Chapter 21

After dismissing Chris for an early night, Aneta gathered up the rest of the paperwork and spoke up.

“Looks like we’ve got that debt thing sorted out.”

“I didn’t realize you’d gone this far.”

Vernon recalled the scrawled words. Aneta had asked for a few more of Chris’s rights, and Chris had been happy to oblige.

Chris would have let it slide, knowing she had nothing to lose, but it allowed Vernon to settle the debt on her behalf.

“Since you’ve agreed to help, you might as well do it right. I’m going to add to the weight of your debt.”

“Thank you. I’ll help with anything as long as it doesn’t violate the law.”

Vernon looked at Aneta as if she were a benefactor. He would never forget the help he had received today.

“Aneta, just take over the obligations. I will settle the debt.”

“No. I don’t think that’s what you should do.”

“What? Why?”

“You probably got rejected by the Countess already. Am I wrong?”

For settlement, one’s consent is necessary. Despite wanting to repay, Vernon, who had been rejected repeatedly, muttered in surprise with a shocked expression.

“How did you know…?”

“I thought you might have tried to pay off all her debts instead of just taking her under my care. But seeing you go this far, the outcome was obvious.”

The words were irrefutable. He couldn’t argue, because it was all true.

“I think she would rather owe someone else than cause trouble for you.”

Aneta said what she saw and felt. She saw the reason in the way Chris looked at Vernon, but she didn’t comment on it.

It wasn’t her place to do so.

“I made it possible to settle the debt just in case of emergencies. So don’t even dream about it until you get permission from the Countess.”

“Is it really not possible?”

“It’s not.”

Barely holding on to what he thought was a chance, Vernon’s expression was visibly disappointed as he tried to sway Aneta’s heart, but she remained indifferent.

“Well, there is one way.”

“Just tell me whatever it is.”

“If you want to pay it off, then it’ll be a relationship where Chris’s money becomes your money, and your money becomes Chris’s money again. Then I’ll gladly accept it.”

“…You, you knew I liked Chris?”

Vernon’s face flushed as if on fire. Aneta casually replied to his stumbling words.

“Who wouldn’t know when you look at her like you’re about to die for her.”

“There’s someone like that next to you too. He’s stuck to you like glue and probably still feels depressed because he misses you.”

“Let’s stop having conversations where neither of us gains anything.”

“That’s what I wanted.”

***

“Here, this is the promissory note.”

“Good job.”

Two days later, Aneta accepted the promissory note Vernon handed her. Expecting him to come by after hearing from Isabel, Aneta glanced through it without much reaction.

As Carlos, who came to see her briefly because he missed her, cast a gloomy glance, the two of them diligently proceeded with the remaining tasks.

The morning sunlight slid down the fluttering curtains in the breeze, creating patterns of dappled shadows on the floor.

Their efforts melting into the peaceful scenery were bound to bring about a change that was previously unseen.

“I want to thank you once again.”

“You don’t have to be too thankful. You’ll repay it as much as you’ve received. If you have a conscience, I hope you won’t rashly interfere in welfare affairs.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, My Lady!.”

Vernon exaggerated his gestures, brushing off the near-joking warning. Feeling the silent pressure from behind, he decided it was best to leave now.

As expected, the moment he turned, he met the eyes of Carlos, who was glaring as if telling him to get lost.

Seemingly indifferent to meeting an old friend after a long time, Carlos stood still without a hint of movement, waiting only for Aneta.

“I’m leaving now.”

With a curt remark, the suppressed momentum regained its strength. Vernon, feeling the truth of the saying that “there is no friendship before love,” reluctantly turned away and walked away.

No sooner had Vernon disappeared beyond the closed door than Aneta adjusted her grip on the promissory note. As his footsteps faded, the sound of tearing paper echoed through the room.

Carlos, who had been eagerly closing the distance between them with Vernon’s departure, let out a deflated laugh as he looked at the torn promissory note.

“As expected, you’re someone who can’t help but be loved.”

With a teasing remark, he took the seat next to her.

“Seeing how much you care for him makes me almost jealous. Just letting you know in advance, I am jealous.”

“This is a kind of investment.”

“You’re lying.”

A firm voice fell over her head. Gathering the pieces of the torn note, he spoke.

“You saw your past self in Chris Deven, didn’t you? The way she struggled to take on all the responsibility as soon as she stood at the threshold of adulthood—that moved you.”

“…Was it that obvious?”

“It wasn’t obvious, but it couldn’t be hidden either. I’ve seen all the efforts you’ve made to support your family.”

Carlos laughed bitterly, knowing that contract marriage was just one of those endeavors. The realization hit him hard, even though he’d started with the same purpose.

“You seem to know too much about me.”

“I can’t afford to care about that. Instead, keep me by your side and watch over me. So I won’t blabber nonsense.”

As Carlos leaned in as if clinging to her, Aneta barely supported his body. Though he leaned on her, it looked as if she were the one in his embrace.

“You’re heavy.”

Though she meant for him to let go, Carlos pretended not to understand and drew her closer into his arms. Her scent intensified as he shifted his weight to her and wrapped his arms around her slender waist.

