IHDOE Ch 45

Serpens stepped between them and tried to pry Sharlan's grip loose, but he refused to back down.

Tightening his hold on her wrist, he sneered.

[Sharlan] "This is family business, Priest. Mind your own."

[Serpens] "Family business?"

Satina's past mention of her family circumstances surfaced in Serpens' mind. He glared at Sharlan with eyes burning with far deeper hostility than before.

Sharlan hardly found that gaze pleasant. He sneered at Satina.

[Sharlan] "Who is this man, Sister? Is he the reason you've been running around so busily lately? To entice him?"

Serpens pried Satina away from him and shielded her behind his back.

[Serpens] "Watch your tongue. How could a family member say such..."

[Sharlan] "Priest, I believe I just told you this is none of your concern. This is an affair of House Bersabet."

[Serpens] "Bersabet?"

At the familiar name, Sharlan's attire finally registered in his mind.

A jacket crafted from luxurious fabric with a subtle sheen, a jeweled tie pin, and cufflinks carved with delicate patterns—every single item he wore was an extravagant luxury commoners could never dream of owning.

Striking looks, a mole beneath the outer corner of his left eye, and a young Bersabet...

[Serpens] "Could you be... Sharlan Bersabet?"

Sharlan curled his lips into a sneer.

[Sharlan] "Yes, I am Sharlan Bersabet. How fortunate that you know our house, Priest."

Sharlan expected the man before him to tuck his tail and retreat at the family name, but the reaction was quite the opposite. When he reached out to grab Satina again, Serpens struck his hand away with absolute firmness.

Sharlan glanced briefly at the stinging back of his hand before locking eyes with the priest again.

[Sharlan] "What do you think you are doing?"

[Serpens] "I understand that you are Sharlan Bersabet. However, even if you are the duke's son, I can't allow you to force an unwilling person against her wishes."

Sharlan raked a hand through his hair with the back of his reddened hand, muttering under his breath.

[Sharlan] "Ha. Unbelievable."

Scrutinizing Serpens with icy blue eyes, he spoke sharp words.

[Sharlan] "Listen here, Priest. Whether that woman wants it or not is completely irrelevant. Do you understand? She is a Bersabet, and she belongs to our family until the day she dies. By what right do you meddle in this?"

[Serpens] "Whatever history lies between you and Miss Stella doesn't matter. If Miss Stella doesn't wish to go, I can't send her with you."

Turning to Satina, he spoke in a gentle voice.

[Serpens] "Don't worry, Miss Stella. I will protect you."

[Sharlan] "Stella?"

At that name, the smile vanished from Sharlan's face.

[Sharlan] "Stella? Ha! Dyeing your hair and changing your name... were you determined to run away from the family?"

Sharlan forcefully dragged her by the wrist.

Serpens attempted to block him, but he couldn't easily overpower the relentless young lord. His concern for Satina—who had only recently left her sickbed—prevented him from intervening forcefully.

[Serpens] "Don't treat her so roughly! Miss Stella is a patient who was just discharged from...!"

Sharlan forcibly tore off the bracelet Satina wore and hurled it to the ground. The jeweled accessory clattered noisily across the pavement. Yet no one present cast a single glance at the fallen bracelet.

Serpens froze like a stone statue, staring at the woman before him.

Her radiant blond hair was so dazzling that the simple dress she wore seemed out of place. Ever since Sharlan appeared, she had offered only a bitter smile, as though she had relinquished everything.

Radiant blond hair mirroring Sharlan's own, deep pink eyes announcing her bloodline...

Serpens muttered.

[Serpens] "Satina Bersabet...?"

Seeing his shocked face, a smirk finally returned to Sharlan's features.

[Sharlan] "Well now, I assume you have no further objections to me taking my sister, Priest."

Pulling Satina to his side, he wore a triumphant smirk.

[Sharlan] "This woman belongs to Duke Bersabet's house and has nothing to do with you. Come, let us return home, Sister."

He emphasized her name with deliberate weight.

Satina looked at Sharlan.

[Satina] "Wait, Sharlan. I want to speak to him one last time."

[Sharlan] "Still trying to..."

Sharlan turned to reprimand her, but the moment he met her eyes, the words died in his throat. In the past, he would have provoked her by asking why he should listen, shoving her into the carriage regardless of her pleas.

[Satina] "Please..."

Yet acting so ruthlessly now would undoubtedly earn her resentment. Ultimately, he clicked his tongue and released her hand.

