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Chapter 3
“…It rustles so much I thought a rat had gotten in.”
“……!”
Startled by the deep, low voice behind her, Heidi quickly spun around.
Clang!
The lamp she knocked against the desk toppled and shattered with a sharp crash. In an instant, even the faint light vanished, and the room was swallowed by darkness.
All that remained were their silhouettes.
Heidi squinted, trying to make out the face of the man who had suddenly appeared.
I can’t see his face. Who is he?
If he was a man allowed to enter the lord’s office, it would normally be the butler.
But the figure in front of her was clearly not a butler.
Faces of all the male staff at the Heizen estate flashed through her mind.
Was there anyone this big among them?
Heidi quickly scanned the dark silhouette.
Taller than even the most well-built men.
A lean but powerfully built frame that tapered from shoulders to waist.
A man with such a physique would stand out anywhere. Someone like that—Heidi, confident in her observation skills—couldn’t possibly have missed.
So then—
“…A thief?”
At her mutter, the man paused.
“A thief? Are you referring to me?”
He sounded genuinely baffled.
Frozen stiff, Heidi quickly put distance between them. If this was an unauthorized intruder, she was in danger.
Crack.
A sharp sound rang out as broken glass crunched beneath her feet.
Right, the lamp shattered. If I run blindly, I might get hurt more.
She stopped in place, trying not to show her panic.
“Well then, what else am I supposed to think? Sneaking into the lord’s office at this hour with no lights on.”
“Do you usually speak about people as if they’re not present?”
“I did knock, and I did come in with a lamp.”
“Hah.”
The man let out a dry, incredulous laugh.
“What a—”
Before he could finish, Heidi quickly cut in.
“Instead of doing this in the dark, let’s turn on the light first. Or go out into the hallway. I have nothing to hide.”
The moment she finished speaking, the man replied firmly.
“No.”
I knew it.
Heidi sneered inwardly.
Of course. Not exactly innocent then—
At that moment—
Swish.
The heavy curtains covering the window were drawn open, and bright moonlight flooded the room.
“…!”
Heidi’s eyes widened slightly as the man’s face was revealed.
Wet black hair, as if just washed.
Sharp brows and piercing eyes beneath them.
A straight, noble nose and a firm jawline.
He was the most handsome man she had ever seen—but she had no time to admire it.
His eyes…
A vivid crimson, like rubies.
The same color as Eloise’s.
The signature hue of the Heizen family.
Then this person is…
Familiar yet unfamiliar.
Realization struck her, and Heidi’s face went pale.
“…L-Lord?”
Desion Carlos Heizen.
Even if one didn’t work in the Heizen estate, anyone in Panter knew his name.
A scholar called the “intellect of Panter,” the youngest ever to become a princess’s teacher.
A man who lost his parents early and became head of the household before even reaching adulthood—yet elevated the estate and its territory with unprecedented speed.
There were so many titles attached to his name that he no longer needed any at all.
So this is why…
Heidi finally understood what Eloise had meant about the portrait.
No painting could capture even one percent of the presence this man carried.
Especially that sharp gaze.
Heidi swallowed hard. The red eyes staring at her felt like they were tightening around her throat.
The same eye color as Eloise—but entirely different in presence.
His sharp gaze swept over her face. Every slight twitch of his brows made her heart feel like it might explode.
Calling the master of the house a thief…
She squeezed her eyes shut.
She might actually be dismissed from the estate. Though her experience at Heizen would still be valuable elsewhere—
But nowhere would pay this much…
While she was spiraling inwardly, Desion spoke like an interrogator.
“Who are you? What kind of maid enters my room at this hour? Explain yourself.”
Heidi tightened her grip on her skirt.
“I’m Heidi Dalton, maid to Lady Eloise. I came here on an errand…”
“Eloise’s maid?”
Desion frowned slightly.
“What errand would require this?”
“A-ah, the ink my lady was using ran out. She asked to borrow some from your office.”
“…At this hour? Her habit of writing hasn’t changed, I see.”
At the mention of Eloise’s long-standing hobby, his tone softened slightly.
Is he letting this go?
As Heidi cautiously lifted her eyes—
Their gazes met.
Her pale violet eyes shimmered under the moonlight as she froze.
Desion frowned.
“How am I supposed to believe you?”
Heidi stammered.
“M-My lady can confirm it!”
“….”
“If you don’t believe me, you can come with me right now—!”
Desion stopped her with a gesture.
“That’s enough. Confirming it won’t take long.”
His voice had softened slightly. Heidi let out a quiet breath of relief.
He glanced at her briefly and handed over the ink bottle.
Is he letting me go?
She accepted it carefully.
She had already caused a major misunderstanding with her first encounter. One more mistake and she might truly be fired.
Desion’s stern gaze landed on her again.
“I will overlook today. But you are not to mention that you saw me here.”
“…!”
“I have no interest in unnecessary commotion. I prefer to be left alone tonight. Understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
Heidi nodded quickly.
So that was why he didn’t want the lights on—he didn’t want attention from the other staff.
“I’ll clean up the broken lamp—”
“No need. Leave.”
“Understood.”
She turned to go, then hesitated as if remembering something.
“…Should I keep this from Lady Eloise as well?”
“……”
“She’s been waiting a lot. She’s been expecting your arrival for days.”
At that, Desion froze.
Gathering courage, Heidi continued.
“Would you like to at least greet her? She’s still awake.”
“……”
Unlike her expectation, he did not answer immediately.
Why does this feel so awkward?
After a pause, Desion finally spoke.
“Tomorrow.”
His crimson eyes shifted to her.
“Don’t tell Eloise you saw me. I will come to see her when morning comes.”
“Ah—yes! Of course!”
Heidi bowed quickly and hurried out.
Once in the hallway, she tilted her head slightly.
Was it just my imagination?
She replayed his final expression.
And the faintly lowered tone whenever Eloise was mentioned.
He looked… almost pained. Like he felt guilty. Why would he?
