I Slept with the Villain Holding My Hand Chapter 133

Shannon, was it?

The name of the one Merria had been particularly concerned about.

 

Reukis frowned as the vague image of a woman surfaced hazily in his mind.

When he spoke as if he knew her, Themis immediately asked, “Do you know her?”

“Yes. Merria mentioned her a few times before.”

 

He didn’t elaborate on why Merria had spoken of Shannon. There was no need—and besides, that was something for Merria and him to resolve between themselves.

 

“If the last person she met was Shannon, then it’s possible they were caught in an accident while taking a walk and sought refuge together.”

“That could be the case.”

“We should head to the Magner residence.”

 

Reukis rose from his seat as he spoke. Themis moved to follow.

“I’ll come with—”

“Please remain here.”

 

Reukis shook his head firmly.

“If both you and His Grace leave, it will cause significant disruption in managing this situation.”

 

The knights under his command could be led just as effectively under Kalix’s authority.

But Themis was the Chancellor overseeing the affairs of the Imperial Palace, was he not?

With the Emperor incapacitated, losing two key figures at once was unthinkable. Themis’ face twisted sharply at his words.

“Merria is my child!”

 

This was Themis—a man who rarely raised his voice, even at the mistakes of his subordinates.

Lexie, witnessing Themis’ heated reaction for the first time, widened her eyes in surprise.

 

Reukis met Themis’ gaze squarely and spoke, “You must understand that my insistence on going alone isn’t because I’m the only one worried for Merria. Everyone here holds her in the highest regard, do they not?”

“…”

 

Themis had no rebuttal.

Lowering his eyes, Reukis continued, “Yet I answered as I did because I am the one with the least to lose.”

 

A duke who had spent his life as a mere steward of a ducal household, and a grand duke wielding the power of a dark sorcerer.

Even at a glance, it was clear who needed to take action.

 

Given Reukis’ mobility and status, he was more than capable of entering and leaving the currently forbidden Etuas Forest.

Therefore, it was only right for Reukis to be the one to visit the count’s residence.

Besides, Lexie and Themis each had their own tasks awaiting them.

 

Themis nodded with a stiff expression, then spoke in a subdued voice, “If you need any help, no matter the form, send for me immediately.”

His words anticipated the dispersal of the Altairs Knights’ forces due to the crown prince’s assault.

 

Reukis gave a small nod and vanished without a trace using teleportation magic.

Not a single trace remained where he had stood.

 

Left alone, the two from the ducal household found it difficult to move.

‘Phew…’

Themis let out a deep sigh, struggling to steady his breath amid the emptiness and unease.

Lexie, too, stared at the ground with still-unsettled eyes. The mere thought of the young lady made tears well up automatically, forcing her to lower her head.

 

Slowly rising to his feet, Themis spoke, “Go back and inform Raven and Serinia of the situation. It seems I won’t be able to stay by their side for a while either.”

Without finishing his sentence, Themis left the room.

 

💫

 

Swoosh—

Reukis arrived in front of the count’s residence and quickened his pace.

As much as he wanted to teleport straight into the count’s office, a faint hope that Merria might be here led him to enter through the door instead.

 

If the ducal lady had visited this place, the count’s family would have treated her as an honored guest.

In that case, asking someone bearing the Magner name would be the surest and quickest way to find Merria.

 

Thud, thud—

The knight who had been lazily standing guard straightened his back at Reukis’ intimidating approach.

The wariness on the knight’s face gradually gave way to astonishment.

 

The lazy days he had been spending now seemed meaningless, but he was still a knight who wielded a sword.

After all, he had immediately recognized Duke Frederick, the key figure who led the war to victory.

With eyes full of reverence, the knight gazed at Reukis standing before him.

 

“Your Grace, forgive my impertinence, but may I ask the reason for your visit? I have received no prior notice.”

He could hardly dare to say that Reukis was not allowed entry. Thus, the knight naturally had the duty to inform the mansion of the Duke’s arrival.

 

They were not on familiar terms, so there must be some intention behind this visit.

If he went in to deliver the message, it was obvious he would be asked why the Duke had come.

Rather than making two trips to the mansion, it would be easier to know everything beforehand.

 

“Is Merria—no, Lady Rackester—here?”

But the words that came from Reukis’ mouth were utterly unexpected.

For a moment, the knight doubted whether he was really standing in front of the Duke’s residence.

Such was the sincerity with which Reukis wished for Merria to be here.

 

Unlike the confident question, the knight’s expression was far from clear. 

 

The lord and lady, along with Miss Riley, had returned after leaving with packed luggage to participate in the hunting tournament.

But whether the Duke’s daughter had been in that carriage remained unknown. They didn’t inspect every carriage of the lord, after all.

 

As the knight tilted his head in confusion, Reukis asked again.

“I wish to see Shannon Magner.”

“Pardon?”

“Now.”

“Ah, yes. Of course. I shall first inform the Count—”

In the brief moment the knight turned around, Reukis had already vanished without a trace. He had gathered enough information from the foolish guards.

Merria was not here—but Shannon was.

This conclusion was drawn because the knight had no idea Shannon was secretly coming and going from the mansion.

