Chapter 55

“Additional conditions?” Adolf tensed, his body rigid with apprehension. A strange sense of guilt crept over him, and before Odelliana could even voice her request, he hastily spoke.

“I can give you as much money or as many jewels as you want.”

Her expression remained unmoved. “My condition isn’t about material wealth.”

His brow furrowed. “Then what is it?”

“I need you to find someone for me.”

At her unexpected request, the tension drained from Adolf’s shoulders. He exhaled, dabbing at the cold sweat on his forehead with a handkerchief.

“That won’t be difficult. Who is it?”

“His name is Fergus. He’s a blacksmith on the outskirts of the capital. Around Matthias’s age, perhaps slightly older.”

“A blacksmith?” Adolf’s brows knit together. “What business do you have with a blacksmith?”

“That’s a personal matter I can’t disclose,” she replied smoothly. “My condition is simple—find Fergus. If you agree, Matthias can join.”

A noblewoman and a blacksmith—two lives that should never have intertwined. But what did it matter? The task was easy enough. Adolf gave a decisive nod.

“That’s hardly difficult. I’ll find him for you.”

“Then I’ll be counting on you.”

“Rest assured, I’ll do everything in my power to protect you until you’re fully settled in Eisenwald.”

Only then did Odelliana allow herself a breath of relief. In a single meeting with Adolf Schaller, she had secured her independence from the Grüsewald family, safeguarded Matthias’s future, and set her plans into motion.

The memories of her past life had guided her, but in the end, it was timing that had decided everything.

Everything had aligned flawlessly, like the gears of a well-oiled machine. If she had brought Matthias even a little later—if any complications had arisen during the knight’s examination—things would have become unbearably troublesome.

Had that happened, she would have been forced to start from the very bottom with Matthias, struggling through hardship while being hunted by the Grüsewald family for the rest of their lives.

Yet, even in the face of relief, a lingering unease gnawed at her thoughts.

Because of me, Blair von Grüsewald’s fate has changed entirely.

Matthias had not strayed far from the trajectory of his past life. But Blair—he was now walking a path completely different from the prosperous businessman he was once meant to become.

She pressed her lips into a thin line. The ripple effects worried her. A drastic deviation from the original course of events could lead to unforeseen consequences. As a regressor, she needed to construct a solid foundation using the knowledge and memories from her past life. That meant minimizing unpredictable variables as much as possible.

But this time, there was no other way.

Survival comes first.

She had no intention of meeting a pathetic end as a sacrificial offering. If that meant twisting the course of fate, then so be it.

“Well then, we’ll take our leave now,” she said, breaking the silence.

“Alright, travel safely.” Adolf gave her a firm nod. “I’ll keep in touch through Blair.”

“Yes, I’ll be counting on you.”

Adolf was the first to leave, and the way he practically fled the room made it clear just how much he despised being here. His hurried, stumbling retreat was almost amusing to watch.

“I was worried that, as the heir to House Schaller, he might be as stiff as my eldest brother,” Odelliana mused. “But now I see why he gets along so well with Blair.”

Matthias, who had been silent beside her, suddenly spoke. His voice was low, edged with something she couldn’t quite place.

“…Do you find that man to your liking?”

The unexpected question made her turn her head. Matthias was gazing down at her, his expression subtly sour. She hesitated, sensing the weight behind his words.

“…You don’t dislike it, do you?” she asked carefully. “He’s helped us a lot.”

Matthias didn’t answer right away. Instead, he studied her before saying, “And what about your disciple?”

Odelliana blinked. “What?”

“Hasn’t your disciple helped you just as much?”

Before she could respond, Matthias moved. In one swift motion, he pulled her into his arms. A fraction of a second later, a burly man stumbled forward, landing in the very spot where she had been standing.

The man cursed under his breath, shaking off his daze before lunging toward the brawl erupting nearby.

Odelliana, still pressed against Matthias’s chest, held her breath. Slowly, she looked up.

Matthias tightened his hold around her, his voice dropping to a murmur. “You seem to need your disciple’s protection quite often.”

She exhaled a quiet laugh. “I suppose no one has helped me as much as you have.”

Matthias’s grip didn’t loosen. Instead, his fingers curled slightly, as if securing his claim. “Then you should smile only for me.”

Odelliana stilled. “…Are you jealous?”

