“Your Grace, really… If you say things like that with that kind of face, I’ll get the wrong idea.”
That kind of face? That kind of thing? What did he even say? What did Raynan say to make Erin so excited?
Raynan didn’t seem all that keen on being with Erin, but he didn’t leave either.
The atmosphere between them wasn’t exactly affectionate or full of emotion, but it still felt weird.
Maybe it was because I’d never seen another woman standing that close to him before.
Or maybe it was because I suddenly realized that Raynan’s fiancée didn’t necessarily have to be me.
“Lady Renee…”
“Hm?”
“It’s not really something to be upset about. You saw the Duke’s expression, didn’t you?”
“Oh, yeah. I’m not upset. Did it look like I was?”
“I think it’s the first time I’ve seen you without any expression at all.”
At Amelia’s comment, Cecile cautiously added her own thoughts.
“You know Erin pretty well.”
“No, I’m not angry or anything… it just feels a little weird. It’s not something to make a big fuss over.”
I said it with a smile, but it didn’t seem like anyone actually believed me.
“Should we take a different path?”
I really didn’t want to walk past those two. My expression must have been different enough for even Amelia and Cecile to find it odd.
There was no way Raynan wouldn’t notice a face like this. He was a rather perceptive man, and not the type to pretend not to notice things like this.
But against my own will, a bright, cheerful voice rang out and drew Raynan and Erin’s eyes in our direction.
“Father!”
Startled by Raynan’s sudden gaze, I flinched and took a step back. Edwin ran right past me and headed toward Raynan.
Erin, surprised by Edwin’s sudden appearance, quickly stepped away from Raynan. Then she swiftly scanned the group standing behind him.
When she spotted me, a faint smile spread across her lips.
She bowed politely, but it was clear that smile was directed at me.
She really did seem like she was trying to seduce Raynan.
And that confirmed that the rumor about Raynan and Erin having a strange vibe wasn’t entirely false.
“Where are you all off to together?”
Raynan asked me. Edwin looked like he wanted to answer, glancing up at him, but Raynan kept his eyes locked on me.
“We were thinking of taking a walk in the garden and maybe doing some drawing.”
Even without seeing it, I could tell my smile was awkward. But I forced myself to answer, and Raynan tilted his head.
Maybe it was my expression, or maybe my answer wasn’t convincing enough—I couldn’t tell.
“Mother hasn’t seen Amelia draw before. So today, I really wanted to show her.”
At Edwin’s sweet voice, Raynan lowered his gaze. Their eyes finally met, and Edwin excitedly began to chatter.
“Mother’s been really busy lately, right? So today we’re going to have a super fun time together.”
When Edwin said “Mother,” his eyes briefly flicked toward Erin. It didn’t seem like a mistake—Erin flinched slightly in response.
She quickly looked away, avoiding Edwin’s gaze, but she seemed oddly startled.
“That does sound like something fun, just hearing about it.”
Raynan responded, and Edwin, even happier, grabbed his arm.
“If you’re not too busy, Father, come with us. It’ll be even more fun if we all go together.”
Seeing Edwin like that made my heart swell with emotion.
A child who used to be so cautious now felt comfortable enough to grab Raynan’s arm and beg him to come along.
Raynan glanced at me and gave a small nod.
“Sure. I’m not too busy, so I’ll join you.”
“Your Grace…”
Roman’s pleading voice hinted that the situation wasn’t as simple as Raynan was making it seem, but no one paid him any attention.
Our group quickly grew larger, and we all passed by Erin while chatting. Without even a word of greeting.
Raynan didn’t acknowledge Erin’s presence at all. So she ended up seeming like someone who simply wasn’t there.
After passing her, I found myself stopping and turning around without realizing it. At the same moment, Erin and I locked eyes.
She was glaring at me with a rather terrifying look. She must not have expected me to turn around—she looked flustered and quickly left.
Did she think I was getting in her way?
“What’s wrong?”
While I was still watching Erin walk away, the group had already moved ahead. But Raynan and Edwin had returned and were now standing next to me.
“I’m just curious… what exactly were those ‘words’?”
“Hm?”
Raynan didn’t seem to understand my question at all.
I reenacted the scene exactly as I remembered it. Just like Erin, I gave him a smiling glance, clung to his arm, and tilted my body slightly against him.
“Your Grace, really… If you say things like that with that kind of face, I’ll get the wrong idea.”
I even mimicked Erin’s tone and wording perfectly.
Raynan, startled by my sudden move, covered his face with his hand.
What was that reaction supposed to mean?
For a second, I doubted my own eyes. His face looked almost… embarrassed.
Was there really something going on between them?
