Caught in that intense gaze, my eyelids trembled. Unable to say a word, I stared up at him in a daze. Edmund furrowed his straight brows and let out a suppressed sigh.
Before I knew it, his hands, which had been holding mine, had slipped away. The air touching my skin suddenly felt much colder.
“I’m sorry for putting you in a difficult position.”
His apology sounded regretful, almost sorrowful, and I didn’t want to hear it. Even though it happened because I hesitated, it felt like he was taking on all the burden, and that pained me. My throat tightened, but I managed to speak.
“…I’m fine, so don’t apologize.”
Edmund glanced at me briefly before lowering his chin and letting out a self-deprecating chuckle.
“If you knew what I was just thinking, you wouldn’t say that.”
His lips slowly erased their smile, and he stared at me intently.
“…I was thinking that I wanted to get an answer from you, even if I had to push you into a corner.”
As soon as he said those words, Edmund sighed and rubbed his temple with his long, slender fingers. I could faintly hear him muttering that he hadn’t meant to say that aloud.
How could I convey my feelings? How could I help ease his confusion? How could I…
At that moment, my eyes widened. In the tangled mess of my thoughts, a single answer emerged clearly.
‘Well, if you don’t know the right answer, just be honest. That’s the closest way to getting it right.’
I bit my lip so hard it hurt.
Being honest had always been my biggest struggle. As a child, I didn’t know how to express myself. As an adult, my pride kept me from showing my most vulnerable side. I had always thought that honesty was no different from surrendering.
Slowly, very slowly, I clenched my fists. My heart pounded heavily and intensely, as if I were gripping it in my hands. In that brief moment, my mouth went dry, and even my toes tingled.
‘But with Edmund, with him… I can show my weakness.’
Once I made up my mind, I shut my eyes tightly and forced out my trembling voice.
“…I won’t pretend last night never happened.”
I felt the sensation of his hands, which had been cradling my face, gradually drop away. Other than that, not even his breathing could be heard.
I cautiously opened my eyes and looked up. His gaze flickered like a wavering candle flame. And within that gaze, I saw something mixed in—hope tinged with exhilaration.
Encouraged by it, I looked straight at him and spoke.
“I don’t want to deny it either, Edmund.”
Just then, footsteps echoed faintly from the opposite end of the corridor.
Realizing the situation, I instinctively turned to look in that direction, but Edmund suddenly pulled me into his arms, guiding me behind a pillar.
With me pressed against the column, he wrapped his arms around my waist and looked down at me. At a distance close enough that our lips could touch at any moment, I rested my hands against his chest and waited for the servants to pass.
My heart pounded wildly, as if we were secret lovers caught in a forbidden rendezvous.
Once the servants were gone, he spoke urgently.
“What do you mean by that?”
“…”
“Etricia, tell me exactly what you mean.”
His voice was firm, pushing for an answer. My lips moved, but after several attempts, only a soft, trembling breath escaped my throat.
Heat spread from my cheeks to my ears, my neck, and then my entire body. Without realizing it, my clenched hands wrinkled his taut shirt.
I realized something again. Being honest felt as embarrassing and terrifying as running through the streets completely exposed.
Edmund, looking more impatient than I was, furrowed his brows.
“So, what you’re saying is—”
Buzz—. Suddenly, the silence of the hallway was interrupted by a vibrating sound.
The buzzing continued for quite some time.
Edmund and I remained still, as if we had agreed to wait for it to stop. Once the vibration ceased, I opened my mouth again.
“What I’m saying is—”
Buzz. The vibration started again.
It was a rare experience—to see Edmund’s face gradually darken in real time. Annoyed as well, I shot a sharp glance at the pocket holding my communication device.
‘Who has such poor timing?’
Buzz. It wouldn’t stop until I answered. Sighing, I reached for the device, only to have my hand caught.
Edmund shook his head, his displeasure evident. His insistence that I ignore it was surprisingly endearing, and I almost gave in—until a red light flashed, vibrating urgently.
A red light. That meant an emergency communication request.
The tension in the air changed instantly, cooling my heated mind in a flash.
Meeting Edmund’s now sharp gaze, I quickly answered the call.
“Baron Totair, what’s the matter?”
[Count, I’m relieved you picked up. I received a report from a maid who once worked at the Buell estate. She claims to have seen Miss Verita in the outskirts of town. However…]
“However?”
Baron Totair hesitated before speaking again.
“I’m fine, so please tell me everything.”
What he said next made me stare at Edmund in shock.
Inside Edmund’s office, I couldn’t sit still. I paced behind the sofa; arms crossed.
‘It seems Miss Verita secretly met with Baron Lofrato, who recently stepped down from the management board.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘The maid said their meeting was so unusual that she remembers it clearly. When we confronted Baron Lofrato, he admitted that Devon had planned to assassinate you on the day of the jewelry store opening…’
My heart plummeted at those words. I had expected Devon to come after me, but knowing there was an actual threat made it impossible to stay calm.
At that moment, Edmund entered the room and gently grabbed my wrist. It was only when I met his disapproving gaze that I realized—I had been biting my nails. In his dark pupils, I saw the reflection of a pale-faced woman.
“I’ve ordered Tale to search the outskirts thoroughly. Are you alright?”
“I’m fine.”
I forced a smile, but it came out stiff.
Edmund studied me with concern before pulling my hand to his chest.
“Etricia, as long as I’m here, no one will harm you. I promise.”
His unwavering gaze, as strong and sharp as if carved from stone, settled my uneasy heart.
With a deep sigh, I finally nodded. Edmund gave a faint smile before turning back to his communication device, contacting the imperial palace to seal all exits and work with the duchy’s knights to tighten the search.
Watching him, a thought consumed me.
If Devon realized he was cornered, he might take Verita hostage or, worse, end his own life to escape judgment.
I couldn’t let that happen.
Taking a determined step forward, I met Edmund’s gaze.
“Edmund, stop the search.”
He frowned in confusion.
“What do you mean? Stop the search?”
Ignoring the voice from his communication device, he shut it off and focused on me.
Taking a deep breath, I spoke again.
“I’ll be the hostage.”
His face twisted with anger. His eyes looked as sharp as arrows.
“Etricia.”
“Please don’t be angry—just listen. Verita and Devon will visit me soon for the grand opening of the jewelry shop. That will be the perfect time to catch Devon.”
“We can capture him even now. There’s no need for you to act as bait.”
“I know. I’m not doubting your ability. It’s just… I’m worried.”
I looked up at Edmund and bit my lip. That alone must have shown how frustrated I was, because I saw his expression tighten. He had probably considered this too—Devon would surely notice something was off, even if the investigation was done secretly, and he might resort to drastic actions.
“…Etricia, I don’t want to put you in danger.”
“Please trust me. I have a plan.”
His face still showed disapproval.
I opened the box I held in my hands. Inside was the pledge stone he had given me.
“If you want, I can swear on this pledge stone.”
I wrinkled my nose and gave him a playful smile. I wanted to lighten the heavy mood, but his stern expression didn’t ease.
How long did we stare each other down like that? After a deep sigh, Edmund rubbed his face—his way of surrendering.
“Thank you for letting me have my way, Edmund.”
And so, the historic first day of the jewelry shop’s grand opening arrived.
