‘So you were Talion’s person.’
To think he would openly send someone from his family to her.
“Do you remember me?”
“Of course. The Duke wanted to meet the Lady, so I helped him.”
“You were Mia, right? I don’t recognize your face. Did you come from the estate?”
“Yes. I served under the previous Duke, and was recently called to the capital. I’m scheduled to be knighted by the Duke at next year’s coming-of-age ceremony.”
Mia spoke energetically, her cheeks turning slightly pink. The bright-speaking girl showed no signs of hostility.
‘She’s completely the opposite of Aegonite.’
Ashika had thought that all of Talion’s knights and vassals hated her, but perhaps that wasn’t the case.
‘It’s not like I can ask why she doesn’t hate me.’
“I’ll help you wash up and change clothes. There are no lady’s dresses in this mansion since there’s no Lady here. A servant has gone to get some, so by the time you finish washing, new clothes should be ready.”
This meant that no women had been frequenting Talion’s mansion all this time. Realizing this small fact made Ashika’s uncomfortable feelings gradually ease.
“I’ll bring your meal to your room later, and I’ve prepared warm water in the bathroom.”
‘Let me rest first and think later.’
Ashika also had a strong desire to rest now. As the tension eased, she felt like she might faint right here and now. As she unconsciously headed toward the bathroom, Mia followed her in.
“I can wash myself.”
“I heard that ladies don’t bathe alone. I may be inexperienced, but I’ll be better than being by yourself.”
“No, really, it’s fine. Could you leave me alone?”
Lately, she had become increasingly uncomfortable with others serving her. She was especially reluctant to have a stranger’s hands touch her.
“Then I’ll wait outside the door. Call me if you need anything.”
Mia backed away with a bright smile.
‘Too much smiling is also burdensome.’
Igraine and Talion. She would be grateful if they simply didn’t show hostility, but excessive kindness was uncomfortable in its own way.
The Duchess’s bedroom was said to be large, and the attached bathroom was substantial as well. The large bathtub, in a subtle brass color, could fit three or four people, and was filled with appropriately warm water for the season.
‘I never imagined a day like this would come.’
Would she ever have imagined leisurely bathing in Talion’s mansion?
‘No, this isn’t the time to relax.’
She needed to prepare herself mentally. Dealing with Drushia was never easy. While washing, Ashika steeled her softened heart.
She worried about being invited to dinner, but fortunately, they left her alone until evening. As a result, Ashika had to stay confined to the bedroom all day.
Meanwhile, Drushia received overdue reports and instructed his people to track Shafri and Noah’s activities while they stayed at the mansion. He also remembered to contact his grandfather to inform him of his recovery.
On the first day he woke up after a little over half a month, Drushia handled business without rest. Thus, it was late evening when Drushia faced Ashika again.
****
How awkward it was to receive Drushia in the Duchess’s bedroom rather than her own. Before Ashika could hide her embarrassment, Drushia placed paper, pen, and an inkwell on the table.
“What is this?”
“A letter you need to write.”
“What kind of letter?”
Ashika narrowed her eyes at the incomprehensible request.
“You need to notify them that you cannot return to the mansion for the time being.”
Ashika was momentarily speechless at the outrageous demand. The demander’s confident attitude made it even more frustrating.
“How can you be so unreasonable?”
“Unreasonable? I told you from the beginning. I can’t let you go until the facts are confirmed.”
“If I don’t return, my grandfather won’t sit still. Do you really want to see our knights clash?”
“That’s only if they know where you are. I’m guessing no one on Igraine’s side knows that Lady Igraine is here, right?”
His words hit the mark. Since Drushia’s words weren’t wrong, Ashika bit her lip.
“So send a letter to avoid worrying those waiting for you.”
“I just visited the villa recently. If I’m absent again, my grandfather will find it strange.”
“I don’t think so. Duke Igraine is hardly ever at the mansion.”
“I can’t postpone my work indefinitely. Do you know how many trading companies I manage?”
“Julmanan, was it? A capable aide should fill in during their master’s absence. Look at me. I was away for over two weeks, and there were no problems. If they can’t handle that much, they should step down.”
Ashika’s eyes grew fierce at his blunt criticism. Even as she tried to find more words to retort, Drushia countered each of her objections without giving her a chance.
His well-groomed short hair, handsome face that had regained its color, and relaxed posture as he leaned against the sofa backrest with his legs stretched out—it was all as irritating as ever.
“Are you really doing this?”
“As I’ve said repeatedly, I won’t change my mind.”
There was even a hint of enjoyment in his casually spoken words.
Despite knowing it was arbitrary, she couldn’t win against him because she was too soft-hearted. Yet she didn’t want to fight to the death against a man who had just regained consciousness.
‘Yes, it’s necessary to stay by his side to see if there are any other problems. If something happens, I’ll need to find Iben right away.’
In the end, her thoughts concluded with concern for him.
