Translator and Editor: Maru and Aki

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Chapter 18

Leticia always felt greatly obligated to Tidwell because of her debt, while Tidwell, as someone with a twisted personality, always felt that Leticia only stayed by his side because of the debt.

At first, it only made a small crack in their relationship, but the crack grew bigger over time, and later on, it became like this:

“You only see me as a prostitute you bought with your money, don’t you?!”

Those words would often be spewed out ever so easily, and each time they were said, they never failed to bore a deep wound into their hearts, which grew bigger over time.

‘The misunderstanding between the two was unavoidable due to the nature of the novel.’

However, that wasn’t necessary anymore.

Ravia wished Leticia to be happy. Ravia wished for Leticia’s happiness just as much as she wished for her own happiness.

Since we’ve been through hardships, shouldn’t we have the right to be happy with our loved ones?

‘Moreover, she’s the heroine.’

And Ravia felt the same way for Tidwell.

After she comforted Tidwell in the library, she was able to slightly understand Tidwell’s feelings of emptiness.

That’s why Ravia wanted him to meet the heroine so as to fill up the emptiness in his heart.

For that to happen, Ravia met Leticia at Velocio Theatre, and gave her a cheque that contained a huge amount, saying that she was a fan of Leticia who wanted to sponsor her. The cheque was issued under the name of Leontine, but Ravia made sure to emphasize that it was her who sent the cheque, not Tidwell.

‘I really feel like a sister who is paying for her brother’s wedding gift.’

Although it was only a joke, she somehow felt pleased at the thought of it.

Didn’t I just stop the biggest portion of their hardships from happening? Now, Leticia can love Tidwell wholeheartedly.

‘As for me…’

I will leave everything behind and seek my own happiness.

I will meet Herod tomorrow, write a marriage contract, and announce our marriage. I’m sure everything will go smoothly.

She was relieved at the thought that everything she yearned so much for was just around the corner. For that reason, Ravia happily returned to the mansion, and continued to read [Sophistry and Hypocrisy].

She has only finished reading less than half the book before she left for Velocio Theatre. But, upon her return, she was able to read it at a frightening speed so much so that she almost finished the book. Then, it was when she was deeply immersed in her book that…

“Sister.”

Tidwell returned.

His aura slightly changed every time she saw him. What’s more, he seemed to have become anxious ever since he heard that she rejected all her marriage offers.

Ravia understood Tidwell’s anxiety.

I told him I was going to get married, but not long after, I rejected all the marriage offers I had, so he must’ve thought I lied to him.

So, she quickly explained.

However, Tidwell then asked her about her desire, as if he didn’t believe a word she said.

Once again, Ravia answered frankly.

I’m leaving this place for good. So, you don’t need to worry.

And Tidwell responded this way.

“…So you’ve decided to throw away Leontine, sister.”

Throw away? What a strange thing to say.

No matter how hard I think about it, it was Leontine who threw me away, not the other way around.

‘No, I didn’t belong to Leontine in the first place.’

The maids used the tableware intended for display to deliberately ridicule me, my father treated me with contempt, and even Clovia, the new recruit, who was previously stuck in the library for almost three months, was now always busy playing games with other maids on the weekends. That said, what part of me could possibly belong to Leontine?

I never belonged to Leontine in the first place. Yes, that must be it.

So, Ravia decided to throw it away first.

Her despair and regret.

All that’s left is to leave.

Ravia really had no lingering attachment to Leontine anymore. It had been a while since she gave up on seeking her father’s validation and keeping her position as a successor.

So, Tidwell asked.

“Are you going to throw me away, too?”

His question sounded really strange. It’s almost as though he asked if he was insignificant to her. Of course, it wasn’t difficult for her to say that she’d ‘throw away’ the rest of Leontine. However, she didn’t want to use that word for Tidwell.

“I’m not throwing you away…”

But Ravia was not the type to lie easily. So, she averted her gaze.

“…I’m leaving, that’s all. Nothing good will come if we stay together.”

“Yes. You are right. In your eyes, I’m just a bad guy who took away your rightful position.”

Ravia wasn’t able to deny it because she was a terrible liar.

She didn’t hate Tidwell, but she couldn’t deny the little resentment she had for Tidwell deep in her heart.

More importantly, her silent response was exactly what Tidwell wanted.

“I want to be with you for a long time.”

That small regret and resentment. If that was truly the only emotion Ravia had for him, then…

“I want to stay by your side for a long time, sister.”

He should use that method first.

“If I say this, will you hate me?”

Of course, Tidwell didn’t ask that question to get a positive response from Ravia. He knew that Ravia treated him kindly not because she liked him. He knew she wasn’t an angel.

She didn’t hate them because she already got rid of the regrets she had related to this place.

And so, Tidwell needed to stir her emotions.

Her regret and resentment.

He wanted to see Ravia’s sincere response.

Will she get angry? It doesn’t matter if she gets angry and says she hates him. No, Ravia has the right to hate him in the first place.

But that didn’t matter. As long as he could lessen her indifference toward everything related to Leontine even a little. So, he asked again.

“Will you hate me if I take your things away and block your path ahead for my greed?”

“…I won’t hate you.”

But Ravia didn’t give him a desirable answer. He certainly saw the corners of her mouth trembling. She even clenched her skirt so tightly that her veins became visible. It was clear that she was shaken by Tidwell’s question. So, why did she give him such an answer?

“I won’t hate you no matter what.”

It was hard to understand her, so Tidwell asked again.

“Even if I lock you up?”

“Yes.”

That can’t be true. Why are you lying to me? Tidwell thought to himself.

Ravia calmly met his intense gaze. A deep and dark gaze. As Ravia looked at Tidwell’s mysterious blue eyes, she opened her mouth at last. Because she realized that Tidwell was questioning her answer.

“I know you didn’t mean what you said.”

Because Leticia was the only person who was able to properly deal with Tidwell’s terrible obsession. Even if he felt bothered by her, it was highly plausible that he would kill her rather than lock her up.

Ravia was very indifferent about it.

‘You’re constantly testing me.’

Tidwell wouldn’t believe her no matter how kind and gentle she was. He was that kind of man.

‘I have to keep being a caring sister.’

She needed to loosen up Tidwell’s guard as much as she could to avoid death.

Under any circumstances, I won’t hate him and I won’t rebel.

I’m harmless to you. That’s why, please spare my life.

And so, Ravia smiled brightly.

“We are family, after all.”

Please don’t do that to me. I beg you.

That was the best Ravia could say. Tidwell felt like he was splashed with cold water as soon as he heard that.

Ravia was indifferent to all matters related to Leontine, but she had no affection for him either.

It was desperation.

She had to play the role of a sweet sister for some unknown reason. It was driven by desperation.

‘Is it true that she knows who I am?’

Was that why she thought I’d kill her if she made any mistake?

Tidwell looked up at Ravia. She wore her usual serene expression. She was certainly good at handling her facial expressions.

‘Such a sensible act.’

Tidwell laughed profusely inside. Now, he was able to read Ravia’s mind to some extent.

The way she manages her facial expression meant that she was on guard. She must’ve thought that everything he did was only an act.

‘I think this is far more difficult than devouring Leontine.’

He wanted to clear up Ravia’s misunderstanding now, but with the level of wariness she had of him, she’d run away before he could even say anything. But, he couldn’t give up the succession to Ravia right now.

‘I can’t give up on Leontine, but I don’t want to let her run away either.’

Tidwell thought for a moment and grasped Ravia’s hand. His hand that suffered a few burns because of Herod before was painful, but he kissed Ravia’s hand nevertheless.

No words are needed.

The hand that his lips touched flinched slightly.

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