Chapter 35
Aileen froze for a moment. Then she let out a soft laugh, as if she’d been caught, and nodded.
“You really are sharp, Richard.”
“Well, otherwise, there’d be no reason for you to suddenly want to visit a business site.”
“It’s not a sure thing yet. Even if I do end up running a trading company, I haven’t decided what I’d sell or deal in.”
“I see.”
They kept walking, but after a few steps, Aileen stopped. Richard turned around, puzzled, only to see her looking at him with an unreadable expression.
He didn’t ask anything — not about why she wanted to start a business, nor why she suddenly seemed eager to make money.
Probably because he already knows, Aileen thought.
Richard was one of the few people who fully understood her circumstances — her debts, her obligations, and her desire for independence. He likely guessed her reasons.
And Aileen, in turn, knew why he didn’t ask.
Because this is just a contract between us.
Since their relationship was defined by a contract, Richard was careful not to cross any boundaries. It was his way of respecting her.
Aileen understood that. At least, logically she did.
Then why does it feel so frustrating?
Even though her head told her this arrangement was fine, her heart didn’t agree.
She wanted him to ask more.
She wanted him to show concern.
And the fact that he didn’t made her feel oddly disappointed.
“…Aileen?”
Richard stepped closer, concern flickering in his golden eyes.
When she didn’t answer, he frowned slightly. “Are you feeling unwell?”
“No, it’s not that… Um, Richard.”
“Yes?”
“We’re… friends, right?”
The unexpected question made his eyes widen. His golden irises trembled faintly.
Aileen gazed at him seriously. “We are friends… aren’t we?”
“We’re…”
He wanted to say no.
He wanted to tell her that he didn’t just want to be her friend — that he wanted something more.
But then he saw the look in her eyes — open, sincere, almost pleading for him to agree.
Wait… does she know?
Did she somehow realize how he felt? Was she asking this because she wanted to reject him gently?
Richard wanted to be more than a friend.
But that wasn’t something he could decide alone. She had to want it too.
And so, after a long pause, he forced the words out — like swallowing glass.
“…Yes. We’re friends.”
“Right?” she said, smiling brightly.
“Yes,” he replied quietly.
He swallowed the bitter taste in his mouth. Her face looked so happy — because she believed they could at least be friends.
But to him, it was painful — because he realized they might never be more than that.
So when Aileen spoke again, her next words caught him completely off guard.
“I want us to share more with each other — whether it’s something important or something trivial.”
“I see…”
“Yes. Not just because we’re married by contract, but because… I genuinely want to know more about you. As a friend.”
Her voice softened. “So please tell me more about yourself, Richard. I’ll do the same.”
Richard blinked.
Are you trying to drive me insane, Aileen?
Her request — to get even closer to him — was torture disguised as kindness.
Still… she clearly didn’t know how he felt. That much was obvious.
He couldn’t tell if that was a relief or a heartbreak.
But in the end, he decided to play along — with a calm nod.
“Alright. I’ll tell you everything I can.”
He smiled faintly.
That way, you won’t be able to leave me so easily.
He didn’t say that part aloud.
It was half a challenge, half a plea — and maybe a bit of childish spite at her obliviousness.
Aileen didn’t notice the glint in his eyes, only smiling brightly in return.
And Richard didn’t realize it either — that, without meaning to, he’d already handed over control of his heart entirely to her.
***
After their visit to the Aster Company, Aileen began studying business in earnest.
Though she had told Richard she was still “thinking about it,” she had, in truth, almost made up her mind to run a trading company — or at least a small shop.
She wasn’t planning anything grand. For now, starting small seemed wise.
But I have to be prepared, she reminded herself.
If she was going to build wealth, even a small business had to succeed. She wasn’t planning to fail.
In her study, Aileen sat surrounded by books — management guides, essays on commerce, and economic theories. The shelves Richard had prepared for her were already packed with business-related volumes.
Knock, knock.
A soft knock interrupted her focus. Aileen lifted her head and said, “Come in.”
A maid stepped in carefully, carrying a bundle of letters. Everyone in the mansion already knew the lady of the house had recently become obsessed with learning about trade and management.
As a result, the servants made sure to disturb her as little as possible.
The maid approached the desk and placed the letters before her.
“Madam, today’s mail has arrived.”
“Thank you,” Aileen said with a gentle smile, taking the stack.
