Apparently, I’m a Poisonous Woman Who Sells One-Night Dreams, but I Ended Up Awakening a Hero’s Devoted Love - Chapter 1.32

I returned from the Marquis Haren residence just before dusk.

I had ended up staying far too long.

(It’s almost time for Lord Jerf to come pick me up.)

Lately, we’ve been meeting for meals about once every three days.

I assumed this was also part of Prince Frederick’s “Make Jerf Head Over Heels for Mariadoll Operation.”

(They’re probably increasing our outings to make us look like a close engaged couple, but I can’t help feeling like they’re dates.)

Being escorted so gently the entire time and seeing his sweet smiles even though I know it’s an act makes my heart race. I almost start misunderstanding things.

Even today, I was excitedly wondering which dress I should wear.

I tightened my relaxed cheeks and opened the gallery door, but…

“Legacy, where are you?”

Legacy, who should have been in the shop, was nowhere to be seen.

I called out for Tarina and Clemence next, but there was no response from them either.

“This is strange. Maybe they’re upstairs?”

After peeking into Clemence’ room under the stairs, Mariadoll headed to the second floor.

The stairs creaked as usual, but none of the family members who should have appeared upon hearing it showed up at all.

(What’s going on? The shop was open, so I don’t think they’re out…)

Just as I thought about knocking on Legacy’s room, I heard a sound from my own room.

Mariadoll’s room also contained documents related to managing her territory. Normally, Legacy wouldn’t enter without permission, but she had told him it was fine in case of emergencies.

(Did something happen in the territory?)

With her painting work piling up, she had recently left everything to Legacy and Jerf. Of course, she had looked over the documents, but perhaps there was some oversight.

“Legacy, are you in here? Did something happen in the territory? Eeek, mmph—!”

There were two unfamiliar men in the room. The moment she screamed at the sight of them, a third man emerged from behind the door and covered her mouth.

“Keep quiet.”

The whisper in her ear came from a middle-aged man. His mustache was streaked with white, and his eyes glittered sharply.

“Hey, what about this woman? Are we taking her with us?”

The one asking was a man who looked strong-armed. With a buzz-cut head, he appeared to be around the same age as the mustached man.

“Isn’t the painting enough? Kidnapping is…”

“Are you serious!? I let you join the team. Don’t chicken out now!”

Yelled at by the mustached man, the small red-haired man flinched and trembled. From the way he bowed his head meekly, he seemed to be the lowest-ranking member.

The small man was holding the painting commissioned by Bishop Mantel. Ordered by the buzz-cut man, he was roughly wrapping it in a nearby cloth.

By the bed, Legacy and Tarina were gagged and tied up with ropes. Legacy’s left cheek was swollen, as if he had been punched.

“According to Cobalt, this woman can make people see dreams. Even if it’s in a dream, she saw the map. Taking her along might be useful.”

(A map? Seeing it in a dream, are they talking about that mine map?)

“True, but that guy was pretty drunk. How much of that story can we believe?”

“Mantel commissioned this painting, and the mine map is here. There must be some credibility. Anyway, we’re taking her too. Tie her up and throw her in the wagon with Mantel.”

The mustached man gave orders to the buzz-cut man. Somehow, she grasped the hierarchy among the three.

(Bishop Mantel has been captured too!?)

The situation made no sense, but she understood that the men were searching for the mine map. However, she didn’t know why they needed it. That mountain was abandoned, and knowledge about the heat-sensitive rocks was limited. Besides, she didn’t think the pigment could lead to a fortune.

(Clemence is missing.)

He wasn’t in the room under the stairs either. As she shifted her gaze, wondering if he was hiding in Legacy’s room, she spotted a khaki-colored sleeve sticking out from the newly installed wardrobe.

Unlike Legacy and the others, Clemence often entered Mariadoll’s room while she was out. She had told him he could use any paint he wanted.

(Stay hidden.)

If he came out now, there was no way he could defeat three men.

It was better for him to stay there and tell Jerf what he had seen and heard.

Even though he was her tutor, Jerf belonged to the knight order. If he learned of this, a large-scale search would surely be conducted. That would give them a much higher chance of being rescued.

(Our destination is the abandoned mine. As long as he knows that, he’ll definitely come after us.)

The buzz-cut man approached with a gag.

“Mmph—!”

“Be a good girl, miss. Then we won’t hurt you too bad.”

His face twisted into a sneering grin.

They were words she couldn’t trust at all. Still, as long as they needed Mariadoll, they probably wouldn’t harm her.

With her hands tied behind her back, she was shoved forward and ordered to “Walk.” Legacy tried to stand up, but with his knees bound and ropes wrapped around him, he just rolled onto the floor.

The dull sound of the buzz-cut man kicking Legacy’s back echoed through the room.

Tarina desperately tried to shield Legacy. All Mariadoll could do was pray, (Clemence, endure and stay there.)

“Hey, let’s go.”

“Yeah.”

“Y-yes.”

At the mustached man’s command, the other two followed.

Mariadoll obediently followed the three men out the back door, where an old wagon was parked.