Betrothed to My Sister's Ex

Late at night—the rustling of the forest trees and the calls of nocturnal birds drifted all the way into the room. Though I was alone, I felt strangely unsettled.

Marquis Dario's villa had more rooms than it appeared from the outside. Each room was rather small because of this, but it didn’t bother me. To be honest, I’ve always preferred slightly cramped spaces; they make me feel more at ease. When I mentioned this to Mio, she just told me, "Be careful of suffocation," though.

The room was not luxurious but clean and comfortable. Yet, I had an odd bad feeling and couldn’t sleep. But nothing happened, and the night wore on.

I listened carefully and it seemed everyone else was asleep.

Thinking the strange feeling was just needless worry, I decided to sleep as well. Just as I changed into my pajamas and lay down on the bed, there was a gentle knock on the door.

Who could it be at this hour?

On alert, I frowned and approached the door.

“Marie? Is Lisa crying again...?”

I spoke as I opened the door, only to find a different woman standing there.

—Ella Fuchs.

Her ash-gray hair hung messily as always, and she stood there with a gloomy aura. From between her hair, I could see a faint expression of anxiety and tension.

...Ella is no warrior. There was no weapon in her hands. But I was more cautious facing her than anyone else.

“What brings you here at this hour?” I asked in a low voice.

Ella lowered her gaze to the floor and muttered as if to herself.

“I’m sorry for coming so suddenly... but I really wanted to talk.”

“What about?”

“An expression of thanks. Thank you for letting me stay in this mansion.”

She bowed so deeply that her long hair almost touched the floor.

I genuinely didn’t understand what she was talking about. There was no reason for her to thank me. More importantly, I had no memory of recommending that she be allowed to stay here. Nor did I intend or want that. After tracing my memories for a while, I recalled something.

“Oh, that time... I just said I had no right to oppose it. This mansion belongs to Marquis Dario. So really, it’s Dario who decided to keep you here.”

“No, but if Lord Cyrus had been serious, he could have forced me out into the forest by force.”

“That applies to almost every man present. Besides, how is it a favor that he didn’t do that? That’s just common sense.”

I explained this, but it didn’t seem to reach Ella’s heart.

Or rather, she probably wasn’t really listening to me at all.

I’m not very perceptive, but I’m not so naive either. I realized that her “thanks” was just an excuse, and she had another real purpose for coming.

“If that’s your business, then just go home.”

I said that, but Ella shook her head and persisted.

“No, there’s still an important matter. It’s about work. Something I can only tell Lord Cyrus.”

“...Alright, I’ll listen. But keep the door open.”

I invited Ella to sit on the sofa and sat down myself. But she didn’t move an inch, refusing to sit.

Standing with the door behind her, Ella looked at me with eyes that seemed to have made up their mind.

“The truth is... my master told me to take care of Lord Cyrus...”

“What kind of care?”

Ella didn’t answer. Sensing an unspoken meaning—like, ‘you should understand without me saying’—I nearly put my head in my hands.

“There’s no need for that. There are attendants for daily care, friends for emotional support, and above all, I have family. Whatever your role, it’s not necessary here.”

“But Marquis Dario told me to do so...”

“That’s your side’s problem. If you want, make me the villain and talk to your master.”

“P-please! I really want to be by Lord Cyrus’s side.”

Ella’s serious gaze held me captive.

But I only glared at her silently.

...It was already clear what Marquis Dario had truly ordered.

In the past, young women like this were often ‘sent’ to the bedroom—prostitutes hired by business partners, attendants who were almost mistresses, even wives or daughters.