Chapter 8~
Even if it looks sincere, it’s fake emotion! Just a delusion caused by the potion! I can’t fall for this.
Cecilia hurriedly steadied her heart, which had almost softened without her realizing it. Earlier, Therros had been so stubborn that she pretended to hesitate as a strategy—but now that his attitude had softened, perhaps he might actually accept her refusal.
“Lord Therros. How much time does it take for someone to become precious to another person? We’ve never shared that kind of time. Your feelings for me… they aren’t normal.”
“Whatever the reason, what matters is that I feel this way.”
“That’s—!”
It’s too one-sided.
As Cecilia struggled with how to voice the words rising to her throat, Therros didn’t give her time to think and abruptly changed the subject.
“Cecilia, eating something warm will help with the chill in your body. Even if it’s uncomfortable, sit up for a moment.”
He picked up the bowl of soup from the bedside table and scooped up a large spoonful.
Cecilia blinked in surprise.
Wait… is he going to feed me?
But even sitting up was a challenge for her right now. The large robe Therros had given her barely covered her body. She was barely managing to stay hidden under the blanket—there was no way she could sit in front of him like this in such disheveled clothes.
“Um… if you leave the soup, I’ll eat it myself.”
“I’ll feel at ease only after seeing you eat.”
Right. This man was stubborn.
He pushed forward relentlessly when it came to marriage—of course he’d be like this too. Cecilia suddenly felt a spark of defiance. She wanted to see just how stubborn he could be.
“If I say I don’t want to eat, will you force me?”
“I’d rather not force you. It would be best if you chose to eat on your own.”
He still didn’t say he wouldn’t force her no matter what. Realizing just how unyielding he was, Cecilia decided to use her last resort—honesty.
“My clothes got soaked, so I don’t have anything proper to change into. We’re not close enough for me to face you like this.”
“Ah.”
Therros let out a dry sound of realization. Judging by his reaction, it was clearly something he hadn’t considered. After that brief exclamation, an almost frightening silence filled the room.
That should be enough for him to understand.
Cecilia cautiously lifted her gaze to check his expression—and was startled.
Therros’s face was completely flushed, redder than she had ever seen. And his expression… even a teenage boy wouldn’t look that awkward.
Seeing him so embarrassed made Cecilia feel embarrassed herself. The air in the room suddenly grew heavy, pressing down on her. Clutching the blanket tightly up to her chin, she pulled it higher defensively. Heat crept up from the nape of her neck, and in an attempt to hide her embarrassment, she raised her voice.
“W-what are you thinking about to make your face that red?!”
“I… wasn’t thinking anything.”
Therros stiffened his expression and answered coldly, but somehow his response felt unusually clumsy.
Just then, there was a knock, and a servant announced that a maid from the Serin household had arrived. Therros, as if grateful for the chance to escape the awkward atmosphere, sprang to his feet.
“She’s already here. Then I’ll step out so you can have some time alone. Eat the soup before it gets cold.”
No, wait!
While arguing over the soup, she had missed her chance to persuade him about the marriage.
Cecilia reached out toward his retreating back, but he was already speaking to someone outside the door. Soon, Dalein entered, clutching a bag of Cecilia’s clothes, her eyes brimming with tears.
“My lady! What is this? I was so shocked when I heard you fell into the water! And at a time when the master isn’t even here!”
Seeing Cecilia wrapped in the oversized robe, Dalein quickly pulled out a negligee from the bag and helped her change.
After changing into her usual clothes, Cecilia felt much more at ease and managed to take a few spoonfuls of the soup Therros had left behind.
“My lady, tell me—what on earth happened?”
At Dalein’s question, Cecilia grabbed her shoulders and whispered quickly.
“Listen carefully, Dalein. The lord of this estate asked me to marry him.”
Dalein gasped, covering her mouth with both hands, her eyes wide like a startled rabbit.
“Oh my goodness! My lady, that’s wonderful news!”
“Wonderful? I need to run away. He’s not just a little obsessed with me—it’s extreme. And he’s so domineering!”
