Chapter 10-2 – Did the Maid Survive the Horror Game?

Now that an enemy had appeared, I couldn’t just stand by. If Adrian couldn’t handle it directly, someone else would have to. The guards were likely scouring everywhere to find him, but I couldn’t be complacent. So, I assigned Kazimir and Sniffer as bodyguards for Adrian.

Two demons and a hellhound, plus myself. No matter how formidable the enemy, we had numbers on our side. If necessary, I planned to call Rosie for backup. Meeting Adrian in the future would require risking one's life.

Thus, the four of us were always together from morning until bedtime. We ate together, stayed together in the garden, and even had tea time together. Initially, Adrian seemed pleased when we were on high alert because of the enemy, but his expression soured over time.

Sniffer occasionally disappeared, chasing after the tricolor cat, but Kazimir, driven by a sense of duty, even followed Adrian to the bathroom, which led to him getting hit. Watching Adrian console the crying Kazimir, saying, “I understand your loyalty, but following to the bathroom was too much,” didn’t improve his mood.

“Looks like we have visitors,” Kazimir said a few days later, his ears perking up during a small tea party in the garden meant to lighten the mood. Sniffer bristled, wary of outsiders, while Adrian calmly sipped his tea, as if he already knew. Only I, being a mere mortal, was clueless, looking around in confusion.

Being with those beyond human capabilities was mostly comforting, but at times like this, it made me feel like a clueless child. But they were on a different level, and I was normal.

“Judging by their attire, they’re police officers. Four… no, five of them. Hilda, should I go drive them away?”

“No, if they’re officers, let’s hear what they have to say. Sniffer, stop growling so much.”

Hoping they had news about Harrison, I calmed them down. Kazimir and Sniffer, who looked ready to fight, stepped back.

My companions are so aggressive, it’s worrisome.

Why were the officers here again? Hopefully, it was about Harrison. They better not be here to take Adrian away again!

If you want to take Adrian, lock me up too, you bastards!

Of course, if they tried to take me, I wouldn’t go quietly.

“Count,”

The approaching officers bowed their heads to Adrian. The one in front, with three stars on his uniform, stood before Inspector Mark, suggesting he was the chief who had said he’d visit someday.

Seeing a high-ranking official meant they probably weren’t here to arrest him. That’s usually a job for the lower ranks. I relaxed a bit.

“We should have visited sooner, but we’re late. We heard we caused some unintended offense recently. We hope there’s no discomfort because of us.”

Wow, a high-ranking official from the police department bowed his head to Adrian. I knew social status mattered, but I never felt it this strongly before.

“You must be busy ensuring the safety and security of the area, so thank you for coming. I am also one of the citizens who feel safe thanks to the tireless efforts of the police department. The recent incident, while a misunderstanding, was an effort by the police to ensure the safety of the citizens, so there’s no need to dwell on it.”

Given the status of the Pfalzgraf family, Adrian’s response was not only magnanimous but almost saintly. I was a bit surprised. I knew he handled charitable work even when he was ill, but seeing this side of him for the first time made my heart race. My man knows how to separate public and private matters!

“Thank you for your understanding, Count. We were worried you might be upset.”

“My feelings are secondary, but the origin of this incident concerns me. If the perpetrator remains at large, won’t the police department’s reputation suffer greatly? If it turns out the department was behind it or was complicit, I couldn’t just overlook it as a mistake made in the name of citizen safety.”

“No, absolutely not! Such a thing never happened!”

“I need assurance.”

At Adrian’s gentle but firm tone, the chief fell silent, as if his tongue had been cut out. Inspector Mark stepped forward as the chief stammered.

“I’ll explain, Chief.”

“Oh, yes, please. Ahem.”

“Count, this is to clear your misunderstanding. The investigation is still ongoing, so I must insist on confidentiality. Will you accept that?”

“I won’t gossip about it at a social party, so don’t worry.”

“Yes, then… We’ve issued a warrant and are tracking Harrison concerning the witness bribery case. We haven’t caught him yet, but we’ve blocked his escape routes and are closing in. It’s only a matter of time. During the investigation, we found evidence suggesting Harrison might be linked to another long-unsolved crime.”

“Another crime?”

“There was a series of murders over many years. The killer took only the victim’s wrists as trophies. It was a highly malicious case, with no evidence or witnesses. It’s been a major case the police have been watching for a long time. I can assure you that our department had no involvement with the suspect.”

“Did you find the victims’ wrists?”

“Yes, we did. They were found in Harrison’s home. It’s almost certain he’s the killer.”

“What a horrific case. What punishment will Harrison face if caught?”

“I can’t say for sure, but most of us believe he’ll get the death penalty, given the number of victims.”

“I see.”

They didn’t tell me Harrison was the serial killer. I’m glad they figured it out. Even if I wanted to tell them, I wouldn’t have known how to explain it without being questioned. Saying the aura of the murders was the same wouldn’t make sense to them.

It’s amazing how he managed to leave no evidence or witnesses. As a competent detective, he knew exactly what not to do.

“I’m ashamed to have trusted and kept such a person. I deeply apologize for the unintentional trouble caused to you, Count. One of his subordinates respected him greatly and didn’t question what he gave him. That officer is now on probation and is reflecting deeply.”

Inspector Jeffrey must be who they’re talking about. He always stuck by Harrison’s side, so they must have been close. Discovering his partner was a murderer must have been a huge shock. Being used as a tool for crime would leave a deep sense of betrayal. Probation or not, he must be having a hard time.

“We must apprehend him quickly then. You must have a lot on your plate, Chief.”

“We’re deploying all available resources to catch him as soon as possible.”

“Of course.”

Adrian placed his clasped hands on his lap and smiled warmly. It was a lovely smile, but it carried a subtle threat that they must catch him quickly. The chief and the officers flinched, but what could they do? They messed up.

After asking the officers to catch the terrifying criminal, I saw them off with Kazimir.

For a while, things were peaceful. Harrison showed no sign of appearing, I spent pleasant times with Adrian, and Kazimir and Sniffer were excellent bodyguards. When Adrian was busy with work, I spent time with Emily, occasionally inviting Rosie over for delicious meals. When there was nothing else to do, I continued my studies or played the piano.

Ah, a mid-term report on Rosie’s growth supplement: sadly, it had no effect. It was supposed to show results within days! The salesman looked like a scammer, and he was. 

The expensive, useless supplement made me bitter, but I consoled myself by thinking that Rosie would have shrunk if not for it, and the supplement at least maintained her height. I felt bad for shrinking her in my mind, but decided to leave it at that.

“Hilda, did you hear? Hailey is quitting today.”

Emily mentioned sadly over lunch. I was surprised, munching on my toast.

“Really? Why? She said she’d stay as a housekeeper.”

“It’s the same reason Lydia left last week. Four people have quit this week alone. The mansion feels empty.”

Emily spoke sadly. It was indeed for that reason. I finished my toast, lost in thought.

They say rats leave a sinking ship first. That seemed to be happening to our mansion.

Despite the chief and inspector apologizing and seeking forgiveness, the servants were too shocked by seeing Adrian being taken away by the police. Their pride in working for the prestigious Pfalzgraf family was shattered when their master was accused of murder.

