How the Disgusting Suitor Met His End - Chapter 44

That’s why he’s fidgeting, checking if there are any red marks left on my body, right?

“Rogerick, since when have you been waiting for me?”

“……It’s been a little while.”

“How long is ‘a little while’?”

“……Last night.”

It was truly certain. He didn’t know what to do.

Because he was desperately worried about what Cecilia Cissil had done last night, but he couldn’t even bring himself to ask.

Hah, Cecilia let out a hollow laugh internally.

If he had come looking for her as soon as he arrived at the Violet House, he would have heard her destination. It was brave of him to wait silently until this hour in that state. On the other hand, she could imagine how much his gut must have been churning, staying here instead of going back to his own villa.

Did he stay up all night? Hoping I would return any minute?

Thinking that way, it was strangely a little enjoyable.

“Did you come looking for me that late at night because you missed me?”

“Yes.”

“I met Grand Duke Raphaeli yesterday.”

“…I know.”

After all that, he should have asked a question, but he didn’t ask anything.

Cecilia swallowed a bitter laugh.

‘Oh dear….’

She hadn’t intended to make him so subordinate.

Rogerick Montieux was a man of naturally sensitive character. His ingrained consideration was proof of that. So he might have already figured out what kind of person Cecilia was. He must have recognized David’s interest a long time ago.

It was obvious that dozens of bad scenarios were inflating and popping like balloons in his head right now. But Cecilia didn’t say a word. There was no gentle reassurance telling him not to worry. She simply observed the man’s face, which was pretending to be fine.

She had a crush on Rogerick, but occupying the advantageous position was another matter entirely.

Because it was only natural to separate the personal from the professional.

“…Is that a gift from Grand Duke Raphaeli?”

Rogerick’s gaze in the mirror suddenly turned to the low chest of drawers. The handgun she had checked that morning was there, still in its open box.

“It is. He promised to give me a gun.”

Rogerick was silent for a while. After her hair was reasonably dry, he remained quiet until Cecilia headed to the dressing room, then finally spoke.

“……Then let’s go together.”

“Hm? Where?”

“The shooting range. You have to go for shooting practice, don’t you? Take me with you then, Cecil.”

He tried to sound casual, but the underlying shadow of distress was unconcealable.

Ah, this is the best you can do.

Cecilia, who was choosing a dress, pressed her lips together. She almost burst into laughter. Rogerick was being extremely cautious. The fear of being rejected was evident.

She felt sorry for him. No, she even felt a strange affection. It was the original Cecilia who was supposed to be captured by his Holy Knights, not her, so she felt as if she had successfully tamed a fierce animal into an obedient one.

Cecilia looked at him quietly, then took Rogerick’s hand and lightly kissed it.

“Of course. I intended to do that from the start.”

It was time to give him a reward.

Cecilia smiled gently, imitating Rogerick’s usual demeanor.

***

An invitation from David arrived, requesting their visit to the shooting range.

The surprising thing was that the same invitation had been sent to Rogerick. Both Rogerick and Cecilia were perplexed. David had never hidden the fact that he was displeased with Rogerick.

She couldn’t guess what he was thinking this time.

Did he genuinely not care who stood next to Cecilia, or did he have some other intention?

‘Now I’m sick of racking my brain over that bastard.’

Cecilia looked out the carriage window. Her face was faintly reflected in the rapidly passing scenery.

Even though she was dressed lightly for shooting, her beautiful appearance never diminished. Lately, she had increased both her food intake and physical activity to build up her stamina, so her face looked healthier and more radiant.

‘Will I be able to handle the recoil better now?’

But her delicate wrists remained the same. While Cecilia was sizing up her body, the carriage slowed down and stopped.

“Ah, it looks like we’ve arrived.”

Rogerick, who was sitting across from her, checked outside the window.

“I look forward to seeing your skill today, Cecil.”

“I hope the Grand Duke has brought some delicious wine.”

“I should hope so.”

Rogerick’s face as he nodded was remarkably composed.

He was stronger than she thought. He had only been shaken that one day. Since then, he hadn’t said a single word about her spending the night at David’s villa. She had expected him to probe a little, but he hadn’t even shown a hint of concern.

‘He’s not the Captain of the Holy Knights who wiped out the entire cult for nothing.’

Even in the original story, Rogerick Montieux was the one who exposed the corruption of the Atlan Church and personally wielded the sword of execution. She dared not underestimate him.

“Just a moment, Cecil.”

Rogerick was about to open the carriage door to step out and escort her.