Chapter 6

I was kept in a room in the castle for an entire night.

The room was equipped with a bed, a table, a bathroom, a toilet, and a washstand—everything necessary for a proper confinement. It was truly well-prepared for such a purpose.

I got up from the bed and changed from my nightgown into a house dress. Incidentally, they had even thoughtfully provided the clothes. If I were to ask why the clothes fit me perfectly, would that be considered rude?

There was a knock on the door.

"Madam, are you awake?"

"I’m not a madam."

"I apologize. Lady Letitia, I’ve brought your breakfast."

With that, a maid entered the room with breakfast.

"Here, please eat while it’s still warm."

As soon as I saw the breakfast laid out on the table, I was suddenly hit by hunger. I had no intention of being defiant, so I sat down and ate quietly.

The maid watched me eat, which made me feel awkward, but the food in the castle was delicious, and I finished it in no time.

"Thank you for the meal."

"Shall I clear the table?"

The maid quickly tidied up and moved toward the door.

"Wait! I’m sorry!"

I called out and tackled the maid from behind. She lost her balance. She fell more dramatically than I expected, and I felt a pang of guilt.

"I’m sorry, really sorry. I have no grudge against you, but I want to be free!"

I opened the door and ran out.

The servants stared in surprise as I ran past them.

As I ran, I started to get a sense of where I was in the castle. I hadn’t visited this castle for nothing for ten years. I had memorized its layout in case of an emergency.

Letitia, your ten years weren’t wasted!

I praised myself as I leaned out of a window. I jumped onto a tree right next to the window.

Escape successful!

I was feeling triumphant when I heard a voice filled with fear.

"―Letitia?"

Hearing the voice from below, I cautiously looked down.

"Ah!"

Why was Lord Clark here!?

Ignoring my confusion, Lord Clark, as always, smiled charmingly and said,

"I’ve been watching you for ten years, you know."

I was terrified by a man who could predict my every move.

We glared at each other from the tree for a while, but exhausted, I began to slide down, clinging to the tree.

Even after falling, I clung to the tree, not wanting to face Lord Clark. I was like a large cicada.

"Letitia."

I was picked up from behind. Ah, the futility of my resistance...

I was carried in his arms.

"Letitia, you need to make it clearer that there’s no escape for you."

He whispered something terrifying.

"Help meeeeee!"

As I cried while being carried, the people of the castle watched us with warm, amused eyes. No, help me!