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Chapter 45
“My Patience Isn’t That Long”
“This isn’t what we agreed on!”
Crocan stopped as he was about to get into the carriage and turned around.
Heidi had followed him out, her face red, either from anger or embarrassment.
Crocan turned to face her.
“Long time no see, Lady Heidi.”
Heidi bit her lip as she saw Crocan smiling calmly. His black eyes, as dark as his intentions, clung to her like a snake.
Clutching her dress tightly with her small hands, Heidi spoke again.
“You clearly said the last time we talked that you wouldn’t tell my father about that woman.”
Her pretty eyes were now filled with determination.
Crocan stayed calm, even as Heidi glared at him with bloodshot eyes.
“I’m afraid I don’t remember that at all.”
“Marquess!”
Her voice trembled as she shouted.
Crocan slowly stepped closer, like a predator approaching its prey.
“Heidi Elliana,” he said, his voice sharp.
“…”
“I don’t care how precious Edwin and Elena raised you to be. But if you want to talk about promises, you should have kept yours first.”
“W-what do you mean…?”
“If you planned to let my daughter die as Heidi Elliana under the excuse of stopping a war, you should’ve killed that girl yourself instead of pretending to be Rebellia here.”
Heidi froze, shocked by the murderous look in Crocan’s eyes.
The oppressive energy radiating from the man standing so close made her tremble.
“Killing someone isn’t easy,” she muttered, avoiding his gaze.
“So you were expecting me to kill my own daughter, who was dragged away to Esperos because of your mistake?”
“….”
“That’s not something I could ever do with my own hands.”
Heidi flinched but soon lifted her head to meet his eyes. She was terrified, but her voice came out stronger than expected.
“Even if I killed Lady Rebellia, what’s the point if Father still meets that woman? If you wanted me to kill Lady Rebellia, you shouldn’t have told my father about her!”
“You eavesdropped like a rat but didn’t even hear properly.”
“Th-that’s too much!”
“That can be solved by simply making sure they never meet.”
Heidi’s face burned with humiliation and anger.
Crocan ignored her expression and continued calmly.
“Anna doesn’t have much time left. That wasn’t a lie.”
“…?”
“What I mean is—whether she dies today or tomorrow doesn’t make much difference.”
“….”
“Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Heidi’s entire body trembled as she finally realized Crocan’s true intentions.
If she killed Rebellia, he would kill Anna before her father could meet her.
Crocan whispered softly as he stepped back.
“My patience isn’t that long. I hope you remember that.”
The carriage door closed with a click.
Even after Crocan left, Heidi couldn’t move an inch from where she stood.
The Next Morning
Honestly, I never thought Carriaire would ignore my refusal and break into my room.
But even with that thought, I slept leaning against the door instead of my bed.
It felt safer to be uncomfortable than to feel anxious.
“Wow, I’m so tired.”
Because I slept crouched by the door last night, my whole body felt sore, like someone had stepped all over me.
I stretched my stiff shoulders and waist before walking to the mirror.
The mirror reflected a woman with beautiful, shining golden hair.
I quickly shook my head to chase away the heavy feeling.
When I rang the bell by my bed, May’s voice came through the door almost immediately.
“How are you feeling?”
“Oh, thanks to your concern, I’m fine now.”
Carriaire gave a faint nod at my answer.
I glanced at the lavish breakfast laid out in front of me, then at him.
Something felt off about the scene. After a brief hesitation, I asked carefully:
“Your Grace? I’m sorry to say this, but I think our seats are switched.”
“What do you mean?”
“All the food is placed in front of me.”
I motioned at the dishes in front of me. Carriaire looked over the table and replied casually:
“They’re in the right place.”
“Huh?”
“I’m not the type to eat much in the morning.”
That made even less sense.
He only had a cup of fresh coffee and half a buttered bagel, while my side had a grilled salmon steak, a salad with seasonal vegetables and mandarin slices, and a banana flambé for dessert.
I stared blankly at the situation before glancing at him again.
Carriaire, noticing my gaze, lifted a hand as if he’d realized something.
May, who was standing by the dining room wall, quickly approached.
“It seems Heidi’s table is missing ginger tea,” Carriaire said.
“I’ll bring it right away.”
“And some chocolate too.”
“Yes, Your Grace—”
“W-wait a second!”
If I didn’t stop them, the table would collapse under all the food.
May stepped back, startled, while I leaned closer to Carriaire.
“This is already too much for breakfast.”
“You can leave what you can’t finish. I’m not forcing you to eat it all.”
“That’s not the problem. I’d be fine with just a bagel and coffee like you.”
“No coffee.”
“…What?”
He refused so firmly that I was speechless.
Just a moment ago, I thought my table was overloaded, but now that coffee was forbidden, I suddenly wanted it more.
“Why not? I prefer coffee to ginger tea.”
“Still, it’s better not to drink it today.”
“Today?”
“Yes.”
“But I want to drink it today.”
I glared at him stubbornly.
Honestly, it didn’t matter if it was ginger tea or coffee, but since he said I couldn’t, I wanted it more.
Carriaire sighed softly.
“Coffee isn’t good for… um, pain. That’s what I heard.”
“You mean it’ll upset my stomach?”
“No, not exactly…”
He frowned, clearly flustered.
I watched him carefully and spoke gently:
“I know you were worried when I suddenly got sick yesterday. But I’m really fine now.”
“….”
“I can’t promise it won’t happen again, but it’s only once a month, and it usually passes after one night.”
I added that last part just in case, watching his reaction.
Carriaire turned his head away, covering his face with his hand.
I could see his face and ears turning red through his fingers.
“Your Grace?”
When I called him again, he abruptly stood up, as if he couldn’t take it anymore.
He cleared his throat.
“I have work to do, so I’ll leave first.”
“….”
“Eat and rest.”
“W-wait, why are you leaving so suddenly—”
I tried to stop him, but Carriaire was already gone.
It still felt awkward and tense to eat with him, but being left alone like this didn’t feel good either.
I was blinking in confusion when May came back in, setting ginger tea and dark chocolate on the table.
“…May?”
“Yes, My Lady.”
“Did I upset His Grace last night by refusing dinner and not opening my door?”
That was the only explanation I could think of—Carriaire must be taking petty revenge.
May blinked as if trying to understand my question, then laughed softly.
“I don’t think that’s it.”
“Then why is he acting like this?”
“Lady, could I borrow your ear for a moment?”
I leaned closer with a puzzled look.
May whispered something softly in my ear.
“…!”
The moment I heard it, my face turned bright red, and I ran out of the dining room just like Carriaire had.
