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“That’s a strange question. I have eyes too, young lady.”
“…Then how did Your Grace know that thorn was ‘dangerous’?“
How could an Anomalous being sense danger? Was it even possible for such a creature to exist within this urban legend, this eerie story?
How was she supposed to perceive this man?
The Duke, meeting Serenity’s clear gaze, tilted his head lazily. His expression was strange, as though her words were stranger still.
“Young lady, what kind of question is that?”
“Even in the garden, you knew that the gardener is a threat.”
“Am I perhaps in the position of having saved you twice, only to be interrogated for it?”
“…No, I’m sorry if it came across that way.“
Silence fell. In the parlor, only the faint sound of Serenity tapping her nails against the armrest echoed as she sat, her expression slightly troubled.
‘So it’s impossible to get a sensible answer on this subject, is it?’
As she suspected, the Duke seemed unaware of the implications of his own actions.
‘An Anomalous being, but unlike the others… and he doesn’t even realize it himself.’
That made things simpler.
This man could be useful.
Whether he was a quirk in the story, a gap in the rules, or an outright error, it didn’t matter. What was certain was that he would be of help to her.
Serenity straightened her back. Across from her, the Duke’s eyes followed the motion, his lips curling faintly into a smile.
“Come to think of it, I don’t believe I gave you a proper answer last time.”
“About what?”
“About the engagement.”
That day, the Duke had left without hearing her response. The conversation had felt more like a notification than a proposal, so perhaps he hadn’t expected one.
“I want to be engaged to Your Grace.”
“‘You want to,’“ he echoed.
“Yes. Not out of reluctant acceptance, but sincerely, from me.”
“I’m pleased, of course. But I wonder… *why the sudden change of heart? Do I look different now that you feel you owe me twice over?”*
“That’s not entirely wrong.”
She still didn’t know what kind of death flag an engagement to this Anomalous being might trigger, but there was no doubt she could learn more of the mansion’s ‘rules’ before her time ran out.
Until now, Serenity had run from death because she couldn’t be sure that every danger she faced would connect to a new ‘rule.’ She had no wish to die painfully, again and again, for nothing.
But if completing the mansion’s rules truly held the key to escaping this nightmare, then…
‘I can do it.’
It was the first glimmer of hope she had felt since being trapped in this tale.
“Actually, after our last conversation, I told my father. That I would be engaged to Your Grace.”
“And he didn’t give you an answer?”
“He said he needed time to think.”
Serenity delivered the words smoothly.
“So was his conclusion positive?”
“As you can see.”
“May I ask why?”
The Duke’s voice carried genuine curiosity.
Serenity considered carefully before replying.
“…Because Your Grace seemed very interested in me.“
This silence was different.
Blake, staring at her across the room, broke into laughter a moment later. Not mocking or doubtful, but genuinely amused.
“And why did you think that?”
“In the capital, there are plenty of families who could strengthen your business without involving Primdellrose. There was no need to single out someone like me, someone who hasn’t even debuted in society.”
“So you’re saying I approached you under the pretense of business, but with personal motives?”
“No, I can’t say that for certain, but…”
She let her words trail deliberately before finishing.
“I felt that you didn’t see me merely as a convenient marriage partner.”
Even Serenity was surprised at the softness in her own voice. For a moment, she almost sounded like a shy, ordinary young lady.
“You knew it was an offer I couldn’t refuse, and yet you kindly gave me the option to leave this manor. If you only meant to use me, there would have been no need for such consideration.”
“I see.”
“I thought someone like that would be… all right.”
When she finished, she studied his face, waiting for his response.
She knew very well: his interest lay in her, not in Primdellrose. But it wasn’t affection. It was because she was the protagonist of this story, drawn in blindly, without reason.
So what she’d said wasn’t the entire truth, but it wasn’t a lie either.
The Duke, meanwhile, looked thoughtful. He rested his chin on one hand and scrutinized her with a peculiar gaze. The way his eyes moved, slow and deliberate, made Serenity swallow hard without realizing it.
