WOFSTF 16

Chapter 16

“Huh?”

Docheop… Bloodmere?

What did I just hear?

Docheop.

That name belongs to the scoundrel of the renowned swordsmanship family!

The male lead of this novel and Hallara’s final man!

[What’s with that ridiculous face! You look like you’re about to faint from shock!]

Junel giggled and spun around, clutching her belly.

It wasn’t just about fainting from shock.

It was the moment my peaceful world transformed into a battlefield.

With gradually blurring vision, I stared intently at Docheop. As if light was descending from the moon floating in the darkened sky, a reddish glow swirled around his hair.

Moreover, thanks to Junel’s wing fluttering that blew away his bangs, I saw his hidden eye color for the first time.

Eyes black as an abyss…

Unlike his other brothers, he was born with black eyes, and after awakening to 9-star level, a band-shaped golden radiance appears in his pupils.

‘I should have at least asked his name when I first saw him!’

I was an idiot for meddling in everything except asking his name.

I was an idiot for trying to brush it off when he said he knew me.

“Both of you, come inside.”

Francesca said that and turned around.

Docheop naturally followed behind her.

“I-I should be heading back now.”

I hesitantly stepped backward. Something felt off.

I had this feeling that if I went in now, I’d never be able to escape again.

Then Docheop, who had been walking ahead, looked back at me.

“You said you came to see me. Come in.”

Finally, the mercenary revealed his true identity directly. His dangerously curved eyes stared straight at me.

It was the moment he switched from being the safest person ranked #1 to the most dangerous person ranked #1.

“That was…!”

I wanted to immediately question why he hadn’t said anything, but I had no choice but to shut my mouth under Francesca’s gaze as she looked back.

Even if I ran away from here, I’d probably be caught before getting very far.

Sigh…

“I’m coming, let’s go.”

I had no choice but to accompany him.

My legs felt heavy as if sandbags were hanging from them.

Francesca walked endlessly down the corridor and entered the drawing room located at the very back of the manor. It was the place where I had opened my eyes when I first possessed this body.

‘Why does it have to be here again after going in circles.’

I thought I had deviated from the original story.

‘No. Even if the mercenary is Docheop, nothing will change. We’ve only met face to face a few times. What could there be between us.’

I tried to suppress the anxiety that was rising.

The power of the original story is strong.

There’s no way Docheop would make a choice different from the original.

He would refuse to marry me just like in the original, and I just need to agree with that.

“Sit down.”

I steeled my resolve and sat in the same spot where I had first faced Francesca, sitting across from her. Docheop naturally took the seat next to me.

Francesca’s eyes swept over me and him in turn.

“Coming in together, how unexpected.”

I couldn’t even bring up stories about losing my memory or not knowing he was Docheop.

It was just a few days ago that I made the excuse of admiring your son because he was handsome.

If I said something like ‘I didn’t know this person was that person’ here, all credibility in my words would crumble.

Let’s just cleanly avoid the marriage.

“Right. You said you didn’t want to come live here. Have you changed your mind?”

“No.”

I immediately expressed my opposition to Francesca’s question.

“The reason I came here with the young master is to clarify that not only I, but the young master also has no intention of marriage.”

“I will marry.”

But what the hell is this nonsense!?

[Amazing event! Marriage! What a celebration!]

I quickly covered Junel’s mouth and said to Docheop.

“Excuse me, mercenary. No, young master. What are you saying right now?”

It’s a mistake, right? Right? You misspoke, right?

But without even giving me a glance, he continued speaking.

“I will live with Halara Seheb.”

Docheop, are you crazy?

“Why are you doing this? I think you just said something wrong!”

My voice cracked as I couldn’t hold back and shouted.

Only then did Docheop look at me.

“No. I’m more sane than ever.”

“What? Then you should refuse.”

When I spoke in a small voice while watching Francesca’s expression, Docheop’s head tilted slightly.

“Why do you assert that I would refuse?”

“That’s because…!”

Because that’s what happened in the original!

Even while getting beaten to a pulp by the duke, you absolutely screamed no.

You said you only spent one night with that woman! That the child wasn’t yours either! That it was even questionable whether she was really pregnant! You said all that!

“We’re nothing to each other!”

“Nothing to each other? We’re two people who shared a deep and intimate night together.”

Good heavens.

For Docheop to say such shameless words.

I was so shocked my mouth wouldn’t close.

“Docheop, maintain your dignity.”

I wasn’t the only one surprised by his statement.

Francesca, sitting across from us, also lost her poker face.

