SWS CH 15

Chapter 15

If he came back to the past like I did, then why doesn’t he recognize me?

The biggest question was that Halara didn’t remember him.

“I can’t tell whether she truly doesn’t remember, or if she’s just pretending.”

Muttering to himself, Docep strode across the village.

She wasn’t at her house.

Then she had to be at the market.

Docep immediately turned back toward the market.

His sharp gaze swept through the crowd—

and then he spotted the back of Halara’s head in a narrow alley.

Docep stopped and studied her.

Her long hair was tightly tied back, and she was bowing her head, murmuring something to herself.

What is she doing?

Curious, Docep held his breath and quietly approached her.

He still hadn’t sorted out what he should say first.

After all, Halara didn’t know him.

Whether she was pretending or not, he needed to observe her carefully.

As he drew closer, her quiet muttering reached his ears.

“What should I do now?”

She spoke with her head lowered.

The hand resting on her stomach moved with extreme care.

“I think having you with me gives me a bit of strength.”

That was where Docep stopped walking.

The way she gently stroked her belly as she spoke in a comforting tone—

That was clearly something said to the child in her womb.

“Halara Seheb…”

Docep let her name slip from his lips.

…Is she really pregnant?

***

I definitely heard someone calling me.

But when I turned around, there was no one there.

Don’t tell me another follower is tailing me?

Ugh.

I hurried back toward my house.

I didn’t want to go home either, but Aunt Michelle should be back by now.

Junel had fluttered off earlier, saying he had something to pick up at the market.

When I reached my house, a red envelope stuck in the door caught my eye.

It was creepy, but I opened it anyway.

“We have completed all preparations on our end.
Simply pack lightly and come.
It would be wise not to entertain any foolish thoughts.”

That was all it said.

At the bottom was the crest of the Bloodymary Ducal House.

“I’m getting PTSD.”

If I were the real Halara, I’d probably be throwing a party.

But I wasn’t.

“Just come with your body alone.
We’re allowing you in because Seunghyeok likes you, but honestly, the difference in status is rather…
Don’t even think about bringing old household items with you!”

It sounded considerate on the surface, but the meaning was exactly the same as my former mother-in-law’s words.

Everything I owned was old and worn, so don’t bring useless junk and offend their eyes.

Once, my mother-in-law had even returned the bedding I brought as dowry while I was out, saying she didn’t like it.

“Seriously, what am I supposed to do?”

I wasn’t even sure whether Docep and I had actually spent a real night together.

Sighs poured out endlessly.

On top of that, Halara’s stalker had me on edge.

“Should I go find Docep?”

He wouldn’t understand this marriage either.

In the original story, hadn’t Docep flatly denied Halara’s pregnancy in Chapter 1?

If they’d truly spent a passionate night together, he wouldn’t have reacted that violently.

And besides, Docep was the male lead.

The woman worshipped as the heroine in the novel was someone else entirely.

“Right. I’ll go find Docep! His words will carry more weight than mine!”

Just as I turned around—

I slammed my forehead into someone’s chest.

It was the mercenary.

The same man who had wiped out my potato pancakes the other day.

“You startled me. What brings you here this late?”

But he just stared at me silently through the curtain of his hair.

“Hello?”

If he didn’t say why he came, how was I supposed to know?

He looked like he wanted to say something, but hesitated, lips pressed tight.

“Hello?”

What is with this guy?

“…What is it?”

I didn’t know what was going on, but I brought the mercenary inside anyway.

Being with him felt safer than being alone.

I didn’t know when that stalker might show up again.

We sat facing each other across the wooden table.

This man doesn’t feel dangerous at all.

Maybe it was because the glimpse of his face through his hair was so handsome.

Or because he seemed completely uninterested in me.

For some reason, I felt strangely at ease around him.

So maybe that’s why—

“Hey… do you happen to have connections around here?”

I wondered if he could help me.

“Connections?”

He finally spoke after staying silent the whole time.

“I mean… do you know anyone who lives in that castle?”

The Bloodymary Castle, gleaming dark red under the sun.

If he knew someone there, things would be easier.

And among everyone I’d met here, this mercenary felt like the most likely candidate.

“What do you need them for?”

“I have a favor to ask. Do you know them or not?”

I didn’t expect much when I asked.

“I do.”

But the answer caught me completely off guard.

“Really? You actually know people from that family?”

“Yes.”

He replied calmly.

If he knew the lord of this territory, why did he look so suspicious?

“It’s nothing strange. Could you introduce me to them?”

“Who?”

He’ll do it?!

Will he really repay me for all those meals?

“Will you? Anyone is fine?”

“Well. Depends.”

He folded his arms and paused.

I grabbed him and pulled him into a nearby alley away from the crowded market.

He followed without resistance.

“I’m serious. Can you really introduce me?”

“Introducing is possible.”

“Even today?”

“Depends on who.”

Jackpot!

What incredible luck!

It was worth cooking with every scrap I had.

“So who do you want to meet?”

“It might be difficult, but… please introduce me to Lord Docep.”

I blurted it out.

Honestly, even kids passing through the village avoided Docep.

Before his awakening, he was infamous as a complete brute.

“…Is that possible?”

As soon as I asked, the mercenary’s face stiffened.

Figures. Docep was probably too much to ask.

But that wouldn’t do.

“I know it’s a hard request. He might not even be at the castle. He’s known for appearing and disappearing. But if there’s any chance, please.”

Right now, persuading Docep was the best option.

He’d want to stop this marriage too.

If we worked together, we could block it.

The mercenary looked deep in thought.

His eyes were hidden by his hair, but it felt that way.

“You really don’t know anything.”

“Huh?”

His red lips moved slightly before he spoke.

“There’s no need to ask anything else.”

“What do you mean?”

“Come with me. I’ll introduce you properly.”

Despite his words, his gaze felt oddly dangerous.

***

And so, we arrived at the Bloodymary Ducal Estate.

Up close, the castle felt overwhelmingly oppressive.

[This body has returned! I found some useful things at the market and brought them along.]

Junel, loaded down with supplies, rejoined us on the way.

Unlike me, who was completely intimidated, Junel fluttered around happily.

[Bloodymary really is the best. It’d be even better if the head of the house were back!]

Being near powerful aura users seemed to energize him.

Thanks to Junel, following the silent mercenary wasn’t boring at all.

If anything, it was overwhelming.

When we reached the gates, the guards hesitated at first—

but the moment they recognized the mercenary, they hurriedly opened the doors.

Who exactly is this man?

Come to think of it, I never even asked his name.

I barely knew anything about him.

Once this was over, I’d definitely introduce myself properly.

[Heh. You two look pretty close. Don’t tell me you’re that kind of relationship?]

Junel fluttered over and whispered.

That kind of relationship?

I shook my head instead of answering.

[Not that? Hmph. That’s a shame. If you were lovers with him, you and I could just settle down here.]

Settle down?

What does he mean by that?

Junel tilted his head at my shrug.

[What? Don’t tell me you don’t know who he is.]

I nodded slightly.

At that moment, the grand gates of the Bloodymary estate opened.

I never imagined I’d enter this place so formally.

“Um—Mr. Mercenary…!”

I hurriedly called out to him.

I wanted to have a secret meeting with the brute lord first.

Walking in like this made it look like I’d accepted Francesca’s offer.

Oh my god.

And of all people—

Francesca herself, dressed in a black gown, stepped out through the open gates.

I froze.

Backing away was pointless.

[That’s Docep Bloodymary.]

“Docep.”

Junel and Francesca spoke at the same time.