“But Mrs. Jenkins, Lady Revril is too clueless to notice if you hint things like that. It’d be easier just to tell her directly.”
“Really?”
“I saw her earlier and she seemed completely unaware of the rumors going around. I wonder what kind of world she lives in.”
Laughter echoed.
I hesitated for a moment, then walked into the drawing room. The people inside looked surprised at first but quickly smiled as if nothing had happened. I didn’t want to stay there any longer, so I spoke to Mrs. Jenkins.
“I’m feeling a bit tired. I’ll head out first.”
Mrs. Jenkins looked like she was trying to gauge the situation, then quickly stood up and followed me. I felt uncomfortable, so I said,
“You don’t need to see me off.”
“No, you came all this way, so of course I should see you out.”
I remembered what they said earlier and walked ahead in silence. When I reached the front of the mansion, a carriage was already waiting. It seemed Mrs. Jenkins had arranged it in advance.
Just as I was about to get in—
“Lady Revril.”
Her voice sounded a little rushed. I turned around, and Mrs. Jenkins took a step closer and said,
“I’m sorry to bring this up, but could you mention our crystal mine matter to Lord Cedric…?”
“I don’t really get involved in Cedric’s affairs.”
“Pardon?”
“I don’t know much about what Cedric does, and I’d feel uncomfortable bringing it up myself.”
“But still, if you could speak on our behalf—”
“If I say something wrong, it might mess things up. I really don’t know anything about it.”
Mrs. Jenkins blinked in confusion. I gave a polite nod and got into the carriage. It departed immediately. Mrs. Jenkins stood there awkwardly, as if hit by something.
I drew the curtain over the window and leaned back in the seat.
When I returned to the mansion, the servants greeted me warmly. But once I stepped inside, the atmosphere felt oddly subdued. The servants glanced at me and quickly looked away. Feeling strange, I looked around, but nothing seemed different from the morning.
I quietly climbed the stairs. Just as I was about to enter my room, I heard urgent footsteps. Turning my head, I saw a servant rushing out from a room at the end of the hallway. Instead of going into my own room, I headed there. The servants’ eyes widened in surprise as they saw me. Just before I entered, the butler came out in a hurry.
“My lady, what brings you here?”
“Is something going on?”
“Nothing serious, my lady. The master ordered us to clean this room thoroughly.”
“Why?”
“He said we should tidy up this unused room during renovations. He mentioned it might be used later.”
As I tried to look inside, the butler subtly blocked me and said,
“My lady, we’ll take care of it. If there’s anything you need, please let us know.”
I nodded and turned away for now. I thought I should ask Cedric about it later. I entered my room and lay down on the bed.
“…Lady Revril doesn’t know anything, so she might naively believe it all.”
The words from Mrs. Jenkins’ drawing room echoed in my mind. It was true—I really didn’t know much. I wasn’t interested, either. I hadn’t realized that made me look stupid in the eyes of society. Hearing things about Cedric that I didn’t know made me feel even more frustrated.
I sighed and pulled the bell cord. Soon, a maid knocked on the door.
“My lady, did you call?”
“Do you know anything about the rumors going around in society?”
“I don’t know everything, but I’ve heard a few recent ones.”
“What kind of rumors?”
“About the relationship between His Highness the Crown Prince and our master. I think it’s because of what happened at the banquet.”
I already knew about that—I saw it myself.
“Any other rumors? About Cedric, maybe? Or even just what kind of person he seems like to you, from working here.”
The maid hesitated. I quickly reassured her.
“I won’t tell Cedric what you said. You won’t get in trouble for talking to me.”
After glancing around nervously, she finally opened her mouth.
“The master is very strict. And cold, too.”
I thought about the expression Cedric sometimes showed—cold and indifferent. But lately, he didn’t seem like that when he was with me. As I sank into thought, the maid continued.
“And the master really cares about you, my lady.”
When I didn’t reply, she added,
“He’s very thoughtful and careful about anything related to you.”
After thinking a moment, I asked,
“Has Cedric ever acted differently from usual? Like being cruel or anything?”
What I heard in Mrs. Jenkins’ drawing room about Cedric’s cruelty kept bothering me. He had never shown that side to me, but I wondered how he was around others.
The maid shook her head firmly.
“He’s cold when we make mistakes, but I wouldn’t say he’s cruel.”
I remembered what was said in the drawing room:
“That man is truly dangerous. He’s more cruel and merciless than anyone else.”
I trusted Cedric, but hearing such rumors made me want to confirm the truth.
“He hasn’t killed anyone, right?”
The moment I asked, the maid flinched and waved her hands.
“Killed someone? Not at all! The master always follows the law. He especially hates criminals.”
I nodded, relieved. As I thought, people in high society spread those kinds of rumors when things didn’t go their way. Cedric was probably just another victim. Since he wasn’t on good terms with the Crown Prince, people who disliked that must’ve spread the rumors.
Feeling more at ease, I said,
“You can go now.”
The maid bowed politely and left the room. I looked again at Cedric’s note on the side table:
[Let’s be sure to eat dinner together tonight.]
I stared at the note for a long time. I looked forward to dinner.
As dinnertime approached, a carriage entered the mansion. I looked out the window and saw Cedric getting out. My steps unconsciously quickened. Just as I reached the stairs, the door opened. My eyes met Cedric’s.
As soon as he saw me, he smiled.
He walked up to me and lightly kissed my cheek. It was just a light touch, but my heart pounded like crazy. As I tried to steady my breath, Cedric looked at me calmly.
“Revril, I heard you went to a social gathering today.”
When I didn’t reply, Cedric tilted his head slightly. I quickly answered.
“It was nothing. I just listened to some chatter.”
Cedric naturally put his arm around my shoulder. His body brushed against mine, making it hard to breathe evenly. It felt unfamiliar, but not unpleasant. In fact, I liked how he was coming closer to me.
“Did Mrs. Jenkins bother you?”
I looked up, surprised.
“How did you know?”
Cedric smiled faintly and said softly,
“It’s obvious. I stopped doing business with Count Jenkins, so they were probably hoping to use you somehow.”
“I didn’t like her attitude, so I refused her request.”
“Good. No need to listen to people like that.”
Feeling a bit more relaxed, I walked with Cedric into the dining room. He told me in detail about everything that happened during the day.
He even answered things I hadn’t asked, as if he already knew I’d be curious. He also told me about the people around him.
“The Crown Prince has been really hostile toward me lately. He’s spreading strange rumors and trying to twist things about me. If you hear anything like that, tell me right away.”
I nodded.
“And I won’t let your father enter this mansion for the time being. He doesn’t seem to make you feel comfortable.”
“…”
“Unless you object…”
“No. Actually, I’m glad.”
Cedric smiled softly and raised his wine glass.
