Chapter 14
“Darling, honey, sweetheart?”
The man, who looked like he could chew through stones, had no problem saying such sweet words.
“I’m not Gloria. How could I possibly call him that?”
But saying that out loud would only get me locked in my room again. Clenching my fist, I forced a small smile.
“Then I’ll call you Herman. That sounds the best to me.”
Maybe he liked my response because he simply changed the topic and stared at me.
“So, what do you want?”
“What do I want?”
“Your intentions. Why are you suddenly acting sane?”
“…….”
I was caught off guard.
I was so used to being treated like a madwoman that every time he acknowledged me as a normal person, it felt surprising.
But actually, nothing is surprising about it.
I was never insane. The only thing that changed was my situation.
And the same went for the man in front of me.
“You’ve come back alive, my lord. So you need to regain your strength quickly and become the pillar of support you were meant to be.”
Just like Tess said, Herman Ernst had returned, and that changed everything for me, who had been abandoned in this mansion.
“Well, the situation has changed now. Since Your Excellency has—”
Herman’s thick eyebrows twitched. I quickly adjusted my tone and continued.
“Since Herman has returned, I must also do my part. I can’t afford to waste it anymore.”
“You understand how disgraceful you’ve been? I thought you had sold your conscience along with the family’s assets.”
His sharp words made me sit up straighter and take a deep breath.
Herman was right. Gloria had sold her conscience. That was the only way she could have so easily abandoned her sister.
“Of course not. Reading the Imperial Newspaper has given me a lot to think about.”
“Like what?”
“That I regret not properly welcoming you back after your difficult journey.”
“And?”
“And that if someone like you could survive extreme hardship and return alive, then I, too, should do my best to endure.”
So that I can reclaim my rightful place.
I gripped my knife tightly, swallowing the words that almost slipped out.
I will take back everything that is mine.
Even if the path ahead was filled with thorns, I couldn’t give up.
“In a way, you’re my role model, Herman.”
Half of what I said was just to get on his good side, but I meant it, at least a little.
“Oh, a role model.”
Herman let out a dry chuckle.
His reaction was cold, almost mocking.
I looked at him, confused, as he twisted his lips into a smirk.
“I feel the same way. You are my role model too.”
“Me?”
“Yes, I sincerely want to live like you. Doing nothing while wasting away my wealth—what could be more desirable?”
“…….”
“They say even a ruined noble family can survive for five years. But judging by the state of our household, I’m not sure that’s true. My one and only wife managed to accomplish something even harder. I’m so proud.”
His words carried both resentment and anger.
At that moment, I realized why Herman had been in such a bad mood.
Gloria must have completely neglected the family.
I had already noticed how rundown the mansion was, but apparently, the Ernst family’s finances were even worse than I had imagined.
I lowered my gaze, feeling both embarrassed and wronged.
The one who truly deserved his anger wasn’t here. But as a member of the Seymour family, I couldn’t completely escape the blame either.
“At least I won’t be bored for a while. Thanks to you, I have plenty of work to do.”
“……Just don’t push yourself too hard.”
“Oh, so now you’re concerned about me?”
The conversation didn’t last much longer.
Herman didn’t seem interested in talking to me for long.
But I had to engage with him. That was the only way I could turn this situation around.
Right, let’s talk about the victory parade.
I recalled the topic I had prepared beforehand and quickly spoke before the meal ended.
“By the way, Your Excell—”
“Herman.”
“…….”
I bit the inside of my cheek.
Calling my sister’s husband by name still felt unnatural.
But I have to get used to it.
Forcing a smile, I continued.
“Herman, I read in the papers that the victory parade was postponed. Does that mean you’ll be returning to the capital soon?”
“Most likely.”
He answered in his deep, steady voice as he calmly cut his food.
I widened my eyes as if his words were a lifeline.
“Then I should start preparing as well. When do you plan to leave?”
Herman, who had been staring at his plate, now turned his gaze to me.
As if I had just said something ridiculous, he frowned and wiped his mouth with a napkin.
“You don’t need to prepare.”
“Why not?”
“I’m going alone.”
I stared at him, my eyes round with shock.
That can’t happen.
The victory parade was my only excuse to leave this place.
“But, Herman, you can’t go alone. I have to attend as well.”
“Why?”
“Because…”
I quickly searched for an excuse.
“As your partner, I’m obligated to attend.”
Strictly speaking, attending as his partner wasn’t my role.
But this wasn’t the time to be picky about technicalities.
I have to follow him to the capital, no matter what.
I felt like a lifeline was being cut right in front of me.
“If I don’t attend, people will start gossiping.”
“They’ll gossip even if you do attend.”
“What do you mean?”
“Rumors have been going around for a while that you seduced your sister’s husband.”
“What…?”
“Oh, and Countess Drake supposedly faints at the mere mention of your name.”
“!”
I was speechless.
I never imagined Gloria had dragged my name through the mud like this.
You have no shame, do you?
One thing was clear now—Gloria had no intention of reclaiming her place.
“So stay in the mansion. Behave yourself.”
With that, Herman stood up. He didn’t even bother with the usual courtesy of saying he would excuse himself first.
I clenched my skirt tightly as I watched him leave.
If I can’t go to the capital, I can’t do anything. How am I supposed to accomplish anything while trapped here?
I abruptly stood and followed after him, desperate.
Herman seemed slightly surprised by my persistence.
“If you avoid it like this, it’ll only make the rumors seem true! Please, just reconsider once more.”
I grabbed his sleeve, pleading. But he effortlessly pulled away and shook his head.
“This conversation is over. I won’t change my mind.”
“Herman—”
“Enough.”
His rejection was final.
With that, he turned his back to me, signaling that there was nothing more to discuss.
If this continues, all my plans will fall apart.
I watched him go, my heart pounding with frustration.
But there was nothing I could do.
Then, suddenly, he paused mid-step.
For a brief moment, hope flickered inside me.
“Thanks for the meal.”
But the only thing he gave me was an unexpected thank you.
With that, Herman left the dining hall.
I stared at the fork and knife he had left behind, placed neatly at a 9 o’clock angle on his plate.
“It was delicious.”
