DTD 6

“You didn’t say you’d teach me.”

I felt like if I showed Simeon my awkward side, he’d just laugh at me.

“Besides, I don’t have a habit of bothering busy people.”

“Wasn’t it you, Mr. Hajae, who came and asked to have dinner with me last time?”

“Haha, that’s that, and this is this.”

As I shrugged with a brazen face, Simeon chuckled.

“Did he teach you well?”

“Of course. He was the epitome of a considerate older man.”

If Shinhwan had a child, he would’ve made a really good father. Even though I knew it was disrespectful to him, I couldn’t help but see him overlapping with my deceased father. As I tried to hide my bitter expression, Simeon brought up an unexpected topic.

“Do you like older people?”

“What…? Ah, well. I guess I prefer someone older over someone younger. Not that I meant it in that way.”

I heard a faint sigh.

Come to think of it, hadn’t we had a similar conversation before? When I said my ideal type was someone older than me, I remembered the cute answer that Simeon, or rather, Sang, had given. Though his appearance had changed, thinking that his core remained the same made me smile subtly.

“Want to see? How well I learned.”

With a strange confidence, I mimicked Shinhwan’s actions. I put my left hand behind my back and extended my right hand to him, inviting him to dance. At first, Simeon seemed quite surprised, but then he smiled leisurely.

“I don’t lead very gently.”

“We’re both guys so it’s fine.”

As soon as I finished speaking, Simeon grabbed my hand and pulled me towards him. He held me firmly so I couldn’t move back, making my back straighten automatically. His large hand covered my shoulder blade through my thin shirt. Being so close to him, almost as if I were in his arms, I couldn’t do anything but fidget my lower body.

“Are you supposed to hold your partner this close? It wasn’t like this earlier….”

“I’m not a considerate older man.”

What kind of nonsense is that? Looking up at him dumbfoundedly, Simeon had a mischievous smile. As he moved his steps, my focus immediately shifted to my feet. There was a certain flow when I danced with Shinhwan, but now, with Simeon as my partner, I felt like a clumsy wooden puppet.

As I kept stumbling and tapping his feet, Simeon chuckled quietly.

“Are you sure you learned properly?”

“I did. And when I danced with Shinhwan, it was better than now.”

“What did he do?”

“First of all, we weren’t this close…..”

When I lifted my head from looking at my feet, his eyes were right in front of me. Even though I’ve seen his face up close several times, I’m still not immune to it. Staring at him blankly for a moment, I turned my eyes back to my feet at his low voice.

“Hm?”

“H-He moved slowly.”

“Slower than this? Even a child learning to walk would be faster.”

“He didn’t mock me either.”

“I just don’t think you have any talent for dancing, Mr. Hajae.”

“He kept praising me, saying I was doing well. And…….”

I hesitated to continue and glanced at him. His face, slightly sullen, seemed to ask if I still had more to say. Maybe it was better not to say it…. But sometimes, it’s better to be honest.

I cleared my throat awkwardly and muttered as if talking to myself.

“I wasn’t this nervous.”

The steps that had been smoothly flowing stopped abruptly. As Simeon showed no intention of moving, I glanced up at him. He had a dazed expression as if he were dreaming. His eyes gradually widened as if he were coming to a realization, but it was not the reaction I’d expected.

“What’s wrong?”

Tilting my head in confusion, Simeon suddenly burst into laughter. I didn’t know why. But seeing him laugh was nice. The heaviness in my chest lifted, and I felt relieved.

“You, really…..”

Eventually, a full smile bloomed on his face like a flower bud shyly opening in the spring sunshine. Was he always capable of smiling as if everything were lovable? Seeing that face made me regret my sudden honesty.

‘I hope he finds happiness too.’

‘Then why don’t you be a bit more honest?’

Yeah. Even if these memories were to disappear, it’s better they were ones spent happily, isn’t it? 

It somehow made me think of moving. Discovering a dusty box shoved in the corner and opening it to find wilted flowers is better than finding trash. Even if you don’t know why or how it got there, just seeing it makes you happy.

So, I hoped they could remain like flower petals.

“Well, it’s nice to see you smiling.”

“Make sure you look at me often, then.”

Even if I’m a faint existence that blooms and fades in a season, disappearing with the wind.

“I’m laughing because of you.”

****

With the mansion’s layout in hand, the detailed plan was complete.

The re-enactment of <Blue Hope> begins after the maid poisons the Countess’s drink. So I’ll approach and try to persuade the Countess during her suspicion of being poisoned. She’s smart, so it won’t be too difficult. The problem is getting close to the Countess without arousing the maid’s suspicion. For that, I overturned the plan from the beginning.

Instead of a noble invited to the banquet, I’ll disguise myself as a servant of the Winston family. That suits me much better. Besides, the servants will all be masked, so getting caught shouldn’t be an issue. Even that meticulous Ector can’t possibly check the appearance of every servant participating in the grand birthday banquet.

With this, preparations were complete. I knew the layout of the Winston mansion, including the number of windows. I ran several simulations. Fortunately, Shinhwan’s reaction to my plan wasn’t bad either.

“You memorized the structure of that large mansion in such a short time. Impressive.”

“I’d be in trouble if I got lost.”

I glanced at Simeon, who closely examined the planned routes I’d drawn. He nodded lightly.

“Good work. I’ll take you to the gate early tomorrow morning, so rest now.”

With the plan approved, all that remained was execution. I’d be the only one entering <Blue Hope>. However, the media would surely make a fuss if they found out I was handling a creature that was at least A-rank alone. So we announced that Simeon and Justino would enter <Blue Hope>’s rift, not me.

On the day, we headed to Gimpo at dawn. To be precise, I used a key to exit near an abandoned house in Gimpo and arrived at the bunker. Unlike the time with <Codex Gigas>, keeping the date we went to the rift a secret meant no reporters. Simeon spoke as soon as we safely entered the bunker and took the elevator inside.

“If you ever feel we’re taking credit for your work, we’ll request a correction article.”

“No, it’s fine. I have no desire for media attention.”

Just thinking about cameras flashing from all directions still sends chills down my spine. If I wanted fame, I would’ve become a celebrity. I had no intention of appearing in another article with a title like ‘The Appearance of the 13th Apostle?!’

A cold chill hit us as soon as we got off the elevator and opened the last iron door. The black rift surrounded by blue smoke looked much bigger than it had that day.

“It seems very angry about being left alone in such a dark place.”

The size of the crack is proportional to the power of the creature. The resentment lingering in <Blue Hope> had grown stronger. If not for Shinhwan setting up a barrier with his ability a week ago, the rift might have pierced the bunker ceiling.

If something were to happen to me inside, the rift’s rampage would be an expected outcome. I looked at Shinhwan, who’d followed me and spoke.

“If the rift goes out of control, please handle it. Sir.”

“Don’t worry about what’s going on out here; just please be careful.”

His gentle voice eased my mind. Reality was safe, with Simeon and Shinhwan guarding the bunker. The real problem was me. Thinking about entering alone made my feet hesitate.

After taking a deep breath, I said goodbye to Simeon, standing beside me.

“Take care.”

I smiled brightly, trying not to show my nerves, and walked towards the rift. But I hadn’t gone far when Simeon called me back.

“Wait.”

Looking back, he approached with a frown.

“What kind of goodbye is that?”

“What do you mean?”

“It sounds like you’re saying goodbye forever.”

“Ah.”

I shrugged lightly.

“You said it yourself. If something goes wrong, stay in the rift and disintegrate there.”

I was half-joking, half-serious. If you’re not ready to face death, you shouldn’t even get involved in this field. And Simeon’s firm words had actually helped solidify my resolve.

“Who knows what might happen? Haha!”

My empty laugh echoed in the bunker. But Simeon, and even Shinhwan, had grave faces. Maybe I looked too much like the supporting character of a movie whose death was being foreshadowed.

“It’s a joke, a joke.” 

I tried to brush it off, but it didn’t help at all.

“Anyway, I’m going.”

In the end, I dashed into the gate as if escaping. The steps taking me away from the reality where I might never return were strangely light.

“Ugh.”

I never thought I’d relate to laundry in a washing machine. My stomach churned as if I might vomit any second. This was the second time I’d entered a rift, and I still wasn’t used to the unpleasant sensation. I lay down and closed my eyes without even checking where I was.

I could hear the sound of waves and smell the ocean. When my stomach finally settled, I opened my eyes to see a night sky filled with stars, a sight impossible in the city. Startled by the unfamiliar view, I sat up.

Only then did I realize an unfamiliar landscape surrounded me.

“So, this is the Winston estate…”

I’d seen photos of the mansion, but seeing it in person was a different experience. To the left was a rose garden and a fountain. In front of me was a statue of a white horse rearing up, symbolizing the Winston family. To the right was the mansion’s stone wall. The pointed red roof and arched windows resembled church architecture.

