Do you have any idea why I called you here today?

Yes, I do.

Why do you think I called you here?

To punish me for my insolence yesterday

Thats not why, Yelena cut Colin off immediately and continued, I did call you here to punish you, but not because of that.

You were guarding me on my excursion a few days ago, but you did not fulfill your duties as a guard.

Colin noticeably stiffened.

Do you agree with this?

I agree, Colin answered tightly, as if his throat was shut.

Colin couldnt see her because his eyes were still glued to the ground, but Yelena nodded with her arms crossed.

Then she said, Very well. Then, you shall take responsibility for that incident and receive your punishment here.

You will be in charge of guarding me for the next 6 months.

Yes, I understand Pardon?

Colins head shot up. It was the first time he looked at Yelena since entering her quarters.

However, you will not be paid.

You will be volunteering for me for the next 6 months. Whenever I go out, you will have to follow me without complaint.

I mean, but Colin wore an idiotic expression on his face.

After stuttering for quite some time, he spoke properly. A chance Are you giving me another chance? I-I dont deserve

What are you talking about? Dont misunderstand, Sir. I told you. This is a punishment. Yelena firmly cut Colin off and added, Youre a sinner, so youre being punished. Do you think unpaid labor is a joke? Lets see what you think after toiling for 6 months without getting a single penny in return.

And you had no choice to begin with. You know that the person receiving punishment has no say, right? Yelena closed her mouth after she finished saying everything she needed to say.

Was that okay?

Inside, she was nervous.

The gist of her husbands advice was to punish Colin with something trivial.

The important part was to persist as shamelessly as she could. The more shameless, the better.

She was confident when it came to persisting shamelessly.

Yelena displayed her innate audacity to her hearts content.

Now all that was left was praying that this method worked effectively.

Yelena observed Colin closely, though she acted like she wasnt.

It was at that moment.

Sir Colin? Startled, Yelena uncrossed her arms.

A tear streamed down Colins burning face.

And that was just the start of it.

Colin was reduced to tears, standing there without making the slightest movement or sound.

?!

While Yelena could not believe her eyes, Colin spoke.

Thank Hic, thank you, Madam. Thank you so much.

Well, I mean, wait, just why are you cry

For Madam to give me this opportunity despite my many shortcomings I will think of it as my last and I shall not blunder it. I will give it my all and devote myself to protecting Madam.

No one, not even Yelena, knew this, but truthfully, for the past few days, Colin was trapped in a nightmare.

His guilt was deeper than anyone could have imagined.

He could not erase the thought that everything had been his fault.

He had been the one who suggested Madam go out that day to begin with.

If it had not been for his suggestion, or if he had protected her properly, Madam would not have had to experience such a thing.

Its all my fault.

He had repaid her kindness with injury.

Once he started having such thoughts, he could not break out of that mindset.

At times, he couldnt breathe. He also felt like he was being strangled.

He thought he would go mad if he just stayed still, so he beat his own face.

The pain made for a slight relief from his torment, but it was only temporary.

Yesterday, he had run away the moment he noticed Yelena. Part of the reason was indeed to hide the mess of his face, but the larger part was because of the scarf wrapped around Yelenas neck.

The scarf that covered her bruise.

The sight of it stabbed at Colins guilt ruthlessly. He felt like he was being dragged into a dark and endless pit while suffocating.

Up until a few moments ago, when Yelena had given him a new opportunity and pulled him out of that pit.

Yelena looked at Colin with unease. Unaware of the emotional changes he was going through, his tears only brought her great confusion.

Whats going on?

Why in the world was he crying?

Is it because hes touched? He was so touched he started crying?

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