Chapter 125…
There had been another similar incident? Feeling that Dale’s words somehow sank deeply into her chest, Cynthia asked him.
But Dale quickly shook his head and lifted his upper body.
“I’m sorry once again for coming here with news that must be terrible for you, Cynthia. I’ll return to the Bailey estate and explain everything properly to the Duke.”
As she looked at him, Cynthia slowly opened her mouth.
“But I’m curious about the reason. Why does the Bailey family want to make another contract with me? Do they still need Elizabeth Bailey?”
“I can’t say for certain, but it seems His Highness the Crown Prince is looking for Miss Elizabeth.”
The Crown Prince?
The moment she remembered Ricaian’s red gaze, chills ran down Cynthia’s back. She frowned and shouted.
“Why me?”
“They didn’t tell me the reason.”
This is driving me insane…!
Since there was no way to track Cynthia through Tession, they were now attacking through the Bailey family instead.
And if that were the case, it wouldn’t be strange for the Baileys—blinded by their connection with the Crown Prince and the allure of his power—to shamelessly try to retrieve her.
“Ugh… Even if the Bailey family offered ten times—no, a hundred times the previous contract amount, I’m not going back!!”
Cynthia shuddered as she declared this.
Dale nodded as if he understood.
“I fully understand. I feel sorry for bringing up painful memories unnecessarily.”
“It’s not… it’s not that I have anything against you, Dale.”
“I know that as well.”
Right then, someone knocked urgently on the parlor door and opened it even before a reply came. Turning their heads, they saw Ruth quickly sticking his head inside and shouting:
“Miss Cynthia! The Grand Duke has returned!”
“Already? Dale, you should go!”
Startled, Cynthia jumped up from her seat. If Tession realized that Dale, a servant of the Bailey family, was here at the Grand Duke’s residence, his reaction was predictable.
With the two flustered in front of him, Dale also hurriedly stood.
“It seems I did not receive the Grand Duke’s permission to visit this place.”
“Isn’t that obvious? The Grand Duke would never welcome anyone from the Bailey family!”
“That is true.”
Cynthia ran up to him and pushed his broad back. Go, go!
Dale walked toward the parlor entrance on his long legs.
Seriously! He’s always quick, so why is he walking so slowly today!? Cynthia shoved his back even harder.
“That hurts.”
“Just hurry up already!”
“I was already leaving; there’s no need to push so much.”
But before Dale could step outside, Tession appeared first and blocked the exit.
Cynthia gasped when she saw him standing firmly in the doorway.
“G–Goodness! My lord…! When did you get here…!!”
“Cynthia.”
His short utterance—and those purple eyes—shifted straight toward Dale, who had frozen awkwardly.
Cynthia made eye contact with Ruth, who was standing far behind the two men.
Just a little earlier… couldn’t you have warned me sooner, Ruth?
I’m sorry… Ruth lowered his head.
Soon, Tession’s gaze swept Dale slowly from head to toe before returning to Cynthia.
“Why is this man here?”
“My lord, that’s…”
Cynthia stepped in front of Dale and opened her mouth.
What do I say? I absolutely can’t mention anything related to the Bailey family.
But if I exclude that… what reason is left for Dale and me to meet at all? It’s just that…
As Cynthia hesitated, Dale seemed to lose faith in her ability to explain and stepped forward.
“My lord, greetings. I simply stopped by to see Miss Cynthia’s face after a long time.”
“A servant of the Bailey family, you say?”
Tession immediately frowned.
Naturally so. The servants of the family that had secretly tried to kill the person he protects wouldn’t visit her purely out of concern.
Yet Dale calmly continued without flinching:
“Yes. In truth, Miss Cynthia and I had more than just a contractual relationship—we built a deeper connection over time.”
“A deeper connection?”
“Yes, we’ve occasionally met like this in private, asking after each other’s well-being.”
“Privately? Asking after each other?”
Wait, isn’t that… making things worse?
Seeing Tession’s expression harden more and more, Cynthia shoved Dale aside and jumped forward.
“Haha! What nonsense is that? Did you pick up something strange to eat, Dale?”
“There’s no other way to explain things right now.”
He muttered as he was pushed.
Cynthia hurriedly faced Tession again.
“My lord, ignore everything he said!”
“Then why is he at my residence?”
“That’s…!”
I can’t tell him the Baileys sent Dale to renegotiate a contract! And definitely not that the Crown Prince is the reason they want me back!
Cynthia shut her mouth tightly.
If she told him the truth, it would only worsen the already tense relationship between Tession and Ricaian. She had barely calmed things down. She had no idea what that madman Ricaian would do if provoked again…
As she swallowed nervously, Tession tilted his head.
“I thought you said you wouldn’t lie to me anymore, Cynthia.”
“I’m not lying…”
“Hm. I’ll be on my way, then.”
Seizing the moment, Dale quietly slipped toward the exit.
Leaving?
Cynthia watched blankly as he squeezed past the gap and disappeared outside. You coward…!
“Then I’ll also just—”
“Where do you think you’re going?”
Trying to escape the same way Dale did failed spectacularly. Cynthia stared up at Tession as he blocked her path with one raised arm.
Frowning, he asked:
“Should I go to the Bailey estate right now and ask what this is about?”
“…No!”
“Then tell me what happened.”
There was no escape now.
And he was right—she had promised not to lie or hide anything anymore… Cynthia finally opened her mouth.
“The Bailey family… asked if I could continue pretending to be Elizabeth a little longer.”
“I’ll head to the Bailey estate immediately.”
“Wait, my lord!”
She hugged him tightly from behind as he tried to turn away. Cynthia pressed her upper body firmly against his broad back, holding on with all her strength.
“Please don’t! I already refused! I yelled at Dale right to his face!”
“Why would the Bailey family make such a ridiculous request?”
“Because His Highness the Crown Prince is looking for Elizabeth…”
“Ha…”
The moment the word Crown Prince left her mouth, Tession ran a hand through his hair and let out a deep sigh.
He was truly fed up.
“Everyone is after you, Cynthia. I can’t live like this—it’s too dangerous.”
“Well, it’s not exactly that…”
“And now I even have to worry about the Bailey family’s servant?”
“But I really thought Dale came just to check on me…”
“Is it true that the two of you occasionally check on each other?”
At her words, Tession turned slightly. He placed his hand over Cynthia’s thin arms still wrapped around his waist.
“Hm?”
“I asked if you two are close personally.”
Close with Dale?
Cynthia pondered his question. She could say they were close…
Dale had secretly broken orders to leave her a house, always accommodated her needs during the contract, and tried to protect her until the very end.
By that standard, maybe they were close. But one thing was certain:
“If you asked Dale, I’m sure he’d say no.”
‘I? Close? Not at all.’
She could clearly imagine him flatly rejecting the idea.
“And what if I asked you, Cynthia?”
Before she knew it, Tession had turned around, gently pulling her arms back into place around his waist as he faced her.
Surprised, Cynthia looked up at him.
“Me?”
“Yes. Would you say you’re close to him?”
Why would I consider us close if he doesn’t?
After thinking for only a moment, Cynthia shook her head firmly.
“No! We’re not close! Absolutely not!”
“Good.”