Even though he was cleared, the image left an indelible mark. The Pfalzgraf family, with its royal lineage and decades of charitable work, couldn’t afford even the smallest blemish. Rumors spread, and some servants lamented they couldn’t boast about working for the Pfalzgraf family anymore.

The funny thing was that some who quit moved to the notorious Marquis of Marcut, known for sexual harassment. That place couldn’t get any worse, they said. It seemed being good didn’t pay off.

Since the arrest incident, more than twenty servants had quit, reducing the household staff to double digits. I worried about rumors, but Adrian said it was for the best. He had planned to downsize the staff and would hire more if needed later.

So now, only the truly loyal or those who couldn’t afford to leave stayed. Regardless of their reasons, only the loyal remained.

While the mansion underwent these dramatic changes, preparations for moving to the villa continued smoothly. However, it was being prepared more grandly than intended, and I only learned about it on the morning of departure.

“Leticia... what is all this?”

The master's voice was low and heavy. Leticia, the loyal servant of the Palzgraff family, bowed deeply and responded respectfully to her young master.

"These are all items to be delivered to Madam, my lord."

"I'm not asking because I don't know that. I'm asking why there's so much."

As Adrian had pointed out, the wagon Leticia had prepared was indeed enormous. You can imagine the scale when the line extended from the front of the mansion to the garden. She said she was preparing "a few things" for Madam and Olivia. Wow, how many wagons are there? If unpacked, it would be enough to fill a whole house.

"Madam left in such a hurry that she didn't take anything with her. I ended up preparing one thing after another, and it turned out like this."

"But Leticia, what is that outfit you're wearing? And the servants waiting behind you?"

"I couldn't possibly send all that luggage with just you, my lord. We need workers to unload when we arrive, kitchen maids to organize, and a supervisor to direct them... And so it turned out this way."

"And you informed me of this on the morning of our departure."

"I apologize."

Leticia had prepared not just the series of wagons. She herself was dressed for an outing, and about twenty servants were waiting behind her to unload the luggage or organize the kitchen.

Leticia hadn't really disobeyed or done anything reprehensible. She had received permission to prepare "a few things" for the villa. It was just that Adrian and Leticia had different standards for "a few."

Adrian looked over the wagons and Leticia, then glanced at me.

Though he had pretended not to know, Adrian had actually planned this trip to be just the two of us. He had secretly arranged the itinerary to surprise me, but from the very first day, his plans were unexpectedly thwarted, so his expression was dark.

"Ugh... Leticia. This time, it's just Hilda and... Urgh."

I poked Adrian in the back from an angle Leticia couldn't see, and he groaned. Though he still seemed reluctant, it was better for everyone to go together now that things had turned out this way.

After all, these were gifts for the Countess. Regardless of who prepared them, the Countess would perceive it as a gesture from her son. Even if Adrian acted coldly, he could console himself with that thought. She was waiting for him, barely recovering from illness. I couldn't let her be emotionally wounded, too.

"... My lord?"

"Nothing. Let's depart quickly."

Adrian let out a long sigh, his face still dark. He seemed quite disappointed, but he was going to see the Countess after a very long time, and there would be many opportunities for us to travel together in the future. I'll suggest we plan a splendid trip next time.

"Hilda, where are you going? Come here quickly."

Lost in thought, I almost boarded Adrian's carriage out of habit. I made a quick U-turn and headed back to the large wagon where the servants were riding.

"Hilda, were you just about to ride with the Count?"

I tried to gloss over it, but Leticia sharply questioned me. Oh, she hadn't seen me ride with Adrian multiple times before.

Sensing trouble if I got caught here, I shook my head innocently, but Leticia's eyes narrowed. The atmosphere was not good.

"Hilda? What are you doing there?"

Adrian's head peeked out from the carriage, ending the tense moment. I waved my arms and shouted.

"My lord! You were looking for me because I have the medicine, right? I'll ride with the other servants in this wagon! Call me anytime if you need the medicine."

"..."

Though I wanted to ride with Adrian, since our trip alone had already been thwarted, I changed my mind at the last moment. Leticia was watching, and I wasn't feeling well.

I was sneezing and shivering, like I had a cold.

In hindsight, I had been overworking myself lately. After rushing through the infernal dungeon, it was no surprise I ended up getting sick. Though I had taken medicine and would recover quickly, Adrian wouldn't. If we rode together, he'd catch my cold, and his weaker constitution would make recovery slow. If I told him the truth, he'd probably shed tears, which would break my heart. So, I decided it was better for him not to know. I'll tell him once I'm better.

"But just in case, are you and the Count..."

As I watched Adrian retreat into the carriage, Leticia grabbed my arm, her face tense. Her lips moved without sound, her expression troubled.

"No, never mind. Get on the carriage quickly."

"Yes, Leticia."

I felt her gaze as I climbed into the wagon. I hadn't exchanged any affectionate words with Adrian, but from her reaction... I think she might have noticed something.

"And Hilda, remember, he's not the young master anymore, but the Count. Be mindful of how you address him."

"Yes, I understand. I'll be careful."

Perhaps reflecting on our earlier conversation, Leticia picked on me as soon as I got into the wagon. I've been caught. I shouldn't underestimate the head servant's experience. She was always wary of romantic entanglements within the household, and the idea of a servant and master... no wonder she's upset. Things might get more complicated from now on.

The door shut behind me with a thud.

The large wagon, though spacious on the outside, was packed with luggage in the back and quite a few servants, leaving little room to sit comfortably.

I squeezed in between the servants, clutching my bag. With no space to move my shoulders, it felt like a crowded subway ride during rush hour. This had its own charm.

Clatter!

But as the wagon started and shook violently, any romantic notions were shattered. Every time the wheels hit a bump, the impact jolted my seat. I could no longer think fondly of subway rides.

Ouch, my butt hurts.

As soon as the wagon stopped, I practically rolled out. Sitting on the hard floor and huddled up the entire way made my bottom sore, legs cramped, shoulders stiff, and back ache. The constant, grating sound of the wheels was so loud it left my ears ringing.

Unlike Adrian's carriage, which offered comfort, the servants' wagon was harsh in every aspect. I realized the luxurious rides I'd taken before were like five-star experiences. Complaining about the speed now felt petty.

Feeling queasy from the bumpy ride while having a cold, I saw Kazimir stretch happily as he disembarked. How could he sleep soundly in such conditions? Annoyed by his carefree expression, I lightly smacked his arm a few times.

"Hilda, don't just stand around. Help the others with the luggage. Can't you see everyone except you is unloading?"

As Kazimir grumbled about the unexpected hit, Leticia sternly directed me. Leaving the puzzled Kazimir behind, I quickly bowed my head.

"Yes, I'm sorry. I'll be more careful."

"Today, Charlotte and I will prepare the Count's meal and room. You help the others in the kitchen."

"Yes, understood."

I responded quickly, just like I used to in my old job. "Yes" can sound rude, while "Yup" and "Yep" seem too casual and playful, but "Yes" sounds brisk and obedient, suitable for nitpicky superiors. Adding an enthusiastic "Yes!" emphasized my willingness, and fortunately, Leticia said no more and left. People are the same everywhere.

