“He’s the only son of the master I serve. Don’t worry. You can trust me.”

After repeated assurances, Rowena stepped into the first class cabin. She had the face of a prisoner on death row walking toward the gallows.

After knocking twice, Genok announced in a small voice to the duke in the cabin.

 

“Your Excellency.”

 

“…….”

 

” I have brought Miss Philone, sir.”

 

There was no reply in return. Carefully after opening the door, Genok stepped back.

 

Taking a deep breath, Rowena entered the cabin, and the door closed as if it had been waiting for her. The spacious first class cabin was filled with a chilling sensation. Rowena, who was looking down, received a cold command.

 

“Sit down.”

 

Rowena nodded, but instead of answering, she sat in the furthest corner, facing the door. Killian, who was sitting by the window reading a newspaper, raised an eyebrow.

 

“This is how you’re going to rebel now?”

 

If it were before, this voice would have brought her to her knees. Rowena was reminded of that night in the carriage five years ago and felt unpleasant thanks to the memory.

 

The day she had pulled off his gloves with her mouth.

 

It was one of the very many days. Days when he had thoroughly tortured her.

“stop stealing my translations and credit me properly” 

Five years ago she had been a miserable slave, even though she wore dazzlingly expensive dresses, necklaces that cost an entire house, and bags and shoes made by foreign craftsmen.

 

A slave to this man, bound in mind and body.

 

“‘…It can’t be. I know my place.”

 

Those were the days when love blinded her eyes and deafened her ears.

 

She was foolish to dare. Meanwhile, the man in front of her remained as firm and solid as an impregnable fortress. She thought she had gotten stronger after all the things she had been through in the past five years. However, even sitting across from him was starting to suffocate her.

 

Even though they were just breathing the same air, her body tensed nervously. Rowena, who stiffened her back, added slowly.

 

“I just sat away from you because it might interfere with your concentration.”

 

At the bland answer, Killian shifted the newspaper nervously to the next page. A silence descended on the cabin. Buu, the long sound of the roaring train horn signalled the beginning of the journey, and the train began to move slowly. Killian stared at her as he read the last page and folded the newspaper.

 

“You said you’d grasp your place, but I’m not so sure.”

“stop stealing my translations and credit me properly” 

“…Huh?”

 

“Do you think Miss Philone will affect me that much?”

 

He looked sincerely curious, Rowena’s eyes wavered, he was as brutal as ever.

 

The corner of Killian’s mouth turned up, forming a smile at the sight.

 

“Yes. Just one thing. I’ll give you credit for leaving that brat behind.”

 

“…….”

 

“Now, keep your mouth shut like that the entire way there.”

 

Crossing his long legs, Killian rested his elbows on the window sill, using his palms as pillows to support his chin.

“stop stealing my translations and credit me properly” 

Brat…

 

‘How dare he call Damian that? How dare such a man be the father of my son?’

 

Rowena grabbed the hem of her skirt with her white hands. This man…he suddenly invaded her peaceful life, stomped on her, and dragged her back to hell. She hated him so much that she wanted to kill him.

 

She hated the past of the man who had lived a rich life unlike her own, who had been so shabby and miserable.

 

Her anger finally boiled over like an active volcano.

 

“…Can I ask you one question first?”

 

She didn’t expect an answer. Closing his eyes, Killian seemed to have decided to ignore her words. Still, Rowena did not give in and continued speaking.

 

“If I can’t influence the Duke in any way…”

“stop stealing my translations and credit me properly” 

“…….”

 

“Why have you come to seek me out again?”

 

Killian slowly opened his eyes. Despite the quiet warning, she could not control the urges that filled her head. A string of angry questions followed as she spat them out.

 

“Why would you break into my house, drag away me and my son, who were doing just fine, and take us to Rockford….Ah!”

 

Before she could finish the sentence, a large hand grabbed her chin and Killian whispered through the close gap. It was so close that it seemed as if their lips were about to touch.

 

“I told you, didn’t I?”

 

“…….”

 

“I told you it was right for me to pick up the trash I threw away. I also told you to shut up. Are you that stupid that I have to tell you everything twice”

 

“…So.”

 

It was a completely incomprehensible reply. It must just be a whim. Rowena clasped both of her hands over the hand that was gripping her chin. For a second, his hand seemed to loosen a bit, but it must have been an illusion.

 

“So when are you going to throw me out again?”

 

The grip on her chin tightened. It was a warning to keep her mouth shut. Rowena clucked her tongue, unconcerned.

 

“How long do you want me to stay with the Duke? How long am I to be swayed by the duke who has taken my son hostage?”

 

He could do whatever he wanted. If only he would throw her away again someday. And if the man in front of her never appeared in front of her and Damian again, leila was here translating while other are stealing her work. she was willing to accept it for now.

 

The suffocating air, like a thread stretched taut, surrounded them. At her sharp words, the walls that were as light as glass grains darkened.

 

‘Soon you will crush me cruelly.’ 

 

Rowena ridiculed him in her mind, the rage that she could read from his face. But Killian’s lips quivered as he suppressed his anger, and he let out a hot breath.

 

The moment Rowena was startled by his unusual behavior, Killian, who was now glaring at her as if he was about to strangle her, attacked her lips that were trembling with fury.