~Chapter 07~
Gloria sat curled up on the bed, staring out the window at the heavy snowflakes falling.
The gloomy weather seemed to match her mood perfectly, leaving her feeling endlessly down.
She stared at the snowflakes that didn’t seem to stop, burying her face in her knees.
She didn’t want to be caught.
She had known she’d have to tell someone someday, but she hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly.
They would probably think she was hideous.
Noble families often see even the slightest flaw, like a spot on the palm, as a mark of imperfection, let alone a woman with a dreadful scar.
Besides…
“How can I be sure that you’re really the daughter of the McCain Count? How can I know you’re not a fraud pretending to be her?”
Even now, it seemed like he was doubting if I was really Gloria McCain. And now that he had seen my scar, it was even less likely he would believe me.
Her heart felt heavy and miserable as her eyes filled with tears. She didn’t want to cry, but before she could stop herself, there was a knock on the door.
“Can I come in?”
It was Asthan. Gloria quickly looked up.
“Oh, uh, just a second…”
Before she could hide her red eyes, the door opened. Gloria tried to act cheerful to hide her sadness.
“Is there something you need in my room? Did you change your mind?”
Tsk. Asthan clicked his tongue as he pulled out a round case.
“This ointment works well on scars. Old scars can’t be helped, but we can get rid of the newer ones.”
“…Did you come all the way here just for this?”
“If I had sent someone else, they might have figured it out.”
It’s better if I bring it myself.
Hidden behind his blunt tone was a quiet kindness, and Gloria bit her lip.
Feeling complicated, she hesitated to take the ointment, but Asthan placed it on the bed.
“Apply it well. It’s a very effective ointment.”
“Your Grace…”
She called out to him just as he was about to leave.
“This ointment… I don’t think I can apply it myself. Could you do it for me?”
“…”
Asthan’s eyes wavered at her bold request.
He didn’t want to fall for the girl’s playful trick, but the truth was, she would need someone’s help to apply it, and since he had already seen her scar, it seemed right for him to do it.
He sat on the bed.
“Turn around.”
Gloria obediently turned her body. As she carefully loosened the strings of her dress, it slid off her body.
The sound of the fabric brushing against the air was unusually loud in the quiet room.
“Don’t you think you’re being a bit too defenseless?”
“After all, Your Grace has no interest in me, right?”
“You’re right about that.”
Asthan lightly joked to change the mood and lifted up her camisole. The scar on her dry back was as horrific as before.
He gently applied the ointment to the scar.
His fingers brushed lightly over the scar. Gloria, who had been sitting still, trembled. Whether it was because of the pain of the scar or the unfamiliar sensation, she couldn’t tell.
Asthan spoke quietly.
“Why do you want to marry me?”
“I received a proposal, so it’s only proper to give an answer…”
“Forget the formalities and answer me honestly.”
“…There’s something I can’t tell you.”
“It must have something to do with that scar.”
“I can’t deny it…”
Suddenly, Gloria turned her head sharply.
“But I swear, I’m not trying to use you. I mean it.”
Her voice was filled with desperation, and there was a tearful undertone to it.
Asthan turned away, avoiding her clear blue eyes, and calmly fastened her dress.
“Do you have anywhere to go once you leave here?”
“…”
Gloria lowered her gaze slowly and shook her head.
If she had somewhere to go, she wouldn’t have come this far.
The man glanced at the shabby bag hanging on the coat rack but quickly looked away.
“You can’t marry me. But I’ll allow you to stay in this castle for now.”
“Why? Is it because you don’t like me?”
Asthan didn’t answer.
Gloria, thinking his silence was an unspoken yes, desperately clung to the hope.
“I’ll change if there’s something you don’t like about me.”
“You don’t need to.”
“Please, think about it again. I don’t know what you don’t like about me, but maybe if you keep looking, you’ll start to feel differently.”
Seeing the woman who refused to give up, Asthan gave a bitter smile.
“There’s no marriage in my life.”
“Why? Could you at least tell me the reason?”
“It’s a secret.”
Gloria sighed at his answer—it was impossible to tell if he was joking or serious.
Does this man really find me that unattractive? Or maybe…
“Could it be…”
“…?”
“Do you like men?”
“…What?”
Gloria looked sadly at Asthan’s wrist.
“I saw it. You’re wearing the same bracelet as Logan. That bracelet… is it something between you two?”
“No! Absolutely not! That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard! Logan?! How could you compare me to that damn guy…!”
Asthan shuddered like he’d just heard something horrifying. Gloria’s eyes lit up.
“Then… does that mean I still have a chance?”
“There’s no such thing, so don’t get your hopes up.”
“I’ll still hope. You never know what could happen.”
…No point in continuing this conversation.
Asthan sighed, tied the rest of her dress strings, and stood up. As Gloria was straightening her wrinkled dress, she looked up.
“You’re leaving already?”
“Of course.”
His cold tone made Gloria’s expression drop.
“What about dinner…?”
“I’ll eat in my room.”
Asthan cut her off sharply and headed for the door. Just as she was swallowing her feelings of disappointment, he stopped.
“Do you want to eat in my room too?”
“Haaah, I’m so full.”
After dinner, Gloria lay on the bed, patting her full stomach.
They hadn’t had any meaningful conversation, but just being invited to Asthan’s room felt like a big step forward.
He must not dislike me after all.
She smiled as she recalled how he willingly gave her the pudding for dessert.
He pretends to be indifferent, but the way he takes care of her in little ways made it clear—he must have some feelings for her.
“Tomorrow, I should ask him to give me a tour of the castle.”
If they kept getting closer like this, Asthan would definitely open his heart to her one day. As she imagined a bright, hopeful future—
“My lady, may I come in?”
It was the head maid’s voice outside the door.
“Please come in.”
When the door opened, Mrs. Merriweather came in with both arms full, carrying a thick, heavy comforter. She gave Gloria a warm smile.
“The blanket you’re using looks too thin, so I brought a warmer one.”
The head maid removed the old blanket from the bed and spread out the new one. A sweet, soapy scent drifted from it, tickling Gloria’s nose.
With the warm fireplace, the fluffy bed, and meals that were almost overwhelmingly luxurious—
Even officially invited noble guests probably didn’t get treated this well.
And she was just a stranger with an unclear background. Being treated so kindly wasn’t normal.
‘It’s been like this since the first day.’
Even before she showed the marriage proposal letter, Mrs. Merriweather had been very kind.
Gloria appreciated it but couldn’t help but wonder why.
As she watched the maid carefully make her bed, Gloria asked softly,
“I feel bad that I’m only receiving without doing anything. Technically, I’m an uninvited guest, yet you treat me so kindly…”
“Uninvited guest? What are you saying?”
Mrs. Merriweather turned around sharply, dropping the edge of the blanket she was folding.
“As the head maid of the Duke’s castle, it’s only right that I serve someone who may be our future mistress with the utmost care. Please don’t think that way and make yourself at home.”
“Thank you… That really means a lot to me.”
“No need to thank me. Really, don’t say things like that. I’m sorry I haven’t been able to serve you better. Without a maid to wait on you, it must be so inconvenient…”
Oops. Mrs. Merriweather quickly shut her mouth.
Gloria had been wondering about that too.
There didn’t seem to be any other maids in this huge castle.
From the people she’d seen over the past few days, there were surprisingly few servants for a place this big. And aside from Mrs. Merriweather, there were no women at all.
“Now that you mention it… Are there no maids in this castle?”
