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Chapter 3
Elaine sat stiffly upright, her body completely tense.
Steam rose gently from the teacup, and soft sunlight filtered through the curtains. Even the antique furniture in the reception room—all of it belonged to the Whitfield family, so it should have felt familiar.
And yet, everything felt strangely foreign.
Kaiden Hegwin.
It was because of that man who should never have been in a place like this.
“Have you been well?”
Kaiden set down his teacup as he greeted her. His demeanor was calm, refined, and composed.
Elaine forced a formal smile, still unable to relax.
“Yes, Mr. Hegwin. I’m grateful you accepted my sudden invitation.”
It had been exactly three days since their last meeting.
She had hesitated for a long time before contacting him.
If she had answered his request that day, her heart wouldn’t feel so heavy now.
“Once a week. Would you spare some time for me?”
That request implied he wanted to continue meeting her.
Was it purely business? Or did he have another intention?
She had spent days thinking about it, but found no answer.
They had barely talked—so perhaps it was natural she didn’t understand.
In the end, she invited Kaiden to her estate.
There was something she needed to return to him.
Elaine extended a handkerchief.
“This couldn’t be cleaned completely, so I prepared a new one. Thank you for that day.”
“Not at all. Rather, I was worried I might have caused Lady Whitfield more trouble.”
After the incident at the lounge, rumors about Elaine Whitfield spread quickly.
Elaine had already seen them in scandal magazines.
She had expected it, so she wasn’t shocked.
Though the scale of the scandal was larger than she expected.
But there was nowhere lower for her to fall.
Elaine Whitfield had already been excluded from society.
And not only that—she could no longer hold conversations in crowded places like before.
What would worrying about reputation change now?
Still, there was one thing that bothered her like a thorn.
Kaiden Hegwin.
That man.
“I think you are the one in a more difficult position, Mr. Hegwin. You’ve been dragged into unnecessary gossip because of me.”
Kaiden Hegwin was known as a successful rising capitalist.
He had gathered enormous wealth and even purchased the title of a viscount.
For someone like him, scandal was an obstacle.
“You can resent me if you want. If we had just talked calmly that day, none of this would have escalated.”
Elaine lowered her gaze quietly.
Her misfortune even harmed those who showed her kindness.
She intended to take responsibility for it.
“That’s true. It wouldn’t have escalated.”
Her thin shoulders flinched slightly.
Watching her, Kaiden let out a faint laugh like a sigh.
“But what can I do? Fortunately, my business isn’t so fragile that it collapses over gossip.”
Elaine stared at him blankly.
His golden eyes curved gently.
“More importantly, as long as I am confident, that’s all that matters. Lady Whitfield, you only came because you didn’t believe the rumors, didn’t you?”
“…You don’t believe the rumors?”
“I only believe what I see and hear myself. And the Lady I met is nothing like those rumors. You seem like a very warm person.”
Elaine blinked slowly.
She had never thought anyone would look at her without prejudice.
She had avoided expecting it, knowing disappointment would hurt too much.
And yet…
Maybe she had wanted it after all.
Her lips rose slightly without her noticing, and her heart began to beat faster.
She fiddled with the teacup, its warmth strangely comforting.
“…I think I owe you a lot, Mr. Hegwin.”
“I don’t remember the last time I received this many thanks.”
“It’s because you’ve done so many kind things.”
“I see. Then I suppose I feel like I must do even better.”
At his light joke, Elaine let out an unguarded laugh.
“You’ve already done more than enough. I don’t want anything more.”
“So that means you won’t be seeing me anymore? If today is our last meeting, that would be disappointing.”
“I…”
Elaine opened her mouth, then closed it again.
As silence stretched, Kaiden stepped back.
“That was just a joke. Don’t take it seriously.”
A joke…
For some reason, that word felt disappointing.
Talking with Kaiden was enjoyable.
She had definitely thought that just now.
This unfamiliar enjoyment slowly turned into excitement.
Even the awkward tension she usually felt didn’t seem unpleasant anymore.
She couldn’t remember the last time she felt like this.
It was strange.
After losing her hearing, she had never wanted to meet anyone.
“Shall we talk about the Eldenberg land now? I heard Lady Whitfield is quite knowledgeable about the southern region.”
That was why she ended up accepting his request.
“If I explain everything, one day won’t be enough.”
Elaine stood up and placed her teacup down.
“Let’s meet again next Wednesday. I only came today to return the handkerchief.”
Kaiden smiled faintly.
“Yes. From now on, I’ll keep Wednesdays entirely free for you.”
“You’re meeting him again today, aren’t you?”
Her nanny, Mrs. Devitt, smiled warmly.
Elaine nodded shyly.
Her father had been right.
Meeting Kaiden Hegwin had brought a big change.
Every day felt something to look forward to.
Her life had gained energy again.
Colorful dresses returned to her wardrobe.
She found herself smiling more often.
Elaine tilted her head slightly while looking at the mirror.
“Is this earring too plain?”
“Whatever you wear, you’re beautiful, Lady Elaine.”
“You’re too kind to me, nanny.”
Elaine laughed softly and changed her earrings.
Whenever she met Kaiden, she always checked her appearance twice.
“He probably thinks the same thing every time he sees you.”
“…Do you really think so?”
“Yes. He might even propose to you soon.”
“Nanny, really. Mr. Hegwin and I are just friends.”
“Who goes to meet a friend while caring this much about their appearance?”
Elaine froze at the words.
Had she ever cared this much when meeting Enzo?
Not really.
She looked at herself in the mirror.
A woman wearing a bright coat, silk gloves, and pearl jewelry she only wore on special occasions.
Her neatly tied golden hair looked healthier now.
Her pale, dull face had regained color.
Her blue eyes were full of life.
She had already vaguely realized it.
Her feelings toward Kaiden were becoming something deeper than simple gratitude.
But was it really love?
Or just confusion caused by kindness she hadn’t felt in a long time?
She couldn’t tell.
“I didn’t know how to say this, but the Duke also said he hopes things go well between you two.”
“…I understand what you mean, nanny. But it’s too soon.”
Elaine answered quietly.
She was afraid to acknowledge what was growing inside her heart.
“Mr. Hegwin doesn’t even know that I can’t hear in one ear.”
It had been ten months since she started meeting Kaiden once a week.
They had talked a lot and come to know each other well.
But she had never told him about her hearing.
Even the places they met were carefully chosen—quiet rooms or her estate’s reception room.
Kaiden had likely assumed it was social anxiety.
Mrs. Devitt held her hand gently.
“Lady Elaine, true relationships begin when you share the truth.”
Elaine looked at their joined hands in the mirror.
Only Mrs. Devitt was allowed to enter her room now.
It was her father’s order, to prevent others from discovering her condition.
“Once someone finds your weakness, they will use it against you.”
Her father’s words echoed in her mind.
As always, his advice felt right.
Elaine slowly pulled her hand away.
“I think I’m running late.”
“Lady Elaine…”
“I’ll be back, nanny.”
With that brief goodbye, Elaine ended the conversation.
