Episode 38
“May I have a sip of it too?”
Every time she entered his space, there was always that same rich, fragrant bitterness in the air—the scent of coffee.
Now, with a brownie that looked just as sweet sitting before her, Autum grew curious about the bitter drink.
“He called it coffee, didn’t he?”
It had become a trendy beverage in the capital a few years ago, imported at high prices. Young gentlemen typically enjoyed it in social clubs or coffee houses, but Autum had never tried it herself.
“He drinks it in his office too, right?”
She wondered—maybe, just maybe—that was the secret behind his artistic inspiration.
“Of course, Miss Kiss.”
Without hesitation, Huson handed her a cup.
“You’re actually going to drink it?”
“Why not?”
Randel watched with a skeptical look as Autum took the cup and brought it to her lips.
“I didn’t think it would be your taste.”
His words only made her grip the cup tighter.
She was well aware Randel had been watching her closely since the moment she asked Huson for the coffee.
‘Ugh, what an irritating… no, that’s just his usual expression anyway.’
But that subtly curious expression, as if wondering what her reaction would be, irked her even more.
“This black liquid? It probably won’t mean much to someone like me, raised in the countryside doing manual labor…”
Gulp.
Autum swallowed what she thought would be a sweet, dark mystery.
“BLEGH!”
But what came out of her mouth wasn’t admiration or delight—it was a loud, involuntary shout.
She had never tasted anything so bitter in her life.
The scent reminded her of caramel and syrup, but the moment it touched her tongue, all she felt was overwhelming bitterness, making her face scrunch up instinctively.
“The merchant who supplied these beans said you can taste a light fruitiness followed by a fresh tang when you hold it in your mouth.”
Randel, looking completely unbothered, casually took a sip from his own cup and added,
“Oh. My apologies.”
“If you enjoyed the cotton candy earlier, I suppose you have the palate of a child.”
Looking pleased, he closed his eyes and savored the coffee like a wine critic.
“You likely missed those subtle notes I mentioned.”
Usually so curt, Randel was suddenly chatty—he only seemed to speak this much when he was teasing.
Behind Autum, Huson silently clutched his chest, feeling secondhand embarrassment.
Autum leaned closer to Huson and whispered so Randel wouldn’t hear.
“…He’s in a good mood again, isn’t he?”
“I sincerely apologize. He’s not usually like this around others… it’s only in front of you, Miss Kiss…”
“How old is he, anyway? Acting like such a child?”
When she had first met him, he had seemed dignified and mature—but now, he just seemed ridiculously immature.
“Hmm. He came here around the age of 13… so he must be 22 now.”
Wait—what?
“Twenty… two?”
Randel’s hand, lifting his teacup, paused mid-air at her whispered words.
“I’m twenty-three.”
No—wait, by her older sister’s age, she’d be twenty-six.
“You’re a little young to know how the world works, aren’t you?”
She grinned triumphantly.
Randel must’ve disliked the smug look on her face, because he shot Huson a sharp glare.
“Huson.”
“Oh? Is that so?”
“So the kid with the grown-up palate is right here, huh? I was already twenty-two when I first arrived in the capital, back when I still thought coffee tasted like bitter mud.”
“Well, to be fair, our young master may be polished in appearance, but he has his clumsy moments. And you, Miss Kiss, seem to have a fine eye for such things.”
“Hahaha.”
Usually too reserved to poke fun at his master, Huson took full advantage of this rare opportunity to tease.
Randel, now giving the two of them a pitiful look, finished his cup of coffee in one go.
He then left the sofa and returned to his desk, picking up his pen.
“Huson, could you bring me just one more cup of tea? I’ve never really tried coffee before now. Maybe with a splash of that whiskey I usually like?”
“Of course! I’ll prepare it just the way our beautiful Miss Kiss prefers. Honestly, I tried our master’s coffee once while serving it… still can’t understand why anyone would drink such a bitter thing. Though I suppose it’s better than those nobles who just sniff and pretend they enjoy it…”
But Randel was no longer listening. He was already fully immersed in his writing again.
“Quiet, please.”
“Aww, he’s just sulking because the older lady pointed out he’s still a baby.”
“Master, being young is nothing to be ashamed of. Frankly, I envy you. At my age, even serving coffee makes my joints ache…”
“Haha! That’s something our old page always says! You sound like an old man, Huson!”
Autum laughed out loud as Huson dramatically rubbed his arms and legs, though he looked only a few years older than Randel.
It was such a carefree and warm moment that Autum, usually poised and elegant like Rosalyn, couldn’t help but laugh freely.
“Please be patient with him. He’s always been a bit eccentric, locked away in his study like that.”
Still, Randel paid no mind and continued writing on the blank page before him.
Huson leaned over to Autum and whispered again.
“He really is clueless in some areas…”
“Clueless in what way?”
“Well, for example… how to please a woman. He’s never really had a proper relationship.”
What?!
Autum’s eyes widened, blinking rapidly at Huson’s shocking comment.
“…Huson, this is your last warning.”
“Ahaha—right! I’ll take my leave now!”
Only after Randel put down his pen did Huson hastily bolt from the room.
Randel paused, watching him go, then resumed writing.
“Of course, I’m not like that… But someone like him, with a nice face and plenty of money? Surely people must have tried to get close. Huson’s probably just seen too much of him and doesn’t see it anymore. But from what I’ve secretly heard from the theater gossip network, his name’s always been in some scandal or another.”
Autum, still skeptical, looked at Randel with doubt.
Randel, aware of the look, addressed her calmly.
“If my secretary said anything strange, just ignore it.”
He pushed his glasses up and looked out the window.
“And I’ve been thinking…”
“Didn’t you say before that you don’t believe in fate?”
‘I don’t believe in fate. I think it’s something you carve out for yourself.’
“I do believe in it, though. This thing called fate.”
“And has your view changed?”
“…Maybe a little.”
Still distracted by the game she had been thinking of, Autum answered mindlessly.
Randel chuckled, then snatched the last brownie from her hand.
“My view has changed a little.”
While Autum jumped up in protest over the stolen brownie, Randel simply murmured to himself in amusement.
