The Obsessive Maniac Is Trying To Confine Me - Chapter 55
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Episode 55
I was so shocked I couldn’t say anything.
What are you doing right now? Why aren’t you spitting it out!
I almost shouted at him in surprise.
I took a step back, conscious of Arzen behind me.
Why on earth did you swallow it? I was confused by Rihardt’s incomprehensible action.
Arzen looked at me with curious eyes.
“It’s really true, Roji.”
I knew what he meant without him having to say it.
“…Cough.”
Then Rihardt coughed. His brow furrowed slightly.
“Cough…”
He coughed once more. Blood leaked out with the second cough.
This is driving me crazy, really.
* * *
“Why on earth did you swallow that?”
After Arzen left with the knights, I questioned Rihardt accusingly.
“I told you to spit it out. Couldn’t you understand what I said?”
Instead of answering, Rihardt quietly closed his eyes.
His shirt was completely soaked with sweat. Understandably so.
What Arzen had made Rihardt drink was something that suppressed his power while simultaneously causing him pain.
Really, why did you foolishly swallow it.
He said the pain lessened when I was nearby, but this time seemed to be an exception.
“Next time something like this happens, don’t drink it and spit it out.”
If my memory is correct, that liquid they made him drink today isn’t just a one-time thing.
He’ll have to drink it once a month from now on.
I remember the liquid’s effects only lasted about a month, so they gave it to him at monthly intervals.
I sighed and swept back Rihardt’s disheveled silver hair that was covering his vision, soaked with sweat.
Rihardt’s brow relaxed as if he felt better.
With his bangs that had been covering his forehead falling away, his straight, pretty forehead was revealed and his distinct features were clearly visible.
He usually smiled brightly, but with that smile erased, his face had a decadent quality to it.
Seeing Rihardt suffering made me suddenly irritated.
I wanted to scold him, but on the other hand, I was swept up in subtle feelings. I felt conflicted.
If Rihardt hadn’t swallowed it, I would have been in trouble… but given Rihardt’s personality, there’s no way he would have considered that.
Then why on earth did he do it.
I sighed. First, I need to do something about the person who’s dying.
“Wait just a moment.”
I tried to leave the basement and took my hand away from Rihardt. That’s when it happened.
He, who had been lying limply, firmly grabbed my hand.
Blue eyes filled with heat looked at me.
“…What’s wrong?”
“…Don’t go.”
“I’ll be right back. I’m just going to get a towel. Aren’t you uncomfortable being all sweaty?”
“Are you uncomfortable, miss?”
“…”
I was being considerate thinking he might be uncomfortable, but instead Rihardt was worrying about me.
“I’m not uncomfortable. If you don’t like it, I’ll just stay here.”
“…Please touch me.”
Rihardt guided my hand to his cheek.
I quietly let him do as he pleased.
When was it that he was grinding his teeth while looking at me, and now he’s calmly looking at me and smiling.
I found it impressive how he suppressed his anger and acted to this extent.
Somehow I even felt pity for him.
“…I think I’m starting to understand you a little now, miss.”
I didn’t answer and just listened to what he was saying.
“You’re not kind to patients, miss.”
What is he suddenly talking about? My contemplation didn’t last long.
Those were words I had said to Rihardt.
“You’re just kind to those you feel sorry for.”
“…So you don’t like it?”
“No.”
Rihardt said, leaning his cheek against my hand.
“I actually like it.”
“…”
“Because I think I’ll be able to make good use of that kindness from now on.”
I thought he meant he would use my kindness to escape, but it didn’t seem to be that kind of meaning.
Then what did he mean.
…It doesn’t really matter anyway.
That’s not what’s important now.
I spoke the words I had been hesitating to say.
“Listen.”
Rihardt looked at me.
“I’ll help you escape.”
His blue eyes widened.
Rihardt looked at me as if he couldn’t believe it.
“Miss, I think I’m not feeling well.”