Hmm, Leticia seems intent on keeping me and Adrian apart. It'll take about three days to reach the villa, so is she planning to keep this up the whole time? While I was concerned for myself, I worried more about Adrian. After the failed solo trip, riding separately, and now even meals... Could Adrian endure for three days?

I quickly shook my head.

I'll have to visit him tonight. If I don't console him a bit, the world might end.

I intended to visit immediately but fell asleep before I knew it.

Huh, when did I lie down?

Waking to the sound of birds, I stared blankly at the sunlight pouring in through the window. Like someone who blacked out after a heavy drink, I tried to recall yesterday. I remembered helping unload necessary items from the wagon, washing the influx of dishes in the kitchen, and then feeling dizzy.

With the cold and the labor, my fever suddenly spiked, and I felt like I might die. I planned to take medicine and visit Adrian but collapsed onto the bed instead. I kept negotiating with myself to lie down for five more minutes, then ten, and then I closed my eyes. When I came to, it was morning.

"Hilda, what are you doing? It's time to leave. Hilda, Hilda? Are you listening?"

Charlotte waved her hand as she changed clothes. It seems she was my roommate in the small hotel we rented entirely for our group.

"Oh... right. I need to get up."

"Oh my, your face is red. Are you sick?"

「Your fatigue level is rapidly increasing.」

「Your stamina is decreasing.」

As Charlotte spoke, white text floated in front of me. Despite sleeping, my total stamina had only recovered to 837 out of 1322, indicating I wasn't in good shape.

「Your stamina is decreasing.」

「Your stamina is decreasing.」

The system kept alerting me about my decreasing stamina, which was more annoying than helpful, so I closed the notifications all at once.

"It's nothing. I'm fine. By the way, Charlotte, you served the Count's meal yesterday, right?"

"Yes, I did. Why?"

"Um... was everything okay?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

As she tied her scarf, Charlotte widened her eyes in confusion.

"No

, it's just that the Count... is very particular about food."

"Oh, Leticia warned me about that. Luckily, the Count didn't seem too uncomfortable."

"I'm glad to hear that."

I sighed with relief. Adrian's appetite is still poor, so I was worried he might not eat much, but I was grateful he managed. Leticia and Charlotte probably had a hard time, though. Adrian, whose daily meals I prepared and served directly, was particular about the most random things, such as the distance between the soup bowl and his lips, or the right degree of pressure to avoid damaging a fruit's skin while peeling. I sighed just thinking about it.

"And your shoes."

It was just before departing. My pace was slowing due to my poor health, but Leticia stopped me with her arms crossed.

The manager in her left pocket, the housekeeper in her right, and this old woman under her armpit—what am I saying? The title doesn't matter; it's my ability that's important. Indeed, having someone skilled at work is advantageous.

"You must be really out of it. Have you completely forgotten?"

"What do you mean?"

"The villa. You said you'd visit the villa."

"The villa?"

No matter how much I thought about it, I didn't understand why.

"I'd like to visit the villa someday. It's a dream of mine to spend a few days in a small villa, doing nothing."

"Oh, the villa..."

Leticia smiled as if the pieces finally clicked into place. She took a deep breath, a mix of sadness and resignation. However, her demeanor quickly changed, like a switch had been flipped.

"Then you should visit it. Wouldn't you love to go? Well, let's say it's a dream come true. How does that sound?"

Her smile seemed more like a smirk. However, it was also possible that I was being overly paranoid. Sometimes, Leticia's words could seem hostile when she didn't mean them to be.

"Yes, that sounds wonderful."

"Indeed, it does."

Leticia's smile softened a bit. I couldn't shake the feeling that she was trying to tell me something important. But whatever it was, I wasn't able to understand it then.

Our journey continued with stops at various inns and taverns. It was becoming apparent that Leticia's intention was to keep me busy and away from Adrian. Despite her vigilance, there were moments I managed to catch Adrian's eyes, and in those moments, he seemed to silently urge me to find a way to be alone with him.

Three days later, we finally reached the villa. It was grand and beautiful, but the stress of the journey and the fact that I had barely seen Adrian during this time left me feeling exhausted and more determined than ever to find a moment alone with him. As the others busied themselves with settling in, I sneaked away to look for Adrian. 

As I walked through the hallways, I heard a familiar voice calling out my name. 

"Hilda!"

I turned around to see Adrian standing at the end of the corridor. His face lit up with a mixture of relief and joy as he hurried towards me.

"It's been too long," he said, pulling me into a tight embrace. "I missed you."

When I clamped my mouth shut, Adrian gazed at me wistfully. His eyes seemed to say that if I just spoke, he'd arrange for me to ride in the carriage or have a meal together right away. For a moment, I nearly blurted out that I wanted to be by his side, seeing him looking so lonely. However, I couldn't do something so cowardly as tattling to my direct superior about dating the boss, so I shook my head with a smile. I wasn't pretending to be fine; I genuinely was fine. If I were easily intimidated by my superior's nagging, I wouldn't have come this far. While I regretted not being able to spend time with Adrian, I could make up for it later!

Surprisingly, just seeing Adrian made my fever drop and my strength return. At this point, I felt like there should be a notification popping up saying I had a 'power of love' buff applied. Oh right, the system was at odds with Adrian.

"...Alright, if that's what you want, there's nothing I can do about it."

A long sigh. Adrian couldn't take his eyes off me until the moment I climbed into the baggage carriage. Even after I sat among the other servants like yesterday, he seemed to watch me for a long time before we departed.

Suddenly, the carriage jolted and the second day's journey began. The second day was not much different from the first. After enduring the extremely uncomfortable ride in the baggage carriage, the sun set, and I stumbled out of the carriage like a rolling stone.

Ugh, my neck, shoulders, and back ached all over. Fortunately, we found accommodations nearby as soon as the sun set; if we had traveled day and night, I would have turned into a stone statue early on.

"Hilda, today, Charlotte and I will prepare the meal again, so please help with organizing the luggage."

"Um, Lady Leticia, I'm not feeling well, so..."

"What are you doing? Go quickly."

Just then, Charlotte called Leticia from afar, and she left without hearing me out. How inconsiderate. No matter how busy you are, you should at least listen when someone says they're not feeling well. Moreover, isn't it too much to interfere with official duties just because you don't want to see a servant and the master together? Taking care of Adrian was originally my job!

"Ah! I've spilled it! What should I do?"

"You idiot, didn't I tell you not to hold it on one side like that!"

A commotion arose behind the baggage carriage. Following the gathered servants, I lifted my foot slightly to see that the food and seasoning that Leticia had packed for the mistress were spilling all over the carriage floor. It seemed that while taking out a storage box for dinner, they had tipped everything over. Why did they have to pack it in glass containers?

"What do we do now? We need to start preparing dinner soon!"

"Hey, don't just stand there, help us out!"

They suggested we clean up together before things got busier. Indeed, cleaning a floor covered in glass, food, and seasoning alone would take quite some time, and if there was a delay, we'd all get scolded by Leticia. It was better for everyone to quickly handle it together. There's always one person who causes accidents when there's a lot to do.

"Huff..."

As I diligently cleaned the carriage floor, time flew by. Leaving the tidying-up servants behind, I hid briefly under a dark tree. I slid down, leaning against the tree.

