HST 40

Chapter 40

“Um, I have a favor to ask.”
All eyes turned to Roze. She felt slightly uncomfortable with three pairs of eyes staring at her so intently, but she spoke firmly.
“Would it be alright if I stayed here just until I find a place to live?”

At Roze’s words, Rivera blinked her rabbit-like eyes. Demon said nothing, simply staring at Roze. Roze was quite flustered by the lack of reaction from the Serviat couple.
“Did I make a mistake?”
Their expressions seemed genuinely bewildered. Roze could only blink her big eyes nervously.

“Honey, what do you mean by that?”
“Huh? I mean…”
“Of course, you should live with your mother and father. How could we let our daughter go alone?”

The tension in Roze’s face melted at Rivera’s words.
“Don’t worry too much about your father’s reaction. He’s just expressing his feelings about the past. He has no intention of pushing you away.”

At Rivera’s words, Demon awkwardly cleared his throat. He probably realized that Roze might think that way because of his past behavior.
“You know him since you were little. Even if he speaks like that, he cherishes you deeply. So don’t worry too much.”

Rivera gave Roze another warm smile and then shot Demon a sharp look. Roze, listening to Rivera, still glanced at Demon. Their eyes met, and Demon, sensing that Roze was wary of him, spoke in a low voice.
“I don’t know what you might do next, so I need to keep you close.”

Although not gentle, his words clearly showed that he didn’t want Roze to leave. Only then did Roze relax and smile. The Wens estate was old and shabby, but she felt comforted being allowed to stay there. Being with the Serviat couple gave her a sense of security.

The next day, Wens Estate.
Jane, who hadn’t even been able to say a proper goodbye to Roze, felt very sad. Roze had left while she was briefly away. Even though she thought there must have been a reason, her heart ached. Roze had left a note promising they would meet again, but Jane felt helpless. She had no way to contact Roze and could only wait. Thinking of Roze suddenly brought a surge of emotion. She had cried all night and thought her tear ducts were dry, but apparently not.

“She asked me to meet again… so I just need to wait.”
She trusted that the words weren’t empty. Though she hadn’t liked the idea of having to eat with the hypocritical Stern, it was okay. As long as she could meet Roze, she would uncover everything about Stern.

Just then, Stern approached.
“Jane, can we talk for a moment?”
“Leave me alone. I have nothing to say to you.”

Jane tried to leave immediately, not wanting to be with Stern even for a moment. But Stern’s words made her pause.
“It’s about the lady.”

She stopped and turned back.
“I hope I never have to hear about her from you. You traitor.”

The word “traitor” struck Stern painfully. He had approached Jane intentionally from the start, but why did her words hurt so much? He looked at Jane with a bitter expression. Jane almost faltered, moved by Stern’s sad gaze.

“Don’t be fooled. He was playing me from the beginning.”

Her naive eyes whispered love, and Jane almost fell for it again. She shook her head and steadied herself. She had promised herself not to be fooled twice… but emotions aren’t that easy to control.

“Ah, so you’re not a traitor. That word doesn’t suit someone who planned to deceive us from the start.”

Jane deliberately acted colder, wanting to keep distance from Stern. She snorted and turned away, but Stern’s next words stopped her.
“I think the lady has been kidnapped.”

“What?”

Jane’s loud voice echoed through the garden. She glared at Stern, incredulous.
“Shh. Others might hear.”

Stern put a finger on Jane’s lips, whispering. Jane frowned and pushed his hand away forcefully.
“Don’t touch me. It’s unpleasant.”

Stern nodded quietly, looking a little deflated. Despite being clearly a bad man who did terrible things, why did he make her feel softhearted? Jane’s gaze wavered, but she quickly looked away.

“…Kidnapped? What do you mean? If this is just nonsense, I won’t forgive you.”
“I saw it in the square. A huge man was carrying her away.”
“…When?”
“Yesterday afternoon.”

