Defy Me If You Can のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 11 - チャプター 20

In contrast to everything else, Smith was practically brimming with joy as he made his way to the chair in front of Victor, his steps heavy with enthusiasm. The moment his eyes landed on the plate of cookies, they lit up instantly, a greedy delight flickering across his face. Without hesitation, he grabbed one before even offering a greeting, only turning to Victor after taking a bite."My apologies, my apologies for being late, young master Victor!" Smith said brightly, crumbs clinging to his lips as he spoke through his chewing. "I truly did try to make the earliest trip to the Duchy, but the journey took longer than expected. I hope my tardiness hasn't displeased you."Victor's gaze shifted away from Jane, settling into nothingness. Those blue eyes, though striking, held no focus, seeing nothing beyond the vague contrast of light and shadow."Is that so," Victor replied, his tone dull, almost dismissive but it did nothing to dampen Smith's mood who had thought he struck gold today.

All the fine hairs on Jane's body stood on end. Every instinct in her screamed at her to run the moment she saw Victor's slender hands moving toward her. It made no sense as just moments ago, he had needed her guidance, had stumbled, had reached blindly into space.But now... Now it felt like he could find her without effort.As if he knew exactly where she was, as if he could sense her by instinct or smell. A chill crawled up her spine as she realized that this blind man might have lost his sense of sight but that would never dampen his violent tendency which she was about to be subjected to. Nearby, Smith looked almost delighted. He reached for another cookie, casually taking a bite as though preparing to enjoy a show, his eyes fixed on them with something disturbingly eager."Hands." Victor's voice cut through the air.Jane blinked, her gaze dropping to his outstretched hand, confusion flickering across her face.Her hands?She didn't have to ask as Victor repeated."I said your

Jane jumped down from the tall tree. She had bet her way on running away or staying. At first, she didn't want to believe there was anything close to sportsmanship in Victor but staying there on the tree where he could already guess her location was the same as suicide. In that desperate moment, she jumped down with a great hop, ran away as fast as she could with her loafers until she turned back.Who would have expected that Victor really didn't move? Despite her feet already running away so far from the garden, she could see the now diminishing figure of Victor's still rooted on the spot. He said ten minutes? That was how long he was going to stay. How could that be? Jane wasn't sure what was inside his head, but at that moment, the warning Stanley gave her seemed to be the only truest thing she could believe now. But with entertainment? Victor will be ecstatic. Jane didn't hesitate, she rushed to the furthest path f

What Jane saw in her dream was a fragment of images. The back of someone large and warm, he hand that had supported her body as it carried her on his back. The arms were strong and firm, the body so overwhelmingly warm that she could feel emotions swirling in her heart, so much so that she could feel herself be brought to tears from the warmth. It was a rare event for Jane to feel someone else's body warmth, especially one that came from a hug. The only time she feel this warmth is when her late father would carry her on his broad back. They used to walk miles from one village to another, especially when the had to suddenly leave in the midst of night. Having no carriage or wagon, her father would often carry her, a sign of love and care for his poor daughter. And Jane would cherish that memory, cherish it deeply in her heart. But this broad back and hands feels a bit different than usual...Her father was a tanned man. Having worked under the sun for long his once fair skin that h

Useless and defective... was she? Jane wanted to argue that Victor was wrong. She had never been useless with how hard she works but the the thought of being fired so many times for a small mishaps that snowballed into an intolerable plight always causes her to be casted aside. And she knew... it's not that she doesn't. Though her aunt and uncle share blood with her it doesn't mean that they were ever responsible for her life.In the first place, she should have known better than anyone. Known how... there is no place in a house of people who doesn't bring food home.To her uncle and aunt, she was useless and defective.It's a hard pill to swallow and her resistance in arguing slowly waned. His words brought her sadness and she wanted to resent him but with how correct he was... she couldn't.She could only stare at the bed with downcast eyes."Well you don't have to worry, I don't cast away my people even if they're defective or useless," a sudden comforting tone came out from Victor