Chapter 25

“I know exactly what you’re thinking.”  

“…What do you think you know?”  

“It’s obvious. You’re probably wondering, ‘Is it okay for me to act like this, as someone who should uphold proper noble manners and follow the rules? Even preparing a dress like this, it seems like I intended for this to happen in the first place.’”  

At his words, which hit the mark, Hazel Hoover’s shoulders flinched.  

Of all things, her favorite eyes were staring at her—blue eyes with a deep violet hue that shimmered softly, as dark as midnight.  

When she looked into those eyes, she felt as though she were being bewitched. Hazel forced herself to turn her gaze away and answered stiffly.  

“…That’s not true.”  

“So stubborn.”  

“Stubborn? It’s absolutely not true.”  

Her firm response made Enoch Meyer grumble in a dissatisfied tone as he lightly pulled her toward him.  

Hazel tried to resist by planting her feet firmly, but in an instant, she found herself in his arms.  

For a moment, silence filled the room. All that could be heard was the faint sound of their breaths.  

Their hearts pounded so loudly that Hazel couldn’t tell if it was hers or his. Swallowing dryly, she tried to calm herself.  

I need to keep my distance.  

With that thought, Hazel shifted slightly in his arms.  

As if her movement had broken the spell, Enoch’s arms, which had been holding her tightly, loosened easily. Hazel straightened herself and stared at him directly.  

“What about you? Are you okay with this?”  

“With what?”  

“…Being like this with me.”  

Hazel finally voiced the question she hadn’t been able to ask before, swallowing hard afterward.  

The midday sunlight poured in behind him, illuminating his figure. His eyes, tinged with a faint shadow, seemed to shine even brighter in the light.  

Though his expression was obscured by the interplay of light and shadow, one thing was clear—his mood had sunk low.  

After a moment of locking eyes with her, Enoch finally spoke.  

“I’m fine. There are plenty of people who wish I’d behave like this.”  

In other words, being like this with her didn’t bother him at all.  

His hand reached out, brushing against Hazel’s hair as it fell past her shoulder. Fingering the slightly coarse strands, he spoke in a low voice.  

“What’s there to being the heir of a noble family? All anyone wants is for me to hurry up, get married, and have children. To produce an heir who will inherit the Meyer Marquisate and secure the family’s future. Even though I haven’t officially inherited the title yet.”  

“…I see.”  

“Most nobles are probably in the same situation. The details may differ, but in the end, we’re all treated like breeding stock.”  

Hazel didn’t know much about his family circumstances. However, she could understand why those around him would pressure him into marriage.  

For noble families, succession was passed down through bloodlines, and the head of the family had the duty to produce an heir. This was a value inherently accepted by anyone born into nobility.  

Even if a child was born with exceptional abilities, if their bloodline wasn’t noble, they wouldn’t be formally recognized in the family registry.  

Moreover, Enoch was the sole heir of the Meyer Marquisate.  

No matter what kind of trouble he caused, the title would ultimately be his. Hazel thought so, too.  

If not him, who else could become the head of the Meyer family?  

Bloodlines held immense significance for nobles. It was only natural that there would be great interest in who would inherit Enoch Meyer’s position.  

‘To be honest, I was curious about that, too.’  

Remembering how she once harbored a one-sided crush on him without knowing his true feelings, Hazel felt embarrassed and tried to suppress her expression from twisting further.  

Noticing her discomfort, Enoch gently stroked her cheek and spoke.  

“Maybe that’s why I’ve always thought I’d like to marry someone I love. It won’t be easy, though.”  

His bittersweet smile left Hazel unable to respond.  

As if trying to lighten the somber mood, Enoch smiled brightly and said,  

“I’ll go downstairs and bring up some soup or something warm. Stay here.”  

As he turned his gaze away, Hazel quickly scanned the room to locate her clothes. However, before she could resolve to do anything, Enoch turned back and pointed a finger at her.  

“Don’t even think about running off rudely. If you do, I’ll chase you to the ends of hell.”  

* * *  

In the end, Hazel only managed to leave the room after having breakfast with Enoch face-to-face.  

She didn’t even know how she managed to eat. She simply picked up the spoon when he told her to eat and lay down on the bed when he told her to rest.  

However, contrary to her expectations, Enoch let her go with a surprisingly calm expression.  

He even quietly arranged for a carriage to take her back to the estate, ensuring she wouldn’t have to show her face outside.  

‘…I’m exhausted. I need to rest as soon as I get back.’  

As soon as the carriage arrived at the estate, Hazel hurriedly crossed the garden as if fleeing. The front door was open.  

Did they leave it open for me so I could come in anytime?  

Feeling a bit dazed, Hazel pressed her hand to her forehead and cautiously opened the door.  

The hinges, seemingly ungreased, let out a loud creak that echoed painfully in her ears.  

All she could think about was reaching her room before anyone saw her.  

Closing the door slowly to avoid making noise, Hazel turned around—only to freeze in place at the sight of Vanessa standing right there.  

“Good morning, Hazel.”  

Vanessa greeted her with a bright smile, as if she had been waiting for her.  

Though her expression was soft and kind, the sharp undertone in her gaze sent a shiver down Hazel’s spine.  

“…Good morning, Sister. Did you sleep well?”  

“Of course, I did. I haven’t had my tea yet, though. Would you like to join me?”  

Vanessa’s firm gaze made it clear that refusal wasn’t an option. Hazel closed her eyes tightly and then nodded with a resigned expression.  

At Vanessa’s instruction to prepare tea that would help them wake up, Emily hesitated, glancing at Hazel.  

But when Vanessa urged her to hurry, Emily scurried off, leaving Hazel alone with her sister.  

“Shall we drink it in the garden? The weather’s nice today.”  

“…Sure, okay.”  

Once again, refusal was impossible. Hazel followed Vanessa to the garden, looking as though she were being dragged to her doom.  

Emily, still uneasy about leaving Hazel alone with Vanessa, lingered for a moment before being dismissed by Vanessa, who told her to go about her tasks. With slumped shoulders, Emily left the garden.  

“……”  

“……”  

As soon as Emily left, a heavy silence fell between the sisters.  

Even though Hazel knew she hadn’t done anything wrong, just sitting across from Vanessa made her feel as though she were walking on eggshells.  

Vanessa, who had seemed like she was about to say something earlier, was now simply sipping her tea in silence.  

Judging by her demeanor, Vanessa genuinely seemed to have come to the garden just to drink tea.  

However, Hazel couldn’t bear the discomfort any longer and broke the silence first.  

“…Do you have something to say to me?”  

“No, not really.”  

“If you do, just say it. Don’t give me this silent treatment.”  

Unable to suppress her irritation, Hazel raised her voice slightly.  

When Vanessa’s gaze shifted to her, Hazel flinched and avoided eye contact.  

Vanessa slowly set down her teacup, her expression changing in an instant. Her eyes gleamed with a sharp, predatory light, sending chills down Hazel’s spine.  

“In that case, I do have plenty to ask.”  

Swallowing nervously, Hazel tensed up.  

Vanessa’s sharp eyes scanned her from head to toe before she smirked.  

“For starters, I’m curious why you’re wearing a different dress than the one I lent you. Who got it for you, I wonder?”  

“…You’re not going to ask why I didn’t come home last night?”  

Vanessa scoffed at Hazel’s hesitant question, as if it were too obvious to even address.  

Hazel could only glare at her sister, unable to refute her. No matter what, Vanessa was a frightening presence.  

Ignoring Hazel’s glare, Vanessa picked up a piece of finger food and pushed it toward Hazel’s lips.