As she glanced through the senders’ names, she noticed the maid still standing nearby.
“Is there something else?”
“Would you like some tea or snacks, Madam?”
Aileen tilted her head, then smiled softly. “That would be nice. Something sweet, please.”
“Yes, right away!”
The maid practically sparkled with enthusiasm as she left the room. Aileen blinked in mild surprise.
“She’s awfully cheerful today.”
It wasn’t hard to see why.
Before Aileen’s arrival, the Olden mansion had been a cold, silent place. Richard never needed much from the staff — just the basics: maintaining the estate, running errands, and staying out of his way.
Then Aileen had come along.
The servants had been shocked — none of them had expected their master to bring a woman home, much less one who was kind, beautiful, and always thanked them sincerely.
And then she brought along her adorable little brother, Adrian.
The atmosphere in the mansion changed completely.
Now, the servants had reasons to smile again — wondering what kind of dress to prepare for Aileen or what snacks to make for the young lord.
And what fascinated them most was the couple themselves.
Whenever they saw the Duke and Duchess walking side by side in the gardens, they couldn’t help but smile. Especially seeing the way Richard looked at Aileen — with a gaze so soft it made even the servants’ hearts flutter.
So, naturally, they adored her.
Aileen, unaware of any of this, thanked the maid warmly when she brought the tea. That simple thank-you made the maid’s motivation soar even higher.
Once she was alone again, Aileen opened her book — but after a few minutes, her mind began to wander.
“The problem is… I still haven’t decided what to sell,” she murmured.
That was the biggest question — what kind of product or trade item her business would focus on.
Without deciding that, she couldn’t build a proper plan.
She sighed, closed the book, and stood up.
From the window, she could see two figures at the front gate — Adrian and his tutor, Heinell. It looked like Adrian was seeing him off after class.
Smiling faintly, Aileen left her study and went downstairs.
Heinell spotted her first. “Oh! Madam! Coming down from your study?”
“How did you know I was up there?” she asked.
“Adrian told me. Said you’ve been really into something lately.”
“Well, that’s true,” she admitted. “Heading back now?”
“Yes. Class is over for the day. Get some rest, Adrian.”
Adrian nodded but quickly asked, “Are you going straight back to the Magic Tower, sir?”
“Of course. Between your lessons and my research, I’m probably the busiest man alive.” Heinell exaggerated a sigh, and both siblings laughed.
Then Adrian’s eyes lit up.
“I’d love to visit the Magic Tower someday — and see your lab, too!”
“No way,” Heinell said immediately. “The magicians there hate it when outsiders come in. I’d get chewed out for it.”
Adrian’s shoulders drooped, lips forming a small pout. Still, he didn’t argue.
Aileen reached out and gently patted his hair. Then she noticed Heinell watching them — his gray eyes gleaming with mischief.
“Though… if your sister comes with you, it might be possible.”
“My sister?”
“Yeah. Try convincing her to come along. Then I’ll bring you both.”
Aileen blinked, remembering their previous conversation.
***
“Madam, I think you would be fine.”
“Why’s that?”
“You’ll see when you get there.”
***
Back then, she’d brushed it off as a joke — but now it seemed he might’ve been serious after all.
When she looked at him questioningly, Heinell just grinned.
Then she felt a tug on her sleeve.
“Sis, please? Can’t we go together? I really want to see the Magic Tower.”
Adrian’s big, pleading eyes reminded her of a cute rabbit from a children’s story.
After a moment of hesitation, Aileen sighed in defeat and smiled.
“Alright. Let’s go. I’m curious about it too.”
“Really?! Yay! I’ll just drop my books off and be right back!”
Adrian bolted upstairs in excitement. Aileen opened her mouth to tell him not to run in the halls — then gave up halfway through.
Instead, she turned to Heinell. “Are you sure it’s fine if I come along?”
“Absolutely. In fact, they might even like it,” he said with a shrug. “The mages there are obsessed with research.”
What her presence had to do with that, she didn’t know — but she decided not to ask. She’d find out soon enough.
A few minutes later, Adrian came bounding down the stairs, ready to go. Around the same time, Kane — their knight — arrived to escort them.
And so, the three of them set off for the Magic Tower.
Of course, Aileen also made sure to keep an eye on Kane and Heinell…
just in case they decided to start another one of their ridiculous arguments.