I'm exhausted. Somehow, I feel more tired than when I was at the mansion.

Is it this hard to take a trip to the villa by carriage? There was so much to do. I had to keep an eye out for Harrison, endure Leticia's nitpicking in real-time, and stop the dog from going to see the cat. I had to check on Adrian and calm down Kazimir, who was overly enthusiastic with his sense of duty, and listen to Avril's nostalgic laments about wanting to see someone.

Ah, I'm tired! If it weren't for Adrian, I'd want to go back to the mansion alone right now because my body is so worn out.

I can't go on. I'll tell them I'm not feeling well and take a good rest tonight.

"Oops."

Just as I decided and stood up abruptly, my vision swam. My legs wobbled momentarily; this wasn't good. I should rest a bit more before going. I carefully bent my knees, holding onto the tree.

"I can't just watch anymore."

My vision blurred slightly, and before I knew it, I was falling backward. Familiar warmth, a gentle voice. Two arms reached out, wrapping around my waist and pulling me close. My head thudded against a firm chest, and I leaned back endlessly. The cold night air that had been chilling my cheeks disappeared, replaced by warm, soft fabric. Wait, where was this?

"My master is so generous and kind. All you had to do was say the word."

It was Adrian's room. A teleportation spell? How convenient! I thought learning practical magic from Adrian for everyday use wouldn't be a bad idea.

"Or maybe I'm not reliable enough to lean on?"

"Ugh, wait a moment..."

"I can't wait any longer. I'm at my limit."

Anyone hearing him would think we hadn't seen each other in months, but it had only been a day. Even so, Adrian's hands eagerly unbuttoned my shirt, tracing my collarbone and sensitive skin with practiced ease. I let out a groan at the tingling sensation.

"Wait, Count..."

"Hilda, if I were you, I wouldn't call me that right now."

He clasped my hands. As I twisted my body to escape, he clicked his tongue softly. His hands were so hot that every touch left a cool sensation. His breath on my shoulder raised goosebumps all over my body.

"You keep distancing yourself from me with such formal titles, yet you smiled and spoke to another man. You're definitely trying to kill me with longing, aren't you?"

"When did I ever... Ugh."

"Just a little while ago, in the baggage carriage. You spoke kindly and smiled at another man. You were clearly trying to make me jealous, weren't you?"

"I was just asking him to move the luggage..."

"The fact remains that you smiled and talked to another man."

I was too exhausted and weary to even muster a smile, so who was I supposedly smiling at? Adrian, delusional as always, was an expert at making things up. I wanted to argue the details, but I couldn't, as I was too busy groaning.

"I wasn't avoiding you on purpose. I didn't want to give you my cold."

"A cold, you say? Let me see."

Adrian, who had been expertly stimulating my ailing body, suddenly looked surprised and placed a hand on my forehead. There was a brief silence. He seemed clueless about how to check for a fever, just mimicking what I had done when he was sick. I couldn't help but laugh.

"What good is just placing your hand there if you don't know how to check for a fever? Didn't you notice my body was hot? How could you not? You've been sick for so long; you should know better."

"Well, your body always felt this hot when I touched you... No, even hotter. And you're so cute when you cry; I wish I could show you. Isn't there a way?"

"Your mouth! Your mouth!"

"I should have delayed our departure. I didn't realize you were unwell."

As I turned away, trying to cover his mouth, he skillfully avoided me, looking dejected. Then, as if he couldn't bear to miss the opportunity, he took my hand and kissed it lightly. The devil was becoming increasingly sly; it was a big problem.

"Do you understand now? I wasn't avoiding you on purpose. I was just worried you'd catch my cold. So, I'll leave now. You'll really catch it if we keep this up."

"Hilda, I think I've already caught it. So, can you hold me?"

"No, that's not..."

"Hug me. Right now."

I stared at the count, who was now making unreasonable demands, his arms outstretched. If I didn't hug him, he seemed ready to force me to. But if he really caught my cold, what then? This was bad... but as I sighed and opened my arms, he pulled me in tightly. Who was hugging whom here?

"If you really catch my cold, it's not my fault."

"Let me catch it."

"You said you already caught it."

"Yes, I did. Can I hold you tighter? Will you be able to breathe?"

Trapped in his arms, he whispered. His lie had little sincerity, but his jealousy over my supposed smile at another man vanished. His embrace was so warm and comfortable that I unconsciously leaned against his chest.

"It's cramped."

"It's nice being close like this. How about we change the bed in the mansion to this size too?"

"There's no need to go that far. You're being excessive..."

He was being excessively fussy. When I laughed out loud, his lips gently touched my forehead and then retreated. Feeling unsatisfied, he leaned down for another kiss, this time aiming for my lips. I hastily blocked him with my hand, causing his kiss to land on my palm, making my wrist tickle.

"Not on the lips. I'm telling you, it's not okay. What if you get sick?"

"Hmm, what if I could get sick instead of you? I've had enough of being sick, but I'd be fine if it were for you."

"What? Absolutely not."

"Alright then, tell me what you want. I'll grant it."

I couldn't see how his illogical argument led to "then," but I instinctively knew Adrian was trying to provoke a specific response. He wanted to hear a certain name from me. He must have already

 heard I was assigned to Kazimir's command by Harrison and that I didn't protest. But Kazimir had long been his political ally and a strong supporter of the defense minister; he wouldn't easily change sides.

"If I say I want to ride in the luggage carriage, will you stop?"

"Why on earth would I... Ah."

I raised an eyebrow and covered my mouth, confirming his guess. Adrian laughed softly.

"You could have said you wanted to ride with me."

"But we can't. We're masters and servants in public. Besides, your official duties keep you busy."

"Even so."

Adrian kissed my fingers and my wrist, grumbling. His warm touch and soft kisses tickled my palm, and his lips clung to my skin.

"How does riding in the luggage carriage make sense? Even if you want to be near Kazimir, it's not appropriate. You should have come to me instead of letting that happen."

"Then you'll be jealous again..."

"Are you talking back now?"

"No, I'm not."

He kissed my fingertips again, then sighed softly. I must have touched a sensitive nerve. He didn't seem to want to show it, but it must have hurt him to see me so close to Kazimir.

"If you stay in the luggage carriage, I'll get sick again."

"But you said you already caught it."

"And you won't rest until you're fully recovered. I'll take care of you until then."

So, he had planned all this. I should have known Adrian would find a way to stay close to me. But his care was touching, so I couldn't refuse. If he was going to fuss over me like this, I might as well let him.

"Fine, but don't overdo it. If you get sick, I'll feel guilty."

"I'll be fine. Now, rest. You need it."

I closed my eyes, surrendering to the warmth of his embrace. Adrian's heartbeat echoed in my ears, lulling me to sleep. For now, I could rest, knowing he was there to watch over me.

"Being apart was actually harder for me."

I was worried about what Adrian might do, but it turned out that I was the one who had been more unstable this time. Who was really worrying about whom? I couldn't help but chuckle at the situation, and Adrian, sensing my amusement, fidgeted behind me, tickling my back.

"Do you like being like this, Hilda?"