Jane’s face turned pale at Stern’s words.
“Are you sure you saw her?”
“I didn’t see his face… but it was definitely her.”
“Then why did you just watch?”
“She was alone… at first, I didn’t think it was her. No guards, no maid…”

Jane’s thoughts raced. ‘Why would this happen? Could it… be him?!’ Someone who hated Roze so much came to mind.

“Jane!”
Her legs weakened, and she stumbled. Stern caught her.
“…It’s clear that the former count intends to do something to her!”
She trembled, pale with fear.
“Don’t you know anything, Stern? You work under him!”
“It’s not my master. He hasn’t given me any orders.”
“Are you sure? There could be other followers. How can you be so certain?”

“Jane, please. Lower your voice. If there are others, not only I but you would be in danger too.”

Stern spoke earnestly to the panicked Jane. She finally lowered her voice, staring blankly at him.
“Why are you doing this to me?”
“Jane…”
“You lied to me, approached me, approached the lady—all scripted. So why do you keep coming near? Why do you care about her?”

Jane’s shaking eyes met Stern’s, who looked conflicted. She couldn’t understand why he acted coldly yet circled around her.

“…Whether you believe it or not, my feelings for you have always been sincere.”
“Then why did you say those things?”

Stern’s confession stirred Jane’s heart.
“My identity was suddenly exposed, and I was conflicted. I worried you’d get hurt meddling with the master’s affairs. You know too much. I was afraid my actions might harm you.”

Jane’s heart wavered. Could she trust this man who had deceived her and the lady with innocent eyes?
‘No… I still can’t trust him.’

Her old wounds had not healed. She couldn’t erase her suspicion of Stern. Perhaps his approach had another motive. Maybe the kidnapping story was a lie to lure her like Roze had been. She couldn’t read his intentions. Stern sensed Jane’s distrust and realized she could no longer trust him.

They stared at each other. The feelings remained, but things could not return to the way they were. Stern released Jane’s arm; it fell heavily. She seemed to want him to hold her until the end but had to let go. Jane smiled bitterly, lowered her head, and turned her back on Stern, walking slowly like a turtle. She moved slowly, almost as if hoping Stern would grab her—but he didn’t.

In Roze’s empty room, a woman hummed.

The voice belonged to Doana. With Roze gone, the Wens estate was completely hers. Everyone obeyed her. Gwen, who had ignored her, was gone. Roze, once a thorn in her side, had also been driven away. A smile naturally appeared on her face. She no longer wore the maid uniform; she wore Roze’s dress.

“Hmm. It takes a while to get a new dress, so I’ll wear this for now.”

Wearing Roze’s dress didn’t feel great, but just taking off the maid uniform made her happy. Eric had promised to make her new dresses too, so it was fine—for now.

Doana gazed at the mirror, sighing.
“Why is this bruise taking so long to heal? I hope it doesn’t leave a scar.”

The swelling looked grotesque. She had been covering her face with gauze, but it worried her. Her hands could be hidden, but not her face.

“Is Eric avoiding me because of this?”

Eric, who usually took the initiative, had been quieter recently. He still hugged her but less often.

“Could he have another woman?”

She bit her lips anxiously. Eric had no loyalty, so she could never relax. Once she became the countess, she could live with slightly more peace. Since she was pregnant, claiming the countess title was just a matter of time. Doana was happy.

“You seem determined to change this mother’s fate.”

She gently caressed her belly.
“I hope it’s a son.”

A son would secure her position.
“Take after your father and come out healthy.”

As she whispered, the door suddenly swung open. A middle-aged woman, elaborately dressed, stood with servants. It was Tersia. She looked at Doana and smirked sharply.

‘Who is this?’

Doana quickly assessed the woman before her.
“You’re Doana? Pregnant with our son’s child?”

Hearing “son,” Doana realized who Tersia was—Eric’s mother. Doana instinctively protected her belly and tensed. But Tersia’s next actions were shocking.

“Thank you, dear.”

Her words were warm encouragement, not venom. Of course, it was all a lie, but Doana didn’t know. Tersia approached gently and hugged her.

“Ah!”
“What… is this?”

The unexpected act caused the maids around them to murmur.