KMKS 35

chapter 35

“My goodness, Master!”

As Aiden entered the entrance carrying Sarah, Vivi busily greeted her master.

“Is the Lady alright?”
“Ah, she’s fast asleep, so I didn’t want to wake her. Could you take this for now?”

Aiden handed over a few items.

“That’s a relief. I was worried since you were late.”

While Vivi set down the luggage, Aiden lightly climbed the stairs to the second floor, still carrying Sarah. He carefully laid her on the bed without waking her and covered her with a blanket.

What could have happened?

Aiden had recognized Sarah immediately when she wandered through the crowded streets.

At first, he couldn’t acknowledge her, since she seemed lost in thought.

But now, she was sleeping so soundly that not a single frown disturbed her peaceful face.

Even though Aiden, the very cause of her troubles, was right there in front of her.

Could Sarah really sleep like this, completely trusting, without any suspicion?

I don’t understand why you’re acting like this. You didn’t care before.

Sarah had doubted Aiden from the start. She didn’t believe his sincerity and never easily accepted his kindness.

Maybe that’s only natural, to keep an eye on the Lady.

In Sarah’s eyes, it might as well have been Aiden who unlocked her tightly sealed heart.

Now, she couldn’t exactly say he wasn’t her real husband. What kind of irresponsible words would that be?

Deceiver.

If she found out the truth, she might think he had deceived her, even though he wasn’t really her husband.

Just as a deep sigh escaped him, Aiden turned his back. He couldn’t bear to look at Sarah’s sleeping face any longer.

If he hadn’t heard her voice, he would have left the room without hesitation.

“Don’t go.”

Aiden’s pupils wavered. It was Sarah’s voice.

When he turned, her eyes were still closed, as if in a dream.

Aiden clenched his fists tightly.

“……”

Who was she talking to in her sleep?

Even though it was Aiden who had troubled her throughout their marriage… did she still have enough love left to call out for him?

He let go of her hand and took heavy steps away.

With each step, her words of “don’t go” echoed in his mind, but an unfamiliar surge of emotion rose within him, requiring him to calm down.

It wasn’t like him.

“Already downstairs?”

Vivi asked curiously as he headed to the kitchen for water.

Aiden carefully composed his expression and poured some water.

“You didn’t mention you wanted water? Ah, this was brought by the Lady herself.”
“The Lady?”

Only then did Aiden notice a large bag in his view.

“Yes. I haven’t had a chance to sort it since I had to check the quantity.”

It seemed that Aiden’s mother had visited.

“Did she say anything while giving it?”
“Same as always. Still, it’s fortunate I could carry it myself today. If the Lady had done it herself… ah.”

Vivi shook her head as if she’d said too much, pretending nothing happened, and continued counting the medicinal herbs.

No doubt, there was pressure regarding Aiden and Sarah’s future child.

Aiden picked up one of the herbs neatly arranged on the table.

It looked like a carrot but had a bluish-green tint.

Where do they even find this?

Aiden felt uneasy about the bag.

If this had been medicine prescribed by a doctor, it wouldn’t have come in such a large, black bag with so many herbs.

Please give me whatever is in the bag if possible.

Once, Olga had brought herbs for Sarah, and Aiden had quietly asked about it.

At that time, Olga had shouted,

You… you can’t have it!

Startled, she had raised her voice angrily and hurried out.

That must have been this herb too.

She said it’s good for the body, so make sure to take it. She used to give it often.

If it was just for general health, why couldn’t she give it to her own son, Aiden?

Questions kept arising in Aiden’s mind.

Most importantly, if the Lady must take it,

It wouldn’t hurt to investigate further.

“I’ll take these.”
“All of them?”
“Yes. They’re sorted, so I can take them inside.”

Vivi, puzzled, soon left the kitchen. She made a noise shortly after leaving.

“Ah!”
“Do you have something to tell me?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”

Since Aiden’s attention was focused entirely on the herbs, he didn’t ask Vivi any further.

A few days later, Sarah received an invitation to a tea party. The sender was Lady Cordelia.

“It seems this time it’s only for the ladies!”

Vivi, knowing Sarah’s position in high society, brightly encouraged her to get along with them.