I was admiring the mansion absentmindedly when a laugh snapped me out of it. Nobles alighting from carriages were complimenting each other’s attire as they entered the mansion. They should laugh and enjoy themselves while they can. This grand banquet would soon become a funeral marred by screams and weeping.

Before entering through the side door of the mansion, I hid behind the horse statue to check my appearance. I wore a white dress shirt, a black vest, and neat trousers. Though tidy, the fabric wasn’t luxurious. It was as if <Blue Hope> had read my intentions and dressed me in a servant’s outfit.

“Thank you, My Lady.”

I jokingly greeted the spirit that must be watching from somewhere and checked my mask. The black half-mask covering my cheekbones would protect me from suspicion.

Just as I was about to head to the side door used by servants, a whisper came from behind me.

“Watch.”

“Oh, right.”

I had to set the timer for 72 hours. As I rolled up my shirt sleeve to press the button on the clock, I froze. I was the only hunter here, so who knew about the watch? A chill ran down my spine, and I quickly turned to look.

“You…!”

As I instinctively raised my voice, the man quietly put a finger to his lips.

The black half-mask, decorated with silver thread, and the navy suit embroidered with subtle patterns were elegant. Even with his hair parted and the mask on, I recognized him immediately. How could I not know those long eyelashes and pitch-black eyes peeking through the mask?

“Why… are you here?”

Simeon said nothing. His indifferent eyes looking down at me gave no hint of his thoughts. He had agreed to the plan willingly, but now that it was up to me, had he grown suspicious? Seeing him follow me into the rift didn’t reassure me; it only annoyed me.

“You distrust me that much?”

When I openly expressed my displeasure, Simeon reluctantly spoke.

“It’s better to have two of us here.”

“I thought your rule was not to start a game if there’s even a 1% chance of losing.”

“I’m so used to losing to you that I’m not afraid of defeat anymore.”

“Hah, do you think this is the time for jokes?”

I frowned and scoffed, but Simeon remained unfazed and continued.

“I’ll distract the maid. You focus on persuading the Countess.”

“Hey.”

“Let’s meet on the terrace once we lay the groundwork.”

His cold face showed no sign of understanding my anxiety.

Honestly, even I wasn’t sure this plan would succeed 100%. After all, it would be an unprecedented attempt to change the course of the re-enactment. That’s why I wanted to bear the risk alone. But with Simeon involved, this was no longer a gamble; it was a mission that had to succeed.

“If things go wrong, we’ll really be left in the rift.”

This was no joke or bluff. I wanted him to consider the guilt I’d feel if we failed. I stared at him intently, hoping he’d get the hint and go back, but Simeon just raised an eyebrow calmly.

“We’ll return to reality.”

“Ha, sure. As long as you return, I might feel a little better…”

“The two of us, together.”

Before I could respond, Simeon turned and walked away, heading for the mansion’s main entrance without hesitation.

Together? Did he follow me because of what I said before entering the rift? I’d made such jokes even during <Codex Gigas>. Of course, having Simeon with me would increase my chances of success but…

“Ugh, forget it. Serves me right.”

Who would want to die here and disintegrate? If we succeed and return safely, that’s all that matters.

Taking a deep breath, I headed for the side door leading to the storeroom. Before entering, I peeked through the gap to assess the situation inside. All the servants were dressed like me and wore the same masks. No one would suspect a new face joining the group.

“Come on, let’s get to the hall quickly.”

Clap, clap—!

An experienced-looking servant clapped his hands, boosting morale. The other servants began moving in unison. Taking advantage of the commotion, I grabbed a tray of finger food and headed for the hall.

When I opened the door, the grand ballroom revealed itself, accompanied by a majestic orchestral melody. The chandelier hanging from the domed ceiling sparkled brilliantly. The red velvet fabric decorating the white stone walls had golden roses embroidered on it, the symbol of the Winston family. The walls and even the moldings were gilded, flaunting the family’s wealth.

The opulent scene reminded me of a famous painting I’d seen in an art textbook. But there was no time to admire the elegant masks and dresses. I quickly looked for the three main characters of <Blue Hope>’s tragedy: Olivia Winston, the only daughter of the Winston family; her husband Ector Winston, who now aimed to become the perfect head of the family; and Ector’s lover, the maid Charlotte.

“Ah, there they are.”

I first spotted the Countess. Her light blue dress, flaring out from the waist, looked like a fully bloomed ranunculus. However, what drew my attention wasn’t just her elaborate dress.

The blue jewel around her slender neck sparkled, showcasing its presence. Now regarded as Olivia’s precious heirloom from her grandmother, lost during the war, there was no doubt.

That was <Blue Hope>, the cursed diamond that’d claimed countless lives over centuries.

The Countess and her husband, Ector, were greeting guests together. They seemed like a harmonious couple, smiling at each other. But knowing the truth, I could see everything. Ector’s eyes kept drifting over his wife’s shoulder.

At the end of his sly gaze was a woman in a plain maid’s uniform. Quietly serving champagne in a corner, she looked like a shy girl, but her eyes burned with desire whenever she met Ector’s gaze.

That woman was Charlotte, the maid plotting to assassinate the Countess and take her place as the lady of the Winston household. She even had a red rose pinned to the ribbon tied behind her back as if to flaunt her passionate love.

“What a mess…”

Seeing the adulterous couple exchanging secret glances in person made me laugh in disbelief. It was now clear why the Countess’s spirit had clung to <Blue Hope> even after death.

Soon, the orchestra’s tune changed to a waltz. As the lively dance music began, Olivia and Ector moved to the center of the ballroom to dance. With everyone’s attention on the Winston couple, a dark figure approached Charlotte. Seizing the opportunity while Ector was occupied, Simeon made his move.

Startled by the sudden approach of a stranger, Charlotte quickly calmed down upon recognizing Simeon’s face through the mask. Her wariness melted away like cotton candy in water as Simeon smiled gently, making her laugh, and whispered in her ear, making her blush like a schoolgirl.

“He’s quite the charmer.”

I sighed and shook my head, and then Simeon glanced at me. He gently stroked Charlotte’s hair, making his intentions clear.

Did he want me to be jealous? How childish.

Honestly, seeing Simeon so naturally close to a woman didn’t even make me feel jealous. If I hadn’t met Sang in the past or if I’d coldly rejected his feelings back then, wouldn’t he be sharing such sweet love with some unknown woman now?

“…I hate this.”

I hated myself for accepting and imagining it more than I disliked Simeon trying to make me jealous.

Showing Simeon a deliberately puzzled expression, I tilted my head. He stared at me for a long time before laughing helplessly. He seemed deflated, not getting the reaction he expected.

Why does he stir up trouble? This wound had long since festered and scabbed over.

In the meantime, the waltz reached its climax. No one paid attention to the servant suspiciously circling the hall. Even Charlotte, the maid Ector had planted as a lookout, was captivated by Simeon, making it the perfect moment to move unnoticed.

I immediately ascended the stairs in the middle of the ballroom. I had a clear view of the grand hall from the internal balcony with its railings. In one corner was a narrow space hidden by thin curtains, a resting place prepared for Olivia.

Once her dance with Ector ended, the tired Olivia would come here with her maid, Charlotte. That would be the only chance to meet Olivia away from prying eyes. I hid behind the high-backed couch and waited for a few minutes. The sound of applause echoed through the ballroom, indicating the end of the waltz.

Soon, the silhouettes of two women ascending the stairs became faintly visible through the curtain.

“Are you alright, My Lady? You didn’t look well this morning.”

“It’s just a bit of fatigue, Charlotte.”

“My Lady, you mustn’t keep everything to yourself. You promised to tell me even the smallest things.”

The worried tone was nothing but pretense. Charlotte herself wanted Olivia dead more than anyone. Whether or not Olivia knew this, she chuckled and waved her fan.

“I tell you everything.”

As a white hand suddenly slipped through the curtain, I ducked. Fortunately, Olivia did not sense his presence and sat on the couch without suspicion. The two women engaged in trivial conversation—who the guests were and what birthday presents they’d brought.

When Olivia yawned slightly, Charlotte smiled gently.

“I thought you might be tired, so I prepared some tea.”

“…Tea?”

“Yes, it’s your favorite brand.”

A chill ran down his spine. The liquid in that teapot was no ordinary tea. It was poisoned tea Charlotte had prepared to assassinate Olivia. The sound of pouring tea was unsettling.

“Here, drink.”

Clink—.

I heard the sound of a teacup hitting its saucer as Charlotte handed the cup directly to Olivia. Though I was worried, I didn’t intervene immediately. According to the records, Olivia would sense something was strange and she wouldn’t drink the tea.

“Hm. I’ll drink it later.”

As expected, Olivia declined. Despite this, Charlotte insisted without any sign of distress.

“It’s best to drink it while it’s hot.”

“Then could you prepare some dessert? I know the chef baked a pound cake this morning.”

