The Obsessive Maniac Is Trying To Confine Me

Chapter 171 What the hell happened? I fiddled with Pandora’s gem in my hand. <This is definitely a Pandora’s gem. This can’t be fake.> The craftsman was sure of it. <Be careful not to lose it.> After listening to the craftsman’s reassurances, I still wasn’t sure what was what.I don’t know if the craftsman was wrong, or Richard was lying to me… I reminded myself of what I had seen in the newspaper. Pandora’s gem had been sold for the highest price ever, to an unidentified gentleman who didn’t know who he was.‘There’s no way he could afford something like this,’ I thought to myself. Then he’s been lying to me all this time, and why would he do that? It was frustrating not to know.I paused at the entrance to the forest.My hand tightened around the jewelry. Was I really supposed to walk back into the cabin as if nothing had happened?Should I ask Richard what this jewel was, and if he was lying when he said he is in debt? I shook my head. If it’s true that Richard has other motives, it may become dangerous the moment I notice it. It’s also unreasonable to go directly to the cabin. I have to go somewhere else now…. Then a cold hand rested on my shoulder. Surprised, I turned around and saw Richard standing there with a cool impression. I was surprised by the unusual atmosphere, but at that moment, he smiled broadly as usual. “Wife, why are you standing here quietly?” “… Ah.” “Aren’t you going home?” This touch, which I would normally have thought was kind, is now terrifying. Unable to help myself, I followed Richard’s lead and set off into the forest. “But where are you going at this hour, wife?” “I go for a short walk.” I replied calmly as if nothing had happened. Richard smiled, and grabbed my hand. He grabbed my hand so tightly that I could never remove it, and he took my hand and went into the woods. I followed Richard as he moved without a hitch. But the farther we got from the village, the more nervous I became.When we finally came into sight of the cabin, I couldn’t hold back and jerked Richard’s hand away. “Wife?” I smiled as naturally as possible at Richard who looked back at me as if wondering. “Richard, I have something on my mind, so I think I should go somewhere for a moment. So, go home first today.”  I casually walked away from Richard and tried to pass him.But he moved a step in front of me, blocking my path. “Come with me, wife.” “… No. I will go alone.” “It’s late, it’s not safe for you to go alone at this hour.”It wasn’t easy to pull away. “Don’t worry, I’ll be right back, I’m not going far.” “I need to get something to live on for a while.” “What do you need?” He didn’t look at me, but dug in. “That…” What’s so urgent that I need to go there right now?It was hard to think of anything, since I had most everything at home. “That’s…” “Stop.” As I squeezed my hair, Richard smiled softly and stopped me. “Are you planning to go to the castle?” At that moment I forgot to breathe and looked at him. For a very short time, many thoughts ran through my head. “… How do you know that?” “I saw you coming out of the castle.” His nonchalant response left me speechless.It was a reasonable answer, but it left me feeling strangely disconnected. “Why didn’t you tell me you work at the castle?” “Because you… don’t like me working outside. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, I meant to tell you later.” It was a childish answer. I wasn’t very good at hiding the fact that I worked in the castle, but I was particularly concerned about Richard’s dark expression. “You should quit working at the castle, wife.” “Why?” I asked impatiently, and Richard paused, unable to answer right away. He looked suspicious, and I played dumb. “The castle work pays better than I expected, and it will certainly help with the household expenses.” “I’ll do something about the living arrangements, wife doesn’t need to worry about such things….” “No. I just happened to catch Viscount Ascent’s eye, so the pay has gone up, and I’ll regret it if I quit.” “… Have you met Viscount Ascent?” Hearing a voice asking me as if surprised, I was convinced. The things I’ve felt in the past are never my fault. Viscount Ascent certainly knew me. And it must have something to do with Richard. “That’s why I am really happy. Viscount Ascent likes me very much.” “…….” “I know you’re worried about me. But since Viscount Ascent takes care of me, I don’t do any hard work, right? I didn’t realize castle work was so relaxing.” I smiled broadly and acted like someone who didn’t notice Richard’s feelings. “… Wife.” Now, tell me. If you want to convince me, you’re going to have to reveal your connection to Viscount Ascent. “That’s all very well,” he said, “But all noblemen are devious.” “It’s because you don’t know. How good is Viscount Ascent.” “Wife, actually….” Richard looked at me like that and made a troubled face. “I owe the Viscount Ascent a debt.” “Debt? What do you mean, I thought you said you didn’t have one.” “I lied to you… because I was afraid you would be disappointed in me.” This foolish man. You’re a guy with the money to buy Pandora’s jewels, but you owe the Viscount Ascent in debt? “Are you very disappointed with me?” Of course I’m disappointed. “It can’t be.” I denied it and hugged him tightly. “… Wife.” He raised a trembling hand, as if he hadn’t expected me to come out like this, and hugged me back. “Since you say so, I’ll quit my job right away.” “Thank you for your understanding, wife.” “No, Richard, we have been out here longer than that and I’m cold, so let’s go inside.” I pulled away from Richard and walked back into the cabin, one step ahead of him.Richard caught up with me and pulled me into an impatient hug. “Richard?” He hugged me wordlessly, as if he wanted warmth as much as he wanted affection. The warmth that had once been so comforting was now uncomfortable.The secrecy he’d created had become a huge barrier, preventing us from connecting. Was that why I hated him? That was difficult to answer. Unlike a moment ago, when I was cold, I was filled with mixed emotions and my mind was dull. “You’re hungry, aren’t you? Let’s get something to eat…” “I’ll eat later, I’m a little tired right now, so can I take a nap and wake up?” “Eat first and then sleep, wife.” “I am very tired.” I refused his invitation and went into the room. While I’m sleeping, Richard won’t come into this room. He’ll be careful in case it wakes me up from my sleep. I stare at the window, barely big enough for a body to fit through, and think. What should I do? Would you rather have an honest conversation? But what if Richard turns on me, thinking I’ve revealed his secret?I couldn’t hope for a lucky break, and my mind raced.In the end, I had to give up the adventure and make a rational choice. I must run away **** “It’s near here. There are no traces of the spies we sent here.” Dylan searched the village, receiving reports from the watchers. The village was a peaceful place. It was hard to believe that the Paladin and her impersonator could be hiding here. Rose suspected they were here, but Dylan wondered.What could they possibly be hiding in a town like this?Then, as Dylan looked around the town, his eyes caught a glimpse of the forest. Large branches entangled with each other, creating thick shadows, and the forest was already dark from the beginning. “That forest…” Dylan said, and the villagers spilled information about the forest.It’s an eerie place, and most of the villagers don’t want to go near it. When Dylan asked if anyone lived there, the villagers waved their hands and replied that it was not a livable place. There is an abandoned cabin, but most of them avoid it because they say it is possessed by a ghost. Even the watcher, who was looking around carefully, seemed not to want to go into that forest. They say there’s no way the two of them could live in such a place.Dylan stood tall in the midst of everyone’s denial and stared out into the forest.Then he made a decision. “I’m going to go explore the forest alone for a while.”