(Chapter 28)
"Lady..." Sasa's voice was filled with relief.
"I'm glad you're safe, Sasa..." Clarisse replied with a faint smile.
"Lady, why didn't you leave? They must have already come to fetch you," Sasa said, her tone filled with confusion and concern.
Clarisse smiled again, a small but meaningful smile. "I couldn't."
"Is it because of me? Forgive me, Lady... You should have left when you had the chance. I should be the one taking responsibility."
"It's not just because of you. I'm afraid that if I leave, something worse will happen..." Clarisse lowered her gaze, gripping her hands tightly.
Sasa fell silent, beginning to understand the fear Clarisse was feeling. "Then, Lady, how will we survive? If only we had brought more guards... No one expected things to turn out like this."
"Yes, this was our mistake," Clarisse admitted softly, guilt flashing across her face. But she quickly straightened herself and spoke with firm resolve, "... I will be fine. Don't worry about me, Sasa."
"Lady... please, take care of yourself. Don't let the Duke control you. Don't let him harm you," Sasa said, her voice trembling.
Clarisse nodded, her gaze soft yet resolute. "I won't. Don't worry."
Every day, Clarisse visited Sasa. On the third day, she pleaded with Lorcan to release her. But the request did not come without conditions. Lorcan demanded many things—attending dinner with him without refusal, being present whenever he called. With a heavy heart, Clarisse agreed, solely for Sasa's freedom.
Now that she was free, Sasa still felt uneasy. She often spoke with Clarisse, searching for a solution to their predicament, but every path seemed blocked.
"If talking about it were enough, we could have run away from here," Clarisse said with a bitter smile. "But that's just a dream."
Sasa gave a faint smile, gently brushing Clarisse's hair. "Forgive me, Lady, for only being able to talk and not do anything."
"It's fine," Clarisse sighed. "Besides, only five days remain until the wedding begins. Stay with me until it's over."
Sasa looked at Clarisse with unwavering loyalty. "I will always stay by your side, for the rest of my life, Lady..."
In the greenhouse garden, Clarisse sat across from Lorcan. Between them, tea was served alongside an assortment of delicacies. However, Clarisse didn't touch her food at all.
She merely sipped her tea slowly while Lorcan spoke.
"Just three more days, and we will be married. I am very pleased," Lorcan said in a calm tone.
Clarisse remained silent. Her gaze was empty, her face devoid of emotion. She looked at Lorcan for a brief moment, and in that instant, his expression shifted. From what was initially lighthearted, it turned just as empty as hers.
The tension between them grew heavier. Lorcan could feel the drastic change in Clarisse's demeanor. Before all of this, she had been more open, even if she kept her distance. But now, she was like an impenetrable wall.
Lorcan stared at her in silence, anger slowly igniting in his chest. "Why has your attitude changed?" he asked coldly. But Clarisse gave no response, and the air between them sank into an unbearable stillness.
Lorcan's gaze darkened, a mix of frustration and confusion in his eyes.
"What happened to you, Clarisse? You used to be easier to talk to."
Clarisse remained silent, as if wrapped in layers of unspoken emotions. Lorcan exhaled heavily, his patience thinning.
"Is this what you want? A marriage without love?"