Refusing Your Ex-Husband’s Obsession: A Guide - Chapter 180

Chapter 180

Translator: Yonnee

—

* * *

After Lacie joined us, I felt more energized. I started looking for Guides but realized that finding Espers was just as important. With Lacie’s strength, I planned to travel further.

But then, a sudden message arrived.

“Lady! We’ve received a reply from the Barony…”

Aiden rushed into my room, pale-faced. It was unlike him to behave this way, so I immediately grabbed the letter from his hand and read it.

I was so shocked I couldn’t speak.

“What do we do? Brother David…”

“We must return immediately.”

“Yes! Someone! Prepare the carriage at once!”

“Yes, Young Duke!”

I gathered my strength, despite the trembling in my legs. The letter was brief, but it conveyed urgency.

My older brother got seriously injured and hadn’t woken up yet…

David had never been seriously hurt even while subduing monsters, yet what had happened to him now?

I hurried home. As soon as the carriage stopped, I dashed inside.

“Milady!”

Mary spotted me.

“Mary! Where is my brother?”

“The Young Master is in his room. And…”

Before she could finish, I raced up the stairs. I burst into the room and saw my parents and David, who was lying still on the bed.

“Rin…”

David, always so strong, now lay there pale and lifeless, his arm firmly bandaged.

“Was it a monster?”

David was nearly as skilled as father. Among his peers, his talents were unparalleled.

So why him? Why now?

My heart pounded violently. Just thinking of my family suffering… The emotional pain itself was unbearable.

“Oh, Rin. It wasn’t that…”

Just then, as Mom was about to say something, someone kneeled in front of me. He was so large that I hadn’t even considered him to be a person. Pressing his forehead to the ground, he pleaded desperately.

“The fault lies with me that the Lieutenant got injured. I have committed a grave sin!”

“…You!”

Fury boiled within me at the realization that my family had been harmed. I grabbed the collar of the man who was prostrated before me.

As he raised his head, his face, in contrast to his size, appeared simple and was smeared with tears and snot.

“I’m sorry! I tried to be careful… No, please, just kill me for my wrongdoing!”

“ Rin, calm down.”

Dad approached and lifted me.

“But Dad…”

“Yes, yes. Our daughter must be terribly shocked.”

“Hiic, please set me down.”

“Alright.”

As soon as Dad put me down, I approached the bed where David was lying. Kneeling in front of the bed, I grasped his limp hand.

“Brother… Please open your eyes…”

His usually warm hand felt unnervingly cold. I rubbed it continuously, urging him to acknowledge me.

“I’m here… You should ask if I arrived safely…”

My voice trembled uncontrollably. Unable to bear looking at David’s motionless form, I buried my face in the bed. Then, someone approached and stood beside me.

“B-Brother David…”

At Aiden’s words, a surge of emotion overwhelmed me. Unable to contain it any longer, I burst into loud sobs.

“I’m sorry…”

The large man kept apologizing, but his words no longer reached me. I just kept crying until I felt David’s fingertips twitch.

“B-Brother? Are you coming around?”

As soon as I spoke, David, who had been completely still, twitched and then loudly snored.

Zzzz…

“…Brother?”

ZZZzzzz…

As I listened to David’s loud snoring, something about the situation felt off.

I cautiously lifted my head to check on Aiden, whose expression had also stiffened. I turned towards my parents, seeking an explanation.

Sitting quietly in their chairs, they burst into laughter as soon as our eyes met.

“Oh dear, our daughter. Were you very scared?”

“You worry too much. Your older brother isn’t one to die easily. He’s been tough since he was a child.”

“…Mom.”

“Of course, this time it was serious…”

Only then did I truly notice my parents. Their haggard faces and disheveled clothes spoke of the seriousness of the situation.

It seemed like David had indeed been seriously injured, but thankfully, it wasn’t life-threatening.

Shivering, I glared at the large man, still kneeling.

“What exactly did you do to my brother!”

Just because his life wasn’t in danger didn’t mean the man’s actions towards David were excused. Despite his innocent appearance and pleas for forgiveness, I wanted the truth.