“Alright. I’ll have one of the servants bring it in….”

“No, I want you to bring it, Charlotte.”

As tension hung in the air, Olivia spoke in a playful tone.

“I don’t want people to think I’m sneaking away from the important party to eat dessert.”

It was a plausible excuse. Charlotte sighed, pretending to be resigned, and took a step back.

“Understood. I’ll bring it right away.”

With the sound of the curtain closing, only Olivia and I were left in the small space, about 2 square meters. Though the noise of the ballroom was close, the high ceiling prevented those on the first floor from seeing this area. Olivia leaned back on the sofa and took a deep breath, appearing more relaxed.

At that moment, I slowly rose and spoke from behind her.

“My Lady.”

Her delicate shoulders jumped. Without looking back, she opened her mouth as if about to scream. I quickly covered her mouth with my hand and whispered softly in her ear.

“I mean you no harm.”

I never imagined a day would come when I’d be saying such a thing while covering a woman’s mouth. The startled Countess struggled, hitting my arm with her fan. Her attempts to make noise through her muffled mouth were pitiful. But what could I do? Avoiding detection was paramount.

I lightly restrained her arm, waving the fan, and whispered again.

“If I intended to harm you, why would I speak to you? I’ve had ample opportunities to do that, including right now.”

At the almost threatening words, Olivia suddenly calmed. She no longer hit me with her fan or made any noise. I released her wrist, holding the fan, and tried to soothe her with a gentle tone.

“If you promise not to scream, I’ll remove my hand.”

Olivia obediently nodded. When I removed my hand, she turned to look at me immediately. As their eyes met, I put a finger to my lips and whispered, “Shh,” to signal her to be quiet. Without any further threat, she gradually relaxed.

Her round eyes, now filled with curiosity, stared at me intently. Despite her fancy title of ‘Countess,’ she was young. The face visible beyond the mask was that of a girl who’d just completed her coming-of-age ceremony.

After regaining her composure, Olivia spoke calmly.

“Who are you?”

“Let’s just say I’m here to save you.”

“To… save me?”

Uncertain whether she was genuinely confused or feigning ignorance, I decided to probe further.

“Why didn’t you drink the tea?”

“I just didn’t feel like drinking it.”

The sidelong glance she gave me was uneasy. Without hesitation, I picked up the teacup from the table. As I brought it to my lips, Olivia gasped and grabbed my arm, stopping me just before the liquid touched his lips. Lowering the cup, I watched her sigh.

“What a relief….”

“Why?”

When I asked directly, she bit her lip as if realizing her mistake.

“Why did you stop me?”

“Well… because I like that tea, and you were suddenly about to drink it…”

“Not because you knew it was poisoned?”

At my blunt question, her hand holding the fan trembled noticeably. Fear, which she’d been trying to suppress, seeped through her quivering lips. But only for a moment. She opened her fan to cover half of her face and feigned ignorance.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I know who is trying to harm you.”

“I’ve done nothing to earn anyone’s animosity.”

“You can’t possibly not know.”

I looked straight into her trembling brown eyes.

“You know what a red rose means.”

She couldn’t have missed it. The splendid red rose attached to the maid’s waistband. The moment I finished speaking, Olivia looked beyond the curtain. It was a reaction indicating she already knew whom I was referring to.

“There isn’t much time. She’ll return soon. And when she finds out you didn’t drink the tea, he’ll take action himself.”

“What do you mean, ‘take action’?”

“After the party, you plan to have wine with him alone, don’t you?”

Her face instantly turned pale. Her eyes seemed to ask how I knew that. There was no time to answer, so I spoke firmly.

“Trust me.”

“How can I? You could be working for him.”

Her suspicion reached its peak, making her defensive.

“Prove to me that you’re on my side.”

Her reddened eyes and bloodshot gaze were filled with deep mistrust. She suspected I might be Ector’s lackey. It was the worst-case scenario, but not unexpected.

“There is no proof.”

“…What?”

She frowned deeply in confusion. I decided to be even more brazen.

“If you can’t trust me, just stay here. My Lady.”

“What do you mean…!”

“As you said, if I were working for him, your staying put would benefit me more.”

As I took a step closer, she retreated in fright, collapsing onto the sofa. I knelt in front of her, took her cold hand, and spoke softly.

“If you don’t trust me, tell the butler that maid Charlotte poisoned your cup. She will be expelled from the mansion, and today will pass safely. But you’ll only be attacking the stem, not the root of the problem.”

“I can accuse him of being behind it.”

“Do you have proof?”

“Only a maid of lower status than you can be expelled on mere suspicion. But he is different. The late Count Winston handed the family’s actual power to him, not to you.”

Her hands, holding the teacup, trembled.

“Even if you suspect him, without evidence, he will be cleared soon. Then he’ll continue pretending to love you, all the while plotting your demise.”

“One day, his feelings might change. He might genuinely fall in love with me…”

“That’s possible. But what about you?”

Her eyes, which had briefly sparkled with hope, quickly filled with despair.

“You already doubt him at every turn, don’t you? Whether the meal you share is poisoned, whether he might strangle you in bed, whether the sachet he gifted contains toxic herbs. And…”

Her face had lost all color, resembling a lifeless corpse with open eyes.

“Whether the man in front of you now… could he be his spy?”

Olivia Winston. The cherished only daughter of her family had been destined to inherit the title of Countess. However, her father, worried about his daughter leading the family alone, brought in a man who wasn’t even related by blood, marking the beginning of a tragedy.

Olivia fell from grace, becoming a Countess in name only, and was betrayed by the one person she should have trusted the most—her husband. For a young woman who’d just come of age, there could be no cruelty greater than that. 

No, perhaps the cruelty was mine.

“If you wish to spend the rest of your life in fear, I won’t stop you.”

Since I was using fear to make her comply with my plan.

“Then, enjoy what might be your last birthday.”

I stood up without hesitation, placing my right hand on my chest and bowing slightly at the waist. It was the noble greeting I had practiced countless times. I then turned away. But I had no intention of actually leaving. I had merely thrown the bait, hoping she’d stop me.

I would seem like her only savior in this mansion, where she had no one to trust.

“…Wait.”

As I expected, she stopped me before I even took a step.

“What is it, My Lady?”

When I turned back with a feigned innocence, I met her fierce eyes. Her demeanor was markedly different from the despair she’d shown earlier.

“Then, do you have a solution?”

“Yes.”

“Can you guarantee its success?”

“I can’t guarantee that.”

When I shrugged lightly, her brows furrowed.

“What do you mean you can’t guarantee it… If it fails, what happens to me?”

“They will assassinate you, as per their plan.”

“What? Then it’s the same as doing nothing at all!”

The Countess’s suppressed anxiety seemed to explode as she stood up abruptly, raising her voice. I just looked down at her, unblinking, as she fumed in frustration. When she didn’t get the reaction she wanted, she gulped nervously.

“My Lady.”

Her slender shoulders flinched at my calm voice.

“Do you enjoy gambling?”

“Why do you ask that all of a sudden?”

“You can’t know if a coin in a gambler’s hand will land heads or tails until you throw it.”

My light-hearted words seemed to displease her as she gripped her fan tightly and glared at me.

“Are you suggesting we gamble with my life?”

“There’s no need to feel surprised. Life is a gamble, after all. Besides, my life is also at stake this time.”

“What do you mean…”

“If I fail to save you, I will naturally die too.”

Her already large eyes widened like the full moon. She must’ve thought I would run away alone if we failed. Well… though the meaning of ‘die’ differed slightly from what she understood, the reality remained that if we failed, neither Simeon nor I would return safely.

“So even if we fail, I will ensure you won’t go alone.”

Maybe it sounded too much like a joke. The Countess’s expression wavered as she looked at me uncertainly. After a long moment of silent contemplation, she finally nodded gravely as if making a decision.

“Fine. If I’m destined to die anyway… I’ll trust the person who says they’ll risk their life for me.”

“Excellent choice, My Lady.”

I carefully took her hand and kissed the back of it. I had heard that this was how one expressed gratitude to a noblewoman, so I tried it. But when I lifted my head, I saw her pale cheeks blushing pink. She stared at me unblinkingly as if mesmerized.

“My Lady?”

When I called softly, she suddenly snapped out of her daze and pulled her hand away from mine.

“S-So what should I do?”

“Your necklace.”

I pointed to the extravagant <Blue Hope> hanging to her cleavage.

“Hand it over.”

The wariness I had barely managed to loosen resurfaced as soon as I got to the point. She clutched <Blue Hope> protectively.

“This is my grandmother’s heirloom. I can’t simply give it away.”

“Between your grandmother’s heirloom and your life, which is more important? I don’t think I need to explain.”

Her lips parted as if to argue, but then she fell silent. After a moment of contemplation, she finally reached behind her neck to undo the necklace. Seeing that she was about to take it off, I raised my hand in polite refusal.

