The Obsessive Maniac Is Trying To Confine Me - Chapter 98

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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 98

When the Count showed interest, Gilbert smiled wickedly.

“A banquet will be held soon.”

“Right. A banquet to welcome the distinguished guests.”

A banquet was planned to welcome Count Seiblain’s visit, inviting the northern nobility.

As it was a banquet to entertain distinguished guests, it was being prepared grandly and magnificently.

“When bringing someone down, the most splendid moment is best.”

“…Right. Just tell me what you’re thinking already.”

“Look forward to the day of the banquet, Count.”

“…”

Gilbert wouldn’t say anything more. He kept his mouth firmly shut, leaving only one remark.

“Count, you just need to do as I instruct.”

Arrogant and insolent bastard.

The Count watched Gilbert turn away with cold, hardened eyes.

* * *

“How did it go?”

Hearing my question, the Count made a troubled expression.

“He wouldn’t say the details. Just told me to look forward to the banquet day… Shabrina Aide, it would be best to be careful that day.”

“…Mm.”

Actually, there was something I had a hunch about.

【Shabrina.】

【Is that really your name?】

It was definitely a question meant to test me.

He must have found out about my identity.

‘I didn’t expect to be caught this quickly…’

I had suspected that staying by Michelle’s side would eventually expose me.

Actually, I hadn’t planned to maintain this identity for long.

I ended up using it for quite a while because I stayed due to Michelle, but I was thinking I’d need to launder it once more after leaving the North.

With Rihardt hovering around in front of me, my resolve became more certain.

‘That damn pink hair.’

This time I was planning to even dye it. With magic, thoroughly.

Back then I couldn’t afford it…

“I think I roughly know what Gilbert is planning to do.”

“You think you know?”

“I can’t be certain though.”

The Count’s eyes said he wanted me to tell him quickly.

“Since we’re already working together, I’ll confess something… I’m not Shabrina.”

“…What do you mean?”

“I had circumstances that required some identity laundering.”

“…”

The Count looked at me with a surprised face.

“…Why are you telling me this? It would be better to hide such a fact regardless of our contract.”

“Well, because from now on you’ll need to help me, Count.”

The Count’s expression became quite serious.

“What do I need to do?”

I smiled slightly.

“You need to kill me.”

* * *

The banquet was not far away.

“Rina, I think this would suit you well too.”

Michelle, who had ordered many fashionable northern outfits, spread various dresses in front of me.

I smiled watching Michelle like that.

“…Do you have something to say to me?”

Finding it strange that I was just quietly smiling, Michelle asked with a puzzled look.

“Miss, I have something to confess.”

“…Confess?”

“Actually, I’ve been deceiving you.”

At those words, Michelle’s eyes turned fierce.

Her eyes asked how dare there be deception between us.

“What have you been deceiving me about? Will you tell me?”

“If I wasn’t going to tell you, why would I bring this up?”

“…Stop beating around the bush!”

Michelle urged me to speak quickly.

Really, so impatient.

“Before I tell you, I think we’ll need to part ways for a while.”

“What?”

Michelle’s eyes glinted much more sharply, incomparably more than her fierce look just moments ago.

Her eyes said she absolutely couldn’t tolerate separation.

Michelle had a strong attachment to me.

That made sense since after losing her parents, I was the only person she could rely on, and it’s still the same now.

Actually, I wasn’t any different.

For three years, I only had Michelle.

People need someone to share their hearts with and depend on. I was like that.

During all that time, that person was Michelle for me.

“It’s only a very brief separation.”

“…Why do we have to part?”

Michelle likes me. I like Michelle too.

That’s why I stayed by her side for such a long time, even while taking risks.

“I told you earlier, right? That I’ve been deceiving you. Actually, I’m not Shabrina.”

“What?”

“I did some identity laundering.”

Michelle’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Then what’s your real name?”

“…In this situation, that’s what you’re curious about?”

Michelle shamelessly nodded as if my identity not being Shabrina didn’t matter at all.

I pondered for a moment.

What name should I tell her?

Roji? Or Rose?

Neither was my real name. My actual name is…

“I’ll tell you when we meet again.”

“…You will come back, right?”

“You know I don’t lie to you, Miss.”

Michelle still looked at me with sullen eyes. I smiled and extended my pinky finger to her.

“Promise.”

“…Promise.”

Michelle reluctantly hooked her finger around my pinky.

This was a method I had taught Michelle.

“If you don’t come back, you should be prepared to have this finger cut off.”

“I know you won’t cut it.”

“…Hmph.”

And so the day of the banquet approached.

* * *

When the banquet began, many nobles from the North participated.

Since it was said to be a banquet held for Seiblinn, quite a lot of nobles flocked to it.

“That person is Count Seiblain….”

“Who is that brown-haired woman wearing a mask next to him?”

“That mask is exactly that… Count Seiblain’s aide….”

The northern nobles were very curious about Michelle.

Seiblinn was originally an influential trading company, but it wasn’t to this extent until three years ago.

Its status grew when the war broke out.