When Ashika reluctantly picked up the pen, Drushia slid the inkwell toward her. Her dark eyes shot up to glare at him. A smile flickered in his deep blue eyes, and the corner of his mouth rose slightly.
‘Ah, so annoying.’
She decided to just get it over with. With that thought, Ashika quickly worked the pen.
Black lines flowed quickly and elegantly across the paper. Drushia watched with curiosity as forms took shape at her fingertips, with an expression that seemed to say, “So that’s how she writes.”
Drushia didn’t take his eyes off her until the elegant sentences filled the paper and the signature was completed. His gaze was so intense that Ashika couldn’t bear it and spoke up.
“Would you stop staring at me like I’m some rare animal?”
“I’m glad the clothes fit you well.”
Ashika’s brow furrowed sharply.
The clothes Mia brought were only indoor clothes and a bedroom robe. The thin material of the indoor clothes, appropriate for the season, revealed the curves of her body even with underwear on.
‘Oh, now that I think about it, my attire…’
She hastily pulled her robe tightly closed as she put down the pen. It was an embarrassing outfit to face a man outside her family, and she hadn’t even realized it.
“Why the sudden modesty? I’ve already seen what’s under those clothes.”
“Duke Talion.”
Though she lowered her voice, she couldn’t hide her embarrassment. His deep blue gaze fixed on her flushed cheeks.
“I preferred the other way. After creating a nickname for me, why don’t you use it?”
“I’m tired. I want to rest now.”
“We’re not done talking yet.”
Drushia checked the letter Ashika had written and brought up his last matter of business.
“It seems this hasn’t been made public. There’s another patient.”
“Patient? Who?”
Ashika opened her eyes wide in surprise. She had only heard rumors that Drushia had collapsed, not that there was another victim.
“One of my knights. I was poisoned through my wound, and Kinvil was apparently poisoned through skin contact. He handled the rope with bare hands.”
It was a powerful substance that could be absorbed through the skin by mere contact and friction.
“He regained consciousness quite a while ago but can’t get out of bed. Is treatment possible?”
“It should be possible. Probably. If you let me go…”
A sudden realization struck her. Ashika’s eyes moved to the letter in Drushia’s hand.
“Give me that letter back.”
She stood up abruptly from her chair and reached out her hand. But Drushia was faster, folding the letter and tucking it into his breast pocket.
“Oh no, whose decision is that?”
“What kind of deal is this?!”
Ashika’s voice grew sharp.
If he had brought this up first, Ashika would have provided the medicine on the condition that she could leave the mansion. But this cunning man had made all preparations so she couldn’t back out before bringing up the matter.
“So you won’t help? An innocent knight can’t move his body and doesn’t know when he might die. Are you going to turn your back on him?”
“You…!”
She was angry but couldn’t express her anger. Ashika twisted her face in frustration and stomped her foot.
‘No matter how angry she gets, she won’t be able to ignore this.’
Even while thinking that it was despicable to exploit her nature this way, he had no reason not to use it.
“Help me, Lady Igraine.”
Drushia asked for help in a solemn voice. Though shameless and annoying, his desire to save his knight was sincere. Ashika silently glared at him before letting out a heavy sigh.
“Let Nile go instead. Only he can do it.”
“That guy? Can’t I send one of my own messengers?”
“I’m not the one in need, Duke Talion.”
There was still much to ask about Nile. Drushia pondered for a moment before speaking.
“What’s his identity? He doesn’t seem to be a knight. Why do you go around with someone like him instead of proper knights?”
“He’s a nobleman with a verified background who joined the House of Igraine.”
“Nobleman? From which family?”
“Are you interrogating me as a criminal now?!”
Ashika’s voice rose involuntarily. Now she truly looked angry. Her expression grew cold, and her lips tightened firmly. As always, she was putting up an icy wall and trying to disappear behind it.
Drushia realized his mistake. She had come along as he wished, and he unconsciously pushed her too hard. He momentarily forgot that this woman was more frightening when she didn’t show her emotions than when she did.
“A criminal? Not at all. Some intruders escaped alive. I was trying to protect you in case they recognized Lady Igraine or Nile and caused harm. Do as you wish regarding Nile.”
Ashika didn’t answer and turned her back. It was a clear rejection, indicating she didn’t want to talk anymore.
As she walked to the opposite side, Drushia’s gaze persistently followed her. It was a gaze so intense it felt hot.
A moment of silence. Drushia, not taking his eyes off Ashika, tapped the sofa armrest with his finger.
The silence that settled in the quiet room gradually became pressuring and tense. There was a strange tension that seemed to densely narrow the distance between them.
With a tap, Drushia’s hand struck the armrest. The unidentifiable tension scattered without a trace in an instant.
“Rest.”
It was a rough, low voice. Drushia left only this brief word and withdrew from her room. Even though they were separated by just a thin door.
When Drushia disappeared into the next room, the strength drained from Ashika’s body.
It felt like walking a tightrope. Like fiercely watching each other to see who would gain control first. Until, in the end, one side completely consumed the other.
