Previously
Eleanora Winter discovers a broken window at the Blackwell estate and suspects the strange woman she saw earlier has broken in. A flashback reveals Killian Blackwell's childhood trauma involving a manipulative nanny and a servant named James, explaining his deep-seated fear of women.
The sound of Eleanora’s ragged breaths filled the room.
Even Killian was taken aback by how clear his own voice sounded.
Only moments ago, he had been unable to do anything but gasp for air. How had his voice come out with such strength and clarity now?
Panting, Eleanora tried to explain what had happened, but in that moment—
The woman lying on the floor let out a pain-wracked groan… or rather, a shriek of rage at having the dream that was within her reach snatched away.
Killian’s eyes widened.
What if that madwoman got up and attacked Eleanora?
( ‘No!’ )
Killian sprang up all at once. The strips of cloth that had bound him so tightly just moments before tore away as if they were nothing.
Yet before he could step in front of Eleanora to shield her—
Eleanora brought the frying pan down on the woman again.
And she did not stop at a single blow; she struck her repeatedly.
Once the woman could no longer rise, Eleanora picked up the longest strip of cloth that had tied Killian to the headboard and bound the woman’s arms and legs tightly.
Killian watched the entire scene, utterly dazed.
She had subdued the woman completely, with flawless precision.
Having finished everything, Eleanora dusted off her hands and wiped the cold sweat from her forehead.
At that moment, Killian felt something strange—as though a cool, dry breeze had swept over him, drying the sweat that coated his body.
Then, an immense wave of relief washed over him.
Owen finally came rushing into the room after hearing the commotion, looking half-asleep.
He raised the oil lamp he held, illuminating the space, and his mouth fell open in shock.
Eleanora said calmly.
Then she shook her head, correcting herself.
No. There was something far more important that had to be done first.
she asked, looking at Killian.
As for him, he still looked as though his soul had left his body, managing only a slow nod.
Eleanora breathed a sigh of relief, assured that she had not arrived too late.
Just as she was about to speak—
The woman had regained consciousness in the meantime. Writhing on the floor like a fish tossed out of water, she screamed hysterically.
Nausea washed over Killian once more, and at the same time, his fury flared.
He had feared women before. He had detested them. He had been annoyed by them. But never had he felt such pure hatred toward any woman.
Owen started to step toward the woman, but Eleanora held him back.
She then picked up the bottle of chloroform she had spotted in the light of the oil lamp Owen had brought.
She gave it a light shake, took another piece of cloth, and soaked it with the liquid.
Without the slightest hesitation, she pressed her knee down onto the bound woman’s torso.
Eleanora clamped the cloth over the woman’s nose and mouth, not lifting her hand for a long time.
Only when the woman’s struggles finally faded did she pull her hand away and stand up.
Eleanora spoke with absolute composure, as if what had happened moments before was nothing of consequence.
Since the faint light from the small lamp could not illuminate the two men’s faces clearly, she failed to realize just how stunned they were.
And so she calmly continued her explanation.
The woman was moved to the adjoining room, and Killian got to his feet.
Though the situation had vastly improved, his expression looked no better than when Eleanora had first appeared.
Killian replayed Eleanora’s words in his mind, took a deep breath, and pointed at the frying pan she had brought with her.
In the end, Killian could no longer keep it contained.
Was this woman insane? Just climbing through a broken window was perilous enough!
What if the one who broke the glass had been a man?
Worse, what if it had been an entire band of criminals?
Killian ran a hand through his hair.
As Killian seethed with anger, Owen watched his expression cautiously and spoke up,
Killian shot a sharp glare at Owen, who was misunderstanding the situation just as completely as Eleanora was.
Even this fool thinks I’m angry over just that?!
Killian wanted to vent the frustration choking his chest, but he could not. What could he possibly say when he had nearly fallen victim to a single woman?
Lecturing someone else about danger felt utterly absurd after what had happened to him.
He wished he could crawl into a mousehole and hide.
( ‘What a humiliating disgrace.’ )
Killian snapped sharply at Eleanora before he could catch himself. An instant later, his facial muscles twitched as he realized what he had done.
Eleanora, however, took no offense at his tone and continued,
Eleanora nodded as though she had anticipated that answer.
Owen asked with a grim look. Eleanora gave a slow, solemn nod.
Owen spoke with a cold, rigid face. It was entirely obvious to Eleanora what he wanted to discuss with Killian.
( ‘They are considering settling this between themselves without involving the authorities.’ )
She understood why. Killian was a prominent figure. Were this case brought to court, the details of what he had suffered would spread everywhere in no time.
Naturally, he would not want that.
As he had once said himself, he was a businessman who could not afford to neglect his public reputation. He would undoubtedly want to keep this incident from damaging his enterprises.
( ‘Still, this places me in an uncomfortable position.’ )
While it was true that Eleanora had also broken the law by entering the mansion, this matter was entirely different.
( ‘His life was truly in danger, so I could never treat this lightly.’ )
She cared little about what became of the assailant or what punishment she received.
Yet she did not want to know that someone had been punished outside the law.
She anticipated that she would spend the coming days plagued by an unbearable burden of guilt and stress.
Just as she was preparing to leave… Killian suddenly spoke up,
Eleanora blinked her wide eyes in astonishment.
( ‘He realized I understood… and he realized it was making me uncomfortable.’ )
Was Lord Blackwell truly so perceptive?
Swallowing a sigh, Owen hurried out.
( ‘Should I stay here…?’ )
While Eleanora hesitated, Killian rose from his seat,
Then she offered a smile and added,
Killian narrowed his eyes as he watched her smiling face.
( ‘She is truly terrible at lying.’ )
She could have simply admitted she was troubled by the thought.
Ah… was it because she was in love with a man that she only wanted to tell him what he wished to hear?
Hah… truly, she was willing to risk her life to save the man she loved.
( ‘Quite impressive, really.’ )
Killian covered his face with one hand. Gratitude, worry, embarrassment… a tangle of emotions he had rarely experienced in his life churned into a dizzying whirlwind.
He could do nothing but let out sigh after sigh.
Yet there was something more pressing than surrendering to these feelings. He finally raised his head,
Eleanora nodded, then asked,
Killian was about to answer that she was a complete stranger to him. But he paused. It was better to be sure first whether he had ever crossed paths with her, even by chance.
So he tried to recall her features.
Yet the moment he did… her nauseating smile and the clammy feel of her hands flooded into his mind.
A sharp pang swept through him suddenly, as if he had plunged into a frozen, glacial river.
His body swayed. At that exact moment, Eleanora rushed over and caught his arm firmly.
Killian raised his eyes in surprise.
He could only stare down at the owner of that tiny hand… which was supporting his massive frame with every ounce of strength she possessed.