Chapter 38
“……”
Exion thought of Arzeletta’s worn-out clothes.
It did seem like she tried her best to wash and wear them, but Arzeletta’s clothing was no different from patchwork rags.
It wasn’t just a matter of money.
She probably didn’t want to draw attention. If she looked like she was enjoying even the smallest bit of pleasure, people would no doubt insult and despise her without hesitation.
Being despised was likely safer than being hated.
Having thought that far, Exion opened the glass door. His strength made it feel like the door might break. The bell hanging on the door rang loudly from the rough touch of the large man.
“Welcome—oh my.”
The woman greeting customers inside dropped her embroidery frame in surprise at Exion’s massive shadow.
“R-Red hair…”
“That’s right.”
“The cursed Exion?”
“Yeah. So if you piss me off, I’ll devour your soul.”
Exion glanced crookedly at the spade-shaped beauty mark next to the woman’s nose. The man, baring his teeth and growling, truly resembled a red beast.
“If you don’t want to end up like that, then bring me something women would like best, right now. Got it?”
‘I’m going to make this territory mine. So that no one can ever defy me.’
Theogrim.
‘If I do that, then at that time….’
Theogrim’s hand reached toward her. A pale and beautiful hand—one she had never even dared to think of holding.
The hand that had led her into his world.
The hand that had saved her from death… and brought her to this territory, only to plunge her into another mire.
Hesitating, Arzeletta reached out her hand. To take hold of the noble hand extended toward her.
‘……!’
Arzeletta’s hand stopped. From Theogrim’s fingertips, blood began to drip.
She lifted her head. From Theogrim’s head, which resembled a white marble statue, dark red blood was gushing.
From his beautiful violet eyes, ears, mouth—blood streamed from every part, drawing red lines down his face.
‘Help me….’
Theogrim spoke in anguish to the frozen Arzeletta.
‘Kill him, kill him, Ragnar… kill him….’
‘Lord Theogrim.’
‘I can’t endure this….’
Theogrim, shedding bloody tears, covered his eyes with his blood-soaked hand. His angelic white face was stained red with blood.
When he removed his hand, what remained in place of his face were black pupils. There was nothing inside them.
Arzeletta screamed and woke up.
“Kyaaah!”
Chirp, chirp.
Sunlight filtered in through the window with only iron bars. Arzeletta, panting for breath, sat up from the straw bedding.
She opened her palm as if to check something.
“……”
She recalled Theogrim’s blood-soaked hand from the dream. Arzeletta shook her head.
A dream—was that really all just a dream?
Her heart was still pounding. It had been far too vivid to be called a dream. She trembled as she recalled the scent of Theogrim’s blood and the pupils that looked as if they might pull her in.
Suddenly, her eyes fell on a red cloak draped over a chair.
“Sir Exion’s…”
No matter how she looked at it, it seemed far too luxurious to exist in this space.
The vivid presence of the bold red fabric slowly brought Arzeletta back to reality.
…She would have to return it.
Arzeletta shook her head, recalling the fierce gazes of the men who had filled the bunker. She didn’t have the courage to go back there.
It was then.
“You lazy wench! Get your a*s out here right now!”
Thump!
Arzeletta flinched. The old wooden door of the barn. It sounded like someone had thrown a wooden tub against it, and the impact was tremendous.
The one calling for Arzeletta was the old maid from the lord’s castle.
When Arzeletta hurriedly ran outside, the old maid, who had been about to hurl curses as usual, closed her mouth. Her yellow eyes were fixed on Arzeletta’s chest.
Displeasure clearly surfaced on the old maid’s face when she saw Arzeletta’s front, carelessly torn and hanging open.
She threw the wooden tub in her hand toward Arzeletta.
“……!”
Thud. Arzeletta’s head snapped to the side.
She held her dizzy head and bowed again. A clear wound was visible on her forehead.
“Filthy thing. Trying to wag your tail at every man in town…! Why don’t you just come out naked!”
“That’s not… it…”
“Looks like you’re dreaming of catching some dumb bastard to fix your fate, but wake up. There’s not a man in this territory who doesn’t know your backside’s like a rag.”
Arzeletta didn’t say anything—because she already knew it too. She only bowed her head meekly, and the woman who had been glaring at her sharply flung the laundry bundle in her hand.
“Wash it spotless. If there’s a single stain left, I’ll flog you for every one of them!”
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