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Chapter 35
Was it just her imagination?
Ever since earlier, whenever Evan asked his playful questions, and Irene tried to answer, Kalid would slip in and cut her off.
Since Irene had to maintain her fake identity anyway, it actually made things easier for her.
But the sharp gaze Kalid kept throwing while bluntly answering, and Evan—who looked slightly displeased yet ignored him—made the situation more uncomfortable than comfortable.
“…I asked Irene, though.”
“I know. But does it matter who answers? What matters is whether your curiosity is satisfied.”
“No. I think who answers is important.”
“Then it is important.”
Irene casually tried to join in, but Kalid shot her a glance again, as if warning her.
Watching the two of them start another childish and incomprehensible argument, Irene had to press her forehead again today.
Didn’t things end fine earlier? Why are they like this again today?
Bring Dagurang and Gray here, seriously.
Fortunately, their argument stopped because Evan’s communication device rang.
Evan immediately left the office for guild work, leaving only Kalid and Irene in the reception room.
“Kalid. Why are you so on edge? Didn’t you two make up?”
“…We never fought. He is an outsider, so it’s better to be careful. And Irene, you need more practice acting.”
“Huh? Was I awkward? But it seemed like he didn’t suspect anything… right?”
Kalid sighed at her smiling, slightly embarrassed face.
As she said, he had indeed been a bit too sharp. But Evan was the Master of the Arakne Guild. He couldn’t show any weakness in front of someone like him.
“You didn’t do well. Especially not in front of someone like him. You must not show any openings.”
“I see… he didn’t seem like a bad person though. He even seemed to know about Renatus.”
“That is exactly why it is dangerous.”
He knew Arakne’s intelligence network was powerful, but he didn’t expect them to know even that surname.
For now, Evan seemed to be matching Irene’s pace, but there was no telling how he might change. Caution was necessary.
Irene tilted her head at Kalid, who still looked slightly sulky and avoided eye contact.
“Is something wrong? Or are you still uncomfortable because of your mana?”
“No. It is not my condition.”
“Then what? Ah—I got it! You’re worried my identity might be exposed, right?”
Irene poked Kalid’s side jokingly.
Kalid’s careful behavior toward her made that thought reasonable. In a way, Irene was also a guest here, so she was technically an outsider.
“Sigh… that is a secondary issue. And you are already considered an internal person.”
“…Oh. That actually makes me happy.”
Irene smiled lightly, feeling her heart lift.
If she were in her ghost form, she would’ve floated in the air from happiness.
The ducal castle was naturally closed off, so she assumed she would always remain somewhat of an outsider.
But hearing Kalid himself say she was an “internal person” made her unexpectedly happy.
Just as she was lightly kicking her feet in joy, something surprising came up.
“Since when did you two start calling each other by name?”
Kalid asked this, and for a moment Irene thought he looked slightly embarrassed.
“Huh? He asked me to call him by name, so I did. And since he’s staying in the castle for a while, I thought we could just be comfortable.”
Irene stopped mid-explanation, realizing she didn’t even know why she was explaining this.
But somehow, it felt like she had to.
“…From now on, don’t easily allow people to use your name. In the North, names are only used between people who are close. Others might misunderstand.”
Though his tone was blunt, Kalid’s advice was sincere.
Irene was shocked inwardly.
She had no idea names carried such meaning. It was good she learned it now. Since she would be staying in the castle and possibly in the North for a long time, this was useful information.
She quickly nodded.
“Ah, I see. I understand. I’m not used to this kind of world yet… I’ll be careful!”
Only after her firm response did Kalid’s sulky expression relax.
Irene then felt slightly embarrassed, remembering she had casually called Kalid by name in front of others earlier.
Did I seriously do something rude?!
As she covered her flushed cheeks, Kalid pulled out a stack of papers from the side and handed them to her.
“I have a request. Can you take a look at this?”
“Huh? What is this?”
She reflexively accepted the sudden documents.
They were all related to the internal affairs of the ducal castle.
“No, why are you giving me this….”
Irene looked flustered, holding the “document bomb.”
“Your white wolf form was surprisingly good at handling paperwork.”
“Me?”
“Yes. You noticed errors, wrong quantities, and even solved problems.”
“Uh…?”
Irene thought back. She had indeed pointed out mistakes in documents a few times before.
So Kalid had been watching all of that…
Right. That happened.
“Right now, I barely have time for external duties. And I cannot leave internal affairs only to Sebastian and the head maid… If only my mother were still alive…”
Irene suddenly saw it.
Kalid’s sorrowful, almost fragile expression.
So you think I’ll fall for that?!
“….”
“So, can you help me?”
Kalid looked slightly downcast as he adjusted the documents, then met her eyes again.
Seeing that, Irene couldn’t refuse.
She had decided to live a carefree life this time…
“…Ugh.”
…I fell for it again.
Irene nodded in resignation.
“Thank you. I trust you. Please take care of it.”
“Okay! Leave it to me!”
Irene decided she would do her best using her past-life knowledge.
Even if she had accepted reluctantly, if she was going to do it anyway, she would do it properly.
“I’ll work hard!”
Feeling more motivated, Irene smiled brightly.
And Kalid, watching her, smiled meaningfully.
“Did you hear that? The Grand Duke gave the guest control of internal affairs!”
“Really? Then she might actually become the new mistress!”
“They even share a room daily—it’s obvious!”
The castle was buzzing with rumors.
While most servants and key retainers had positive impressions of Irene, some still doubted her.
“Nonsense! A foreigner from an unknown kingdom becoming mistress?”
“The Duke must be bewitched by a woman!”
“She probably tricked him into healing him!”
Jealous retainers especially complained, but none dared confront Kalid directly.
They only gossiped among themselves.
But among them, someone’s jealousy had turned dangerous.
From a few days ago, Irene gained a new personal maid named Emily.
Emily had been bullied by other maids, and Irene had rescued her.
Sebastian was informed, and even Kalid was told later—but he only nodded without much reaction.
Soon after, Emily became Irene’s personal maid after training.
Today too, after Irene finished breakfast with Kalid, Emily greeted her warmly.
“My lady, did you enjoy your meal? Are you going for a walk now?”
“Yes. Hans’s cooking is amazing! Come with me, Emily.”
Even though Irene couldn’t eat, she still appreciated it.
“Irene.”
As she was about to leave, someone stopped her—Evan.
“Good morning, Evan. Did you eat?”
“Yes, just now. Are you going for a walk?”
“Yes. Are you busy today?”
“Most urgent work is done. I was planning to look around the castle.”
“Oh, then should I call a servant to guide you?”
“Rather than that… may I join your walk?”
“Hmm…”
Evan already knew the castle layout but acted as if he didn’t.
“Alright! I’ll show you the scenic places.”
Irene agreed, thinking he didn’t seem like a bad person.
She had started to consider the castle as home over the past months.
Snowy landscapes, distant mountains, and the old castle looked like a painting.
She felt proud to guide him.
They agreed to walk together regularly.
“Evan?”
“Oh, Irene. What is it?”
“What’s wrong? Your expression…”
Irene noticed Evan staring at someone with a cold expression as she went downstairs as usual.
