The lady entered the parlor with an expressionless face. Despite nearing fifty, her gaze was sharp like a tiger’s. Her entire presence exuded dignity, dressed in a deep mahogany gown and draped in a shawl made from manticore leather she had skinned herself.
It was Barbara Cavill, Gray’s biological mother and Regina’s mother-in-law.
“Mother, you’re here?”
“Yes. Are you feeling better? You’ve come all the way down here.”
“Yes, thank you for your concern.”
“You’re something else, aren’t you? The moment you regain your strength, you start picking on the poor servants?”
Barbara seemed to have overheard the earlier conversation. Regina thought this was for the best.
“Mother, if you permit, I’d like to replace my personal maid.”
“And why is that?”
“Dina is still young and reckless, which makes her unsuitable to serve someone in my position. I hope to assign another maid as my personal attendant.”
“How can you be so heartless? When you were bedridden for an entire year, who served you? Instead of rewarding her for her dedication, you want to punish her for a bit of clumsiness?”
Oh no. Regina momentarily forgot that Barbara had a strong sense of loyalty and grudges. As long as Barbara believed Dina had devoted herself to caring for Regina, she wouldn’t allow the replacement.
“Mother, as for how Dina cared for me…”
“Mistakes can happen in the course of work. As a superior, you shouldn’t be so petty and narrow-minded. Think of what the maids might gossip about.”
Barbara was the kind of person who sometimes hid a soft heart behind sharp words.
In the past, Regina used to fear and avoid her mother-in-law, who would scold her with just a glance. But when Regina lay bedridden, practically half-dead, Barbara had occasionally opened her bedroom door to check on her with worried eyes.
Even now, most of Barbara’s sharp words, if filtered properly, were expressions of concern for Regina. She even twitched one eyebrow, as if regretting her own harsh tone.
“I’m sorry, Mother.”
“Do you have no pride? Why apologize after hearing unpleasant words?”
“You said those things because you’re worried about me, didn’t you? I could never dislike that.”
Barbara looked slightly flustered, as if she hadn’t expected this response.
“It’s only been three years since I became the mistress of this household, and one of those years was spent in bed. In my current position, where I still lack respect, you’re worried I might lose the trust of the staff, aren’t you?”
“…Well, think of it that way if you like!”
Barbara turned her head sharply. Small scars were visible on her once-flawless skin, evidence of her fierce past as a knight.
“Since you’ve given me such valuable advice, Mother, I’ll follow it this time.”
Regina felt she might need more concrete evidence to persuade Barbara. Seeing Regina step back, Barbara’s gaze softened.
“Well, if you put it that way…”
“What’s going on here?”
Just as Barbara was about to say something, Gray, who had just returned home, entered through the front door, interrupting the conversation.
“I see everyone’s here. But I doubt you’re all here to welcome me.”
His gaze shifted between the two women in a way that felt peculiar. Since it appeared as though Barbara had been scolding her daughter-in-law, Regina quickly intervened.
“Welcome home, dear. Mother was just advising me on household matters.”
“You’ve only just gotten out of bed. Wouldn’t it be better to rest a bit more?”
Gray grabbed Regina’s arm and guided her to the sofa. The faint scent of spring wafted from his winter coat, which he had yet to take off.
“You look pale, my dear.”
He was right. Her legs were trembling, and sweat beaded at her temples, causing loose strands of hair to stick to her skin. To think she was this worn out from simply coming downstairs to the parlor.
As Regina habitually adjusted her hair, a bitter smile crossed her lips. How foolish a woman in love could be. Even as her vision swam, she was more worried about looking unsightly in front of him.
“This is perfect timing. I’ve brought you a gift.”
“A gift?”
A cold, heavy bracelet was fastened to her wrist. It was platinum, adorned with three thumb-sized diamonds.
“Don’t you like it?”
Seeing her stiff, startled expression, he tilted his head.
“I instructed them to pick the most expensive item from the latest shipment of luxury goods. If you don’t like it, I’ll have them bring something else.”
“No, it’s beautiful. Thank you.”
Aware of Barbara’s watchful eyes, Regina couldn’t refuse. Perhaps it was his arrogant gaze, so proud of his gift, that made the ornament feel less like an accessory and more like a shackle.
“Ah, it seems marriage has made him see no one but his wife,” Barbara quipped.
“Mother, must you phrase it like that… Oh.”
Gray, as if struck by a sudden realization mid-conversation, reached out toward the vase. He picked up the wilted flowers, shook off the moisture carelessly, and offered them to Barbara with a bright smile.
“Here, a gift for you, Mother.”
“I don’t need it! Do you think I’m a fool?”
Barbara, brimming with indignation, kicked open the parlor door and stormed out. Thinking he should follow her, Regina turned to look at Gray, but he was already looking at her.
“Shall we head to the bedroom now?”
“W-What did you say?”
“Coming down to the parlor was admirable, but it’s still too soon to push yourself. You should rest more.”
Ah, so that’s what he meant. Embarrassed by her misunderstanding, her cheeks flushed bright red.
Gray personally escorted her to the bed. Not stopping there, he continued to ask her questions while she changed into more comfortable sleepwear.
“How are you feeling today?”
“Uh… I’m fine.”
“Have you eaten?”
“Yes.”
“And your medicine?”
The unusual display of concern set her on edge. Yet, the edge wasn’t aimed at him—it was pointed inward, at herself.
She feared she might foolishly fall for the fleeting warmth again. Gray seemed to notice her guardedness as well.
“Regina.”
With a bitter smile, he bent down to meet her gaze.
“Didn’t you ask me once? To love you, even just a little?”
“And you answered, didn’t you? That a married woman shouldn’t still be prattling about love like a naive girl.”
The scars his words had left behind lingered in her glassy eyes, like white scratches etched across their surface. Gray stared at them for a moment, frowning slightly.
“I’m sorry for hurting you. If you’d give me the chance, I’d like to set things right, even now.”
“Are you serious?”
“Of course.”
As if apologizing, he kissed the bracelet on her wrist and offered her a radiant smile. His silvery eyelashes cast shadows over deep navy eyes that shimmered like the Milky Way, and his red lips curved in an alluring arc. In that moment, even the dazzling brilliance of the diamond seemed to dim.
“Why the sudden change of heart?”
Regina knew herself well. Her already fractured affection was holding together by a thread and wouldn’t survive another blow.
“Because I don’t want to lose you.”
“Gray…”
“As you know, I’m not the kindest man, so I’m not sure I’ll meet your expectations. But I’ll try.”
Gray’s gaze was calm as he spoke, devoid of any desperation or passion to convince her.
It’s a lie. Just something to soothe me.
Once, she might have believed him joyfully. A heart unrequited melts like wax under the warmth of the beloved’s presence. Before, his touch alone would have dissolved the walls she’d built and left her defenseless.
“Thank you for saying that.”
Hiding her wavering thoughts, she gently took his hand.
“But, my dear, just out of curiosity… if it doesn’t work out, what then?”
“Then I suppose I’d have to grant you a divorce, as you wish.”
“…!!”
“Did you really expect that answer?”
His grip on her hand tightened.
“I’m afraid I can’t let that happen.”
His voice was soft, his tone tinged with amusement. But his cold eyes, devoid of even a single star, trapped her like an icy prison.
“How heartless of you. To demand a firm promise of divorce from a husband willing to try. Don’t you think you’re overestimating your own charm, my dear?”
***
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