Trapped against his hard chest, Aneta tried to free her arms, but it was no use.

“Just stay like this for a moment, I have to go back soon, but at least until then.”

His breath, slowly exhaled, slid down her neck. His half-lowered gaze mimicked sorrow.

‘He said he came by for a mid-report, didn’t he?’

Carlos, who had left with Louise and the family knights, had visited several territories to inspect the guards. They were fulfilling their public duties but were planning to secretly detain Viscount Folter when the time was right.

“Please.”

Seeing his somewhat tired face, Aneta gave up pushing him away.

Taking advantage of the moment, Carlos buried his face in her gleaming neck.

The satisfaction of indulging in her scent filled him.

“I missed you.”

He murmured softly in a low voice, his heartfelt tone sweet enough to melt in her ears.

“I missed you every minute, every second.”

“If anyone hears, they might think we haven’t seen each other in years.”

“Time doesn’t determine the weight of longing. For me, a day felt like a year, Aneta.”

He couldn’t remember a life before loving her. With thoughts of not wanting to recall or dwell on it, he slowly pulled away.

“I have to go now.”

Though he wanted to stay with her a bit longer, time wasn’t on his side. Carlos ruthlessly severed his lingering attachments.

“Take care of yourself.”

His voice filled with concern reached her as he walked towards the window.

“Don’t worry.”

Turning back for a moment, Carlos cast a meaningful glance.

“I want to return to the everyday life where you’re present as soon as possible, Aneta.”

***

The first task Aneta assigned to Chris was to learn the basic duties of the members of the Welfare Department.

The training lasted only a week.

Chris had endured all kinds of hardships until now, and thanks to her experiences, she quickly made significant progress.

With each task she completed diligently, the members of the welfare department showered Aneta with praise for Chris.

This was why she called her in sooner than planned.

Aneta thoroughly guided Chris as she began to learn the job under her. She fulfilled her promise to let her benefit from her efforts.

But it wasn’t just about guiding her for no reason. Aneta taught her how to handle tasks as quickly and efficiently as possible.

As she absorbed the teachings like a sponge, it was undeniable that she was making progress. With her kindness and thoughtfulness, it didn’t take long for her to win over others’ hearts.

After Carlos detained Viscount Folter and delegated authority to Louise, he returned to find that Aneta was already smitten with Chris.

Unaware of this, Carlos headed straight to the office, ignoring Russell’s suggestion to rest at the mansion.

Thinking he finally had some time alone with her, he walked in lightly, only to see someone else in her seat, and his face darkened.

“You work fast. You’re already here?”

“…….”

As if unable to hear him, Carlos checked the nameplate. Seeing his and Aneta’s names written, he realized he hadn’t entered mistakenly.

“Vernon, why are you sitting in Aneta’s seat?”

“Chris is learning from Aneta, so I lent them my office for the time being.”

“Why not do it here?”

“Aneta said this space is shared with you, so she didn’t want the desk moved without your consent.”

It was a reasonable consideration since it was a shared space, but at this moment, Carlos couldn’t help but resent her choice.

“This is what I get for working on less sleep.”

“Don’t tell me that ‘this’ is me? …… Hey, Carlos, are you listening to me?”

“I have to go.”

Carlos turned to head to Vernon’s office. Sensing an opportunity, Vernon quickly followed, abandoning his attempt to get a response from Carlos.

Just as Carlos felt he had lost Aneta to Chris, Vernon felt he had lost Chris to Aneta. He used this as an excuse to at least see her for a moment.

“They seem to have gotten quite close in a short time. It’s the first time I’ve seen Aneta smile so brightly. I thought I was seeing things.”

He added that Chris also seemed to have a brighter expression, a faint smile lingering on her face.

“It’s a blessing in disguise.”

It was fortunate that they had a positive influence on each other. Carlos felt a mixture of relief and bitterness.

He had poured his heart and soul into helping her, only to see her give her heart to someone else. His jealousy towards Chris made him smile bitterly.

No matter how much he had tried and tried, he had never achieved what someone who suddenly appeared managed to accomplish it, making it difficult for him to maintain his composure.

As they neared Vernon’s office, Carlos calmed himself. He didn’t want to show jealousy right after returning.

When he opened the door, Aneta and Chris, who were taking a break, turned to look at him.

“Carlos?”

Aneta looked surprised to see Carlos return without any prior notice.

To have finished and returned so quickly after his grueling schedule. As memories of his visit to the palace flashed through her mind, Aneta couldn’t help but be impressed.

“Did you finish everything already? So quickly?”

“Yes. I handled everything perfectly, so you don’t need to worry anymore, Aneta.”

“I thought it would take at least another week.”

“I told you, a day felt like a year. I worked day and night to return to you as soon as possible.”

Chris was the only unfamiliar person present who witnessed Carlos’s unrestrained expression of affection. Surprised by his words, she glanced at Vernon in amazement.

Aneta, having never been able to express her feelings properly, found Carlos even more impressive.

“But when I came back, you weren’t there.”

Whether or not he realized that Chris was listening, Carlos’s attention was solely focused on Aneta.

“So I came to pick you up.”