SWS CH 18

Chapter 18

I wished he would just leave quietly, but Helvern clearly had issues controlling his anger. His eyes rolled wildly as he glared at me again.

“That kind of sincere love isn’t something Docep is allowed to have!”

“I think you’re misunderstanding. We’re not that kind of relationship.”

“Don’t be ridiculous! I heard everything from the head butler. He said, “Docep disguised himself and kept sneaking in and out of your house in the village.”

That really was a misunderstanding.

But I couldn’t bring myself to say I didn’t know who he was, so I stayed silent. Helvern clicked his tongue.

“This won’t do. I oppose this marriage. I absolutely refuse to watch that bastard be happy, got it?”

“Huh?”

He suddenly grabbed my wrist.

“Since I failed to kick that bastard out, you’ll have to disappear instead.”

“What?! Disappear where?!”

He grinned and pointed at the sky.

“Don’t tell me… the afterlife?”

“Shut up and come with me!”

This lunatic!

I tried to shake him off, but the difference in strength was overwhelming.

As expected of a Bloodymary Awakener.

His arm muscles were so solid they didn’t even dent when I squeezed them. Just as I thought I might really be dragged off to my death—

Whoosh!

A small gust of wind stirred.

“Hm? What was that?”

The moment Helvern stopped and turned around, Junel flew in and tightly grabbed the hand holding me.

[Sword Bound.]

Fwoooom!

And in an instant—

Helvern was sent flying.

With a dull crash, he slammed into the wall and let out a choking sound.

I was thrown back by the recoil and collapsed onto the floor.

“Ugh… what the hell… was that…”

What do you think? The power of a spirit.]

Junel beamed proudly.

“You did that?”

I asked blankly, and Junel fluttered over.

[I told you I’d show you how strong I am.]

I was too shocked to close my mouth.

Maybe because of his tiny body and cute face, or because he didn’t play a major role in the original story—I hadn’t expected much. But this much power?

That opponent was Helvern.

Not just a knight, but a Bloody Mary Awakener.

A man who had reached the level of Sword Master.

And yet he was taken down in a single blow.

So? Can you believe me now when I say I’ll protect you?

“Completely.”

No question about it.

I suddenly felt like I could survive even if the family fell, as long as I had Junel.

Just as I was grinning at him in excitement, a cold voice cut in.

“Woman… what did you do to me?”

Eek.

Helvern, now in tatters, was staggering to his feet.

“J-Junel. Even so, you shouldn’t have used your power on Helvern…”

That bastard was trying to drag you away. I said I’d protect you, so I simply did what was necessary.

Was I supposed to thank him for that, or not?

“What kind of power is this?! Woman! What did you do?! Kh—!”

Helvern shouted and then clutched his ribs. It looked like he’d cracked one.

I’d thought even a sledgehammer wouldn’t faze him, but a broken rib? Spirit power was no joke.

“I—it wasn’t me! I don’t have any power like that! I was shocked too!”

I was still sitting on the floor, hugging myself.

“Don’t play dumb. The power came out of your body.”

“How would that even be possible?!”

“How would I know?! You tell me! Argh!”

Even while screaming, Helvern staggered toward me like a zombie.

“D-don’t come any closer!”

“I need to find out exactly what that power was. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“It wasn’t me!”

Helvern loomed over me and grinned.

This was bad.

“You’re making a mistake. I’m about to become your sister-in-law.”

“What? Sister-in-law?”

Helvern’s face froze.

“That’s right. If I become Docep’s wife, I’ll be your sister-in-law.”

Screw it. I’d already gone this far.

My change in stance was instant.

Now that I knew roughly how strong Junel was, and since I couldn’t escape anyway, maybe living here wasn’t so bad. Let Junel handle the family’s downfall somehow.

Even if the family fell, wouldn’t Junel at least save me?

“You think I’ll just let that happen?! You think I’ll sit back and watch you and Docep flirting right in front of me?!”

“I don’t know whether we’ll flirt or not, but what can you do? The Duchess has already approved it.”

“Damn it!”

Helvern thrust his fingers toward my eyes threateningly.

But before they could reach me, his fingers were forcibly bent back.

“Helvern.”