“I’m not the one taking it.”

“What? Then who…”

I glanced quietly towards the curtain, and she followed my gaze, trembling slightly.

“Charlotte will be here soon. When she arrives, break a teacup on purpose and flee to your room in a way that catches her attention.”

Charlotte would see the broken teacup and the fleeing Countess and would quickly realize that she knew about the assassination plan and hadn’t drunk the tea. The moment this news reached Ector, the hunt would begin. The rabbit would lure the fox with the help of the hunter, and the fox, overconfident in its status as the predator, would step into the trap.

Then, the three main actors would gather on the terrace. From there, it would be entirely the Countess’s stage.

“When they threaten you, stall by giving the necklace to Charlotte.”

“Charlotte has always liked jewels, but… will giving her this make her side with me?”

“Of course not. She’ll take the necklace and still try to kill you.”

“Then why do I need to give it up?”

In a firm voice, I reassured her, who was still trembling with anxiety.

“Trust me, My Lady. Tonight, the owner of that necklace will die.”

Her hand, holding the necklace tightly, trembled at my grim prediction. Doubt filled her eyes as she looked down at the blue jewel. She couldn’t have imagined that the heirloom her grandmother gave her would become the noose tightening around her neck.

“If you follow my instructions, I will ensure no harm comes to you.”

My influence ended here. The success of the plan depended on the Countess. If the maid doubted Olivia and refused the necklace, or if Ector suddenly changed his mind and chose Olivia instead of the maid, then Simeon and I, trapped in <Blue Hope>, would be in danger.

“Can you deceive them?”

I carefully placed a hand on her trembling shoulder. Despite the light, her skin was icy cold. She bowed her head deeply and muttered to herself.

“Ever since my parents passed, I’ve been putting on an act every day. Feigning ignorance as I watch my husband try to kill me and the maid play along… I’ve acted like a stupid woman who only cares about others’ opinions.”

I heard the grinding of her teeth.

“But do you think I can’t handle this much acting?”

Her eyes were bloodshot, and her body had stopped trembling. The anxiety had vanished, replaced by a resolute determination in her gaze. My worries about her resolve faltering when facing Ector seemed unfounded, given her fierce demeanor.

“Then I’ll go ahead and wait.”

The coin had left the gambler’s hand. I didn’t know which side it would land on, but one thing was certain.

“Divine punishment will come to those who dared to scale the mountain they shouldn’t have.”

We would be the winners in this gamble of life-and-death.

I bowed courteously and quietly exited the terrace. As soon as I entered the hallway, I heard fingers snapping behind the stairs leading to the Countess’s room. I wondered if it was who I thought it was, and I turned to find Simeon emerging from the shadows.

“How did it go?”

“I managed to persuade her. Now we just have to wait for them to come.”

I explained the situation calmly, and Simeon raised an eyebrow in surprise.

“You seem quite skilled at handling women.”

“Thanks to your expert seduction of the maid, it went smoothly.”

Matching his playful tone, I replied without missing a beat, making him chuckle. There was a maturity in him that felt like an adult indulging a child. Though he started the banter, I felt like the only one being childish, so I decided to double down.

“Give me some tips on wooing women. They might come in handy later.”

I playfully tapped his chest with the back of my hand and started up the stairs first. The hallway to the Countess’s room was deathly quiet, with most of the servants gathered in the banquet hall. We only encountered a few people, but fortunately, they didn’t seem suspicious. They likely mistook us for a noble and his servant heading to a guest room.

We reached the Countess’s room without incident. Using matches stolen from the kitchen, I lit the candles scattered around the room, faintly illuminating the previously dark space. But the brightest light was undoubtedly the moon. I opened the curtains and the terrace door, letting in the sounds of the night sea and the blue moonlight.

“This should do, right?”

The surroundings were dark enough to avoid mistakes, and opening the window made it easy to access the terrace. With everything set, I was about to find a hiding spot when Simeon suddenly called me.

“Mr. Hajae.”

“Yes?”

“I was thinking of you.”

“……What?”

Just as I was about to dismiss his seemingly random statement, I recalled what he’d said earlier.

“I pretended that woman was you, and it wasn’t difficult.’

I must have been crazy to ask for tips on charming women. I didn’t expect an answer, but Simeon was kind enough to give one. Surprisingly, he’d been quiet the entire time we climbed the stairs to the lady’s room because he was thinking of a response to my question.

“Wait a minute. You were thinking of me?”

So, when he was gently stroking Charlotte’s hair and staring at me, it wasn’t to make me jealous but because he was pretending it was me.

“Why?”

I asked without thinking and regretted it immediately. Before I could take it back, Simeon spoke as if he had been waiting for this moment.

“Because….”

I reached out instinctively and covered his mouth, afraid to hear the rest. Simeon blinked in surprise but then smiled. His eyes, visible beyond the ornate mask, looked as delighted as a child’s.

At that moment, we heard footsteps outside the door. Unsure who it was, I instinctively tried to hide behind the sofa, but Simeon grabbed me by the nape and pulled me into a dark, narrow space.

The sliver of light seeping through the door crack revealed our location. Surrounded by the sweet scent of perfume and delicate silk gowns with lace trimmings, we were undoubtedly inside the countess’s wardrobe. While it was the perfect hiding spot, it was far too cramped for two adult men, leaving me nestled against Simeon.

“…Excuse me.”

I glanced up to see Simeon raising an eyebrow in response.

“I don’t plan on hiding.”

“Why not? There’s nothing good about getting caught.”

“I promised to protect her.”

Charlotte and Ector would soon be storming the room with their hired soldiers. The Countess’s safety was paramount for the success of our plan. I had to protect her at all costs. Though my intentions were solely for the mission, Simeon seemed to interpret them differently.

“Mr. Hajae, you seem to have a talent for turning my world upside down.”

He frowned slightly, filled with discontent. I shrugged lightly, indicating it meant nothing.

“I would protect anyone for the sake of the plan.”

“What about me?”

“Of course, you too.”

“Am I just an afterthought?”

Did he look unusually sulky, or was it just my imagination? I couldn’t understand why he was acting so childishly, yet there was something cute about it. Just then, the door burst open.

Holding my breath, I peeked through the wardrobe door. A woman in a long, trailing dress entered, panting heavily. It was Olivia, who’d likely broken a glass to alert Charlotte and then run up the stairs.

Relieved, I stepped out of the wardrobe, causing Olivia to gasp in surprise upon seeing us.

“Why are you coming out of there?”

“Sorry. I hid, thinking you were someone else.”

She relaxed upon seeing me but then turned pale when she noticed Simeon beside me.

“And this is…?”

“A comrade. More importantly, where is Charlotte?”

“She’ll be here soon. So you should…”

Before Olivia could finish, footsteps were outside, and five armed soldiers suddenly burst into the room. Between them, Charlotte sauntered in, arms crossed, the epitome of malevolence.

“Quite impressive, running up here in heels, My Lady.”

Charlotte finally noticed us and motioned expertly to her soldiers.

“Seize them.”

Three burly men lunged at us at Charlotte’s command. Fearing Simeon might use his powers, I signaled him to stay still. Thankfully, Simeon quickly caught on, allowing them to capture us easily.

“Wait. They’ve done nothing wrong!”

Olivia’s desperate plea was futile. The soldiers roughly pushed me to my knees while Charlotte approached with a candelabrum, her cheeks flushing upon seeing Simeon.

“Oh my, you are…”

Thinking Simeon was someone’s esteemed son, Charlotte hesitated to touch him. When Simeon coldly averted his gaze, she looked slightly flustered. Holding her skirt, Charlotte curtsied before Simeon.

“Did our foolish Countess offend you in any way?”

Though she spoke respectfully, she was clearly looking down on him. A woman of immense pride, aiming to become the Count’s wife by seducing him. 

Olivia, unable to bear the situation, shouted as the soldiers continued to restrain her.

“Charlotte. These people accidentally entered my room. So let them go, okay?”

“Hmm. I don’t know. What should I do…?”

Charlotte ignored Olivia’s words, and her eyes filled with desire as they fell on me. Unlike Simeon, dressed in a servant’s attire, she had no reason to treat me kindly. Her curious eyes examined me before she reached out and yanked off my mask.

“Oh my. What kind of rat crawled in here?”

I glanced up at her without bothering to fix my messy hair. Charlotte’s lips curled into a long smile.

“If a man like you were in our mansion, I would’ve known.”

“……….”

“Well, it doesn’t matter. Once I become the mistress of the Winston family, I’ll make you my personal servant. How about that?”

There was no point in provoking her, so I responded obediently.

“It would be an honor.”

“Haha, an honor, he says. How cute.”

She cupped my cheek, her eyes assessing me with an uncomfortable gaze. Worse, she began to arrange my hair like she was petting a puppy. I was anxious every time her hand brushed my forehead, not because of her actions but because of what Simeon might do next to me.

