The Obsessive Maniac Is Trying To Confine Me Chapter 243 - Side Story Chapter 33

Next morning.

I opened my eyes to the dull sunlight seeping through the gaps in the window.

I hadn’t slept properly at all last night.

I had already noticed that Argen still held feelings for me.

Honestly, I had planned to use that to build a friendly relationship, gently persuade him, and escape this territory together with Richard.

‘But I didn’t think it would go this far.’

It seemed Argen had no intention of releasing Richard until he was sure he truly had me.

Or perhaps, he might never let him go at all.

There was no way to persuade Argen through conversation or negotiation right away.

Even if I slowly tried to win him over, there was no guarantee Richard, trapped underground, would hold out until then.

I reached a cold conclusion.

‘I should meet Richard first.’

However, Richard seemed to be held in the underground prison.

Security must be tight there. How was I supposed to get in?

While I was wandering through the early morning castle, thinking of a solution—

As I turned a corner in the hallway, I heard the urgent voices of knights arguing.

“Is it true? That a violent tornado destroyed the barrier of the cursed land?”

“Yeah. They say the outer wall near the Ashen Forest has been breached, and monsters might pour out. We might have to go on a subjugation mission immediately!”

“What? I was just thinking I could slack off for once!”

‘The barrier of Piet Castle collapsed?’

Beyond the forest bordering the cursed land was a habitat of vicious monsters.

Thanks to the strong barrier, monsters never made it into the territory—but if that wall had collapsed, things would be different.

‘…If the knights go out to subjugate them, the castle’s defenses will weaken. Escaping will be easier.’

Just as I was quickly calculating the pros and cons—

“H-hey!”

The knights chatting in the hallway spotted me and froze as if they had seen a monster.

‘Why are they like that?’

I was confused for a moment, then realized their stiff faces looked familiar.

…They were the knights from the House of Evanthes who had taken Marta from Piet Territory.

“Long time no see.”

I greeted them with a light smile, and their faces turned pale like they had seen a corpse.

“We… we failed to realize your noble status before… and committed great disrespect.”

One of them stammered and bowed his head. His tone was much more polite than before.

It seemed that thanks to Argen’s generous treatment of me, they had concluded I was someone they shouldn’t touch lightly.

‘This actually works out.’

“I, if you could forgive our rudeness…”

“And if I can’t?”

“…!”

The large knights flinched.

I had already wanted to deal with them at least once before leaving the territory—they had harassed the townspeople after all. The timing couldn’t be better.

I crossed my arms and smiled faintly at them.

“Do you even know who I am exactly?”

“We… we’re not sure. We just thought you were a very important person…”

Luckily, it seemed no detailed information about my identity had spread among them. They had only guessed based on Argen’s attitude toward me.

Curious about what they were thinking, I casually dropped a hint.

“I’m the Count’s lover.”

“…!”

Their eyes widened in shock.

I wondered if I had gone too far, but soon their faces filled with resignation and fear.

“As expected…!”

“I told you! I knew it!”

Their guesses had turned into certainty.

It seemed the rumor that I was Argen Evanthes’ hidden lover had already spread through the castle.

‘Well, that misunderstanding actually works in my favor.’

“You threatened the Count’s lover and even took my friend away.”

I stepped closer, my voice turning cold as I pressured them.

“We’re sorry, lady! We truly didn’t know back then… please don’t tell the Count! We’ll die!”

“Just words?”

“T-then what do you want…?”

Their eyes wavered nervously.

“If you help me a little, I’ll keep what you did to me that day a secret from the Count forever.”

“R-really?!”

“But it might be dangerous…”

“Just tell us what to do! We’ll risk our lives!”

Their eyes sparkled like they had grabbed a lifeline.

I was certain.

They could never refuse.

The moment Argen Evanthes heard of their actions, they wouldn’t just be expelled from the knights—they would lose their heads.

“Steal the key to the underground prison.”

“…Pardon?”

“Then I’ll keep your secret.”

At that moment, their pale faces turned completely white.

 

 

 

*****

 

 

 

 

“Please hurry. If we’re caught, both you and we will die!”

The knight tremblingly placed the prison key into my hand and urgently warned me.

“It wasn’t easy to sneak this out. We arranged a temporary shift change with the guards at the prison entrance. It’s a very short window, so you must come out within that time.”

“Got it. Just keep watch properly.”

Leaving the terrified knights behind, I headed down without hesitation.

The basement of the castle was darker and damper than I expected.

After descending the steep stone stairs for a long time, only a few scattered torches lit the place with a red glow. The smell of rusted iron and blood stung my nose.

‘Where is Richard?’

Holding my breath, I walked past rows of iron bars when—

“…Rose?”

A low, rough voice like a beast called my name from the darkness.

It was Richard. Even without seeing me, he had sensed my presence and scent perfectly.

I quickly moved toward the deepest cell where the voice came from.

Beyond the thick iron bars, I saw his massive silhouette—Richard, sitting with silver restraints binding his neck and limbs.

“Why are you here?”

His blue eyes flashed in the dark.

“Richard, I came to get you out.”

“…What does that mean?”

He asked back blankly, as if he couldn’t understand the situation at all.

“Let’s escape, Richard.”

At my firm words, his brows furrowed. Then, disbelief rippled across his beast-like face.

“I’ll explain later. I got the key from the knights by luck.”

“…Rose, have you finally decided to run away with me?”

The corners of Richard’s lips lifted into a smile, and his fierce eyes softened all at once.

Seeing his relieved expression made my chest feel strangely tight.

Because…

‘I’m not going to run away with Richard.’

At first, I had planned to escape with him—but I had already changed my mind.

If I disappeared now, Argen might lose his mind and do something dangerous. He might even try to stop Richard’s reinstatement.

The best option was for me to stay, keep Argen’s attention on me, and slowly persuade him.

‘And I need time to figure out how to end things with Argen properly.’

Which meant I couldn’t leave Richard in this prison either…

Just then—

Richard reached his large hand through the bars and gently wrapped it around mine holding the key.

His warm body heat spread through my skin as he rubbed his cheek against my hand, overflowing with blind affection.

“I believed you would come to me and waited. I’m so glad… even though it’s dangerous, you came for me.”

“……”

“You must have been scared stealing the key… but Rose, don’t do things like this again. I can tear down a weak gate like this with my own strength.”

Richard clearly misunderstood.

He thought I had come to escape with him.

“Um… Richard.”

“Yes, my Rose.”

“……”

I closed my eyes tightly, then opened them again, preparing to tell him the shocking truth.

“The escape… is for you alone.”

In an instant, Richard stopped moving—his cheek still resting on my hand.