The Male Leads Are Trapped in My House

‘But does Harrison know about this fact?’

Knox is, in fact, related to Harrison.

Harrison married and divorced the daughter of the Ludpershire family, and her younger brother was Knox. So, from Harrison’s perspective, Knox is like a brother-in-law.

‘Oh, I don’t know. Just do whatever works now.’

I’m already busy building a shelter, and now I have to worry about the original protagonists. Right now, I’m overwhelmed just preparing to survive on my own.

“Are you really talking about herbs? Did you properly investigate?”

Eden asked Knox again, as if he couldn’t believe it. It feels like he’s asked that question at least five times already.

‘Ugh, it’s getting boring.’

I sighed and rested my head on the table. I could see Eden and Knox having a conversation.

“Then what kind of herb is this?”

“It’s Elpinus herb. It’s a common herb that helps restore energy. It’s not a rare herb, but it’s unusual to find it here again.”

Knox smiled mischievously, looking at Eden’s puzzled face. It seemed a bit smug.

‘It doesn’t look ordinary for a herb.’

The herb looked just like a centipede. It was surprising to think that such a herb could be a vaccine.

But Knox’s earlier remark, ‘It’s unusual to find it here again,’ are very meaningful.

I tilted my head and was lost in thought, but I felt a sting in the back of my head.

‘What’s this?’

When I turned my head, the people I made eye contact with quickly averted their gaze. I thought it was like a wave of eye contact.

Rumors had spread throughout the town that I had been arrested by Eden and taken to the police station. That’s why people had gathered to watch me.

‘This attention and gaze… It’s not unfamiliar. It’s been so long.’

I smiled and waved at the people who made eye contact with me. Yes, feel free to stare. I’m Cherry Sinclair.

People awkwardly laughed as they looked at me. Then they avoided looking at me as if they had seen something they shouldn’t have. Everyone seems to be covering their faces.

Anyway, they quickly lost interest in me and started murmuring about Knox.

“I heard that doctor is very famous, right?”

“He’s the youngest son of the Ludpershire Marquis. My goodness, it’s the first time I’ve seen a real noble in my life.”

‘Excuse me, but the young police officer next to you is also a noble. His status is even higher than Knox.’

I mumbled to myself overhearing an interesting conversation.
“They say he’s a very famous person according to the village chief.”

“Yeah, that, what’s her name… Cherry Sinclair or something, is supposedly more famous than Knox?”

‘Of course, I’m more famous. What are you talking about!’

I wanted to correct that rumor very badly, but I couldn’t say it out loud.

Listening to the words the ladies were exchanging, I once again rested my head on the table.

‘Knox is indeed a prominent doctor in the capital.’

In the past, being a doctor was not a well-regarded profession. Especially for surgeons because anesthesia didn’t exist.

However, the Ludpershire family changed the history of medicine by developing an anesthetic drug. They played a significant role in elevating doctors to an elite group in this country.

It wasn’t strange for Knox to be active as a drug consultant.

In the past, substances like cocaine were used as anesthetics, so doctors also showed interest in narcotics and alcohol and conducted many experiments.

In the novel ⟨Love in a Ruined World⟩, Knox, who was also a doctor, played multiple significant roles. He saved people on the verge of death from monsters and rescued lives by performing surgeries to remove infected areas. He was also skilled in obstetrics and successfully saved both mothers and babies, as well as performing other major surgeries without difficulty.

‘Indeed, he’s an indispensable talent in survival situations.’

If I were to offer him a scout proposal as the dedicated doctor for Happy House, he would probably scoff at it. It’s a pity.

While lost in thought, Eden finished talking with the narcotics investigator and approached me with a somewhat heavy expression.

Perhaps sensing that Eden’s atmosphere wasn’t right, the villagers who had gathered discreetly began to leave the police station, one by one, keeping an eye out. Except for Knox.

Knox observed us quietly, chewing on his lollipop, as if having fun.

‘Does he recognize me?’

If someone engages in any kind of social activity, they can’t help but recognize me.

‘I have to keep my mouth shut so that it doesn’t spread rumors…’

But for now, I had to deal with Eden first.

I quietly looked up at Eden. He didn’t say anything and just stared at me silently.

An uncomfortable silence filled the air. His eyes, looking straight into mine, showed a somewhat complex emotion.

After a while of only his lips moving, he finally said something.

