Bobi brought Ollentia a warm cup of tea, noticing her deep in thought.

“Miss, are you really okay? It seems like something’s bothering you.”

Bobi was quick to pick up on things. Despite Ollentia insisting she was fine, Bobi kept asking the same question.

“I wish you wouldn’t keep things from me. I hate to see you suffering alone.”

“Well, it’s a bit embarrassing to talk about.”

“Our Miss feeling embarrassed? That’s even more surprising. You usually brush things off easily.”

Ollentia fidgeted with her lips and brushed her long hair behind her ears, feeling restless.

‘Maybe it’s better to confide in Bobi instead of fretting alone.’

“So, about what happened outside today…”

Finally, Ollentia opened up to Bobi, expecting her usually calm companion to be shocked.

As expected, Bobi almost dropped the teapot she was holding.

“Bobbi! Snap out of it!”

Startled, Ollentia yelled. Bobi regained her grip on the teapot, her face pale.

“Du, Duke Belial! Are you okay? Did something happen?”

Bobi was more focused on Ollentia meeting Duke Belial than the human traffickers.

“What do you mean?”

“Like… being drained of energy or being enchanted by the Duke. Things like that!”

Bobi’s normally wise and realistic demeanor was frayed by fear of the Duke’s rumors.

‘If there was anything… the Duke made some nasty comments.’

Ollentia recalled her encounter with Demidius, biting her tongue.

“That’s, well… it’s nothing.”

“What?”

“It’s just me. I mean, it seems he helped me. It’s a bit ambiguous.”

After all, she did escape from the human traffickers, thanks to him. That was why she wanted to know his name.

Knowing Demidius’s true identity made the fact he helped her feel more complicated.

That’s not fair, right? She didn’t want to be that cowardly.

Ollentia stated firmly again.

“I received help. I was grateful.”

Bobi sighed in relief.

“Ah… then that’s good. I was afraid you escaped one danger only to meet a worse one.”

“Honestly, the rumors might be exaggerated. He didn’t seem that bad.”

“Well, Duke Belial being a half-demon won’t change. I’ve heard some people say they’ve seen him kill.”

“Kill…?”

Ollentia’s voice trembled, picturing Demidius in such a violent act, especially with his intimidating presence.

Ollentia wrapped her arms around herself, shivering at the thought of being so close to such a person.

“Bobi, you’re right. I was in danger.”

Bobi set down the teapot and clenched her fist.

“I should have been there! From now on, please move with a guard. It’s too worrying.”

“You’re right. I was optimistic so far. Now that I’ve appointed a lawyer, I should hire my own guard.”

“A mercenary for the Count’s house? Is that possible?”

“If not, I’ll have to leave the Count’s house. I should have done that from the start.”

There was no shortage of funds. If Count Soco’s side kept appealing, the legal battle would drag on. Staying in the Count’s house wasn’t a long-term option.
Filled with anticipation for the new world ahead, Ollentia’s heart surged with excitement. Sipping on her rosemary tea, she expressed her hopes, “I wish for nothing but joyful days ahead. I’m so eager to gain independence.”

It was during this peaceful respite that the door abruptly swung open. Countess Kikogellia entered, an unusual occurrence since she seldom visited the annex without knocking. Why this breach of etiquette?

Ignoring the customary knock, Kikogellia, in her lace-laden dress, approached Ollentia. Her demeanor was unusually bright, her large eyes shimmering with curiosity, thin lips curled upwards.

Feeling a sense of unease, Ollentia set down her teacup and frowned. “Why are you here? It’s customary to knock.”

Unfazed by the reprimand, Kikogellia addressed Ollentia, “Miss! Archbishop Werbu has set a date for your wedding. Isn’t that wonderful news?”

Stunned, Ollentia’s eyes widened as she looked up at Kikogellia. ‘What is she talking about? Surely, surely… they haven’t set a wedding date without my consent?’

Clutching her skirt, Ollentia exclaimed, “You didn’t obtain a special marriage permit without my consent, did you?”

She couldn’t believe it. No matter how devious Count Soco and Countess Kikogellia had been, forcing her into marriage was unthinkable.

However, the smug expression on Kikogellia’s face suggested a different reality.

A special marriage permit, traditionally issued for urgent wedding situations, would make reversing the marriage difficult once the Archbishop’s approval was obtained.

Her trust in Count Soco’s words and her delayed guardianship termination request now seemed a grave mistake.

Ollentia’s face turned pale, realizing whom Count Soco and Countess Kikogellia likely had in mind for her husband: Duke Luxus.

Luxus, notorious for his daily bouquets and jewels, was a well-known libertine of Green Park. He was an alcoholic and famous for his promiscuity, often changing partners every other day.

Recently, he had grabbed Ollentia’s wrist at the Armerniaca estate and wouldn’t let go.

Turns Out He’s Been Secretly in Love with Me

One-line summary: He acts like he doesn’t like her but is actually playing hard to get.

Synopsis:

Xu Muzhou like her. He has liked her for a very long time, and through repeated schemes, he finally closed the distance with her.

But this is still far from enough.

He wants to be the one who stands out among her many suitors, to fight for her attention, and to make her take the initiative to pursue him.

_____

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