Chapter 5

"Alright then, what about it, were you serious just now?"

"Huh? Ah, yes."

I nodded frantically in response.

If my answer was delayed and he said it was no good, I would be in trouble.

I don't really understand what's going on, but it seems he likes my bargaining chip.

"Hmph, I was going to send you away if you were just trying to win sympathy without making any sacrifices."

The viscount narrowed his eyes in amusement and stood up from his chair.

It seems he intends to come over.

"Um, then, um, please..."

Seeing the viscount approaching, I steeled myself and tilted my head slightly, exposing my neck.

It's a consideration to make it easier for him to drink blood.

"Haha, no, I don't need blood."

Seeing this, the viscount laughed and squatted down in front of me, who was still sitting on the floor.

"Eh? But..."

Confused, I spoke, and the viscount extended his hand.

"I like it. For now, just stand up."

Tentatively extending my hand as well, I was grabbed and pulled up.

"Let me make it clear, I am human. A genuine one."

"Yes. Just that your face is scary."

When Mira added this, the viscount glared at her and said, "Don't say unnecessary things."

In response, Mira calmly shrugged her shoulders.

"Human...?"

"Yes. I age and die. I eat meat, drink alcohol, and eat bread, just a regular human."

Is it my imagination?

The ominous aura surrounding them seems to have disappeared.

Perhaps it's because he clearly said he is human.

Realizing this, I feel annoyed with my own simplicity.

I was always disliked by my parents for believing people so easily.

I get so angry with myself for not learning from my mistakes.

"Disappointed?"

"N-no, not at all!"

Shaking my head vigorously, the viscount grinned.

His unhealthy complexion and that expression make him even more frightening.

But the hand that gripped mine was warm, and it conveyed that he was undoubtedly a living being with blood.

"Well, talking here is a bit awkward, let's change the place."

Standing up, he pulled my hand, which was still connected to his.

Perhaps because I had been sitting on the floor for a long time or due to tension, I stumbled as I stood up.

The viscount's arm supported my body.

"Would you like me to carry you, honey?"

Winking at close range, my heart skipped a beat.

Perhaps the fear hasn't completely disappeared even after he declared himself human.

"N-no, I'm fine! I can walk on my own!"

Panicking, I pulled away, and the viscount laughed and walked off.

What is this? Even if he's not a vampire, his change in demeanor is so drastic that I don't know what's going on.

Looking to Mira for an explanation, she only smiled.

"Let's go, Lady Freya."

Her beautiful voice conveyed a warmth far from being flat.

Walking alongside me, Mira added more candlelight to the dimly lit areas.

The corridor became much brighter, and everything could be seen clearly.

The objects that seemed monstrous in the dark turned out to be cute animals under the light.

This is not a monster's mansion but truly a place where a human lord lives.

Finally feeling relieved, the tension in my shoulders eased.

I could hear Mira chuckle beside me, but it wasn't a mocking laugh.

"Oscar Bradbury. This is Mira. She's in charge of managing this mansion and is more important than I am."

"Oh, that's not true."

Mira, sitting next to Oscar, laughed lightly without confirming or denying.

Her complexion is still worryingly pale, but I no longer mistake her for a non-human.

The drawing room we moved to was bright, and the eerie impression from the dim hall had vanished. I could now recognize them as humans.

"I am Freya Villiers... I deeply apologize for my earlier rudeness..."

Bowing my head in embarrassment and shame, my face was abnormally flushed.

"Hehe, you showed remarkable resolve."

"Ugh, I am truly sorry."

Thinking I was a vampire and offering my virgin blood.

Reflecting on my actions, I feel so ashamed and impudent that I almost faint.

"Don't worry. We also have our faults for intentionally misleading you."

Oscar chuckled at my humble apology.

"Intentionally...?"

Not understanding his words, I looked up and saw Oscar's face clearly.

Indeed, his features are not exactly pleasant, but upon closer inspection, he has lustrous black hair and a handsome face.

His deep blue eyes and thin lips, curved in a smile, exude a dangerous charm.

"I had a good laugh, so don't worry about it."

"I thought you looked much younger than the age I had heard about, so I believed it completely."

Even now, in the bright light, he doesn't look like he's in his fifties.

His skin is wrinkle-free, and he doesn't look worn out at all. His voice is also lively.

"Everyone thinks of my father when they hear 'Viscount Bradbury.' I resemble him uncannily."

"My father?"

"Yes. He has long retired and lives in a village within the estate. He's a grumpy, reclusive man."

Though his expression shows exasperation, his tone is affectionate.

He doesn't seem to dislike his father.

"Still, to run into a monster's mansion to escape a pervert..."

Feeling embarrassed at his mocking tone, I remembered that when I decided to come here, I truly thought it was the only option.

"I thought being scared was better than feeling disgusted... It was that bad..."

"Indeed, it must have been."

After Oscar's sympathetic words, Mira gasped in realization.

"Is the person outside perhaps..."

"Yes... probably my ex-fiancé..."

Shuddering, I answered, and Oscar and Mira exchanged glances with expressions that said, "Here comes trouble."

"Did he follow you from the capital?"

"Probably."

"And he was too scared to enter the mansion?"

"I think so."

"Haha."

Nodding confidently, Oscar burst out laughing.

"I can't tell if he has guts or not."

"He's been conditioned to think that as long as he catches me, I will obey."

This has been the case since childhood, and he probably can't change his way of thinking.

If I hadn't separated from Nathan over the issue with my sister, I would have never questioned obeying him for life.

"You have more courage for coming this far."

"Thank you..."

Feeling slightly praised, I blushed despite the situation.

After all, it's been a long time since anyone has complimented me.

"Still, why did you follow that man so obediently?"

"Because I am a pawn for my parents to rise in the noble society."

My family, the Villiers, is a nouveau riche family, often criticized for buying their title with money, and the rumors were true.

My parents, who succeeded in business, bought a title before my brother was born by paying money to nobles and officials.

They built their current wealth and status through unscrupulous means and proudly boasted of their deeds to my siblings and me without any shame.

My brother and sister, who inherited my parents' traits, were favored and grew up well.

In contrast, I was told I was inefficient and worthless.

I tried to adopt their way of thinking to gain my parents' love, but I couldn't change my inherent nature.

Whenever I tried to harm someone for my own benefit, guilt always got in the way.

My parents and sister called me a "useless crybaby," and my brother sighed coldly at my tears of inadequacy.

Realizing I couldn't become like them, I strongly thought I at least shouldn't hinder them.