“…that’s it.”

“What? What did you say?”

Eden suddenly straightened his posture and slowly lowered his head, giving a neat and polite greeting.

“I apologize, Lady Sinclair.”

Huh?

I didn’t expect him to admit his mistake and apologize so quickly. It was a bit unexpected.

Seeing Eden apologizing, a sudden thought came to me. Didn’t our relationship just reverse? At this moment, I was the one who gained the upper hand.

Sitting there in a daze, I quickly changed my attitude, leaning my arm on the table and assuming a relaxed posture as I casually asked, “What exactly are you sorry for?”

It seemed like an unexpected question as Eden’s expression showed a slight bewilderment.

“Well, well. I shouldn’t be surprised like someone who heard something they shouldn’t. I brought you here straight away, accusing you of drug smuggling.”

I wasn’t just going to let it go. I hadn’t liked the suspicious looks I had received until now.

‘Of course, Sinclair has done many things that warrant suspicion! Huh!? Normally, when it comes to Sinclair, the police just let it slide!’

I muttered those conscienceless words in my mind as I looked at Eden.

Eden remained silent. It seemed like he was carefully choosing his words.

“I told you before that I am often misunderstood. But this one was really unpleasant. You know that you brought me here without even checking the facts properly, right?”

So I added one more thing, hoping he would feel a bit more sorry.

His face became somewhat embarrassed, but he calmly apologized again.

“Please forgive my rudeness. I’ve been misunderstanding you, Miss Cherry, all this time.”

His apology was so polite that I couldn’t refuse it.

“Ahem. I’m glad you know now.”

Of course, I didn’t think that Eden’s distrust towards me would be completely erased just like that. However, at least for a while, it was clear that he wouldn’t suspect me or accuse me.

Come to think of it, maybe it was a fortunate turn of events.

“If you’re truly sorry, then help me.”

“What?”

One of Eden’s eyebrows arched.

He looked at me with a puzzled expression, as if asking what I could possibly ask him for.

There was indeed something he could help me with. Many things, in fact.

Since it turned out this way, it would be best to make the most of Eden until the impending catastrophe. I have a lot of things to do.

“I’m in the middle of repairing my house, but I’m short-handed. Moreover, due to Eden’s sudden arrival here, everything is piling up.”

This is true. I was so busy that I couldn’t spare a single hour.

“If you don’t help, I’ll report to the newspaper that Eden Duncan Lancaster arrested an innocent civilian without a warrant.”

“An innocent civilian…”

Eden looked at me as if he had lost his words.

“Miss Cherry, wasn’t it you who was hiding here?”

“Who said I was hiding here?”

It wasn’t something I wanted to be known by people. It was simply a statement acknowledging that Eden, who didn’t report my presence to the newspaper, was aware that I was here.

“People are very interested in me. So if someone like me were to make a report, things would definitely get bigger. Don’t you agree?”

Confidently looking at him, Eden eventually nodded.

“Well, it was my mistake, and I’ll take responsibility as a police officer.”

“Good. Let’s get going, Mr. Worker.”

“…Don’t you give discounts to handsome workers?”

“Oh, where did this nonsense come from?”

“Well, maybe nonsense works sometimes. Please consider it.”

As we exchanged such pointless conversation, we were about to leave the police station with Eden when Knox followed us and grabbed our attention.

Turning back with a puzzled expression, I saw Knox smiling beautifully.

“It’s disheartening to be treated as if I don’t exist.”

Oh, right. I completely forgot about Knox because I was so focused on my conversation with Eden.

Knox himself had an incredible aura, so how could I forget him?

As I turned towards Knox, he immediately reached out his hand, as if a predator had its prey in front of it. The relaxed movement revealed the nonchalant composure that only someone who had never experienced failure could possess.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Sinclair.”

“Nice to meet you too, Lord Ludpershire. But the townspeople don’t know that I’m Cherry Sinclair. I wish you just call me by my name.”

I obediently placed my hand on Knox’s palm. Knox, who gently kissed the back of my hand, smiled.

Suddenly, I remembered when Eden took my hand and shook it. Yes, this is normal.

“I’m curious about your story, but it would be impolite to ask too many questions, Lady.”

I nodded my head in agreement as I withdrew my hand from Knox’s. Then, Knox brought up a matter.

“I have something to ask Lady. Could you spare some time for a conversation?”