“Shall we reply quickly?”
“Well…”

Contrary to Vivi’s expectations, Sarah felt no excitement.

“Why hesitate? Lady Cordelia said she would take good care of you.”
“Well…”

Although Lady Cordelia had helped her adapt to the unfamiliar social gathering, Sarah wouldn’t have been able to attend if it weren’t for Aiden’s body swap.

After discovering her husband’s body had changed, all of Sarah’s attention had been on Aiden.

With such a complex mind, she had no energy to engage in trivial conversation.

“I just don’t want to go.”

Sarah began to write.

<Thank you for the invitation, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to attend. Instead, I’m sending a small gift.>

Vivi couldn’t hide her disappointment upon receiving Sarah’s rejection letter.

“Shall I help you get ready to go out first?”
“Oh yes! Today you’re going out with Master, right?”
“…Yes.”

Today, they planned to inspect the Riera building with Aiden.

It was the building that had caused a clash with Duke Leo Winston.

Since it had become a temporary shelter for lost children, Aiden had consistently supplied necessary items to ensure their safety.

But the children’s survival was still not guaranteed.

Duke Winston might try anything to claim the building.

That place isn’t safe either.

Sarah resolved that if the children returned, they must not stay there.

“Take care.”

After saying goodbye to Vivi, Sarah went downstairs. Aiden waved at her from the bottom of the stairs.

“Good morning, Lady.”
“…Yes.”

Sarah realized it had been Aiden who laid her on the bed the other night.

And she hadn’t minded, even knowing.

Lately, he’s always been so kind, but truly, the love in his eyes for the Lady is overflowing!

Vivi had just said something odd while dressing Sarah…

“Shall we go then?”

Unable to meet Aiden’s eyes, Sarah walked while looking down.

Dressed comfortably for moving around, they headed to the Riera building in the city.

Already, a large banner had been placed, possibly by Duke Leo Winston.

<Space of Stars, Future Site of Riera Theater>

Behind the banner stood the old, dilapidated building. Inside, cobwebs covered every corner, proof that no one had entered for a long time.

“It’s very run-down.”

Dust rose with every step, making them cough. Aiden handed her a handkerchief.

“It’s old. More than 20 years, probably.”

Sarah nodded and accepted the handkerchief. She understood why her husband wanted to build a new building here.

She didn’t know why it had to be a theater, but if the old building disappeared and a safe center for the children was built, it would be wonderful—just as Aiden envisioned.

At that moment, a seemingly ordinary villager ran toward Aiden from outside.

“Viscount! You’re here. We caught the one you mentioned. Hurry this way!”
“Just one? I hope they didn’t hurt the child.”
“N-no! I swear we didn’t touch a hair on them!”

The villager waved their hands, insisting firmly.

Sarah, confused, widened her eyes, and Aiden exhaled awkwardly.

“Lady, please wait here for a moment.”
“What… what happened?”
“I’ll explain in detail shortly. For now, just know it’s about the children.”

If it concerned the children… did they find the ones who had left this place to move?

“If that’s the case, they must not stay here.”

Aiden understood her meaning, pressed his lips tightly, and hurried out with the villager.

Sarah stayed behind, murmuring softly at the crumbling walls.

They can’t stay here.

Alone, the building felt even colder than when she was with Aiden.

We need a solution.

There was no safe place for children wandering through abandoned buildings.

Even if they could manage beds, insufficient food at their age would be fatal to their health.

Then, a strong wind blew through the broken windows.

Dust and sand mixed in the air. Sarah wrapped Aiden’s handkerchief around her mouth and coughed.

Barely escaping the building, the banner flapped in the wind, stirring Sarah’s heart.

Though his body had changed completely,

…you’re still the same.

A familiar carriage stopped in front of Sarah.

It bore the feather emblem of the Winston family.

The door opened, and the duke himself stepped out—or rather, her husband in the guise of the duke.

“It’s been a while.”
“….”

Even when she didn’t know the truth, facing him made Sarah sweat nervously.

Now, it was the same. Even a simple greeting was difficult.

Meeting his gaze, her toes curled instinctively.

“What brings you here?”