Chapter 14
Unlike the way he had been grumbling toward Kali just moments before, Dylan’s voice was now deep and gentle.
Agnès found that change amusing and couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh.
“Have you been pretending with me all this time?”
“…What?”
“Hahaha!”
Dylan looked completely lost, not understanding what she meant. Kali, on the other hand, burst into laughter, delighted by the whole situation.
Her tone was teasing — somewhere between defending Dylan and mocking him.
“Don’t misunderstand, my dear. My brother only acts rude to me. It’s not that he’s pretending to be nice to you — he’s just always desperate to get the upper hand with me.”
“Is that true?”
Agnès blinked her clear golden eyes, genuinely curious as she looked up at Dylan.
Caught between the two women, Dylan could only let out a defeated groan.
Ironically, the one who saved him from the awkward situation was Kali herself. She stood up and tilted her chin toward him.
“All right, all right. As you said, I’ll stop teasing your fiancée. Let’s spend some family time instead. The townhouse garden looks quite lovely — why don’t you show me around?”
She extended her hand with natural authority, and Dylan — clearly exasperated — had no choice but to accept it and escort her politely.
“My lady, please rest. I’ll personally see Her Majesty back to the palace.”
“So you really are going to treat me like an annoying sister-in-law?”
“Yes. Since Your Majesty showed up uninvited before our wedding, I’d say your first impression is the worst possible one.”
“That’s fair. Then, Lady Agnès, I suppose I’ll see you at the wedding. Until then, I promise not to bother you.”
Kali seemed to agree easily, but just as she turned to leave, she threw in one last mischievous remark.
“If you’re already worrying about her health after last night, it looks like I’ll be meeting my nephew sooner than expected.”
“Sister!”
Dylan’s voice shot up in horror, which only made Kali grin wider.
“Ah, it’s been so long since I’ve heard you call me that! I guess I have to make jokes like these to earn the title ‘older sister.’”
“Let’s… just go.”
Dylan sighed and quickly guided her out of the room. Kali’s laughter echoed down the hallway, fading gradually.
Not long after, a maid entered the drawing room.
“My lady, His Grace ordered us to take special care of you since you must be tired.”
Agnès smiled awkwardly and nodded.
With how considerate Dylan had been lately, it wasn’t surprising that Kali would tease him with such jokes. Even the maid — though outwardly polite — was probably imagining the same thing.
Yes, something had happened between her and Dylan the night before… but not what people would assume.
It hadn’t been something romantic or passionate.
If anything, it had been closer to a vow — one sealed in blood.
Still, the memories made her cheeks warm.
The sharp sting when his fangs pierced her skin, his hot breath against her neck, the strength of the arm that had held her steady, and most of all — the way his red eyes had looked at her, as if she were the only person in the world.
When she thought of that, her palms tingled, and a shiver ran up her spine all the way to the top of her head.
But that was just her imagination.
For Dylan, it had been nothing more than instinct — the act of a starving man satisfying his hunger to survive.
Thinking of it that way made it easier not to misunderstand those desperate gestures or his piercing gaze.
In the end, maybe this was the best possible outcome.
Their relationship was a contract marriage, after all. If the world misunderstood and saw them as a real couple, that only worked to their advantage.
And between the two of them, it was better that no misunderstandings existed at all.
As Agnès walked toward her assigned bedroom, surrounded by maids, she noticed that Gaveline was also following behind.
She stopped and turned to look at him.
Something about the way the Emperor had looked at him earlier — sharp, cold — came back to mind.
She had thought it might’ve been her imagination, but now she was sure it wasn’t.
Kali might seem lighthearted and playful, but that was just a mask. That icy look — that was her real self.
Agnès gestured for the maids to leave, and once she was alone with Gaveline, she asked gently,
“Gaveline, is there something I should know?”
He flinched slightly at the question. He was probably remembering how Agnès had stepped in front of him earlier, as if to shield him from the Emperor.
“…I’m not sure what you mean, my lady.”
Of course, he didn’t answer right away. Gaveline didn’t like her — that much was clear.
But Agnès smiled softly, showing no offense.
“Should I protect you from Her Majesty again next time?”
“…Pardon?”
“Her Majesty looked ready to attack you with her eyes. I can block that much, you know. You’re someone His Grace cares about.”
Her playful tone left Gaveline dumbfounded. Confusion and wariness flickered in his eyes.
Then Agnès said what she had really wanted to say.
“I’m sorry about today. I still don’t know much about the Basteron household, and because of that, I think I put you in an uncomfortable position. It won’t happen again.”
“You have nothing to apologize for, my lady. I’m the butler — I was simply doing my duty.”
“Still, I don’t agree. Even if I’m only going to be a duchess in name, you’re part of this household — and that means I should protect you. Next time, I promise there won’t be any trouble.”
Gaveline blinked in surprise. For the first time, his usual stiff expression broke. He hesitated, then asked in a quiet, uncertain voice — one that almost sounded young.
“Aren’t you curious, my lady? Why Her Majesty dislikes me? Shouldn’t you know before deciding how to act?”
Agnès tilted her head slightly and smiled.
“But you don’t want to tell a mere daughter of House Everchen, do you?”
“That’s…”
“It’s not rude, you’re right to feel that way. After all, right now, I’m still only Lady Everchen.”
She paused briefly, then straightened her posture, her tone growing firmer.
“But when I bear the name Harkvitz and become Duchess of Basteron — will you tell me then?”
Gaveline looked at her with astonishment.
He had always thought she was just a fragile, naive woman. But now, she seemed… steady. Strong.
Not strong like Dylan or the Emperor — theirs was the strength of power and command.
Hers was different. Gentle, resilient, and quietly unbreakable.
For the first time, Gaveline bowed deeply — not out of duty, but respect.
“Yes, my lady. When that day comes, I will.”
After that, Gaveline called the maids back to escort her properly.
Then, once she was occupied changing clothes, he slipped away silently — vanishing as if he’d never been there.
His cautious behavior reminded her of a wary cat searching for a safe place to sit.
Agnès giggled softly at the thought.
“My lady, did something funny come to mind?” one of the maids asked warmly.
“Ah, I was just thinking that the butler is quite adorable.”
The maid gasped.
“The butler? Adorable? My lady, he’s so strict and scary!”
But another maid nodded quickly.
“I get what you mean! Honestly, the head maid frightens me far more than he does.”
“That’s true!”
Their cheerful chatter filled the room, wrapping it in warmth.
Surrounded by kind, ordinary people, Agnès felt at peace — as if this place truly embraced her.
Even though she had earned her position through a contract, she wasn’t afraid of losing it anymore.
It was strange, but comforting.
And as that peace settled over her, a familiar face came to mind.
Noah.
I want to bring you here soon.
I want to raise you in the safest, warmest place in the world — to love you and protect you.
I want you to grow up surrounded by people who will never hurt you — people who will praise you when you do well, and gently guide you when you make mistakes.
Just wait a little longer, my sweet boy.
Your mother will do everything she can — for you.