After a beat, he twitched his nose and smiled.
“I can’t deny it. I’m very interested in you.”
“I thought you might say that.”
“You won’t ask why? Why I’d be so interested in a young lady who hasn’t even stepped into society?”
“My understanding isn’t what matters here.”
She repeated his own words back to him.
After all, he was Anomalous.
Horror Stories*, haunted mansions, they didn’t bend to ordinary logic. What she needed was clarity of aim. And for now, this man was her clearest path forward.*
At her firm response, the Duke’s expression twisted into something subtle, then shifted into a sly grin.
“So the young lady has a weakness for appearances, hm?”
“…Yes?“
“I’ve wondered for some time if I might be your type.”
The remark was so unexpected that Serenity froze.
“Me?”
“You were speechless when you saw me in the garden. Surprised.”
Serenity clamped her mouth shut.
‘He noticed that?’
Heat crept up her face, as if he had peered straight into her thoughts.
Of course, she had been startled. Startled that he had the face of an ordinary human rather than the grotesque visage of an Anomalous being. From his perspective, her reaction wasn’t unreasonable.
‘And… objectively, he has a handsome face.’
If he were a normal man, people would find it difficult to look away, regardless of preference.
“It pleases me, so there’s no need for that expression. I told you… *I’m very interested in you. So choose me.”*
Serenity met his gaze steadily.
“I want to leave the manor. As Your Grace said, I’ve been trapped under my father’s protection for twenty years. If you promise me freedom, I’ll choose you again and again.”
“Yes, didn’t I say I’d help?”
“…You’re certain?“
“Yes. More certain than you imagine.”
It was an odd answer, yet it reassured her. His words felt like a guarantee.
Whatever the reason, Serenity owed him her life twice already. And in this maddening, twisted legend, having even one person she could speak to as though he were sane felt like salvation.
Even if he was an Anomalous being.
“Then I have something to ask. What did you mean earlier, about the stages?”
He had said she must follow the stages, step by step, if she wished to leave the manor. She couldn’t quite understand what he meant. At her question, the Duke only gave a quiet snort and leaned back against the sofa.
“How much do you know about your father?”
Serenity faltered. She had uncovered nearly all the mansion’s rules tied to the Count, but could she truly say she knew him?
Reading her silence, the Duke shrugged.
“The Count said you unsettle him. Having kept you wrapped up your entire life, he fears you’ll shatter if you take even one step outside. He still thinks of you as a fragile child.”
She almost laughed bitterly. That same man would rip her apart if given the chance. But she held her tongue.
“So time is needed.”
Time?
“Time for him to trust me. And time for him to trust you.”
The Duke smiled smoothly.
“If I’m to take away his only precious daughter, shouldn’t I prove myself enough for him to entrust you to me?”
He added with playful disdain:
“I also dislike having cumbersome knights dogging my steps.”
That, at least, made sense.
“You have work to do as well. You must show that you no longer need your father’s protection. Earn the servants’ trust, or accomplish something worthy of the Count’s notice. Then he’ll have less reason to keep people clinging to your side like desperate dogs.”
Gain the Count’s trust, in this manor? Serenity found his words difficult to grasp.
The Duke, still resting his chin on his hand, studied her.
“By the way, did your talk with the head cook go well?”
Ah.
Serenity’s eyes widened. In those words lay a hint.
Her trip to the graveyard last night had earned the head cook’s favor. Did that count as building trust?
‘If I check the mansion’s rules again, there might be a new entry about the head cook… one I couldn’t see before.’
She stared at Blake, then slipped back into thought.
To escape the Count’s clutches and step beyond these walls, she had to uncover more of this manor’s secrets. That meant filling in more rules.
‘So what can I do from here?’
Her gaze drifted to the window.
Suddenly…
“Kyaaa!”
A piercing scream tore through the air from somewhere nearby.
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