The Savior Who Bites My Neck (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 9

Sinclair took Elaina to his private villa.

It was far from both Duke Hank’s and Asweld’s estates.

“You seem quite startled.”

Sinclair murmured softly, watching Elaina shiver on the sofa.

No wonder—Elaina wasn’t merely trembling. Her face was as pale as someone who had nearly drowned, and her bright, sea-blue eyes still clearly reflected fear.

“Relax. No one knows about this place.”

“……”

“Or do I need to comfort you specifically?”

“……No, I’m fine. You don’t have to go that far.”

Elaina replied in a voice as faint as a mosquito’s buzz.

“But how did you even know to come here?”

She then turned to face Sinclair.

“And so precisely……”

“I thought you were quick-witted.”

“Huh?”

“You’re more innocent than you appear.”

Sinclair smirked.

“Did you truly think I’d just hand you a proposal and leave?”

Elaina hesitated.

“I left someone watching you. I wondered if you might try something like this.”

“……”

“I’m more suspicious than you expect. And usually, my suspicions turn out to be more beneficial than harmful. Just like today.”

He’s been watching the Asweld family all along.

But Elaina had no idea how she should react.

Of course, if he was doing this because he worried Melvin might harm her, then she ought to be grateful……

But if he was merely watching her because she was, at this moment, the woman he needed most—the most wretched soul in the Edenbell Empire, Elaina Asweld—then the situation was slightly different.

‘……No, what does it matter now?’

Either way, if not for Sinclair, I would have been sold off to that old duke—and never escaped again.

“Thank you for helping me.”

So Elaina decided to say what she must to Sinclair now.

“No matter what the Crown Prince intended—”

“You’ve got a prickly way of saying things, even when trying to dismiss them.”

“……I didn’t mean it quite that way.”

“No, you did. It stung.”

Elaina offered no reply.

“Honestly, I don’t care what you think.”

“……”

“Anyway, today’s events have surely settled your decision, haven’t they?”

I’ve given you ample time to think.

Sinclair’s voice filled the villa, and Elaina slowly met his gaze.

“Yes, that’s right.”

And with a firm tone, she declared:

“I accept the Crown Prince’s proposal.”

Yes. From the very beginning, there had been only this path—since the day Sinclair came to the Asweld estate.

“In fact, even before I was kidnapped, I was planning to go to the imperial palace. It just turned out this way.”

Elaina gave a bitter smile.

“Then the matter is settled.”

At last, satisfied with her answer, Sinclair chuckled briefly. Then he reached into his coat and pulled out something, handing it to Elaina.

It was the marriage contract she had seen before.

But this was no ordinary, simple marriage contract. At the very end, densely filled with tiny script, was the Emperor’s official seal.

“He gladly stamped it when I said I wanted to marry the Asweld family’s crippled half-penny for my bride.”

“……”

“He must’ve thought I’d ask for something more extravagant. And when I named you specifically, he was delighted.”

[My son who tells me to go die—what woman he chooses hardly matters to me. Whether she’s a barmaid, a gypsy, or…… a bastard daughter of a noble house.] [What?] [It hardly matters, does it? If my wife has flaws, it’s a blessing for His Majesty.]

It was true. The Emperor had been ecstatic upon hearing those words, revealing his vulgar, inappropriate nature beneath his station.

“I never imagined being labeled a crippled half-penny could bring me such advantages.”

Elaina spoke in a flat, emotionless tone.

“If I’d known, I might have dared to hope a little sooner.”

“Sign it.”

The only response to his abrupt command was a firm silence.

Elaina Asweld.

Elaina took the pen Sinclair offered and quietly wrote her name.

She sincerely hoped this choice would never become a source of regret.

……But at this moment, Elaina had no idea how foolish this act truly was.

“Oh, but the date written on the marriage contract is much earlier than today… is that all right?”

“Leave it. I did it on purpose.”

At Sinclair’s cryptic words, Elaina tilted her head slightly.

“As I mentioned before—it’s one year.”

Sinclair took back the contract bearing her name and returned it to his coat.

