MHOW 25

Chapter 25

Surprisingly, the first person to notice that something had changed in Lady Harinant after her illness was the duke’s own master.

“Noticing something like this at the final stage… As expected, Harina, you’re meticulous.”
Even at Ares’ rare compliment, Harina merely shrugged her shoulders and continued reviewing the documents, showing no sign of pride.
The awkward one in that situation was clearly Ares.

“I said you were meticulous…”
Ares spoke again, but Harina read the papers with an unshaken expression.

“Not working? The policy announcement is tomorrow. You should review the speech too.”
Perhaps noticing his gaze, Harina spoke, yet Ares, unable to adjust to the atmosphere, tried one more winning line.

“‘This is what an adult looks like! Isn’t it cool?’ Why won’t you say it?”
Expecting her to burst out laughing at any moment, Ares looked at her eagerly—but Harina didn’t even glance up from the documents.

“If you noticed, thank you. We don’t have time for jokes, so let’s continue working.”
No matter how he thought about it, Ares felt something was off.

“Did I do something wrong?”
Only then did Harina put down the documents and point out with eyes devoid of light.

“Yes. Part 5-2 here—it should be 5,282, not 5,281. You’re going to present this document tomorrow, right? This is exactly why we worry about such small mistakes. Even after reviewing hundreds of times, you have to go all the way through.”
As Harina, tired, tried to correct it, Ares took the papers from her and asked again,

“Is that all?”
Harina silently picked up the next document.
Normally, she would’ve teased him relentlessly for such mistakes, making Ares feel even more unaccustomed.

“Really, that’s the only mistake I made?”
At his persistent question, Harina glanced at him and handed over the papers placed to her right.

“Check yourself if there’s any mistake. Instead of wasting words, you should know that every second counts for Harinant, whom you’re so determined to protect.”
It was true, and it was also Ares’ usual attitude—but while diligently reviewing the documents before him, he felt something was still missing.

It didn’t take long for this thought to spread to the servants of the ducal household.

“Milady, the necklace you requested from Raphat before has arrived. Shall I bring it up now?”
Harina shook her head, showing no interest. Seeing this, Benny, who was standing behind, nodded slightly and sent the maid out.

“Milady, are you feeling unwell? That necklace was something you carefully ordered. Our lady always cares for beauty… Oh, never mind…”
Benny worried that her mistress might have lost interest or desire in everything, but seeing the piles of ornaments and high-class dresses, she swallowed her words.

“She must have handled it properly. The ducal house wouldn’t have failed at inspection.”
Yet Benny couldn’t fully dismiss her concern.
Her mistress wearing such finery wasn’t mere extravagance—it was elegance, and she was clearly in a different state than before.

“Is something troubling you?”
Benny asked while switching a newly arrived hairpin, but Harina just let out a deep sigh.

“Talk to me when you can comfortably.”
Benny tried not to burden her, laying out the freshly crafted jewels.
However, seeing Harina close the jewelry box without interest, the startled maid finally knelt and asked.

“Milady, is something really wrong? You always said—escape the failing family, live well, live in luxury if possible, appreciate the finest jewels even if love is out of the question…!”
Benny was shocked that her mistress didn’t even look at a ring with a fist-sized jewel before closing the box.

“Was I that materialistic?”
Harina asked, and Benny reopened the box, putting the ring on her finger while nodding.

“You’re not materialistic—you’re honest. What you desire is justified, not trivial. It’s perfectly natural for you to take what’s yours. So, why such thoughts?”
Trying not to pressure her, Benny remained gentle. Finally, Harina spoke.

“You know… Benny, you’re married.”
Benny nodded, moving her hands slowly.

“So you’ve experienced something like love. If not love, at least liking someone!”
Harina quickly corrected her words.
Benny, understanding, chuckled softly and braided Harina’s hair.

“I’ve experienced liking and loving both.”
At Benny’s words, Harina rolled her eyes, then managed to utter:

“How is liking different from loving?”
Watching Benny’s hands braid her hair and seeing her reflection filled with joy, Harina couldn’t help but smile.

“You probably know what liking is. Love… involves some degree of sacrifice.”
Benny finished the hair, smiling.
But Harina still tilted her head in confusion at the vague answer.

“Does love mean giving away a limb or something?”
Benny laughed loudly again while tidying her appearance.

“No, not literally. It’s just the feeling. And if it’s true love, the other person wouldn’t want to take your limbs either.”
Harina extended her arm, imagining it draped over Ares’ shoulder.
Certainly, he wouldn’t like it.

“So if I don’t feel like sacrificing, is it not love?”
Looking at her slim white arm in the mirror, Harina asked. Benny shook her head again.

“That’s still love. Strictly speaking, it’s a form of sacrifice, but if you don’t scrutinize, everything could be love.”
With that puzzling answer, Harina went down to the study, still seeking clarity.

“Clearly. Anyway, it’s not love.”
Alternating her gaze between her arm, the corridor, and Ares’ approaching shoulders, she muttered resolutely.

“If it’s not love, I can pass it by, I can put it aside.”
Even if it were love, there would be a time to do that—yet hers wasn’t love.
With that mindset, Harina felt somewhat lighter.

“Why aren’t you coming faster? There’s so much to do, yet you’re so leisurely!”
Hearing Harina’s scolding after a long time, Ares grinned and approached quickly.

“Back already?”
Pushing away Ares, who clung to the study door, Harina picked up the documents she hadn’t seen yesterday.

“I didn’t leave anywhere, so what’s ‘back’? It seems your current state of mind is the problem, so let’s return to reality.”
Ares cheerfully laughed and carried the piles of papers to his desk.

“I never thought I’d enjoy scolding, but I guess I’ve gotten used to it. I felt a bit hurt that you became indifferent all this time.”
Watching the smile tug at the corners of Ares’ lips, Harina shook her head in displeasure.

“There’s plenty to feel hurt about. Are you a child? What, you can’t do anything if I don’t scold you?”
Ares nodded unexpectedly, accepting it.

“You always called me a child. And I suppose that’s partly true. I felt uneasy when you didn’t point things out to me.”
It was Ares’ pure confession that made Harina’s heart skip a beat.
Whether he knew it or not, Ares displayed his results proudly, voice a half-tone higher than usual.

Harina had to gently soothe her chest, feeling that faint emotion—something not even love—spread again.