Chapter 4
However, Lucy couldn’t bring herself to say any of that — so she just kept sniffing and sobbing.
In the end, seeing her aunt glance anxiously at the door, Lucy had no choice but to leave the room — but then she stopped in her tracks again.
When Raila silently asked with her eyes what was wrong this time, Lucy whispered that she wanted her hair braided.
Remembering how the little master had tugged at Lucy’s hair earlier, Raila gently and carefully braided her niece’s soft, honey-like golden hair.
“All done.”
“Thank you, Auntie.”
“I’ll bring you back your favorite candy from the market. How does that sound?”
“I’d like that.”
At the word candy, Lucy’s face brightened instantly. Raila patted her niece’s cheek, feeling a bit lighter at heart as she stood up.
When they reached the dining room, the butler had clearly been informed in advance — a tray with a silver lid sat ready on the table.
Holding the gleaming silver tray carefully, Lucy turned to wave at her aunt before slowly climbing the stairs.
In front of the little master’s room, she took a deep breath and gently pushed the door open.
When the door closed behind her with a thud, Lucy, who had kept her head down in fear, bit her lip tightly and lifted her eyes as if she had made up her mind.
Wow… it’s beautiful.
A soft fragrance filled the room.
She had always thought her aunt’s and her own room was nice enough — but compared to this place, it was nothing.
A big bed covered in subtly colored carpets and curtains, thick books stacked on the table, and even the chessboard she’d seen in the Baron’s study on her first day were scattered about.
Lucy, momentarily lost while taking in the room, soon began to feel flustered. The little master was nowhere to be seen.
“E-excuse me… I brought your snack.”
Standing timidly at the door, Lucy’s small voice met no reply.
She wanted nothing more than to leave the room quickly, so she thought it was for the best and tiptoed toward the table.
If I just leave it here, he’ll eat it on his own, she thought.
“Bring it here.”
But that plan dissolved at the sound of a young voice.
Turning toward the source of the sound, she saw the little master buried under the bedsheets, waving his hand at her.
“Didn’t you hear me? Bring it here.”
“Y-yes…”
Hunching her shoulders but tightening her grip on the tray, determined not to drop it, Lucy stepped forward one step, then another, slowly approaching the bed.
The little master didn’t rush her but simply patted the spot next to him when she stopped awkwardly halfway.
“Put the tray here.”
“Ah, yes.”
Once I set this down, I can leave.
Having that clear goal in mind made Lucy’s eyes shine — across from her, a small chuckle slipped out.
But she was so tense she didn’t even notice the smile meant for her.
“Then, I’ll be going now—”
“Where do you think you’re going?”
Just as she tried to quickly pull her hand back after placing the tray down, it was caught.
Lucy’s trembling gaze landed on the boy’s fingers gripping her wrist tightly. She felt like she might cry again.
“There’s too much for me to eat alone. Let’s eat together.”
“I… I have to go now…”
“Are you ignoring me?”
His sky-blue eyes, which moments before had been calmly admiring the colorful treats, now glared sharply at her.
Bathed in sunlight streaming through the window, the color in those eyes faded to a pale, glassy clarity — like beautiful crystal marbles.
But to terrified Lucy, they only seemed like the eyes of a monster lurking deep in some cave.
“Open your mouth.”
“M-master…”
“Why am I your master? The one paying you is my father.”
He spoke gently but firmly, leaving Lucy at a loss for how to escape. Despite being a child, he was incredibly strong.
And beyond that, Lucy was smaller and weaker than other children her age.
It was only thanks to Raila’s devoted care that she’d grown this much at all.
“I’m Sean. Sean Aiden.”
“Master… please let me go…”
“Don’t say master. Call me Sean.”
As if the demand to call him by name weren’t absurd enough, Sean pulled her closer.
Lucy, who was now half-sprawled on the soft sheets, let a few tears fall.
I have to get out…
“Please, master… please let me go…”
“Can’t you stop calling me that ‘master’?”
“Please let me go, or else…”
At that moment, something salty and savory pressed against Lucy’s trembling lips — cheese.
“Eat it. Now.”
Unable to resist his firm command, Lucy reluctantly chewed the piece of cheese he’d fed her.
It was slightly sweet, too — more delicious than anything she’d ever tasted.
Before she knew it, she had stopped crying. Next, a tiny cookie topped with nuts was placed in her mouth — and it was just as good.
“What’s your name?”
“Lucy… I’m Lucy.”
“Lucy.”
When he said her name in his young voice, Lucy felt a strange tickle deep in her chest.
Especially when she met the little master’s cool smile as he looked at her.
Watching her sit blankly, Sean let go of her thin wrist and pushed the plate toward her.
“Pick what you want.”
“But… I’m not supposed to eat the master’s food.”
“There you go again — ‘master’? From now on, use my name.”
But ever since she had started working with her aunt, Lucy had been taught firmly never to call the masters by name or act overly familiar.
“Eat. You can’t leave this room until you finish.”
Lucy, who was about to protest That’s not fair, remembered her aunt’s warning and pouted helplessly.
Seeing her glance nervously toward the door again, Sean pulled her sleeve, forcing her to face him.
Her tear-wet green eyes were as fresh as leaves covered in morning dew.
Unable to help himself, Sean reached out and brushed her golden eyelashes with his fingers.
“I-I’ll eat it!”
Afraid he might pull her hair again, Lucy quickly grabbed a handful of cookies and stuffed them in her mouth.
