A Wise Life in Captivity with the Mad Duke - Chapter 4

“Don’t worry about it, Noona. That’s just how he talks.”

Joel snorted as he watched No. 18 being dragged away by the caregivers.

“He’s always threatening to kill someone or other. He’s a paranoid schizophrenic.”

Right. This place was full of patients with mental illnesses. Seeing one up close reminded me once again that I was in a psychiatric ward.

“You must’ve been shocked. Go get some rest!”

After parting with Joel, I went back to my room and collapsed on the bed.

I thought I’d fall asleep right away since I was mentally drained, but my heart wouldn’t stop pounding. I must’ve been more shaken by what happened than I’d thought.

Not that there was much I could do about it. There was no way out of this place for now.

With a sigh, I closed my eyes helplessly.

And just like that, another chaotic day in the ward came to an end.

***

“Is anyone watching?”

After breakfast, it was time for our allotted morning walk.

Once I made sure no one was paying attention to me, I approached the stone wall that surrounded the monastery.

“Wow, it’s this high?”

I’d come to roughly gauge its height, wondering if I could climb over it with a rope, but the sheer height made my vision blur.

On top of the stone wall was barbed wire that looked like it could tear through skin at the slightest touch.

“Rejected. No way I’m getting over that.”

I shook my head hard and turned toward the main gate. There were watchtowers on both sides, and entry was only possible through a massive iron door.

“That side’s impossible too….”

I swept my bangs back and sighed. After tossing and turning all night thinking about it, I realized that the only solution was to escape as soon as possible.

So I’d come out to scout the area, only to run straight into an impossible wall.

Was it really impossible to get out of here without someone’s help? Teaming up with other patients would be suicide, and the only option left was to get a caregiver involved.

But that was too risky. If I confessed my plan to a caregiver, I’d be labeled a high-risk patient before I could even try.

“What do they expect me to do?”

I don’t want to rot here for the rest of my life.

After what happened yesterday, that thought had only grown stronger. I’d rather wander outside than risk my life dealing with psychos like him.

As I walked slowly, searching the ground as if hoping for a mouse hole to crawl through, I noticed a long shadow fall over my feet.

“…?”

The first thing that caught my eye was the man’s hair—silvery, shining like sunlight reflecting off water.

For a moment, I was so mesmerized by the dazzling sight that I forgot to breathe. As he drew closer, his lips curved faintly in a gentle smile.

Even a brief glance revealed that his features were strikingly refined. You know the type, people whose beauty is so unreal that no amount of extravagant clothes or jewelry can outshine them.

‘…A new patient?’

But his composed stride and the elegant smile playing on his lips reminded me more of a nobleman than someone unwell.

The man stopped walking right in front of me.

Despite the smile on his face, his languid gaze carried an unsettling intensity, like a predator watching its prey.

I swallowed dryly and met his eyes. But instead of speaking, he just smiled faintly, saying nothing.

Unable to stand the silence any longer, I was the first to open my mouth.

“Do you have something to say to me?”

“Yes. I do.”

“…What is it?”

“Before that, I need to confirm something first.”

The man smiling gently took a step closer. His unhesitating approach made me feel cornered for no clear reason.

‘What’s with him? Was he really a patient after all? Did I let his appearance fool me?’

While I stood there frozen in confusion, unable to move, the man slowly leaned forward and looked straight into my eyes.

“Your name is Rosetta Hilton, right?”

Despite his gentle tone, the chill in his gaze warned me that denying it would only cause trouble.

With my neck stiff from tension, I nodded. “Yes. That’s right.”

Maybe it hadn’t been true just two days ago.

The man let out a low chuckle and nodded slowly. It was beautiful yet eerie, an unsettling contradiction.

“Finally, we meet.”

Straightening his posture, he spoke softly.

“I’ve wanted to see you for a long time.”

His words sounded like a sweet confession, but I only frowned.

“You know me?”

The corners of his lips lifted, but before he could answer, an emergency broadcast echoed across the area.

[Cotton candy. Number 18. Playground. Caregivers nearby, please assist.]

The moment I heard it, I instantly went on guard and scanned my surroundings.

Everyone else carried on their conversations without concern, but I stood tense and alert, realizing that ignorance might’ve been bliss.

“Arghhh!”

