The Obsessive Maniac Is Trying To Confine Me - Chapter 142

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 142

“Rose.”

A gentle voice called out to the girl crouched in the corner.

The girl slowly lifted her head.

Rose was young. However, her face was gloomy, unlike other children her age.

“Why are you feeling down again?”

The woman felt sorry for Rose.

My child who had changed at some point.

The Rose the woman knew was an ordinary child who would throw tantrums, complain, and cry.

“Rose, won’t you answer mommy?”

“Don’t talk to me.”

“…You shouldn’t talk to mommy like that. It hurts mommy’s feelings.”

“…Like I care.”

Rose, crouched pathetically in the corner, turned her head away.

It signaled the end of conversation. The woman’s heart ached at this.

“Why are you sulking again, my daughter? Hmm? Tell me. Be good.”

“…My daughter?”

At that moment, Rose’s lips twisted. It was a clear sneer.

The woman was startled by the expression that didn’t suit the daughter she knew, but soon drew a gentle smile.

Her daughter had started hiding many things at some point. Her child who sometimes seemed like a different person…

Right. Children at this age go through puberty and become rebellious.

So this wasn’t strange.

“Do you hate being mommy’s daughter?”

“…It’s the opposite.”

“The opposite?”

“You would hate it. That I’m your daughter.”

It was something the woman couldn’t understand at all.

Seeing the woman’s puzzled expression, Rose hid her true feelings.

I’m not your real daughter. Rather, the one who should hate this isn’t me, but you.

“That can’t be true. Mommy is truly happy that Rose is my daughter. Oh right, Rose. Should mommy give you a present?”

“…A present?”

The child who would have sparkled with excitement at the mention of a present in the past showed a listless reaction.

The woman hid her sad face and smiled resolutely as she took out something she had prepared for her daughter.

“Ta-da. Isn’t it sparkly?”

The round object with a chain sparkled with ornate decorations.

“…It’s a pendant.”

“Our daughter is so smart. You even know what a pendant is?”

“Do you think I’m stupid?”

“Right. Our daughter is smart.”

Rose received the item she gave her while pretending to be uninterested.

The woman was deeply pleased by this.

“That’s not an ordinary pendant. Mommy cast a spell on it.”

“…A spell?”

“So that Rose’s wishes will come true if you earnestly desire them.”

“…”

Rose was dumbfounded.

Did she think I would believe such words?

‘How old do you think I am.’

Rose clicked her tongue and opened the pendant.

“It’s empty inside.”

“Later, let’s put something Rose wants inside.”

Well. Would I ever have something I want?

Rose thought so, but seeing the woman smiling prettily, she didn’t voice her inner thoughts.

* * *

‘…Another strange dream.’

Waking from sleep, I muttered while clutching my throbbing head.

After meeting the Countess, I had been glimpsing Rose’s memories much more frequently.

‘It seems like the Countess undid the spell that was binding the memories…’

Otherwise, there was no reason for Rose’s memories, which I hadn’t dreamed of for years, to come flooding back.

“Are you awake?”

“…Count Evantes.”

Arzen, who had been nursing me all night at my bedside, touched my forehead with his hand as if worried.

Three days had passed since I returned from meeting Countess Millard.

I had to suffer from high fever and groaning in pain for those three days.

“I’m feeling a bit better now.”

I replied, removing Arzen’s hand from my forehead.

Not long after I returned to the Count’s Manor, Countess Millard was reported missing.

Since I had visited the Count’s Estate on the day she disappeared, suspicious eyes turned toward me.

However, Rihardt soon became the last witness and testified for me, allowing me to barely escape from being under scrutiny.

‘Is this really okay?’

“Your expression doesn’t look good. Did something really happen that day?”

“…Nothing.”

Arzen didn’t seem to readily believe my words.

However, when I showed no intention of opening up, he sighed and declared his surrender.

“While you were ill, Her Imperial Highness returned. I immediately arranged an appointment.”

“Is that so?”

“Today I’m going to bring up meeting the Benefactor.”

“…”

At those words, I barely managed to pull my scattered thoughts together.

I needed to meet the Benefactor to decide which direction to take my next plan.

“I’ll be back, so rest.”

“Have a safe trip.”

After Arzen left the room, I became lost in thought again.

Before I forgot the already hazy dream content, I retraced Rose’s memories.

The pendant Rose had received in the dream.

It definitely had a familiar appearance.

‘It looked like that pendant from before that was said to have the aura of Demon Worshippers…’

The one I threw into the sea while escaping three years ago.

Though I only saw it briefly long ago, for some reason it remained unforgettable as if I’d seen it my whole life.

What could that pendant have to do with the Demon Worshippers’ aura?

Come to think of it, in the dream…

【That’s not an ordinary pendant. Mommy cast a spell on it.】

If that wasn’t just empty words…

Could it be that Rose’s mother was a Demon Worshipper?

‘But she seemed so kind.’

They didn’t seem like an evil group like the demon worshippers.

Of course, you can’t judge people by their appearance alone.

‘There’s still not enough information.’

That’s why I planned to return to Herthas once I met the Benefactor.

It seemed I had no choice but to collect information about Rose directly from there.

If I could unravel all these secrets, I might be able to understand why I had shackles on my ankles in Korea.

I had a strong feeling that I might be able to find a solution.

I was continuing these thoughts when I heard a knock from outside the door.

“Miss, a letter and package have arrived for you. May I deliver them?”

“Come in.”

As soon as I gave permission, the servant immediately entered the room.

The maid handed me two letters.

Was there someone who would send me letters?

I opened the letter with curiosity, and the moment I saw the sender, my expression hardened.

[Hello, Roji.

I heard you were sick.

I’m worried to hear that you’re ill. If it were up to me, I’d want to visit you right away, but I’ll restrain myself since you would dislike it.

Instead, I’m sending flowers and a gift.

I chose them while thinking of you, and they’re quite fragrant.

I hope you recover quickly….]

I crumpled up the letter without reading it to the end.

The maid looked surprised, but I ignored her and spoke.

“Did any gifts arrive by chance?”

“Ah, yes! Gifts arrived as well….”

“Throw them all away. I don’t need them.”

“Pardon?”

“I said throw them away. All of them.”

The maid muttered that it was a waste, but I ignored her words and took out the other letter.

Who was this one from?

Similarly checking the sender, I couldn’t hide my surprise.

‘Michelle?’

With a pleased heart, I hurriedly opened the letter to check its contents.

[To my beloved Rina.

Rina, are you doing well? It’s been a long time since you left for the capital.]

I was reading the letter with a warm heart when I saw the next part and my face hardened.

[I didn’t want to burden you with worries since you might needlessly worry, but you’ll find out eventually, so I’m writing this letter.]

The contents of the letter were truly shocking.

The Seiblinn Trading Company, which had been doing well until just a few months ago, had fallen into debt.

But the reason was strange. One day, suddenly, major clients cut off their dealings.

The reason was unknown. Even when asked to explain why, everyone just kept their mouths tightly shut.

Just as the trading company suffered great losses and was struggling with debt, the House of Ascent appeared….

“They borrowed money from the House of Ascent…?”

The contents of the letter were outrageous.

I knew the House of Ascent well from what I’d heard before.

They mainly engaged in loan sharking and were jointly operated by blonde siblings.

Michelle had written in the letter that she would repay the money right away, but I felt very uneasy about it.

A trading company that had been running smoothly suddenly had its deals cut off, and the House of Ascent appeared just when they were struggling with debt.

It was highly likely that this was their doing.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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