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Chapter 09
(9) Just Curious
“I said I’m tired!”
Alexis kicked away the guy clinging to him and left his seat. He could hear grumbling behind him, but he didn’t care.
The effects of the alcohol didn’t last long. As he breathed in the cold air, he slowly walked along the street where the sunset was fading. With his clothes in disarray and his hands stuffed into his pockets, he trudged forward, feeling as if he were the only one left in the world.
‘Damn it.’
He really couldn’t stand this feeling—misery, loneliness… and, as always at times like this, the sad face of his aunt Yureia came to mind.
—Please, take me out of here…
Yureia was, at most, just a bit childish mentally. But the family had cruelly confined her to the eastern annex. It was only natural that Alexis, who had grown up under the harsh discrimination of the Countess of Glister, became close to his secluded aunt.
Returning to the estate out of habit, he felt his mood sink even further. Once he stepped inside, it would be torture again—watching the unity of the family that excluded him.
Still, he didn’t feel like going back to drink or fool around with others. As he dragged his heavy steps forward, he suddenly turned his head.
His gaze landed on the eastern annex.
The annex, deliberately separated by densely planted trees like a wall, was so hidden that one wouldn’t find it without intentionally looking for it.
Suddenly, Alexis recalled the strange feeling he had sensed there before. The atmosphere was completely different from when Aunt Yureia lived there. There wasn’t even a trace of anything that could remind him of her.
And yet…
‘Damn it.’
He gritted his teeth.
‘What am I even doing?’
Before he knew it, his feet were heading toward the eastern annex.
‘I’m just curious. That’s all… just curious.’
How could someone live in such a gloomy, depressing place like that? The curiosity easily overpowered his reluctance to return to the main house. Eventually, he arrived at the annex.
“……”
Standing in front of it, he hesitated for a moment. What was he supposed to say when going in? Back when it was empty, he could come and go freely. But now, it clearly had an owner.
And of all people, it was his wife in name only—the one he had ignored and treated coldly—who had been confined here.
‘Right… just checking how she’s doing.’
Finally finding an excuse, Alexis opened the door with uncharacteristic tension.
The moment he opened it, warmth and the smell of delicious food washed over his face.
***
Roan wanted something spicy. But in this place, there was a limit to spicy food. Even the “spiciest” option was just chili sauce that barely tingled the tongue.
‘If it doesn’t work, make it work.’
Roan went to the market with Lea and bought various ingredients. Among them were small peppers that looked terrifyingly potent at a glance.
“Isn’t that basically poisonous?”
Lea flinched, afraid even to handle the peppers. Roan burst into laughter and mixed them into an oil sauce.
“Who said we’re eating them on their own? Dip something greasy into this and see—it’s refreshing and delicious.”
And so, Roan boiled two chunks of pork neck with various herbs and vegetables. A rich and savory aroma rose from the meat, infused with the flavors of the vegetables.
“Ah, I can’t take it anymore.”
Even Lea, who had been helping prepare the meal, murmured with a blissful expression.
They set the table with bacon potato soup, herb-boiled pork, oil chili sauce, and a generous pile of salad.
“You know what, Lea?”
Roan said as she placed the food on the table.
“A person has to eat a good dinner.”
She smacked her lips and sat down.
“Enjoy your meal, Lea.”
“You too, Lady Roan.”
Just as they were about to start eating—
“Ah…”
Lea, sitting across from Roan, suddenly widened her eyes.
Roan tilted her head and followed Lea’s gaze.
“Gasp!”
There stood a man so handsome it could make one’s heart stop—
No, it was her husband, Alexis.
And Alexis, too, stood there awkwardly, looking at them.
“…Looks like you were eating.”
Roan stared at him, slightly dazed.
“Seems I interrupted. Go ahead and eat. I’ll… come back another time.”
Seeing her expression, Alexis blushed slightly and turned away.
At his awkward behavior, Roan stood up.
“Since you’re already here, why not eat before you go?”
Alexis, who had just opened the door to leave, stopped in his tracks.
“We made more than the two of us can eat anyway. Come join us. Not sure if it’ll suit your taste, though.”
“……”
He didn’t respond immediately. For a few seconds, it was clear he was thinking.
Roan clicked her tongue inwardly as she looked him over.
‘Seriously… he’s still a noble, but his clothes are completely wrinkled and messy… though he still looks good. With a face like that, even rags would shine. Wait, what am I even thinking?’
She mentally slapped herself and stopped.
“If you don’t want to, then—”
Just as she awkwardly started to speak again—
Alexis slowly turned his head.
His face made her breath catch.
A sorrowful, contemplative expression. His shining silver hair and mysterious bluish-purple eyes turned toward her, making her body tremble.
‘This is just the overwhelming feeling you get when facing a masterpiece.’
She barely managed to compose herself.
“…If it’s not a bother.”
The sharp, arrogant attitude he had when she first met him was nowhere to be seen. Instead, he looked like a boy—still rough around the edges.
Roan felt her face heat up and bit her lip.
‘Ah… I’m weak against this kind of thing.’
This is bad.
Muttering to herself, she gently grabbed his arm and pulled him along.
“What bother? It’s just sharing extra food. Don’t say things like that—come sit. I’m starving.”
For some reason, Alexis let himself be pulled along without resistance.
Lea, who had been watching quietly, picked up a plate to stand—
“Just sit and eat, Lea.”
Roan said, then turned to Alexis.
“We usually eat together here. Is it okay if the three of us just eat comfortably? You won’t feel uncomfortable, right?”
Since he had come unannounced, Alexis had no grounds to object. He silently nodded.
Roan smiled brightly and gestured to Lea, who quickly prepared his utensils.
“Enjoy your meal, Alexis.”
At the sudden sound of his name, Alexis looked up at her.
But Roan was already busy eating, as if she couldn’t wait any longer.
‘She eats really well.’
It was the first time he had ever seen a woman—let alone a noble lady—eat like that.
“Ah, I was really hungry today.”
Muttering to herself, Roan happily ate the pork dipped in sauce, smiling brightly.
With her cheeks full of food, she looked like a squirrel. She kept eating nonstop, yet somehow it wasn’t unpleasant to watch.
Not elegant, not particularly noble—but the more he looked…
‘Now I’m getting hungry too.’
Hesitantly, Alexis picked up his utensils. He wasn’t usually one to have much appetite, but watching her made him hungry.
“How is it?”
Roan asked as he carefully tried the pork.
“It’s good, right?”
She kindly placed the bacon potato soup in front of him.
“If the sauce feels too spicy, take a spoonful of this soup. Eat something spicy, then something mild, then something salty—if you eat like that, it just keeps going.”
“Maybe that’s why I gain weight? Haha—”
As Roan laughed, Lea, who had been quietly watching Alexis, cautiously spoke.
“Lady Roan doesn’t gain much weight considering how much she eats.”
“That’s because I work just as much.”
“If you didn’t work, by now—”
“I’d have to alter all my clothes to fit.”
Roan said.
“I move around after eating just to save on clothing expenses. Do you know how hard I work, Lea?”
Alexis, who had been slowly eating, suddenly stopped mid-motion.
His eyes filled with disbelief as he looked at Roan.
“Saving on clothing expenses? What are you talking about?”
His voice turned cold.