“Let me reiterate: no matter what happens, I will finish everything perfectly within one year and become Emperor. And immediately after, I will help you leave Edenbell.”

“……Thank you.”

That was all she could muster in reply. She couldn’t beg him to keep his promise, nor ask if she could truly trust him. Even in this situation, Elaina understood her place far too well.

“For now, rest here. I’ll handle the rest.”

At this unexpected offer, Elaina looked up at him again.

“But Father—Melvin—won’t just sit still. Not after today.”

“You thought so? The Emperor’s seal.”

Sinclair tilted his head slightly, as if confused.

“In Edenbell, no one dares challenge the Emperor’s decree. Do you understand what that means? A bloodbath is coming to the Asweld household.”

“……”

“No matter how reckless a prince, no matter how much of a bastard he is, I am still royal blood. And yet, someone dared kidnap and sell a woman destined to become a royal bride?”

Even as he spoke, a sinister smile crept into Sinclair’s voice, and Elaina felt a chill run down her spine.

This was the man who had murdered the Emperor’s favorite concubine in broad daylight inside the imperial palace. Nothing he did to Melvin would be impossible. Realizing this, the man before her suddenly seemed terrifying.

“You’ll see for yourself tomorrow. What’s about to happen.”

“Tomorrow?”

“My guard will come to fetch you. Just know that. After all, you left some belongings behind at the mansion, didn’t you?”

Sinclair was right. To others, the items weren’t valuable—but to Elaina, a few precious things still remained in the attic.

“It’s just a villa I occasionally visit, so it’s not perfectly furnished—but still, it’s better than that garbage-filled attic.”

“Understood.”

The conversation was over. Yet despite her reply, Sinclair made no move to leave.

His gaze was fixed on Elaina.

“……You’re dressed rather immodestly.”

Only then did Elaina become aware of her appearance. Instinctively, she blushed crimson and covered her deep cleavage.

But Sinclair offered no courtesy—no glance away, no hint of discretion. He stared at her intently, then stepped closer.

Startled, Elaina froze, unable to move.

Sinclair was suddenly right before her, and Elaina reflexively shut her eyes.

But nothing happened as she expected.

Curious, Elaina opened her eyes—and immediately felt something heavy settle on her shoulders.

It was Sinclair’s cloak.

“You may not realize it, but dressing like that is dangerous, Elaina Asweld. Especially in a sealed space with only the two of us.”

“……”

“Before we add marital obligations to our contract, perhaps you should be more careful with your body.”

Sinclair’s low chuckle rang clearly in Elaina’s ear.

“Or did you dress that way on purpose, hoping for something?”

“……No, no. I hope you don’t misunderstand…”

“If you change your mind, let me know. One year’s amusement isn’t too much to ask.”

Sinclair grinned with an outrageous casualness.

Elaina desperately pulled the cloak over her chest, and Sinclair gave her a brief look before turning away without a trace of hesitation.

No words of rest. No goodnight. Just as when he had arrived in the carriage, he vanished without a word.

“……”

Only then did Elaina’s tension release, and she slumped onto the sofa. She squeezed her eyes shut and opened them again several times, then repeated deep breaths to calm herself.

And without realizing it, she wiped the cold sweat beading on her forehead with her hand.

Is this… all right?

Will I truly be safe here, just waiting quietly?

Once more, a deep, swamp-like unease crept over her.

But Elaina knew well—there was nothing she could do in this situation.

With her feet propped up on the sofa and her arms wrapped tightly around her knees, Elaina quietly recalled the day’s events—then paused slightly.

But had I ever told Sinclair about living in the Asweld attic?

“……He’s been watching me, so he could have known.”

Especially after he found her so quickly following the kidnapping.

There was an unsettling feeling—but she no longer had the strength to dwell on it or feel anxious.

So Elaina sat quietly for a long while, then fell asleep right there on the sofa, unable even to reach her bedroom.

Just before falling asleep—

[Don’t worry about anything. I’ll keep watching over you, as I always have.]

Len’s voice echoed in her dream—but each time Elaina woke briefly in the middle, she could not recall it.

And the Asweld household was turned upside down the very next day.