“I will live with Hallara, here.”

“…You’ve thought well. Since you’ve come this far, stay here starting today. The preparations are mostly finished anyway.”

Her gaze turned toward me.

This was absolutely maddening.

“No. This doesn’t make sense. Duchess, how can a commoner like me marry the young master? It would tarnish the reputation of a prestigious family like Bloodmere!”

“At least you know your place. I too agonized countless times before accepting you. But now that I’ve decided to accept it, I’ve resolved not to think about it anymore.”

Francesca seemed resigned.

‘Please don’t be resigned! Do you really think no one else would love your son because he’s a scoundrel!’

I couldn’t say this in front of Docheop either. I felt like I was going to die from frustration.

“I’m a commoner who doesn’t know how to do anything! I don’t know etiquette or noble culture.”

I used all my strength to appeal how useless I was to this family.

“You cook well.”

Docheop unnecessarily added from beside me.

“So you were planning to settle down in that house if I hadn’t called you to the castle.”

Tsk, Francesca glanced at me with cunning eyes.

Calling it settling down just because I made some potato pancakes.

Docheop didn’t argue back and kept his mouth shut.

Well, it was understandable that Francesca would misunderstand. If she saw him coming and going from my house dressed like a mercenary.

‘…I was the only one who didn’t know that.’

I felt all my strength drain away.

After telling her I liked her son and would cheer him on from afar to get out of this, how scheming must I have looked when she found out I was secretly meeting him at home?

She must have thought I was a seductress, just like the rumors said.

A seductress who had even bewitched her son.

“Could you please reconsider one last time?”

That was the last thing I could say.

It would be good for you not to take a seductress as your daughter-in-law, and good for me not to join a family that will soon be ruined.

But Francesca’s hardened expression didn’t look like it would give me the answer I wanted.

Sure enough.

“That’s out of the question.”

She spoke in a firm tone and glanced around once. Then she said in a small voice.

“You will be my son’s, the future eldest grandson of Bloodmere…”

It seemed like the moment she was about to say something that would be the core of this marriage.

“A commoner woman entering our family?”

The door opened and a man with long hair tied back strode in boldly. He looked exactly like Docheop, yet somehow had a cold and calculating impression.

Huh? Could that be?

“Nikolai!”

That’s right.

Docheop’s older brother and Bloodmere’s eldest son, Nikolai.

He had come.

Seeing him approach with long strides, Francesca shot up from her seat.

“I heard from Helbeorn. What on earth is this about? A marriage without even consulting me when Father isn’t even here?”

“…Circumstances arose.”

“What circumstances? What circumstances could possibly justify bringing a commoner woman into the family? Do we have to suffer more damage because of this wretch?”

Francesca let out a deep sigh at his harsh words.

‘Nikolai, well done!’

I cheered for him inwardly. He was as obnoxious as in the novel, but right now he seemed to share my thoughts.

After all, someone so obnoxious and unreasonable is exactly the kind of person who’s reliable when they’re on your side.

“Please explain yourself. These circumstances need to be convincing.”

They won’t be convincing.

I guarantee it.

I was about to watch Nikolai’s victory unfold.

“First, you go outside.”

Francesca issued me an order to leave.

I had been wanting to escape this heavy atmosphere anyway, so I stood up without the slightest hesitation. Then I silently cheered for Nikolai, my only ally.

‘Handsome fellow, please win!’

I’ll never come near this place again!

***

As soon as I went outside and the door closed, I could hear crashing sounds from inside.

“Follow me.”

But having been kicked out, I had to move according to the servant’s guidance.

I walked steadily down the long, wide corridor.

“Who is that? Did they say they were hiring new maids?”

“No. I saw her come in with the second young master earlier. I don’t know who she is, but the lady seemed to know her.”

“The lady did? Her outfit looks even worse than mine. How would she know a commoner?”

The glances stealing looks at me were quite piercing.

My situation, which I didn’t want to acknowledge, hit me anew.

‘I just want to live quietly doing small business in the village, within my means.’

Why on earth does Docheop want to live with me!

If only he had completely denied it like in the original story, things wouldn’t have gotten this tangled.

And what Francesca was about to say at the end.

What was it…

I was rummaging through my confused thoughts again when.

“Wait here for now. Know that you cannot return home until there are further instructions.”

The servant guided me to a small drawing room and left.

Not being able to go back as I please—isn’t this complete confinement?

Still thinking that escape was my only way out, I sneakily looked out the window. Iron bars that looked like they would cut flesh at the slightest touch stood tall.