# Chapter 33
“Don't worry. You won't die at the hands of a priest.”
"Oh, really? Okay then."
I let go of his shirt collar, which I was holding coldly.
“Anyway, aren't you curious? You suddenly felt pain in your chest, didn't you?”
"Yes, correct!"
I grabbed his shoulders and shook him as I asked him: “When I asked Edmund nothing happened, but why did I only feel pain when I asked Galerhyde? What really is that pain?!”
The demon lightly let go using magic, and began floating around the room.
"Edmund had no intention of answering your question in the first place, but Gallerhead would have. So it was punishment for breaking the rules of the contract."
penalty?
“But I was the one who was deceived, so why should I be punished?!”
“After all, this is a contract. It is forbidden to ask someone who is suspected to be the master directly. From now on, whenever you break the terms of the contract, the heart I made for you will feel pain.”
Pain... I was not feeling pain now, but the feeling of it was still alive in my memory, so I involuntarily put my hand on my chest.
The pain was so terrible, I felt that death would be easier.
Can I feel this again?
“So how am I supposed to find the master? I thought it was just a matter of not asking him directly, ‘Are you the doll’s owner?’!”
At my tense tone, Satan merely shrugged indifferently.
“That's none of my business.”
Oh, I had to punch him at least once.
“If you don’t know who the master is, the solution is simple: make them both fall in love with you.”
Satan said his devilish words perfectly, and then he disappeared into thin air.
“Huh, to steal both their hearts?”
I felt my headache getting worse. Edmund alone is already a difficult task, so how could Galerhead be added to him as well?
The devil suddenly appeared after fifteen years of absence to remind me of the terms of the contract.
“Anyway, is one of them really the master?”
When I thought of that, a small glimmer of hope sparkled in my heart.
“Well, if that’s the case, then let me win both their hearts.”
Since I can't ask who the master is, making everyone happy seems like the most appropriate option.
I fell asleep feeling a strange lightness in my chest.
***
This evening, I had a dinner date with Galerheid.
It was his first real encounter with one of the suspects as “Sayyid.”
We agreed to meet right after work, so I would wear a uniform, but I still took care of my appearance since the morning; I tied my hair carefully and applied my makeup meticulously. Olivia was already pretty, but after she dressed up she really looked like a doll.
“It's unfortunate that I only have to wear a uniform.”
But next time, we must go out on the weekend. We have to get to that point if I want to survive.
I went to work with a strong resolve, hoping that after today's dinner the matter would progress between me and Galerheid.
“Ah… good morning.”
But I didn't expect to find Edmund in the office before me.
“You're early today.”
"Yes."
I answered him briefly and sat down.
What is this strange atmosphere? As if we were two lovers who had just separated.
Was the office always this tense? Usually, I arrive early and we work together every dawn. Maybe because I kept silent today? I was the one who always talked non-stop.
“Is...your forehead okay?”
Unexpectedly, he was the one who broke the silence. His quiet voice was indicative of a bad mood.
"Yes."
“Hmm...sorry.”
Did Edmund just say "sorry"?! Will the sun rise in the west today?
I subconsciously looked at the window. Fortunately, it still shines from the east as usual.
“I didn't expect to push you so hard...”
“It's okay, my body is a little weak, don't worry.”
Maybe I should start doing some exercise. How wonderful it would be if my body was as durable as Eclat's.
I massaged my skinny arms with a sigh.
“Hmm. About that matter...”
Edmund opened the drawer to take out something, but before he could speak...
"Oh my God, Olivia! Why do you look so beautiful today?!"
It seemed that work time was approaching, as others began to enter the office, and Edmund immediately stopped talking.
I caught a glimpse of him out of the corner of my eye, calmly flipping through the papers as if nothing had happened.
What's up? Should we hide what we were talking about? Well, I'll do the same.
“Really? I put in some effort today.”
“You are really beautiful!”
Compliments rained down on me, and my chest swelled with pride. Of course, praise is always nice.
"By the way, Olivia, you look different today! Did you wear makeup?"
“Actually, I have a dinner date after work.”
“A date? With whom?”
There was a moment of silence after Campbell's question. Naturally, I used to chase Edmund every day and offer him a way out, and even yesterday blood flowed because of it.
They must be wondering what happened suddenly.
I had done so because Lucid had told me that Edmund preferred bold women. But he later said that he lied, and that he actually hated attached women.
Well, from now on, I'll be more balanced! I will win his heart with my abilities alone.
“Gallerhead.”
As soon as I said his name, everyone's mouths opened in astonishment.
“Close your mouths before insects get in.”
“Ah, wait, why suddenly Galerhead instead of Your Highness?”
Campbell raised his eyebrows curiously, then suddenly gasped and fell silent.
I followed his gaze and saw Edmund giving us a frightened expression.
"Olivia! Did you finish what I asked you to do yesterday?"
Edmund suddenly shouted and hit the table nervously.
What a sharp nature.
“Of course, these are redacted files.”
I presented him with the amended medical insurance folder and sat quietly.
“And you! Get back to work right now!”
“Yes, sir...”
“Of course, sir.”
The employees around me quickly dispersed, and heavy silence returned to the office until lunchtime arrived.
"Olivia! What the hell is the story?!"
As soon as Edmund left, the curious female employees gathered around me.
“Why all this interest in my appointment?”
“Is it possible for us to remain silent?! Yesterday you were publicly confessing your love to His Highness!”
True, I was exaggerating a little. And now I'm dating someone else? No wonder it sounds weird.
I scratched my cheek shyly.
“Actually, I've been getting hurt a lot lately, and I've been causing trouble for him, so I felt grateful...”
I wasn't sure Edmund was the master yet, so maybe I was exaggerating a little.
Anyway, I'm not the real Olivia, and I'll leave when I find the master, so it's okay.
“And when I said I wanted to return the favor, Galerhead invited me to dinner.”
As soon as I said that, the voices around me rose.
“Oh, so he just wants to spend time with you!”
"I thought so too! I'm not delusional, am I?"
In fact, I felt a little worried. What if he's not flirting?
What if it was just tact?
"Of course not! He could have easily refused! Then dinner? And not lunch? Surely there was intention behind that!"
The faces of the female employees lit up with excitement.
“Honestly, don’t you see the way he looks at you? It has pure honey!”
“Exactly, he must have fallen in love with you from the moment he saved you!”
Does that really make sense?
My face flushed, and Natasha shook her head emphatically.
“Olivia is naturally beautiful! He must have been fascinated by you since he saw you lying and did everything he could to save you!”
“No way! I was covered in dust and my clothes were torn!”
“Even like that, you must be attractive~!”
Exaggerations piled up around me, and excitement began to fill me.
If Galerhyde truly had feelings for me, if he were the master, then I would be freed from this restricted life.
“If only it were so...”
I muttered faintly, then my sight fell on Ecla, who was silently eating her lunch.
I remembered that she was originally going to be Edmund's assistant, gain his trust, and get close to everyone, but I unwittingly took on her role, so she remained a stranger between us.
Even now, she still eats alone.
“Ecla.”
"Yes?"
“Can we talk a little?”
***
“What's wrong?”
“About that idea of the Civil Guard...”
In fact, it was her idea from the beginning.
From her perspective, I look like I stole her suggestion.
“Ecla, let's work together on this project this time.”