🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 4
“…I thought a rat had gotten in because of the rustling sound.”
“……!”
Startled by the deep voice coming from behind her, Heidi quickly turned around.
Clang!
The lamp she bumped into the desk fell and shattered with a sharp crash. With its light gone, the room was instantly swallowed by darkness.
Only their silhouettes remained visible.
Heidi narrowed her eyes, trying to make out the face of the man who had suddenly appeared.
I can’t see his face. Who is he?
If someone was allowed into the lord’s office, it would normally be the butler.
But the man standing before her was clearly not a butler.
Faces of all the male staff in the Heizen household flashed through her mind.
Was there anyone that tall among them?
Heidi quickly scanned his dark silhouette.
He was at least a head taller than even well-built men.
A lean but powerfully structured body, with sharp lines from shoulders to waist.
A man like that would stand out anywhere. Heidi, confident in her observation skills, was sure she would never have missed someone like him.
Then—
“…A thief?”
At her mutter, the man paused slightly.
“A thief? Are you referring to me?”
He sounded genuinely incredulous.
Heidi froze and quickly put distance between them. If he was an intruder, this was dangerous.
Crunch.
Broken glass crunched beneath her feet.
Right, the lamp shattered. If I run blindly, I might get hurt more.
She forced herself to stop and steadied her voice.
“Th-then what else am I supposed to think? Sneaking into the lord’s office at this hour without even lighting a lamp.”
“Do you usually speak about people as if they aren’t present?”
“I did knock, and I did come in with a lamp!”
“Hah.”
The man let out a short, dumbfounded laugh.
“What a—”
Before he could finish, Heidi quickly spoke again.
“Instead of doing this in the dark, let’s at least turn on the lights. Or go out into the hallway. I have nothing to hide.”
The moment she finished—
“No.”
The reply came instantly and firmly.
Of course.
Heidi sneered inwardly.
So he really does have something to hide—
At that moment—
Swish.
The thick curtains covering the window were pulled open, and bright moonlight poured into the room.
“…!”
Under the moonlight, Heidi finally saw his face.
Wet black hair, as if freshly washed.
Sharp brows over piercing eyes.
A straight nose and a firm jawline.
He was a man of extraordinary beauty—so striking she could not even afford to admire it.
His eyes…
A vivid crimson, like rubies.
The same color as Eloise’s.
The symbol of the Heizen family.
Then this person is…
Familiar, yet unfamiliar.
Realization struck her, and Heidi’s face went pale.
“…L-lord?”
Desion Carlos Heizen.
Even outside the Heizen estate, anyone in the kingdom of Panter would know his name.
A scholar known as the “intellect of Panter,” and the youngest ever appointed as a princess’s tutor.
A man who became head of the household before even reaching adulthood, yet rapidly expanded the prosperity of both family and territory.
There were so many titles attached to him that none were even necessary anymore.
So this is why…
Heidi finally understood what Eloise had meant about the portrait.
A painting could never capture even a fraction of the presence he carried.
Especially that sharp gaze.
Heidi swallowed hard. Those red eyes felt like they were tightening around her throat.
Even though they shared the same color as Eloise’s, the atmosphere was completely different.
His gaze slowly scanned her face. Every slight movement of his brows made her feel like her heart might burst.
Calling the master of the house a thief…
Heidi squeezed her eyes shut.
She might be expelled from the estate. And yet, this job paid more than anywhere else…
While she was panicking, Desion spoke in an interrogating tone.
“Who are you? What kind of maid enters my room at this hour? Explain yourself.”
Heidi gripped her skirt tightly.
“I’m Heidi Dalton, maid to Lady Eloise Heizen. I came here on an errand…”
“Eloise’s maid?”
He frowned slightly.
“What errand would require this?”
“My lady ran out of ink and asked me to borrow some from your office…”
“…At this hour? Her habit of writing hasn’t changed.”
At the mention of Eloise’s long-standing hobby, his tone softened slightly.
Is he letting this go?
As Heidi cautiously raised her eyes—
Their gazes met directly.
Her pale violet eyes shimmered in the moonlight.
Desion frowned.
“How am I supposed to believe you?”
Heidi stammered.
“L-lady Eloise will confirm it!”
“….”
“If you don’t believe me, you can come with me right now—!”
Desion stopped her with a hand gesture.
“That’s enough. Verifying it won’t take long.”
His tone had eased slightly. Heidi exhaled in relief.
He glanced at her and handed her the ink bottle.
Is he letting me go?
She took it carefully.
She had already caused a disaster on her first meeting. One more mistake and she might truly be dismissed.
Desion’s stern gaze landed on her again.
“I will overlook this. But you are not to tell anyone you saw me here.”
“…!”
“I dislike unnecessary commotion. I want to be alone tonight. Keep your mouth shut.”
“Yes, sir.”
Heidi nodded quickly.
So he had kept the lights off to avoid being seen.
“I’ll clean up the broken lamp—”
“No need. Leave.”
“Yes, sir.”
She turned, then hesitated.
“…Should I keep this from Lady Eloise too?”
“……”
“She’s been waiting for you. She’s been looking forward to your return for days.”
Desion froze.
Gathering courage, Heidi continued.
“Could you at least greet her? She’s still awake.”
“……”
Unlike her expectation, he did not answer immediately.
After a pause, Desion spoke slowly.
“Tomorrow.”
His red eyes shifted to her.
“Don’t tell Eloise you saw me. I’ll come see her in the morning.”
“Ah—yes! Of course!”
Heidi bowed quickly and left.
In the hallway, she tilted her head.
Was it just my imagination?
She replayed his last expression again and again.
And the faintly subdued tone whenever Eloise was mentioned.
He looked… almost pained. Like he felt guilty. Why?
