How to Run Away from Obsessed Men

Episode 33

It was, in fact, a collaboration between Rosalyn and Crain.

‘Father hated the fact that Raysis was getting close to Lindsey.’

Rosalyn had felt the same way.

“Raysis is one of the most outstanding transcendents in our family. I can’t allow my superior child to associate with such filthy blood,” Crain had said.

Crain was the type of person who enjoyed testing his children. He had asked Rosalyn.

“What do you think of that filthy blood?”

Rosalyn recalled her response.

“I wish she would disappear from my sight. She deserves to be treated according to her station. She’s so… beneath us.”

Crain had been pleased with Rosalyn’s answer. She knew that even though Crain seemed to be favoring Lindsey at the moment, it was only temporary. He was a staunch pureblood supremacist, and once Lindsey outlived her usefulness, he would discard her.

The proof was on Rosalyn’s wrist.

‘I’ll just wait and see when her divine power fades.’

There were clerics whose divine power eventually disappeared.

Rosalyn believed that Lindsey, with her dirty blood, would meet the same fate.

And when that happened, both Mikhail and Raysis would come back to her. She was sure of it.

⋆★⋆

Early in the morning, Lindsey was summoned to the dining hall by Crain. She wore an uncomfortable expression as she entered. Mikhail was seated at the table in front of her.

‘I can’t even tell if the food is going into my mouth or my nose.’

She found it harder to deal with Mikhail than Crain.

Crain spoke with a voice filled with interest.

“Have you heard the news?”

“News?” Lindsey responded.

“I heard that the heads of black magicians have been hung at the Radian estate.”

Lindsey tilted her head, intrigued. Someone had dared to hang the heads of black magicians at the Radian household—whoever had done it must have been either incredibly brave or extremely skilled.

Crain, who had been holding a grudge against the Radian family due to Lindsey’s broken engagement, seemed to be in a very good mood. He laughed heartily as he sliced into his morning steak.

“Your engagement is proceeding smoothly as well. Don’t worry about it!”

“……”

“I heard from Raysis that Sylvia treated you disrespectfully. I’ll file a formal complaint about that as well.”

“……”

“Sylvia Radian will pay for her sins. If she wronged my daughter, she should apologize!”

“Thank you, Father.”

Not that she was particularly concerned.

‘What a remarkable man.’

Lindsey found herself amazed by Crain, who called her his daughter with such affection.

‘As long as the engagement ends smoothly, I don’t care about anything else.’

Lindsey knew that the annulment was inevitable. Azhet could have made things difficult if he wanted to, but she doubted he would bother.

‘Azhet hates dealing with annoying things.’

He was probably already planning to get re-engaged to Rosalyn. After all, that was what he had originally wanted.

In the past, the thought of it had felt humiliating, but now, Lindsey was relieved.

‘The only potential problem is Kenyan…’

Kenyan was the one person who knew the true extent of Lindsey’s unique healing abilities.

She had demonstrated her powers on a few occasions.

But oddly enough, Kenyan hadn’t mentioned it to anyone.

“Lindsey, I want you to work with Mikhail for the time being.”

Even in the worst situations, there’s always an opportunity. Lindsey thought this as she smiled at Crain.

“You would make an excellent healer for Mikhail. You’ll become his personal cleric.”

“You’re giving me the position of Mikhail’s personal cleric?”

“Yes, it’s a position every cleric desires. Though we still need the imperial palace’s approval.”

Crain’s eyes gleamed as he spoke.

A lie that wasn’t even believable.

Lindsey was too dumbfounded to even laugh. While being Mikhail’s personal cleric was certainly a prestigious position, it was also one that all clerics avoided.

It was an incredibly dangerous role.

Mikhail’s ferocity when in a berserk state and the risks associated with the missions he undertook made it anything but desirable.

Lindsey responded mechanically.

“It’s an honor, Father.”

Crain beamed at her response, pleased that his daughter was so obedient.

Then, as if he had just remembered something, Crain turned to Mikhail and asked, “Mikhail, I heard you cut off Sir Gio’s arm during your last mission.”

A chilling piece of news to follow right after announcing Lindsey as Mikhail’s personal cleric.

Yet Mikhail’s face remained expressionless.

