Chapter 68

A faint light stirred in Ines’s eyes.

Her lips curved slightly as she spoke.

“I see. When you say ‘your brother,’ you mean the First Young Lord, Asellion?”

“Yes.”

Melissa hesitated a little, then nodded.

Even while revealing the truth to Ines, something kept tugging at her heart.

Was it really alright to tell her about her promise with Demius?

But after thinking about it for the entire carriage ride, she came to a clear conclusion.

It had to be done.

The woman before her was Demius’s fiancée.

If the person she was supposed to marry suddenly appeared with another spouse, anyone would feel confused and angry.

So.

‘I have to do this.’

For Demius’s sake.

As Melissa pressed her trembling hands together, Ines spoke again, her tone slow and deliberate.

“So, you’re saying you entered a contract marriage with Lord Demius to help him find his brother, Lord Asellion?”

“That’s right.”

Melissa emphasized clearly.

“Nothing has ever happened between me and Demius.”

“Nothing at all?”

Ines’s brows faintly furrowed.

“Not once?”

Ah. Melissa noticed the change in her expression faster than usual.

Did I say something wrong?

Just as she opened her mouth in a panic, Ines murmured softly.

“What a fool.”

“…Pardon?”

“Of course, I wasn’t speaking about you.”

With a light smile, Ines’s lips curved into a beautiful expression.

The same gentle smile she had shown in the garden.

Unlike the moment Melissa first entered the room, Ines now wore a smile so graceful and kind it could win anyone’s favor as she slowly rose to her feet.

“Ah, and I must apologize for earlier. I had to bring you here quickly without attracting attention, so I may have used an excessive method.”

Ines lifted her skirt slightly and bent forward in a refined bow.

“I offer my apologies for my rudeness.”

“N-no!”

Startled, Melissa jumped up and bowed back.

“I’m perfectly fine.”

“I should have escorted you in a more proper way.”

“No, really, it’s fine. Truly.”

Right.

It had been a bit surprising to be splashed with water, but now that she thought about it, it was actually refreshing in the summer heat.

Besides, according to The 87th Volume of World Customs and Cultures, there was a region where people threw water pouches at one another during summer festivals. Now that Ines had even apologized, there was no room for misunderstanding. What a relief.

As Melissa sighed in relief, a small dimple formed near Ines’s mouth.

She has a tiny beauty mark below her lip.

Melissa thought absentmindedly that it was cute, and at that moment, Ines smiled again.

“In that case, would you like to make a contract with me as well?”

“…What?”

Melissa’s eyes widened in surprise.

Ines continued in a calm, silky tone.

“Of course, it wouldn’t conflict with the Second Young Lord’s request.”

Her delicate lips curved with a secretive smile, and she raised one slender finger upright.

“My request is simple. I want you to remain as the Second Young Lord’s wife. As close to him as possible.”

“…What?”

“In return, I will grant whatever you wish. Money, jewels, anything you desire. Even property, if you prefer.”

“No, no! I don’t want anything like that.”

Melissa frantically shook her head.

“But you’re Lord Demius’s fiancée, aren’t you?”

For a split second, Ines’s lips twisted.

But in the next breath, her gentle smile returned as if nothing had happened.

“That’s true.”

Her eyes curved smoothly again as she continued.

“However, my wish is the same as his.”

“Meaning…”

“I, too, am searching for Lord Asellion.”

Her gaze lowered slightly, her smile faint and shadowed.

“I owe him a very great debt.”

“…!”

I see.

Melissa’s eyes shimmered with emotion.

She owed Lord Asellion a great debt and was still looking for him so earnestly. Ines must truly be a sincere and virtuous person.

Then, struck by another thought, Melissa quickly asked,

“Wouldn’t I just get in the way? Maybe it would be better if you came to Eisenhart and searched together with Lord Demius—”

“No.”

Ines cut her off.

Her tone was sharp and cold, but then her lips softened again.

“Three are better than two. You only need to continue fulfilling your contract with the Second Young Lord.”

Ines smiled lightly as she added,

“Always. As long as it takes.”

“…!”

So that’s what it was.

Melissa felt her chest tighten with admiration.

She’s willing to sacrifice herself to protect the promise between me and Demius.

‘Ah.’

That wouldn’t do.

Melissa’s face fell in distress as she quickly spoke.

“If you ever want me to leave, please tell me right away! The contract can always—”

BOOM!

A thunderous explosion shook the entire building.

BOOM!

BOOM!

BOOM—!

Each blast came closer and closer, echoing in short intervals.

—BOOM!

At last, the door to their room shattered apart with a deafening crash.

As dust billowed into the air, a loud voice cried out through the haze.

“Miss Lili!”

Whoosh—!

A large figure swung his sword sheath, scattering the dust. The moment he spotted Melissa, he rushed toward her.

“Are you unharmed?”

“…Lord Demius?”

Melissa blinked in shock as Demius cast a sidelong glare at Ines and spoke in a low, urgent voice.

“Why were you alone with her? Did she try to harm you?”

“My goodness.”

Ines stood from her seat.

“I did promise to lend her some dry clothes.”

She crossed the wreckage of the shattered door with perfect composure and opened the wardrobe.

“Why don’t you pick something you like from here?”

“What trick are you planning?”

Demius growled, pulling Melissa behind him protectively. His eyes glared with the fury of a beast ready to kill, but Ines only gave a light shrug.

“My, shouldn’t you be more considerate toward your wife? Even in summer, wearing wet clothes can chill the body.”

“…!”

Demius turned at once to Melissa and hastily removed his cloak.

Flap—!

It was so large that it wrapped around her twice over.

He bundled it carefully around her, holding her close as though he feared she might slip away.

A faint smile curved Ines’s lips at the sight.

Then Demius turned sharply toward her and demanded,

“What have you done this time?”

“Your manners haven’t changed, I see. Well, it isn’t easy to teach civility to a brute.”

“I still can’t understand why my brother ever agreed to an engagement with someone like you.”

…Huh?

Melissa’s eyes widened at their exchange.

When she looked up, Ines’s serene face came into view.

Ines met her gaze and silently mouthed the words.

This contract between us is a secret.

Ah.

Melissa’s eyes grew wide again.

She doesn’t want to reveal her good deed to anyone.

Deeply moved, Melissa nodded eagerly.

“Li… Melissa?”

Demius stared at her expression, then asked quickly,

“Did that deceitful woman do anything to you?”

“Not at all!”

“Then why are your clothes wet?”

Ah. Melissa glanced at Ines, recalled their secret promise, and replied in a rush.

“I spilled my tea while drinking. Don’t worry. It’ll dry quickly in this weather.”

“…”

Demius studied her for a moment, then sighed quietly.

“Very well. Let’s return.”

Was it really alright to leave? Melissa hesitated, glancing back at Ines. But Ines only gave a small nod.

Even then, Melissa hesitated before finally lowering her head slightly.

“Yes.”

Demius’s face brightened at once, and he lifted her into his arms.

Surprised, Melissa instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Excuse us.”

Demius whispered to her, shot one last glare at Ines, and turned to leave.

As they stepped into the corridor, debris of wood and stone lay scattered everywhere.

Had he broken down every door on his way here?

…All to find me?

Why?

When she looked up at him, Melissa noticed the dark red stain on his shoulder.

Her thoughts froze, and the question slipped out before she could stop it.

“Are you hurt?”