Looking for a Husband to Confine Me - Chapter 7
Chapter 7
‘I once thought Luke liked me.’
A self-conscious chuckle escaped my lips as I recalled that embarrassing past.
I had even suspected that Luke’s mental age was about the same as a child who deliberately bullies someone they like. However, my suspicions didn’t last long.
‘If he really liked me, he wouldn’t act like that.’
Even if he was bullying me, he should have done it in moderation. But Luke’s past record was truly…
It made my teeth clench. He was on my list of candidates, but I absolutely didn’t want to choose him.
‘Hector would be better… No, no. I don’t like either Hector or Luke.’
When a heroine is reincarnated, shouldn’t handsome male leads come after her? Why were these trashy guys the only ones around me?
The more I thought about it, the more I sighed, so I quickly erased the thoughts from my mind.
“Ah, you wouldn’t…”
Luke gave me a knowing, sardonic smile.
“Did you come to the banquet to try something with the princes of Kishan?”
“No.”
“Don’t lie. You couldn’t take your eyes off them as soon as they appeared. You’re right.”
“Then consider it true.”
“Are you kidding me?”
It wasn’t a joke, it was the truth. I wanted him to just go away.
It wasn’t entirely a lie. Bashar Kisha was one of the candidates, but I didn’t plan on getting involved with him today. I just wanted to change the future where I was poisoned.
He had to survive so I could do something later.
But ultimately, my goal was still Bashar, so Luke was right. I told him honestly, but he got angry instead.
‘Annoying, annoying.’
I listened to Luke’s noisy ramblings with one ear and ignored them.
Today, Bashar Kisha, the powerless youngest prince who was far from the throne, would be poisoned. In the novel, the culprit who killed Bashar was never caught. But the incident shattered the relationship between the two countries that had made peace and sparked another war.
Hector and Vivian would meet because of the war. As soon as the war began, he mentioned breaking off their engagement, saying he didn’t know what would happen.
‘In the original story, Amelia naturally refused and said she would wait.’
She never imagined that Vivian would be by Hector’s side when he returned victorious from the war.
That’s why I was determined to prevent the poisoning. But the two of them met before the war even started.
I couldn’t figure out where things went wrong.
“Damn it.”
“What?”
Luke immediately reacted to my muttered curse. He was so annoying, he even paid attention to my mumbling.
I didn’t even turn my head towards him.
“I was talking to myself.”
“Don’t think you can get entangled with a prince. You’re not worthy.”
“Haha.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at his words. This damn guy?
“Hey.”
Luke called me.
“Say it, I’m listening.”
“You should look at someone when they’re talking.”
“Sorry, I don’t want to look at you.”
So, please just go away.
I didn’t turn my head, even under Luke’s menacing gaze. Instead, I stared at Bashar.
“Amelia!”
Luke grabbed my wrist and called my name. His grip was slightly tight, making me frown. I reluctantly turned around, and he smiled in satisfaction.
“…Haah.”
“What, do you have something to say?”
I wanted to punch his smug face. But I couldn’t. There were too many eyes here.
“Luke.”
“Why?”
“I’m annoyed. Will you go away?”
“I’m going to stay here, what’s it to you?”
“Then I’ll go. Don’t follow me.”
“Why would I follow you!”
Luke shouted angrily, drawing everyone’s attention. I took advantage of his surprise and shook his hand off.
“It’s fine if you don’t follow me. Everyone’s watching, so you shouldn’t be trailing behind me.”
I took a step back and quickly spoke to Luke, who was about to follow me. He stopped. I smiled darkly as I watched Luke, who was concerned about the gazes of other nobles.
“Then let’s not see each other next time, Luke.”
I waved my hand and walked away from him.
***
I left Luke behind and headed towards the balcony of the banquet hall, where there were few people. When I arrived at the prearranged spot, something climbed up my ankle.
[Amelia, you’re late!]
The little creature, Slinky, popped up on my shoulder and grumbled with dissatisfaction. I poked Slinky’s forehead with my index finger.
“Sorry, I had someone bothering me.”
[Luke?]
I nodded, and Slinky nodded its tiny head in understanding.
[I told you. He likes you.]
“Would you lend a huge sum of money to someone you like?”
And even threaten to sell them somewhere?
[Well, that’s… maybe not?]
“No, he doesn’t. He just wants to see me fuss over him and ask for his help.”
