Misfortune 84

Chapter 84

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Delnia stared blankly at the blanket that had been covering her body until just a moment ago.

In her dazed state, the warm sensation of a damp cloth being wiped over her body no longer felt particularly unusual. After all, there had been countless times when the man would get turned on again and climb back up her body.

But yesterday was different.

When the hand, now devoid of passion, pulled the blanket up to her chin. And then carefully tucked the edge of the blanket to prevent the cold air from seeping in.

Then, when the quiet footsteps, trying not to make a sound, finally faded away.

Her eyelids trembled unusually, and she had to press her already closed eyes even tighter.

Thinking about it, it was nothing. What was the big deal about just covering her with a blanket?

Yet, her body, snugly wrapped in the blanket, suddenly tingling unbearably. Like how, after shivering in the bitter cold, entering a warm space makes your thawed hands and feet tingle intensely.

Of course, she didn't think there was any other meaning to it. She knew better than anyone that it wasn't love, or even anything close to it.

What pained her was that he could be kind to someone he hated, and she felt disgusted with herself for being swayed by such trivial warmth.

‘In the end, I'm no different from a dog being pampered by its owner.’

The unhesitating self-deprecation left a raw wound somewhere in her heart. Her chest ached sharply.

Yet, there was also a sense of relief in the bitterness. Resignation and surrender always guaranteed a certain degree of peace.

Anyway, no matter how he acted, nothing would change. Delnia's only mission was to endure.

"You will pay for your sins for the rest of your life."

Recalling the cold contempt that dispelled any illusions, her muddled mind cleared slightly.

She lightly slapped both cheeks, completely shedding unnecessary sentimentality, and focused on what she had to do immediately.

‘First, let's pack our bags.’

She had to depart for the Beauvais Convent without delay, before Roan might change his mind.

Though he wasn't the type to go back on his word, she couldn't afford to be complacent. When it came to matters involving her, he was unusually unpredictable.

That’s why she had asked Margaret again to keep Marcel’s visit a secret.

There was no time to linger.

She got out of bed and, like a newborn deer, moved her trembling legs toward the dressing room. She took out her bag and began packing her belongings in earnest.

She didn’t yet know how long she would stay at the Beauvais Convent, but it seemed best to pack as thoroughly as possible in case of emergencies.

“Delnia. Are you awake?”

While she was busy packing, she heard a knock on the door and Leticia’s voice.

“Yes, come in.”

Without hesitation, she replied, and Leticia opened the door and entered. Margaret, who was following closely behind her, came in as well.

Upon seeing the state of the room, both of their eyes widened in shock. The bedroom, which was always neatly organized, was in disarray as if it had been ransacked by thieves.

"Where are you going?"

“Yes. I got permission to visit my mother.”

“Oh, that’s great!”

Leticia, who was well aware of her situation, clapped her hands and sincerely congratulated her. Delnia also  showed a rare bright smile.

“It’s thanks to Leticia’s consideration.”

“Oh, I didn’t do much. But is this all your luggage? Do you need anything else?”

Leticia had already crouched down next to Delnia to help pack her belongings. Delnia didn’t object to her meddling.

“What about Margaret?”

Suddenly noticing the empty space, Delnia looked around and asked.

Leticia also noticed Margaret’s absence and looked around the room. Then she muttered casually.

“Well, maybe she went to the bathroom?”

Delnia nodded, recalling Margaret, who had been right next to Leticia just moments ago. Then she returned to packing her belongings.

***

Margaret was pacing anxiously at the back gate of the mansion. She was so distraught that she couldn't stand still.

The cause was clear. It was because of Delnia.

More precisely, it was because of the suspicious man who had come to see her a few days ago.

In fact, Margaret had pretended to return to the mansion but had secretly hidden herself to eavesdrop on their conversation. Her purpose was to monitor them in case the man might harm Delnia.

But then she overheard something.

The man telling Delnia to run away!

"Come with me."

"Are you serious... are you really asking me to run away?"

When Margaret heard that far, she was so startled that she stumbled backward. In doing so, she happened to step on a branch lying at her feet.

Fortunately, the cat that Delnia often brought food appeared just then, otherwise she would have been completely exposed.

In a hurry to leave before being discovered, she didn't know what else was said between the two afterward.

Fortunately, Delnia didn’t follow the man and returned to the mansion.

Margaret sighed in relief. The fact that Delnia was still here meant that the proposal had been withdrawn.

“Margaret. Could you keep what happened yesterday a secret?”

When Delnia made the same request again, Margaret felt a little uneasy, but she nodded easily.

There was no need to stir up trouble, and she assumed Delnia felt the same way.

She thought it would remain a secret between the two of them.

"……is Delnia leaving the mansion?"

"Yes. Her mother is apparently very ill. Of course she'd want to go see her."

Margaret was overcome by a foreboding sense that the events of that day might not be completely over yet, as Leticia had hinted.

She tried to convince herself that it couldn't be true, that it was just a coincidence of timing, but when she saw Delnia packing her bags and smiling brightly—something she rarely did—anxiety crept back in.

‘What if Delnia doesn't come back?’

Just the thought of it made her heart race uncontrollably.

But it was only natural for Margaret's thoughts to drift in a negative direction.

Unlike herself, who was thoroughly satisfied with life here, Delnia didn’t seem particularly happy.

Even though she was leading a comfortable and stable daily life compared to when she was at the Barthez mansion in the capital.

Especially lately, she had hardly ever seen her smile properly. She would occasionally flash a smile during conversations, but it seemed more forced than genuine.

When even that was absent, she would devote herself solely to knitting.

Her obsession with something, like someone cornered, was far removed from happiness or satisfaction.

‘Besides, Delnia was originally a noble, wasn't she?’

Even if life here wasn’t bad, being a slave couldn’t possibly be satisfying.

In the midst of all this, a man appeared who suggested they escape together—would she really let that opportunity slip away?

‘Then what should I do?’

Should she pretend not to notice if Delnia really intends to escape?

If she only considered her happiness, maybe she should.

But no matter how close she had become to Delnia, Margaret’s employer was still Roan Barthez.

She was in a position where she couldn't do anything against his will.

‘If Delnia disappears, I might lose my job too.’

Margaret was well aware of the Colonel's intentions for bringing her to Blois.

Moreover, she had already grown deeply attached to Blois. And she had even developed feelings for a man she liked.

All she wanted was to continue living peaceful and happy days with Leticia and Delnia as she was now.

Even if it was a selfish thought, she couldn't help it. If you think about it that way, Delnia is just as selfish, isn't she?

Leticia and I both care so much about her.

The thought of Delnia disappearing forever without even a word to them made Margaret feel a bit resentful.

‘There's no guarantee that running away will definitely make you happy.’

She didn’t know for sure, but she knew there was no way Delnia could return to her noble status. Running away might just lead to more suffering.

Now Margaret’s thoughts had completely shifted toward the idea that she should tell Roan for Delnia’s sake.

‘At least the Colonel can personally verify whether Delnia's mother is truly ill.’

Just as she made up her mind, Roan, who had finished his workout, entered through the back gate.

“Excuse me, Colonel Barthez.”

Margaret called out to him in a cautious yet determined voice and ran toward him.

Startled by the unexpected sound, Roan stopped in his tracks and looked down at her.

***