Chapter 32
“Pawned Life” –
After changing her clothes with the help of the maids, Irina wandered around the villa until the meal was ready.
The villa contained only what was necessary — so neat that it almost felt empty.
From the ground floor to the basement, there wasn’t a single place without a lamp, and the marble floors were spotless.
Even Irina, who usually didn’t care much about such things, felt guilty just stepping on them.
Every corridor had thick glass windows, letting in sunlight everywhere.
It seemed like it would be cold in the winter, but with the sturdy wooden shutters closed, it would probably be fine.
The dining hall was already filled with the smell of delicious food, and even the sounds of bustling activity made the place feel lively.
Irina had also become familiar with the servants working there.
Including Howard and Irina herself, there were about six people managing meals, cleaning, and maintaining the villa.
They said either Howard or Werner came once a month to inspect the place personally.
The staff lived nearby and took care of their own lodging and meals.
A carriage delivered food supplies twice a week, and since there were no rivers or mountains blocking the road, they never had to worry about being cut off unless some natural disaster struck.
They even said it was better than living in the noisy city center.
The head chef, who oversaw the kitchen, had once worked at the Duke’s mansion but had volunteered to come here because he preferred the place.
Listening to such stories, Irina climbed the stairs to the upper floors.
Her steps were light — the dress she now wore was thinner and lighter than before.
The air, though shaded by the forest outside, didn’t feel cold at all.
Through the long row of windows along the staircase, she looked outside.
As the view rose higher, the scenery became more and more enjoyable.
The building narrowed as it went up, and by the time she reached the third floor, it was like a small tower at the top.
There was no door — just a space with wide windows overlooking the forest.
“Wow… I can see everything.”
When she opened the window and leaned out, she felt like a fairy-tale princess.
Irina looked down at the people bustling about below.
Having guests after a long time must have made the servants nervous — everyone was busy polishing and preparing.
“It’s already spotless. How much cleaner can they make it?”
It was already perfect, in her opinion.
Her sightseeing was brief, though.
“Ma’am! You can come down now! His Grace said to make sure you’re not uncomfortable. You’re not cold, are you?”
Casey had come running again, calling for her energetically.
“Casey.”
“Yes, ma’am?”
“I don’t think I could ever get lost here. You’d come find me every time anyway. I’m not cold — though it might be chilly later if we go out. The forest and all.”
“Hehe! Of course I’d be the one to find you, ma’am. Who else would? Well, after His Grace, of course!”
“I’ll remember that. Let’s go. He must be waiting.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
When Irina went down to the dining hall with Casey, the long table was already laden with delicious-looking food.
“Welcome, my lady!”
“We’ve been waiting! The food smells wonderful!”
The knights and attendants were already seated, waiting for their lord and lady.
At the duke’s mansion, the guards usually ate separately.
Even if they used the main dining hall, they rarely encountered Irina.
They trained from dawn, ate early, and took lunch only after Irina’s meal had finished.
Since her arrival, they’d never all eaten together like this.
Irina liked the change — it felt warm and lively.
If it felt this good, maybe they could eat like this back at the duke’s estate, too.
At the count’s manor, she had eaten alone every day for years.
When the family’s fortune declined and even meals became meager, the loneliness was unbearable.
Her father had been so infatuated with her stepmother, Scarlet, that he hardly noticed whether Irina ate or not.
He only called for her when he needed her to appear at a ball or a party.
Those days were long gone — almost erased from her memory.
“Ah, Howard. You’re here?”
Feeling a presence behind her, she turned around to see him.
“Why are you standing here alone? If you’re uncomfortable, I can tell them to prepare a separate seat.”
Irina shook her head quickly.
“No, I just like watching everyone together. It’s been so long since I’ve seen something like this. Come on, let’s sit — they say the food’s delicious.”
Irina naturally took his hand and led him forward.
“Your Grace, my lady! Please, eat as much as you like. The veal was butchered just this morning — excellent quality!”
The chef himself came out, his voice bright with pride.
“Enough, enough! If you keep talking, the lady won’t even get a single bite before the meal ends!”
Horn, the knight who’d earned Casey’s glare at the beach earlier, joked cheerfully.
On the way here, Irina and the knights had been rather stiff with one another.
But after playing together in the sea, they’d grown more relaxed, and her request not to treat her so formally had helped as well.
