The crimson sunset seeped through the attic window, flooding the space with light. When the entire room was submerged in what seemed like bloodred illumination, the Viscountess slammed the door shut and strode inside.
As she removed her silk gloves and surveyed Leah from head to toe, her gaze was excessively cold, with calculation already clear within it.
Leah, who had been drying herself with a towel, flinched in surprise and clutched it tightly. Her red wavy hair blazed even brighter in the sunset's glow, and the Viscountess's eyes swept over her smoothly exposed shoulders, slender waistline, the gentle curve of her chest, and her gracefully defined hip line. She looked at Leah with the eyes of a merchant appraising merchandise.
"Come here and stand."
At the cold, commanding voice, Leah approached cautiously, tension coiling through her body. The Viscountess silently lifted the corset, and the moment the rigid undergarment settled onto her, the air grew even heavier.
The sound of laces being pulled rang sharply through the attic.
Once, twice—
With each tightening, Leah's ribs felt as though they were curling inward. Her breath caught in her throat, her brow furrowing involuntarily. But she couldn't make a sound.
"I don't understand why the Duke and the Count are interested in someone like you..."
At her aunt's cold voice, Leah's shoulders shrank.
"But it doesn't matter which one."
At those words, Leah looked up in surprise at her aunt's reflection in the mirror.
"Tonight, you will choose one of the two men."
"What? Aunt, what do you mean... ugh!"
The third pull was clearly deliberate. As Leah's groan escaped, the Viscountess raised the corners of her mouth in satisfaction.
Moments later, a red silk dress was fitted to Leah's waistline, and her aunt straightened the back of the dress while speaking in a suppressed voice.
"You know very well that wearing a dress like this doesn't suit your circumstances. But if you please either the Duke or the Count, you'll pay off your debts and change your fate."
The hair styling that followed was even more brutal. The Viscountess's fingers dug in with such force that Leah squeezed her eyes shut several times. Her scalp ached as though her hair were being torn out, and thin tears welled in the corners of her eyes as she stared at her reflection.
Yet even witnessing Leah's pained expression, her aunt remained unmoved.
"When the affair with Count Montclair fell through, I was at a loss, but now this opportunity has come."
Her aunt's voice was soft, yet infinitely cold within.
"Opportunities don't come often, Leah."
Her aunt's lips twisted upward. The Viscountess firmly secured Leah's hair one last time, then examined her reflection in the mirror. A satisfied smile formed as she placed her hands on Leah's shoulders.
Her aunt's lips descended close enough to touch Leah's ear.
"Remember, Leah. Never let them discover who you are... absolutely not."
Leah's heart pounded violently.
"The moment they find out—remember that not only you, but David will die as well."
At the mention of her brother's name, Leah squeezed her eyes shut. Ragged breaths rose and fell, her chest heaving.
Her fingertips trembled and her legs wavered. Her aunt stroked her long hair as if to soothe her. But her voice flowed slow and cold, like a snake coiling around her entire body.
"So tonight, you must be chosen by one of the two men. That's how you'll repay your debts."
In the mirror, she saw herself in the tightly laced dress that made breathing an ordeal, and behind her stood her cold aunt wearing a mocking smile. Leah bit her lip.
"How pretty. I think this will do. Shall we go to the dining room now?"
The Viscountess examined Leah with satisfaction, then opened the door and left first. Leah barely managed to move her legs under the suffocating pressure that reached deep into her chest.
The dining room of Viscount Albusel.
At the center of the long table sat soup with thin wisps of steam rising from it, but the atmosphere in the room was somehow suffocatingly heavy. The modest dining room was crammed with excessive amounts of food and decorations, fully displaying the couple's ostentation.
Expensive portraits and gold-gilded mirrors hung on the walls, and the chandelier illuminating the small space sparkled excessively, pouring out pretentious light.
Leah couldn't properly hold her spoon. The tightened corset continued blocking her breath, and her aunt's words were lodged in her mind like thorns.
'The moment they find out—remember that not only you, but David will die as well.'
Even breathing required caution, and she restrained every movement while keeping her back perfectly straight.
Eugene watched Leah quietly from across the table. Though his expression was close to expressionless, his gaze was reading her keenly.
When Leah trembled while lifting her soup spoon, he asked in a low voice.
"Have you no appetite?"
Instead of speaking, Leah shook her head slightly. Even speaking felt dangerous right now, as though it might lead to mistakes. Seeing her rigid shoulders, Eugene knew she was wound tight with tension.
She looked like a glass bottle that would shatter at the slightest shock.
Then, a bright voice tore through the atmosphere at the table.
"Miss Leah."
Count Bastian raised his glass with a gentle smile and leaned toward Leah.
Eugene's eyes grew cold as if losing their light.
Bastian's voice had a sweet yet somehow calculating resonance.
