🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 40
Dylan looked at Fleur with deep blue eyes filled with resentment.
“What exactly do you want to do with me?”
“…….”
“If your plan is to keep your distance from me like this, then it would be better to just push me away now.”
Fleur couldn’t answer immediately.
In truth, he was right—she had been keeping her distance lately.
The reason was simple: to lower his affection for her.
But as his assistant, she had no choice but to spend a lot of time with him.
The position she had given him to curb his greed had ironically become a poison.
So, whenever they were together, she avoided eye contact and didn’t engage in personal conversation.
And it had somewhat worked—his affection had indeed decreased.
Important alert.
Dylan’s affection decreased without a quest.
Current affection: 35% → 34%
Only 1%.
It was hardly a reassuring number.
So she had been acting cold until it dropped further, but Dylan had never shown any signs of noticing.
Assuming there was no effect on his affection, she thought nothing had changed—but his expression now proved otherwise.
His face was contorted as if he had just been abandoned by a lover.
Unable to face him directly, Fleur turned her head and replied.
“…I’m just trying to put things back in their proper place.”
“Which place?”
“Assistant and master.”
“Have I failed in my duties?”
“No, you’re doing well. That’s why we’re still working together.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“Not just work—you’re just too close.”
He let out a sigh loud enough for Fleur to hear.
“Is this because of Aidan?”
It was a question about her fiancé’s childish jealousy.
“When the two of you are around, I try to give you space…”
“It’s not because of Aidan.”
“…Excuse me?”
“Both Genie and all the household staff treat you and me as a set.”
“If one is the master and the other the assistant, that’s only natural.”
“Even if I twisted my ankle right here, the other servants wouldn’t come to help me—they’d call you instead.”
“And that’s a problem?”
“That’s something lovers do.”
Finally, he voiced the unease he had been holding inside.
“You’re my master, but I’m also their master.”
“…….”
“When a master is in danger, anyone should run without question. Acting like you can’t touch someone else’s lover is the problem.”
“…….”
“Dylan, I already know.”
Fleur finally lifted her butter-colored yellow eyes to meet Dylan’s gaze.
“You’ve been keeping an eye out for others behind my back, haven’t you?”
“…….”
“If anyone tries to touch me, you’re supposed to come to me immediately.”
His eyes widened in shock.
“What do you mean by that?”
“…When you’re wandering around the estate so carelessly, Fleur, with male servants everywhere while you’re wearing just a thin dress…”
“And?”
“I was worried someone might develop feelings for you, not out of loyalty to the master, but for other reasons.”
Hearing Dylan’s words, Fleur ran her hand through her hair.
This was basically a self-introduction.
“So it’s because of me?”
“Not because of you, Fleur. It was just preventative. There’s no harm in setting boundaries.”
“Then why are you the one setting them?”
Her voice sharpened.
“No matter how much of an assistant you are, that’s not your responsibility.”
“…….”
“It’s my job. You act like you care for me, but like you’re the one making decisions for the family.”
“…….”
“Get your head straight. The head of the Valen family is me—and only me.”
Important alert.
Dylan’s affection decreased without a quest.
Current affection: 34% → 30%
Showing the difference in status caused his affection to drop sharply. She hadn’t intended to hit such a sensitive point, but this was the best way to curb his greed.
“I did give you the assistant position because I valued your abilities, but I could take it back.”
“…….”
“If you pull a stunt like that again, don’t be surprised if I send you to the imperial court for trying to seize the head’s authority.”
Ashamed that Dylan had already been caught, he clenched his fists so hard his knuckles trembled, then slowly lowered his head.
Fleur intentionally held his gaze to press for a clear response. He closed and reopened his eyes tightly, then spoke with difficulty.
“…I’m sorry. I won’t act like that again.”
Finally hearing the answer she wanted, Fleur withdrew her gaze.
She walked ahead toward the estate, leaving a five-step distance between them.
Back at the estate, Fleur took her time watering the crops, sorting her thoughts.
Aidan had been following her instructions to wait until she contacted him, and Dylan no longer hovered nearby.
She had no more reason to meet Colin frequently either, so she could finally enjoy time alone—a rare treat.
“Plants are better than people. They don’t talk back—how nice is that?”
Amid the quiet peace, she started planning her next venture.
“Miss!”
Genie ran up with wide eyes, clutching a letter envelope.
Fleur, however, continued watering the plants with a calm focus.
“Is it another marriage proposal?”
“Ah, no.”
“Then is it someone wanting to collaborate on another weird business idea?”
“Not that either….”
“If it’s nonsense, just throw it away.”
“No!”
Genie raised her voice unusually, causing Fleur to turn her head.
She saw Genie trembling as she barely held onto the letter.
“I-it’s a letter from the imperial palace…!”
Sealed with wax bearing an eagle insignia.
Contrary to her expectation that Kyle would have sent it immediately after the party, there had been no word.
As if he had forgotten her entirely.
With no way to contact him first, she had just waited—and now, finally, there was a letter.
“D-does His Majesty want to summon you?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
“Everyone knows the Emperor likes shiny, beautiful things. You’re perfect, Miss!”
Genie’s eyes widened as if Fleur were about to marry the Emperor immediately.
“Genie, don’t say that. Don’t you know I’m engaged to Aidan?”
“His Majesty loves taking other people’s lovers—regardless of gender.”
Genie muttered in a hushed voice, worried someone might overhear.
“If that were true, would he send a polite letter like this? He’s not a thief—or sending a kidnapping notice.”
“His Majesty might do that….”
“It’s nothing like that. Just give it here. I’ll check it myself.”
Genie handed the letter cautiously, as if it were from the Emperor himself.
Fleur vaguely remembered what Kyle had said at the party and broke the wax seal.
“Next time, write the location and time under my alias and send it to the palace. Tell the guard at the palace gate my alias—they’ll bring them to me.”
The paper inside the envelope was pitch black.
Is he really sending a letter that obviously signals it’s from the Emperor? He’s thorough, that one…
Fleur opened the letter carefully.
[10 AM tomorrow. White Snake.]
Just one line.
“Seriously? You used such a big sheet of paper for this?”
She checked the back, held it up to the light, even looked inside the envelope, but that was truly all it said.
The playful dimpled expression came to mind, making her wonder if it was just a simple joke.
“Miss, what does it say?”
Since letters from the palace cannot be seen by anyone other than the master, Genie asked anxiously.
“Ah, I’m going to the palace tomorrow.”
“What?! So the Emperor is interested in you? There’s no one as beautiful as you in the empire!”
“It’s not like that. It wasn’t from the Emperor—it was just someone who works at the palace.”
“Then why would they send it to you?”
“Something came up at the party before. Anyway, I have to go to the palace tomorrow, so tell the other servants.”
Genie nodded and hurried away.
Left alone, Fleur still checked for hidden messages and suddenly remembered what he had said just before parting.
“Then next time… we’ll meet, madam.”
She tried to recall the rest of his words, but leading the party had left her mind too distracted, so she spent a long time grasping her head trying to remember.