“Count Seiblain, I am from the northern House of Ascent….”

“Our family specializes in martial arts….”

“I am the next heir to a trading company and would like to work with Count Seiblain….”

The nobles flocked to Michelle and me.

They were desperate to make a good impression on Michelle and tried hard to exchange even one more word.

Michelle herself seemed to find them bothersome.

‘Miss, reputation. Connections.’

When I mouthed the words, Michelle nodded in understanding and forced a warm smile.

“Miss Shabrina, you look very beautiful today.”

As I moved through the banquet hall, Rihardt approached me.

I lifted my half-mask and smiled brightly while looking at Rihardt.

“Grand Master, you look very pretty too.”

At those words, Rihardt looked at me as if momentarily at a loss for words.

Since today is the last time I’ll see you, what can’t I say?

“I’m glad I look pretty.”

Soon Rihardt, having regained his composure, replied smoothly.

“May I kiss your hand?”

“Of course.”

When I offered my hand, Rihardt carefully took hold of it.

After gazing into my eyes for a while, he soon lowered his head and kissed the back of my hand.

The sensation of his warm lips was somehow ticklish.

“Everyone has gathered.”

At that moment, the Count who hosted the banquet stepped into the center of the banquet hall.

The surroundings became quiet and everyone focused their attention on him.

I subtly pulled my hand free from Rihardt’s grasp and created some distance.

Now it was time for the plan to be executed.

“Thank you all for coming. The reason I asked you all to gather like this is….”

The Count looked at Michelle and me.

“Because there’s someone I want to introduce to you all.”

Even without the Count saying it, everyone knew who it was.

This visit to the North.

“Count Seiblain.”

When the Count called Michelle, she smiled and approached with graceful, light steps.

I watched Michelle standing in the center of the stage.

You look beautiful, Michelle.

“You all know that Count Seiblain has agreed to supply food for this war.”

The Count and Michelle looked at each other.

“We want not only that, but to continue working together in the future. The union between the North and Seiblinn will continue….”

“I’m late, Count!”

While the Count’s speech was in progress, Gilbert suddenly burst into the banquet hall.

“My goodness, isn’t that person exactly that person?”

“The former representative of Count Seiblain who was driven out for abuse….”

The nobles in the banquet hall frowned and looked back at Gilbert.

How dare he come here of all places….

However, Gilbert brazenly lifted his chin.

“Gilbert! Where do you think this is to come barging in like this?”

The Count scolded his rudeness, but Gilbert didn’t back down and resolutely approached the middle of the banquet hall.

And then.

“I felt I had to tell everyone here an important fact, so I came rushing here like this.”

Everyone murmured.

Gilbert rather seemed to enjoy that reaction as he boldly opened his mouth.

“The fact that we need to reconsider whether we can truly trust an alliance with Seiblinn!”

The hall instantly froze.

“Gilbert, do you know what you’re saying here right now?”

“Why wouldn’t I know! I came here to help you, Count!”

“What do you mean…!”

“Listen. That woman who acts as Count Seiblain’s representative, now called an aide, is a criminal!”

As Gilbert’s words echoed, the noisy banquet hall instantly became quiet.

“Gilbert, what kind of slip of the tongue are you making now….”

“It’s not a slip of the tongue! If that woman is a criminal, then we can’t trust the alliance with Seiblinn that she’s attached to, can we? I stand here to prove that she is a criminal who caused problems at Count Evantes’ Mansion three years ago and fled, having laundered her identity!”

What on earth is this about?

The nobles who had been looking at Gilbert turned their gaze to me with such expressions.

I didn’t avoid those sharp gazes and met them directly.

“Count Evantes’ Mansion, you say….”

There was no one here who didn’t know the Marquis House that wielded great fame and power in this place.

“What is he talking about now? Isn’t it a lie?”

“If he’s saying that much, could it really be a lie?”

“If it’s really true….”

At that moment, I felt a gaze incomparably sharper than any other and turned my head.

Rihardt was there. I didn’t give any response and turned my head back.

“To verify the facts, I sent a letter to Count Evantes’ Mansion. Someone from Evantes will arrive shortly.”

He even sent a letter to Evantes. He was more thorough than I thought.

When planning everything, I had to consider the worst-case scenarios.

Gilbert sending a letter to Evantes was included in one of the worst assumptions.

Well, it doesn’t matter.

“Someone will arrive soon to thoroughly expose and prove the face under that woman’s mask….”

“You don’t need to wait until then.”

I answered with a sly smile.

The nobles in the banquet hall looked at me with surprised eyes.

Feeling those gazes, I brought my hand to my half-mask.

At that moment. My eyes met with Rihardt’s, who was looking at me.

【Never take off your mask in front of me.】

【My self-control is a bit weak.】

Rihardt’s words to me came to mind.

I smiled brightly as I recalled that memory.

And I threw off my mask in front of everyone.

“I don’t know if I’m a criminal or not.”

I said with a slight smile.

“But I am indeed Roji, that maid who escaped from Evantes three years ago.”

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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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