Chapter 55
A Feeling I Can’t Deny
She tried not to show it, but even without words, it was obvious — she was delighted. Seeing that made Dalia’s heart twist even more.
“Oh, my lady…”
Mary’s tear-streaked face popped back up, still laughing so hard she had rolled on the floor.
“Don’t stay over there, come here.”
Lifting the blanket, Dalia gestured for her to come in.
“Ah…”
Mary hesitated for a moment, but when Dalia scooted over and offered her a pillow too, she shyly climbed under the covers.
“Lying like this really reminds me of when we were little, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, my lady.”
When they were children, the two of them would sometimes stay up late talking, falling asleep in the same bed without the servants knowing. Mary wriggled a little awkwardly, then smiled softly at the memory.
“It all still feels like a dream to me. You — becoming a noble lady, marrying a perfect husband with rank, looks, and love — and me ending up with Lord Latrice.”
She’ll faint when she finds out who Khalid really is…
Still, Dalia nodded. Mary was more precious to her than anyone.
“Anyway, my lady, you know your worries are unnecessary, right?”
“Mm…”
“But still, I understand. It’s only natural to feel that way.”
At that, Dalia looked up, surprised that Mary was taking her side.
“…Really?”
“Yes! Even when it’s nothing, you can’t help but feel bothered, right?”
“Yes.”
“You know he’s not involved with any other woman, but just hearing another woman mentioned makes your chest ache, doesn’t it?”
“How do you know that so well?”
“That’s just how it is.”
Just how it is? Dalia frowned slightly, confused. Mary leaned closer and whispered,
“They say that’s what happens when you truly love someone.”
“What? How would you know that?”
She and Latrice had barely started dating! Dalia gave her a suspicious look, but Mary puffed out her chest proudly.
“Eyy, my lady doesn’t know, but I used to be the love-advice expert among the maids!”
When maids spent hours together scrubbing floors, doing laundry, or sewing, gossip and love talk were their favorite topics.
Mary wasn’t one to dwell on stories — she’d forget what she’d heard as soon as it was over. That forgetfulness made her both a great listener and someone known for keeping secrets.
Well, it’s not that her mouth is sealed — she just forgets things she doesn’t care about. Who knew that’d come in handy now.
“Anyway, most couples fight over little things. If you don’t care about each other, you don’t even argue — there’s no passion!”
“Really?”
“Yes! Without love, it’s dull and dry. So the fact that you’re even worrying means your relationship is healthy!”
Mary started lecturing confidently, waving her hands for emphasis.
“Wow… maybe you’re a genius, Mary.”
“And Sir Khalid adores you, my lady. You have no idea how much.”
“How do you know that?”
“He’s the one who sent me here. He was so worried about you!”
“Really?”
As Mary’s cheerful chatter went on, the gloom that had hung over Dalia all day began to fade.
“But don’t you think he already knows what’s bothering you?”
Mary asked suddenly, as if the thought had just struck her.
“Khalid?”
Without hesitation, Dalia shook her head.
“No way.”
“But he might have noticed something if he sent me here—”
“No. He has no idea.”
Maybe he’d sensed she was in a strange mood, but he definitely wouldn’t know why.
She realized she understood Khalid’s way of thinking more than she’d expected.
“But still, maybe—”
“I said, he doesn’t know.”
“…My ears are burning.”
Meanwhile, in his own room, Khalid, perched by the window gazing at the moon, absently scratched his ear.
“Hmm. Since I won’t sleep anytime soon, perhaps I’ll look into finding more guards for her.”
He’d already made some arrangements, but a few extra escorts for safety wouldn’t hurt.
Dalia mustn’t feel uneasy. I’ll need attendants she’s comfortable with, too…
Instead of teleporting, Khalid leapt out the window for a quiet midnight walk, crossing the streets of Ahmad City.
The next morning.
When Dalia entered the room, cheerful and bright-faced, Khalid — who had been waiting beside her breakfast table — exhaled in relief.
“You seem in better spirits.”
“Mhm. It’s all thanks to Mary.”
“The maid?”
“Yes.”
Smiling, she walked up, placed a hand on his shoulder, and gave him a light kiss on the cheek.
“…How wonderful.”
Khalid made a mental note to prepare a gift for that maid.
