Chapter 133
Chapter 133: It’s Not a Difficult Request (1)
Marquis Branford frowned as he looked around the dark room.
‘It’s a mess.’
The smell of decay mixed with the scent of blood indicated just how serious the situation had become.
Rosalyn, lying on the bed, seemed much thinner and in poor condition compared to two weeks ago.
“Open the window.”
Whoosh!
The knights who had followed the marquis opened the window. They didn’t pull back the curtains, just in case.
As the wind blew in and the curtains fluttered, several servants rushed to block the light from reaching Rosalyn.
Ghislaine stood with his arms crossed in one corner of the room. Even he looked exhausted, dark circles under his eyes showing his fatigue.
“Young Master! Are you okay?”
“Lord!”
Ghislaine’s close associates hurried in to check on him.
“Miss!”
Even the dismissed butler rushed in with a worried expression.
At the sudden commotion, Rosalyn slowly opened her eyes and sat up.
“Ah…”
She let out a breath, a complicated mix of relief that it was over and the aftermath of her pain.
Rosalyn pointed directly at Ghislaine and said, “Immediately… capture that guy…”
Now that it was over, it was okay to imprison him. Her mind was filled with thoughts of repaying all the pain and insult she had endured.
“What are you doing! I said capture him right now!”
At Rosalyn’s shout, the knights looked unsure and turned to the Knight Commander.
Toleo silently gestured for orders. The knights quickly blocked the escape routes and began surrounding the area.
As the atmosphere grew tense, Ghislaine’s close associates displayed managed expressions and stealthily surrounded him, keeping watch.
“Young Master! What are we going to do now!”
Belinda whispered urgently, but Ghislaine maintained a tired expression and said nothing.
Claude clicked his tongue internally, starting to prepare for the worst-case scenario.
‘If things go south, I may need to take one of those two as a hostage.’
However, Toleo was not someone who had earned his position as the Knight Commander without reason.
The knights were already prepared to leap to the aid of Rosalyn and Marquis Branford the moment they noticed any suspicious movements from Ghislaine’s group.
As the tension mounted between the two sides, Marquis Branford spoke casually, “Remove your mask.”
Rosalyn scoffed and nodded.
“Right, even with this ridiculous treatment, we should at least see the results to justify the ordeal. The outcome is predictable, though.”
She roughly tore off her mask and tossed it aside.
Even with the window open, she didn’t feel the need to hide her face anymore.
After everything she had gone through, a little sunlight wouldn’t matter.
“Is that enough! Did everyone see? Now capture him! Hurry!”
Rosalyn glared and shouted, but no one moved.
“Oh…”
They only made strange sounds that seemed confused or awed.
Rosalyn shouted in a fit of rage, “What is everyone doing! Are you saying you won’t move unless it’s an order from Father?”
“A-aha, Miss… Miss! Miss!”
The butler grabbed Rosalyn’s hand with tears flowing down his cheeks.
As if it were a signal, the servants and knights in the room all gasped in unison.
Caught off guard by their unexpected reaction, she found herself speechless.
“Why, why is this happening? Why…”
Rosalyn swallowed hard. Suddenly, one realization flashed through her mind. Her heartbeat quickened.
She glanced around at the servants blocking the window and gestured to them.
The servants hesitated for a moment but cautiously moved aside.
Sunlight spilled in through the cracks in the curtains and illuminated Rosalyn’s face.
She flinched at the warm sensation but realized she felt no pain and touched her cheek.
“C-can it be…”
Suppression of both anxiety and hope, she struggled to speak through a choked voice.
“Mirror…”
As if waiting for that request, the servants hurriedly brought a mirror.
They held it up so she could see her face clearly.
“Ah…”
It had been a long time since she had seen her reflection. The image staring back felt strange to her.
With her disheveled hair and bloodied clothes, she looked less like a noble lady and more like a woman from the poor district.
But such details hardly registered.
Rosalyn touched her cheek with trembling hands.
Her distinct features and clearer skin stood out.
While there were still a few faint red spots remaining, they were not significant enough to be a concern.
“My, my face…”
Even in the sunlight, there was nothing amiss. She stared at the mirror in disbelief over the incredible outcome.
The butler wiped away his tears and said in a trembling voice, “Miss, it’s all over. You’re fully healed now. The treatment truly worked.”
He composed himself and continued in a tone more like his usual self, “Bring clothes for her to change into right away.”
As the butler gestured, a few servants swiftly left the room.
“Ahh…”
Rosalyn could hardly believe it.
To think that torturous treatment actually had results.
“Is this a dream…? Is everyone playing a prank on me right now…?”
Having never expected any of this, she was left in shock by the results.
If this were a dream, it would be the most brutal nightmare she could imagine.
Rosalyn stammered as she glanced at Ghislaine. “Is it… a lie? This… some kind of drug-induced hallucination…?”
“It’s not like that.”
Ghislaine stepped forward with a playful smile.
“The treatment is finished. It must have been hard, but you really endured well. You’ve done great.”
With that one comment, Rosalyn ultimately lowered her head.
A single tear slipped from her eyes.
“Ah…”
She clutched her chest. The pain she had suppressed so long exploded from within her.
Finally, she was free from that devilish illness.
