MDCHC 52

chapter 52

Early in the morning, when I briefly ran into Lord Winchester, I noticed that he was wearing the necktie I had bought. Yesterday, as soon as it arrived, I had instructed a maid to wash it so that Lord Winchester could wear it today.

‘It suits him well!’

I thought to myself. The violet tie, somewhere between blue and purple, hung around Lord Winchester’s neck. It was a color that suited him very well.

It had a subtle sheen that gave it an elegant air, while still looking neat and tidy.

I was certain he would say something about it. After all, it wasn’t one of his usual ties.

“Did you sleep well?”
“Yes. Good morning.”
“Good morning.”

Just a very ordinary morning greeting. And that was it.

‘Maybe he’ll bring it up at breakfast?’

Since Lord Winchester often had to leave early, he might have been too busy to say anything while standing there. Perhaps he planned to mention it during breakfast, when he had no choice but to sit.

“The oranges are very fresh today.”
“Indeed.”

And that was all. Lord Winchester quietly continued his meal. His plate of bacon, eggs, and salad gradually emptied until only crumbs of bread were left.

“I’ll take my leave first.”

Lord Winchester stood up. While he brushed his teeth and finished getting ready to leave, I wrapped up my breakfast.

When I wiped my lips and walked to the front hall, he was just arriving there too. Outside, his carriage must have been waiting.

“I’ll be off.”

It was the same farewell as always. But shouldn’t today have been different?

“My lady?”

Normally, I should have replied, ‘Take care.’ But when I didn’t, Lord Winchester looked at me curiously.

“Your tie.”
“Yes.”
“That tie… it’s new.”
“Is it?”

He answered as if he truly hadn’t noticed—and as though he didn’t see why that should matter.

This wasn’t right…

Only then did Lord Winchester glance down, as if to confirm the tie hanging around his neck.

“You didn’t know?”
“I didn’t.”

His neat, straightforward answer left me speechless.

Until now, all of his ties had been black or gray, as if they had been bought in bulk by his late mother, the former Countess Winchester.

And now, suddenly, this colorful tie appeared—yet he hadn’t noticed? The color was so different!

‘Does he really only think about swords?’

That was my genuine thought. But then again, that might explain why he had become a Sword Master at such a young age.

“Did you buy it, my lady?”

Lord Winchester asked. It was reasonable: in this household, the only one besides him who could purchase something freely was me.

“Yes. I felt I’d received too much from you already.”
“I don’t recall giving you anything in particular.”
“You saved me when I was in danger at the Aitley estate.”

I couldn’t bring myself to say ‘and thank you for always being on my side’. It was far too embarrassing.

“It was only what I ought to do as your husband.”
“And you gave me that cute rabbit doll too. So I wanted to give you something in return.”
“Thank you. I’ll use it well.”

That was all. With a light, neat expression of gratitude, Lord Winchester turned and climbed into the waiting carriage.

“Did he not like it…?”

I muttered to myself as I watched the carriage disappear into the distance.

Perhaps violet was too flashy a color for someone who had always worn black ties like a mourner, or gray ties like gloomy skies.

Maybe Lord Winchester’s tastes really leaned toward monochrome. That would explain why all his ties—and most of his clothes—were like that.

‘Well, tastes should be respected.’

That was what I told myself. But I still felt a little disappointed.

Disappointed in Lord Winchester, for not liking it more—and in myself, for not choosing something that perfectly suited his taste.

I was wrong. Lord Winchester did like the tie very much.

Of course, he never said so directly. But I could tell.

“Um…”

During breakfast, I cautiously spoke to him. He looked at me while sipping juice.

“Your tie.”

At my words, his eyes dropped. It was the violet tie I had given him.

“You don’t have to wear it every single day.”

Yes. Since that day, Lord Winchester had worn the tie every day.

At first, I felt a little proud. Even though he hadn’t said anything, he must have liked it. In fact, the fact that he didn’t put it into words somehow felt even more like him.

But when it went on for three, four, five, six days… I couldn’t stay silent any longer.

Anyone seeing him would think he owned no other tie but that one.

“Have I really worn it every day?”

Lord Winchester asked me instead. Since his youth, he had lived as a squire, and he preferred to dress himself without attendants. That meant he had deliberately chosen and tied that tie with his own hands each morning.

Things even reached the point where a maid lodged a complaint. Washing and drying the tie late at night, every night, was too much. She worried that if it rained one evening, the tie might not dry by morning.

“For some reason, my hand always reaches for it…”

Lord Winchester’s fingers brushed the tie. Not with roughness, but with a fidgety awkwardness, like a child trying to hide his embarrassment.

‘Is he… shy?’

His face wasn’t flushed, and his expression didn’t change. Still, as I looked at his usually blank face touching the tie, I couldn’t help but wonder.

‘Now that I think about it… his gaze isn’t on me, but on the table?’

Normally, Lord Winchester always looked people straight in the eye—whether it was a maid, another knight, or even me.

But now, his gaze was lowered slightly, angled toward the dining table. Unless he was actually staring into the eyes of the decapitated shrimp on his plate…

‘And his eyebrows are raised—just a little?’

It was a subtle change. But since I saw his face almost every day, I noticed it.

His brows were just slightly lifted higher than usual.

Seeing that, I couldn’t help but smile.

The morning sunlight suddenly felt dazzlingly warm. I thought today was going to be a very good day.

“D-darling!”

The word was still awkward on my lips. But I gathered courage and called Lord Winchester that way, then held something out to him.

“What is this?”
“It’s marigold lemon honey iced tea. It looks a bit clumsy all wrapped up like this, but that helps it stay cold. It should stay refreshing for you through the morning.”

I explained with a bright smile. I didn’t bother to mention that last week I had personally picked the marigolds from the garden, washed the lemons, and preserved them in honey.

“Marigolds are good for the eyes. I thought it might help if you could see your opponent’s movements more clearly. Of course, it’s not something that works instantly… but with the honey and lemon, it’ll be refreshing when you’re thirsty, and good for recovery too.”

Instead, I explained the benefits of the tea.

Today was the Imperial Sword Tournament, and Lord Winchester was one of the competitors. In other words, this was my way of supporting him.

“Later, Daniel and I will come cheer you on! So you can win the championship!”
“With Daniel… you say?”

Lord Winchester’s voice trembled ever so slightly.