Chapter 29
The sound of water splashing.
“Phew… Thank you, Mary.”
“It’s nothing. But… did something happen?”
“…No, nothing.”
I was soaking in the bathtub Mary had prepared for me. Shortly after Beyran left, Mary entered the room. She saw the untouched teacup in front of me and immediately understood someone had visited in that short window.
Noticing my gloomy face, she quickly dragged me to the adjoining bathroom. My room was full of papers and things that mustn’t get wet.
She said hot water melts away worries.
‘…I do feel a little better.’
My miserable mood had improved slightly. Perhaps because I felt Mary’s genuine care.
I closed my eyes in comfort, and Mary began massaging scented floral oil into my hair while speaking.
“My lady, tomorrow will be busy too, won’t it?”
“Yes. I have to greet the arrivals for the regular meeting and finish preparations.”
Mary glanced around cautiously, then whispered so softly it was as if she feared the walls could hear.
“Hmm… Then, that person is coming too?”
“That person?”
“I mean… the mage, Didier.”
“Yes, most likely… Ah!”
“…My lady?”
I suddenly remembered something I had completely forgotten and shot up from the tub. The problem was that water splashed everywhere, soaking Mary halfway.
But I didn’t even notice.
‘…Have I lost my mind? How could I forget him?’
How could I forget Didier just because of Beyran’s disgusting words?
I had completely forgotten he was hiding under my bed. I pressed a hand to my forehead and let out a deep sigh.
‘What is this distraction?’
At such a critical time, there’s no room for carelessness. I closed my eyes. When I tried to step out of the tub, Mary stood up quickly firmly stopped me.
“My lady! We’re not finished yet! I’ve only just applied the oil to your hair…”
“…Ah.”
“Even if you’re in a hurry, we have to finish. You must appear with the dignity befitting you at the regular meeting.”
I bit my lip sat back down. Mary was right. I had to look strong in front of the wolves at the meeting.
‘To confidently announce my marriage to Didier, I can’t neglect my appearance.’
Priscilla would show up in extravagant finery as always. And since the care routine had already begun, staying here was the smarter choice.
I unconsciously bit my lip again, met Mary’s sharp glare, quickly closed my eyes.
Mary resumed tending to my hair with a calm face. In moments like these, Mary became terrifying, so I had to be careful.
As the treatment neared its end, I opened my eyes spoke slowly.
“Mary.”
“Yes?”
“Don’t be shocked later.”
“…What?”
“There’s something like this.”
I intended to tell Mary that Didier was in my room—she was the one who entered it most often.
Mary looked at me in confusion, dressed me in practical clothes instead of a nightgown. She knew the regular meeting was near I would work with barely any sleep.
Even with my hair still damp, I decided to dry it in my room headed there. It was the next room over, but knowing Didier was inside made my heart prick.
I smiled softly slowly opened the door. As expected, I couldn’t sense Didier’s presence—he was perfectly hidden.
After Mary entered, I closed the door looked at her.
“Mary, I really mean it—don’t be shocked.”
“My lady, did you do something wrong?”
“It’s not like that…”
“Why are you making me worry?”
Mary lowered her brows placed her hands over her mouth in concern. I gently patted her shoulder whispered.
“…Didier, you can come out now.”
The moment I said his name, everything happened in an instant.
A familiar bird chirp!
Didier appeared from under the bed behind me in a flash.
Mary’s eyes widened in shock; she covered her mouth to stifle a scream, while I laughed awkwardly.
“…Didn’t I tell you not to be shocked, Mary?”
“…Are you alright?”
Even Didier was worried about Mary, who had frozen like a statue. We both blinked twice, then…
“…Ah!”
Mary let out an almost silent scream.
* * *
“…Why are you lying on my lady’s bed?”
“Lower your voice. Erika barely slept. Do you want to wake her?”
“Ugh.”
Mary glared at Didier with fury. She had come to wake her lady, only to find this annoying person occupying her bed.
Since Didier must not be discovered, Mary swallowed her scream, but he didn’t budge. She wanted to scold him, but she shut her mouth.
She couldn’t wake her lady, who was sleeping peacefully in his arms.
Remembering that Erika hadn’t slept well lately, Mary sighed whispered cautiously.
“…I’ll endure this just for today, for my lady’s sake. I’ll be back in an hour, so be ready.”
“…You can come back later.”
“That’s dangerous. My lady is busy. Understand? Many people are looking for her. If she’s discovered…”
She’ll become miserable.
Mary couldn’t finish the sentence, bit her lips, left in complete silence, afraid of waking her lady, who was sensitive to noise.
Didier confirmed the door was closed, then raised his hand. A golden light glowed from his palm seeped into the door.
“…Now I’ll know if anyone approaches. It won’t be discovered.”
He murmured quietly, then looked at Erika, sleeping completely at peace. She was utterly exhausted. He gently brushed the hair from her forehead.
Erika’s silver hair sparkled in the morning sunlight.
“…Lady Erika.”
There was no answer, but her brow furrowed slightly. A smile formed on Didier’s face.
“I don’t want to see that look of defeat on your face ever again.”
He had seen it too many times.
Didier closed his eyes, recalling last night.
Despite his protests, Erika had forced him to sleep, then sat at her desk buried in papers. Every so often she would glance at the jewelry box, longing for someone.
Didier had watched her from the bed, aching for her. Even though she was close, she felt farther away than during their days at the cabin.
She looked so worn out, as if she might vanish if he looked away. Worry filled him; he wanted to do something. He bit his lip let out a golden breath.
The breath spread through the air, reached Erika, her head began to nod. Soon she fell into a deep sleep.
Didier stood, approached her, confirmed she was asleep. He enveloped her in golden mist gently carried her to the bed.
“You must be so tired. I didn’t expect you to fall asleep this quickly…”
The mist induced sleep. He knew she was busy, but he hadn’t realized she was this sleep-deprived. He felt distressed bowed his head.
Then he remembered something frowned.
There was something more important.
‘That slippery, insolent man.’
How dare he speak like that? In front of whom did he dare say such things?
‘Beyran, wasn’t it?’
Under the bed, how furious he had been listening. He had wanted to jump out silence him, but he held back his anger.
‘I can’t embarrass Lady Erika.’
Acting alone might ruin her plans. He tried to stay quiet, but Beyran had crossed the line.
‘If I leave him be, Erika will have to leave him be too.’
Because he’s the head of another family.
But that didn’t sit well with Didier. At the very least, the man should tremble in fear…
‘Ah, this will work…’
And it would be useful for Erika too.
In the darkness far from moonlight, his red eyes gleamed terrifyingly.
