SWS CH 16

Chapter 16

“Huh?”

Docep… Bloodymary?

What did I just hear?

Docep?

That name belonged to the infamous brute of the sword clan!

The male lead of this novel, and Halara’s final man!

What’s with that ridiculous face? You look like you’re about to faint!]

Junel burst out laughing, clutching his stomach and spinning in the air.

This wasn’t just “about to faint.”

This was the exact moment my peaceful world turned into a battlefield.

With my vision slowly blurring, I stared straight at Docep.

It was as if moonlight from the darkened sky spilled down onto him, tinting his hair red.

And thanks to Junel’s wings fluttering, his bangs were blown aside—

For the first time, I saw his eye color clearly.

Pitch-black eyes, like an abyss.

Unlike his brothers, he was born with black eyes.

After awakening as a nine-star knight, a band of golden light would appear in those eyes.

I should’ve asked his name when we first met!

I was an idiot.

I’d meddled so much, yet never once asked his name.

I was an idiot for brushing it off when he said he knew me.

“Both of you, come inside.”

Francesca spoke and turned away.

Docep followed her naturally.

“Um, I’ll be going now.”

I took a hesitant step back.

Something felt very wrong.

A strong feeling that if I went in now, I’d never escape again.

Then Docep, who had already started walking, turned back to look at me.

“You said you came to see me. Come in.”

At last, the mercenary revealed his identity.

His sharply curved eyes stared straight at me.

In that moment, he went from the safest person to the most dangerous one.

“That’s—!”

I wanted to ask why he hadn’t told me, demand an explanation—

But Francesca’s gaze cut me off, and I shut my mouth.

Even if I ran now, I wouldn’t get far before being caught.

…Damn it.

“Fine. I’m coming.”

I had no choice but to go with him.

My legs felt as heavy as if sandbags were hanging from them.

Francesca walked endlessly down the corridors, then entered the innermost drawing room of the estate.

The very place where I’d first opened my eyes after transmigrating.

Why am I back here of all places?

I thought I’d escaped the original plot.

No. Even if the mercenary is Docep, nothing really changes. We’ve only met a few times. It’s not like there’s anything between us.

I forcefully suppressed the anxiety rising inside me.

The original story was powerful.

Docep wouldn’t make a different choice from the original.

He wouldn’t want to marry me, just like before.

And all I had to do was agree.

“Sit.”

I steeled myself and sat in the same seat where I’d first faced Francesca.

Docep naturally took the seat beside me.

Francesca’s eyes moved between the two of us.

“You came in together. That’s unexpected.”

I couldn’t bring up losing my memories or not knowing he was Docep.

Just a few days ago, I’d used the excuse that I admired her son’s looks to escape.

If I now said, “I didn’t know he was the same person,” my credibility would shatter.

I just needed to avoid the marriage cleanly.

“So. You said you didn’t want to live here. Have you changed your mind?”

“No.”

I immediately rejected her question.

“I came here with the young lord to state clearly that neither he nor I wish to marry.”

“I will marry.”

What kind of nonsense was that?!

This is huge! Marriage?! A celebration! A feast!]

I hurriedly covered Junel’s mouth and turned to Docep.

“Hey—mercenary. No, Young Lord. What are you saying right now?”

That was a slip of the tongue, right?

Right?

But he didn’t even look at me as he continued.

“I will live together with Halara Seheb.”

Docep, are you crazy?

“Why are you doing this? You must be mistaken!”

I couldn’t hold it in anymore, and my voice cracked as I shouted.

Only then did Docep turn to look at me.

“No. I’ve never been more clear-headed.”

“What? Then you should be refusing!”

I whispered urgently, watching Francesca’s reaction.

Docep tilted his head slightly.

“Why are you so certain I would refuse?”

“Because—!”

Because that’s what happened in the original!

You were beaten half to death by the duke and still denied it!

You shouted that it was just one night, that the child wasn’t yours, and that she might not even be pregnant!

“We’re nothing to each other!”

