The crackling sound in the fireplace and Susan's heavy breathing became the only sounds in the room. The air seemed to grow heavy and cold, and something began to pile up in the silence, pressing down hard on her shoulder, making her feel difficult to breathe.
She finally realized it was fear, fear of an unknown fate, fear of this man.
She was afraid that her foolish pride would get her killed. She was also scared that her crimes would implicate others, "relatives" she had only been living with whom she had only lived for a month.
Her heart was beating faster and faster in her chest as if it were about to burst out, and she clenched her fists tightly, wondering how much longer she could hold on.
Maybe it's not so hard to get down on your knees and beg?
But then a cloak with body temperature suddenly fell on her shoulder. The cloak was warm, soft, and carried the unique scent of a man. The warmth quickly enveloped Susan, seeping through her whole body.
Susan froze, unable to react.
"I guess you can't sew those buttons back on now, and also, you don't want to go home looking like you are a raped girl," the man said in a low voice, with a vague resonance in his chest.
Home? Did he say home?
Susan jerked her head up and stared at the man.
So he is not going to punish her? Is he going to let her go?
She saw a slight smile on the man's lips.
Susan finally couldn't help but let out a long breath as if to exhale all the previous fear, all in one breath. The relief sound was so loud, making it almost like a moan. Even Susan herself was startled.
The man on the other side made a burst of short, low laughter.
Susan was so embarrassed. She hid her head down, pretending she was interested in the warm cloak wrapped around her.
It was a dark blue cashmere cloak, the hem was too long for her, and it was dragging to the ground.
She grabbed the cloak and noticed that the dye, and the texture, were of a higher quality than could be seen on the market. She also noticed something strange: the cloak was slightly damp on the shoulders, like a water stain.
Strange. How could a nobleman like him get a water stain on his shoulder?
Susan stole a glance at the man just in time to see the man make a gesture.
Not far away, a young attendant walked over. The man whispered something to the attendant.
Susan waited patiently by the side. In her mind, she wondered what to do with this cloak.
Although she did not want to accept favors from the bastard nobleman, she needed the cloak. The man was right, and she didn't want to go back to frame street looking like a raped girl.
The neighborhood will be overjoyed, so they'll have something to talk about for the entire next month. Susan didn't know what kind of stories the neighbors would stir up, but she was very sure she wouldn't like them.
Then she only can return the cloak to him when she gets back home. And she better asks his attendant for his name and address before she leaves.
Susan made up her mind, and her heart settled.
After being free from the tangle of life and death, Susan's brain goes back to normal function; she notices the nobleman's dressing style.
His cloak was dark blue. The black jade clasp of the cloak and the hunting clothes on his body was entirely black, with almost no other decoration.
It's an interesting choice, and Susan can't help but look at it from a professional point of view. Usually, people subconsciously pick the color of clothing, which can actually show their inner character.
The color choice this man made suggests a mixture of nobility and discreetness, loyalty and rebellion, selflessness, and refusal of all approaches.
How can someone be so ambivalent?
As Susan couldn't help but observe the man to study him more, he suddenly turned to look at her as if he sensed her gaze.
Susan was startled and hurriedly lowered her eyes.
then, she heard the man say, "Daniel, you take her home; you know what to do."
Hearing that it involved herself, Susan hurriedly looked up at the entourage.
He is a very young man with short chestnut hair and looks vigorous and energetic. He smiled at Susan, showing a mouthful of white teeth.