Chapter 43
“Ah, Duke.”
The maid who was wiping Evelia’s forehead with a wet towel was surprised to see him.
It was a maid named Annie whom Evelia brought from Venion Mansion.
“Are you here to see the lady?”
Cassis couldn’t answer that question.
It wasn’t that he was offended by the maid’s question; it was just that he didn’t know why he was here.
I was just walking aimlessly and ended up here.
Annie didn’t ask twice. Instead, she said she was going to change the water and carried the basin outside.
Cassis walked a little closer to the bed and looked down at Evelia.
Evelia was sleeping soundly. Cassis felt as if he was doing something wrong.
My head was screaming at me to get out, but I couldn’t take my eyes off Evelia.
Now that I think about it, I don’t think I’ve ever looked at Evelia so quietly.
The first time he properly encountered her was when Evelia came to announce the breakup of the engagement.
Before that, due to his hostility towards Count Venion and his daughter Evelia, had prevented him from seeing her properly, even when he did see her.
Even after that, I never saw her properly.
Evelia’s face, which I saw for the first time, was beautiful. The blue eyes that faintly sparkled in the candlelight were mysterious.
Was it because of that? He continued the conversation so stiffly that he didn’t even know what he was saying.
Then he left the room as if running away.
He didn’t realize it, but his ears were as red as his eyes when he entered the office.
*****
“Sister Eve! I’m here!”
It’s been a while since Aria came to visit. Two weeks had passed since Evelia told Samuel that they could come to play.
‘I guess Samuel was considerate of me, right?’
Evelia smiled faintly and gave Samuel a greeting. I meant to thank him for his consideration, but I don’t know if Samuel understood.
Samuel just smiled politely and nodded.
“A-Aria. Hi.”
Ruth greeted her with a red face, probably because he was nervous because it had been a while since he had seen her.
Aria tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and waved back.
“Yeah, how are you Ruth?”
“How have you been?”
“No!”
Ruth’s face turned pale at Aria’s answer.
“Why?”
“Because I’ve been sick!”
This time, Evelia responded.
“You were sick?”
Samuel explained a little more.
“She had a mild cold. There is no need to worry. It was a really light cold.”
“That’s right!”
Aria shouted.
“I really didn’t feel sick. But Mom and Dad keep telling me I can’t go out! Even though I’m fine. Moreover, even after I got better, my brother wouldn’t let me go see Eve.”
“Aria.”
“My brother is really bad!”
Aria, with her arms crossed, made an angry noise and turned her head. Samuel became restless as he looked at his pouting younger sister.
Looking at him like that, Evelia burst out laughing.
She sincerely stroked Aria’s silver hair.
“It’s because your brother and your parents care a lot about you. I’m glad you get better. But just in case, should I ask Erin to check on you?”
Aria pursed her lips and showed her displeasure. But she soon nodded.
“Okay. Since this is Sister Eve’s request, I will especially grant it.”
“Thank you.”
Evelia called Erin, who was waiting in the next room. Erin looked at Aria, who was still upset.
“Fortunately, there is no major problem.”
Aria confidently shouted.
“Look! I’m fine!”
Erin smiled faintly and continued her explanation.
“Your body is healthier than the last time I saw you. I guess the Talan flower definitely had an effect.”
“I know that!”
Aria raised her hand and pretended to know.
“Tasteless tea! It’s not tasty, but my brother tells me to drink it every day!”
Samuel laughed awkwardly.
“It’s definitely not tasty. But Aria, things that are good for your health don’t taste good.”
“Hmm.”
“Anyway, I don’t think you need to worry.”
Only after the treatment was over did Ruth hesitate and ask Aria.
“So can you play with me now?”
“Of course!”
“Can we play in the garden?”
“Yes!”
“Eve, can we play in the garden?”
Evelia answered willingly.
“Of course.”
“Yeay!”
The two children ran out of the drawing room without a second thought.
Samuel looked back, but Aria was gone.
He laughed awkwardly.
“You shouldn’t run… Still, seeing her running around makes her look a lot better than before.”
“What a relief.”
“It’s all thanks to the young lady.”
“I’m glad it helped. I really appreciated the information.”
“I’m honored to be of service.”
Samuel smiled, placing his right fist on his left chest and slightly lowering his upper body.
“Anyway, shall we go to the garden? I’ll tell the maid to prepare some refreshments.”
“No, I was only going to drop Aria off today.”
Evelia asked curiously.
“So you’re leaving already?”
“Yes. I guess I can’t stay here…”
“Ah…”
She was soon convinced.
‘It’s because It doesn’t look good for the soon to be Duchess to bring a man to the mansion.’
There were no rational feelings between the two, but in the eyes of others, there was a risk of misunderstanding.
“I see.”
“Then I will send the carriage later.”
“Why don’t you come in person?”
“I’m busy with work today.
“Okay. Then go back carefully.”
Samuel bowed lightly and left the drawing room.
Evelia watched him walking away and headed towards the garden where the children would be.
*****
“It was fun!”
“Yes!”
The children were satisfied after running around in the garden. Although their clothes were tangled from falling, the two children’s smiles were bright.
Evelia asked as she wiped the two children’s cheeks with a handkerchief.
“Did you get hurt?”
“No!”
Still, I wasn’t reassured, so I only let Ruth and Aria go after examining their arms and legs.
Evelia was secretly impressed when she saw Aria looking fine.
‘It seems the Talan flower was really effective.’
Aria’s face was a little red from running around, but there didn’t seem to be anything wrong with her.
On the contrary, it was nice to see her face come back to life.
At that moment, the maid reported that a carriage had arrived from Denoa. Evelia walked out to the front of the mansion, holding Ruth and Aria’s hands in each hand.
The Denoa family’s coachman bowed politely.
“I came to pick you up, young lady.”
“I want to play more…”
Aria grumbled.
“You can come visit again next time! Is that okay, Eve?”
Ruth said bravely.
“Sure. You can come visit again next time.”
Only after hearing the answer did Aria get into the carriage, escorted by the coachman.
The way she kept looking back at us made her regret it.
“See you later!”
“Goodbye!”
The carriage carrying Aria left the Duke’s residence. And soon a carriage with the Adelhard family emblem engraved on it entered the mansion.
Eventually, the carriage stopped and Cassis got out. He nodded to the employees who were greeting them, and when he saw Ruth and Evelia, he approached them with a slightly surprised face.
“Why are you here?”
“Ah, Lady Aria has come. We just about to see her off and go in.”
“Lady Aria, do you mean Lady Denoa?”
“Yes.”
Cassis was silent, as if he was lost in thought. Instead of waiting for his answer, Evelia went inside, because she was hungry.
Cassis followed her a beat later.
“Sir Denoa…”
“What?”
“It’s nothing.”
Cassis said nothing and went ahead up the stairs.
‘What? I think he said something about Samuel.’
Evelia blinked as she watched Cassis back walking away, and then started walking again.
*****
It has already been a month since Evelia came to the Adelhard Mansion. The wedding is only two months away.
Perhaps because Logan thought she had adapted to living in the mansion, Logan began discussing the wedding with Evelia in earnest.
“I think it would be a good idea to have the dress made at Madame Olette’s salon.”
Madame Olette was one of the top designers in the capital.
She was especially good at making wedding dresses. It was said that any noble daughter in the capital would wish to wear Madame Olette’s wedding dress design.
“But there’s only two months left, is it possible? I heard that you have to make a reservation at Madame Olette’s salon at least six months in advance.”
