Chapter 27
At first, I thought he was just testing me.
It was unbelievable that Pacion would spend his day observing someone like me for no reason.
But given the certainty in his words, I had no choice but to believe he knew everything and had come to me.
‘Why are my ominous premonitions always right?’
I thought I had planned and executed my crimes secretly and meticulously, but to be caught like this in the end.
Other characters in novels manage to infiltrate without getting caught by anyone…!
Why am I like this!
Is it because I lack the magical abilities usually granted to protagonists?
Indeed, a novel is just a novel. Even if I’ve transmigrated as a character in one, reality is reality, and I sighed deeply at my harsh situation.
“Huu.”
What is his intention in coming to my room instead of immediately telling Father about all my crimes?
I pressed my eyebrows and raised my tired eyelids to face Pacion.
He responded by deepening his refreshing smile.
“You’re not denying it.”
“What’s the point of denying it when you already know everything?”
When I responded calmly, he brushed his lips with his hand, muttering, ‘What a waste, what a waste.’
“With Lavelier imprisoned, I thought I’d finally gain a proper sibling….”
Tsk, he clicked his tongue while staring piercingly at me.
I remained silent, keeping my tension in check. My palms, placed on my knees, grew damp with anxiety.
“If Father finds out what you’re up to while you’re finally earning his affection… his disappointment will be immense.”
Hmm— Pacion sighed as if troubled.
It was clear he intended to mock me. Was he planning to drive me mad like this?
Frustrated, I asked him directly about his intentions.
“…Are you going to kill me?”
“No. Wrong.”
Like someone who has fallen out of favor, will you twist my limbs instead? Or cut out my tongue and sell me as a slave to the eastern continent?
I glared at him with a tense face, and for a moment, a playful tone slipped from his lips.
“Do I look like I came to kill you? No, no.”
“….”
That would be too boring.
Pacion, once again, spouted his own words and stood up.
“I heard there’s a saying somewhere on the eastern continent.”
“….”
“Kill two birds with one stone. I’ll capture you and present you to Father. Catch the informant and receive praise. Wouldn’t that be more interesting?”
‘Killing me comes after that, I guess.’
Pacion’s blue eyes, looking down at me, glinted disgustingly.
Realizing there was no point in dragging this out any longer, I slid my chair back and stood up.
“I’ll go on my own.”
“Wise indeed, as expected. It would be a waste to just kill you.”
Since Pacion hadn’t drawn his sword to behead me immediately, I still had a chance to live.
‘A small mercy in misfortune.’
As I silently tried to leave the room, Declan stood before me with a grim expression.
It seemed he had overheard the entire conversation on the balcony, and he showed no intention of stepping aside.
“Declan.”
I shook my head and signaled with my eyes, but he remained steadfast.
“A slave lives and dies with their master. Let’s go together.”
Pressing my temples, I grabbed Declan’s arm and pulled him along.
At first, he resisted and refused to move, but when I whispered that it would be alright, he bit his lip and followed me.
‘Damn you, Pacion.’
If I provoked him any further, his capricious nature might make him swing his sword at any moment.
For now, the goal was to reach Father, so I led Declan and left the room obediently.
***
“Father, I have captured the real culprit.”
Pacion tapped the backs of our knees with his sword hilt, forcing Declan and me to kneel.
Even in this situation, Declan crawled closer to me on his knees.
He seemed frightened.
‘Well, the one who dragged him here like an animal was Pacion, after all.’
Kneeling before Pandrion, I looked up into his eyes that were filled with rage, feeling like a live chicken thrown before a predator.
Though I had a plan for this situation, seeing the Margrave’s fierce gaze made my confidence waver.
I had lived under his intimidating stare for ten years, always cautious and obedient.
No matter how many escape mechanisms I had set up, the fear ingrained by experience began to resurface.
“Is it true that this girl is the document thief? Not the maid who escaped?”
“Regrettably, it was Estira. The other two were a diversion. Father, your own daughter tried to sell out our family.”
“Tried to sell us out…?”
Pandrion’s calm voice filled his private office ominously. Despite his composed tone, his cheeks trembled with rage.
Before his anger could erupt, I quickly placed my hands on the floor and bowed my head deeply.
“Father, I am innocent!”
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