As the marquis flicked his finger, the thug’s body floated in the air.

Nellia blinked as if she had seen something unbelievable.

‘Without even touching him, the thug is floating by himself…’

The thug’s body, which had been suspended in the air, collided with the ground again with a thud [Dash]. Dust scattered densely in all directions.

With such a strong impact, at least some bones would be fractured or, in severe cases, broken.

Watching the scene with a vacant expression, the marquis lowered his body to Nellia’s level and whispered as if asking.

“Did he happen to lay a hand on you, Nellia?”

With the voice that sank even more, Nellia realized that the man’s life depended on her answer.

A stifled voice flowed from Nellia.

“No…”

Although it might have been the answer he wanted, the marquis’s eyebrows subtly raised.

As much as now, the atmosphere around the marquis seemed to change abruptly with even a small change in his facial expression.

The marquis exhaled deeply, stood up from his seat, and the fallen thug trembled as he watched the approaching marquis.

With a terrified face, he seemed incapable of even thinking about running away.

The marquis knelt down in front of the shivering thug.

“Tell me what you were trying to do to Nellia.”

“I… I…”

Unable to answer due to fear, the thug was grabbed by the marquis by the collar.

“It’s better to answer properly.”

A chilling gaze pierced like sharp ice fragments.

“Before I cut off your useless tongue.”

The cold voice felt colder than winter frostbite.

Even Nellia, watching the scene, felt as if the air was stifled.

“Oh, to be sold as a slave because of your pretty face… Ugh.”

As the thug confessed the truth, the marquis squeezed his neck.

“A slave…”

The marquis murmured quietly, as if contemplating.

“It’s risky just to watch.”

The pale face of the thug, whose throat was being squeezed, turned ashen. However, there was not even a slight change in the marquis’s expression.

As if performing a natural task.

Eventually, Nellia gathered her strength, stood up, and grabbed the marquis’s arm.

“Please stop…”

He might be someone deserving of death, but she didn’t want the marquis to shed blood.

It wasn’t because her heart weakened in the face of the current situation. It was the anxiety that if the marquis got blood on his hands, she might not escape the curse.

Just like the marquise’s mother, Lady Adam, had told the marquis to live virtuously. Nellia hoped that when the marquis looked back on his past, he could do so with a clear conscience.

So I can confidently say that I’m now free from the curse.

When facing the cool eyes, Nellia’s voice became smaller. Even though the opponent was aware of the marquis, an instinctive fear arose.

“Enough, please…”

“…”

The marquis’s expressionless face was still unfamiliar.
However, whether it was Nellia’s sincerity or not, the strength in the marquis’s hand gradually loosened.

“Cough, cough [Dash]!”

The thug coughed while clutching his throat.

Seeing him, Nellia looked at the thug with a surprised expression, as if he looked like someone on the verge of death.

“Nellia.”

At the calling voice, Nellia’s gaze turned.

The marquis slowly extended his hand.

As if nothing had happened, clean and slender fingers passed by, resting on Nellia’s left cheek.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

Unlike when he spoke to the thug, there was a noticeably different feeling, but the usual affectionate and warm sensation was not present. Nellia had to make an effort to shake off the unfamiliar feeling.

“No… there’s nothing.”

Although her back, which had hit the wooden pillar, was sore, it seemed appropriate to answer that it was okay now.

The marquis gently touched Nellia’s cheek and extended his hand as if signaling her to grab it.

“Shall we go back now?”

Relieved by his words, Nellia leaned against the marquis’s chest.

Fortunately, unlike the unfamiliar expression of the marquis, the familiar warmth felt incredibly comfortable.

With Nellia in his arms, the marquis descended from the mountain.

Nellia slowly closed her eyes in the overwhelming sense of relief.

Nellia regained consciousness inside the carriage returning to the marquisate.

Whether she had fainted on the way down the mountain or had fallen asleep, she didn’t know.

There was no memory. She just closed her eyes because the marquis’s embrace was so warm and comfortable.

‘But… why does the surroundings feel so chilly.’

As if she were still nestled in the marquis’s arms…

Fully awake, Nellia looked up. The marquis’s sharp jawline came into view.

As if noticing Nellia’s movement, the marquis spoke.

“Are you awake, Nellia?”

“Yes…”

But why am I sitting on the marquis’s knees…?

Normally, she would have asked the marquis right away, but after seeing the stern look of the marquis before closing her eyes, she refrained from speaking.

So, trying to quietly get out of his embrace, the marquis firmly held her in his arms.

“Stay still.”

I’d like to stay still too, but the problem is…

‘Ton is here too…!’