Romantic Psycho - Chapter 3

Julian instinctively shifted his gaze and examined the woman.

An ill-fitting coat and skirt, paired with a frilly blouse that didn’t match at all. A woman far from fashionable, entirely out of place in Martenly, where trendsetting youth gathered.

‘But surely, I’ve seen her somewhere before…’

This impression, he swore, wasn’t some convenient excuse to justify chatting up a naive country girl.

Just then, the woman turned her head sharply, avoiding his gaze.

“Ah…”

He’d stared too long. That had been unlike him—a rare misstep.

Julian quickly regained his composure and stepped back.

“Pardon me.”

So what if he’d seen her before? The smart move was to get out of this noisy lobby without hesitation.

As he turned to walk away, he couldn’t help glancing at her once more. It was a moment he couldn’t explain, even to himself.

“Captain Harbour?”

A loud, clear voice rang in his ears. Julian suddenly came to a halt.

“Julian. You’re Julian Harbour, aren’t you?”

The voice belonged unmistakably to Lady Strosse—the viscountess known for her obsessive curiosity and relentless, uncomfortable questions.

Of all places and times, why here, why now?

Julian recalled the dreadful memory of his younger, more naïve days when he’d once listened to her introduction and ended up trapped in conversation for two full hours.

His mind, now in emergency mode, spun rapidly, but his gaze remained fixed on the oddly dressed woman.

…So what if he had seen her before? Behind him stood a woman who could ruin his entire afternoon.

Any woman was preferable to dealing with Lady Strosse.

And so, perhaps, it was a bit impulsive.

“…I would be most grateful if you’d help me.”

At the same time, he had an unshakable certainty that the blue-eyed woman would agree to his request.

“Please, just pretend to be my companion for a moment.”

And truthfully, most women couldn’t refuse a favor from him.

It was a cowardly thought, but this was exactly when the privileges of being handsome proved most useful. Being the most handsome man in the kingdom often meant living life on one’s own terms.

As he stepped in close enough that their breaths nearly mingled, her eyes widened.

Julian smiled gently.

The aloof expression on his face melted in an instant, like sunlight softening cold marble. It was the kind of smile that made onlookers believe he’d just found a lover at their promised meeting spot.

The woman seemed frozen, but that didn’t matter.

Julian lightly pulled her by the waist and stood shoulder to shoulder with her. Her widened eyes never left his face.

Satisfied, Julian polished his smile even further, preparing to greet the noblewoman who had already hurried over.

Diane, seized by the waist by a man she had never seen before, was understandably stunned.

Countless thoughts flashed through her mind.

‘He said to act like we’re together… Is he someone sent to catch me?’

Though she had left a note saying she’d be back soon, her outing was technically a runaway.

The servants were surely rushing around trying to locate the missing young lady. The butler had likely dispatched people already—and Martenly was only a two-hour carriage ride from Winderbury.

Her heart raced like prey sensing its predator.

She wanted to shake off his hand and run, but her body wouldn’t cooperate. All she could do was look up at him.

‘Is this how I’m dragged back to the mansion? Just like that?’

Her mouth dried up, and dizziness set in.

Should she scream?

Aim for a weak spot?

And then…?

Just then, the man lowered his gaze.

The white sunlight streaming between the curtains lit up his mysterious eyes—a mix of green and brown—as if revealing something hidden. His beauty was striking enough to make passersby pause, but Diane, gripped by fear, didn’t even notice.

He was about to speak—his lips moved slightly.

“Captain!”

Startled by the shout, Diane flinched and turned her head.

The noblewoman, decked out in flashy attire, clearly belonged to the upper class. Even though it had been nearly four years since she last left the mansion, Diane quickly lowered her head, afraid the woman might recognize her.

The noblewoman, breathless from only a few hurried steps, spoke in an excited voice, “It is you, Captain. I’m truly shocked. Of course, we all expected you’d make an appearance in Britt for the social season, but who would’ve imagined you’d be in Martenly right now!”

“Lady Strosse. It’s been a while.”

