Chapter 19
Aileen finished tying Richard’s cravat perfectly and looked at her work with pride.
But when she lifted her head, she found Richard staring straight at her — his gaze intense, burning with something she couldn’t quite name.
“Richard?”
The moment she called his name, he flinched slightly.
Almost immediately, the sharpness in his eyes faded, replaced by his usual calm expression. He turned toward the mirror and said,
“The knot looks good. Thank you, Aileen.”
“It’s nothing,” she replied lightly.
Still, she couldn’t shake off what she’d just seen. What on earth had he been thinking to look at her like that?
Before she could dwell on it, Richard checked the time and spoke,
“I should get going.”
He turned and opened a drawer — inside were several small boxes of various colors and sizes.
Aileen blinked in surprise. There were so many of them.
Then her gaze stopped on one box in particular — the one that held the cufflinks she’d given him.
Her breath caught. Without realizing, she began watching his hands closely.
Richard, unaware of her gaze, reached into the drawer… and his fingers brushed against one of the boxes.
❧ ❧ ❧
In front of the Olden mansion, a young man stood waiting beside a carriage.
His hair burned red like fire, but his expression was calm and composed. It was Claude, Richard’s aide, who would be accompanying him to inspect a business site that day.
He should be coming out any minute now, Claude thought, checking his pocket watch.
Just then, the door opened — and Richard appeared.
Claude turned to greet him but froze when he noticed the woman following behind him.
The Duchess? They’re leaving together?
It was rare to see the Duke and Duchess appear side by side. Claude was momentarily surprised but quickly composed himself and bowed.
“Good morning, Your Grace. Good morning, Duchess.”
“Good morning, Claude,” Aileen said with a gentle smile.
He smiled politely in return, then shifted into professional mode.
“I’ll briefly explain the schedule. Today’s visit is to Aster — east of Caloa, the First City of the Kynes Empire. After that, we’ll meet with the jewelry workshop and later have a meeting with Marquis Payne.”
“Alright,” Richard replied.
“Then we should depar—” Claude stopped mid-sentence.
He had noticed Aileen fidgeting awkwardly beside them.
“Is something wrong, Duchess?” he asked, tilting his head.
Richard also turned to her. His golden eyes met hers, and she jumped slightly, waving her hands.
“N-no, nothing’s wrong.”
“Are you sure?” Richard asked quietly.
“Yes, of course.”
He studied her for a moment longer, but she kept her polite smile.
Claude glanced between the two, sensing something strange. Then he cleared his throat softly.
“Your Grace, we should be leaving.”
“Right,” Richard said, stepping into the carriage.
Claude cast one last glance at Aileen. Her smile had vanished, replaced by a faint look of worry — and her eyes were fixed on Richard.
He climbed into the carriage after his master, and soon the wheels began to turn.
Inside, Richard read through the documents Claude had prepared.
After a moment, Claude spoke up hesitantly.
“Your Grace.”
“Go ahead.”
“Did you… perhaps have a quarrel with the Duchess?”
“…What?”
Richard looked up, genuinely puzzled.
Judging by his reaction, he clearly hadn’t fought with her. But then why had she looked so uneasy?
“She seemed a little… down this morning,” Claude explained.
“Aileen did?” Richard frowned slightly.
Just yesterday, she had been smiling brightly at him. There was no reason for her to suddenly change overnight.
He was about to dismiss it as a misunderstanding — but then he remembered how she’d looked earlier, as though she wanted to say something but stopped herself.
Setting the papers aside, he muttered thoughtfully,
“There was no argument. Nothing that could have upset her…”
Claude crossed his arms.
“Think carefully, Your Grace. Her eyes were definitely on you.”
“On me?” Richard echoed, confused.
Had he done something wrong without realizing it? He thought back, but nothing came to mind.
“I have no idea,” he admitted finally.
Claude sighed.
“People who hurt others rarely realize what they’ve done.”
“…You make it sound like I’m the villain here,” Richard said dryly, though a small smile tugged at his lips.
Claude remained serious.
“Have you heard the story of Young Lord Elin’s broken engagement?”
“What about it?”
“He and his fiancée were at dinner with her friends. The evening went well, but the next day, she suddenly broke off the engagement.”
“For no reason?”
“Oh, there was a reason. Do you know what it was?”
Richard raised an eyebrow. “I can’t imagine.”
