Chapter 7

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“….”

There is one important fact.

Ophelia is really bad at lying—worse than anyone else in the world. The reason why my parents were so easily deceived by the child was simple. Because they never thought she was clever enough to lie.

However, the truth is Ophelia often lied.

The reason why she thinks that I know everything was also because I kept on spotting the child’s lies.

‘But, no one has ever told Ophelia straight on that she is lying.’

I sighed.

Maybe that is why Ophelia thought that she was a very good liar herself. When, in reality, no one had taken her seriously.

It was that right now, too.

Obviously, I already handed the turtle food to her along with the fishbowl earlier.

Though she came to get the turtle food now?

There was no fool in this mansion who would covet Ophelia’s stuff in the first place. Even more so if it was a damn turtle food that had no value whatsoever. So, why would she even have to hide something like that on the floor?

“Ophelia, there is no turtle food here. I already gave it to you a week ago.”

“Ah…”

At my answer, she seemed to be greatly embarrassed as her voice rose.

“Then, there is no need for you to come in, would you? Go back.”

Ophelia’s reply came back a little slow.

“But, sister—”

I swallowed dry saliva.

For whatever reason, Ophelia wanted to enter the basement. I had an ominous feeling because no one could stop Ophelia when she was being stubborn.

…And, that ominous hunch was not wrong this time as well.

“I…I know what sister is doing in there.”

“You know?”

Confused, a hoarse voice came out.

How? When…?

Ophelia has yet to come down to the basement in the past week, and when I got out of the basement, I always kept an eye on her. Also frankly, on the contrary, she was rather pleased that it was an expression of interest.

“…Every time sister goes down to the basement, you always pack bandages and pills until the basket is full.”

…Oh, my.

I realized.

The fact that the actions I had taken to monitor Ophelia in the past, had turned into an opportunity for her to monitor me as well.

It was only then that I regretted it, but it was way too late.

Ophelia continued calmly. “Were you seriously injured when you went out before?”

Huh…?

I blinked my eyes at her words.

At that point, I did not know whether to laugh or cry.

“Somehow, I thought you looked too tired back then, too. Still, I thought sister would recover quickly if you rested well… But, you are still tired these days.”

Of course, it is inevitable that I will be tired because I have to stay by Cassius’ side and take care of him.

I cleared my throat lightly.

If Ophelia is mistaking me, it is not as bad as it is.

“Yes, you are right. I got a little hurt back then… but now it is a lot better. Will you go back now? I need to get some rest.”

“….”

My chest tightened in the prolonged silence.

‘Why isn’t she answering?’

Just as I was about to say something, Ophelia finally opened her mouth.

“Sister…”

She was obviously crying.

“Why, all the time… Are you going to do everything by yourself?”

“….”

“You do not trust me that much? Sister did not want to talk about it with me. Did you hide it all this time? If not…”

Saying so, Ophelia hesitated for a moment.

“Am I… that much of a hindrance? To the extent that I cannot even take care of my own sister…”

My eyes reddened slightly.

Of course, if I still insist on keeping her out, Ophelia will not enter the basement against my orders.

‘And, she will get hurt. Very much…’

Still, in order to save us all, I have no choice but to hurt Ophelia’s heart.

It was when I struggled to open my mouth,

“Evelyn.”

Cassius’ clear voice rang in my ears.

“Hey, is anyone there?”

Ophelia’s voice became urgent.

“Don’t say anything. Please.”

I whispered with a burning heart, but Cassius only raised one corner of his mouth obliquely.

Though sure enough,

He shouted loudly into the air, contrary to my request. “I was waiting for this moment. You… the moment to kill!”

…Crazy.

This guy is a lunatic…

I did not respond at all.

“Sister!”

At that, Ophelia hurriedly ran right in.

“Sister! Come on, get away from him!”

She did not give Cassius a single glance as she focused only on checking me. It was when her white, slender hands gripped mine and pulled me out of her basement—

Cassius laughed softly.

“ There is no need, Miss Ophelia. I was just kidding.”

Ophelia’s eyes widened as she was about to run out of the basement without even looking at him. She asked,

“Do you know my name?”

“Of course. I know everything about you.”

She turned slowly towards Cassius’ direction.

