Chapter 47
“Milady! What are you doing here?”
It was Silas.
He quickly approached, glancing around Serena as he walked briskly.
“Is something the matter? It’s dangerous to be alone this late at night.”
“Oh, I dropped a book. I was just going to pick it up quickly and go back inside.”
“A book?”
Silas’s gaze shifted to the ground.
He picked up the book Serena had dropped and carefully brushed the dry dirt off it several times.
“It’s unusual—a book without a title.”
What was he talking about?
“Huh? Isn’t it written here in gold?”
Even though it was written quite clearly, Silas tilted his head while examining the book.
“Really…?”
He acted as if he couldn’t see it at all.
Serena pointed at the golden letters with her finger.
“Here.”
“Pardon?”
Following Serena’s fingertip, Silas blinked slowly.
It was a strange reaction. Serena narrowed her eyes.
“You’re not teasing me, are you?”
“Of course not. How could I dare to tease you, Milady?”
They had only known each other for a few days. Even with the same social standing, joking around would feel awkward, let alone with a difference in rank.
Serena knew very well that Silas wouldn’t play a prank unless he had gone mad.
“Really? You truly can’t see it?”
Then why is he acting like this?
Serena pointed at the title again. Silas shook his head once more.
“Yes, I really can’t see anything. If you’re not joking, it seems there’s something wrong with my eyes. I should go to the hospital as soon as possible.”
Rubbing his eyes, Silas said it might be due to fatigue. It reminded Serena of when he had first seen the letters and suspected they were a hallucination.
Taking the book from him, Serena opened it to the first page.
“Then, can you see this?”
Silas, looking embarrassed, nodded.
“…No. I only see blank pages.”
The text was perfectly clear to Serena, but she couldn’t ask someone who claimed not to see it, “Why can’t you see it?” without seeming insane.
‘I might already look like a crazy person.’
After a brief hesitation, Serena forced a small laugh.
“Hahaha! You’re taking it too seriously; I can’t keep this up. It’s too funny. Hahaha.”
“So it really was a joke.”
Even though he spoke as if reading a book, Silas’s expression relaxed.
From his relieved look, Serena realized the letters were truly visible only to her.
‘Come to think of it, Edward said he couldn’t see them either.’
He had said he couldn’t read them. This seemingly insignificant book apparently held a significant secret.
Serena, determined to ask him about it first thing in the morning, forced a final smile and changed the subject.
“By the way, Silas, where have you been?”
“Oh, I was at the stables. I fed the horses who had been running for a long time and brushed them a little on my way back.”
There were so many things on her mind upon arrival that she had completely forgotten about the horses who had contributed so much to their journey. Silas had too.
“You made the journey much more comfortable. Thank you so much.”
“It was nothing. I was only doing what I had to do. I am truly grateful to you for hiring me. My income has been inconsistent lately, but thanks to you employing me for this long trip, I can breathe easier.”
Silas bowed deeply.
Serena’s eyes widened.
“You were worried about money despite being this capable?”
“Yes… Actually, there are days when the cost of renting horses and carriages exceeds what I earn.”
He smiled awkwardly, saying he barely had enough to live on.
“Have you ever thought of getting a different job somewhere?”
“I have, always. But there are almost no jobs for coachmen. They rarely hire, and usually people only look for work because there’s little chance of quitting once employed.”
“Are people crazy? To ignore someone this skilled and hire someone else.”
Silas bowed his head shyly, scratching his cheek, clearly embarrassed by the praise.
Serena studied Silas carefully.
He was not only skilled with carriages but also knowledgeable about travel, had a good personality, and was a friend vouched for by Sophia.
She couldn’t let a talent like that go.
Since they would be traveling anyway, she thought it would be ideal to employ Silas if possible.
“If it’s alright with you, would you like to work with me continuously? As you can see, I don’t have a coachman.”
“…Really? Are you serious?”
“Yes, I’ll provide the best conditions I can.”
“No, no. Even normal conditions are enough. As long as you hire me, I’ll work diligently.”
Serena liked that he was honest enough not to try to take advantage even when offered better conditions.
Feeling pleased, she smiled brightly.
“Alright, then. I look forward to working with you.”
“Yes! Thank you. I will always do my best to ensure your travels are comfortable.”
Silas bowed deeply, and Serena could feel his sincerity in every gesture and expression.
Thinking she had made the right choice to offer him good conditions, Serena walked with him into the building.
Then, something that had been bothering her for a while came to mind.
Since it was a sensitive topic, Serena looked around to ensure no one was nearby and cautiously asked,
“I’m not sure if I should ask this, but about Sophia’s brother… Is he very sick? It seems like the medicine is expensive. I’d like to help if I can.”
“Huh?”
Silas blinked instead of answering. Serena, realizing her mistake, hurriedly added,
“Oh, I guess that’s a bit… I’ll ask Sophia directly later. I’m sorry for asking something unnecessary.”
Silas looked puzzled.
“Sophia doesn’t have a brother…”
Serena’s eyes went wide.
“…She doesn’t have a brother?”
“Yes. I’ve known her since she was very young, living nearby, and Sophia has no brother.”
But she had been told her brother was sick and needed money! If not, why did she need so much?
“Then, does she have a younger sibling?”
Had she mistaken a younger sibling for a brother?
Serena remembered Sophia saying she resembled a younger sibling. When she asked again, Silas tilted his head, still looking puzzled.
“She doesn’t have a younger sibling either…”
“Her parents remarried or something? A step-sibling?”
“No, Sophia’s parents—”
Silas stopped speaking. This was a personal matter that third parties shouldn’t speculate on.
However, Serena had already realized that Sophia had neither siblings nor parents.
‘Then… what’s going on? She didn’t seem the type to be extravagant. Where’s the money going? Is she saving it…?’
Was she trying to save a lot while she was young?
There was nothing wrong with that, so she could have been honest. But why mention a brother who didn’t exist?
Even her first mention of a younger sibling when they first met didn’t make sense.
Sophia had seemed quite desperate at the employment agency. It didn’t appear to be just a plea for money.
‘And that eventually led her to work in a terrible bar…’
So why did it come to that? What could have driven her to such extremes?
While Serena was lost in thought, Silas’s expression suddenly turned cold, as if he had sensed something.
Seeing him hesitant, Serena waved her hand reassuringly.
“You don’t have to tell me. It could get complicated. Even if there’s something hidden, I don’t want to lose Sophia’s trust by prying. I’ll ask her myself later or find out on my own.”
“…I’m truly sorry, Milady.”
It wasn’t something to apologize for, yet Silas bowed politely again.
“You must be tired. Let’s go rest. It’s a bit early, but I need to sleep too.”
Since he seemed ready to continue apologizing, Serena, citing fatigue, hurried up the stairs.
‘I thought the last thread would tie everything up once Rosegold arrived.’
It turned out it wasn’t just a simple thread but a tangled mess. Far from resolving anything, new questions kept arising.
