Chapter 54 – Scope of Control

Although her hair, not completely dry, was slightly puffed and bothersome, Eloise descended the stairs with a composed expression.

However, when she finally reached the dining room, that feigned composure dissolved like sugar in tea.

Ansel Blaine was waiting for her, dressed sharply in his military uniform.

It was the same uniform he had casually draped over her trembling shoulders a few days ago.

Perhaps because of this, the atmosphere in the dining room felt markedly different from yesterday.

In the smoky air that filled the space, he was strikingly distinct.

‘…Too…’

The man before her was so perfect that Eloise found herself at a loss for words.

The beautiful boy who had stolen her heart on the hillside in early summer, now fully grown, was still breathtakingly handsome.

At least back then, merely looking at him hadn’t made her feel so faint.

Her heart hadn’t throbbed this way. It hadn’t inspired such embarrassingly greedy desires.

While he had stood straight and proper in front of his subordinates, he was now leaning back comfortably, legs crossed in a relaxed posture.

The smoke lazily rising from the cigar between his lips gave off a somewhat decadent vibe.

Though it was the same uniform, this disheveled appearance seemed like a privilege granted only to her.

No one else who worked with Captain Blaine would see him like this.

That thought subtly thrilled her.

“Why are you just standing there?”

He exhaled a faint stream of smoke and slightly lifted his smooth chin. His gaze was peculiar, as if looking down even while looking up.

Eloise, standing dazed at the doorway, seemed to please him, as a faint smile danced on his painted lips.

“Come here.”

“…”

Eloise obediently approached the table and sat down, yet for some reason, she felt as if she had conceded something. It was strange.

After all, she and he were neither fighting nor competing. Why did she feel this way?

‘It’s strange to be sitting across from him like this…’

Then Ansel, flicking his cigar, asked silently with his lips, ‘Do you dislike it?’ and Eloise quickly shook her head.

She glanced at her palm, which was healing nicely, then lifted her hands to the table, gently touching the wood grain.

The firm touch finally loosened her stiff lips.

“Good evening, Sir Ansel. You must have had a busy day.”

“Ha.”

His lips curved into a refreshing smile at her somewhat petulant greeting.

That smile was so dazzling that Eloise narrowed her eyes. His reply was even-toned and precise.

“The same as always.”

“But why did you call me so early if dinner isn’t ready yet?”

“Why? Are you hungry?”

“What?”

Instantly, Eloise’s cheeks turned the color of ripe raspberries.

Surely, she must have looked like a child caught stealing candy.

She had wanted to fluster him for once, but it was always she who ended up embarrassed.

“That’s not it, I just…”

She was diligently forming an excuse in her mind, something about appreciating the effort he had made the previous evening, but her thoughts abruptly stopped.

“Because I wanted to see you.”

“…”

“Is that not allowed? It doesn’t seem like you had any urgent business.”

He chuckled again at his own words.

When Eloise’s hands on the table involuntarily clenched, Ansel casually added,

“It suits you well.”

“…”

Her lips, which had briefly parted in a blush, pressed tightly shut again.

He was smiling so leisurely, yet she was helplessly fluctuating between winter and spring with every indifferent word he uttered.

It was utterly foolish.

In the end, it would all be a fleeting moment. This man would eventually become a faded memory. For now, she could only cling to such a helpless hope.

“I… feel a bit burdened by such gifts.”

Eloise responded in a weak voice, sounding almost whiny.

“When I came out of the bathroom, my clothes were gone, and I had no choice but to wear this.”

“I knew you’d say that, so I refrained from giving you outdoor clothes.”

“…”

Yes, receiving an outdoor dress would have been much more overwhelming.

He would have chosen something suitable only for noble ladies of high society.

A dress with matching bonnet, gloves, a pelisse, and shoes.

But why the sudden gift of clothes? 

Even amidst her confusion, the fabric’s touch against her skin felt dreamily soft, making her shiver involuntarily.

“Were my clothes really that shabby?”

“Of course not.”

