Being in contact with Roderick alone was enough to lift her spirits, and Diana couldn't suppress the corners of her mouth from rising on their own.
But really, what's with that look? As if thinking, "What kind of crazy woman is this?"
"Excuse me, sir."
"...."
Ignoring Diana, Roderick turned around and started searching for an exit, staying alert to his surroundings.
"Sir, how did you get in here? Did you follow a crow?"
"...."
Roderick persistently ignored her, focusing solely on his task. Diana shrugged her shoulders as she watched him quietly, then slowly approached.
She still knew very little about him.
The elder brother of the sub-male lead, cursed with madness, dying in the battlefield.
That scant information wasn't enough to fully grasp who this man was. She needed to approach carefully.
One wrong move and she might lose any chance to get close to him. But if I'm desperate, I might just pounce on him.
Her vision, accustomed to the darkness, caught sight of a staircase.
"There. Stairs…!"
Before Diana could react, Roderick, who had noticed the stairs first, passed by her and strode ahead.
"Sir, let's go together!"
Business always required caution. Before negotiating about the curse, she thought of getting to know him better, but he didn't respond to her attempts at conversation.
Although she was worried about the missing Noel, she believed he must be safe somewhere, being able to use magic.
Given that Roderick and his position switched, it was highly likely he was outside the castle.
Surely he wouldn't have fallen into a place with monsters like this? It was really nerve-racking when the child rushed at the werewolf.
"Hold on, lady."
"Yes?"
Lost in thought, Diana walked right into Roderick's broad back as he suddenly stopped.
"Ah."
Before he could speak, another magic circle activated beneath them. Please, enough already. These traps are relentless.
'♬♩♪'
The sound of a music box was heard.
The magic circle transported them to a familiar space, the west corridor where she had walked with Noel.
Roderick appeared amidst the foggy space. Diana sighed.
Here we go again. No need to search for cursed dolls anymore. Just need to escape.
But first, they had to get out of the castle to attempt anything. She was pondering how to entice this man when suddenly…
Thud – a cold and damp something grabbed her hand.
Diana's face turned instantly pale. This can't be, right? Surely not.
"Um, sir? Lord? Commander?"
Diana's fluctuating titles made Roderick raise an eyebrow.
"Is there something next to me?"
While he looked at her nonchalantly, tears welled up in her eyes.
"Yes. A child just appeared."
"Uh?"
Creaking, she looked down at her hand held by a pale child.
[Mommy?]
"Ah!"
Without realizing, she screamed and clung to Roderick. He frowned in annoyance.
"Let go, lady."
"No, just a moment! It's not like you're going to melt!"
[Mommy? You're not Mommy?]
The child gazed up, first whining and then glaring angrily. His dilated black pupils were the stuff of horror.
A chilling aura prickled her skin.
As the child got angry, magic circles formed all around.
"Ah, yes, Mommy!"
[Huh?]
As the child tilted its head in confusion, one of the magic circles disappeared.
"Oh dear, Mommy was so shocked that she was late in responding. Sorry."
Diana was sweating profusely as she held onto Roderick's arm. The child stared at his arm, then looked up at Roderick.
[Daddy?]
"Yes. Ah, yes. Daddy. Haha. My handsome husband."
She forced a smile under his stern gaze. That man is cursing me with his eyes right now. Diana whispered softly, trying to calm her nerves.
"Please play along. It seems that child is controlling the magic circles."
As Diana suggested, the magic circles disappeared as the child's mood calmed.
[Is Daddy not on good terms with Mommy?]
"No, no. We get along so well, don't we, dear?"
She clung to his sturdy forearm. Indeed, being close to this man was definitely her cure. The more she stayed near him, the stronger she felt.
Slyly satisfying her own motives, she leaned in, noticing his hand moving towards his sword.
"Oh, wait!"
Before she could stop him, Roderick's sword sliced through the child's neck. Stunned by his precise action, she realized he was merciless, even with a child.
However, the child didn't disappear and was dangling from his sword, laughing as if playing on a bar.
Her face turned pale at the sight of the child's creepy laughter.
Roderick clicked his tongue and lowered his sword.
"Get off me."
No, I'm too scared to let go.
"Sir, please. Just act like a real couple for a moment. Alright?"
Diana clung to him desperately. While an ordinary man might have consented by now, he was different.
"You'll do it, right, honey?"
Winking at him to play along, his expressionless face grew even sterner.
"Are you insane?"
"I'm perfectly sane."
"Or planning to be."
Roderick pressed his finger against her forehead firmly.
"Back off."