Chapter 23
“When you get older, sometimes your memory slips,”
Norton said with a gentle smile.
Eden clicked his tongue and walked into the mansion.
Norton wasn’t the only one he could ask for a cigarette.
“I’m sorry, I’m trying to quit smoking these days…”
“Me too…”
But every servant he met said the same thing.
“I don’t have any today. I’m sorry, Duke.”
Even Helen, who usually enjoyed smoking, didn’t have any.
Eden frowned and muttered sarcastically,
“Did you all promise to quit smoking on the same day or something?”
“It’s just a coincidence. And it’s pretty late at night.”
“I never expected to hear that from you.”
Helen smiled softly at his sarcasm.
Eden’s brows furrowed more deeply in annoyance.
Not being able to get something so simple made him even more irritable tonight.
Then Helen said,
“I understand how you feel. But please hold back tonight.”
“Tonight?”
“Yes. Isn’t it a night when only nice scents should fill the air?”
Eden raised an eyebrow at her strange answer.
Now that he noticed, there really was a sweet scent drifting in the air.
It was coming from the bedroom.
That’s when Eden realized why all the servants were suddenly “quitting smoking.”
He tilted his head with a crooked smile.
“…This much preparation wasn’t necessary.”
“It’s better to be thorough,” Helen replied without backing down.
“That’s right!”
Miller, following behind them, quickly agreed.
“Smelling like cigarettes on your wedding night? Totally unfit to be a husband—ow!”
He tried to speak as a romantic non-smoker, but Helen elbowed him before he could finish.
“Then, we’ll leave you now,” Helen said with a calm face and dragged the whining Miller away.
Left alone, Eden sighed and loosened his cravat.
He agreed with the idea of keeping up appearances,
but he had no intention of sharing a bed with Godell.
He was just curious about how mentally prepared she was.
When he imagined her glaring at him, it even made him smile a little.
‘She’ll probably give me a fierce glare.’
Thinking about her sharp eyes made him chuckle.
But that was all. Nothing would happen tonight.
Eden opened the bedroom door.
“….”
Then he stopped.
A warm orange light softly lit the room,
and the sweet scent of roses filled the air—not too strong, not too faint.
It was a perfect scene for a “wedding night.”
If only the bride wasn’t snoring in her sleep.
Godell was fast asleep with her light purple hair spread out on the pillow.
It was only her first day in the mansion, so it was understandable.
Actually, the fact that she was sleeping so well might be a good sign.
And she had good reason to feel relaxed.
She trusted their agreement—that they wouldn’t interfere in each other’s personal matters, as long as they played their public roles.
Even so…
She was so completely unguarded.
Even though this was exactly what he had wanted, Eden found himself feeling… a little annoyed.
It was different from the feeling he got when he met his old nanny.
He stared at her for a moment, then walked past the bed to the side table.
Opening a drawer, he finally found the cigarette he’d been looking for.
He put it to his lips and reached for a match.
“Mmm…”
Godell stirred and turned to her side.
Eden stopped moving and looked at her.
She had frowned in her sleep for a moment, but now her face looked calm again.
She had a very expressive face—her emotions always showed.
Maybe that’s why he kept trying to talk to her.
When she got angry or glared at him, it reminded him of a cat—pretty, fierce, and beautiful.
But honestly…
‘This is a pointless thought.’
Eden shook off the idea.
Still, he hadn’t lit the match.
Waking up someone fast asleep just to smoke was childish.
And… he didn’t really want to see her frown again.
“…What am I even doing because of you.”
He let out a quiet laugh and put the match away.
Then he walked over to the bed.
Sitting on the edge, he leaned forward slightly.
Now that he was closer, the sweet scent was even stronger.
Even though his shadow fell over her, Godell didn’t wake up.
Eden smiled faintly at her peaceful face.
“Here I am, and my bride is sleeping without a care.”
“…”
“Isn’t that unfair? I could call this a contract violation, you know.”
Of course, she didn’t respond.
But strangely, it didn’t bother him anymore.
The frustration from earlier and the memory of his old nanny had already faded.
“…I’ll let it go this time.”
He whispered gently, then softly brushed her hair aside and kissed her on the head.
“Have sweet dreams, my lady.”
***
I had a dream.
“Thank you so much for raising me…!”
It was the ending I had long wished for—clearing the hidden route.
Tears welled up, and I hugged Echo tightly in joy.
I wanted to share this moment.
Looking around while holding Echo, I searched for her husband, who had helped me reach the hidden ending.
But no one was there.
Where is he? My eyes were blurry from crying.
“You’re crying again.”
A warm, big hand gently cupped my cheek.
“Stop crying. Your eyes are already puffy.”
“But…”
“If you get sick again like last time, you’ll just make people worry.”
The person softly wiped my tears.
He sounded playful, but I could tell he truly cared about me.
The problem was… I didn’t know who this person was.
“My lady is such a crybaby.”
Who was this?
Who would call me “my lady” in such a kind voice?
I wanted to see his face clearly.
But my vision was still blurry, and he was standing with the sunlight behind him.
I rubbed my eyes and lifted my head to look at him.
Though I couldn’t see much, I noticed his gentle smile.
And then his lips moved.
“Time to wake up.”
…Huh?
***
My eyes flew open.
Bright morning sunlight was pouring in.
“Ugh…”
I blinked in a daze.
A dream… I was sure I had one, but I couldn’t remember it well.
‘Anyway, where…?’
The wide bed, the fancy ceiling, the large windows.
I had just woken up, so it took a moment to understand the situation.
“You’re finally awake.”
“…!”
That voice made me sit up straight.
At the small tea table in the corner of the room, Eden was leaning casually against a chair, looking at me.
“W-what are you doing here?”
“This is my bedroom too, you know.”
Eden answered shortly.
Oh, right. My memory finally started coming back.
This was the duke’s mansion.
Last night was our first night as a married couple, and I had taken a thorough bath before being left alone here…
And then I fell asleep.
Deeply, without knowing anything that happened afterward.