[Sharlan] "Five minutes. I will give you exactly five minutes. After that, no amount of begging will work."

He turned and walked toward the carriage first.

Satina confirmed Sharlan was far enough away that he couldn't overhear their conversation, then turned back and approached Serpens, who still looked bewildered.

[Serpens] "Miss Stella... how on earth did this happen? That you are Satina Bersabet... that is..."

It made no sense. How could a woman like Stella be the same person as the wicked villainess, Satina Bersabet?

She offered a resigned smile.

[Satina] "I am Satina Bersabet. I told you, did I not? That you shouldn't bother with a woman like me."

[Serpens] "Did you deceive me from the very beginning? Did you enjoy watching me get fooled by you? You must have laughed inside as I clung to you, calling me a fool!"

Serpens gripped her shoulders and shouted.

[Serpens] "Please, tell me the truth, Miss Stella."

He collapsed slowly toward the ground, his face resting against her shoulder.

Feeling her fabric grow damp, Satina spoke in a calm voice.

[Satina] "I'm sorry. I didn't intend to deceive you from the start. I just... didn't want to be seen as Satina Bersabet by anyone, even just one person."

[Satina] "If I had revealed that I was Satina on the day we first met, would you have spoken with me? When you saw me praying, would you have comforted me? Or would you have despised and avoided me?"

[Serpens] "I..."

He choked back his words, unable to finish.

She was right. Had he known she was Satina when they first met, he would have viewed her with disdain. He would have mocked her for praying after tarnishing the temple's honor.

[Satina] "The faith and desperation I felt while praying back then haven't changed at all, so what exactly is different now?"

Her wish had always been constant. She wanted to live. She didn't want to die, nor did she want to be imprisoned somewhere for the rest of her life. She wanted to survive at all costs and escape this game.

A throb of pain rippled across her lower back, reminiscent of the moment Serpens dug into her wounds in the Bad Ending.

Satina cupped his cheek. As if reflecting his chaotic turmoil, notification windows had been flashing wildly.

[Serpens' favorability has decreased by 10.

Serpens' favorability has decreased by 5.

Serpens' favorability has increased by 1.

Serpens' favorability has decreased by 7.

Serpens' favorability has decreased by 3.

Serpens' favorability has increased by 2.

Serpens' favorability has increased by 3.

Serpens' favorability has decreased by 1.

Serpens' favorability has increased by 1.

Serpens' favorability has decreased by 4.

Serpens' favorability has decreased by 6.

Serpens' favorability has increased by 8.]

[Satina] "I will never appear before you again. I wish you peace."

Sharlan approached and urged her.

[Sharlan] "Five minutes are up. Let us go."

Satina obediently released his cheek and turned away.

In that instant, Serpens grabbed her wrist.

[Serpens] "Miss Stella, I... I..."

His lips trembled violently. Though he had seized her out of instinct, he didn't know what to say or even what he wanted to say. Yet one thing was certain: he didn't want to let her leave like this.

[Serpens] "I mean, I... Miss Stella..."

She quietly pried his hand away.

[Satina] "I am Satina."

Without looking back, she walked away following Sharlan.

Sharlan glanced back, smirking at the sight of Serpens standing frozen as if rooted to the spot. He stepped into the carriage after her.

Securing the carriage door tightly as if fearing she might flee, he spoke.

[Sharlan] "That man seems thoroughly bewitched by you. And he calls himself a priest. Was he the one who bought you that dress last time?"

Satina leaned against the corner of the carriage, letting his words drift past her without a response.

[Sharlan] "I have no idea what is going through your head. Did you actually plan to run away? I let you act as you pleased until now, but no more. Left unchecked, you will drag our family honor through the mud. For the time being, stay quietly at home under house arrest and prepare for the banquet."

[Satina] "Fine."

[Sharlan] "And throw away those rag-like clothes."

[Satina] "All right."

[Sharlan] "Are you tired?"

[Satina] "A bit."

[Sharlan] "That is what happens when you engage in useless antics."

Though he grumbled, he didn't press her further.

Satina closed her eyes amidst the rattling noise of the carriage, listening to the system chime constantly, signalling favorability fluctuating up and down.

I should rest up until the banquet.

Or so she thought…

---

What on earth is all this?

The moment she opened her eyes the next morning, what greeted her was a lavish feast and Sharlan beaming brightly at her.

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