A sharp scream tore through the air as someone bolted across the playground.

It was No. 18, covered in blood.

Behind him, a man collapsed to the ground clutching his throat, convulsing intermittently. Judging by the scene, the worst possible situation had unfolded.

Joel. You said it was just a habit.

“…He really did it.”

Swallowing my scream, I struggled to hold onto my fading composure.

‘But… why is that bastard running this way? Don’t tell me he’s planning to kill me too?’

Even as I watched No. 18 charging straight at me with murderous rage, my legs refused to move. Terror had locked my body in place.

“Rosetta.”

I blankly turned toward the man who called my name so familiarly.

He drew a gun from the holster at his waist and smiled faintly.

“I’ll count to three, so close your eyes.”

“What? Why—”

Before I could finish speaking, he turned his head, aiming the gun directly ahead just as No. 18 came within arm’s reach.

“One.”

Bang!

With a deafening gunshot, something hot splattered across my face. At the same time, No. 18 crumpled lifelessly at my feet.

I stared blankly at his still body for a long moment before forcing out a hoarse voice toward the man who’d fired the shot.

“Um… you said you’d count to three.”

“Yes. I did.”

“Then why….”

Why the hell did you shoot at one?

Before I could finish my words, my vision blurred, and I lost consciousness on the spot.

***

“Haah.”

I let out a weary sigh and forced my heavy eyelids open.

“Can’t believe I actually fainted.”

Well, anyone would if they saw someone die right before their eyes without even a moment to close them.

I sat up with effort and checked my body. The bloodstained clothes I’d been wearing had been replaced while I was unconscious, likely by the nurses stationed on the third floor.

Honestly, I was just telling myself that because it was easier for my mental health that way.

“Ugh. Feels gross.”

I instinctively touched my face, shuddering as the vivid sensation of the blood splattering against me came back.

‘Seriously, why’d he have to rush at me like that without even giving me time to dodge….’

Anyway, who the hell was that man?

The one who’d felt like a soft spring breeze turned into a merciless executioner in less than a second.

There wasn’t even a hint of hesitation in the way he pulled the trigger. And even after firing, he didn’t show the slightest sign of agitation.

He didn’t seem worried about what the other caregivers might think either. If he had been, he wouldn’t have drawn a weapon in the first place.

But more than his identity, what I couldn’t stop thinking about were his words.

‘Why did he say he’d been wanting to see me? Did Cheon Go-eun have some kind of infamy here? Was her reputation bad enough to spread beyond the monastery walls?’

It wasn’t an impossible thought. Honestly, there was no other reason that came to mind. But considering Joel didn’t seem to know much about me, it also meant she must’ve lived quietly without much contact with others.

“What the hell did she do with my body?”

Not knowing the answer was driving me insane.

Could she really have gone crazy? The same way I had struggled to adjust when my life changed so suddenly?

Just then, an announcement broke my train of thought.

[It’s mealtime. Everyone, please proceed to the cafeteria.]

Had I really only closed my eyes for a moment? How was it already time to eat? I didn’t know whether to be glad that time was passing quickly or not.

[Repeating: all patients, please proceed to the cafeteria.]

I paused mid-motion, listening closely to the voice on the speaker.

Unlike most caregivers, whose voices were either raspy or sharp, this one was soft and smooth, a gentle tone that somehow calmed me.

‘If that person were a radio DJ in Korea, they’d be popular for sure.’

With that useless thought, I left the building. After a few days here, I’d gotten used to blending in with the line of people moving to the cafeteria.

When I arrived, I picked out my meal and looked around for a seat. That’s when I locked eyes with Joel, who was already eating.

Normally, I would’ve reluctantly sat across from him, but every seat at his table was already taken. So I had no choice but to pass him and sit in a sunny corner instead.

Of course, Joel grabbed his tray and followed me anyway, his face practically shouting that he was dying to talk.

“What? If you’ve got something to say, spit it out. Don’t hover like that.”

The moment I gave permission, Joel immediately burst out with excitement, words spilling faster than bullets.

“Big news! Yesterday, No. 18 went crazy in the yard with a fork and actually killed someone! Then some outsider shot him! Like this—bang!”

Joel mimed firing a gun and blew on his finger like a little kid playing cops and robbers.

The whole place was already buzzing with talk about No. 18.