[ hey there, sorry for disturbing your reading! I'm just here to make sure you are reading this from my website (https://tlbyviridescent.blogspot.com/p/surviving-as-maid-in-horror-game.html) and not somewhere else where it got reposted without my permission... that's it! ]

"Yes, I do. I like it a lot."

"..."

"Your heartbeat is really loud. Do you like it that much?"

Adrian held me tightly instead of answering. Listening to his loud, rhythmic heartbeat, I told him I wanted to stay like this forever. Adrian smiled brilliantly, like a sunflower on a clear day.

"Master, can you sing me a lullaby? I want to fall asleep listening to it again."

"I'll think about it if you stop calling me 'Master' or 'Count'."

"Adrian, please sing me a lullaby."

"Would the song I taught you last time be okay?"

When I nodded, Adrian cleared his throat and began to sing "Mama's Shade Island," a song he had taught me before, in his beautiful, rolling voice. His singing was so soothing and warm that I felt myself drifting off to sleep. 

"And there's a crucial difference between you and that woman, you know? I love you."

Believe me.

"I love every part of you, whether you're laughing, crying, angry, or complaining. Even when you felt guilty and ran away, I loved you."

Believe me.

"So please, trust me... and let's go home. I hate the stifling air here."

You must believe.

"Thank you for showing me that my faith wasn't misplaced. Thank you for making me not regret."

"Hilda, I..."

"Stop apologizing. Just promise me you won't do it again."

When Adrian apologized for the confinement, Hilda shed tears, rejoicing that they had finally understood each other and extracting a firm promise that it wouldn't happen again. Seeing her radiant face when she said she would trust him now, Adrian couldn't bring himself to admit the truth—that he didn't really know what trust was.

He had to believe. He had to appear as if he believed firmly. Even if he didn't actually trust, even if his insides were rotting away, he had to seem like he believed.

He was as anxious and nervous as ever, but not always. When she was by his side, he could forget his anxiety for a moment and feel joy and excitement. Hearing her say she loved him made him feel like he could fly, and holding her close made him feel indescribably elated. If he could continue living like this, even someone like him, who didn't understand faith, might be able to reciprocate it.

But when the sun set and it grew dark, and Hilda was no longer by his side, the anxiety inevitably returned. The hope that had filled his day vanished like the setting sun, and a thick fog covered his vision. Despite her promises to stay with him, the forces that wanted to take her away were still very real.

'That' is still beside you, Hilda.

He swallowed the words that rose to his throat thousands of times. He hated seeing her look at anything other than him. He hated the moments she talked with someone else. When she stared into the distance, he feared she was reminiscing about a world she once belonged to.

For someone as inherently distrustful as he was, loving someone who could leave at any time was a form of torture. It might have been better to be the object of her hatred than to wallow in the agony of unreciprocated love. Hatred was sometimes more enduring than love and didn't fade as easily. If he could give her a reason to seek revenge, he wouldn't have to worry about her leaving.

Or he could make himself a convenient tool. Tools weren't discarded as long as they were useful, and as long as he didn't lose his power, that wouldn't happen. If she grew used to having him around, she might look back at him at least once.

Ah, no. It would be better if you devoured me completely. I want to melt into you, so I can't think of anything else. I want to become one with you, never feeling anxious again. How warm and kind must it be inside you...?

"Sometimes you seem to live in constant fear that the sky might fall," she said with a breezy laugh whenever he unintentionally revealed his anxiety. He smiled along like a puppet, but his thoughts were elsewhere.

The sky could fall at any time, Hilda. Whenever you leave the estate, I constantly watch the sky and ground. I want to keep you locked up in the room like last time, but you made me promise never to do that again, so I can't.

And then it happened.

"I stayed away because I didn't want you to catch my cold."

A cold. The sense of crisis hit him like the sky splitting and the ground sinking. He pretended to be calm in front of Hilda, but once she fell asleep, his hands started trembling.

Having lived with every disease known to man, even a slight cold had brought him to death's door multiple times. Just thinking about how sick Hilda might be brought tears to his eyes. If he cried for real, Hilda would probably be dumbfounded, not understanding how fragile humans could be.

Hilda, what if you die?

Swallowing his tears, he checked his body and found unfamiliar cuts on his fingers. He recalled the faint smell of blood in the luggage carriage; he must have been pricked by a splinter. How painful must that have been? He suppressed his rising sorrow and carefully cleaned the wounds.

He couldn't measure her temperature, but when he touched her forehead, it felt slightly cooler than before.

If the medicine didn't work, maybe there was another good method. He paced the room, deep in thought. Then, a brilliant idea struck him. His eyes lit up with joy.

He quietly prepared a wine glass so as not to wake Hilda, then took out a knife from his bag and cut his palm deeply. Dark red blood oozed from the wound.

He clenched his hand tightly to prevent any drops from falling as he went back to the table and poured the blood into the wine glass. Once it filled to the right amount, he staunched the wound with a towel and watched the blood swirl in the glass with feverish eyes.

He planned to feed it to her when she woke up. Every last drop.

His blood would stay inside her body forever, protecting her. It wouldn't make her a superhuman overnight, but it would keep her from succumbing to a mere cold.

He also planned to extend her lifespan a bit. If she lived long enough, with nowhere to go but by his side, he would be overjoyed. If given eternal time, they would be happy, wouldn't they?

He intended to start with just one glass. Satan's blood was poisonous to humans, but if diluted with wine, it wouldn't be fatal. If he gradually increased the amount each day, someday all the blood in her body would be his. That would be the moment they truly became one. He was certain of it.

But she must never know. She must never discover this treacherous heart. He intended to play his role perfectly, hoping she would trust him.

Adrian sat in a chair, holding up the glass, swirling it as if it were real wine. 

The thought of his blood soon becoming part of her thrilled him. When it flowed through her veins, reached her heart, and merged with her breath...

One day, he might see the world through her eyes. How beautiful and vibrant would it be? If he became completely hers, it would be an unparalleled joy.

Lost in this rapturous fantasy, Adrian stayed up all night.

Morning came. I instinctively groped for the spot next to me, realizing with a start that it was empty.

"Adrian?"

"Hilda, you're awake?"

As if he had been waiting, the bed dipped slightly as Adrian showered me with gentle morning kisses on my forehead.

"Were you already up?"

"Mhm. How do you feel? You can sleep more if you're still tired. I've already delayed our departure for today."

"Well... I feel much better than yesterday after a good sleep."

Unlike yesterday's 837, today's stamina gauge was at 916. Although still short of full health, I decided to appreciate the improvement. I hadn't even taken any medicine yesterday. Love's power was indeed great.

"Can you sit up, Hilda?"

"Of course. I think I'm almost fully recovered."

As I sat up briskly, Adrian's gentle smile widened. Feeling unusually good this morning, I couldn't help but smile seeing Adrian's cheerful demeanor.

"I prepared a simple breakfast. Do you like it?"

"Wow... What's all this? Did you make it yourself?"

A tray with toast and wine was placed on my lap. Three pieces of toast! It seemed like too much for one person, so I asked if he had prepared it himself, and Adrian nodded shyly.

"Yes, you didn't eat anything last night. I thought you'd be hungry when you woke up."

"Wow... A unicorn was here."

"A unicorn?"