“Nothing? We spent a deep and passionate night together.”

Oh my god.

Docep said something so shameless.

My mouth fell open in shock.

“Docep, mind your dignity.”

I wasn’t the only one startled.

Even Francesca, seated across from us, lost her composure.

“I will live with Halara here.”

“…You’ve thought this through. Since you’re already here, start living here from today. The preparations are mostly done.”

Her gaze turned toward me.

I wanted to scream.

“No! This makes no sense! Duchess, how could a commoner like me marry the young lord? It would stain a noble house like Bloodymary!”

“At least you know your place. I struggled endlessly before deciding to bring you in. But now that I’ve accepted it, I won’t reconsider.”

Francesca looked resigned.

Please don’t resign yourself! Do you really think your son is such a brute that no one but me could love him?!

I couldn’t say that in front of Docep.

I was going crazy.

“I’m just a commoner! I don’t know etiquette or noble customs!”

I desperately emphasized how useless I was to this family.

“She cooks well.”

“Docep,” she added helpfully from beside me.

“If I hadn’t summoned you to the castle, you probably intended to settle down in that house.”

Francesca shot me a suspicious glance.

All this over a few potato pancakes?

Docep didn’t argue.

Honestly, it was an understandable misunderstanding.

She’d seen him coming and going from my house dressed like a mercenary.

…I was the only one who didn’t realize it.

All the strength drained out of me.

How shameless must I have looked?

Telling her I admired her son from afar, then secretly meeting him at my house.

No wonder she thought I was a seductress.

“A true last request—can you reconsider?”

It was all I had left.

You wouldn’t have to take in a seductress, and I wouldn’t have to enter a family doomed to fall.

But Francesca’s hardened expression told me the answer.

As expected.

“That won’t be possible.”

She spoke firmly, glanced around, then lowered her voice.

“You are carrying my son’s child, who will one day become Bloodymary’s heir—”

She was about to say something crucial to this marriage—

“Letting a common woman into our family?”

The door opened.

A man with long hair tied back strode in.

He looked just like Docep, but colder and sharper.

Wait—him?

“Nikolai!”

That’s right.

Docep’s brother, Bloodymary’s eldest son.

Nikolai had arrived.

Seeing him approach with long strides, Francesca stood abruptly.

“I heard from Helvern. What is the meaning of this? Marriage without consulting me, when Father isn’t even here?”

“…Circumstances arose.”

“What circumstances justify bringing a common woman into this family? Are we supposed to suffer again because of this bastard?”

At his harsh words, Francesca sighed deeply.

Good job, Nikolai!

I cheered him on internally.

He was annoying in the novel, but right now he was on my side.

People like him were dependable allies.

“Explain yourself. It needs to make sense.”

It won’t.

I guarantee it.

I thought I was about to witness Nikolai’s victory—

but then.

“You may leave for now.”

Francesca dismissed me.

I was dying to escape anyway, so I jumped up without hesitation.

In my heart, I cheered for my only ally.

Handsome young master, please win!

I’ll never come near this place again!

***

As soon as I left and the door closed, loud crashing sounds erupted inside.

“Follow me.”

Despite being kicked out, I had no choice but to follow the butler’s guidance.

I walked down the long, wide corridor.

“Who’s that? Are they hiring a new maid?”

“No idea. She came in with the second young master earlier. The duchess seemed to know her.”

“The duchess? She looks worse dressed than me. How would she know a commoner?”

Their glances burned against my skin.

I suddenly became painfully aware of my position.

I just want to live quietly, running a small business in the village.

Why did Docep insist on living with me?

If he’d denied everything like in the original, it wouldn’t have gotten this tangled.

And Francesca’s unfinished sentence—

What was she going to say?

My head spun as I tried to think.

“Wait here. You may not return home until further instructions.”

The butler led me into a small drawing room and left.

I couldn’t even leave freely.

This was basically confinement.

Still, clinging to the thought of escape, I glanced out the window—

only to see iron bars towering there, sharp enough to slice flesh.