That’s why I’m stubbornly resisting, but if all the deals with the candidates fail…
“I don’t even want to imagine it.”
I muttered with a sigh.
“Anyway, how did the investigation I asked you to do go?”
[Yes! I found it with the kids.]
Before entering the banquet hall, I had released several snakes, including Slinky, beforehand. These creatures were tasked with identifying the wine Haroon Kisha favored, “Moste Diqur.” It was said to be a wine produced by a renowned craftsman in Lefkind, with only one hundred bottles produced annually. The wine prepared for the two of them today would likely be Moste Diqur.
[Precisely ten bottles were prepared. They are all in the back room near the banquet hall.]
“If someone takes that wine, will you let me know?”
[I’ve already told the kids about it.]
Slinky was clever, as expected. He rubbed his head against my neck, seeking praise, and I chuckled, stroking him gently.
The snakes I had released into the banquet hall were carefully chosen for their stealth and ability to move discreetly, ensuring they wouldn’t be seen by others. Moreover, they were non-venomous and friendly to humans.
‘They only cause temporary unconsciousness if they bite.’
If someone attempted to take the wine, incapacitating them was the most reliable option. That wine was crucial for gaining access to Bashar Kisha. One of them was the culprit.
‘If the wine isn’t missing, it means the culprit prepared the same wine.’
I intended to use this to uncover the person trying to poison Bashar Kisha…
“Do you want to drink?”
Gasp!
Damian’s voice came from behind me, a low whisper in my ear.
‘When did he get here?’
I hadn’t sensed his presence!
Flustered, I hurriedly hid Slinky.
“Amelia?”
“Yes? Yes! I think I’m a little thirsty.”
I forced a smile and turned to him.
I hadn’t noticed before when we bumped into each other, but Damian was tall and surprisingly well-built. Perhaps I hadn’t noticed because he seemed so relaxed.
“Shall I get you some wine?”
“No? It’s alright.”
“Why?”
“What?”
“Don’t you want to drink the wine I bring you?”
His eyelids drooped languidly, revealing silver eyelashes. His unusually dark eyes stared at me as if they could pierce through me.
“It’s not like that.”
“Not like that?”
His repetition of my words created a strange pressure.
Why is he suddenly acting like this?!
“Um.”
“Um?”
“Um, the doctor! I forgot what he told me. I’ve been drinking a lot recently.”
“Ah.”
Damian nodded as if he understood. He was probably thinking about the broken engagement with Hector.
“I just wanted to get some fresh air.”
I smiled, implying, “What about you? Why did you approach me and suddenly talk to me?” But Damian didn’t answer, only staring down at me.
“…Excuse me.”
“Damian.”
“…?”
“I said Damian. My name.”
“Sir Damian…?”
“Just the name will do.”
His voice, languid yet insistent, drew me in, and I nodded involuntarily. I found myself listening to him for some reason.
“But how do you know my name….”
“Amelia.”
Shhh.
Damian’s index finger touched my lips, preventing me from finishing my sentence.
Startled by his sudden action, my eyes widened. His hand slowly moved from my lips to my chin, brushing it. It hovered just above my neck, moving slightly lower…
“Were you wearing this necklace earlier?”
…What?
Necklace?
A forgotten memory suddenly surfaced. I had hurriedly hid Slinky when Damian approached.
‘Could he mean Slinky ?’
Slinky hadn’t managed to hide properly and was still wrapped around my neck, like a necklace.
“It’s an unusual design.”
Damian reached out to touch the necklace, or rather, Slinky . If his hand touched it, he would notice something was amiss.
No!
Alarmed, I grabbed his wrist and pulled him towards me. Perhaps I was too forceful, because Damian stumbled, leaning his body into mine.
“Ugh.”
I buried my face in his firm chest. My nose was pressed against it, causing a slight pain.
“I’m so sorr-…”
I rubbed my nose with my right hand and lifted my head. But I couldn’t continue speaking, caught by Damian’s face right in front of me. He was supporting himself with his free left hand, holding onto the balcony railing.
I was trapped between the railing and Damian, unable to even breathe. I was afraid our lips might touch.
My eyes widened, and I darted my gaze around. Even the slightest movement of my lips required great care.
Damian, too, seemed surprised by my sudden head lift and remained motionless. He was probably just as startled as I was.
