Chapter 39
Startled, Log 1 hastily grabbed my wrist, trying to stop me.
“Miss Rose, just stay behind me…”
“Ah, look here, you!”
I slapped his hand away, and Log 1 released me, looking bewildered.
“What did we do wrong? Why should we be scolded?”
“Miss Rose, if you just stay put, I will…”
“Then don’t say you’ll take the punishment for me!”
Amid this argument with Log 1, a sinister voice broke through.
“…Playing around, I see.”
A chill ran down my spine at the menacing voice that followed the grinding of teeth.
But I couldn’t let this continue forever.
I looked up at Claude and poured out my words.
“How long do I have to keep following you around, Lord Claude? How many times do I have to say it, I haven’t seen your Guide’s face. If you suspect Miss Shana, why not confirm directly with her like you did with me? I finished my end of the deal, and I haven’t even had a chance to shower or rest. What is this?”
I was the one he forcibly kissed under the pretense of confirmation, not Shana.
He growls at me to shut up every day, but he goes out on a date with Shana, laughing and joking.
Am I just someone he can treat carelessly, while Shana is someone precious to be cherished?
As I spoke, a mix of fear and other emotions bubbled up inside me.
Claude raised an eyebrow and gestured with his chin, as if to say, go on, say more.
His infuriatingly calm response grated on my nerves.
“Do you think I studied hard and became a civil servant just to starve and follow you around on your little dates?”
“…”
“If you’re going to make me work, at least pay me!”
“…”
“If you don’t want to pay, at least buy me a piece of bread! Even corrupt officials feed their servants! You treat people like slaves and starve them too! Is that what a human does? Are you even human?”
The more I spoke, the angrier I got. Eventually, I was just shouting, when suddenly a hand appeared from behind and covered my mouth.
“Miss Rose, you shouldn’t speak to Lord Claude like that.”
“Mmph! Mmm!”
Log 1 was desperately trying to stop me.
Let me go! I still have a lot to say!
I struggled and shook my head fiercely, but his hand remained firmly in place. Frustrated, I just bit it, sparking a flame even in Claude’s usually impassive eyes.
“You, you bit me…”
“I’m a human being!”
“You…”
“…Let’s stop this now.”
Amid the chaos, it was Shana who came to my rescue.
She rose from her seat and walked towards us with such grace, she resembled a sleek leopard.
However, Shana’s expression couldn’t hide her annoyance.
“Didn’t you come here to meet me today, Lord Claude? Why are you so concerned about what your subordinates are doing behind your back?”
“…”
“My mood’s been spoiled. I’m leaving.”
Claude’s cold gaze shifted to Shana. She, in turn, met his stare without flinching.
I was still defiantly glaring at Claude.
I thought even Shana couldn’t stop Claude.
Fine, he’s right; we hadn’t been doing our assigned tasks, just chatting. Besides, following my rebellion against his orders, Shana’s intervention seemed futile.
Unless Shana was sure she was his Guide, I doubted her words would sway Claude.
But then…
“…”
Claude’s gaze, which had been on Shana, turned to me.
I shouldn’t have looked back. As our eyes met, I flinched again. He raised an eyebrow at me.
He sighed in exasperation, ran a hand through his hair, and then…
…he abruptly turned and strode out of the cafe at a brisk pace.
Log 2 and 3 quickly followed him.
My mouth dropped open in disbelief.
Is he really leaving? Just like that? All because of a word from Shana?
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