He brought the cigar back to his lips and exhaled white smoke through his teeth.

The mist-like vapor seemed to dissipate before reaching her, yet Eloise felt as though she was taking it all in her face.

“I was bothered by where you were staying. I wanted you to at least sleep comfortably.”

Perhaps it was because his gaze was so intensely fixed on her…

“…The room is very comfortable. Thank you.”

Eloise emphasized each word in her response.

Then, after exhaling the remaining smoke, he placed the cigar on the tray and tilted his head slightly, as if trying to peer behind her transparent eyes.

“You’ll return it after it’s washed, right?”

“Ah…”

Only then did Eloise realize she had been inadvertently expressing her annoyance.

She also realized that she had been acting childishly since meeting Ansel today. That must be why he was speaking to her in a soothing tone, as if calming a child.

Even so, his expression remained icy cold.

A glance that felt oppressively commanding made her fingertips tingle.

“I’m sorry. I must be a bit tired.”

“Is that so?”

Ansel leaned back, his question languid. After a brief silence, a faint smile formed on his distinct yet softly curved face.

Fortunately, he didn’t probe what she was apologizing for. He simply asked,

“Did you have a busy day? I heard you returned only by evening.”

“Yes.”

He must have heard from the maid. Thinking this, Eloise agreed without showing surprise, and his cool gray-green eyes gradually narrowed.

They were like those of someone observing a very small, tame animal.

However, his face turned icy cold with her next words.

“I went to look for a job.”

“What?”

Eloise immediately noticed the unfiltered displeasure in his reaction.

His icy demeanor flipped the relaxed atmosphere in an instant.

Her heart tightened without a chance to resist, but at the same time, she felt a secret thrill.

Ansel was clearly perturbed. The man, who could have been mistaken for a statue adorning the gates of heaven due to his perfect composure, finally showed a crack. It was she who had fractured his composure.

Even if it was his instinct trying to keep her within his sphere of control, it was fine.

To forget Ansel Blaine, she had to surpass him and shake off her fear of him.

He definitely had a weak spot.

She couldn’t miss the opportunity to exploit that gap. As her thoughts reached this point, her lips parted involuntarily.

“I went to the place I used to work, and fortunately, things went well, so I got introduced to a new job.”

“What sort of job are you talking about?”

His response was incredulous, and Eloise’s eyes sparkled with defiance.

Words of fierce rebuttal bubbled up inside her, ready to spill out at any moment.

‘Are you belittling me because I’m a woman? Or do you still see me as an immature child? Or do you think I’m a troublemaker, as Mrs. Dunn said?’

But instead of launching those aggressive words, she calmed herself with a deep breath.

She had halfway seized control of the conversation and didn’t want to become a laughingstock again in a fit of childish excitement.

So, stay calm.

“Is there anything I can’t do? Even a noble like you works for a living.”

“Ha.”

He sighed coldly and rubbed his eyelids slowly. Then he responded in a deeply resonant voice.

“It’s different. My situation is a bit complicated. While it’s true that it’s directly connected to making a living for now, ultimately, I work to gain recognition. To set everything right.”

It was rare for him to speak at such length.

Eloise felt he was making an effort to persuade her, which was a good sign.

“I’m no different, Sir Ansel. My reasons are exactly the same as yours.”

“Don’t play with words, Eloise.”

“It’s not wordplay.”

Her voice, once melodiously soft, had now hardened slightly.

“For me, work means more than just making a living. I lived without knowing such a world existed, but I finally realized that life doesn’t have to depend on someone else; I can take the lead. The sense of achieving something on my own is essential to me right now.”

“…Lead? That’s good.”

Ansel lowered his gaze and suddenly chuckled, causing the smoke rising from the cigar on the tray to waver faintly.

Perhaps it was a misunderstanding, but Eloise somehow felt that his laughter was not scorn directed at her grand statements, but rather self-mockery.

“So.”

Just then, with all emotion seemingly drained from his face, Ansel posed the ultimate challenge.

“What is this great job that leads your life?”