"Miss Leah... you resemble your mother very much."
At his words, Leah set her spoon down on the dining table entirely. She couldn't eat at all.
"Count Vlad."
When Leah quietly called his name, Bastian smiled with apparent pleasure and gazed at her.
"A great beauty with red hair like yours. She had warm, yet... sad eyes."
Leah's gaze darted anxiously toward her aunt. Though her lips pressed tight, warmth bloomed in her chest at the mention of her mother.
Whether disapproving of Bastian speaking about her mother, her aunt sat with a hardened expression, eating in silence.
Unable to even mention her mother's name, Leah watched Bastian with an anxious heart. Seeing Leah glancing at the Viscountess, Bastian understood inwardly.
The Viscountess knew that Leah's mother had been a witch. That's why Leah kept checking her aunt's reaction. He stroked his chin, then spoke brightly.
"Oh my, did I talk too much about myself at the dinner table? Speaking of someone I held dear after so long, I've committed a breach of etiquette, Viscountess."
At Bastian's apologetic expression, the Viscountess forced a smile, saying it was fine.
"Miss, please don't refuse—come visit my castle. I'll give you your mother's keepsakes and show you around my estate."
"I-if I have time, I'll come."
Leah answered quietly, again watching her aunt's reaction. Bastian smiled warmly at the Viscountess.
"Viscountess, you wouldn't oppose Miss Leah visiting my castle, would you?"
"Me? Not at all. However, if I could accompany her..."
Before the Viscountess could finish, Bastian smiled brightly and turned to Leah.
"Miss, your aunt has given permission. Then, I'll expect you to come alone next week."
As Bastian emphasized the word 'alone,' the Viscountess had no choice but to consent.
"Yes. Leah, make time next week to visit Count Vlad."
At her aunt's affectionate tone, Leah nodded, though feeling uneasy.
"Yes, I understand."
At Leah's answer, Eugene's eyes narrowed. Was Count Vlad's reason for inviting Leah simply about the keepsakes? Or did he truly know Leah's mother?
It also struck him as odd that Bastian showed interest in Leah. Her position as a servant wasn't something that typically caught a wealthy aristocrat's eye.
"If Count Vlad permits, I would also like to visit the castle."
When Eugene spoke while setting down his water glass, Bastian chuckled and raised his glass to his lips.
"Your Grace should come another time. I'll be busy preparing to receive the young lady."
"Is there really a need to go on different days? I'd like to ease the Count's burden, so I'll accompany the young lady."
At Eugene's statement, Leah turned to him in surprise. Eugene's expression remained stoic. She couldn't tell what he was thinking.
Bastian's smile deepened mysteriously. Slowly bringing his glass to his lips, he faced Eugene directly.
Invisible sparks flew between the two men.
A brief silence fell over the table.
Why does the Duke keep interfering in her affairs?
Leah felt uncomfortable with the silence between the two men and fidgeted restlessly.
"To receive someone of Your Grace's stature requires far more preparation, wouldn't you agree? And I'd like to spend time with Miss Leah privately. Please understand."
As Bastian leisurely declined Eugene's words, Leah felt even more uncomfortable and couldn't bear to sit still.
"...Ex-excuse me, I'll visit the powder room for a moment."
After asking permission, Leah quietly rose and left the dining room. She could feel the men's gazes, but she didn't look back.
After leaving the room, Leah walked with one hand braced against the wall. Though the corridor was quiet, her breathing grew increasingly labored.
The tightness intensified until her vision blurred, the wall seeming to drift closer, then farther away. As Leah staggered, a firm hand grasped her arm.
When Leah lifted her head, Eugene gazed down at her with a worried expression.
Seeing Leah's pale face, his eyes instantly contracted coldly.
"Are you all right?"
Leah managed a smile, but it trembled immediately.
"I-I'm fine... just feeling a bit unwell..."
Eugene's cold hand touched her forehead, slick with perspiration. Feeling her skin damp with sweat, his jawline tightened.
Without a word, he swept her up into his arms.
Leah's heart plummeted.
The moment his arms enveloped her, Leah closed her eyes at the familiar scent. The fresh aroma of damp earth and dawn forest—and something subtly sweet woven within—gently tugged at her heart.
With no strength left to maintain distance, Leah quietly surrendered to his solid, warm chest.
Eugene's arms tightened almost imperceptibly. He told himself it was merely to hold her securely, but feeling her lean against him sent an unfamiliar tremor through him.
As though he shouldn't allow such feelings, he forced his expression rigid.
"I know."
When Leah indicated where her room was, Eugene replied curtly. Leah briefly wondered how he knew, but with breathing itself a struggle, she soon let the thought go.
Walking toward the attic, Eugene spoke quietly.
"Don't go to the Count's castle."