He tilted his head quizzically, but I was too busy being amazed to explain what a unicorn was. I remembered watching dramas and joking with friends about how men who prepared breakfast like this were as rare as unicorns. But here was my boyfriend, the unicorn! A rare species indeed! Objectively, he was already the best husband material, waking me up with morning kisses and serving breakfast. I must have saved a country in my past life!

"But where are Kking-Kking and Kazimir? I told them not to leave your side."

As I quickly devoured a piece of toast, I asked, and Adrian smiled like a gentle breeze.

"You're here today.

 That's why I asked them to run an errand."

"An errand?"

"Just briefly."

Well, okay. Then I'll follow their orders and eat well, sleep well, and heal quickly. As I downed a glass of wine, I noticed a faint sweet scent, making my nose twitch.

"Adrian, why does the wine taste so good today?"

"Really?"

"Yeah. Maybe because of your love?"

"That's good to hear."

He didn't seem interested in the wine, so I resumed munching on the toast, admiring how well he had made it. He had been a gentle, perfect boyfriend so far. But why? I felt a little uncomfortable today. My body was a bit off. Why?

"Hilda, why do you look so concerned?"

"No, I don't know why, but I feel... odd today. I'm a bit out of sorts."

"Does it hurt anywhere?"

"Hurt? No. I just feel something's wrong."

"I'm sorry. My fault. I should have been more cautious."

"No, no. It's not your fault."

Adrian's concern for my strange feeling was genuine. And he had kept me safe through the night, hadn't he? I patted his back lightly and smiled.

"I'm going to trust you."

"Hilda..."

"Thank you, Adrian. For everything."

"..."

"Don't worry. I'll recover soon. I promise."

"I will keep my promise too."

Adrian gently held my hand, nodding. For some reason, his touch felt unusually warm today. Was it my imagination?

It was amazing that Adrian thought my sudden regurgitation was due to the fever. His face was full of worry and concern, completely oblivious to the bizarre act of feeding me blood.

"Your hand," I demanded.

"Huh?"

"Give me your hands. Both of them."

"Hilda, what's wrong? Do you want me to hold your hand?"

"Just do it."

"......"

When I spoke firmly, Adrian fell silent for a moment before obediently extending both hands. As expected, his long, callus-free hands had no visible wounds. Naturally, if there had been any wounds, I would have questioned them. The fact that he hid the evidence meant that not only had he secretly fed me blood, but he also had no intention of telling me about it.

"The drink in this glass, it wasn't wine, was it?"

"......"

"Tell me honestly. It wasn't wine, was it?"

His smile disappeared, leaving behind a blank, intimidating expression. In that brief moment when his gaze lowered, countless thoughts must have been racing through his mind. A normal person would be wondering how I found out and whether to confess or deny it, but with Adrian, I couldn't predict anything.

"Are you mad?"

His first words after the silence infuriated me, and I slammed the toast I was holding onto the plate.

Of course, I'm mad! How could I not be? Did you expect me to thank you for feeding me top-quality elixir?

"Of course, I'm mad! What did I tell you before I left? Did you forget our promise already?"

"What? What do you mean...?"

"I told you not to get hurt! To take care of yourself! We made that promise just a few days ago, and you cut your hand? How much blood did you lose? Are you out of your mind?"

"I'm sorry, but it wasn't a big wound. It just looked like a lot because it was mixed with the wine."

"Losing almost a glass of blood isn't a big wound?"

Adrian clamped his mouth shut as I shouted in horror. If Harrison found out, he'd have a fit. He might even kill him before the world ends.

I wanted to believe that the system hated Adrian so much it lied, but his reaction made it clear that everything in the explanation was true. Goodness, how long had it been since he recovered that he pulled this stunt?

"I'm sorry, Hilda. Please don't be mad. I didn't forget our promise... Please calm down."

"If you didn't forget, why did you break it? That's even worse."

"Hilda..."

"Don't pretend to cry. Don't make excuses with lies. I can't let this slide."

Transparent blue tears welled up in his eyes, making him look as pitiable as a puppy abandoned in the rain. My heart almost softened, but I shook my head resolutely.

When he saw that I wasn't wavering at all, all emotion washed away from Adrian's face, leaving it expressionless. The tears dried up instantly, and his sparkling eyes turned cold. Adrian, silent and without expression, was as beautiful as he was terrifying. To withstand the chill of staring into a great darkness, I had to be a bit more patient.

Sometimes... I wondered if Adrian cried strategically in front of me. This time, I was sure of it.

"I'll be leaving now. We can talk later."

"You can't get up so suddenly. You're not fully recovered yet; you need more rest."

"Don't follow me. I'll really get mad."

"Hilda..."

When I abruptly got out of bed, Adrian followed me anxiously. What, did I need to rest after drinking Satan's blood? There could have been other reasons, but I felt a sense of futility, believing I wouldn't get a truthful answer no matter what I asked.

I glared at Adrian, who was following me in small, quick steps. He suddenly stopped as if hitting a wall, his face looking as pitiful and sorrowful as if he had gathered all the world's sympathy.

But I couldn't let this slide again; he might hurt himself once more. After shooting him a cold glare, I left the room and closed the door behind me.

Unbelievable. Losing almost a glass of blood isn't a big wound? I knew demons had different scales, but he's in a human body now. What if he had collapsed from excessive bleeding without time to heal? What if Harrison had found out at that moment? What if bleeding became a weakness? I'm the only one worried here, aren't I? Did he think I had Kazimir and the others attached to him for no reason?

Seething with anger, I went straight to the kitchen on the first floor and drank a glass of water.

Ugh... Knowing I drank blood makes me feel weird. No matter how intimate we are, secretly feeding me blood isn't right, is it?

Even though I drank it all in one shot, I still have some standards. I'm not a vampire; why would I drink blood...? Ugh, my stomach, which had been settled with toast, started to feel uncomfortable again.

Come to think of it, the blood was supposed to extend my lifespan. And what was this about being trackable by Satan? Basically, it was like having a GPS attached to me, which seemed unfair. If Adrian drank my blood, would it show my coordinates? No, it wouldn't!

Feeling that the world was unfair, I picked up one of the kitchen knives and made a small cut on my fingertip to draw some blood. Two explanation windows popped up above the few drops of blood.

"Hilda's Blood

Hilda's blood from a cut on her fingertip. It tastes bitter but has no effect."

"Angry Hilda's Blood

Blood from Hilda when she's angry. Consuming it grants +5 experience points."

What the hell, it tastes bitter and has no effect. Even angry blood only gives five experience points. No GPS or anything. How is this fair? I want to attach a GPS to Adrian too!

As I was railing against the world's unfairness alone, I sensed someone entering the kitchen behind me. I turned around and, oh no, it was Leticia. It felt like suddenly encountering a boss in a tutorial.

"You're a mess. You weren't in your room last night. Where were you?"

Of course, I'd look a mess, having rushed down here as soon as I woke up. As I hurriedly put the knife away and tried to tidy my hair, Leticia's eyes scanned me from head to toe and back again. Ugh, it felt like being hit by lasers.

"Never mind. I can guess without asking. The Count came to me late last night asking for a women's negligee. The one you're wearing now."

Oh no... There's no talking my way out of this.

