Something’s Not Right About This Transmigration - Chapter 8.2
As if to reassure Frey that he didn’t need to be wary, Regulus lightly tapped the tip of his nose.
Frey looked toward the place where Samuel had disappeared.
Come to think of it, the novel had never mentioned that ‘Frey’ was being abused.
‘Even though he had a fairly important role.’
That meant the Count had concealed the abuse more skillfully than Frey thought.
It also appeared that ‘Frey’ had never told anyone but Regulus about his circumstances.
“Go back to the Count’s mansion with Samuel for now. It doesn’t look like we’ll get to talk today.”
“Talk about what?”
“We have to finish the conversation we began last night.”
When Frey tilted his head in confusion, Regulus stroked his hair, tousling it.
“You are not going to marry him.”
“Ah!”
Only then did Frey nod vigorously.
Regulus was one of the suspects too, but……. If he offered help, Frey intended to accept that kindness, at least to some extent.
……Even if his conscience hurt a little. Just a very little.
* * *
“You mean to proceed with the wedding without His Majesty officiating?”
“Coordinating with the imperial family would take at least half a year, so there’s no need to force the ceremony into their schedule. I don’t want to delay it that long either.”
“Do you perhaps have a wedding date in mind……?”
The Count rubbed his palms together and bowed obsequiously before Samuel.
“We will hold the ceremony next week.”
“What?”
Frey, who had been listening silently, snapped his head up.
Not next month, but next week?
“Tsk.”
When Frey looked appalled, the Count raised his arm beside him. The instant the palm rose over his head, Frey reflexively squeezed his eyes shut. The Count’s hand did not strike his cheek, however. Instead, it pounded his back with a loud Thump! Thump!
“Ha ha ha. You must be very nervous, Frey. I suppose anyone would be flustered to hear they were marrying as soon as next week.”
“…….”
“All of our wedding preparations are already complete, so we could hold the ceremony immediately! Oh, I was told the marriage registration can be filed in advance. Shall I submit it tomorrow?”
Samuel stared wordlessly at Frey. More precisely, he was watching the Count’s hand as it pounded Frey’s back.
When Samuel did not answer, the Count cautiously called to him.
“Did you have something to say……?”
“Young Lord Rubellia will soon be the spouse of a duke. I suggest you refrain from touching him carelessly from now on.”
Samuel’s golden eyes had gone chillingly still.
“Ah.”
The Count gave an awkward smile and discreetly lowered the hand resting on Frey’s back. Even so, the corner of his mouth twisted faintly in displeasure.
“We will hold the ceremony at the ducal mansion in one week. There is no time to reserve another venue in any case.”
“Yes, yes. I understand.”
“I will send a carriage once the preparations are complete. You need not prepare anything separately, Count. Simply send the Young Lord.”
After giving those instructions, Samuel stood. Then he looked at the Count as though asking whether there was anything else to discuss.
“I-I will wait for the carriage!”
The Count leaped to his feet and bowed politely. Samuel quietly looked at Frey beside him, then left the drawing room without answering.
Once Samuel disappeared, Frey released the breath he had been holding.
His head had been aching the whole time, but at last, he could rest.
“Frey Rubellia.”
At the Count’s voice, which followed at once, Frey’s fingertips began to tremble.
“It seems you dared to go out in the middle of the night without permission.”
……Apparently, he couldn’t rest just yet.
“Well, I was going to take a walk…….”
What excuse should he use?
Frey fidgeted with his fingers, cleared his throat softly, and answered.
“I ran into His Grace…….”
Smack!
His head whipped aside before he could finish, and his body staggered violently.
“Ah!”
Frey gave a short cry and clutched his cheek. Before he could even cover the place he had been struck, however, the Count seized his hair roughly.
Frey’s head was forced back as the Count’s other hand rose over him again.
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