How careless do you have to be to resort to such actions?
Nancy took a deep breath before speaking.
“I once again apologize for the discomfort caused to the guest.” However, I hope you understand that my actions were dictated solely by concern for you, young master.
Unlike his father, who was prudent and generous, the son seemed completely stupid.
Should she say more or not? After a moment's hesitation, Nancy decided to remember the Duke's request and her role as head maid, offering sincere advice as the head maid.
“If I may, as the man who courted the young lady this morning, I would like to say something.” It's fine to indulge in a moment's passion and take a mistress, but at least choose a woman who won't hurt you, young master... Argh!
However, she could not finish her advice.
As soon as she mentioned the guest, Ilex Davenport's expression changed dramatically. As if she had struck a nerve, his face contorted and he quickly raised his hand, grabbing Nancy by the throat.
- Ugh... ugh.
Taken by surprise, Nancy couldn't even try to dodge: her throat was immediately grabbed.
It did not squeeze or compress the trachea.
But she instinctively knew.
In contrast to his weak grip, the cold, killing intent in his blue-gray eyes was genuine.
The young master really wanted to kill her, right here at this very moment.
- Now I understand why father chose you.
With eyes devoid of any warmth, Ilex Davenport spoke in a low tone completely inappropriate for the situation.
“Perhaps he wanted me to commit murder.”
Pressing on the frightened woman's artery, he smiled faintly, lifting the corner of his lips.
The bite mark from yesterday had burst, turning his lips a reddish tint.
- Father played his cards wisely, didn't he?
***
After the argument ended, Tilia boarded the carriage that Ilex Davenport had called for her. It was luxurious - a polite coachman, plush seats, and even well-kept curtains on the windows.
However, despite this, it was much worse than the one she had ridden the previous evening to the Davenport estate.
Remembering his displeased expression as he watched the hired carriage in front of the mansion, Tilia tightened her grip on the empty glass vial she held in her hand.
"Have a drink."
After breakfast, the impassive man handed her a bottle of orange liquid.
He was right - this time everything was different than the last.
The previous contraceptive was small and transparent, barely two fingers long. This time the dosage was much larger, and the taste was different.
She thought she had made the right decision by listening to him while she drank a drink that tasted slightly like watered-down orange juice.
Despite the taste, the potion was dangerous, and she could not afford to be ruined. Not when the second final exam was just around the corner and she couldn't risk the possible consequences.
Remembering Ilex's indifferent expression as she drank the liquid, Tilia turned her head slightly to look out the window.
The carriage was already traveling along the main road leading to the royal capital. She will reach home in no more than twenty minutes.
What should she say in her defense?
Remembering her father's furious face, Tilia felt a shadow of worry cloud her eyes.
She was left outside the house without prior notice. If she was lucky, maybe her father didn't come home last night, but if not, she was sure to face a severe punishment.
A dull pain had already begun to throb in her temples, as if she had been hit, and Tilia sighed softly.
Of all the times, it had to happen on the day she ate so much. If she gets hit in the stomach, it will be very painful.
Clutching her aching head, Tilia remembered the rich breakfast she had eaten that morning.
“You can leave the asparagus aside. You don’t have to eat everything.”
At that moment, a man's voice rang in her ears.
Ilex Davenport said it that morning.
It was as if he knew she didn't like asparagus.
“What was that?”
Pondering over the words she had casually dismissed, Tilia tapped her fingernail on the empty vial.
Upon reflection, she realized that all the dishes displayed on the breakfast table were her favorites - from smoked salmon to tomato marinade and dumplings with sauce.
“It’s possible with one dish, but why are there so many coincidences?”
Frowning, Tilia tried to remember the face of the man who had insisted that she eat before leaving.
The expression on Ilex's face when he explained to her how to take birth control was no different from usual. All she could discern was his usual deep indifference and boredom, which she could never fully understand.
However, she could not easily rid herself of her suspicions and continued to doubt his intentions.
Has he acted suspiciously before? Did he give her something that felt oddly personal?
It was at this moment that the memory of chocolates popped into Tilia's head.
A box with all sorts of medicines, which she jokingly called “a memento of their time together.”
And chocolates that were placed inside for no apparent reason.
The box Judy brought was full of high-quality medicines—expensive pharmaceuticals that had clearly been prepared by a professional pharmacist.
Except for one thing - chocolate wrapped in red packaging.
For Tilia, who bought it to reward or reward herself, it was quite expensive. But compared to other items in the box? It was just a common product that could easily be found anywhere.
And yet there it was, lying in the very center of the box, among the expensive, high-quality drugs, its sweet scent masked by the bitter smell of the drugs.
“And it was definitely my favorite brand.”
At the time, she simply thought it was part of a set—a nod to the common fact that people crave sweets when they're in pain.
But why was this particular brand chosen out of all the types of chocolate?
Considering Ilex Davenport and the value of everything that was in that box, it would have made more sense if there was something else in there.
If Ilex Davenport himself had indicated what items should be in the box...
Or, rather, if the servant had not filled it, but the owner himself had taken the trouble to do it...
Tilia clutched the glass vial tighter, her anxiety growing.
Creak. The wheels of the carriage stopped softly. With a start, Tilia's ears caught the energetic voice of the coachman.
- We have arrived!
Hearing this, Tilia froze for a moment before adjusting her skirt and changing her expression.
Useless thoughts were a luxury. Now it was time to focus on what really mattered - survival.
***
Hit! She was hit on the cheek.
Before she could turn her head, a fist came down from above. The blow was stronger than usual, boiling with rage.
Unable to withstand the force, Tilia fell to the floor.
She hoped, even prayed, that her father would spend the night in the gambling hall, but Baron Ambrose, apparently, was waiting for his daughter's return in the study.
- I raised you so well!
Holding her throbbing head, Tilia swallowed the nausea rising in her throat.
Her father, Bradley Ambrose, was now literally stomping around in a rage, shouting at her:
- Where were you, acting like an ordinary whore? Is this why I sent you to the academy?!
She could taste blood in her mouth. Ever since the incident where he had to call the priest, he had tried his best not to hit her in the face, but today even that resolve seemed to be faltering.
- What excuse will you give to your future husband for your ruined girlhood? A? What do you say to someone who buys you? Useless girl! Where did you go to spread your legs?!
Useless. The husband who will buy it. Irresponsible use of the body.
These words sounded rude due to the fact that she had stayed away from home for only one night, but Tilia, who already understood the true reason for her father's indignation, was hardly surprised.
“You’re terribly quiet, and that tells me that this isn’t the first time.” A? Isn't that right? I've known this since you started wandering around. How many men have you slept with, you dirty girl? Your father, out of shame, won’t even be able to look your future husband in the face!
Bradley was furious, as when the bonds in which he had invested a fortune turned into waste paper, or when he learned that an expensive piece of china he had bought turned out to be a fake.