"I've been watching you closely because the Count has been keeping you unusually close lately... It seems my intuition was correct."

What now, I've been caught having an affair with the boss by my immediate superior. What if I get fired? The Count might rehire me, but I still didn't want to be fired.

But this wasn't entirely my fault. When young men and women are together, it's natural for feelings to develop, right? Besides, look at the Count's face. Sometimes he does annoying things, but he's hard to resist. It's a very human reaction.

"Hilda... I don't have the right or authority to stop the Count, but whatever your relationship, I hope you think it over carefully."

Leticia locked both kitchen doors tightly and confirmed there was no one around before speaking again. Ugh, she's telling me to break up with him. This was the advice I'd expected when our relationship was discovered, and there was no point in denying it. The only option left was to confront it head-on.

"I'm sorry to worry you, Leticia. But I haven't neglected my duties because of my relationship with the Count. I've handled all my tasks and will continue to do so without causing any trouble for him."

"What are you talking about? Why would I worry about the Count? Oh my, I'm worried about you."

Huh, what? She's not mad because a servant is dating the Count? My eyes widened in surprise as Leticia sighed deeply, her face clouded.

"The Count can do as he pleases. After being confined to the mansion with a terminal diagnosis, it's natural for him to become attached to someone who was always by his side, doing everything for him. His feelings shifting was inevitable."

Thinking back to the beginning, it didn't seem like he liked me just because I was around. Back then, he was trying to kill me... Though her point was off, I couldn't explain the details, so I nodded earnestly. Leticia's eyes grew misty.

"But you can't do that, Hilda. You're... We're servants. A capable girl like you could succeed anywhere, but if you're seen as a lowly mistress, that's not right. I don't want to see you being treated like that."

"......"

"Even if you're not a mistress, it's the same. If you stay as a servant, you'll just be seen as a lucky girl favored by the Count. No matter how well you perform, people will say it's because of the Count. If you suddenly have a child... I've seen more bad outcomes than you can imagine. I've seen so many..."

Leticia trailed off, struggling with the painful memories. Given her extensive experience managing the household staff and knowing people from other mansions, she must have witnessed countless incidents.

"When you were little, you were so bright and cheerful. At some point, I began to see you, Katarina, and Emily as my daughters. I never said it, but I really did. You were so skilled and dependable that I thought you'd be the one to take over for me. But thinking of you becoming one of them...”

"......"

"So many children lost their lives, naively believing their master's promises. Noble's hearts change with the sunrise and sunset,

 and those who trusted their promises lost their children and their own lives. You may be happy now, but this is a relationship where only you get hurt, Hilda. Only you. Understand?"

Leticia rubbed her forehead as if she had a severe headache.

"But it seems like things have gone far beyond what I can handle... I hope the Count won't go that far, but I can't guarantee it. Even though I've known him for a long time, I still can't figure him out."

I had no choice but to strongly agree with her on that point. Of course, I couldn't figure him out. Even I didn't know he would feed on my blood.

"Hilda, do you trust the Count?"

She suddenly asked me. Her eyes, weary and worn from time, were filled with struggle, exhaustion, and a sense of loss.

I slowly nodded. No matter who asked me if I trusted Adrian, my answer would always be the same. It was a path straight and unwavering.

She let out a sigh so heavy it seemed to drain all the energy from her body.

"Alright. I understand. I have to respect your decision. But Hilda, if you find yourself in trouble or want to escape from here, let me know anytime. Day or night, it doesn't matter. I'll hide you somewhere the Count won't be able to find. You don't need to worry, the place isn't that bad. Got it?"

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Good, that's all I need."

She still seemed uneasy, her expression complicated. This time, I couldn't help but be surprised. Hiding a servant from their master was like staking one's own life.

"Did you take your medicine? You look a bit better today, though."

And... I didn't know she was aware that I was sick.

"I've known for a while that you haven't been well. But if you take a break, other servants have to fill in the gap. The Count cares about you so much, and if I acted leniently, it might put you in a difficult position. Don't underestimate people's envy and jealousy. It's like a knife in the belly, you never know when it'll strike."

"But they can't do anything openly, can they?"

"They're not fools, Hilda. If they intend to harm you, they'll do it secretly and collectively. They'll all lay hands on the weapon that hurts you, so no single culprit can be found. When individuals form a group with a unified opinion, they can easily turn into monsters. Even the Count might find it difficult to intervene. I've seen many such cases."

Letitia, having neatly hidden her emotional turmoil, returned to her usual upright posture.

"So I have to be strict with you, too. I hope you don't feel hurt by it."

"No, I don't feel hurt at all. Not at all."

"Good. Yesterday, you left without permission, so go to the nearby village with Charlotte. I've left the list with her. Get ready and go."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Make sure you don't miss anything Olivia asked for. They're all things the lady likes, and it seems the peddler doesn't come around often."

"Yes, I'll make sure to get everything. Don't worry."

"I like that answer very much."

Letitia left the kitchen, turning around with a rare, cool smile. I stood there for a moment in the wide-open kitchen.

She wasn't wrong. If I were an ordinary servant and Adrian were an ordinary noble, these would be natural concerns. But I didn't expect her to offer to hide me. I thought she simply found me frustrating for not following her rules, but to think she cared so deeply...

The feelings of guilt and remorse I felt toward Rosie a while ago came flooding back. Although I often say that my luck is terrible, maybe I have an abundance of people who care about me.

Immediately, I went back to my quarters, washed up, changed into my outdoor clothes, and headed to the village with Charlotte. The weather was clear, the sun warm, and the village bustling with life. I was feeling unwell and suffocated by my cold, but I was glad I came out for a walk.

"Next is the general store, Hilda."

Olivia had asked for so many things that the shopping list seemed endless. We filled our bags to the brim from all kinds of shops, yet there were still items left to buy, so we had to stuff things into our pockets.

I wondered what the peddler was doing, not traveling around more. They could make more money visiting the Count's villa once than making rounds to ten other places. I've never met the peddler, but they certainly lack business acumen.

"Welcome! Take a look at anything you like!"

Charlotte led the way inside the shop, greeted warmly by the storekeeper. By the way, Kazimir had been whining about running out of stationery to write to Avril. Maybe I should get him some as a gift.

Oh, as I was passing by, I noticed something rare.

"Fireball (Scroll) - 30G, can inflict fire damage on an enemy."

"Earth Spike (Scroll) - 60G, can inflict earth damage on an enemy."

"Magic Arrow (Scroll) - 50G, can shoot a magic arrow."

"Critical Attack (Scroll) - 500G, can inflict 50 fixed damage on an enemy."

I had bought a 'Lightning' scroll for a hell dungeon once, but I didn't expect to find such attack scrolls. Considering my recent poor health and PVP skill acquisition, it seemed like a good idea to buy some while they were available. Critical Attack was expensive, so I'd buy just one.

As I was passing by with an armful of scrolls, a tooltip for an item next to me popped up, naturally halting my steps.

"Rare Meteorite

Adrian likes this item."

A meteorite? He likes a lot of things. Thinking back, he used to be a kind demon who was happy to receive even a common 1-gold pencil. How did he evolve into such a sinister, scheming character? Was he like this from the start and I just didn't realize it?