But no matter how sweet and tasty they were, eating so many at once made her choke.
When she coughed, Sean swiftly handed her the glass of juice beside him.
I shouldn’t…
But her throat was so dry that Lucy had no choice but to take the glass and gulp down the sweet, cold liquid. A refreshing orange scent filled her small mouth.
“Wouldn’t you like to eat things like this every day?”
Sean asked in a soft voice as he handed her more cheese, resting his chin on his palm.
Lucy, glancing up at him with wide eyes, quickly shook her head.
Her aunt always told her they must know their place. Wanting more than they were allowed would only bring ruin.
“It’s delicious. You want more, don’t you?”
“…No.”
“If you call me Sean, I’ll share my snacks with you every day.”
Seeing Lucy clutch the juice glass and dart her eyes around nervously, Sean leaned closer, propping himself on his elbow to look her in the face.
Under his glossy gray hair, his blue eyes narrowed — and her small shoulders shrank.
The little master really is a devil.
Lucy resolved not to give in to his sweet temptation and shook her head even harder.
Clicking his tongue, Sean reached under his pillow and pulled out a small metal box.
Clack. The lid opened — and a sweet, fruity scent spread around them.
“Even if I give you this, you don’t want it?”
Inside were colorful fruit candies, and Lucy’s eyes immediately began to glaze over.
Candy was her absolute favorite treat. If someone told her to eat candy all day, she probably could.
Gulp. Her slender white throat moved as she swallowed her saliva.
Noticing this, Sean chuckled and pulled out a red candy, bringing it close to her lips.
“Say my name. Then this is yours.”
Seeing the candy — the same color as the little master’s lips — Lucy unconsciously opened her mouth.
But just when she thought he would give it to her, Sean mischievously pulled it back.
Panicking, Lucy leaned forward, and his soft voice teased her again.
Say my name. Quickly.
“S-Sean… Sir…”
“Lose the ‘Sir.’”
It was such a hard thing to do. To not show respect when speaking to the master — and to call him by name!
Hesitating, Lucy watched as Sean popped the candy into his own mouth. When it vanished right in front of her eyes, she let out a tiny whimper — and Sean lifted another red candy to show her.
“S-Sean.”
“Good.”
“Sean.”
“There you go. Good girl.”
Finally, Lucy’s lips were rewarded with the sweet treat.
As the thick strawberry flavor rolled over her tongue, so sweet it made her whole body feel weak, Lucy couldn’t help but let out a small, silly smile.
“Is it good?”
“Yes, it’s delicious.”
“From now on, you bring my snacks. The two of us will eat them together.”
“Uh…”
“You don’t want to?”
Sean took out a bright yellow candy from the box and gave her a look.
Lucy, now desperate for more, shook her head fiercely in the opposite way and opened her mouth right away.
The sweet orange taste mixed with the strawberry, making her feel blissful.
“Lucy, say my name again.”
“Sean.”
When Lucy obediently spoke his name, Sean’s bright smile lit up the entire room.
The little master’s smile, which had always seemed frightening, now looked as warm as sunlight.
While she sat there, dazed, the taste of grape spread inside her mouth next.
It’s too much, Sean… Lucy whimpered as she cupped her cheeks full of sweets, and Sean let out a loud, delighted laugh.
“Lucy, eat this one too.”
Sean slipped another candy out of the little metal box and held it right under Lucy’s nose.
Her cheeks were already full, but her wide green eyes were fixed helplessly on the brightly colored candy.
“It’s too much… I can’t eat any more…”
Lucy’s muffled voice leaked out, but Sean, ignoring her plea, gently tapped her lips with the candy.
“Open.”
“Sean… please, really, I can’t…”
“I told you to call me Sean, and you did. So take it.”
“Mm…”
Her lips opened without her even realizing it. The sweet citrus flavor quickly melted over her tongue.
Lucy’s eyes watered from the overload of sweetness, but when she glanced at Sean’s smiling face, her heart did a tiny flip — so she chewed obediently, eyes squeezed shut.
“You’re cute.”
Sean said it so nonchalantly that Lucy couldn’t help but snap her eyes open wide.
She wanted to ask What did you say? but she couldn’t because her mouth was too full of candy.
Instead, a tear slipped down her cheek again.
Sean, who was leaning on one elbow, tilted his head and wiped her cheek with his thumb.
“Why are you crying? Did I scare you?”
Lucy sniffled and shook her head in a hurry.
Sean’s cold blue eyes softened a little as he watched her small shoulders tremble.
Then, he pressed his forehead lightly to hers — as if checking to see if she was warm — and whispered very softly.
“You can stay here longer if you want. You don’t have to run away.”
Lucy didn’t understand.
Stay here longer?
Wasn’t she supposed to run back to Raila the moment she was done delivering the food?
But seeing the soft expression on Sean’s face, so different from the way he had glared at her earlier, she was too startled to say anything.
So she just sat there — sticky candy sweetness on her tongue, her small hands fidgeting in her lap — while Sean continued to look at her as if she were some strange, precious thing.
After a while, Sean suddenly asked,
“Do you like candy?”
Lucy, not sure if she was allowed to speak yet, hesitated — then nodded very, very slowly.
Sean’s lips curved up again.
“Then stay by my side. I’ll give you as much as you want.”
The offer was too sweet, too dangerous.
Lucy looked away, chewing the last bit of candy, her little heart beating fast.
She didn’t know then that this was only the beginning.