 

The etiquette of a noble, the dignity of a Duke—Such things were no reason to restrain Reukis’ steps.

 

His mind was occupied by only one thought—he had to meet Shannon as soon as possible and hear her story.

 

The Magner mansion was bustling, though not overtly so.

The Count and Countess had returned home earlier than expected, along with Lady Riley. Because of this, everyone was busy tidying up the mansion discreetly, avoiding their masters’ eyes.

 

Murphy, who had been serving as Shannon’s maid by the Count’s order, was now reluctantly carrying groceries under the head maid’s instructions.

Even though Murphy had worked at the Magner mansion for quite some time,
fetching kitchen supplies was usually a task reserved for the newest recruits.

 

“I don’t like it, but what can I do…?”

None of the mansion’s staff had expected their masters to return so early. That must be why the head maid had singled her out for this chore.

 

Such was the treatment of Shannon’s attendant.

Why would she care what Shannon was doing in her room, when even the potatoes for the soup took higher priority?

 

“If the head maid breathes a word in favor of my promotion later, it’ll be worth it.”

 

As Murphy hurried across the back path, she suddenly stopped in her tracks.

A pair of pitch-black shoes had blocked her way.

 

“…?”

 

When she lifted her head, what met her eyes was hair as dark as the deepest night. Drawn into the pure abyss of darkness, Murphy slowly shifted her gaze.

Finally, her eyes landed on a pair of sharp, golden irises.

 

Caught in that unavoidable gaze, Murphy’s face instantly flushed.

Before her stood a nobleman—immaculately dressed, tall, and sculpted like a statue, around her age.

Since the Count and Countess had no sons, the only nobleman she had ever served was the ill-tempered Count Magnor.

 

And now, out of nowhere, a handsome stranger had appeared in the Count’s mansion.

How could she not be startled?

 

“How dare I entertain such thoughts in front of a noble…?”

 

The man before her was so captivating that if anyone were to see him, they might gasp in awe. 

 

Even the way he looked down at her with that slightly twisted gaze sent shivers down her spine—shivers she strangely enjoyed.

 

“…What brings you here, Your Grace?” Murphy replied as if entranced.

 

But the next words out of his mouth shattered her delusions like broken glass.

 

“Where is Shannon Magner?”

 

“Huh?”

 

“I came to see her. I’d like to meet her right now.”

 

The fact that this man, who was mesmerizing just to look at, was so desperately searching for someone as ordinary as Shannon—Murphy’s heart sank into a muddy pit of jealousy. 

 

She forced back the scowl threatening to twist her face and instead offered a faint smile.

 

“If you follow me, I’ll guide you to her.”

 

Holding a basket of ingredients shyly against her chest, Murphy hurried ahead.

 

As they walked toward Shannon’s room, everyone they passed widened their eyes in surprise. 

 

Murphy assumed their stares were for the same reason as hers—completely unaware that they were shocked by the sudden appearance of Reukis.

 

Finally, they arrived at the door of Shannon’s room in the main house. 

 

Fortunately, the count’s household had all headed straight to the dining hall after returning home, leaving the area eerily quiet, devoid of any people.

 

Aware of Reukis standing behind her, Murphy lightly knocked on the door.

 

“Miss Shannon, you have a visitor.”

 

“…”

 

“Miss.”

 

Even after calling a few more times, there was no response.

 

“Are you sure she’s inside?” Reukis asked, his voice laced with doubt.

 

To his keen senses, the room felt as empty as the hallway. Even a sleeping person would have made some sound—yet there was no sign of movement inside.

 

Murphy completely ignored his suspicion and shook her head slightly.

 

‘Impossible.’

 

She had no doubt that Shannon was in that room.

 

It was fortunate that she wasn’t crying over not being able to join the hunting competition.

Murphy forced a smile and said, “Please wait here for a moment.”

At that moment, Murphy appeared to be the most polite and diligent maid in the world.

 

“Miss, I’ll go in now.”

Creak—

As the doorknob turned, the closed interior scenery briefly revealed itself.

Even through the gap of the opened door, it was immediately clear that no one was inside.

 

Seeing that the scene matched his expectations almost exactly, Reukis spoke to Murphy.

“Any chance she could be somewhere else?”

“Miss Shannon rarely leaves her room. She even takes her meals alone inside…”

Behind Murphy, who was listing off useless information, lay an untidy room. Given the lack of any warmth from its owner, it seemed Shannon had left the mansion long ago.

 

He furrowed his brow and took a deep breath.

“When that woman returns, send a messenger to someone named Harriet from the Grand Duchy of Frederick.”

Reukis looked down at Murphy and pulled out a gold coin.

“Is the payment sufficient?”

“Huh? Y-yes, Your Grace.”

Murphy’s eyes gleamed at the unfamiliar gold coin as she nodded eagerly. Why this sudden noble was looking for Shannon was no longer of any concern to her.

 

Clutching the gold coin tightly, Murphy didn’t seem like the type to run off even after receiving payment.

Reukis, having planted a one-time informant, intended to leave the count’s residence without delay.

 

“Your Grace…?”

That is, until she heard the guard at the entrance speak—just before Riley came running.