Night Monarch's Cannon Fodder Bride-Chapter 33: The Serpent’s Embrace

"You did. So how are you going to make up for it?"

Severine instantly took a step back, creating a gap between them. Despite it being false, the slight distance still gave her a small sense of security.

"I’ll pay for the damage—"

"Do I look like I lack money?"

Dull gray eyes took in the tall frame leaning so close to her. If not for the wall hitting her back, she would have taken a few more steps.

Her temples throbbed all over again.

If one looked up from the garden, they would see her straight back from the open window.

"A birdie told me you bought The Xing. Say," he chuckled all of a sudden. "What will your mother think about all the mess you made?"

Severine’s already pale face turned ghastly white.

If my mother knew I offended Emmett, she wouldn’t give me a second chance. Either I’ll have to agree to the prospective marriage alliance, or I will become Dr. Martin’s test subject.

Her mind churned with countless thoughts, overwhelming her.

Crimson beads of splashed wine clung to her fingers, cold and sticky against her skin. From head to toe, she was utterly uncomfortable.

All of it happened because of you, she wanted to yell at him.

Should she also act like Alina and fight Emmett?

Before such thought could form, a voice came from the depths of her consciousness, speaking inside her ears with a heavy sigh. ’Alina has parents who love her. What do you have? Can you afford to anger anyone at this important point?’

Swish.

A gust of cold wind blew from the balcony. Severine shuddered. Yes, I have no one but me...

"What kind of compensation do you want?" she asked at last.

Once again, the threads of her fate lay in someone else’s hands and she loathed such a feeling.

Getting the desired answer, Emmett finally straightened his back. The smile on his face turned more genuine, more warm.

"I like our canteen’s golden cheese soufflé."

Severine’s lips twitched, barely holding back a curse she learned from Alina. A servitude for a momentary accident... the audacity.

The young master, for his part, enjoyed the struggle reflected in her eyes. He had to admit that Severine was a beauty.

To others, she might appear cold and frigid, but he could easily read those subtle twitches and rage-filled glares directed at him.

Meanwhile he had no clue about this hidden wariness whatsoever.

How amusing

He had tried to show his goodwill to Severine just like he had done with countless other people.

Funnily, he failed to get the desired results. Instead, that wariness had intensified.

As someone who liked tough challenges, the more Severine acted cold, the more he wanted to see what lay beneath that icy surface of hers.

His mother Lucy’s call and Severine’s subtle actions gave him a perfect idea of what might be happening behind his back.

After all, it wasn’t new for his mother to find a fiancée for him.

Sensible, pretty, someone who respected the elders and had a gentle heart. Could also do business to help him manage the D’Arden Corp.

Severine Vale seemed to meet every expectation of a future daughter-in-law with full marks. Regardless, she acted as if he were a beast ready to strike.

The more he observed her, the more intriguing her little actions became.

So how could he let go of this chance to observe her?

Unaware of all the twists, Severine’s delicate brows furrowed further in a heavy frown. "I have a meeting in the evening."

"I also have a meeting with your mother, Severine."

Severine’s lips pressed into a flat line. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Emmett let out a bitter chuckle. "Don’t make me into a villain. I’ll say no if our parents bring up any matter of our engagement. So... you also have to do something for me in return, don’t you think?"

In one sentence, he easily managed to get rid of all the blame and even burdened Severine with a favor.

"For one month, at five."

He disregarded all her earlier words regarding her meeting while calmly giving his command. Or rather, he wasn’t the one who needed to worry about others’ schedules.

She needed to bring him snacks every evening.

Tap. Tap.

Footsteps echoed in the vicinity, indicating that Austin had returned with a waiter in tow.

"...Alright."

Her voice was so low, it seemed to vanish into the wind.

"I am glad we reached the desired result." Emmett flashed her a big toothy grin. "See you later."

Without caring about the hurricane he had created in Severine’s mind, he turned around. His dark green eyes shone with satisfaction as he waved at the waiter to guide the way.

Austin was already standing behind Severine. His hand hovered near her, afraid to actually touch her.

"Sister? Are you alright?"

"None of your business."

Her replies to Austin came out clipped, without any hint of warmth. "Go and find your business partners."

In a way, she was telling him all about the hidden arrangements.

Austin’s blue eyes dimmed. His barely there composure shattered like fragile glass.

When Severine’s feet couldn’t hold on anymore, he held her in his arms.

"Why, Severine, why?" His arms tightened around the struggling body, unwilling to let go. "Will it kill you to ask for help? You clearly can’t stand on your own."

Severine’s heart thumped wildly against her ribcage, refusing to calm down.

The view in her eyes started to distort into streaks of blurry lights.

It hit her then. She had ingested a drug at some point.

No wonder she couldn’t keep her calm earlier. No wonder she wanted to smash everyone who dared to come close.

Heat roared inside her, violently pulsing through her veins.

Get out. I need to get out of this place...

The cold touch of the empty glass brought a semblance of clarity to her.

Gathering what little strength she had, she pushed Austin away.

"Severine! You will fall. I promise I’ll only help you to the room and leave immediately."

If she believed this bastard after all the things he had done, then she truly deserved her tragic end.

When Austin stepped closer, she smashed the glass on him.

Her aim was his head, but the height difference left her at a disadvantage.

Austin stared at his chest in utter disbelief. Before he could snap out of his shock, Severine broke into a run in the opposite direction.

The darkness ahead didn’t scare her as much as the monster behind her.

She would be mad to trust someone who skinned her pet cat when he was only ten.

That obedient younger brother could only fool her father.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Her heels clattered against the cold floor. She lifted her gown, trying to run faster. However, whatever drug she had ingested drained her strength.

Her back was drenched in a cold sweat.

Just as she was about to collapse at the corner, a warm hand grabbed her, pulling her inside.

Thud.

The door closed with a soft sound behind her, shutting the world outside.

Instead of calming down, Severine’s heart nearly leaped out of her chest.

Darkness clouded her vision.

Who? Her throat and body refused to cooperate with her wishes to ask.

Cough. Cough.

She broke into a terrible coughing fit.