Episode 72
Bartholomew pushed Lucy’s long hair, which flowed down her back, over her shoulder.
The touch was very gentle.
“I’ll just unzip it a little.”
Bartholomew said in a flat voice.
Lucy’s eyes opened wide.
Is this correct?
Is this okay?
While she was confused, Bartholomew lowered his zipper slightly.
Jiik.
At that sound, Lucy’s shoulders trembled without her knowing it.
Then Bartholomew’s hand carefully touched Lucy’s bare back.
His fingers touched the area near the shoulder blade.
The hand that traced along the protruding bone was ticklish.
Did Bartholomew feel this way too?
How did you endure this feeling?
While Lucy was lost in these thoughts, Bartholomew slowly examined her back.
The bare skin revealed under the slightly lowered zipper was white.
And it was too soft.
Bartholomew’s eyes darkened.
There was some intense desire within him, but neither Lucy nor Bartholomew noticed it.
Bartholomew took his hand away and zipped it back up.
Lucy secretly sighed in relief.
“Fortunately, the pattern didn’t transfer to your back.”
“Right? I told you, I was right!”
But Lucy could hardly look back at Bartholomew.
For some reason, I didn’t have the confidence to look Bartholomew in the eye.
Both cheeks felt hot.
Lucy decided to stay still, at least until the heat from the ball cooled down.
Bartholomew stared blankly at her reddened earlobes before opening his mouth.
“Lucy. Do you want to go north with me?”
It was something I had not expected at all.
Suddenly, I decided to go to the North.
Lucy looked back at him with a puzzled expression.
“I have some business to take care of in the territory.”
Bartholomew felt limited in his work from his temporary residence.
I had to stop by the North at least once anyway, and I wanted to go with Lucy.
“I don’t think you’ve ever been to the North. Why not take a look around now?”
That was when.
Tiring!
[Event Occurred!]
[You have been invited to the Duke of Faraday.]
[This is a golden opportunity to discover the secret Bartholomew holds.]
[Do you want to accept the event?]
[-yes]
[-no]
The system window notifies that an event has occurred.
Will going to the Paraday Mansion reveal Bartholomew’s second secret?
After a moment of thought, Lucy chose ‘yes’.
The event was one thing, but as Bartholomew said, I was curious about the North and the mansion he lived in.
“okay.”
Bartholomew smiled when Lucy agreed.
Lucy’s heart fluttered at the sight of him so purely happy.
* * *
Lucy planned to spend the night at the Paraday Mansion in the North.
There was nothing to pack except for simple clothes.
This was because the Paraday family had promised to provide both a carriage to ride in and a servant to attend to.
Literally, Lucy only had to go in person.
Although the trip to the north was hastily decided, the servants of the annex were not surprised.
In their eyes, the two seemed to be close enough to visit each other’s mansions as often as they wanted.
On the day we finally decided to head north, a carriage from the Paraday family arrived at the annex.
The VIP carriage that Bartholomew prepared for Lucy was much larger and more luxurious than the carriage in the annex.
Moreover, the carriage was guarded by knights of the Parade family like an iron wall.
Bartholomew got out of the carriage and escorted Lucy.
Lucy climbed into the carriage with Cerberus in her arms.
The interior of the carriage was comfortable.
Lucy sat down on the plush velvet seat, with Cerberus sitting next to her.
Bartholomew sat opposite her.
As soon as he gave the order, the coachman started the carriage.
Lucy glanced at Bartholomew.
His status was once again realized.
Bartholomew, with his added dignity, had an unapproachable aura.
Bartholomew had no trouble adapting to the sudden change in his life.
As if the position of the head of the household was naturally his.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
Lucy felt a pang of pain at Bartholomew’s question.
I thought I was secretly peeking, but Bartholomew must have felt my gaze.
Instead of answering, she changed the subject.
“How long does it take to get to the north?”
“If we keep running, we’ll get there tonight.”
Lucy nodded.
As the conversation between the two ceased, an odd silence fell over the carriage.
Lucy felt awkward.
Last time, when he checked to see if the cursed symbol had been transferred to Lucy’s body.
For some reason, Lucy couldn’t look him in the eye since then.
Just looking at Bartholomew brought back memories of his hands gently stroking her back.
‘If I act awkwardly for no reason, Bartholomew will think it’s strange.’
Lucy felt anxious, as if she had to say something.
Bartholomew, however, remained calm.
Finally, Lucy, unable to bear the silence, opened her mouth.
“I brought Cerberus especially for you. I like petting Cerberus.”
At those words, Cerberus, who had been silent, pricked up his ears.
Lucy quickly picked up Cerberus and handed it to Bartholomew.
Bartholomew took Cerberus and placed him on his lap.
Come to think of it, it’s been a while since I petted Cerberus.
Lucy and Bartholomew watched to see how Cerberus would react.
Cerberus bared his teeth and growled as Bartholomew’s hand touched his head.
Then he soon tilted his head.
Cerberus looked confused.
It was clear that Bartholomew had a dark magic aura, but it was weaker than before.
Because of that, Cerberus repeatedly growled and tilted his head.
Lucy, who was watching the scene, burst into laughter.
“I guess it’s clear that the curse is disappearing.”
Bartholomew nodded at Lucy’s words.
The person who felt more than anyone that the curse was gradually fading away was none other than Bartholomew himself.
His body was definitely lighter than before.
Although the tightness in my chest still remained, my coughing had noticeably decreased.
Since I didn’t have any seizures, I was able to go about my work without any problems and exercise my body in my spare time.
Could such a miraculous being appear?
Moreover, could such a special salvation be given to Bartholomew?
Bartholomew could now believe anything Lucy said.
It really seemed like everything would be okay if she just said it.
“thank you.”
Bartholomew spoke to Lucy with sincerity.
Lucy’s eyes widened.
I never thought he would express his gratitude so seriously.
“I didn’t do anything particularly great, so what.”
Lucy shook her head, but Bartholomew was firm.
“If it weren’t for you, I might be dead by now.”
Although Duke Parade was condemned, the curse was not lifted.
I was prepared to die, and I wanted to take in Lucy without fail for the few moments I had left.
How about now?
I was able to envision a future where we would still be together by Lucy’s side.
Inviting Lucy to the mansion was the first step toward that future.
Of course, Lucy was completely unaware of Bartholomew’s deeper meaning.
While the people in the carriage were lost in their own thoughts, the carriage continued to run without rest, heading north.
