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“My goodness! So that sparkling room was designed by the White House lady herself?”
“That’s right. And Marianne even patented the glow-in-the-dark stars.”
“Glow-in-the-dark stars? And a patent, no less!”
The visitors who had seen Countess Brian’s new nursery gasped in amazement.
Curious about these glow-in-the-dark stars, everyone hurried upstairs to see the Countess’s nursery for themselves.
“To be able to enjoy the night sky even indoors! What a truly genius idea!”
With exclamations of awe, the way people looked at Marie changed.
Then Countess Brian introduced Marie to the other ladies.
Soon after, requests for interior design started pouring in.
“White House lady! I’d like those glow-in-the-dark stars in my child’s room too. When could you visit?”
“Me too! Please come to our house as well!”
Marie, dressed in a newly tailored sky-blue dress with a sapphire necklace, smiled gently.
“Of course. I will visit soon.”
Her green eyes sparkled with unhidden joy.
Clomp, clomp.
At that moment, a man in a vivid blue jacket approached.
“Marianne! You look even more beautiful than usual today.”
“…Nox?”
Turning around, Marie saw blue eyes beneath golden curls, radiating unmistakable delight.
“Yes! It’s been a while!”
Nox made his way through the ladies to stand beside Marie.
“Pardon me, madam.”
“Oh hoho, welcome, Count Weatherwood.”
The ladies’ expressions softened.
Seeing the most handsome man at the ball smiling brightly naturally lifted the atmosphere.
Young noble ladies nearby couldn’t help but glance over.
“Marianne, glow-in-the-dark stars, was it? Quite an ingenious interior material you’ve invented. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“I hear some are even considering investing in your business. Impressive.”
“You flatter me. I’ve only done one interior project so far.”
“A good start promises smooth sailing ahead. But for the next project, will you do it for me?”
Nox gazed at Marie with deep, steady eyes.
His look carried warmth and confidence.
“Marianne, Lady Brian wants you to handle the townhouse interior, but don’t take it.”
Marie looked confused, and Countess Brian laughed aloud.
“Marianne, Count Weatherwood says not to keep you too long.”
“Oh my…”
“Now that I think about it, after giving birth, it might be best to step aside. So I’ve decided to yield to Count Weatherwood.”
Countess Brian tactfully moved aside.
Her pregnant belly made it uncomfortable, and it was obvious that Nox had taken an interest in Marie.
The other ladies followed the Countess with knowing smiles.
“You heard, right? I booked first?”
With only the two of them left, Nox asked confidently.
“I see. Then we should schedule it immediately.”
Nox glanced at Marie, who was smiling brightly.
‘As expected, she’s beautiful.’
Her porcelain-like skin was captivating, and the contours of her face were perfect.
‘She may have caught attention because of Bloodstone, but as a bride, her looks are top-notch.’
The thought that she might become his future wife pleased him even more.
‘Marianne. I’ll take good care of you. Even if this started because of rivalry, I’m a gentleman who knows honor.’
Marie held Nox’s hand and slowly moved to the music.
Nox allowed Marie to lead the conversation naturally, praising her appearance appropriately.
“The sapphire is exquisite. Whatever you wear, Marie, you carry it perfectly.”
He had a knack for making noble ladies feel good with his words.
“Thank you for the compliment.”
However, Marie kept glancing toward the entrance, as if expecting someone.
‘Surely she’s not distracted by our conversation…?’
He quickly steered the topic back to regain her attention.
“The interior I’d like to request from you is…”
The next day.
Marie walked through a bustling street.
Red brick buildings lined the bright, pleasant street.
Two bodyguards sent by the Bloodstone dukedom followed her at a distance.
“Hmm. This should be the place…”
Marie studied a map.
As she looked around to find the street marked on the map, she ran into Josh and Calix leaving the armory.
“Oh! White House lady, where are you headed?”
Josh asked cheerfully, and Marie and Calix exchanged a silent greeting.
When Marie lifted her gaze, she saw a masked face.
Black hair fell carelessly over the mask, partially hiding it.
Beneath a sharp nose, his lips were firmly closed.
“The weather is nice. I hope all is well?”
“As you can see.”
A slow but pleasant voice reached her.
His lips relaxed beautifully, and Marie found herself staring at them unconsciously.
She even remembered the white mark on them.
My goodness. Those lips even touched mine back then…
Her face suddenly flushed.
After experiencing similar incidents repeatedly, she found it hard to look away from his lips.
“……”
The curves of Calix’s jaw led down to his neck, and her gaze followed to his Adam’s apple.
The collar of his white shirt clung tightly to his neck.
He was dressed in a white shirt and black trousers.
He usually seems a bit stiff, but today he looks relaxed.
Calix seemed to notice her gaze and turned toward her.
His red eyes were deep and striking.
“Who are you meeting?”
Calix asked.
Marie startled and shifted her gaze away.
“Ah… I’m out to find a site supervisor.”
“A site supervisor…?”
“Yes. Fortunately, the glow-in-the-dark stars are well-received, so we’ve had quite a few interior requests. Even Count Weatherwood’s villa is requesting one.”
“Handling it alone would be difficult.”
“Yes. I also need to attend social events, so I can’t oversee construction personally all the time.”
In the social sphere, it was important to increase supporters.
Even if she inherited the White House in the future, maintaining and growing her business would depend on connections.
“I’ll focus on design and planning, and have someone handle construction and management. If they do well, I’ll even make them the chief supervisor.”
“You’ve found someone capable?”
Marie had been searching for a suitable site supervisor.
Ludic and Josh had introduced a few, but most lacked experience and diverse project backgrounds.
Age was also a factor.
Many in the construction team were older, requiring someone with authority to manage them.
“I learned from the agency that there’s someone who previously worked under Henry.”
“That’s fortunate. They must have learned from the Count.”
“A man named Dioge managed when Henry handled the royal theater’s interior. A few years ago, he also oversaw the royal museum.”
“Someone of that caliber must already be employed by someone else.”
Marie pouted slightly.
“Hmm, perhaps… but I don’t know the details. The agency wouldn’t say much. That’s why I’m planning to visit his home first.”
“Show me the map.”
Calix examined the map Marie handed him, frowning skeptically.
“Do you know this street is considered a dangerous area? I should accompany you.”
“It’s fine. You sent bodyguards.”
“Your safety matters to me as well. My investment is tied up in your interior business.”
Calix’s blunt remark caused Marie to feel slightly deflated.
He wasn’t worried about her personally, but about her business.
Considering the robbery in the slums and the carriage incident, it was natural for him to be cautious.
“…Understood.”
The bustling streets disappeared, replaced by houses made of earth.
The map marked an X on a blue-roofed house by a streetlamp.
And that blue-roofed house stood right before them.
“This must be the house.”
“But… both neighboring houses are empty.”
Indeed, through the glass windows, the neighboring houses were vacant.
It seemed as if only the blue-roofed house remained occupied.
Creak
Marie pushed open the white fence gate that reached her waist.
The garden was desolate.
Traces of flower beds suggested past gardening, but now weeds had overrun everything.
“Calix, what… is that smell?”
Marie took out a handkerchief to cover her nose.
The closer they got, the stronger the foul odor emanated from the house.
It was clear that the neighbors had moved away because of this unidentifiable stench.
It was not a smell that could come from a normal household.
“Something inside seems to be rotting.”
Calix drew his sword.