‘Impressive.’

Any of his other children would have been shaking in their boots, fearing Crain’s wrath.

But Mikhail seemed completely indifferent to Crain’s words.

It was a testament to his confidence in his own strength. Mikhail knew Crain wouldn’t discard him easily, no matter what.

“Why did you do that? Sir Gio’s family continues to file complaints.”

Crain frowned, as if the conversation was becoming tiresome.

“He displeased me,” Mikhail answered simply.

Lindsey’s hand froze mid-slice as she stared at Mikhail in disbelief.

He cut off someone’s arm just because they displeased him?

“Hahaha! Excellent. If someone doesn’t please you, then you have every right to deal with them accordingly,” Crain laughed heartily.

“……”

“If anyone else displeases you in the future, feel free to handle them as well. The Kesion Marquisate will always back you.”

Mikhail’s response only seemed to please Crain more.

‘Neither of them are sane. Then again, how many people in this world are?’

Crain’s carelessness in mentioning Mikhail’s brutal behavior right after suggesting Lindsey become his personal cleric.

And Mikhail, who was just as twisted and unyielding as Crain.

But Lindsey wasn’t worried.

‘I may not be confident, but I have no choice. It’s something I must do.’

Even though working alongside Mikhail was uncomfortable, it was also another opportunity.

And Lindsey, or rather Han Ji-yoo, was not someone who missed opportunities.

Her eyes met Mikhail’s.

‘Still, it’s unsettling. Cutting off someone’s arm for no reason…’

Before this, she had thought that the rumors about Mikhail were exaggerated after their few encounters.

In fact, as a child, Mikhail was the only member of the family who hadn’t tormented her.

There had been moments when she thought he might actually be a good person.

But hearing him speak with Crain now, it was impossible to deny how cold and dangerous he was.

‘I really don’t understand this man.’

Mikhail’s actions always left Lindsey confused. But one thing was certain: he was more considerate toward her than he was toward anyone else.

‘I won’t reject his kindness.’

With that in mind, she roughly cut another piece of steak and put it in her mouth.

‘Tasteless.’

For some reason, the meat tasted bitter.

⋆★⋆

As soon as breakfast ended, Lindsey made her way back to her room. Upon arriving, she began searching for paper.

‘Opportunities will come.’

Her eyes shone as she sat down and began writing.

⋆★⋆

“Then why do you care about that woman?”

Kenyan recalled Azhet’s words, still unsettled by them. Since that conversation, he hadn’t seen his brother in a while.

However, the matter of the engagement was proceeding smoothly.

Even Sylvia, who had initially opposed the annulment, had quieted down after speaking with Azhet.

Azhet had been right—Kenyan’s interest in Lindsey was unusual.

‘Is it because of her divine power?’

Lindsey’s divine power was strange. It gave him a sense of euphoria, unlike anything he had ever experienced.

It was completely different from the divine powers he knew. He had only recently learned that the goddess’s power could heal in such a way.

He wanted to be with Lindsey, to stay by her side. But he knew he wasn’t worthy of it.

‘Lindsey Kesion despises me.’

Kenyan was painfully aware of that fact. And acknowledging it brought a strange, aching pain to his chest.

He tilted his head in confusion. Why did it hurt?

He thought of his older brother’s stoic face.

Before he knew it, he was standing outside Azhet’s room.

⋆★⋆

“I’m planning to break off my engagement with Lindsey Kesion as well,” Azhet said.

“……”

“While it’s true that I need a cleric, there’s no reason to continue fighting a losing battle. Especially with the Kesion Marquisate.”

Azhet spoke while watching Kenyan’s face. He noticed his younger brother visibly relax.

Just as I thought.

It was odd. Azhet had come to a conclusion.

“Kenyan, I don’t care who you like.”

“……”

“But if it’s someone of filthy blood, that would be a problem.”

“You think I like that woman?”

That couldn’t be.

Kenyan wanted to deny Azhet’s words.

Him, liking Lindsey?

There was no way.

Kenyan frowned, holding his head in his hands. Azhet continued to watch him silently.

Lindsey’s face flashed in Kenyan’s mind. His hand flew to cover his mouth.

The hazy feelings were beginning to take form, approaching him like a storm.