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Chapter 72
He could be certain of one thing: it wasn’t a pure or innocent feeling.
He wanted this woman.
He wanted to make her his.
He wanted to hold her tightly and never let her go.
He wanted to lay everything else aside and simply be with Aileen.
A powerful desire to bury his face against her delicate nape surged, only to be followed repeatedly by waves of self-disgust.
Had his inner turmoil been noticeable?
Aileen, lying quietly, shifted and turned her body toward him.
When their eyes met, Floan couldn’t deny it any longer.
I love this woman.
At the same time, a strong fear gripped him.
He didn’t want anyone to take her away.
He didn’t want her to leave him.
But more than anyone, Floan knew himself well.
He could never be a righteous, honorable presence.
He had sworn to live his life as a shadow.
For them to be together, Aileen would have to be drawn into the same darkness.
But she wasn’t someone meant to live as a shadow.
If Floan was a shadow, she belonged to the light.
If she learned his true identity, she would surely be disappointed and leave.
No… even if Aileen is disappointed, she wouldn’t leave. She’s someone who confronts rather than runs away.
Just as he had expected, even in the moment when she acknowledged his weakness, she extended a hand of salvation.
“I’ll wait. Even if it takes longer than anyone else, I will wait. If I can’t, I’ll come to get you myself.”
At her firm permission, he closed his eyes.
It was a moment etched into his soul—the moment he swore never to let go of her hand.
Aileen fled the room and felt the gazes of the maids following her.
Embarrassed, she muttered casually:
“Ah—I thought I’d wash in the grand bath.”
“Yes, we’ll prepare it right away.”
Entering the grand bath, she shed her clothes and sank into the hot water, finally letting her tension ease as she leaned back.
The maids, massaging her shoulders, seemed surprised.
“My lady, your shoulders… why are they so stiff after last night?”
Aileen only offered a strained smile in response.
Her body had tensed and relaxed repeatedly, and having slept between Pia and Floan, it was only natural that her muscles protested.
“My body was thoroughly overworked last night.”
“Eh…?”
The maids exchanged glances, then replied with slightly embarrassed expressions:
“Should we expect some good news soon?”
“Huh? Good news?”
Ah, of course—the wine sales were doing well, and the resort business was progressing smoothly. If things continued, some part of the resort might open by the end of the year.
“Yes. There is good news.”
“Oh my!”
“We’ll see how it goes.”
“Oh, don’t stress yourself too much. Health is the most important, right?”
“That’s true.”
At this point, Aileen had no idea what rumors might be circulating about her at the Grand Duke’s residence.
After bathing, Aileen went downstairs to the dining hall for breakfast and encountered Pia and Floan.
“Ah, there you are! Lady Aileen, we’ve been looking all over for you!”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes! Floan said he couldn’t find you, so he asked Pia for help. Since Pia is good at hide-and-seek, she offered to help! Floan, see? I found her well!”
Floan approached and patted Pia’s head gently.
“Yes, you found her well. From now on, if Aileen hides, you’ll have to help me find her too.”
He smiled mischievously at Aileen.
As the three descended the stairs, Aileen whispered softly to Floan so only he could hear:
“I wasn’t hiding. People would think I was running away.”
“You said you’d wait for me, but you ran ahead so quickly—it was upsetting, my lady.”
“No, that’s not what I meant when I said I’d wait—”
“Do you often contradict yourself?”
“And you, Floan, why do you keep tempting me while asking for more time…? Hmph.”
Her temper flared, and she accidentally spoke loudly—right at the entrance to the dining hall.
As a result, her three older brothers, who had already come down, as well as Dalton, the chefs, and the staff, all stared at Aileen.
“Ah-hem, good morning, everyone.”
She tried to act as if she hadn’t noticed the whispers and sat quietly at her place.
Seeing her composed act, Floan struggled to hold back a smile.
Yesterday, she showed such a fragile side that it stirred a motherly instinct in a heartless unmarried woman. And today… why is she so annoying?
Unlike her calm demeanor, he looked relaxed and almost smug.
Ah. Is it the promise I made yesterday to wait that’s causing me trouble?
Damn, this is irritating.
Irritation and frustration surged, and she impulsively flicked Floan’s leg with her own.
He paused briefly, still holding his knife, then smiled mischievously like a playful child.
Annoyed by that, she flicked him again, harder.
She thought no one noticed, but in reality, everyone had.
Both of you are so childish.
Dalton, the chefs, and the servants, observing everything from behind, all thought simultaneously.
After breakfast, the three unexpected guests who had acted as if they were staying indefinitely suddenly began packing, saying they would leave.
“Why are you leaving already?”
Perhaps they were offended by the words “guests” or “freeloaders”? Thinking back, maybe those remarks were harsh.
Feeling slightly guilty, Aileen tried to stop her brothers.
“I thought you’d stay for a few days.”
“We did, but we realized it wasn’t necessary.”
Were they sulking?
Still, they came to check on me. Maybe I was too harsh.
Aileen lingered around her brothers as they packed.
“Do you want to take some wine with you? Or some local herbs from the south—you can dry them, use them like spices, or I’ll give you the recipes later for a healthy salad. Or maybe some coffee beans?”
For a moment, she thought: am I acting like a rural grandma holding on to her grandchildren?
Despite her chatter, there was no response from the three brothers. Finally, she asked:
“…Brothers, are you mad?”
Her patience had worn thin.
In fact, ever since she entered the room, they’d been strangely awkward around her.
“No? Why would we be mad at you, Aileen?”
“Right. Actually, we were worried you might be upset with us.”
“The things you said earlier—we’d really appreciate it if you packed everything, like the coffee beans and the herbs.”
“But, brothers, you’ve been avoiding my gaze all this time.”
Though busy packing, they hadn’t really brought much luggage.
Fumbling with the bedsheets, pillows, and tables as they packed, it was obvious they were displeased with her.
“Why are you all acting like this? If it’s my tone that upset you, I apologize.”
“That’s really not it, Aileen.”
“Yes. If you thought we were stingy, that would be disappointing.”
“Exactly. And since we’re taking everything you offered, that’s why.”
Even as they rambled, they avoided Aileen’s gaze.
“If you’re not angry, why not look at me? Keep doing this and you won’t leave until you explain.”
Finally, the eldest brother scratched his head awkwardly and answered:
“Aileen, we’re not angry or upset… it’s actually the opposite.”
“The opposite?”
Hearing this vague answer, Aileen tilted her head in confusion.