Just when the situation felt dangerously tense, Charlotte pulled her hand away and whispered.

“But sorry, I can’t let you live. He said not to leave any witnesses.”

There wasn’t a trace of guilt on her face as she pouted her lips.

“Where is Ector?”

Charlotte asked the soldier holding me.

“He’ll be here soon to wrap things up.”

“Ah, I can’t wait to show him this sight.”

While Charlotte was distracted, Olivia frantically signaled me to run. Not that I had any intention of fleeing, nor did I see a way to overpower five armed soldiers. Maybe Simeon could.

Worried about Simeon, I glanced sideways. With his eyes closed, he showed no emotion. To onlookers, he might’ve seemed resigned to his fate, but I knew better.

This is how Simeon looked when he was preparing to use his powers.

“Charlotte?”

The final main character arrived. Ector Winston. The man who started this tragedy.

“I’ve been waiting, Lord Ector.”

The unmasked Ector looked nothing like I imagined. His freckled, innocent face didn’t suit a man plotting adultery and murder. Despite having no blood relation, I could understand why the former count had entrusted his family and daughter to him.

But knowing the full story, I saw only an emotionless sociopath. There was no hesitation as he looked at his wife being held by soldiers. He just glanced at us with disdain.

“Who are they?”

“Ah, no need to worry.”

Charlotte pranced over to Ector, linking arms and leaning on his shoulder while casting a sultry glance our way. Unexpectedly, the look was directed at me, not Simeon.

“If you allow it, I’d like to keep that one as a toy.”

She licked her lips, looking at me with a predatory gaze. I was her type, after all. 

“Ha ha, ha….” 

I laughed awkwardly, averting my gaze. It didn’t bother me, but I hoped Simeon ignored her words.

While Ector pondered my fate, Olivia suddenly spoke up.

“Charlotte.”

The Countess finally stepped forward.

“We’ve shared so much together.”

“Shared?”

A cruel laugh escaped Charlotte’s lips, dripping with disdain for Olivia.

“You’ve always looked down on me and used me.”

“What are you talking about? I’ve always thought of you as family…”

“Really?”

“Please, take my necklace.”

Olivia’s trembling hands unfastened her necklace. The heavy blue gem fell from her neck like a shackle being removed.

“My grandmother left this to me. You know? I’m giving it to you because I consider you family.”

Her hands trembled as she offered the necklace. I feared Charlotte might reject it. But thankfully, her greed surpassed my expectations.

“Oh my, finally, you’re speaking sense.”

Charlotte eagerly took the necklace. Ignoring Ector, she ran to a mirror, adorning herself with the gem. She looked like a prisoner on the gallows, oblivious to her impending doom. She caressed the blue jewel with happiness, unaware it would soon cost her life.

“Beautiful….”

The new owner of <Blue Hope> had been decided.

Wearing a shabby maid’s dress adorned with a red rose in her hair and a luxurious blue diamond necklace. No matter how many flower petals you scatter, you cannot gild a lily. Though looking like a nouveau riche drenched in vanity, Charlotte seemed utterly satisfied.

“Lord Ector. Does it suit me?”

“What wouldn’t suit my little rose?”

“Hehe, you’re too much…”

Charlotte shyly laughed and stood in front of the mirror again. Her eyes, lost in ecstasy, shone with a blue hue reminiscent of the jewel.

“It seems to shine even more beautifully than when it was around that woman’s neck.”

It wasn’t just an illusion. <Blue Hope> around Charlotte’s neck radiated a brilliance incomparable to when it was in Olivia’s hands. Even the soldiers watching us had their gazes stolen by the blue diamond. Indeed, it was a jewel that could captivate anyone.

Charlotte muttered in a voice filled with exhilaration.

“Yes… This necklace has acknowledged that I am the true mistress of the Winston family.”

The true mistress… Is that really so? <Blue Hope> isn’t some sacred treasure like <Excalibur>, which only the one destined to be king can pull. It’s merely a cursed jewel that tempts desire and calls for blood.

<Blue Hope> is shining more brightly than ever now because Charlotte was a woman who suited it. She will never understand what that means, not even when she falls off a cliff and is devoured by the blue jewel’s madness.

“Honey.”

At that moment, Olivia twisted her body to free herself from the soldier’s grip and spoke.

“Listen to me.”

Ector glanced at the woman who may have once been his beloved wife with a bored expression.

“Let’s end this, Olivia. You and I can never go back to how we were.”

“W-What do you mean? We’ve always lived as a couple admired by everyone until now.”

Tears that’d welled up finally trickled down her cheeks. Were those real tears? Olivia’s performance of pleading her grievance was so perfect that it’d be unfair not to call her a great actress.

“Ector. It’s not too late. I’ll keep everything that happened today a secret. A-And I’ll leave all the important decisions to you in the future. After all, I’ve always been nothing but a count in name only, right?”

Ector, who had been coldly pushing Olivia away, furrowed his brows slightly. A clear sign of agitation. Anyone who didn’t know Olivia’s true intentions might think they could reconcile. Yes, Charlotte thought that way.

The man she loved was now wavering because of his wife, so it was only natural for her to react with fury. But Charlotte was strangely quiet. Just as I suspected something, I turned to the mirror and saw a chilling sight.

“Oh, why have we only encountered each other now…?”

Charlotte had her face pressed against the mirror, her cheeks flushed as if she were excited by <Blue Hope>.

“So beautiful…”

Her half-closed eyes were hazy as if she were under the influence of drugs. She even began to shed tears of emotion. Seeing that, I was reminded of the story of a woman who went mad from the beauty of <Blue Hope> and eventually took her own life. If that’s the case, then she’s already…

At that moment, the mirror suddenly flickered. She turned around abruptly as if someone had violently grabbed her hair. The whites of her eyes were bloodshot, and the full moonlight shone on her ghostly pale face. At that moment, she grinned, baring her teeth like a madwoman.

“Charlotte?”

Ector, finally noticing something was amiss, called out to her. But Charlotte didn’t respond. She staggered past Olivia and Ector, fixated only on the full moon. Finally, she stopped in front of the terrace, lifting her head as high as possible and stretching her arms.

“Look, Lord Ector. Doesn’t it look even prettier under the moonlight?”

The woman’s laughter filled the room as if she were on the verge of death. Even Ector, who had remained calm throughout, couldn’t hide his confusion in the face of the eerie sight.

“Charlotte. Are you alright…?”

Charlotte slowly turned around at the sound of her beloved’s voice. But the person standing on the terrace was no longer the woman I knew. Her face had turned as blue as ice, and she was sweating profusely, yet she was still grinning bizarrely as if a string was pulling her lips.

They say that the full moon has the power to bewitch people. But it wasn’t the moon that had bewitched her.

“It feels like this blue light is calling to me.”

That was when it happened. With a rumbling sound that shook the earth, the terrace railing collapsed.

“Charlotte!”

Ector immediately ran out to save Charlotte but was soon blocked by a soldier. Even as Ector shouted at her to come over quickly, Charlotte only stood there laughing. In the blink of an eye, the terrace collapsed.

The sight of Charlotte falling off the cliff seemed to move in slow motion, like a scene from a movie. There was no trace of fear of death in her. She clutched <Blue Hope> tightly, her face filled with happiness until the very end.

Splash—. 

The sound of something hitting the water was followed by a sharp scream.

“Aaaaah!”

Olivia, who witnessed the accident, stood frozen, covering her mouth with both hands. She seemed genuinely shocked despite hearing the prophecy that the necklace’s owner would die tonight. Soon, tears began to flow from her bloodshot eyes once again.

Whether it was grief over Charlotte’s death or relief at having narrowly avoided that fate, there was no way to tell.

“What on earth…”

“D-Did she die?”

The soldiers, too, seemed taken aback by the sudden accident. A murmur, like the sea that had swallowed Charlotte, spread. But the man who should’ve been the most distraught was strangely silent. Even though he should have ordered a search party immediately, Ector remained silent, his head hung low.

After a moment of silence, Ector spoke in a heavy tone.

“Olivia. Was it you?”

“…What?”

“You tampered with the terrace beforehand, didn’t you?”

“Do you really think that makes any sense? Everyone here saw it. It was an accident!”

Olivia screamed sharply. This time, it wasn’t an act. Her voice, echoing clearly, made Ector stagger as if he were feeling dizzy.

“Yes… It was an accident…”

What is this? Wasn’t Charlotte supposed to be a pawn in Olivia’s plan to assassinate Ector? I thought even his attempt to save her was just a show to deceive others. But seeing him still muttering to himself, unable to recover from the shock, maybe he wasn’t as ruthless as I had assumed.

The moment I reached that conclusion, a boisterous laugh rang out.

“Haha! An accident… Yes, an accident! The gods have finally answered my prayers.”