As if he knew what I was thinking, Raynan waved his hand and then quickly covered his face again—this time just around his mouth.
“Your Grace, what’s going on?”
“Well, you just…”
“I just what?”
“C-Can you do that one more time?”
“What?”
“I think I might remember it better that way.”
“You’re just dodging the question.”
I stared at him, and Raynan shook his head quickly.
“No, really. All I said was that it was a hassle. Somehow she managed to take that the wrong way.”
“Mmhmm. So you do remember. No need for a repeat, I guess.”
“Huh? Wait, that’s…”
Raynan looked so flustered, I couldn’t help but speak in a colder tone without meaning to.
Watching him fumble like that made him look exactly like a guy who just got caught cheating, and it irritated me for no reason.
Thankfully, someone showed up to stop me from saying something rude to Raynan.
“Let’s go, Mother.”
Edwin led me to the rose garden. As always, the sweet scent of flowers filled the air.
It was around tea time. Of course, Edwin was busy bustling around, getting ready to draw, but most of us were enjoying a relaxing moment.
Edwin, Chase, and Amelia each picked a spot they liked and began to draw.
Raynan and I sat where we could watch them clearly and had tea together.
It was a peaceful time, but somehow my heart felt heavy. Was it because the image of Raynan and Erin still lingered in my mind?
Or maybe because I had seen with my own eyes that Erin was seriously trying to seduce Raynan?
As I sipped my tea in a gloomy mood, Raynan seemed to notice something was off.
“Is something wrong?”
“No.”
I tried to act normal, but for some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to look at him, so I answered while keeping my eyes on my teacup.
“You don’t seem like you’re in a good mood today.”
As expected, he didn’t seem to believe me. Maybe he was worried I wasn’t feeling well, because he reached out to check my face.
But without meaning to, I subtly leaned back to avoid his hand.
I wasn’t the only one startled by my reaction. Raynan also froze in place, a slightly shocked expression on his face.
His hand was still suspended in midair.
“Ah, it’s just… I think I’m a bit tired.”
I hurriedly made an excuse, and he slowly lowered his hand as he spoke.
“You called for Austin, didn’t you?”
“Yes.”
Raynan seemed to be waiting for me to explain why I had called for him. I understood what he wanted, but I stayed silent.
I thought that if I didn’t say anything, he wouldn’t ask further. I just needed a little more time. Time to settle this strange and complicated feeling.
Contrary to my expectation of more silence, Raynan asked directly about what had been bothering him.
“Were you feeling unwell?”
“No. You must’ve heard—he said I’m healthy.”
When I went quiet again, Raynan looked a bit flustered. He opened his mouth as if to say something but soon closed it again.
Unlike his usual self, he kept glancing at my face.
It looked like he was trying to read my mood.
And somehow, that only made my heart feel heavier.
Just as I was about to get lost in these tangled emotions, a voice called out and saved me.
“Mother, look at this!”
Edwin came running and tugged at my hand. His pull wasn’t strong, but it made me get up and follow him without hesitation.
“Look how Amelia’s painting is changing!”
Edwin spoke with excitement, and it wasn’t just exaggerated praise. At first, it looked like Amelia was just roughly moving her brush around.
But with each stroke, her painting became fuller and more vivid.
Before long, Edwin and I fell silent, completely absorbed in watching her paint.
When the painting was finally complete, Edwin and I were still holding hands as we admired it.
“Wow, is there anything Amelia can’t do?”
“Right? I told you, I’ve never seen anyone paint this well.”
“You’re right. She could totally be a professional artist.”
Seeing Edwin chattering happily lifted my mood. But even the tiniest gap in that joy let in a bit of sadness again.
So I focused on spending time with Edwin on purpose. We admired Amelia’s work, shared little stories, and time passed before I knew it.
Still, it helped lift my spirits a bit.
“Lord Edwin, if you don’t go now, you’ll be late for your next lesson.”
Chase came over and gently urged Edwin to go. Edwin, looking disappointed, held my hand tightly.
“I’ll come visit again.”
“I’ll come to you next time. I don’t think I’ll be as busy as before for a while.”
“Really?”
“Mm-hm. So enjoy the rest of your day too.”
“Okay!”
Edwin responded brightly and walked off holding Chase’s hand. Even as they got farther away, he kept turning back to wave at me several times.
And I waved back each time.
Once Edwin left, a stiff silence settled over us again. Amelia, the one who could’ve eased the mood, was busy cleaning up, and Cecile was helping her.
My mood grew just as heavy as the quiet around us. The moment Edwin disappeared from sight, I felt as if I were sinking endlessly downward.
