leaning against the wall.

Her entire body trembled uncontrollably. All she could do was walk—to escape the fear, clutching her burning shoulder.

‘I’m scared. I need help. I’m so scared.’

She stumbled toward Head Maid Rosa’s room in a daze.

The room, attached to the large office, was pristine, without a speck of dust.

“Head Maid, it’s Bianca.”

Rosa opened the door with her usual pristine appearance, despite the late hour.

Even when seeing Bianca soaked and bloodied, Rosa simply glanced around and ushered her in without emotion.

“Sobs… I’m hurt. What if something goes wrong? The Duke said it’d be fine, but there’s so much blood.”

“If His Grace said that, it must be fine.”

“Please… call a doctor.”

“We can’t call the family doctor for this. Go to the village physician.”

Bianca’s eyes wavered at Rosa’s dismissive reply. She looked at her with pleading, accusatory eyes, as if asking, Why won’t you help me?

But Rosa simply crossed her arms and lifted her chin coldly.

“You said he was lonely. I just wanted to comfort him, but he stabbed me.”

“Comfort? You threw that lowly body of yours at him, didn’t you?”

“How can you say that?! You said it would work! That since he knew women—had slept with the Madam—he’d be craving intimacy. You told me to help him.”

“And with all your youth and beauty, you couldn’t even seduce one man. How pitiful.”

Shocked by Rosa’s 180-degree shift in attitude—so cold it bordered on contempt—Bianca forgot her pain and voiced her injustice.

“How could you do this to me? You said the Madam was too frail, couldn’t have children, and would only leave the Duke lonely! I just wanted to comfort him. That’s what you told me to do!”

Rosa calmly uncrossed her arms and shook her head.

“You must’ve misunderstood. I only meant that doing your best for your master is the servant’s duty.”

“Head Maid!”

“Stop whining and get to a hospital. Better to walk there than be carried out.”

Bianca was stunned. Everything about Rosa’s reaction contradicted how warmly she had been treated at first.

When Bianca had joined the household, Rosa had welcomed her, given her a good room, and told her stories of the Duke’s “lonely heart.”

She’d said Bianca was the only one who could save their poor master and encouraged her.

It had been Rosa who told her to use her beauty and femininity to get close.

Bianca had justified her actions, believing she was helping.

From up close, Richard had seemed distant and lonely. He pushed her away, sure—but he showed various emotions. She thought she was making progress.

And then…

She’d been stabbed. And now Rosa was pretending to know nothing.

As Bianca was pushed out of Rosa’s room, a cold voice followed her.

“If you insist on seeing the family doctor… well, with that dagger mark, I doubt he’ll treat you. But maybe you can use your only asset. Do your best.”

Before Bianca could respond, the door slammed shut.

Rosa had made it clear—even if she went to the mansion’s doctor, she might not be treated.

Her last lifeline was gone. Fear now joined the pain, making her body tremble violently.

Something about the Duke’s household was deeply wrong.

For the second time in her life, Bianca had experienced true rejection—and it was unbearable.

The unfamiliar feelings were sharp, painful, and terrifying.

She felt alone.

Bianca, who had always boldly demanded what she wanted, now found the situation foreign and frightening.

Even someone who could approach strangers with ease—for the first time, Bianca had no idea who to turn to for help.

“Still… I need treatment fast.”

Blood flowed down her arm. The amount wasn’t normal.

Though fear made it hard to move, she couldn’t just collapse.

She forced herself to walk, recalling all she’d learned about medicine in her small village.

✦ ✦ ✦

After the terrified Bianca turned away with the dagger still in her shoulder, Richard stood there silently.

Watching her disappear, his cold eyes didn’t waver.

“Haa…”

Even after she was out of sight, Richard had to take deep breaths to calm his anger.

He’d never felt so emotionally volatile. He was shocked at how furious a few words had made him.

If Ancia’s face hadn’t flashed before him when he drew his dagger, he might have done far worse.

He was only able to restrain his murderous intent because he didn’t want to see Ancia in pain.

All this uncontrollable fury—it had all started because of Ancia.

Glaring at the now-empty hallway, Richard muttered a cold warning:

“Just because these feelings were directed at you… doesn’t mean they were caused by you. None of these emotions belong to you.”

Had Ancia heard him, she would’ve been horrified.

But just thinking of her calmed Richard’s violent urges, replacing them with unfamiliar but pleasant feelings.

He turned and walked toward her room.

Once he arrived at the shared bedroom, the last of his dark emotions faded, and were replaced by affection and a quiet hope.

He opened the heavy door gently. Warm air greeted him.

Though a bit warm for him, it was probably perfect for Ancia. Just in case, he tossed another log into the fireplace—and the sound woke her.

“Mmm… Your Grace?”

“Did I wake you? I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. Did you just return?”

Hearing her drowsy, sluggish tone, Richard felt his heart grow peaceful.

Suddenly, he remembered Bianca had claimed to bring water for Ancia. He reached to pull the bell rope to summon a drink—but paused.

“Did you ask Bianca to bring you something to drink?”

“Huh? No?”

“I thought so.”

Still groggy, Ancia caught the change in his voice and quickly revised her answer.

Realizing Bianca may have used her name as an excuse, Ancia quickly backtracked.

“Ah, come to think of it… she did say she’d bring something. Such a sweet girl, isn’t she?”

Richard tilted his head, staring.

“I see. The drink was red.”

Red? What was it? Raspberry? Wine?

“She said you requested it.”

“Oh, yes. I often ask Bianca for things.”

“It had a fruity scent.”

“She tried to seduce me. And yet you still defend her?”

“Huh? She… poured water on herself and tried to seduce you?”

Bianca… you really tried.

But the man she tried to seduce had rushed straight to his wife, looking utterly unbothered.

As Ancia looked at Richard’s annoyed expression, she felt relieved—and then surprised by her own relief.

Richard, meanwhile, was devastated by her reaction.

“I’ve asked you so many times…”

His growling voice sounded damp and heavy, and Ancia flinched.

“I could even tolerate you cherishing her. But knowing she tried to seduce me, and you don’t even flinch?”

His face twisted in pain.

“What more do I have to do? What must I do for you to finally look at me?”