I Slept with the Villain Holding My Hand Chapter 113

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Lexie stared at Shannon, who had called out to her, her eyes wide and round.  

 

“Huh?”  

 

Tilting her head, Lexie asked in return, and Shannon gave a faint smile.  

 

“I came to see the lady.”  

 

Her demeanor was confident, as if they had already arranged a meeting.  

 

For her, there was nothing to hesitate about.  

 

If Merria was inside, she would welcome her, and even if she wasn’t, she could learn the lady’s whereabouts through a maid’s words.  

 

Lexie rolled her eyes as she tried to recall.  

 

Before falling asleep, Merria had mentioned an appointment in the afternoon. She had asked to be woken up in time—could this have been the arrangement?  

 

In the end, Lexie decided to relay the news to Merria, who was still asleep.  

 

Though it was still early for evening, if it was the lady’s guest, it was only right to announce the visit.  

 

Lexie nodded and said to Shannon,  

 

“Could you wait just a moment?”  

 

When Shannon signaled her permission with a glance, Lexie stepped back inside.  

 

Even then, Merria remained deep in sleep. Lexie gently shook her shoulder.  

 

“My lady.”  

 

“Mmm…”  

 

“My lady, wake up.”  

 

Merria flailed her hand and pushed the blanket down. Half-opening her eyes, she mumbled in a drowsy voice,  

 

“Lexie, give me some cold water.”  

 

She looked up at Lexie with squinting eyes, as if the light was too bright.  

 

Lexie smiled faintly and walked to the nearby table.  

 

Since they weren’t in the mansion, hot and cold water were stored in magical bottles.  

 

Tilting the long spout like a teapot, she filled a glass with cold water.  

 

Lexie took Merria’s still-unsteady hand and placed the glass in it.  

 

Merria pressed the chilled glass to her cheek, chasing away sleep, then slowly blinked.  

 

“What’s going on?”  

 

Lexie picked up a comb and moved behind Merria. It was to tidy the tangled hair from her nap.  

 

“Ah, a guest has arrived.”  

 

“Who?”  

 

Merria lifted her head slightly and looked up at Lexie.  

 

Lexie hesitated on how to describe Shannon when she suddenly remembered the last encounter.  

 

“Ah.”  

 

“Hm?”  

 

“The lady we met at the rental shop the other day is here. The one with silver hair.”  

 

“What?”  

 

Merria bolted upright and exclaimed,  

 

“What time is it? Did I sleep that long?”  

 

The appointment with Shannon had clearly been set for the evening.  

 

It was arranged for after Reukis returned from the hunt, allowing time for a short rest.  

 

When Merria suddenly raised her voice, Lexie yelped in response.  

 

“My lady!”  

 

Because of her abrupt movement, the water in the glass Merria was holding sloshed over.  

 

Merria flinched as the cold water soaked into her clothes, then quickly said to Lexie,  

 

“First, get me a change of clothes—no, Shannon first.”  

 

As Merria fumbled, Lexie shook her head and cut in.  

 

“My lady, the time you asked to be woken is still ahead.”  

 

“…?”  

 

“It seems she arrived early without notice. Should I send her away?”  

 

Lexie gestured toward the outside with her chin.  

 

After all, she had only come in to hear Merria’s opinion—she would simply relay her decision.  

 

Merria thought for a moment, then shook her head.  

 

“Is Arietta nearby, by any chance?”  

 

Arietta was Serinia’s attending maid.  

 

Merria had thought to delegate some tasks to her since Lexie couldn’t handle everything alone.  

 

But Arietta had already gone out with Serinia.  

 

In the end, Merria decided to let Shannon in first.  

 

It would take quite a while to change out of her wet clothes and fix her disheveled hair.  

 

“For now, serve Shannon some tea. I’ll get myself together.”  

 

“Understood.”  

 

Lexie went out to escort Shannon, who had been waiting outside.  

 

Meanwhile, Merria began undressing on her own.  

 

Staying in wet clothes too long might leave her unable to attend tomorrow’s party—or worse, catch a cold.  

 

Since Lexie had already loosened all the ribbons in the back before leaving, taking it off wasn’t difficult.  

 

Luckily, the inner slip didn’t seem to have gotten wet.  

 

Merria searched for something to wear. Her expression soured as she picked up the fresh dress Lexie had left behind.  

 

Come to think of it, she hadn’t specified she’d be changing alone.  

 

As a result, Lexie had brought one of her usual dresses.  

 

‘I should’ve asked for something like a simple one-piece I could put on by myself…’

 

Merria pursed her lips slightly and peeked out, scanning the area where Lexie might be.  

 

Lexie was standing near the table. Though tea had already been set before Shannon, leaving a guest waiting alone was hardly proper etiquette.  

 

But right now, dressing properly was more important to Merria than manners.  

 

Keeping a guest waiting too long was also impolite.  

 

When Merria gestured subtly, the quick-witted Lexie caught on immediately.  

 

“I’ll go ask if the lady is ready.”  

 

Lexie politely excused herself to Shannon and hurried over to Merria.  

 

Turning her back, Merria muttered, “I should’ve told you in advance that I’d dress myself.”  

 

“That was my oversight, my lady.”  

 

With deft fingers, Lexie swiftly fastened the buttons.  

 

Only after ensuring Merria’s hair and attire were immaculate did she step back.  

 

“All done now.”  

 

“Thanks.”  

 

Merria quickly made her way to the table where Shannon waited.  

 

Shannon sat quietly, idly toying with her teacup.  

