Chapter 25
The bedroom floor was a mess, broken and shattered objects scattered everywhere.
Whether he had smashed the window in his agony, a cold wind seeped through the rattling panes.
At the edge of the room, a man with piercing blue eyes stood precariously.
His figure swayed as if he could collapse at any moment, and I quickly closed the door behind me, taking a deep breath.
“…Marquis.”
As I stepped closer, the door behind me suddenly opened, and a low warning came.
“Do not come closer, Grand Duchess! It’s dangerous.”
She closed the door and moved toward me. Even in the pitch-black darkness, where only the pale light of the full moon shone, her silver hair glimmered behind her, catching my attention.
Elisha blocked my path, already reaching for the sword she had sheathed at her waist.
A faint golden glimmer danced along the scabbard she held.
“You should leave. I’ll handle the rest.”
Her words were clearly meant to protect me, to tell me to stay away.
Though Elisha was offering advice out of concern, I couldn’t leave so easily.
I couldn’t abandon Leighton in pain. Even if Elisha could restrain him, there had to be a better way. I didn’t want to avoid the problem.
After all, his madness wasn’t of his own choosing.
“No. I’ll take care of Leighton.”
Startled by me calling him “Leighton,” Elisha turned to stare at me intently.
Her eyes flashed crimson in the darkness.
“If you don’t want a scratch on that pretty face, you should listen to me.”
“You have a beautiful face too, Elisha. Shall I protect it for you?”
Elisha let out a small, incredulous laugh between her lips at my defiant reply.
I ignored it and stepped forward.
“Elisha, you can leave this to me. I am the mistress of this house, and the Marquis is my guardian.”
Elisha’s displeasure was obvious, but she stepped back unwillingly.
As I said, she was merely a guest at the debutante ball. It was only natural to follow the housemistress’s instructions.
“You’ll regret this. I warned you to leave.”
With Elisha reluctantly stepping back, I took another step toward him.
Though I was concerned she hadn’t left the room, there was no time to waste.
In the pitch-black darkness, only his piercing eyes shone.
“Marquis.”
“….”
No answer came.
Under the moonlight, facing him made shivers run down my spine.
“This isn’t really Leighton.”
I had never experienced such a cold gaze before, and it was hard to endure.
“It’s me, Selena Bennett.”
I moved carefully and slowly toward him. Outside the door, a commotion had started.
It seemed the knights had reported the struggle to Hyle.
Time was running out. If I stayed, it would only be a matter of time before everyone discovered Leighton’s secret.
“I have no choice… I’m sorry.”
Feeling the urgency, I became reckless.
I stepped forward without hesitation, and his empty gaze fixed on me.
At the same time, his large hand clamped around my neck. The brutal grip stole my breath.
Instead of struggling against the increasingly tight hold, I focused on one thing.
“I have to open the bottle.”
With both hands free, I hurriedly twisted the cap. But it had been tightly secured, and it wouldn’t budge easily.
“…Just a little more, just a little more!”
I struggled to breathe, my face flushing.
My head spun, and my vision began to blur.
“Grand Duchess!!”
Elena’s horrified scream echoed faintly in my ears, shocked at what she saw.
Leighton’s strength seemed beyond human.
Just seconds after his hand gripped my neck, I sensed death approaching.
With trembling fingers, I gave my all to twist the cap, and finally, it popped open.
Before I even saw it fall to the floor, I mustered my last strength.
I shoved the bottle into his slightly open mouth. The sudden intrusion made him gag and step back.
His Adam’s apple moved as he swallowed the medicine.
“It’s done…”
That was my last memory.
In the pitch-black darkness, under the blinding full moon, that night felt like a nightmare.
I fainted.
“Hey, Hyle… I’m really scared right now…”
“Chirp!”
A faint sound came from afar.
“…Sounds like Ailey and Jjakjjak-i.”
Her voice was sweet, tinged with tears.
I struggled to lift my heavy eyelids, as if they were weighed down with stone.
Through barely open eyes, I saw Ailey sitting with her small, slumped shoulders.
“Ail…ey.”
My voice barely came out, soft and tremulous, carrying a pain that seemed to tear at my throat.
Ailey’s eyes widened in surprise at my voice.
“Uh! Sister! Are you… awake?”
The medicinal smell hit my nose sharply, making me frown.
And my last memory came rushing back—forcing the medicine into Leighton’s mouth and watching him swallow it.
I hadn’t confirmed whether he was okay before passing out.
Trying to sit up to check on him, pain exploded throughout my body.
“Ahh…”
My neck hurt the most—I could barely move it. Jjakjjak-i perched carefully on my shoulder, sensing my condition.
I managed to lift a hand and gently stroked Jjakjjak-i’s head.
Ailey, tears streaming like raindrops, spoke through her sobs.
“Don’t move! I thought you’d disappear too! Waaah…”
Beside her, Hyle quietly patted his chest and spoke.
“Miss, it’s a miracle you woke up. Please rest, so our dear Ailey need not worry any further.”
“…Hyle. But…”
Hyle, sensing I had something to say, sighed deeply. His white mustache drooped sadly. Even his usually neat bow tie slanted, reflecting his mood.
His warm eyes calmly met mine.
I knew well how much he cared for us sisters.
I felt guilty for worrying him, yet I couldn’t ignore Leighton’s situation.
Hyle placed a hand on Ailey’s shoulder, soothing her as she sobbed.
“Ailey, you may rest easy. Selena is awake.”
“But Hyle… look at my sister’s neck! I need to find whoever did this and give them a proper punishment!”
Ailey’s golden eyes flashed with determination, fierce enough to tear the culprit apart.
Hyle let out a weary laugh, knowing how troublesome these two sisters could be.
“Of course. But first, Ailey, you should eat. You know, revenge requires a full stomach.”
At that moment, Ailey’s stomach growled. Perfect timing—Hyle smiled.
“They baked plenty of chocolate madeleines for you in the kitchen. Why not have a quick bite? I’ll stay here.”
“Then… Hyle and Jjakjjak-i, please stay and watch over my sister.”
“Of course. You need not worry.”
“Chirp!”
Ailey hesitantly approached me.
“Ail…”
“Shh, sister. Don’t speak.”
She pressed her finger to my lips and gently embraced me.
Whether she held me, or I held her—I didn’t care.
She whispered with a trembling voice.
“Don’t go anywhere, sister. Stay with me.”
Her childish voice carried pure, innocent sorrow.
I reached out and held her small frame.
“Sorry for worrying you.”
Silently, I repeated the words in my mind as I held her tightly.
I stroked her round little head. Jjakjjak-i pecked gently at her shoulder, offering comfort.
After a long while, Ailey lifted her head and extended her pinky finger.
Her tearful golden eyes said, Promise me.
I smiled faintly and linked my finger with her tiny pinky.
Feeling reassured, Ailey relaxed in my arms.
“Since we promised not to go anywhere, I’ll quickly go eat the madeleines.”
Before I could reply, she bolted from the room.
“You two really are alike, sisters indeed.”
“…Yeah.”
“And reckless too. Don’t you worry about your old butler aging day by day? Hehe.”
“…Sorry, Hyle.”
Hyle smiled kindly, as if it couldn’t be helped.
“I know the burdens you carry, Miss, so I only meant to say you could take it a bit easy.”
“I’m glad you’re here, Hyle.”
I meant it sincerely. Without him, I might have collapsed.
Touched, Hyle rubbed his mustache and chuckled.
“So, where is the Marquis now?”
Finally, sitting slowly on a nearby chair, he spoke the name I wanted to hear.
“Marquis Leighton Zains is….”
