At that moment, a gunshot rang out with a loud bang. It was so loud that my shoulders flinched on their own. For a brief second, I remembered how Cedric looked when he was out hunting. I let out a silent sigh and lifted my teacup. After I ran away, the newspaper revealed that the crown prince had used black magic on a wolf. As a result, he was imprisoned for using dangerous magic recklessly.
All of that was widely reported after I ran away from Cedric, so there was no way I wouldn’t know about it. Especially when even the crown prince was imprisoned, everyone around me was talking about it, and things were noisy for a while.
Just then, someone entered the room. I looked up and saw Cedric in hunting clothes walking briskly toward me and sitting down across from me. I remembered how he had held my face in his hands before I left the mansion. He had been wearing hunting clothes then, too.
He unbuttoned the top of his jacket and took off his hat, placing it on the table. My eyes were drawn to his slightly tousled black hair. Cedric ran a hand through it as he looked at me.
His expression was indifferent, but there was a coldness in his eyes. I was scared that if I said the wrong thing, he would completely cast me aside and I’d lose my chance. I had to repay the two million crocks no matter what.
“Have you thought about it?”
His calm voice sounded indifferent, yet sharp. I couldn’t bring myself to look at him and only nodded my head.
“Then let’s do that.”
His words were simple like he had expected this outcome all along. I quickly looked up at him. Cedric picked up his hat, as if the conversation was over. Before I knew it, I blurted out,
“I have a question.”
Cedric turned his gaze to me. His eyes held no emotion. Afraid I’d lose my chance if I hesitated, I asked quickly,
“Why are you giving me this opportunity?”
Cedric leaned back in his chair and looked at me.
“I once had your heart, but I’ve never had your body.”
The word “had” stirred something in my chest. I stayed silent, and Cedric stood up.
“Stay here for a while.”
I didn’t even get to ask anything more. Cedric had already left. I stared blankly, feeling confused, when a maid came over. Surprised, I turned my head, and she spoke carefully.
“I’ll show you to your room.”
There was no reason to stay in the parlor, so I stood up. The maid led me past familiar hallways and even passed the room I used to stay in. I glanced back once before looking forward again. The room she stopped at was at the end of the hallway, in a secluded corner.
“You’ll be staying here.”
The room was already cleaned, and after bowing, the maid left. I slowly opened the door. It was much smaller than the room I used to have in the mansion, but it was far better than the places I had stayed in before, which were full of cockroaches and smelled of mold.
Most of all, the bed was clean. The walls had no cracks, so there was no place for bugs to come in. There was no bell rope to call the maid, but I was still grateful. I had no reason to reject a room like this. I had to do whatever Cedric wanted anyway, so there was no need to stay in a shabby room.
Even though it was a small and remote room, to me, it felt like heaven.
Breathing in the fresh air, I looked around the room several times. Cedric’s influence was truly impressive. Just like that, I could use a place like this.
After looking around again, I left to go get my things. To get to the stairs, I had to pass by the room I once used. I suddenly stopped in front of it.
“Is it still the same?”
Without thinking, I turned the doorknob. But it wouldn’t budge. I felt a wave of disappointment, then quickly turned away, thinking it was a pointless action. Cedric had clearly let go of his feelings for me, so clinging to old memories would only bring me down.
I hurried down the stairs. Just then, the butler coming up saw me and bowed. He was the only one who still treated me like before. It felt strange.
“Where are you going?”
I replied as kindly as I could.
“I’m going to get my things.”
“Then you should take a carriage.”
“No, it’s fine.”
I didn’t have much to bring anyway, and I didn’t feel like taking the carriage.
As I left the lodging house, I stopped by the place where Felix was staying. I didn’t call him directly since he was busy. Instead, I left a note with the owner near the front counter.
To Mr. Felix
Thanks to the Duke of Jedburgh’s generosity, I’m lucky to be staying at his mansion for now.
If you need to contact me, please come to the duke’s mansion.
Thank you always.
– Revril
By the time I returned to the room with my suitcase, it was just past lunchtime. While I was unpacking, I heard a knock at the door.
I looked up. A maid greeted me and placed a silver tray on the table. The tray was full of fancy dishes all my favorite foods. From corn soup to cherry pie. I had missed the cherry pie from Cedric’s mansion.
As I just stared at the food, the maid spoke.
“Here is your lunch. If you need anything else, you can let the kitchen know.”
She bowed and left. I sat there blankly, then turned my head and asked,
“Did Cedric tell you to prepare this?”
There was no way anyone else would know my preferences this well. The maid nodded.
“Yes, the master told us to prepare meals for Miss Revril.”
It felt strange. Maybe Cedric was just being considerate but was I overthinking it? Since I didn’t say anything more, the maid bowed and left the room.
I sat at the table and stared at the food I loved. Every dish was something I used to eat often especially when dining with Cedric.
‘Why?’
Why did he give me food I liked? Cedric must still feel betrayed by me. With that confusing thought, I began to eat. It definitely tasted better than the bread that felt like dirt. The cherry pie melted in my mouth. I had forgotten this kind of taste. I ate greedily. It had been a long time since I remembered what it felt like to eat until full.
After finishing the meal, I lay down on the bed, wanting to rest. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d laid on a sturdy, clean bed that didn’t creak or smell. It was so comfortable that I closed my eyes without realizing it.
Then, I felt something soft touch me.
“Miss Revril.”
Startled, I opened my eyes to see a maid standing there. Still half-asleep, the unfamiliar surroundings made me suddenly aware that I was in Cedric’s mansion. I looked up at her, and she spoke clearly.
“The master is asking for you.”
I checked the clock. It was already evening. I must have slept deeply in the comfort of the bed. I quickly got up and checked my dress.
Then the maid cautiously said,
“I’ll guide you to the bath.”
“The bath?”
“Yes.”
It was a simple answer, but my heart started to race wildly. I had accepted that I would spend the night with him, but now that it was actually happening, I was overwhelmed. This was the first time for me with him, after all. As I hesitated, the maid asked gently,
“Shall I tell him that you’re feeling unwell?”
“N-No.”
I spoke quickly and stuttered. I had already accepted Cedric’s proposal, so there was no reason to delay.
I followed the maid to the bath. The room I stayed in now was small and remote, so it didn’t have its own bath like the one I had before. I had to go to a separate bathroom. When we got there, everything was already prepared rose petals floated in the tub.
I had taken a bath like this once before, just after our marriage. Back then, I was so nervous that I couldn’t even feel the warmth of the water. Now, the fact that I would be sharing a bed with Cedric felt strange and new all over again.
Part of me wondered if this was really the right thing to do. But I had no choice this was the best option I had.
I bowed my head and gathered the rose petals in one hand. The red and pink petals looked especially fresh. But every time I saw the pink ones, I felt oddly uneasy. I pushed them far away and lowered my face into the water.
A few minutes later, some maids came in and rubbed oil all over my body. Strangely, the oil had no scent. I found it odd, but soon put on a white nightgown without any underwear.
I used to wear full undergarments before…
As I looked at my body faintly visible through the thin fabric, I suddenly raised my head. There was a door not the one leading out, but one that connected to another room.
Then I remembered I had been to this bathroom before. That door connected directly to Cedric’s bedroom.
