CHAPTER 19
Rabine, uncharacteristically, snapped at him with an angry expression. Hearing those words, the young count looked around for a moment before letting out a disbelieving laugh.
“What? Me?”
“Then who else here is acting like a brat if not you?”
“Brat? Did you just call me a brat?”
“So what do you call someone who screams out of nowhere and throws a tantrum if not a brat?”
“You!”
Had he said he lived on the streets? Yuri quietly held Rabine’s hand and shook her head from side to side.
‘Using bad words isn’t good.’
She meant to say that, but it was clear her meaning had not properly reached Rabine.
“Your father and Lady Yurie’s marriage is something the two of them decided!”
“Hah! Then I should just go tell my father. He listens to everything I say anyway.”
“You still want to cry in your father’s arms at your age, you little kid!”
After hearing Rabine’s sharp words, the young count looked like he was about to explode in anger, but he could not say anything and only trembled with clenched fists. Rabine stood proudly as if he had won, exhaling sharply.
Yurie nervously glanced at the surrounding servants. Then she glared at them with all her strength. Since she had already been insulted first, she believed they would let this slide. After a few awkward coughs, the servants turned their heads away.
“Ra, Rabine…”
“Sorry.”
Rabine quietly shut his mouth when he saw the troubled Yurie, but his expression remained dissatisfied. Yurie gently patted his hair and then crouched down in front of the young count.
“My n-name is Yu, Yurie.”
“…So what?”
“And your n-name, Young Count?”
“…Lato. Edlato Sen Erentailo.”
“I see. Th-thank you for telling me your name.”
Edlato clicked his tongue in annoyance and turned his flushed face away. Making eye contact with Yurie seemed uncomfortable for him. Yurie said nothing. Then Edlato looked at her with a meaningful expression.
“I… I will not accept you as my mother!”
“I see.”
“W-what?”
She would have liked to engage him a bit more, but she was too tired today. Seeing that the Erentailo Margrave had not come to receive her, it seemed he had no interest in her.
“J-j-janitor… do you perhaps have a room prepared for me?”
“Oh, y-yes! Of course!”
“T-then p-please guide me.”
Yohan nodded at her words.
‘A room prepared… so they don’t intend to kill me immediately.’
If not for the steady sound of footsteps descending the second-floor stairs, she would already have been guided to her room.
Familiar footsteps echoed. Yurie immediately recognized who they belonged to. Soon, a cold voice followed.
“What is all this commotion?”
Yurie instinctively placed a hand on her neck. Perhaps because of that night’s memory, her body trembled. She barely managed to look up.
Blue eyes. Colder than any glacier—those icy blue eyes were there.
Later
In one corner, firewood burned in the fireplace. The two sat on comfortable sofas facing each other across a table.
“Drink.”
Lacrid Erentailo poured tea into Yurie’s cup with his rough hand. The trembling in Yurie’s hands was clearly visible through the teacup.
“This is… strange.”
“What is?”
“I thought… you would kill me immediately.”
Lacrid Erentailo let out a low laugh. Yurie flinched at the sound but tried not to show it.
“A person like that would bring a child into this situation?”
“I… I thought you might at least take care of a child.”
Ridiculous. His words were like a cold blade.
“If I were that kind of person, do you think I would run a place like this?”
‘Focus.’
The pain from that day—something that should not have been felt—seemed to return to her throat. As if he were choking her again, breathing became difficult. She instinctively grabbed her neck.
“Yes. To be honest, that was my original intention.”
He sipped his tea calmly, but Yurie could not drink hers. Even the fragrant scent made her feel sick.
“But not anymore.”
“….”
“That day, you were quite interesting.”
Interesting? Yurie tightened her grip around her neck. Fear still lingered.
“I don’t want people leaving my son’s side.”
In the end, that was what it was about.
“I only want one thing.”
“…P-please say it.”
“Live for me.”
“…Pardon?”
“And in return, that child you brought…”
“….”
“I will grant whatever you wish for him.”
It was not a bad condition. She did not like his personality, but since she would not have to see him often, it did not matter.
Yurie stood up. It was difficult without a cane, but she still faced him.
“Is… is that all you have to say?”
“Yes. You may leave now.”
Only then did she feel a slight relief. As she left through the door, she glared at him.
“…Disgusting.”
His long red hair fell beautifully over his shoulders. His cold blue eyes were already back on his documents, as if she did not exist.
‘Still…’
Yurie closed the door. Her heart was pounding.
‘I can survive.’
Later – Lacrid’s Perspective
The red-haired man drank the cooled tea. The scent seemed stronger now.
‘She was afraid.’
She had clutched her throat the entire time.
‘She is different now.’
Her once bright violet eyes had lost their light.
His attention, however, was not on her face—but on the strange darkness surrounding her. Something unnatural lingered near her.
‘What happened to her?’
He had no intention of killing her anymore.
“Yohan.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Where is her room?”
“On the second floor, far right.”
“…I see.”
He looked at a small framed picture on his desk.
A beautiful woman with fiery red hair and radiant eyes.
‘Senahan… what should I do?’
Later – Strategic Meeting
“She must be the inheritor of the curse.”
“…!”
The curse of the Slévarte lineage was different each generation.
“If she is the only remaining possibility, then it must be her.”
“Use her until she breaks.”
“And afterward…”
His lips curled slightly.
“Throw her to the dogs.”
