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chapter 40
From the morning, my nerves had been wound so tight that I felt completely drained.
I headed straight to the bathroom, washed my face, and when I came out, someone knocked on the door.
I quickly darted to the door I had locked.
I grabbed only the dress and tried to close the door, but a maid stepped in, offering to help me dress. Using the excuse that I wanted to be alone, I sent her away and took a moment to catch my breath.
The dress was designed to be put on with assistance, so wearing it alone was tricky in many ways.
But with Yullen here, I couldn’t rely on anyone’s help. I picked the simplest design among my options.
It was a soft sky-blue dress, almost like a one-piece, simple in design.
Once I changed and turned my head, I immediately saw Yullen.
What am I going to do with him…
I needed to bring him along, but carrying a blanket that clearly contained something would look suspicious.
I thought it over for a moment, but there was no alternative.
Better to look suspicious while holding him than feel anxious leaving him behind.
“We’re going outside now, so stay quiet, okay?”
“I know. You don’t have to tell me every little thing.”
I whispered, still worried, and Yullen, hidden under the blanket, replied somewhat grumpily:
“Got it. You’re smart, so I’ll trust you to do well. Okay?”
“Of course. I’ll be quiet now. Don’t talk to me.”
“Alright, alright.”
I held Yullen carefully and opened the door. As expected, the maids were waiting outside.
“I’ll guide you to the dining room, Lady.”
“Alright.”
Yesterday, I had been too tired to notice, but today the mansion looked quite impressive.
The marble floors were polished, not a speck of dust in sight, and magical lamps were placed between the tall windows, just like at the Duke’s residence.
Along the wall beside the staircase, stained glass windows displayed a dazzling array of colors, proudly asserting their presence.
Looking at the stairs, this feels more like a cathedral than a mansion.
It gave the place a sacred and majestic atmosphere.
I admired it as I walked, but the mansion’s older features—stairs, ceilings—made me slightly curious.
Arban had told me that the Duchy of Carnellowel had existed since his father’s generation, but judging by the mansion, it looked like a house with a long history.
To have such age and character, it must have been a family as old as the Empire’s founding…
Maybe they purchased an older house from another family.
I dismissed the thought and continued walking, sneaking glances at the stained glass and almost tripping in my distraction.
It really felt like touring a European castle or cathedral.
Eventually, the maids stopped in front of a door. Two of them opened the heavy doors together, revealing the dining room.
How big must this door be if it takes two to open it…
Everything in this mansion seemed oversized.
I gave the hardworking maids a small appreciative nod and stepped inside.
The dining room was even larger than the one at the Duke’s residence.
A long table could easily seat dozens, more like something from a movie than an everyday meal.
Following the table with my eyes, I stopped at the end, where Arban was waiting for me.
“Good morning. Please, have a seat.”
“Thank you.”
As I walked toward him, he rose and pulled out the chair to his right. I sat there.
The table was already filled with food.
Soup, appetizers, perfectly roasted chicken, salads, bread, drinks—the table looked like a banquet rather than a simple meal.
I glanced at Arban, silently asking if this was normal.
He seemed to understand my question without me speaking.
“I assumed you would bring Yullen, so the servants were kept away.”
Ah, that’s why everything is laid out like this.
At that moment, Yullen peeked his head out of the blanket. I lifted it to reveal him.
“I want to eat too!”
“You’ve only had water until now. You eat this kind of thing?”
“I don’t eat things I don’t like. I can survive just by absorbing magic, so eating is purely a matter of taste. And I like delicious food.”
“…So he’s just a foodie.”
“I want this!”
Yullen pointed at a chocolate cake. I looked at him, then glanced at Arban.
Can I give this to him?
Even without saying it aloud, Arban nodded.
I slid the cake plate toward Yullen.
“Do you want the whole thing? Should I cut some for you?”
Yullen ignored me and began nibbling at the cake, opening his small mouth wide to take bites of the huge cake.
“Delicious! First cake in hundreds of years…”
I stroked his small body in sympathy and took a spoonful of soup for myself.
After a few bites, my left cheek felt oddly hot.
I glanced sideways and locked eyes with Arban, who hadn’t started eating yet.
“…Is something on my face?”
Saying it felt oddly familiar, as if I’d heard it somewhere before.
Arban shook his head gently.
“No, nothing is on your face.”
“Then why are you looking at me like that?”
“Just…”
“Just what?”
“…Nothing. Let’s eat before it gets cold.”
He swallowed the rest of his words.
Is he teasing me? If he keeps stopping mid-sentence, how am I supposed to react…!
But whether he knew my frustration or not, Arban finally picked up his spoon and began eating the soup.
I glared at him and took a bite of salad, chewing vigorously.
I knew he wasn’t trying to frustrate me, so there was no need to press further. I focused on my meal instead.
Watching Rieli eat her salad so aggressively, Arban’s thoughts wandered.
Her sky-blue dress was simple and casual, with no embellishments.
It had been worn occasionally by Arban’s mother for walks and bore a little wear, but Rieli’s bright blonde hair matched perfectly, creating no sense of incongruity.
From the moment she entered the dining room until now, he had been carefully observing her expression.
She doesn’t seem unhappy.
Keeping a deceased person’s clothing was frowned upon not only among nobles but also commoners. Even if it was one’s mother, it was unusual.
Offering that clothing to a guest? Unthinkable.
Yet Arban had no other choice.
There was no reason to prepare women’s dresses in a house inhabited only by himself, with no mother or siblings.
And I can’t very well give the maids’ clothes to her.
Returning home late the night before, there hadn’t been enough time to wash and dry any of Rieli’s outfits.
He briefly considered giving her his own clothes if she objected—but knowing her personality, she wouldn’t wait for a new dress anyway.
It had been exactly ten days.
During the time they spent searching for the Holy Sword together, Arban had gained at least a rough understanding of her character.
She thinks differently from other nobles and often acts unpredictably.
But that didn’t mean she lacked manners or common sense.
She could recognize rudeness, and if offended, she didn’t hide her feelings. She was honest and reacted sincerely.
From the moment she caught his attention, Arban had been unconsciously tense.
As expected, instead of waiting for a new dress, she wore his mother’s.
What complaints will she have now? How could he offer clothing of a deceased person, and isn’t there at least one outfit prepared for guests in a Duke’s mansion?
Watching her eat grapes, he considered multiple possibilities.
Yet Rieli’s expression remained calm and serene.
…She really doesn’t seem bothered at all.
The question that had been circling his mind—whether wearing the clothes of a deceased person upset her—remained unanswered.
If his judgment was wrong and she was secretly upset, would she lash out if he asked?
He had faced criticism from many before and didn’t mind it, but if she viewed him with the same critical eyes as others…
Could he handle it calmly?
Arban had no answer to that question.
All he could hope was that she didn’t look at him with cold eyes.
For reasons he couldn’t explain, he simply didn’t want to be disliked by her.