“I simply don’t want you to smile so easily for just anyone.”

A flicker of amusement danced in her eyes. “I’ve never smiled as much in front of anyone else as I do with you. And yet, that’s not enough for you?”

“No, it isn’t,” Matthias admitted, his gaze dark and unyielding. “I want to be the only one in your world.”

“Because in my world,” he whispered, “you are the only one.”

She drew in a slow breath. “That’s obsession.”

Matthias didn’t flinch. “I’m only asking you to recognize my obsession, even if it’s just now.”

Reaching into his coat, he retrieved a handkerchief and gently dabbed the sweat from her forehead. Then, without another word, he wrapped his arms around her once more, maneuvering them through the crowded tavern and out into the cool night.

Once outside, he finally released her, setting her down carefully.

And then, as if all the intensity from moments ago had vanished, he smiled—boyish, almost innocent.

“What’s with that expectant, dog-like expression?” Odelliana asked, raising an eyebrow.

Matthias blinked, then let out a soft chuckle. “Dog-like? That’s quite harsh.”

“It’s not an insult—it’s a literal description,” she countered.

“In that case, you’ve understood correctly.”

Standing in the middle of the bustling street, he lowered his head slightly, waiting. His silent plea was so blatant that Odelliana hesitated, glancing around in embarrassment. Yet, despite the curious glances from passersby, he remained unmoving.

She sighed. “You’re quite stubborn, you know that?”

“I must have taken after my master,” he said smoothly.

“Hah.” A quiet laugh escaped her lips.

Casting one last wary glance around, she cleared her throat and reached out. Her fingers brushed against the top of his head before resting there, light yet deliberate.

“Thank you,” she murmured, her voice softer now. “For everything.”

Matthias didn’t respond, but his posture remained still, as if committing the moment to memory.

She hesitated, then continued, “I’m truly glad you’re by my side.”

Her fingers sifted through his soft, well-kept hair, lingering for just a moment longer. But as she began to pull away, his hand moved.

Warmth enveloped her fingers as his large hand gently clasped hers, holding it in place.

Neither of them spoke, but neither let go. Their hands remained entwined all the way home.

***

Matthias landed effortlessly beneath the high courtyard wall, still holding Odelliana securely in his arms. She barely felt the impact—his movements were so fluid, it was as if they hadn’t landed at all. No matter how many times she witnessed it, she could never quite get used to his inhuman agility.

“I can walk from here,” she murmured.

Matthias didn’t loosen his hold. “I’ll escort you to your chambers.”

“That’s unnecessary,” she said, shifting in his arms. “Do you want to fan the flames of gossip?”

He tilted his head. “What kind of gossip?”

At his innocent question, Odelliana hastily averted her gaze and stepped out of his arms.

“You don’t need to know,” she muttered. “It wouldn’t do you any good.”

Some rumors were better left unheard—especially the vulgar and baseless ones. Heat crept up her neck as she cleared her throat and hurried inside the annex.

Then, she stopped short.

“…Why is it so quiet?”

A strange stillness hung in the air. The annex was always peaceful, but tonight, the silence felt different—heavier. Though she had never been particularly perceptive, an ominous feeling prickled at her senses. A slow, creeping unease settled in her chest.

“Go back to your room,” she ordered.

Matthias frowned but didn’t argue. His gaze lingered on her, filled with barely concealed concern.

Steeling herself, Odelliana pushed open the inner chamber door.

The first thing she saw was Marlena, standing near the entrance, her lips pressed into a thin line. The moment their eyes met, Marlena let out a relieved sigh and stepped aside.

Beyond her, seated calmly in the room, was an unexpected figure.

Odelliana had expected Hermann. Or Odette. Or perhaps even Blair.

Instead, her breath caught in her throat.

She had been found out.

The man seated in the highest position rose to his feet.

Their eyes met, and Odelliana froze.

For a moment, she almost gasped aloud.

“Well, well,” the man drawled, amusement lacing his voice. “I was wondering what you were hiding here. This is quite the unexpected twist.”

A smirk curled on his lips.

For the briefest second, his face overlapped with the one in her memories—the face of the lover who had mocked her in her final moments.

Her stomach twisted.

Of all places. Of all times.

Why did she have to meet him again like this?

…Jocelyn.

A most unwelcome guest had returned.