Anyone who can cheer Dalia up like this after helping me out deserves a reward.
“After breakfast, I’ll go to the temple I mentioned yesterday.”
“Alright.”
“I’ll probably return very late, maybe past midnight. So don’t wait up, just go to bed first.”
“…”
Seeing the concern on his face, Dalia gently reassured him.
“I know you’re worried. But instead of staying the night, I decided to come back early just so you wouldn’t fret too much, okay?”
“…Alright.”
He had plenty of things he wanted to say — warnings, requests, precautions — but he didn’t want to ruin the rare, peaceful atmosphere between them.
So instead, he decided to take action quietly.
“I’ve prepared the carriage. I personally chose the coachman and guards — there won’t be any trouble.”
Since this was her first time leaving the estate for so long, he’d been meticulous in making arrangements.
“Mary might be bright and capable, but she’s still new here. Please be kind to her while I’m away.”
“You’re not bringing her?”
“No. I want to go alone — quietly.”
“Hmm…”
Khalid looked a little uneasy at her reply, which made Dalia frown.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’ll just tell everyone to stay quiet.”
“Everyone…?”
Her tone rose suspiciously, and Khalid abruptly stood up.
“Well then, take your time with breakfast and come down when you’re ready.”
“…?”
What was that about?
Watching him leave, Dalia tilted her head, then decided to just focus on the feast before her.
This toast is amazing. I’ll have to ask how they made it later.
…
A short while later, after finishing her meal and dressing, Dalia stepped out the front door — and froze.
In front of her stood a crowd of people.
Birds chirped merrily overhead, but she barely heard them.
“Huh? Master! Are these the ones assigned to guard the lady instead of me?”
Before she could even react, Roy — who had followed her out with her coat — started sniffing around the crowd. He claimed he could tell shady people by scent.
Mary, trailing behind with an annoyed expression because Roy had beaten her to the task of helping Dalia dress, widened her eyes at the sight of so many people.
“Oh, honestly! Khalid!”
Once Dalia came to her senses, she turned toward him and called out in exasperation.
“…It’s all for your safety,” he muttered weakly.
“This is too much, even so!”
She had only planned to borrow the same coach and driver that Mielle used when visiting home — a reliable, familiar man who’d driven her safely many times before.
Both Sylvia and Mielle had even said the driver was well-mannered and never mixed with shady types.
But then Khalid had asked her to let him handle the temple trip arrangements, and she’d just given him the driver’s contact, saying he could make the call himself.
“I said one reliable guard, Khalid. One! What is all this?”
“Good morning, my lady!”
At least the coachman was the same familiar face, greeting her cheerfully.
But the carriage? The usual rented one was replaced with an enormous, plush six-horse white carriage — so big she could probably lie down in it.
And around it — dozens of workers, men and women of various kinds, all armed or carrying tools.
“If you’d rather, I can dismiss one or two of them…”
His voice trailed off, and Dalia pressed a hand to her forehead.
“Do you feel dizzy?”
He reached out to support her, but she brushed his hand away with a glare.
“No. I’m perfectly fine. Just fine.”
“…Good.”
“Ugh.”
Hands on her hips, Dalia scanned the sea of hopeful faces.
Khalid hurried to explain.
“I ran background checks on all of them. They’re safe — no hidden agendas.”
The workers all nodded eagerly, as if to confirm his words.
They were desperate not to be the ones dismissed, smiling so hard their cheeks trembled.
Some even stretched their arms wide to let Roy sniff them, proving they had nothing to hide.
“I’m sorry, but—”
As soon as Dalia sighed and opened her mouth, panicked voices erupted.
“Wait, my lady! Please reconsider!”
“She’s right! We’ll do our best!”
“Yes! We’ll serve you so well you’ll forget whether this is the road or your own mansion!”
“Trust us! We’ll show you supreme comfort!”
Two days, one night — and such high pay! We can’t lose this job!
They prayed she wouldn’t send them away.
A ridiculously handsome man came to us in the middle of the night, offering a job that sounded too good to be true…
And indeed, he’d promised dreamlike pay — two days of work for a whole month’s wages.
We’d regret it for life if we turned this down!
Dalia blinked, surrounded by desperate, shining eyes full of hope and determination.
Her expression wavered between confusion and disbelief.