Finally, she could emerge from the darkness and see the light.
Despite her efforts not to cry, all the sorrow she had held in came rushing forth, and before she knew it, tears began to fall.
“Ugh…”
“Miss…”
The butler watched as Rosalyn fought to hold back her sobs, his own tears flowing freely.
Even the cold-hearted Marquis Branford had no words to say at that moment.
“Um, it might be better if we give the Miss some time to collect her emotions. She can’t even cry freely because of us, right?”
Belinda started off, clicking her tongue. The butler nodded vigorously in agreement.
“Y-yes, let’s step outside for a moment. Quickly, quickly.”
Everyone glanced at Marquis Branford before slowly backing away.
Marquis Branford silently gazed at Rosalyn before turning to leave the room without saying a word.
“Y-yes. Let’s hurry out.”
Pushed by the butler, the people rushed out of the room.
As the door closed behind them, Rosalyn’s cries became louder.
“See? It’s like no one has any sense or empathy…”
Belinda muttered, clicking her tongue, but promptly shut her mouth as she caught the marquis’s gaze.
He smirked and looked at Ghislaine.
“Indeed, you succeeded in the treatment. I acknowledge the remarkable skill.”
While it turned out he lost the bet, it didn’t feel as unpleasant as expected.
Having his daughter treated after such long suffering was bound to be a relief.
Ghislaine simply shrugged his shoulders in silence.
The butler was the first to approach Ghislaine and bowed deeply.
“Thank you! Truly thank you! Baron’s medical skills are truly unmatched in the kingdom! Please forgive my earlier rudeness!”
‘No, that’s not how it is.’
If this goes poorly, rumors will spread that he’s a miraculous doctor. What will he do if nobles come flocking to him?
‘Nah, surely not.’
While Ghislaine felt inwardly flustered, he maintained a confident demeanor.
Ghislaine’s close associates finally showed relief on their faces.
Belinda glanced at the marquis’s face, stifling a grin.
‘Look at that grumpy expression. If he has any complaints, he’s welcome to say them.’
In this atmosphere, even the terrifying marquis wouldn’t dare to act against them.
Claude clicked his tongue internally. While he was glad they overcame the crisis, he still didn’t understand what had even happened. It felt like a paralysis of common sense.
‘Wow, every time I see it, I’m amazed. Is this really successful?’
He squinted at Ghislaine, taking in his appearance from head to toe.
‘It seriously seems like a half-baked intellect.’
Ghislaine’s antics felt like pulling answers from somewhere with no real understanding.
Despite having experienced it firsthand several times, he still couldn’t comprehend how such things were possible.
Glancing at the chatter among Ghislaine’s group, Marquis Branford furrowed his brow.
“Have Rosalyn come find me later. For now, gather the retainers. We will conclude our transaction with Baron Penris.”
“Oh!”
At the marquis’s words, those nearby murmured with excitement.
The statement about concluding a deal meant recognizing Baron Penris’s contributions and granting their wishes.
Everyone was curious about what Ghislaine would request, watching him with eager eyes.
*
A while later, the main retainers of the marquis’s house gathered in the great hall.
The butler respectfully guided Ghislaine and his associates into the room.
Marquis Branford sat at the head of the table, propping his chin in his hand as he looked down at them.
“It was quite an astonishing outcome. I thought it was just bluffing; you’re not just an empty-headed kid.”
The retainers, hearing this, looked surprised and raised their heads. It was unusually generous praise from Marquis Branford.
“Although the method was odd, a promise is a promise. Now, speak what you wish.”
Everyone looked at Ghislaine with curious faces.
It wouldn’t be a small thing that someone of such authority would desire.
What on earth could he be aiming to gain, to act so boldly?
The tension and curiosity filled the great hall.
Ghislaine took a quiet deep breath and raised his head.
“I don’t wish for anything too grand.”
Marquis Branford nodded indifferently.
“Right, don’t hold back. Whatever you desire is mostly possible.”
Ghislaine smiled slightly, relieved. “Please become my guardian.”
“… What?”
Marquis Branford asked, flabbergasted.
Not just him, even those around him stared wide-eyed in shock.
The marquis asked again for confirmation, “Did you just say guardian?”
“Yes.”
“You’re not asking for sponsorship or something?”
“No, I’m not.”
“Ha…”
The ever-expressionless Marquis Branford’s face was painted with disbelief.
Even those nearby looked at Ghislaine with expressions akin to their lord’s.
Only Belinda cast a proud glance his way.
‘Wow, truly our young master!’
When Ghislaine was young, he had been taught that if you’re given one, you must take two in return.
However, to think he would boldly declare that he would suck the life out of someone for life never crossed their minds.
Especially someone as terrifying as the marquis.
‘I wonder who taught him such things.’
Seeing Ghislaine standing confidently, asking something that would shock anyone, Marquis Branford let out a low groan.
“Hmmm…”
Simply providing support and claiming the role of a guardian were entirely different things.
If he were to take on the role of a guardian, Marquis Branford would be responsible for managing any incidents Ghislaine might cause in the future.
He was claiming he wanted nothing grand, yet his words implied he intended to continually suck the life out of him whenever needed.
This fellow was truly not just brazen; he was downright audacious.