Dalein tilted her head, clearly confused. She had just greeted the lord outside the room, and the man who asked her to take good care of Cecilia had looked genuinely concerned.
Could someone who spoke so politely, even to a mere maid, really be domineering?
“My lady… are you sure he’s really that overbearing? Maybe you could take some time to get to know him first?”
“No. If I take it slow, I feel like I’ll end up married the moment I let my guard down.”
Dalein glanced around the spacious room filled with elegant furniture.
“My lady, the master here is young and handsome. He owns such a magnificent estate and territory. I’m sure there are countless women lining up to marry him. Isn’t it a waste to refuse without properly getting to know him?”
At those words, Cecilia found herself entertaining a thought she had never considered before.
If there hadn’t been a potion involved… would I have rejected Therros’s proposal so firmly?
He was certainly attractive. As he said, there was no real reason for her to refuse him based on his circumstances.
And then—
The image of Therros’s face from when she had just regained consciousness on the boat floated in her mind. His long lashes casting shadows, his lips reddened from the water—contrasting with his pale, startled expression—it had created a strange impression. The ever-changing expressions and emotions that had crossed his face as she woke…
At the time, she had been too dazed to notice, but the more she thought about it, the more captivating he seemed.
There’s no need for a charming fairy—he’s enough to enchant someone!
Cecilia shook her head vigorously, trying to drive his image away.
There’s no point in “what ifs.” None of this would have happened without the potion. Besides… he’s Lord Dmitri’s brother.
Rejecting him is the right choice.
As Cecilia fell silent with a resolute expression, Dalein decided not to press further and let her rest.
“Oh dear, look at me rambling. My lady, you should sleep for now. I’ll wake you when dinner is ready.”
After some time, Cecilia, who had drifted into a light sleep, woke at the sound of Dalein’s knock.
“My lady, the meal is ready. Shall I have it brought here?”
“No, Dalein. I’ll go down.”
After changing into a comfortable dress, Cecilia headed downstairs, her steps firm with determination.
She needed to thank Therros for saving her life—and clearly state her stance on marriage.
I’ll settle everything cleanly during dinner.
With a resolute expression, she opened the dining room doors.
But the moment the doors opened, Cecilia froze in place.
It wasn’t just Therros sitting at the large table—there was someone else she recognized.
Caught off guard by the unexpected presence, her voice came out strained.
“Y-you… why are you here?!”
“Good evening, my lady. I was quite shocked to hear of your accident.”
At the end of Cecilia’s trembling finger stood Hadel, the head of the Odik family.
“Ahem, I’m at a loss—such a passionate welcome.”
Ignoring Hadel’s shameless response, Therros looked puzzled.
“You know the researcher? I invited him to provide the healing magic you require.”
“Healing?! I’m perfectly fine now!”
To prove it, Cecilia deliberately rotated her shoulder vigorously.
Who knows what that man might try if he uses healing as an excuse to get close to Therros.
Remembering the memory-erasing potion Hadel had once offered, Cecilia glared at him warily.
“Cecilia, sit beside me. I’ll have the meal served immediately.”
At Therros’s gesture, she took the seat next to him. First, she needed to understand the relationship between him and Hadel.
“Lord Therros! Were you acquainted with Lord Hadel before?”
At her question, Therros paused briefly.
“We’ve crossed paths occasionally at the imperial palace. A few years ago, when my horse was badly injured, the researcher came here to treat it. The black horse you rode today.”
“Indeed. That was about three years ago, if I recall? Your horse was such a magnificent steed—I still remember its name. ‘Thunder.’ A name well deserved. Even across the empire, it would be hard to find one of its equal.”
Smiling brightly, Hadel spoke with smooth flattery. Despite the polished compliments, Therros merely nodded instead of responding. Compared to Hadel’s friendliness, they didn’t seem particularly close.
Hadel’s gentle, affable smile only heightened Cecilia’s suspicion.
Who knows what schemes lie behind that smile? He might even try to erase Therros’s memories for the sake of his family.
Without realizing it, she tightened her grip on her fork as she stared at him.
With the unexpected guest, a tense atmosphere settled over the table as the servants began to bring in the dishes.
