Refusing Your Ex-Husband’s Obsession: A Guide - Chapter 177

Chapter 177

Translator: Yonnee

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The hastily chosen lodging was cleaner and more spacious than I expected. The fever of the woman we brought in was gradually subsiding, which was a relief, but I couldn’t easily fall asleep.

“Lady, you should rest a bit. You’ve been taking care of her since we arrived here.”

“…Yes, maybe I should.”

“Yes. And the Lord has sent word to the Baron’s house about our situation.”

“Thanks.”

“Who is she?”

Rose’s question made me look down at the woman lying there.

“I don’t know yet.”

“…Huh? Then why are you taking care of her?”

“It seems like she’s one of our kind?”

“Ah…”

Rose nodded, understanding my point. I got up from the chair I was sitting in.

“I’ll catch a bit of sleep then.”

“I’ll keep watch here.”

“Thank you.”

I went to the next room and collapsed onto the bed. I realized that taking care of someone was no easy task. I intended to rest for a bit and then relieve Rose, but I unknowingly fell asleep.

I woke up to the piercing brightness of the sun.

“Ugh…”

I opened my eyes groggily, startled by the sunlight flooding the room. I tried to sit up, but something was holding my arm tightly.

I turned my head in surprise and saw the woman we found yesterday holding my arm and face pressed against the bed, asleep.

“Oh…”

I didn’t know when she had woken up and come here, but I was concerned she was on the floor yesterday, suffering from a fever. I tried to free my arm, but it was as if it was caught in a hook, immobile.

“…Is she that strong?”

It was strange, almost too peculiar, how firmly my arm was held.

After several attempts to pull it free, I laid my head back down.

“This is strange…”

How could only my arm be immobilized?

Then a thought crossed my mind.

‘Could she be an Esper, not a Guide?’

I remembered a power similar yet different from Ciel’s wind ability.

“Is she using telekinesis?”

Hearing my murmur, the woman’s eyelids fluttered open. Her long lashes quivered, and then her eyes opened wide, revealing beautiful pink irises.

“Ah…”

“…Huh?”

She suddenly sat up, startled.

“Oh! I’m so sorry!”

She looked well-rested, wiping the drool from her mouth with the back of her hand. The woman trembled, apologizing profusely.

“I can’t believe I’ve been so rude! I’m truly sorry!”

I watched her bow deeply in apology, then realized I was still lying down and tried to sit up. But my arm remained still.

“Could you, um, release this?”

“Huh?”

“It seems like you’ve been pressing it down with your power…”

“Power? Me, an Esper?”

“Isn’t that right?”

“You might be mistaken. I’m not… Oh no, I’m sorry. I was about to lie to the person who saved me.”

The woman rambled, then bowed deeply again, beginning what seemed like a confession.

“I’ve been cursed, and it started when I experienced severe fevers—like yesterday. When I woke up feeling odd, I would find objects floating in the air… But I never knew I could cast a curse on people! I was on my way to the temple, but please allow me to accompany you there so you may be treated, Lady!”

The woman knelt with graceful movements, her hand on her heart as she continued.

“Apologies for the late introduction. I am Lacie, daughter of Count Clausent.”

Her appearance didn’t scream ‘commoner’, but I never dreamt she’d be a Count’s daughter. However, her demeanor was distinct from other noble ladies.

“…Are you a knight, Lady?”

“Yes, the Clausent County is responsible for the domain on the outskirts of the capital. We’re a family where offspring are not numerous, and I’m the only one in my generation. So, I became a knight to continue our family duty.”

This was my first encounter with a female knight here. I observed her with undisguised fascination. Then Lacie, her cheeks flushed, asked,

“May I know your name?”

“Ah… I am Irene, from the Closch Barony. Please, speak comfortably.”

“I can’t do that! If you hadn’t helped me, I would have been in great trouble. Lady Closch, you are my savior! I can’t possibly talk disrespectfully towards my benefactor!”

“I merely did the right thing.”

After responding, I tried to move my arm but it was firmly immobilized.

Right, I need to address this first.

“Could you come closer for a moment?”

“Ah, yes.”

Lacie quickly approached me. I moved my other arm, which fortunately responded well. I bit the edge of my glove to remove it, and then cupped Lacie’s face.