Chapter 44

Even though I had woken up early that morning, I wasn’t sleepy at all at night.
It was because of the conversation I had with Colin that afternoon.

Sitting on the sofa in the central hall, I thought about what she said:

“Every time, I feel like I’m being treated unfairly. I really do work harder than her.”

There was clearly a problem with the Cloud family’s pay system.
But what should I do about it?

The first thought that came to me was:
“Isn’t there some kind of incentive system here?”

Then another worry followed: how would Martin react if I suggested this?
He was always stiff and rigid about such things.

Even though our relationship had improved, if I tried to change household matters, he might not like it.

I shook my head.
“No way. Martin would never like it.”

“Is that about me?”

Just like the saying—speak of the tiger and he will appear—Martin suddenly walked in, hands behind his back, as if he had been listening all along.

“Goodness, you scared me! How can you walk around without a sound?”

“You seemed so lost in thought you didn’t hear me.”

He studied my expression carefully, then asked in a serious tone:

“…Did something happen while I was away?”

Did something happen?

I thought back, one by one, to what had happened since the day he left:

• Learning a little about Erica’s feelings for Aaron.
• Viscountess Harold coming here to demand money.
• Me pushing her away and asking Babel to investigate her.
• And finally, hearing from Colin about the estate’s unfair wage system.

And what had I been thinking all that time?

That if Martin had been here, I could’ve leaned on him a little.
I had been missing him.

“…I missed you.”

Wait—what did I just say?!

I quickly covered my mouth in shock.

When I glanced at Martin, he was smiling brightly and awkwardly cleared his throat.
Was he… actually happy about it?

Then he handed me something.

“Take this.”

It was a small box tied with a ribbon—an obvious gift.

“What is this?”

“I thought of you and bought it.”

I opened the box, and inside was a tiny, delicate hairpin.
A blue jewel sparkled in the center—it looked just like Gemma’s eyes.

“Do you like it?”

“Yes, very much. Thank you.”

At that moment, I remembered what I had said to the Viscountess:

“It’s not just a rumor. My husband and I are truly close.”

And it really didn’t feel like an empty boast now.
I felt proud and secure.

When I looked at Martin, he was smiling at me.
My face grew hot, but I forced myself to stay calm.

I decided not to tell him about the Viscountess’s visit.
It was better that way. Their marriage problems had started because of her in the first place.

Martin lingered near me, clearly not wanting to leave.

“Oh, there’s something I want to discuss with you.”

He stopped walking at once.
“Discuss?”

“Yes. About the servants’ salaries.”

He tilted his head, surprised.
He probably thought the Cloud family already treated their people well.

“I believe the Cloud family is already famous for good benefits. The wages here are high compared to others.”

“Yes, but we need something more to boost morale.”

“That sounds like personal matters of individuals. Why should the Cloud family cover that?”

As expected, Martin looked at things in a cold, logical way.

“Think of it as incentives.”

“Incentives?”

“Yes. Even if benefits are good, it’s not enough to keep good people long-term. We should give extra pay to those who work harder. That way, people won’t lose motivation.”

“….”

“Think about Babel for you, and Mary for me. Imagine if either of them left suddenly—the whole household would stumble.”

At that, Martin thought seriously. He knew it was true.
Only Babel understood his picky personality so well.

Finally, Martin clapped his hands.
“You must have also thought about where the money will come from, right?”

Of course I had.

I straightened proudly.
“I’ve already cut back a lot on my clothing expenses. That should be more than enough to cover it.”

Martin gave me a long look, as if amazed.
To see his wife—who he once thought only cared about shopping—discussing budget plans to raise servant pay…
It must have been surprising.

I shrugged playfully, enjoying his astonishment.

“Fine. I’ll think about it.”

Wait, that’s it? Not a yes?

When I looked at him blankly, Martin just chuckled and returned to his study.

Meanwhile, back in the study, Martin handed Babel some documents and asked casually:

“Nothing happened while I was away?”

He didn’t expect the answer to take long.

“Y-yes. I mean… yes.”

The vague reply immediately narrowed Martin’s eyes.

“That’s not like you.”

Babel tried to avoid his master’s sharp gaze, but it was useless.

“You don’t think I wouldn’t know what goes on in my own house, do you?”

“T-that’s…”

Caught, Babel began sweating. He tried to wipe his forehead, but Martin’s gaze pressed harder.

“You clearly have something to report.”

“…Do you mean the first matter, or the second…?”

Oops.

Babel froze, realizing he had just revealed too much.

“Did you say two?” Martin pressed.

Babel realized there was no hiding it now. He sighed and confessed:

“…I’m sorry. The Viscountess Harold came while you were away.”

“What?”

Martin’s eyes instantly turned cold.

Of course—it explained why Gemma looked so deep in thought when he came home earlier.

Harold, Harold, Harold.

He clenched his fist.

Why did she come again? And at such a time?

He remembered his past—how, on a rainy day, after his parents’ accident, he had gone to the Harold estate, desperate for help.

The Viscountess had welcomed him kindly with warm tea, but soon pressured him into signing a marriage contract with Gemma.
He had been weak, and couldn’t resist.

That memory still filled him with disgust at himself.

‘Damn it.’

What would Gemma think if she knew the truth about their forced contract marriage?

He sighed deeply.

At least I hid the Cloud seal carefully. Even if the Viscountess demanded, Gemma probably wouldn’t give in now.

She was different. Smarter. Stronger.

But still… he wasn’t sure.

Could she accept his weakness if she ever found out?

Gemma had surprised him before—protecting Erica, boldly meeting the king, and working for the family.
She was no longer the woman he once thought she was.

Half of him doubted her, but the other half trusted her.

Martin remembered her bright smile and, without realizing it, smiled faintly himself.

Babel noticed.

“There’s… one more thing, my lord.”

“Go on.”

“The Duchess asked me to investigate Viscount Harold’s family. She told me not to tell you.”

Martin fell silent. He didn’t ask further.
Instead, he tapped the drawer that held the marriage contract with his finger.

He didn’t know if it was to calm himself—or to remind himself of the truth he still kept hidden.

And so, another long night passed in the Cloud estate.