Leah looked up at him questioningly.
"Why?"
Leah met the deep blue eyes looking down at her.
"I'm worried about you."
The words were simple, but his gaze—deep as the ocean's abyss—held genuine concern.
Leah's breath hitched. Captivated by his gaze, she couldn't look away. Time seemed to freeze. She couldn't register where she was anymore. Only he existed—only he could be seen, only he could be felt.
"Why..."
Her voice whispered.
Eugene's Adam's apple moved as he gazed at Leah's green eyes.
For a moment, he recalled holding her for the first time. The day they shared blood, he'd gained the ability to sense her emotions. Even now, he could feel the confusion she experienced toward him.
The bewilderment and confusion occasionally reflected in her eyes—though she couldn't remember, he knew her body remembered him.
That's why he couldn't suppress his possessiveness whenever he saw her. He'd told himself it was merely a debt to the woman who'd saved his life—that he'd repay it and never see her again.
But now, with her nestled in his arms, his grip tightened involuntarily.
Count Vlad's interest, and Leah not refusing him. For the first time in his life, he felt jealousy.
'Could I tell you everything?'
"Why... do you look at me with such eyes?"
Leah asked, puzzled by his unfamiliar gaze. But Eugene simply looked ahead and walked without answering.
What was it? What emotion had flickered in his eyes just now?
Before she realized it, her hand moved of its own accord, grasping his cheek and turning him toward her.
Eugene's steps halted, and he looked down at her.
Only then did Leah realize what she'd done, her cheeks flushing crimson. With her heart pounding frantically, she quickly withdrew her hand and turned away.
'I'm insane! How could I touch the Duke's face?'
Her heart continued its frantic rhythm, and she couldn't catch her breath properly.
Eugene asked nothing, simply resumed climbing the stairs.
Mortified, Leah desperately wished to reach her room.
Arriving at the attic, Eugene opened the door and entered, and Leah exhaled in relief. When Eugene strode over and set her down on the bed, Leah began twisting her long hair nervously.
She couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes.
"It seems to be because of the corset. I'll step outside, so please change your clothes."
When Eugene left the room, Leah stared blankly at the door he'd closed.
"How did he know?"
Leah blushed, covering her heated cheeks. That he'd noticed the corset was causing her distress felt both puzzling and mortifying.
Leah quickly rose from the bed and removed her dress. When she finally removed the tightly constricting corset, she could breathe at last.
Leah exhaled several times, calming her heart. After changing into a clean dress, she opened the door.
"Ah!"
Meeting Eugene, who had been standing outside the door, surprised Leah let out a small cry.
"I didn't know you were still here."
"I apologize if I startled you. How do you feel?"
"Thanks to your concern, I'm fine now. But... you didn't leave?"
"I waited because I wanted to hear your answer."
Eugene felt relieved seeing color return to Leah's face. Realizing he stood before the attic, shame washed over Leah again.
She quickly closed the door and quietly descended the stairs. Eugene followed her.
"What..."
"Will you truly go to the Count's castle alone?"
"I want to retrieve my mother's keepsakes."
Leah spoke while fingering the necklace around her neck. Eugene's gaze moved to the necklace. He could tell it was important to Leah. Eugene grasped her arm and turned her around.
Leah stopped walking and looked up at him in surprise.
"Then come with me."
His grip on her arm tightened, almost desperate.
"Tell the Count you'll go with me."
At Eugene's worried words, Leah's expression softened, but she gently pulled her hand free. His fingers lingered for a moment, as if reluctant to let go, before releasing her.
"Your Grace, thank you, but I'm not a child."
Her voice was kind but firm.
"The Count didn't invite me with bad intentions. I'll just go to his residence and retrieve the necklace. So..."
She paused, meeting his eyes with an apologetic smile.
"Please don't worry so much. Nothing will happen."
She smiled at him as though it were obvious. Though she couldn't understand why Eugene worried about the Count, the fact that he cared for her brought a flicker of warmth.
Eugene's jaw clenched. Every instinct screamed at him—forbid it, insist, do whatever necessary to prevent her from walking into danger.
But what could he say? That he had a premonition? That the mere thought of her alone with that man made his blood run cold?
She would think him mad. Knowing he couldn't make her understand, he decided to step back.
"Leah."
He called her name for the first time. She looked up at him, slightly startled. Unable to explain the strange unease and fear he felt whenever he saw Count Vlad, Eugene gazed down at her innocent green eyes.
"...Be careful."
It was all he could manage.
At his sincere concern, Leah smiled brightly and nodded.
"I will."
Leah turned and headed back toward the dining room. Eugene watched her retreating figure quietly.
He followed her silently.
If she were in danger, he would know. They were connected by blood. He would never let her come to harm. For now, all he could do was watch over her quietly.