KMKS 08

Chapter 8

She couldn’t even remember how she managed to finish the meal.

Back in her room, Sarah let out a deep sigh.

Why hadn’t she refused Aiden’s firm promise that, while today would end here, tomorrow they would also share dessert together?

It wasn’t because his smile had been so relaxed, nor because his suddenly softer attitude had shaken her heart.

The reason was far more instinctive. The proper meal she had eaten for the first time in so long made her look forward to the next one.

Until now, Sarah had been living almost as though starving.

“Perhaps it’s okay to be a little shameless.”

She remembered Aiden pushing a forkful of steak toward her.

Then her gaze dropped to her own pathetically thin hands.

Maybe the reason his attitude had suddenly changed was because he couldn’t stand looking at her gaunt appearance anymore.

She collapsed onto the bed, burying herself under the thick blanket and allowing herself a fleeting sense of contentment.

She thought of it as fullness.

Overall, today’s meal hadn’t been bad. Even if she still doubted his true intentions.

Not only had Aiden dismissed the servants to help her feel at ease, he had also served her food himself so she could eat comfortably.

And he had done it all while smiling.

Such a thing would have been unimaginable for the Aiden she knew before. Sarah guessed he was showing kindness only because he had lost his memory.

“Only until his memory returns…”

Sarah knew there was a time limit. And that limit was not infinite.

Her bony hand clenched the blanket.

The day he regained his memories, Aiden would no longer treat her kindly.

He might even go back to being the man who raged at her, just as before.

So, until his memory returned—

Couldn’t she enjoy it, just a little?

She knew it was greedy, but if she could get even a small amount of compensation for the two years of married life that had been like living in darkness…

Sarah decided she would allow herself just a little greed. Greed with an expiration date.

Aiden’s change had begun to affect her as well.

The next morning, Olga, having heard the news that her son’s health had improved, visited the viscount’s residence early.

With her usual bustling energy, she entered the hall carrying a large bag tucked under her arm.

She set the bag down with a thump on the floor and dusted off her hands.

Ten days had passed since she last came, and now she looked closely at Sarah.

“Your face looks better.”

Sarah’s cheeks burned.

Olga’s words carried a sting. Easy to brush aside, yet difficult to ignore. Sarah awkwardly brushed her wrist.

Because she hadn’t eaten anything nourishing for so long, even that single proper meal yesterday had added a faint brightness to her face.

Still, she was far from resembling an ordinary noblewoman’s daughter.

“Anyway, where’s my son? Is he really better?”

Olga glanced around. Sarah only looked silently toward Aiden’s door.

“Tsk. You could’ve just said so.”

Olga shook her head in disapproval. She always found Sarah frustrating—keeping her mouth shut when she could simply speak.

And Sarah was never glad for Olga’s visits. Though she always brought an abundance of health remedies, they only weighed on Sarah, who had no thought of children and found Olga’s concern burdensome.

Oblivious, Olga reached for her bag, about to move.

Just then, Aiden’s door swung open.

He strode out with firm steps. Seeing her son walking steadily on both feet, Olga’s eyes filled with tears.

“Oh, my dear boy! Are you really all right?”

She wiped her tears, saying she couldn’t express how worried she had been.

But when her son failed to hug his crying mother, her mood soured.

“Good morning, madam.”

Aiden stood firmly at Sarah’s side and greeted politely.

And Sarah gave a small nod in response.

How could he act like that in front of his mother, who had surely stayed up all night worrying?

Noticing the subtle change between the two, Olga frowned deeply.

“Would you like to come inside?”

With a gentle smile, Aiden led Olga into the parlor.

Olga went ahead with her face dried of tears, and Sarah followed them quietly.

“Bring tea. Enough for everyone.”

The servant glanced at Sarah. She knew what that look meant.

Guests’ tea had always been served—but never hers.

Reluctantly, the servant obeyed Aiden’s order.

Even after sitting down, Olga kept glancing around. Aiden noticed and asked,

“What are you looking for?”
“Oh, one of the maids isn’t here.”

Sarah looked around too. A familiar face was indeed missing.

The one who, after Sarah had injured her ankle and returned to her room, had come out hiding something under her clothes.