“It’s been ages since I cooked such a feast! Please, enjoy! There’s plenty to go around!”
“Thank you — you’ve worked hard.”
When Irina spoke, the chef scratched his flushed neck awkwardly before retreating back into the kitchen.
Half the food was gone, and the wine had made a few faces rosy, when someone finally spoke up.
“Your Grace, I’ve always been terribly curious.”
It was Haron.
The kitchen staff were still busily clearing and refilling dishes.
Irina had only just learned the names and faces of the knights today.
Haron was the vice-captain of the Ringgester ducal guard — strong enough to spar with Howard himself.
Having served with him longer than most, he spoke a bit more casually than others dared.
But unlike the reserved and quiet captain, Haron was loud and talkative — the kind who often got scolded for it.
Even now, as he leaned forward to speak, the captain, Evern, warned him to mind his manners.
His already sun-darkened face was now blazing red from wine.
“What are you so curious about?”
Howard’s tone was looser than usual, too.
Irina had been in such high spirits all day that even he seemed more at ease.
“How did you two meet? It’s just… unbelievable!”
Haron’s eyes gleamed mischievously.
“His Grace was always training or working — and suddenly, my lady appears! Did you drop from the sky?”
Determined to bond tonight, he spoke without any hesitation.
“Mind your manners, fool! Your Grace, my lady — my apologies. He’s clearly lost his wits from drink.”
“It’s fine,” Irina said with a smile. “When else would we get to talk like this?”
She was already two glasses of wine in, her cheeks faintly flushed.
Between the carriage ride, the seaside play, and touring the villa — it was still only sunset, but most people were relaxed and merry.
“I really, really want to know!”
Encouraged by her tone, Haron spoke louder.
Irina giggled.
“We’ve known each other since we were young. Right?”
“Oh, really? So it was a childhood promise of marriage? Incredible!”
Haron downed half a glass of wine in one gulp, wiping his mouth carelessly afterward.
Irina glanced sideways at Howard.
It seemed the knights didn’t know the real reason she was there — that she’d come because of her debt.
She had assumed they all knew since they were the ones who’d escorted her.
But judging from their reactions, they clearly didn’t.
Catching Howard’s eye, she gave a small nod.
“He used to chase after me quite a lot.”
Irina tilted her chin playfully toward him. Howard chuckled softly.
“Is that true?”
“Wow! Did you follow her around with flowers and all, Your Grace? Even you couldn’t resist a beauty like her, huh?”
Now even the youngest knight, Max, joined in the teasing.
Howard stayed silent.
They took his silence as confirmation and burst out laughing, filling the dining hall with noise.
“It’s a blessing my lady came. It’s been so long since we’ve all eaten and laughed together.”
“I agree! We should travel like this every season!”
Irina nodded eagerly.
“I’d love that. Ah — my glass is empty. Someone fetch some more wine?”
She waved her empty glass cheerfully.
The knights laughed, saying she was even more spirited than His Grace, and several jumped up to oblige.
Haron and Max looked ready to empty the entire cellar.
“You’re going to get drunk,” Howard warned.
“It’s fine. We should drink on a day like this.”
“My lady, you’ll have a headache tomorrow!”
“That’s all right. Casey brought medicine, didn’t you?”
Only Howard and Casey tried to stop her; everyone else seemed delighted to keep drinking.
Thankfully, the talk remained light — no one probed deeper.
They spoke mostly about Irina’s hometown or their own training routines.
Some even complained that Howard’s drills were too harsh, hoping Irina would side with them.
Dinner stretched on.
At first, everyone’s attention was on Irina, but as time passed, the gathering became relaxed and easygoing.
Howard eventually rose from his seat.
Irina, busy laughing at the knights’ chatter, didn’t notice.
He walked behind her chair and leaned down slightly.
His scent reached her instantly.
“Hm?”
“You should get some fresh air,” he murmured.
She’d had quite a bit to drink — enough to make him worry she’d tire soon.
Irina accepted his offered hand and stood.
Her body swayed slightly from the wine.
“Oh!”
“Are you all right?”
“Ah, yes. Just a little dizzy. I’m fine now.”
She smiled sheepishly and grasped his hand.
As they headed toward the door, Howard spoke to Werner.
“Let them enjoy themselves. Clean up afterward.”
“Yes, Your Grace. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Werner stood at attention until the door closed behind Howard and Irina.
