The Marquis’ Lost Mistress - Chapter 6

 

Looking at the handle of the dagger stretched out to her, Leila had countless thoughts.

 

The thoughts that ran through her mind in such a short amount of time were so many and complex that it is difficult to put them all into words.

 

To put it simply, was it that she couldn’t even accept favors anymore?

 

Should I believe in that person?

 

Should I grab that dagger? Or should I not?

 

This situation.

 

After hesitating, she stretched out her hand, all the while lamenting about her plight that even pure favors could not be taken uprightly.

 

Even if she didn’t follow the marquis, she still needed something to protect her.

 

“… …”

 

The marquis didn’t say anything.

 

Watching Leila stretch out her hand like a wild and wary animal with hair raised, he meekly handed the dagger.

 

Leila, who was handed the dagger, grabbed the handle carefully as if it was something that might explode.

 

Pointing exactly at the marquis with the tip of the blade.

 

“Would you like to go?”

 

The marquis stretched out his arms toward the carriage.

 

She had thought that she’d never followed him. However, his stretched palm gave her a sense of security.

 

If he just stretched his hand towards her, she would stab him mercilessly. Even if she goes to jail after that, she thought it would be better than the alternative.

 

Leila got into the carriage while clutching the handle of the dagger tightly.

 

The marquis did not reach out to help her.

 

After Leila got into the carriage and sat down, he also got into the carriage very slowly and sat across from her.

 

“Where would you like to go?”

 

At the question of the marquis, Leila realized that she had done something very absurd.

 

She came here because she had nowhere to go. She was wary of the man in front of her, and she forgot her own plight.

 

“If you don’t have a place in mind, would you go to the inn I recommend?”

 

She couldn’t nod her head. Right now, Leila didn’t have a single penny in her hand.

 

She had some money, but she couldn’t get it because she was running away from her godfather’s house in a hurry.

 

She looked down at the dagger she was holding.

 

Since this was made for nobles and also had small jewels attached on it, wouldn’t it be worth the price of staying until morning?

 

She thought that if she haggled well, she could as well get a cheap pair of clothes to wear.

 

Leila, who had thought that far, nodded her head slightly.

 

“Let’s go to the Libre Inn.”

 

As soon as she nodded, the marquis gave his order to the coachman, and soon the carriage departed.

 

The two did not speak for a long time. Leila was busy guarding against the marquis, and the marquis kept his eyes closed whether he was aware of her action or not.

 

It was the marquis who broke the silence.

 

“I heard the news too late.”

 

The marquis, who suddenly opened his eyes, looked at the window covering and spoke.

 

“Sorry for not being able to help.”

 

Leila, who had been extremely wary of the marquis, blinked a few times at the words she couldn’t understand.

 

“I hope they rest in peace.”

 

At that moment, the tip of her nose tingled. Her eyes throbbed and she became unbearably hot.

 

Leila quickly bowed her head. It felt like she was about to cry.

 

This marquis and herself were not close. Of course, there was nothing to do or help.

 

She was wary and suspicious even though someone she had no relationship with, someone she had just met by chance, was willing to help her.

 

And yet, even though he probably did not realize it himself, he had said such kind words to her.

 

Tears welled up at the shame and the consolation she longed for.

 

“Rest until you arrive.”

 

While Leila was desperately trying to hold back her tears, the marquis left only those words.

 

Even after arriving at the inn, his consideration did not stop.

 

While Leila was worried about the appearance of the inn, which was more colorful than she had expected, he knocked on the door without hesitation to wake the innkeeper.

 

He then handed a handful of gold coins to the complaining innkeeper, which put a smile on his face.

 

“Let this lady stay as long as she wants. All expenses incurred in the future should be charged to Marquis Karsha.”

 

Instead of Leila, the marquis wrote down a log and said.

 

“Is there a room with few people and high security?”

 

“Yeah. Of course. On the top floor of the main building. There are only two rooms there, but both are vacant, so when the lady settles in, there will be no one else walking about.”

 

The innkeeper looked at the marquis with anticipation.

 

“Then I’ll rent both of those rooms, so make sure no one has access to that floor.”

 

The innkeeper heard what he wanted to hear from the marquis, and his face brightened even more.

 

The only reason there were only two rooms on the top floor was because it was spacious, and it was expensive.

 

Because of that, there were few people using it, so it was a bit of a troublesome place for the innkeeper.

 

“I understand, sir. Then, my lady, I shall guide you…”

 

The innkeeper was just about to guide Leila, but the marquis stopped him.

 

“Are there any waitresses now?”

 

“Huh? What do you…”

 

“Let the waitress guide her.”

 

The innkeeper tilted his head, but soon saw and understood his meaning upon seeing Leila’s face, which shone brightly even in the dark.