The two seemed to know each other. Diane, sensing something odd, cautiously lifted her gaze.

The woman had no interest whatsoever in Diane’s presence, fixated solely on the man beside her.

“I heard the news that you captured two pirate ships this time. Truly an accomplishment worthy of someone who graduated top of the naval academy and was promoted to captain faster than anyone else. It pains me that your countless achievements are overshadowed by your dazzling looks. Surely, this recognition led to your early leave—right here in Martenly?”

She showered him with endless admiration and praise.

Feeling a definite sense of unease, Diane turned her gaze to the man who had pressed close to her, pretending intimacy.

Just then, the man replied with a gentle smile, “That’s correct, madam. While on leave, this young lady offered me some assistance.”

Then, without warning, he locked eyes with her—Diane flinched instinctively.

With a vague smile as if to calm her, he turned back to the noblewoman.

“Oh, I see. Well, Captain, I can’t imagine what sort of help this girl could’ve given you…”

“That’s why I was just about to treat her to a meal. Regrettably, Lady Strosse, it seems I’ll have to greet you another time.”

…So he really was just in need of a woman to pretend to be his companion. He hadn’t come to drag her back to Winderbury.

Diane slowly straightened her posture. Her tension melted away, replaced by a strange sense of relief.

Only then did her surroundings come into focus.

The hotel lobby was crowded. Maybe because the noblewoman’s voice was unusually loud, many people were looking their way.

But the relief was short-lived—Diane faltered.

This time, she couldn’t help the creeping thought that someone in the crowd might be looking for her.

Terror surged uncontrollably.

“Well then, Lady Strosse. I must escort this young lady now, so…”

Diane had to hide.

“No.”

She couldn’t remember how she shook off the arm around her waist, whether she managed to speak without trembling, or even what she said exactly.

“Madam, I am not this gentleman’s companion. Please, take him with you.”

She saw the man’s face freeze, as if struck.

“Do you know me?”

She had no time to consider his feelings.

That was her limit.

Diane turned away, brushing past him.

Cold sweat drenched her forehead and back.

The stares piercing her from all directions, the whispering voices—sharp and scratching at her skin.

A choking pressure around her throat, the headache from lack of air, the occasional flash of white before her eyes.

And old voices buzzing in her mind.

“Please stop with that frightening nonsense.”

“You’re just in shock. You’ll get better soon.”

“They say the young lady’s gone mad.”

No, no.

Diane wiped the sweat from her brow with her palm and covered her mouth to suppress the nausea rising in her throat. Her legs began to tremble.

The hotel lobby was in a bustle, and having been cooped up in her room for years, she couldn’t handle the pressing crowd. As she fled from people, she collided with a passing guest and staggered.

Someone suddenly grabbed her arm.

“Miss?”

Gasp.

Diane turned around with a jolt. She was so startled, she couldn’t even scream.

Ellie looked equally shocked. “Miss, what’s wrong? Why weren’t you waiting at the restaurant…?”

After a brief silence, Diane managed to compose herself and averted Ellie’s eyes, embarrassed.

“…Oh, you’re here?”

“Did something happen? Don’t tell me you were going to leave me here and run off alone! That’s just too much, even now!”

“It’s nothing. Some strange man suddenly—”

“A strange man?”

“It’s over. More importantly…”

Diane took Ellie’s hand and pressed a silver coin into her palm.

Though she’d only been employed for a month, Ellie was formally a servant of House Lockwood. It wasn’t necessary to pay her for every errand, yet Diane often slipped her coins like a street vendor bribing a patrolman.

Unsettled by it, Ellie still pocketed the money each time.

“What news did you bring?”

And rightly so, Ellie was now tangled in something quite dangerous.

“…Good news. The person Lady Sheldon sent is already waiting in front of the hotel.”

For Miss Diane Lockwood’s belated runaway.

At the very least, having saved up this kind of money might soften the blow when she was inevitably fired upon returning to the mansion. Ellie fidgeted with the coin in her pocket and sighed to herself.