 

Merria took the seat across from her and spoke.  

 

“I’m sorry. My clothes were a mess, so I had you come in first so you wouldn’t have to wait too long.”  

 

“It’s fine.”  

 

Shannon gave a small smile.  

 

“…?”  

 

Merria sipped her tea, studying Shannon intently.  

 

It had been quite a while since their last meeting at the rental shop.  

 

Yet, even at a glance, Shannon’s face lacked its usual brightness. Despite her smile, her pallid complexion was undeniably concerning.  

 

Noticing Shannon’s state, Merria asked worriedly,  

 

“Are you feeling unwell?”  

 

“…Hmm?”  

 

“Should I call a physician if you’re in pain?”  

 

Shannon, about to respond, glanced at Lexie standing behind Merria and closed her mouth.  

 

Catching the look, Merria subtly suggested, “Lexie, why don’t you take a short walk?”  

 

It was a clear hint that they wanted to speak privately.  

 

Lexie understood and nodded readily.  

 

“Of course, my lady.”  

 

Once Lexie left, silence settled naturally.  

 

Alone in the room, Merria watched Shannon’s somber expression.  

 

Shannon’s gaze remained fixed on the still surface of her tea.  

 

Merria took another sip, if only to fill the quiet. Shannon’s eyes followed the motion, lingering on Merria’s lips.  

 

Merria briefly wondered at the attention but was soon distracted by other thoughts.  

 

Shannon arriving early wasn’t particularly surprising.  

 

For one, Merria assumed Shannon had been in the forest since yesterday.  

 

Since Shannon had suggested meeting at the hunting event, it made sense she’d attend as the Magnor heiress.  

 

But her early visit made Merria wonder—had she fled from something?  

 

The second day of the hunt was essentially a social gathering, filled with teas large and small.  

 

Merria, with few acquaintances and feigning illness for a nap, had stayed in her tent.  

 

But the Countess of Magner, who loved flaunting influence, would surely host her own tea with her circle.  

Riley would undoubtedly be there.  

 

‘If Shannon isn’t the Countess’s true daughter, it’d be more than just uncomfortable.’

  

It was a situation ripe for scorn and sidelong glances. If Shannon had anticipated this and slipped away, it made perfect sense.

  

With no interest in socializing, Shannon likely had few acquaintances here.  

 

Perhaps just Deston and Merria.  

 

Merria cautiously speculated. That was why she’d welcomed Shannon without pressing further.  

 

The real concern was Shannon’s unusually poor complexion. Merria broke the silence first.  

 

“Shannon, is something wrong?”  

 

“…”  

 

Shannon hesitated to answer.  

 

Had Riley already slighted her? Merria had witnessed Riley’s rudeness toward Shannon before.  

 

That made her all the more cautious.  

 

“Are you sure you’re not ill?”  

 

That might be an easier question to answer.  

 

After a long pause, Shannon finally spoke haltingly.  

 

“I have a favor to ask of you, my lady.”  

 

“Of course. Go ahead.”  

 

Merria nodded readily.  

 

After all, she owed Shannon a favor herself. This was a perfect chance to repay it.  

 

Shannon paused at Merria’s eager response, then stood.  

 

“…?”  

 

“Could we talk outside instead?”  

 

“Oh—sure.”  

 

Merria didn’t know what Shannon wanted, but something told her to follow. She didn’t even realize how little guard she had up.  

 

Shannon studied her briefly before leading the way.  

 

Merria followed without hesitation.  

 

To an outsider, it would’ve looked like two lovely young ladies out for a stroll.  

 

But as Shannon neared the forest’s edge, Merria suddenly stopped.  

 

“Shannon?”  

 

At her call, Shannon turned smoothly.  

 

“Actually… I dropped a ring.”  

 

She held up her bare hand as if to prove its absence.  

 

“Last night, in the forest. It was too dark and vast to even attempt searching.”  

 

When Merria didn’t react, Shannon continued.  

 

“Besides, it’s not something just anyone should see, so I thought to ask for your help…”  

 

“You dropped it?”

 

Merria cut off Shannon’s words and asked again.  

 

Shannon didn’t seem to notice Merria’s bewilderment.  

 

Instead, she nodded readily. And then, without thinking, she let slip something that should never have been revealed.  

 

“You also dropped your ring on the floor that day and lost it, didn’t you?”  

 

“…”  

 

Merria didn’t answer, replaying the words she had just heard in her mind.  

 

Unaware of her slip, Shannon continued, “With two of us, we should find it much faster. You’ll help me, right?”  

 

“…Of course.”  

 

Merria murmured softly.  

 

Noticing the faint unfocusing in Merria’s eyes, Shannon smiled brightly.  

 

“I’ll search over there, so you check the outer edge, my lady.”  

 

Having easily assigned their tasks, Shannon turned away.  

 

Merria, with nothing but the thought of finding the ring, walked toward the outskirts of the forest.  

 

Alone now, she slowly felt the buried doubts rising within her. But before she could follow that train of thought any further, her vision began to blur.  

 

Thud—

 

Merria collapsed to the ground, staring up at the sky in shock.  

 

‘What’s happening? Why is this—?’  

 

Her pupils trembled faintly, but no sound escaped her lips.  

 

‘Shannon couldn’t have gone far.’

 

The moment the thought crossed her mind, she saw Shannon—who had disappeared in the opposite direction—walking back toward her at a slow, deliberate pace.  

 

But why—  

 

‘Why is she smiling?’ 

 

Confusion and fear welled up in Merria’s crimson eyes.