I wanted to stop the child’s movements, but I could not even lift a finger as if my body had stiffened.

Ophelia’s delicate eyelashes trembled.

In the original story, Cassius’ eyes, which were compared to the rare gems and stars of the world, were captured by her widened eyes, including the appearance of his.

And, how about Cassius?

Lying at an angle in Ophelia’s old bed, he looked as elegant and decadent as a scene from a classic movie. His eyes looking at Ophelia drew soft lines.

Ah.

What the hell was I misunderstanding?

Of course, Cassius Brudenell’s interest is easily shifted when the real heroine appears.

“…Miss Ophelia.”

In his languid voice, there was a passion that had never been there before.

It was a sign that the world was running towards destruction.

‘….’

I clenched my teeth tightly. Ophelia’s eyes grew so large that there was no room for any further expansion.

Cassius spoke slowly.

“Do you have any questions for me, Miss Ophelia?”

“Yes.”

Ophelia answered shyly before continuing,

“…Many.”

A cold sweat began to form on my back again. Come to think of it, in the original story, the two of them did not get along in the basement.

Although Cassius’ obsession with her did not start right away, it was true that Ophelia in the original novel initially had a crush on him at first.

“A lot? That is good to know.”

Fortunately, I was able to cut the conversation between the two of them before the situation escalated any further.

“I told you not to come in, Ophelia.”

“….!”

Only then did Ophelia realize that she had disobeyed my orders, trembling.

“How dare you ignore my orders… You will be punished.”

“Sister…”

I ignored her, pleading with her earnest voice. Instead, I poured my words out at Cassius like a machine gun.

“And Sir, if you know enough about our family, then why are you talking to a lowly, filthy girl?”

To be honest, I didn’t feel comfortable spilling out such horrible words.

It was even more so when I thought that Ophelia, who knew nothing about the current situation, would be hurt. Still, it’s much better to hear some harsh words from her naughty half-sister than to be kidnapped and imprisoned.

Suddenly, Cassius laughed.

In the original story, it would have been described as a fascinating laugh, but now, it is just chilling to me.

“You don’t want me to speak to Miss Ophelia?”

“Yes.”

I said it firmly.

“From now on, never talk to her, if you do not listen to me, otherwise…”

“All right.”

“….?”

At his effortless reply, I widened my eyes.

Cassius Brudenell must have just fallen in love with Ophelia, almost like a duckling that just hatched from an egg. And, yet he agreed so easily?

“Do you doubt me?”

“Oh, no!”

I shook my head.

Having obtained Cassius acceptance, it was time to crack down on Ophelia.

“I trust you. So, you have to keep your word.”

“Of course.”

I gripped Ophelia’s wrist violently. It must have been painful, though she did not make a sound.

Then, I grabbed Ophelia out of the basement, dragging her out, and released only after I was convinced that the child had disappeared from Cassius’ sight.

“…Go back to your room Now, you cannot take a single step out of your room until I give you my permission.”

Ophelia was neither crying nor angry. She just bowed her head and muttered obediently.

“Yes, sister.”

***

A day has passed since Ophelia was locked up in her room.

To avoid the same situation, I summoned a craftsman and put a lock on the basement door. So, not even Cassius Brudenell could go out without my permission.

After things were sorted out, regrets flooded in.

‘I did not have to say that…’

In addition, I even imprisoned Ophelia in her room without any apology.

I bit my lip.

Even if I treated Ophelia unfairly yesterday out of urgency, there was no need to do so until today.

I hurried to visit Ophelia. As she was embroidering in her room, Ophelia jumped up from her seat as soon as I entered the room.

“Sister!” She said with her face glowing brightly.

I swallowed dry saliva.

“Ophelia, I apologize for what I said yesterday. At that time, I was just startled at the thought of being caught by you…”

“It is okay!”

Ophelia waved her hand.

“I really do not mind. So…sister does not have to apologize to me. And, it’s true that I did something wrong. It could be a joke, but I can’t believe…”

I blinked my eyes blankly.

In fact, Cassius Brudenell was a madman who would actually stab me in front of Ophelia as she came in if she did not believe he would kill me.

Contrary to my complicated mind, Ophelia, who looked bright, grabbed my hand.

“Sister, I know everything. You love him, don’t you?”

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