Ector started laughing, holding his belly as he tilted his head back like a child. That made it even more chilling. Pure evil, devoid of conscience or guilt, seemed unstoppable.

After laughing so hard that tears appeared in his eyes, Ector suddenly turned his wild gaze on Olivia.

“Well done, Olivia.”

“…What?”

“She was becoming a nuisance with her antics anyway… Thank you for taking care of it for me.”

Ector seemed genuinely moved as if he were praising a dog that had brought back its prey. Then, he approached Olivia with long strides, placing his hand on her shoulder, which had shrunk in fear, and whispered.

“Now that you’re out of the picture, this mansion will be mine, won’t it?”

His voice was gentle, and his gaze was warm. But the hand that gripped her shoulder was so strong that the lace decorating her dress was half torn. Despite that, Olivia didn’t back down and argued.

“Seizing the title by force won’t earn you recognition. The dignity of nobility is never…”

“Force?”

Ector burst into laughter.

“You saw it too, Olivia… That was an accident.”

Ector extended his arm and pointed to the terrace.

“The crazy maid fought with the Countess over a necklace and fell into the sea. I arrived too late with the soldiers after hearing the commotion. I came to protect my beloved wife, Olivia… But alas, it was already too late.”

His exaggerated tone and gestures were like those of an actor in a play. Ector even sniffled as if holding back tears and pursed his lips tightly like a child trying not to cry. The artificially sad expression was grotesque.

“What to do? My wife fell into the sea along with the maid…!”

Olivia pushed Ector away with trembling hands.

“Do you really think that kind of act will work?!”

“Olivia. Those fools will gladly sympathize with their poor master… Just as they did when your parents died.”

Ector had already returned to his perfectly blank expression. His face, void of emotion, was like a doll’s mask that had been forcefully removed.

“Understand? After you die, I only need to abstain from food for a few days. They’ll all beg me to take over the title. Then I’ll become the admirable husband who, despite losing his wife, tries to maintain the family line.”

“Ector. You’re insane.”

“And who entrusted their daughter and family to this madman?”

Olivia stood there, her lips trembling, unable to say anything. She looked like a fish gasping for air during a long drought. Ector, seemingly pleased with her expression of despair, smiled and whispered.

“If you’re going to blame anyone, blame your parents. My lovely wife.”

Lips whispering disgusting love touched Olivia’s cheek. Olivia, who had somehow managed to stand still, ended up there. Ector patted his wife, who had become a broken doll, and nodded lightly to the soldier.

“Hmm. Shall we sort out the witnesses first?”

It was the moment Ector gave his command. There was a snapping sound, and the man holding my arm fell to the floor.

Thud—! 

The man lost his balance and fell. He didn’t move an inch despite hitting his head on the ground. His eyes were open, unfocused, and he was frozen in place. I’d seen enough corpses in my life to know the difference between an unconscious person and a dead one.

He was dead. As if to prove that it wasn’t a coincidence, the soldier holding onto Simeon collapsed next. Ector looked around in panic at the string of deaths.

“Wh-who’s there?”

The room was as silent as a grave. Ector, seemingly convinced it was the work of an unseen force, called the soldiers guarding the door inside. Five strong men surrounded him like a human barricade. Ector ordered one of them to check the fallen soldier’s condition, but he didn’t get the answer he wanted.

“…He’s dead.”

“The cause?”

“I don’t know, sir. Judging by his face, he wasn’t poisoned, nor does he have any external injuries.”

The cause of death was unknown. Even a skilled physician would say the same.

I glanced at the source of this mysterious cause. Simeon had opened his eyes at some point and was staring quietly at Ector. Perhaps the game of life and death with the burly soldiers had been too easy for him, as his expression looked bored.

“…Enough. Tie them up again for now.”

Despite the sharp order, the soldiers exchanged nervous glances. Their faces were consumed by the fear that they might also die. Only after Ector drew his sword did two younger soldiers hesitantly approach us.

Ector’s suspicion turned towards us at our calm reaction to their deaths.

“Was it you?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about…”

“The soldiers restraining you two died suddenly, and you claim you don’t know anything?”

I shook my head, playing innocent. Even if he threatened me for answers, my response was clear. The reason they died was simply that they ‘lost’.

“You can only afford to be so calm for now.”

Ector sneered, pointing his sword at me. Just then, there was another soft thud behind me. Something hard pressed against my heel, and a stiffness brushed against my ankle. Startled, I looked down to find another corpse.

“This is impossible…”

The soldier next to me muttered in a frightened voice, and those quickly became his last words as his face turned pale and he also collapsed. Two games ended within a mere minute.

A heavy silence filled the room. Five soldiers remained, but none dared to move, fearing the unseen hand of death might reach them next. It was then that Ector, who’d been hiding within the human barricade, stepped forward.

“Stop.”

He resorted to his last option.

“If you make any suspicious movements, I’ll slit this woman’s throat immediately.”

Olivia was being held hostage by Ector. He pressed the blade against her carotid artery, and with just a little more pressure, it would slice her neck. 

But we could stop that by dealing with Ector first. Simeon must have had the same thought as he slowly closed his eyes.

But Ector was smarter than he seemed.

“I don’t know how you did it, but you won’t do something so foolish as to kill me here, will you?”

“Foolish…?”

“Think about it. Four soldiers mysteriously died in here. On top of that, her husband was also found dead in his wife’s room; even the maid who always stayed by her side fell into the sea. And amongst all that, Olivia was the only one who seemed to have survived without a scratch… Don’t you realize how suspicious that looks?”

Ector, who had suddenly regained his confidence, puffed out his chest.

“A mad woman who hired someone to kill her husband out of paranoia… Or worse, she could be accused of being a witch and burned at the stake. Do you understand? I’m the only one who can prove this woman’s innocence.”

It was hard to deny, but it was true. If what <Blue Hope> wanted was simply ‘the death of the necklace’s owner,’ the moment Charlotte fell off the terrace, we should’ve returned to reality. But we were still in the rift. We might escape the rift if we eliminate Ector here, but I wasn’t sure <Blue Hope> would awaken.

Yes. This is where the real test begins. How can we eliminate Ector without casting suspicion on the Countess? Any testimony from us, whose identities are uncertain, would be useless in proving the Countess’s innocence. Even if we claimed Ector was a bastard, without having solid evidence, it wouldn’t tarnish the respectable image he’d built up.

So, we need to create solid evidence here and now… But how?

“Well, speak up. Where are you from?”

We had about 70 hours left, but we only had about 10 minutes in this situation. Ector’s patience wasn’t long. Moreover, the servants who greeted the guests would soon arrive here. So before things escalated… Wait. The servants are coming?

“What orders did Olivia give you?”

Too distracted to answer, I kept my mouth shut, and Olivia spoke up to defend us.

“I told you, they have nothing to do with me.”

“Shut up! I wasn’t asking you.”

Ector couldn’t contain his anger and tightened his grip on the hilt. A white line appeared on Olivia’s skin as the blade pressed into her. Seeing the blood on the sharp blade, I snapped back to reality and spoke.

“The Countess didn’t ask me. I just helped because she seemed to be in trouble.”

“Does ‘helping’ include killing me?”

“That depends on you, Lord Ector. Let go of the Countess and turn yourself in. I’ll spare your life.”

The tone of my voice, as if offering a favor, didn’t sit well with him, and his facial muscles twitched. Then Ector laughed loudly and shook his head.

“Hahaha! My life? I don’t need it. You have no idea how much effort it took to become a Count… I’d rather die with this woman than return to begging for a living.”

The hatred in his eyes didn’t seem like a bluff. He was serious. He valued honor over life, especially a title he’d stolen by spilling blood. Negotiating with a madman who valued his life so little was pointless.

“Understand? I hold the upper hand in this negotiation.”

Ector roughly grabbed Olivia’s face with his other hand.

“So if you want to save her, you’ll do as I say.”

“…What do you want?”

I asked, thinking I might as well hear him out. But his answer was absurd.

“Your lives.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Olivia began to struggle. She stopped quickly due to the blade, but muffled protest sounds came from her covered mouth. Her wide, frantic eyes seemed to scream not to listen to him.

Yet Ector didn’t even blink as he laid out his demand.

“Commit suicide willingly. Then I won’t dispose of this frustrating woman and will take care of her personally.”

Would Ector really keep Olivia alive if we died? Absolutely not. But Olivia would be in danger if we didn’t meet Ector’s demand. 

There was no choice then. I had to save at least one person.

“Are you really okay with this?”

I lowered my voice, making it sound like I was about to reveal a big secret.

“If the story spreads that the Young Master died at the banquet, it’ll put the Winston family in a difficult position. Even if you disguise it as an accident, you won’t escape a thorough investigation.”

“…Young Master?”

There was no better bait for a man obsessed with honor.

Ector, who’d been eyeing Simeon closely, gestured with his chin, silently commanding him to remove the mask. But Simeon, unwilling to comply with Ector’s provocation, remained still. There was nothing to be gained from dragging out this standoff.