Her name was… Lea, wasn’t it?

Perhaps because her mind had been so focused on Aiden lately, she had completely forgotten about it. The realization now felt almost ridiculous.

But what shocked her more was Aiden’s reply.

“I dismissed her.”
“Dismissed her?”

At his casual declaration, Olga’s lips trembled faintly. It was news to her—and Sarah’s hand clutched her skirt as well.

“Did I do something wrong?”

Her son, who hadn’t even regained his memory, had fired a servant? Olga’s eyes widened, not understanding the reason.

Sarah deeply empathized with Olga’s surprise. In the past few days, she too had been baffled by Aiden’s actions.

If Sarah herself could notice, then surely his mother had realized his change even faster.

“She seemed competent enough. Why fire her? You’ll be short-handed now. What were you thinking?”

Olga raised an eyebrow.

“You think it’s easy to find someone like that?”

Already upset from being ignored earlier—when Aiden had greeted Sarah instead of her—Olga’s mood was growing worse.

The Aiden Sarah knew would have obeyed his mother unquestioningly, even if he was harsh to Sarah. He wouldn’t have dismissed a long-serving maid without first consulting Olga.

Even Sarah was curious now: why had he done it?

Aiden took a sip of steaming tea. The subtle scent of herbs spread through the room.

“She overstepped her bounds.”

Overstepped her bounds.

Sarah’s heart dropped.

If the maid had crossed a line, could it be that he had caught her stealing the small trinket from Sarah’s room?

Given the Aiden she had seen lately, it seemed possible.

Still, calling it “overstepping” felt odd. Servants often helped themselves to the mistress’s belongings now and then—not because Sarah was easy prey, but simply because there was little else to amuse them.

“Well, anyway, what brings you here today—”
“Can’t I visit my son’s household freely?”
“No, I didn’t mean it like that.”

Olga’s displeasure showed plainly. She had never felt uncomfortable facing her son before, yet today he had already provoked her irritation several times.

It was as if he weren’t her son at all. Forcing down the strange feeling, she reasoned that since he had lost his memory completely, perhaps it was natural for him to show more volatile tendencies.

If his oversensitivity had led him to dismiss the maid, it wasn’t entirely unthinkable.

Though it still displeased her.

“You look like you had another purpose in coming.”

Olga glanced at Sarah. Her son’s health was already confirmed, so the true purpose of her visit must involve Sarah.

“Yes, I do have something to discuss privately with your wife.”

She gripped the bag she had brought.

Aiden watched her in silence.

Sarah could already picture what would happen if he left:

Olga scolding her about her son’s health, pressing her about children, berating her about the servant’s dismissal.

And she herself, lowering her head meekly in front of Olga.

At this point, Aiden should have excused himself.

But strangely, he remained seated.

Olga let out a long sigh.

“Why are you still here? I told you, we have something to discuss privately.”

Her tone cracked with irritation.

Aiden calmly savored his tea.

“I still have tea left.”
“Then take it to your room. This is a conversation for women. Be good, all right?”

He had said it with a teasing smile, but Sarah felt utterly lost.

She was used to Olga’s displeasure directed at her—but never had she seen her take it out on her only son.

When had things gone wrong between them? And what could Sarah possibly do caught in between?

Seeing Aiden still seated, Olga forced a smile, her face flushed with frustration.

“It must be because of the head injury. I’ll be understanding. If you won’t leave, then we’ll simply go elsewhere.”

She gave Sarah a look to rise, but Aiden shook his head, stopping her.

“I need to hear it too.”
“Hear what?”
“What you intend to say to my wife.”

As you know, my wife isn’t the type to tell me much of anything—

He smiled at Olga.

Sarah felt an odd sense of dissonance.

Why would he care what Olga had to say to her?

It felt as though Aiden were stepping into her world—her private sphere.

This thought came to her about two weeks after her husband had lost his memory.

And Olga felt no different.

Seeing her son insisting on hearing matters concerning Sarah as if they were his own was deeply unfamiliar.

“When I hear your voice, Mother, I feel at ease. Please, let me listen too.”

Whether true or not, Olga had no choice but to yield.

That rare smile on her son’s face was enough to melt her heart.