“It must be thanks to Felix’s hard work.”
Cedric chuckled softly.
“How could Felix, who lost in the capital’s competition, handle things so well? And how could he have paid all that money back?”
“Then, what exactly…?”
Cedric stepped closer. Before I knew it, we were so close that I could hear his breath. He stared down at me as if trying to see through me.
“If I hadn’t helped you, you would have never escaped that village.”
I was speechless. How on earth did Cedric know I was living there? I was so shocked that I just stared blankly. Cedric lowered his head, and his breath touched my lips. For a moment, I was flustered, but then Cedric spoke quietly.
“So don’t bother thinking about someone like Felix. He’s just an incompetent lawyer.”
I just exhaled and looked at Cedric. He had told me I was a burden before, but now… Cedric met my eyes and then looked at my lips. His breath hit me softly. My heart raced the whole time I looked at him. After a long moment, he turned his gaze away.
His cold attitude seemed to say that I was the only thing on his mind. My heart sank deeply.
“Cedric!”
The voice was unusually bright and high. I recognized it immediately. It had to be Selena.
“Are you really going to see Selena?”
Cedric didn’t answer, just stared at me. Unlike my anxiousness, he looked calm, as if enjoying watching my reaction.
I barely held back the rising emotions and stared at Cedric.
Then Selena’s voice came again.
“Cedric! You’re here.”
She looked at me, and her expression stiffened for a moment. She gave me a sharp look but then awkwardly forced a smile.
“Revril, what are you doing here?”
I turned my body as if nothing was wrong and tried to leave. But Cedric naturally grabbed my hand and led me away. He looked back at Selena and said,
“The mining contract papers should be on the side table in the parlor.”
Then he led me upstairs. When I glanced back, Selena was standing there blankly, as if she couldn’t believe what was happening. I couldn’t understand it either.
“Cedric, what exactly…?”
“I want your body.”
Cedric walked quickly and took me to his room. As soon as the door closed, he bent his head and kissed me. His strong scent mixed with my breath. He pressed me so hard that I could barely breathe. Soon, my back hit the edge of the bed. Cedric supported me and laid me down.
Then he slowly pulled his lips away. His eyes, full of desire, met mine. His bright blue eyes were deeper than ever. His words kept circling in my mind.
He wants my body.
It almost felt like he didn’t care about my heart. But his breath on my lips, as he kissed me like he wanted me, calmed my anxiety a little. I comforted myself, thankful that he wanted me, even if just like this.
When I woke up, I was already in my room. Last night felt like a dream, but the marks on my body didn’t. I wanted to see Cedric in the morning, but it seemed he didn’t want that.
Before we married, we never even woke up together in the same room. I got out of bed feeling bitter. Then, as my muscles tightened, I almost fell back on the bed. I sighed and sat up again.
At that moment, there was a knock on the door. When I stayed still, the door slowly opened. Meli looked surprised to see me awake, her eyes wide.
“You’re up?”
I nodded. Meli put a silver tray on the table. The food looked better than before.
“Master said he went to the nearby mine for a while.”
Hearing that made my arm feel weak. If he had told me he was going, I wouldn’t feel so sad. When I didn’t even think about eating, Meli glanced at me. It was pretty obvious, so I looked up.
“Do you have something to say?”
“And Selena asked to see you.”
“Me?”
“Yes, she’s waiting in the parlor.”
I was a bit shocked. After Cedric disappeared from the mansion, it was clear why she wanted to see me. I could guess what she would say.
“She’ll probably ignore me and tell me to stay away from Cedric.”
Anyway, I nodded. Avoiding her forever wasn’t a solution. I was curious if Selena would really say that.
I wasn’t scared. I had faced those words and actions from Cedric’s mother many times. Besides, the scariest thing before leaving here was poverty. Now, I wouldn’t get hurt just because of someone’s words. If it were Cedric, that might be different, but for others, I could just let their words go in one ear and out the other.
Just as I was about to pick up my fork, Meli was still watching me, as if she had more to say. When our eyes met, she hurriedly spoke.
“Revril, there’s something I’ve wanted to say for a while.”
“What is it?”
“You don’t have to use formal speech with me. Everyone else speaks casually, but you’re the only one who talks formally to me.”
I guess it was because I wasn’t used to living in such a mansion.
“I’m fine.”
“No! If you keep using formal speech, it makes me uncomfortable.”
Meli looked very troubled. I nodded reluctantly. Her expression brightened a little. She waited until I finished eating and followed me out.
While going down the stairs, Meli stood beside me, looking a little worried. Even without words, we both knew what kind of person Selena was.
Just as we finished the stairs—
“Revril, are you sure it’s okay to meet Selena when Master isn’t here?”
That was what she was worried about all along. I hesitated a little because Cedric wasn’t here but shook my head.
“It’s okay.”
I smiled slightly. Cedric wouldn’t want Selena anyway. After what he showed me yesterday, there was no way. I gained a bit of confidence and went into the parlor. Selena was drinking steaming tea.
She put down her teacup and looked at me. Her eyebrows tightened. I slowly walked toward her. Selena stared at me and then smiled mockingly.
“I thought you wouldn’t come, but you did.”
“What do you want to say?”
“Won’t you sit down? It’s hard to think standing.”
I calmly sat across from her. She dismissed the servant nearby. Soon, only Selena and I were left in the parlor. The quiet atmosphere was so heavy it felt uncomfortable.
I waited for Selena to speak first. She called me here herself, so she probably had a lot to say.
She took another sip of tea and stared at me fiercely. She looked like she was ready to devour me as she spoke harshly.
“Does it feel good to tell Cedric everything like that?”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t pretend you don’t know. Early this morning, Cedric told me not to touch your dress.”
“I never told Cedric anything.”
“If you didn’t say anything, how does Cedric know all the details?”
I felt wronged. I never told Cedric anything or asked him for help. I was too stunned to answer when Selena angrily slammed down her teacup.
“Pink Rose, have you still not come to your senses?”
When I looked at her with a serious face, Selena smiled coldly.
“No matter how close you are to Cedric, in the end, he will marry me.”
Selena was full of confidence. If she had seen Cedric wanting me yesterday, she wouldn’t say that now.
When I stayed silent, she said in a bad mood,
“You remember what I said before, right?”