In the end, I moved first. I deliberately turned my back to Ector and carefully placed my hands on Simeon’s mask. Simeon grabbed my hand, slightly frowning as if to ask what I was doing. I whispered softly.

“Leave this to me.”

“…Mr. Hajae.”

“And let’s return together.”

At my words, Simeon let go of my hand without resistance. I removed the mask and stepped aside, and Ector’s expression shifted slightly. His handsome face wouldn’t raise any suspicions, even if he were the child of a noble family. As expected, Ector’s aggressive demeanor softened slightly.

“I don’t recognize your face… Which family are you from?”

“I’m afraid I cannot reveal that.”

I shook my head firmly. Unable to think of a plausible noble family, I made a vague excuse, but it worked. Ector looked at Simeon with wary eyes before lowering his guard slightly.

“Well, for the sake of the Winston family’s future, I won’t harm you.”

His lips twitched in frustration. He was already annoyed by the involvement of an outsider, and the fact that this witness was supposedly a noble’s child only made him angrier. He couldn’t easily kill Simeon, so his blood must be boiling now. Just as I felt relieved that I’d protected Simeon, Ector opened his mouth again.

“But I must get a firm promise that you’ll keep quiet about today, Sir.”

Ector kicked the sword dropped by the dead soldier towards me and said,

“As a sign of our agreement, kill your servant here. Then I’ll let you go safely.”

Demanding death as payment for sparing a life—I suppose it’s a fair trade, isn’t it? Of course, I can’t say what Simeon thinks of this. I just hope he doesn’t take that fool’s words to heart. After all, he ignored the command to remove his mask, so there’s no way he’d fall for this provocation. 

There’s no way… right?

“Surely, you’re not saying that the life of that lowly servant is more precious than your own.”

Simeon laughed at Ector, who was eagerly sealing his fate. The sneer on his otherwise expressionless face made the air around us grow cold. That was the look he had when he interrogated the reporter trailing the Apostles. It reminded me of his ruthlessness, how he casually weighed lives on a scale. Cold sweat trickled down my back.

“Well, go ahead.”

The sword Ector kicked stopped right in front of Simeon. The hilt tapped against the tip of his shoe, causing his eyebrow to twitch. This is bad. If I keep watching, it won’t be a sword at Simeon’s feet, but Ector’s corpse.

“Excuse me.”

I suddenly stepped in front of Simeon, inserting myself between them.

“The Young Master has never had blood on his hands.”

Ector glanced up and down at me as if asking what I expected him to do with that information. The bastard deserves to die, but I still need him to complete the mission given by <Blue Hope>. If I want to buy time until the situation reaches the point it needs to get to, there’s only one way.

“So, may I do it myself?”

A flash of interest flickered in Ector’s previously bored eyes. Simultaneously, Simeon grabbed my hand tightly, his grip strong enough to show how flustered he was. Even so, I didn’t turn back but quietly squeezed his hand in return. I needed him to trust my decision right now.

“Oh? Are you saying you’d commit suicide?”

Ector sneered, his eyes gleaming with sudden interest. It seemed he wasn’t about to stop something that would provide such amusing entertainment.

“If you’ll spare the Young Master and your wife in exchange for my life, then yes.”

I released Simeon’s hand and bowed respectfully to Ector. The moment I did, the expressions on the two people’s faces were starkly different. Olivia, who had no strength left to struggle, only wept while Ector raised his chin and laughed, thoroughly enjoying the situation.

“Haha! A truly loyal dog. Unlike the fool who leaped off a cliff blinded by a mere collar…”

Ector arrogantly spoke as if he were bestowing a great favor.

“Of course. As someone destined to become a Count, I should at least grant that much mercy.”

“Thank you.”

I bent down and picked up the sword that’d fallen at Simeon’s feet. It was the first time I’d ever held a longsword, and it was heavier than I expected and difficult to control. As I hesitated, gripping the hilt, Simeon quickly pulled me close by the shoulder.

“What are you thinking?”

His low voice sounded like he was barely containing his anger. So I turned my body slightly, just enough that Ector couldn’t see, and whispered.

“Don’t worry. I…”

“If you’re about to say you won’t die anyway, stop.”

For a moment, I was speechless. That wasn’t what I was going to say, but his words hit home. I cleared my throat awkwardly and shook my head.

“It’s not like that.”

“………”

“Seriously.”

The suspicion in his dark eyes didn’t disappear easily. Considering that I’d slit my own throat in front of him before, it was no wonder he didn’t believe me. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to explain the single plan I had in mind to turn the tide. But I knew that with his sharp mind, he’d understand from just one hint.

“Think about the flow of this event.”

We had reviewed the timeline together before we entered the crack in <Blue Hope>.

As the banquet was coming to an end, Charlotte poisoned Olivia’s tea. According to the plan, Olivia was supposed to drink it without suspicion, but sensing the assassination attempt, she broke the teacup and fled to her room. So, Ector and Charlotte moved to their last resort. They’d brought in the hired soldiers to finish off Olivia, who was now alone.

Isn’t it strange? A noble always had at least three servants accompanying them. The Winston mansion was teeming with servants day and night. So how could they poison a teacup without any witnesses and also escort soldiers to Olivia’s room?

It’s impossible… unless under special circumstances.

At the banquet, many guests visit the mansion. If anything goes wrong, it could damage the family’s honor, so all the servants gather in the banquet hall to ensure that the guests are well served. That means the rest of the mansion is left empty.

That’s the reason why Ector chose the banquet day, specifically, the Countess’s birthday banquet, which is when most guests would attend. Additionally, Ector assigned Charlotte to serve Olivia throughout the banquet. He created a situation where Charlotte would naturally be alone with Olivia.

That wasn’t all. Ector ended the banquet early to prevent third-party interference before they could find Olivia. Typically, the guests would be escorted to their carriages by the Count and Countess. But since the two were preoccupied, the servants would handle the farewells.

So when the terrace collapsed, causing a loud noise, the servants didn’t rush to Olivia’s room, which is exactly what Ector intended. Though the accident wasn’t planned, he wanted to divert the servants’ attention elsewhere until he could kill Olivia and dispose of the evidence.

In the end, this meticulous plan succeeded. But now, in the rift, things were different. The timeline has been significantly delayed due to the appearance of variables like Simeon and me. By now, all the guests would have already left.

The servants would’ve realized by now that the loud noise came from the terrace collapsing and that it happened near the countess’s room.

“The servants will arrive soon.”

Luckily, because of Ector’s fear of death, the soldiers guarding the door had been dismissed. So, the servants who’ll come looking for Olivia could easily enter the room where they’ll finally witness it.

The hideous beast so blinded by power that he dared to place a blade at the Countess’s throat.

“And then everyone will see Ector’s atrocities.”

Multiple witnesses. That’s the only way to ensure Olivia isn’t falsely accused, the only way to decisively bring Ector down.

Finally, Simeon seemed to realize I was only doing this to buy time. He slowly released his grip on my arm, which prevented me from taking up the sword. 

At that moment, a sneering voice cut in.

“Have you finished your final farewells?”

When I turned around, Ector urged me with a nod. Reluctantly, I turned the sword and placed the blade against my neck. The feel of cold steel against my skin was disturbingly familiar, but it was far from welcome. No one could enjoy the agony of feeling blood gush like a waterfall and having their head split with pain, even if they were guaranteed not to die.

As I kept up the charade, taking deep breaths for a long time, Ector chuckled mockingly.

“Where did all that bravado go? Have you finally become afraid?”

Is help still far away? How much longer did I need to stall? 

No, I couldn’t delay any further.

“Do you need to see this wench die?!”

For Ector, who saw human life as nothing, that wasn’t an empty threat. If I didn’t do this, Olivia would die. Then, the plan would fail. That, I couldn’t… I could never allow that…

“Hurry up!”

Unable to bear the pressure any longer, I squeezed my eyes shut and raised the sword. Just then—

“My Lady!”

The door burst open with a shout, and I quickly turned my head. A middle-aged woman who appeared to be the head maid stood with five other servants behind her. They were all frozen in shock, unable to believe what they were seeing.

“What is… this…?”

Ector’s soldiers were caught off guard; even Ector himself was stunned. At that moment, Olivia used all her strength to stomp on Ector’s foot. 

“Aaagh!” Ector screamed in pain as her broken heel dug into his instep. 

Olivia pushed Ector away and ran to the head maid, explaining everything in a tearful rush.

“Emma. He tried to kill me! He wanted to kill me and take over this mansion….”

The Countess finally broke down in tears. At this moment, she was not the dignified Countess but a mere girl crying in the arms of her maid. The head maid seemed to have made a firm decision as she gently embraced Olivia and spoke softly.

“It’s alright, My Lady. I’ll protect you.”