Docep burst in through the door Helvern had left it wide open. With a rigid expression, he gripped Helvern’s fingers like he was about to crush them.

“Agh!”

Helvern might normally be stronger, but weakened by Junel’s attack, his wrist twisted painfully.

Docep, on the other hand, looked perfectly fine. I’d been worried Nikolai might have hit him, but apparently it hadn’t come to blows. For now, I was relieved he was unharmed.

“You crazy bastard! Let go of me!”

Coming from him, that accusation was rich.

Docep’s gaze flicked between me on the floor and Helvern.

“There’s a limit to how much patience I have.”

“Patience, my ass! I’m the one injured! My ribs are busted because of that woman!”

Helvern shouted indignantly, but no one believed him.

Of course not. I looked weak and harmless—how could I possibly overpower someone like Helvern?

“Docep! Explain this properly to Nikolai—”

Just then, Francesca entered behind Docep. When she saw me collapsed on the floor, her face went pale.

“My goodness!”

She rushed over and supported me.

“Are you hurt?”

“I’m okay.”

“Stand up.”

“…Thank you.”

She helped me up, but the look in her eyes was strange.

“Are you truly all right? How did you fall?”

“Huh? I just tripped a little. I’m not hurt at all.”

“Hah.”

Even though Helvern was clearly the injured one, Francesca’s eyes scanned me anxiously.

While she and I were occupied, Docep and Helvern remained locked in confrontation.

“Let go!”

“Promise you won’t touch her again.”

His voice was serious, but the pinky finger he extended made the scene feel oddly childish.

‘In the novel, Docep was portrayed as a loner… were they always this immature?’

Seeing the finger, Helvern cursed freely.

“Have you lost your mind? Why would I agree to that?!”

He twisted his wrist, trying to pull free, then scowled when he couldn’t.

“Woman! What did you do to me?! This makes no sense—I can’t put any strength into my body!”

“How would I do anything? If anyone did something, it was you! You tried to kill me just to stop the marriage!”

Acting like a frightened lamb, I trembled and sniffled. Francesca’s and Docep’s gazes snapped straight to Helvern.

“You tried to kill her?”

In an instant, Helvern’s eyes went wide.

“I—I never! When did I ever try to kill her?!”

“Helvern Bloodymary.”

Under Francesca’s killing glare, Helvern nearly screamed.

“Mother! Are you really believing this common woman over me?!”

“Helvern, this time you went too far.”

“Unbelievable. You’re siding with him over me now?!”

“Be more careful with your actions from now on.”

Helvern’s eyes began to redden with rage.

Francesca turned her head away from his glare.

“Servants are watching. We’ll talk later.”

I watched the scene in silence.

‘Something’s not right.’

Even if Helvern threatened me, Francesca had no reason to take my side so completely.

I was a commoner, after all—and a woman brought in by Docep, the family’s problem child.

Even if Helvern had tried to kill me, I’d have expected her to side with him, not defend me.

In this family, Nikolai and Helvern ranked just below the duke himself.

“Everyone, return to your duties. Helvern, you are forbidden from approaching Docep or this girl.”

“Mother!”

It was truly strange.

***

Later

“That parasite even increased the number of freeloaders here. He’s determined to drag the family into the mud.”

Back in the study, Nikolai kicked the wall repeatedly. Docep’s earlier attitude had been beyond infuriating.

“I know it may be difficult to understand, but I ask that you try.”

He’d said that shamelessly—

“Brother.”

He’d even used that revolting word.

At that moment, Nikolai nearly lost all reason and unleashed a 5-star skill. Francesca shouted for him to stop, but he thought it was already too late—that Docep’s arm might be severed.

“I’ll accept whatever punishment is due for bringing disgrace upon the family. Whatever it is. Willingly.”

“What kind of trick is this bastard pulling—?!”

Docep waved his perfectly intact arm and disappeared from the room.

His words were absurd enough, but even more shocking was the fact that a 1-star Docep had dodged a 5-star skill.

He used to take every hit without fail.

‘It must’ve been luck. Just luck.’

Convincing himself of that, Nikolai hurried to his desk and pulled out parchment.

An ink-dipped pen began moving rapidly.