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CHAPTER 59
Daphne’s legs stopped moving for a moment. But Asher’s hand, gripping hers firmly, pulled her forward again.
“Quickly!”
Because she had hesitated, Asher looked back at her.
“You don’t intend to disappoint that person, do you?”
“Well…”
Daphne couldn’t answer.
To be honest, all she wanted right now was to run far away from the mansion.
But as someone still on duty, she had Sutton responsibilities, and if she ignored them, something might happen to Samuel, another Sutton.
“So… I have to go.”
Daphne forced her increasingly stiff legs to move.
When they arrived in front of the mansion, maids, servants, cooks, gardeners, and even the gamekeeper were all lined up.
They had all rushed out after stopping their work, so they were far from perfectly neat.
Butler Duncan carefully inspected each of them, adjusting their clothing.
Daphne followed Asher and stood in an appropriate spot.
Soon, the rough engine sound of a car echoed from the muddy, snow-melted hill road.
“It was true.”
Asher beside her clasped his hands in emotion.
“He really is returning—Lord Ashley.”
Soon, the roof of the car came into view.
Daphne prayed that he would arrive slowly. That the moment she had to face Ashley again would be delayed by even one second.
But the infuriatingly fast car smoothly approached and stopped in front of the mansion.
The servants bowed. Daphne quickly followed and lowered her head.
From here on, she could only understand what was happening by sound.
With quiet footsteps, the butler approached the car and opened the door.
“Welcome home, Lord Ashley.”
Even after eight years, Butler Duncan still treated him with the utmost respect as the “master’s family.”
“Duncan, it’s been a while.”
Duncan had become the mansion’s butler around the time Ashley left.
He had previously served another noble house, so his connection to Ashley was limited.
And yet, Ashley’s voice carried a strange mix of nostalgia and warmth as he greeted him.
“Hmm, I suppose my schedule was moved up unexpectedly. I hope it caused inconvenience?”
“Not at all. This is Lord Ashley’s home. Not only the Duke, but all of us servants have been awaiting your return.”
“Thank you… for saying that.”
After the brief greeting, Ashley began walking smoothly forward.
Daphne held her breath and waited for him to pass, and suddenly realized this situation felt painfully familiar.
Back when she used to watch his moods.
There were times she would lower her head like this, hoping he would silently pass by.
His footsteps drew closer. Daphne barely restrained the urge to bow even deeper.
Even the smallest movement would draw his attention.
Please just pass by like I’m part of the background.
At the end of her desperate prayer, the hem of a white robe brushed past her.
“…Hah.”
Daphne let out a small breath without realizing it.
At that moment, the robe, already out of her field of vision, suddenly stopped.
Why?
Her eyes darted around as she prayed he would disappear completely from sight.
“Please, please just go, husband.”
At the word that unknowingly surfaced in her desperate plea, she froze in shock.
Then his shoes turned and stopped right in front of her.
“How…?”
For a moment, Daphne thought of Liam.
Even if he were here, nothing would change—but she still wished he was by her side.
“If it’s a misunderstanding, I apologize.”
His voice came from directly above her head—Ashley Sloane’s voice.
Daphne kept her head down, staring at the ground, and the butler quietly scolded her.
“Miss Sutton?”
That was clearly a signal to lift her head and respond to the master’s call.
Daphne felt like she was going mad, but she could not refuse.
She was an ordinary attendant.
If she didn’t behave accordingly, Ashley might find her suspicious. He was that wary of people.
Daphne pressed her lips together and slowly raised her head.
Passing the dreadful white robe she had grown sick of in her past life, she finally met his face.
Ashley Sloane was still beautiful.
Pale gold hair like moonlight, and violet eyes half-lidded as they gazed at her. A gentle smile accompanied them.
She didn’t want to admit it, but in her previous life, Daphne had admired this version of Ashley.
Now their eyes met.
“…!”
For a moment, Daphne wanted to scream and ask:
Why did you kill Samuel?
And grab him by the throat…
She hid her trembling hand behind her back. She hated him enough to kill him—but she couldn’t show it now.
Not because she was a Sutton servant.
But because of “now.”
This precious “now,” where nothing had happened yet.
“We…”
He slowly moved his lips, lazily.
“…Have we met somewhere before?”
His meaningful gaze made Daphne’s mind spiral.
What did he mean? Was he referring to their meeting at the central station? Or… an implication of erased time?
While she hesitated without answering—
“Oh… sorry. Now that I say it out loud, it sounds strange.”
He covered his mouth lightly, slightly blushing.
…Blushing?
Daphne stared at the unfamiliar, almost obedient expression of her damned husband.
“Don’t misunderstand,” he said to the servants watching.
“I didn’t mean anything inappropriate by that question.”
His almost cute explanation made several people chuckle.
Ashley awkwardly ran a hand through his long hair, then looked back at Daphne and bowed slightly.
“I apologize, miss.”
“…It’s alright.”
The atmosphere had relaxed, and Daphne was barely able to respond.
“I was rude at the central station.”
“So it was you.”
At his nod, Daphne felt a small wave of relief.
So Ashley wasn’t connected to the time reversal. At least not completely.
“I was worried something might have happened to you.”
“No, I’m fine. I didn’t even greet you properly then. I apologize.”
Daphne shook her head immediately. She did not want his concern.
“Ashley Sloane. You probably already know.”
He placed a hand over his chest and bowed.
“…I am—”
“Sutton, right? Judging by your beautiful silver hair, I thought so.”
“Yes.”
When she looked up briefly, he was still staring at her intently, as if waiting for something.
“Daphne… Sutton.”
“Daphne Sutton. That’s a pretty name.”
He slowly nodded as if savoring it, then addressed the others.
“I mean the name is pretty. Could you all stop looking at me like that?”
Laughter broke out again. The tense atmosphere completely dissolved.
“Anyway, I’m glad to meet my dear brother’s Sutton.”
He extended his hand. A handshake?
Daphne hesitated before reaching out—but before she could fully react—
“Oh right.”
Ashley grabbed her hand first.
“Could you help me for a moment? As you can see, I’m a poor magician without any servants.”
Poor, my foot.
With a vault full of cash and jewels sitting at home.
Daphne scoffed inwardly but couldn’t refuse him. She had no right to.
She looked at Duncan, who nodded slightly.
He was telling her to assist him.
Duncan likely thought Ashley simply wanted to properly get to know “his brother’s Sutton.”
Daphne didn’t think Ashley had any other intention either.
Still… she hated it.
Helping him meant being alone with him.
“Please take care of me, Miss Sutton.”
Just as he reached a conclusion and began leading her inside—
“I can do it better!”
Asher suddenly raised his hand energetically, teary-eyed.
Ashley turned in surprise.
“Asher Marple?”
“Yes, it’s me, Lord Ashley.”
“My goodness… you’ve grown so much I almost didn’t recognize you.”
He finally released Daphne and approached Asher.
“I sent you letters, you know.”
“You addressed me as Lord Ashley?”
At his gentle scolding, Asher fiddled with his glasses and smiled.
“…Brother.”
“That’s better. You were such a clever boy. I can’t even pat your head anymore.”
“You can—no, I mean, I want to serve you myself. Honestly, I won’t yield this to Sutton. Absolutely not!”
Daphne felt as if a radiant halo shone over Asher’s head.
Fortunately, his enthusiastic plea was accepted, and Ashley would receive Asher’s help during his stay.
After the brief welcome ended and Ashley entered the mansion, Daphne let out a sigh of relief.
Please, I hope I don’t get involved with him again before tomorrow.
Though it already felt like it might be too late.
