Episode 8: A Spirited Rescue
Remember, remember.
Didn’t the villainess Ati in the otome game say something about the scar on her back?!
An unremovable scar, damaged goods, that’s why the Engagement Dissolution is—ugh! That’s not it!!
Where, and how, did she get that scar? Didn’t she mention that information?!
After all those playthroughs of the game, I didn’t pay enough attention to Ati’s lines as the villainess. Damn it! I should have read her dialogue more carefully!
I ran along the side of the mansion, but there were only gardeners and no sign of Ati or the pompous people.
Not here. I won’t get anywhere from here.
After confirming that no one was nearby, I slipped into the mansion through an unlocked window.
I rushed down the hallway, searching for where people were.
Anyone, anyone who knows where Ati is?!
From the end of the hallway, I heard the sound of multiple footsteps and women’s voices, so I stopped. I immediately took off my jacket, rolled up my sleeves, and wiped the window with my handkerchief.
The footsteps came closer and then suddenly stopped.
“Huh?”
A woman’s voice.
At that moment, I turned sharply and addressed the two maids who were there with a stern voice.
“You two there. What are you doing? The window was cloudy. You know today is an important day. Why did you slack off?”
I tried to sound as low and imposing as possible.
“Um, well, we were—”
“No excuses. The window is the face of this mansion. If it’s dirty, it casts doubt on the mansion—the owner, the master’s character.”
The two maids, suddenly lectured by a stranger, were bewildered and confused.
“Polish the windows when you’re done with your current task. Understood?”
“Y-yes.”
I put pressure on them without giving them a chance to argue, and the maids hurriedly bowed their heads.
Intimidating the maids and making them feel small, I picked up my jacket and walked towards them. I passed them, stopped, and called out again over my shoulder.
“Oh, and where are Ati-sama and Eric-sama right now?”
This is the main point. This is what I really wanted to know.
“Ah, well. They left the Lounge a little while ago, so I think they’re in the Back Garden…”
The maids answered, their voices trembling.
“I see. Thank you.”
I said my thanks and was about to walk away when I suddenly remembered.
I turned back to the two who were probably watching my back.
“The other windows are truly beautifully polished. Excellent work. It’s the result of your sincere dedication to your work every day. Wonderful. I look forward to your continued efforts.”
Yes, I gave them a compliment.
Sorry. Actually, all the windows were sparkling clean to begin with. I just wanted to hear what you had to say. But it’s true that you’re doing a good job. The servants at the Andreu Estate are diligent and hardworking.
I walked elegantly until I was far enough away from the two, and then I dashed.
The Back Garden! Ati and Eric are in the Back Garden now! I have to get to the Back Garden quickly!
…But where is the Back Garden?!
Well, since it’s called “Back,” it must be at the back of the mansion.
I guessed and ran with all my might.
Please, please let me make it in time!!
I passed various servants, ignoring them even when they tried to stop me, and ran through the mansion. This mansion is huge!!!
While sprinting down a hallway on the first floor that seemed to be towards the back of the mansion, I thought I caught a glimpse of platinum blonde hair outside the hallway window—beyond the neatly trimmed garden shrubs.
I stopped abruptly and pressed myself against the window.
Squinting, I saw two small figures huddled near the rose arch at the edge of the garden.
That’s them! There they are!!
I was about to throw open the window and run out when someone grabbed me from behind in a bear hug.
“Who are you?!”
A man’s voice. Probably one of the mansion’s servants. Damn, I got caught!
“Let go! This isn’t the time!!”
I struggled to shake off the man’s arms that were holding me down.
“Ati! Ati!!”
I shouted as loudly as I could, hoping my voice would reach them, even though they were quite far away.
“Ati!! It’s dangerous, so go back inside the mansion with Eric! Ati!!”
If she’s going to get hurt, it’ll probably be outside! I have to get Ati back inside the mansion.
Damn it! You’re in the way!! Who’s holding me?!
Perhaps because I was causing such a commotion, people started gathering around me, making me the center of attention.
No, maybe it’s a good thing I caused a commotion. That way, even if something happens, they might think it’s bad timing and—
Thinking that, I relaxed for a moment.
That’s when I saw it. Ati and Eric—above them, from the window of the second-floor hallway, a human arm stretched out.
In that hand was a Lantern, even though it was the middle of the day.
—My back is ugly. It’s burned and scarred, a terrible sight. And it’s all Eric-sama’s fault—
The voice of the villainess Ati echoed in my ears.
Burned… a burn. A Lantern.
Could it be…!!
“Atiiii!!!”
I swung my head back with all my might. There was a heavy thud, and the arms holding me loosened. In that gap, I thrust my hips back and hip-attacked the torso of the person behind me! I also delivered a backhand to the face of someone nearby.
I dodged the arms reaching out from the left and right with a somersault and kicked off the ground with enough force to gouge it.
“Ati, above you!!! Run!!!”
I ran with all my strength.
Ati and Eric, the two young children, noticed my voice and looked at me.
They didn’t notice what was above them.
The arm extending from the second-floor window. The dangling Lantern.
Floating.
The Lantern, released from the hand, began to fall freely.
Towards Ati.
That scene seemed to unfold in slow motion.
The moment the Lantern was about to hit Ati’s body.
“Like hell I’ll let you, you bastarddd!!!”
I threw the pocket watch I had in my pocket.
Clang!
The pocket watch hit its mark perfectly, and the Lantern’s falling position shifted.
However.
The Lantern didn’t hit Ati but fell to the ground and burst into flames with a “whoosh.”
“!!”
Ati and Eric panicked at the flames that erupted at their feet.
“It’s okay!!”
I shouted to them, trying to sound as cheerful as possible.
And then, a tackle!!
I scooped up their bodies, reversing my body so as not to crush them, and landed on the ground with my shoulder and back, sliding.
I can’t let my guard down yet!
I rolled them onto the ground and patted out the flames that had spread to their clothes.
“Are you hurt anywhere?! Are you hot?! Are you okay?!”
I brushed off the burnt clothes and looked at the children’s skin underneath.
It was a little red, but it wasn’t burned badly enough to leave a scar.
Thank goodness…
“I’m so glad you’re safe…”
With heartfelt relief, I hugged them tightly. The stiff children were left to be hugged.
I’m glad. I’m really glad. It’s not a serious injury. It’ll heal quickly if I cool it down. It might sting for a while, but a few minor injuries are normal for kids. It’s okay, it’s okay. No problem.
Ah, I’m so, so glad…
The two were too shocked to move.
Suddenly, a strand of burnt hair came into my view.
The charred ends of platinum blonde hair—
“Ati!!”
I let go of Eric and focused on Ati’s burnt hair.
About a third of her long hair was charred and gone.
“Ati… Ati… Poor thing, your hair…”
Ati’s platinum blonde hair, which was so beautiful…
Her fluffy hair with its silky sheen…
The culprit, I’ll never forgive you.
I’ll make you experience something that will make you think hell is comfortable.
“…Mother…?”
I snapped back to reality at Ati’s small voice right next to me.
She was touching my face with a curious expression.
“Who… who are you??”
Eric, who was next to her, also looked at my face with wide eyes.
…Crap.
I’m someone who shouldn’t be here.
I didn’t think at all about what would happen after I saved Ati.
With the servants gathering around me, I racked my brains for an excuse.