“Vincent.”
“Mom, you can come too! Dad said it’s okay if you come.”
“Did the Duke say that?”
“Yes.”
For a moment, Cedric was so calculating I couldn’t say a word. When I stayed silent, Vincent leaned on my arm and said,
“Mom, you should come with me, okay?”
I sighed quietly and looked at Vincent.
“When did the Duke promise that?”
“Last night, before I went to sleep, he promised while reading me a storybook.”
“Last night?”
I couldn’t believe it and asked, and Vincent nodded.
“I was the first to tell Dad. There was a hunting ground in the storybook, and I said I wanted to go.”
“So the Duke made a promise with you?”
“Yes.”
“When did he say he would have time?”
Cedric was always so busy that it would be hard for him to make time. I was worried that Vincent might be disappointed, but Vincent quickly said,
“Tonight.”
“It’s dark in the evening, so you can’t see anything. How can it be possible?”
“Dad said that’s the only time he’s free.”
Vincent looked at me carefully. I felt bad because he was watching me too much. I didn’t want to be a bad person to Vincent anymore, so I nodded reluctantly.
Vincent hugged me with a bright face. I patted his back and asked,
“Stay with Mom, okay?”
“Yes.”
Vincent hugged me tightly and quickly ate the meat and tomatoes I cut for him.
“Eat slowly. You might get an upset stomach.”
When I held Vincent’s hand and said this, he finally smiled and chewed the meat slowly. I was glad Cedric hadn’t bothered me yesterday, but I didn’t expect him to act that way with Vincent. I couldn’t understand him at all. Was he really trying to be a good father?
I looked at Vincent happily eating with a serious face.
Today, the tutor didn’t come, and I spent the whole day with Vincent. I lost track of time being with him. Strangely, Vincent listened to me very well today, so I was proud. Just then, a servant came into the playroom.
“Ma’am, the master has arrived.”
I checked the clock, surprised that it was already that time. The hour hand pointed to six. It was a little earlier than dinner time.
“Cedric is already here?”
The maid nodded obediently. Then the door suddenly opened, and Cedric came in. The maid looked a little surprised but bowed her head and left.
Vincent was stacking blocks but suddenly turned his head, stood up excitedly, and ran to Cedric.
“Dad!”
I was a bit surprised by how natural it sounded. Cedric didn’t look shocked; he bent his knees, hugged Vincent, and stood up holding him gently. He softly asked,
“Did you have fun?”
Vincent nodded brightly. Cedric’s kind words sounded strange somehow. He looked natural and open, really like a father with his own child. After talking a few words with Vincent, Cedric looked at me.
“Was everything okay?”
I answered without looking at him.
“Yes.”
Then Cedric whispered quietly to Vincent. Vincent smiled widely and looked at me.
“Dad says we’re going to the hunting ground after dinner!”
Vincent was even happier than I expected. Then Cedric rang the bell on the wall. A few minutes later, Sahel knocked on the door.
“Did you call?”
“Feed Vincent dinner while the two of us eat.”
Hearing that, I stood up immediately and went to Cedric.
“I will eat with Vincent.”
Vincent looked at me and said,
“Mom, I want to eat with the nanny.”
I opened my eyes wide, and Vincent continued.
“Mom, you eat with Dad.”
I was speechless but calmly said,
“Vincent, you don’t have to eat with Dad if you don’t want to…”
“Revril, I want to eat with you. Just the two of us.”
“Even so, you don’t have to…”
Vincent hugged Sahel and waved at me.
“See you after dinner!”
Sahel greeted us and left the room. Suddenly, the room was quiet like a storm had passed. Cedric looked at me quietly and said,
“Let’s go.”
It was a simple sentence but felt like pressure. I stood still. Cedric opened the door and looked back at me. His deep blue eyes shone sharply. I couldn’t stop thinking about what happened earlier, so I asked,
“Why did you do that?”
Cedric closed the door and looked at me.
“Do what?”
“You didn’t have to eat alone with me.”
Cedric leaned against the door and looked at me. His sleeves were rolled up, showing strong forearms and his injured hand. A button on his shirt was slightly undone. I felt like I was staring too much, so I looked away, but his scent filled my nose. It was dry but strong.
“Revril.”
When I looked up, his deep blue eyes met mine. His slightly lowered gaze felt intimidating, tightening my stomach with tension.
“You were with Vincent all day.”
“How do you know that…”
Cedric raised one corner of his mouth.
“Then you should rest and eat with me.”
“But why do I have to eat with you…”
Before I could finish, Cedric moved away from the wall. I watched tensely as he slowly came closer. I stepped back, but he gently cupped my cheek. His strong scent filled my nose again. Cedric looked into my tense eyes and said softly,
“You worked hard today, so rest. Or should we eat in bed?”
I opened my eyes wide, and Cedric laughed softly.
“So you don’t like that either.”
His look was so relaxed. It seemed like he enjoyed that I was scared. I stood stiff like a stone, and Cedric lightly kissed my cheek. Only then did I start to realize what was happening. I stepped back, and he said,
“Rest a little while eating dinner.”
Was he really sincere? I wondered. Then he lowered his head like he was tired. Thinking about Cedric’s intentions only made me feel worse.
Then Cedric came closer and said,
“That’s why I left everything to Sahel. You keep trying to take care of Vincent but don’t think about your own health and only care about Vincent.”
Cedric’s injured hand was still wrapped in bandages. Then his voice rang above me.
“I prepared your favorite food, so let’s go eat dinner.”
I felt my stomach turn. Why was he pretending to care suddenly? I stayed silent, and Cedric took my hand and pulled me. I stopped and asked,
“How do you know I’m struggling?”
I was really curious. Before, Cedric often noticed when I looked tired. But where did I look so worn out?
Cedric looked back at me. His deep blue eyes looked darker, as if a deep sea was inside.
“I can see everything on your face.”
“……”
“Even what you hate.”
I had no words after hearing that. Cedric pulled me without much care and left the playroom. I didn’t look at him the whole way to the dining room.
The dining room was prepared only with the foods I liked, just as Cedric said. I wondered if Vincent was eating well, but I had no choice but to sit down. The servant brought a well-cooked steak as soon as I sat.
Cedric kept watching me. He didn’t take his eyes off until I picked up the fork to eat. His gaze was so strong that I couldn’t help but pick up the fork. While cutting the meat with the knife, I still thought about Vincent. Normally, I wouldn’t let Vincent go to Sahel like this, but Cedric seemed to be giving in as if he had heard something.
I glanced at Cedric. He cut the meat with the knife easily. Suddenly, I remembered what Cedric whispered to Vincent.
“Did you say something to Vincent?”
When Cedric looked at me, I told him everything I had wondered.
“Vincent was very obedient to me today. Did you say something to him last night?”
“I told him to be good to you.”
There was no way Vincent would become that obedient from just that. Cedric didn’t say more.
I pressed the meat with my fork with a serious face. Then I remembered Cedric came unusually early. I asked,
“Did you come early because of Vincent?”
“Because I have to keep my promise.”