I didn't know what he thought, but my confession of love was made with all my heart.

Sighing deeply, I picked up the meteorite. It wasn't just the confession. Deciding to stay here and postponing the main quest was a significant decision for me, but Adrian seemed unable to truly believe in me. Outwardly, he pretended to trust me, but there probably wasn't a moment when he genuinely did.

At first, it upset me greatly, making me wonder if I wasn't trustworthy enough. I even engaged in self-reflection... but the conclusion was always the same. I had to accept Adrian's lack of trust.

If he can't believe, there's nothing I can do. Trust can't be forced into existence by mere chanting.

Knowing it wouldn't be resolved in a year or two, I planned to have an honest conversation with him when I returned. I'd have to address the issue of him feeding on my blood. I intended to give him a serious talking-to, enough to bring tears to his eyes.

Ugh, just thinking about the blood wine made me feel queasy again.

"Charlotte, I'll step outside for a bit."

"Huh? Oh, okay. I'll join you after I finish the payment."

Hurriedly, I paid for the scrolls and stepped into the alley beside the shop. The bulk of the scrolls was cumbersome, so I used the 'Use Scroll' button, which loaded the skills according to the number of scrolls, with a notification that the 'Use Skill' button would be activated in PVP mode. Only after freeing my hands could I lean against the wall or pound on my chest with my fist.

Ugh... I felt absolutely terrible.

Since I had nothing to eat since breakfast, it’s unlikely to be indigestion. Just like medicine takes time to work, maybe it's the same with blood? I wasn't fully over my cold yet, and with this nausea, I couldn’t seem to gather my thoughts.

I felt like if I could just throw up, I might feel better. Could I make myself vomit by sticking my fingers down my throat? No, the item description mentioned that once you drink the blood, you can’t expel it. Medicine wouldn’t help either. I had no choice but to wait it out until it got better.

This is driving me crazy. My nausea escalated to the point where my heart started pounding as if I had too much caffeine. Was it because of the toxins in the blood? Did it not fully detoxify?

“Urk, ugh…”

I tried to dry heave, but it just left me feeling even more drained.

"An enemy is approaching."

As I leaned against the wall, something blurred before my eyes. It seemed like a system notification, but my nausea was so intense that I couldn't make out the words. Enemy… what?

Thud.

At that moment, everything went dark, as if all the lights had suddenly gone out. Without time to clutch my aching throat, my legs buckled. Thump. I vaguely heard the sound of my stiff body hitting the ground. Through my heavy eyelids, I faintly saw a large, familiar figure.

Even comic book villains wait for the hero to transform before attacking. Isn't it unfair for a former police officer to attack when someone is sick…?

I thought of Adrian with tearful eyes this morning before I lost consciousness.

Humans say the end of a miserable life is hell, but Adrian could say that moments worse than that surely exist on Earth.

Hilda… I didn’t want you to be in pain. I wanted us to be together for a long time. I didn’t want you exposed to any danger. I did my best.

“Don’t follow me. I’m really going to get mad.”

Hilda had told me not to follow her, even saying she’d get really mad.

I remembered how she used to laugh at me, saying I worried as if the sky was falling.

No, Hilda. The sky does fall. Look, it’s falling right now.

I’m sorry, Hilda. Please, look at me. I used every possible means, but Hilda’s reaction remained cold. I’d never seen that look in her eyes before. Even when she shed tears or repented, it had never been so.

The intense shock turned my mind blank. The happiness I felt from genuine concern while confined in the police station shattered into pieces, plunging everything into darkness.

I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. Please don’t be mad. I was wrong. I won’t do it again. I pleaded with her, with an especially weak expression, but Hilda ignored me and left. It was the first time she had left so coldly without looking back. When the door slammed shut, it felt like the entire world cracked and collapsed. My fingertips burned, and my heart broke.

Not knowing what to do, I paced the room frantically. Then I heard Hilda’s voice and looked out the window. Seeing her get into a carriage, it was clear Leticia had sent her on an errand. I wanted to follow her under the pretense of a coincidental overlap, but since she told me not to follow, she’d just get mad again.

After repeated bouts of frustration and despair, I decided to wait in the room. Pathetically sitting by the window, I watched the carriage carrying Hilda disappear over the hill.

I hoped she’d feel better after going to town and would join me for a meal when she returned. I hoped she’d forgive me, swayed by her improved mood. At one point, I wished she’d show me strong hatred, but seeing her leave so coldly, I realized I didn’t want that either.

I constantly wondered if Hilda was alright, where she was wandering, and what she was talking about. Though I could track her location through the blood, I feared she’d get furious if she caught me using that method, so I restrained myself.

Thinking about how she found out about the blood, I quickly concluded. The system clinging to her like a malevolent spirit must have tattled. Wishing there was a way to eliminate it, I tore at my hair but set the thought aside since I couldn’t undo what was already done. In truth, I was too disheartened to muster the will to do anything.

Tick-tock, tick-tock. As time passed, Adrian became more and more distraught. He waited, barely breathing, for her return. Fearing she’d get angry if he literally stopped breathing, he just kept his breaths shallow. He couldn’t understand why such a simple errand was taking so long. He considered tracking her with the blood again but hesitated, picturing her angry face.

“When are they coming back? At this rate, we won’t be able to leave today!”

Adrian listened to Leticia’s voice from the first floor. If she was angry, the delay must have been significant. It had been over six hours since they left.

“That’s it. You! Go to town and find them. I’ll give them a piece of my mind when they return. They’re completely irresponsible!”

“What? Miss Leticia, a carriage is coming back.”

“What? Let’s go out and see. Those…”

Leticia ran out of the hotel, and Adrian, as if hypnotized, rose and followed. It was the carriage Hilda had taken, but the closer it got, the more his face filled with confusion. No matter how much he listened, he couldn’t sense the presence that should be there.

“Miss Leticia! Miss Leticia! Has Hilda returned already?”

Before the carriage stopped, Charlotte jumped out.

“What? What are you talking about? Hilda went with you, didn’t she?”

Leticia was alarmed at the sight of Charlotte's trembling hands clutching her sleeve. Pale and stuttering, Charlotte explained.

“Hilda… Hilda disappeared. At the general store. She said she’d wait outside. I was inside buying things, but…”

“What do you mean?”

Charlotte, stammering and explaining, suddenly froze. Startled, Leticia saw Adrian, who had appeared silently. He hadn’t been there a moment ago.

“Speak.”

“H-H-Hilda s-s-said she’d go out first, and, and, I followed later, but no matter how hard I looked, I couldn’t find her.”

Charlotte’s mouth moved stiffly, like a puppet’s. Tears streamed from her terrified eyes.

“At first, I thought she had gone to buy something else, but even after I finished my errands, she didn’t appear. I couldn’t find her…”

“Since when?”

“About… about two hours ago, or maybe three. I realized it a long time ago, but no matter how hard I looked, I couldn’t find her. I thought she might have come back to the estate, so I rushed back…”

Before she finished speaking, Adrian moved. He vanished in a cloud of black smoke, and everyone in his wake fainted simultaneously. Cerberus and Kazimir, who arrived late, couldn’t catch up to the vanished Adrian.

We’re in trouble.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Kazimir turned pale.

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