AWML 31

Chapter : 31

I think I understood what Kaisa was talking about.

“Besides, Kaisa has a cleanliness obsession.”

Marta looked around the house. Seeing the house spotless in just one day left her slightly dazed.

Honestly, I had worn that same expression earlier this morning. I had gone to sleep the night before, and suddenly our house had turned into a hotel—how could I not be shocked? Kaisa had stayed up all night cleaning because he couldn’t sleep, wearing a proud expression. He tended to relieve his stress through cleaning.

“So he doesn’t really like others touching what he’s supposed to handle.”

I had asked Kaisa once how he had endured it when he was a Grand Duke. He hated it when someone touched his things, after all.

“When I was Grand Duke Lorencia, there were too many things to do. I never had time for what I truly liked. Protecting my desk was all I could manage.”

Anyway, Kaisa’s habit now served as a convenient excuse. I sighed and swept my hand over the window frame. Nothing stuck to my fingers. Marta swallowed hard when she saw this.

“See? Kaisa cleaned while I was sleeping.”

Kaisa nodded with a very proud expression and added:

“No. Mine. Don’t touch it.”

Kaisa stepped closer to Marta.

Because of their height difference, Marta had to tilt her head up. Kaisa’s cold violet eyes were overwhelming. I unconsciously held my breath. No matter how handsome someone is, being looked down on like that makes you nervous. Kaisa opened his mouth and spoke firmly.

“My. House. I. Clean.”

It was a low, resolute voice. A strong warning that no one should ever take away what he was supposed to do. Marta stepped back hesitantly.

“B-But I was following orders…”
“Hoo. Then I guess it can’t be helped. I’ll explain the rules you must follow when cleaning this house.”

I couldn’t believe the day had come when someone else would hear the endless list of rules Kaisa had constantly nagged me about. He recited his cleaning habits one by one. Then, taking a deep breath, he said:

“If you can follow all of these, it’s fine for you to work in this house.”

Marta hesitated.

“I have to report to the Count…”
“Yes, go ahead. We’ll tell the Count directly as well. Will that be okay?”

Eventually, Marta left with a half-hearted expression. As the door closed, we both exhaled in relief.

“Phew… we got through it for now.”

I flopped onto the sofa. Kaisa sat beside me. He carefully set down the cleaning tools he had been holding. I tried to ignore how spotless even the tools were and steered the conversation elsewhere.

Though we had sent her away for now, I worried about the future.

“Even if she comes just once a week, it’ll feel like she’s being watched. Do we just have to put up with the discomfort? And by the way, Raivan Kester… is he really kind or just suspicious?”
“Maybe both.”
“He seems to really desire Kaisa.”

Whatever the case, it wasn’t good for us. We both sighed again.

A peaceful Sunday afternoon.

Yet, a small crack began forming in our daily life.

Early Monday morning, as the sun was just rising, the hallways of the Kester estate were still quiet, but the servants had already begun their daily routines.

Marta hesitated in front of Raivan’s office door. She carried a laundry basket, and fatigue showed clearly on her face. Still, there was a reason she had come to the estate earlier than usual. Marta had submitted to Raivan’s orders and come to work at the Kester estate.

If she made a mistake, she risked losing her longtime position. Marta took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

Tap tap tap.

“Count, it’s Marta.”
“Come in.”

Raivan was already reviewing documents. His day always started early. As Marta entered, he lifted his head. His eyebrows twitched slightly.

“This doesn’t seem like where you should be. What’s the matter?”

Marta set the basket down on the floor and spoke cautiously.

“Count, I need to discuss something regarding that matter.”
“Kaisa? Was there a problem?”

Raivan put down his pen and stared at Marta.

“Um… I don’t know how to say this…”

When Marta hesitated, Raivan leaned back in his chair.

“Just speak freely. What’s the matter?”
“Kaisa… is very particular.”
“Particular?”
“Yes. He has cleanliness obsessions, apparently.”

The look he gave Marta while holding the cleaning tools like a weapon was serious. The gaze of a wild animal whose territory had been invaded. Marta couldn’t help but step back.

She sighed.

“It seemed severe. I heard the mop must be rinsed three times in hot water, the floor cleaned from the corners to the center, windows wiped only vertically—not in circles…”

I didn’t understand a word. Raivan’s eyebrows lifted slightly.

“That’s not all. The bedding must be dried in sunlight for at least three hours, dishes washed twice in hot water and wiped completely dry with a cloth…”
“…”

Marta’s voice revealed her exhaustion.

“The window frames were spotless—not a speck of dust.”

Raivan put his hand on his forehead and let out a deep sigh.

“Hah…”

What kind of cleaning obsession is this? I never expected Kaisa to have such a habit.

He secretly suspected Kaisa was a high-ranking noble. To think someone like him would know so much about cleaning… the disconnect shattered all his preconceived notions.

Raivan rubbed his face.

‘Did I misjudge him?’

But even so…

Raivan opened and closed his eyes in confusion. Kaisa’s presence made his stomach churn. Sometimes he thought he understood him, then he realized he didn’t. Could a sword master really be good at cleaning…? Who knows.

“And…”

Marta continued.

“Miss Milena is really kind. She makes tea, prepares snacks… but Kaisa…”
“Kaisa?”
“He doesn’t say a word. Yet I felt intimidated. Count, I’m too scared to do it.”

Raivan sighed even more deeply. He hadn’t expected confident Marta to change her mind so quickly.

“The hardest part is…”

Marta’s voice dropped.

“Kaisa looks at me as if I’m dirty. I can’t stand that gaze.”
“Marta.”

Raivan called gently, but Marta was firm.

“Count, you know I’ve worked at the Kester estate for over 20 years. Please forgive me this once.”

Her voice trembled slightly.

Raivan held his forehead with both hands. What a headache. He hadn’t anticipated this at all. Veteran Marta giving up? What kind of person is Kaisa?

“Count?” Marta called cautiously.

“Alright.”

Raivan could only compromise. It felt like he was being swept into a game set by Kaisa and Milena, but there was no choice. Marta had failed, so anyone else would have the same problem.

Marta was the best choice.

“Let’s limit it to twice a week: Monday and Thursday. And try to come only when Milena is home.”
“Really?”

Marta’s face brightened.

“Thank you, Count!”
“Go on.”

After Marta left with the basket, Raivan muttered while looking at the documents on his desk.

“Kaisa… what are you really like?”

Outside, the sun had fully risen. Monday morning had begun, but Raivan’s mood had already sunk.