The head maid and the other servants stepped forward to protect Olivia. Having directly witnessed Ector’s crimes, it no longer mattered how much they had trusted him based on the former count’s orders and judgment.

“Lord Ector. What exactly is going on here?”

Despite the head maid’s stern questioning, Ector remained unfazed. Instead, he laughed like a madman, just as Charlotte had before falling off the cliff, bewitched by <Blue Hope>. His snickers were like rats gnawing away at the walls.

“You planned for this… all along… You never intended to die…”

Muttering to himself for a while, Ector finally looked up with bloodshot eyes, glaring at the servants.

“It doesn’t matter. Just get rid of the witnesses.”

As Ector swung his sword through the air, the soldiers drew their swords one by one.

“Kill them all!”

At his sharp command, the soldiers charged at the servants simultaneously. However, the first soldier who rushed forward barely made it a few steps before collapsing with a thud. The next soldier to swing his sword also failed to even graze the servants’ clothes before falling dead. The King’s Game had begun once again.

Facing the overwhelming difference in power, Ector let out a hollow laugh and muttered to himself.

“Do you really think… that I, Ector Winston, would give up so easily?”

Finally, Ector gripped his sword tightly and let out a wild scream. But instead of charging at the Lady or the servants, he ran in our direction. The blade of hatred was aimed at Simeon, whose eyes were closed. Sensing the ominous intent, I leaped in front of the incoming sword without a moment’s hesitation.

I used to think people who foolishly risked their lives to protect someone in movies were naive. Couldn’t they have acted more rationally? What if they had pushed their opponent away or disarmed them?

But when I found myself in that situation, I understood. Instinct always overrides reason.

The moment I turned my back to shield Simeon, the sword slashed deeply across my waist. I suppressed a rising groan and lifted my head. Simeon, who had his eyes gently closed, seemed utterly unaware of what was happening. Only after confirming that he was safe did the pain finally hit me.

“Urgh…”

The sound that escaped my lips made Simeon snap his eyes open. His gaze immediately landed on my injured waist. I quickly tried to cover the wound with my hand, but I couldn’t stop the bright red blood seeping through my fingers.

“What… is this…?”

I gave a weak smile to Simeon, who was frozen in shock.

“Haha… I was lucky.”

The blade nearly pierced my abdomen, but fortunately, it just grazed my waist. If this isn’t luck, what is?

My vision swayed as I tried to brush it off with a laugh. Simeon quickly grabbed my shoulder and lowered me to the ground as I staggered. Even as I collapsed into his arms, I tried to lighten the mood with a joke to ease his worry.

“It’s just a scratch. Really, just a scratch…”

But Simeon remained silent. As the dizziness subsided and I lifted my head, I saw his face, stricken with panic. It was almost laughable to see him, who had been through countless bloody battles, act like someone who’d never seen blood before.

“What, did someone die?”

I chuckled as I leaned my cheek against his firm chest.

“Come on, smile. We’ve almost made it.”

Even with my attempt at humor, his face remained tense. Then I heard a muttered voice.

“Stupid fool.”

When I glanced over, Ector stood with a bloodstained sword, grinning maliciously.

“You brought this upon yourself, trying to protect your master to the end.”

Sorry, but the one who’s brought this upon himself is you.

Two injured men, and five witnesses. With this, he has no escape. Ector, who is smart enough to understand this, still tried to deny reality, but his desperation was too pitiful to evoke any sympathy.

Just then, two armed soldiers entered the room. Ector, who thought they’d come to help him, smiled in triumph but soon turned pale when he saw the Winston family crest on their armor.

“W-what… Let go of me!”

As they bound his arms behind his back, Ector struggled violently.

“You should be arresting them, not me! They broke into the mansion and tried to harm the Countess!”

But no one paid any attention to the words of a criminal. In the end, Ector was disarmed and forced to his knees. From a distance, Olivia watched with silent tears. I couldn’t even begin to imagine how long she had waited for this moment.

At that moment, I felt a chilling breeze from afar. It was the same cold sensation I’d felt near the rift. Yes, a rift had finally opened below the cliff, a passage to return to reality.

“Simeon.”

I called out to him, urging him to look outside the terrace. But Simeon didn’t respond. 

“Simeon?” 

I called his name again and looked up, startled by what I saw. His eyes were filled with seething hatred and anger as he glared at Ector.

I understood that murderous intent. Ector deserved to die for what he’d done to Olivia. But if Ector suddenly died here, in front of so many witnesses, not only would we be implicated, but the Countess, who was involved with us, would also be suspected.

I tugged lightly at Simeon’s sleeve and whispered.

“Let’s go back.”

But his dark eyes were still locked onto Ector. Finally, I endured the searing pain in my wound and managed to reach out and place my hand on his cheek. The moment my hand touched his skin, his long eyelashes trembled slightly. The murderous intent was gone when he looked down at me, replaced by tender concern.

“Simeon. Let’s go back now.”

“But…”

“The longer we stay, the more suspicious it will become.”

Seeing the uncertainty in his eyes, I urged him.

“Hmm?” 

Simeon let out a deep sigh, filled with things he wanted to say. By that time, the guards were dragging Ector away. Who would’ve thought I’d end up helping the man who swung a sword at me avoid death?

Once the storm had passed, Olivia kicked off her broken shoes and hurried over to me.

“Are you okay?”

“Haha… this is just a mark of honor.”

I tried to joke as I stood up with Simeon’s help, but it backfired again.

“I was so worried about you…!”

Tears welled up in Olivia’s big eyes. It was exasperating to see her about to cry over my injury when she hadn’t even spared a glance at Ector as he was dragged away, desperately calling her name.

“Why are you…?”

I confusedly glanced at Simeon, but he focused entirely on my wound. Seeing Olivia on the verge of tears made the back of my head throb more than my sword-cut waist. No one ever taught me how to console a crying woman, not even my mother.

Thankfully, Olivia swallowed her tears and turned to the head maid with a stern expression.

“Emma, go fetch the doctor right away. Everyone else, please bring warm water and some clean cloth.”

“But, My Lady, we cannot leave you here alone.”

The head maid eyed us suspiciously, but Olivia shook her head.

“If it’s because of them, it’s fine.”

“My lady…”

“Emma. These are the people who protected me.”

With an unwavering gaze, the head maid quietly left the room with the other servants. Once again, only the three of us remained in the room. Olivia sighed lightly and shrugged.

“I’m sorry. Emma has always been strict with me since I was a child.”

“No, it’s a relief to know you have someone trustworthy by your side.”

I smiled faintly, and the Countess bit her lip, her cheeks seeming to flush slightly.

“Oh, anyway, please wait a moment. Emma will bring the doctor soon.”

At the mention of the doctor, Simeon’s hand, which had been holding my wound, trembled slightly. Though I’d insisted it was a minor injury, the truth was I was reaching the limits of my endurance. A normal person would have fainted from the blood loss by now.

We needed to leave quickly.

“I’m sorry, but… I’m quite thirsty. Could you bring me some water?”

I mimicked the lie Olivia had used to evade Charlotte’s watchful eye. She didn’t seem to notice at all.

“Oh, of course! Just wait a moment. I’ll be right back.”

A thought suddenly occurred to me as she walked briskly away on her bare feet.

“Oh… by the way, My Lady.”

She turned back to look at me with a face that had lost all its previous anxiety. She seemed much more relieved as if she’d finally shed all her burdens. Seeing her like that made me hesitant to say what I was thinking.

After all, this was inside the rift. This was a world created by the power of a spirit. No matter what I did here, it wouldn’t change the history of the real world. There was no way to restore the honor of Countess Winston, who’d met an unjust death due to Ector’s schemes.

“If you need anything else, please feel free to ask.”

Still, if the grudge lingering within <Blue Hope>, if her soul was watching this moment from somewhere, there was something I wanted to say. With Simeon’s help, I walked to the door and spoke in a calm voice.

“Your father-in-law may have accepted a son-in-law out of concern for his daughter, but I think a little differently.”

“What…”

“I think you’re strong enough to protect this family on your own.”

Tears welled up in her eyes once again.

I didn’t mean to make her cry… Now, I wasn’t sure. Anyway, I felt like I could return to reality with a clear conscience now. As I waited for her to leave, something unexpected happened.

“May I… ask your name?”

She asked for my identity. When I hesitated with an awkward expression, Olivia quickly added.

“You saved my life. I’d like to know your name, at least.”

Well, I suppose there’s no harm in telling her my name at the end.

“My name is…”

“No.”

A low voice suddenly cut between us. Simeon pulled me into his arms and closed and locked the door. Olivia was left standing outside, suddenly banished. The situation was so absurd that my head started to spin in confusion.

“What on earth are you…?”

Before I could finish, my vision blurred. This time, I’d really reached my limit. As I slipped into unconsciousness, I couldn’t ask this meticulous man what had driven him to act so impulsively.