Claude leaned forward, lowering his voice as though sharing great wisdom.
“She said he was too kind to her friend.”
“…What?”
“Apparently, her friend spilled water on her dress, and Lord Elin wiped it off himself — with his handkerchief. The fiancée didn’t like that.”
“You mean she ended an engagement over that?” Richard asked, incredulous.
Claude shrugged. “That’s what they say.”
Richard gave him a look. “And why exactly are you telling me this story?”
“To remind you that couples can fall apart over the smallest things,” Claude said solemnly. “Even noble ones. I’d advise you to make peace with the Duchess quickly — maybe buy her a gift on your way home.”
Claude looked utterly serious, while Richard barely stopped himself from laughing.
Of course, Claude didn’t know that his marriage with Aileen was a contract.
Aileen couldn’t divorce him even if she wanted to.
Still… the thought left Richard uneasy. Why was she upset?
Even if their marriage was temporary, they still had to live together for a year. A good relationship made things easier for both of them.
He nodded slowly.
“Perhaps you’re right.”
“Excellent. I’ll prepare a list of gifts women usually like.”
“Do that.”
Claude immediately took out his notebook and started scribbling.
Watching him, Richard couldn’t help but smile faintly — then turned his gaze to the window.
A gift, huh…
His golden eyes drifted toward the passing shop signs outside.
He didn’t realize how genuinely thoughtful he looked at that moment.
❧ ❧ ❧
Meanwhile, Aileen was in her study — a room Richard had prepared for her to use freely.
She was writing a job posting for Adrian’s tutor, carefully listing qualifications and conditions.
But partway through, she sighed heavily and set her pen down.
“Haah…”
She stood and walked to the window, trying to clear her mind.
But the reason for her distraction was obvious: the cufflinks.
The ones she had given Richard.
“He really didn’t like them, huh…” she murmured.
That morning, Richard had left wearing cufflinks — but not the ones she gave him.
Of course, his drawer was full of them. He had plenty to choose from. But still…
She’d just given him that gift yesterday, and he knew she was watching.
Wouldn’t it have been polite to wear them at least once?
She stared blankly toward the mansion gates, then shook her head.
Don’t think about it.
Even if they were technically equal under the contract, Richard clearly held the advantage.
If he wanted rare magic stones, he could easily obtain them. He didn’t need her. She was convenient — useful.
But Aileen did need him. Without Richard, she’d have no way to pay off her debt.
The contract protected her, yes — but still, she didn’t want to make things awkward.
With a small sigh, she sat back down and picked up her pen.
As she worked and spent time with Adrian, the sun slowly set.
Richard still hadn’t returned.
Eventually, Aileen decided to eat dinner with Adrian without him.
Later that night, after putting a drowsy Adrian to bed, she returned to the bedroom she shared with Richard.
Sitting at her vanity, she removed her hair ornaments and began brushing her hair.
That’s when she heard the distant sound of hooves.
She froze, then hurried downstairs.
“Richard.”
He turned at the sound of her voice, stepping into the hall. His golden eyes looked tired.
“Aileen.”
“I didn’t expect you back this late. Are you exhausted?”
“I’m fine. And you? Everything alright here?”
“Nothing special,” she said lightly, smiling. Then she noticed the small box in his hand.
“What’s that?”
“Ah, this…”
For once, Richard hesitated.
When she tilted her head curiously, he finally extended the box to her.
“A gift.”
“A gift? For me?”
“Yes. I saw it and thought of you, so I bought it.”
The words came out smoothly — the same lines Claude had told him to use.
Aileen’s eyes widened in surprise as she unwrapped it. Inside was an elegant amethyst necklace — clearly expensive.
But… for some reason, she couldn’t bring herself to be happy.
“…Thank you,” she said softly, forcing a smile.
Richard noticed the stiffness in her tone, and his lips tightened slightly.
Unaware of his reaction, Aileen took his hand and said,
“You must be tired. Let’s go rest.”
“…Alright.”
As he followed her inside, Richard cast one last glance toward the doorway — where Claude was still standing awkwardly.
The moment their eyes met, Claude froze.
Richard’s expression was unmistakable — the same one he used when someone messed up.
Realizing what that meant, Claude’s shoulders slumped in defeat.
Richard turned away and followed Aileen into the bedroom, his face unreadable.
