Chapter 15
‘Sometimes he really surprises me.’
Just from his personality alone, it was hard to imagine how he could ever become a villain. But then he’d suddenly say something that reminded me — yes, this boy was once destined to be a future dark mastermind.
He must’ve learned that kind of talk from them. From the moment he was born, his environment had been filled with corruption and cruelty — so naturally, what he’d seen and learned was nothing good.
‘Education really is everything.’
If only I had met him before he was sold to the slave traders…
‘Well, never mind.’
At least I met him now.
He’d met me before being taken to Frombell, so there was still time.
If he could receive proper education from here on out — live in a stable, safe environment — then he could definitely change. His nature, after all, wasn’t cruel.
‘Thank goodness he wasn’t born sly like Xavier.’
If he’d stayed there longer, he might’ve been corrupted completely.
“Matthias.”
“Yeah?”
He answered obediently, glancing up toward the hand I’d rested on his head. Realizing what I was doing, I flinched slightly.
“Oh— sorry. Was that uncomfortable?”
“No.”
He shook his head, but I still felt uneasy.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
He’d endured so much abuse for so long. Even if he said he was fine, trauma could come back without warning.
I was about to pull my hand away — just in case — when Matthias quickly caught it.
Startled by the sudden movement, my shoulders twitched. He gently guided my hand back onto his head, eyes lowering.
Beneath his long lashes, his crimson eyes softened peacefully.
“I like this.”
He rubbed his head lightly against my palm, as if he couldn’t bear to lose the warmth — as if he wanted to hold onto it just a little longer.
A faint, satisfied smile appeared on his lips.
His sharp, intelligent eyes curved faintly, and his lean body — hidden beneath the shirt — leaned forward toward me. The weight made the sofa sink slightly beneath us.
“Keep patting me.”
He murmured in a low voice.
Sofia, standing nearby, quickly covered her mouth in surprise.
‘Wh-what a dangerous one.’
His way of charming people was no joke.
Of course, I wasn’t immune either.
‘…That was close.’
I almost fell for it. Completely.
Remembering how he had leaned in just moments ago, I coughed awkwardly to shake off the feeling.
Beauty was a weapon more dangerous than strength — and when a face like that looked up at you asking for affection, resistance was impossible.
‘So this must be how tyrants feel when they fall for fatal beauties…’
Now I understood how so many had been undone by a beautiful face.
Shaking my head, I dried my damp hair with a towel.
After having dinner with Matthias, I’d taken a quick bath and gone straight to my study.
‘I need to send it quickly.’
I only had a week left — within that time, I needed to convince Lady Odilon to move against Xavier.
The first step was to contact her as soon as possible.
I pulled the prepared stationery toward me and lifted my pen.
Dear Lady Odilon,
I began the letter with a short greeting — and couldn’t help but smile faintly.
‘You’re done for.’
Early the next morning.
A maid received a letter from the postman and hurried back inside.
Without a pause, she climbed the main staircase toward the parlor, where her mistress was sure to be.
It was still early — most people wouldn’t even be awake yet — but Lady Odilon was an early riser. She was probably already enjoying her morning coffee and reading the paper.
“Madam, it’s Lily.”
Catching her breath, the maid carefully opened the door.
Just as expected, the lady of the house was already awake, elegant and composed, her posture perfect as she read the newspaper.
Lily approached quietly and bowed.
“What is it?” Lady Odilon asked, eyes still on the paper.
The maid placed the letter neatly on the round table, then took a gold coin from her pocket and set it beside it.
“This letter just arrived, Madam.”
“A letter?”
Lady Odilon looked up from the paper, her expression curious. Her gaze moved from the letter to the gold coin, and one eyebrow arched.
The coin meant the sender had paid extra for urgent delivery — a personal favor to ensure quick delivery. Only letters bearing a family head’s seal were permitted that treatment.
And this letter bore exactly that — the seal of a noble house.
Folding the paper neatly, Lady Odilon reached for the envelope.
The maid, sensing what she needed, stepped forward to take the newspaper and handed her the silver paper knife from the table.
“No message apart from the coin?”
“No, Madam. None at all.”
“Very well. You may go.”
The maid bowed and quietly exited.
Click. The door shut.
Lady Odilon examined the envelope — a white stag surrounded by a laurel wreath.
“…Hmm?”
Her brows furrowed slightly.
There was only one noble family that used a white stag as their seal.
After the brief scandal surrounding her son’s broken engagement, she hadn’t expected to receive any correspondence from them again.
Especially since the Count and Countess of that house had both passed away recently.
That meant there was only one person left with the authority to use that seal — the young Lady Renesti herself, her son’s former fiancée.
‘But why would she be writing to me now?’
Puzzled, Lady Odilon tore open the letter.
And as she read —
“…”
Her expression darkened.
Her eyes moved rapidly across the lines, and by the end, she reached for the silver bell on her desk.
A servant entered immediately.
“You called, Madam?”
“Bring me my writing set. Now.”
I can solve the problem that’s been troubling you the most, my lady.
And, of course, I’ll do it without a single scratch on your honor.
Lady Odilon didn’t know what game this young woman was playing —
‘But how dare she send me such a letter.’
She intended to find out — in person.
“Miss! Miss!”
By noon, Sofia burst into the dining room, panting.
I froze mid-bite, a small tomato still on my fork.
Sofia hurried toward me, holding out an envelope.
It was a luxurious green one — clearly expensive.
The moment I saw it, I knew.
Setting down my fork, I took it from her and inspected the seal — a hawk with wings spread wide.
Odilon.
Seeing the sender, I couldn’t help but smile in satisfaction.
‘Faster than I thought.’
I’d sent my letter late last night, so it should’ve arrived by dawn — but for the reply to come back so quickly meant Lady Odilon had sent her messenger personally.
Well, of course she had — the letter concerned her husband. How could she resist?
I carefully broke the seal and unfolded the contents.
Her handwriting was neat, elegant — perfectly befitting her personality. The message itself was concise and straight to the point.
Reading through her words, I slowly curved my lips.
“Sofia.”
“Yes, my lady?”
“Get ready. We’re going out.”
I set the letter down.
“There’s somewhere I need to be — right now.”
“!”
Sofia’s eyes widened before she nodded firmly.
Across the table, Matthias’s gaze drifted toward the letter.
His crimson eyes narrowed slightly as he read the last few lines over my shoulder:
Your sudden words took me by surprise.
I believe an explanation is necessary.
Let’s discuss the details in person.