 

She was such a beautiful woman. It was understandable that this nobleman would be wary of all kinds of men. And he was also concerned about security.

 

He immediately woke up his wife, who, too, came out with a frown on her face, but quickly changed her complexion at the tip the marquis gave her.

 

While these were all happening, Leila was stunned and just stood there blankly.

 

The marquis offered something to Leila.

 

“It’s the dagger’s sheath.”

 

She glanced alternately between the sheath and the face of the marquis, who smiled softly.

 

It seemed to be asking, ‘Can you not be wary of me now?’

 

If she accepts this sheath, the sharp blade of the dagger will disappear.

 

“… …”

 

Leila accepted it. However, she did not put it to cover the blade that gleamed horribly.

 

“I’ll see you again tomorrow morning.”

 

The marquis said at Leila’s back as she followed a waitress up the stairs.

 

Leila didn’t look back at him nor did she answer him. She walked silently to the top floor.

 

The husband and wife seemed very satisfied with the generous hospitality of the marquis.

 

Even without Leila speaking, the wife helped her bathe and tended the wounds on her arm and her feet.

 

She even gave her an extra nightgown, even though it didn’t quite fit Leila’s body.

 

The husband also brought something and hung it on the door of Leila’s room. It was a lock.

 

“It’s a bit rusty, but it should last for a day or so. I will replace it with a stronger one tomorrow.”

 

The husband, who, in the end, installed 5 additional locks, smiled as if he was satisfied with his work.

 

All of these things were done at dawn. Most people must be sleeping at this hour, so one could predict how satisfied the couple was, having gained a big patron at such an unexpected time.

 

Once they left, Leila was finally alone. She lay on the bed and held the dagger in one hand.

 

She couldn’t sleep comfortably. It seemed as if the door would open at any moment and something ugly would come out.

 

‘I’m not going to meet you. Before you come, I will leave for the temple first.’

 

The marquis clearly showed her goodwill. He helped her when she desperately needed help.

 

Tonight, if she hadn’t met him, something terrible would have happened.

 

Even if it didn’t happen, it was clear that would suffer for hours in the cold.

 

Still, she couldn’t trust him. And not just him. All men were not trustworthy.

 

‘A woman’s life is determined by the kind of man she meets.’

 

Suddenly, she remembered what her father had said to her.

 

If she meets the best man who is the right person for her, as her father said, will her life change?

 

Now that her father is gone, maybe she is suffering like this because she couldn’t find a good man to replace him.

 

Then, where does such a man come from, a man who will not hurt her, completely protect her, and love her endlessly like a father?

 

At that moment, the face of the marquis passed through her mind, but Leila shook her head.

 

She could not sleep properly due to fear, and woke up repeatedly due to all kinds of thoughts.

 

And she only fell asleep in the morning, when she should be going.

 

“She hasn’t eaten yet, so I brought these.”

 

It was after she woke up in the morning and washed her body lightly.

 

She felt like she had heard the voice of the waitress who had guided her at dawn, but when the door opened, it was the marquis who appeared.

 

For some reason, the waitress standing next to the marquis bowed with a mischievous smile before she disappeared.

 

This alone was disconcerting, but when the marquis came with the food plate himself, she couldn’t help but be even more embarrassed.

 

“Your wounds have been tended to.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“I brought a doctor just in case. How about getting a more detailed treatment?”

 

“I’m fine. They’re just minor wounds…”

 

How can you be so considerate of me, who continues to doubt you? Leila swallowed these words.

 

“Since I’ve already brought them here, please get professional treatment.”

 

“But…”

 

“Come in.”

 

The marquis stopped Leila from speaking. Then two women appeared from behind the door at the marquis’ words.

 

The two professions were plain to see from the way they were dressed. One was a doctor, and the other one a knight.

 

Once more people entered the space, and because they were women, Leila’s tension was relieved.

 

She was patiently treated by the doctor.

 

“This is a knight who will escort the lady until her residence is decided.”

 

When the doctor finished her treatment and left the room, the marquis introduced the woman standing next to him.

 

The woman nodded her head lightly towards Leila, with a face that looked dissatisfied no matter who looked at it.

 

“No, it’s fine. I’m going straight to the temple.”

 

Leila quickly realized why the knight had such an expression, so she quickly put the words of refusal into her mouth.

 

Noble families always have female knights and soldiers stationed in a certain proportion. It was for the lady of the house and the young misses.

 

Now that the marquis has no children, that knight must have been the knight who escorted the marquis’ wife.

 

The knight who was protecting the marquis family, who was of noble origin, was the escort of a fallen aristocrat, and also of the commoners.

 

If it were her, she would have been furious. So, no matter what her situation was, it was right to refuse.

 

At Leila’s quick refusal, the marquis didn’t say anything.

 

He just stared at her, nobody knew what he was thinking.