“…Where does it hurt?”
“I’m hearing things.”
“If you think you misheard me saying I’d help you escape, I’ll correct you and say that’s not the case.”
Rihardt, who had been leaning against the wall the whole time, slowly sat up. As his gaze naturally rose higher, I almost stepped back from the intimidating presence.
The chains were pulled taut and made a sharp sound as they hit the floor.
“You’re going to help me, miss?”
“Don’t you want me to?”
“It’s not that, but you’ve always found the idea of me escaping abhorrent.”
Rihardt was surprised but also suspicious of me. Well, this much was expected.
“Why are you suddenly offering to help me.”
“Actually, I’ve been trying to escape from here for a while now.”
This sudden change in attitude would seem fake to him. But this was completely true.
“There’s someone in this manor who poses a threat to me. I’ve been thinking about escaping to avoid that person for some time now.”
“Who is it.”
“You saw him today too.”
Rihardt frowned as if he had an idea.
I was talking about Yurta.
“…I get the gist of it. That guy seemed like a transcendent too, so he’d covet you.”
To think he noticed that Yurta was a transcendent. That was unexpected.
Fortunately, Rihardt seemed convinced. I immediately moved on to the next point.
“There’s that, but actually I’ve had a connection with that person since childhood. I was quite afraid of him.”
It wasn’t something I saw myself, but Rose’s memory that I saw through a dream.
Of course, Rose found Yurta more annoying than frightening.
“That man restrains his behavior when I’m here. He’s being mindful of the Count of This Place. That’s why I’ve stayed here all this time.”
“Then why are you suddenly saying you’ll run away with me?”
“Because This Place is dangerous for me too. You’re trying to escape, and I don’t know what the Count of This Place might do then.”
It was lamentable that no one understood my heart walking on a tightrope all this time.
“To be honest, I’m also tempted by the wealth and glory you promised to give me.”
“So you’re saying you’ll run away with me now?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Rihardt looked at me for a moment.
He had always suggested we run away together, but now that I was pushing forward like this, he seemed suspicious.
“You need my help, don’t you?”
“….”
“Ah, is it because I was the reason your escape failed last time, so you don’t need me anymore?”
Rihardt didn’t answer. And I was certain.
He had shown me favor only when I was useful to him.
Since I now possessed power that could potentially hinder him, I had likely become one of his targets of wariness.
“If you don’t want to, just say so. I won’t force you. What’s the problem?”
“Unrequited love is like that, isn’t it? Since I alone love you, I can’t help but feel anxious.”
“What kind of nonsense are you suddenly…”
I was about to protest asking what nonsense that was, but realized what he meant and closed my mouth.
So right now, he didn’t want to trust unilaterally. Was he telling me to convince him?
“I will definitely be helpful to you.”
“How so?”
I smiled sweetly and lowered my hand.
As I slowly caressed Rihardt’s cheek, his thick eyelashes trembled finely.
Rihardt’s transparent skin was soft. I stroked his snow-white cheek while meeting his eyes.
His languidly relaxed eyes were sensual and decadent.
The face that had worn a mask and fake smile crumbled away.
“…Indeed.”
He began slowly.
“Good.”
Even if he didn’t show it, he was probably suffering quite a bit from what Arzen had fed him.
“Is this enough now?”
The moment I tried to remove my hand from his face, Rihardt grabbed my wrist and pulled it.
When I looked at him in bewilderment, Rihardt smiled shamelessly and rubbed my hand against his face.
He smiled smoothly as if enjoying my shock. I wanted to step back, startled by his seductive momentum, but I forced myself to maintain a stern expression.
“It’s not enough. Touch me more.”
I shook off Rihardt’s hand. Seeing his disappointed expression, I smiled slyly.
“So what’s your answer?”
It might sound conceited, but Rihardt would have no choice but to depend on me for the time being.
‘Then I’ll look for a chance to escape.’
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————