(6) A Dried-Up Heart

After grumbling for quite some time, Talet looked around and whispered softly to Asla, “Please keep this a secret.”

Asla smiled slightly, finding his behavior amusing.

When the beautiful lady who had been like an expressionless doll smiled like a painting, Talet and May couldn’t take their eyes off Asla.

Unaware that they were entranced by her smile, Asla thought to herself.

Though Talet, as a secretary, had criticized his master Enoch, Asla naturally decided to let it pass.

As he said, Enoch was the abnormal one for ordering her to visibly gain weight immediately.

‘Since when did he start thinking of me that way.’

Both regaining lost weight and refilling a wounded, dried-up heart with trust.

All of it takes time.

‘Though there probably won’t be such time for Enoch and me in the future.’

As Asla began to look depressed again, Talet hesitantly approached her.

“My lady. Following the master’s orders, I am investigating what happened between the Grand Madam and you. However…… only fragments have been revealed, as all the employees are keeping their mouths shut about the details.”

“……That’s to be expected. They’re all the Grand Madam’s people, and they must fear her retaliation.”

Asla spoke calmly, but inside she was bruised black.

The employees at the Ventus mansion served Margo as their master even more than Enoch, the actual owner.

‘Even if I accept it, they shouldn’t disregard the head of the household, Enoch.’

Since it was Enoch’s order, the employees should have faithfully cooperated with the investigation according to the head of the family’s command, but they all kept their mouths shut.

‘What a foolish person. No matter how much I hate being his wife, he should have at least secured his own position.’

Talet felt even more sorry as shadows fell across Asla’s face.

“Honestly, I was shocked. You were a noble royal from the Holy Kingdom, yet why would the Grand Madam do such things……”

‘You’re just as foolish, Talet.’

Asla clicked her tongue inwardly. She felt fortunate that May was busy organizing things at a distance and couldn’t hear their conversation.

Talet firmly clenched his fist and requested of Asla.

“Though it may be difficult, if you could tell me directly about the incidents, I plan to investigate in reverse.”

“I’m not sure.”

Would anything change even if she did?

Seeing Asla clam up again, Talet let out a heavy sigh.

Asla, who had been thinking that Talet’s neat and tidy appearance resembled someone, urgently asked him.

“Talet. Do you perhaps have an older brother? Or a distant relative? I saw someone who resembles you.”

The man she had first seen in her dream resembled Talet.

Talet looked at Asla with a puzzled expression, tilting his head before answering.

“Yes, I have an older brother named Robert Hesse. He’s never visited the mansion, but he’s the vice president of the master’s company in the capital. He does resemble me quite a bit.”

“Is he taller than you…… with a tear mole beside his eye?”

“He couldn’t even attend the wedding, so how do you know? He has brown hair, is quite tall, has a tear mole, and thin lips. Is that right?”

Shocked, Asla froze like a statue.

The man Talet described was definitely the man who had spoken to her when she was Enoch in the dream.

He was really an actual person.

‘Then…… it wasn’t just a simple dream, but God showing me the real past?’

While Asla was extremely confused and unable to collect her thoughts, May, who had finished tidying up, quickly approached Asla and firmly placed a spoon in her hand.

“My lady! You should eat now. It won’t taste good if it gets cold. Secretary, please remain quiet until my lady finishes her meal.”

“……Understood.”

As Talet awkwardly stepped back, Asla took the spoon and nodded.

May’s actions could have been considered rude, but her concern for Asla was clearly felt.

So Asla actually felt better.

It had been a long time since she had received kindness from a subordinate.

Suddenly reminded of her nanny again, Asla felt like she might cry, so she bowed her head deeply and sipped the warm broth.

May’s boast that this was the most famous health food in the city was not an exaggeration.

Though Asla couldn’t finish it all, she ate quite a lot because it tasted so good.

Moreover, the broth, boiled with all kinds of herbs and substantial meat, truly had an effect, making her usually limp limbs feel stronger.

Especially her constantly damp, depressed heart seemed to become fluffy as if dried in the sun, making her feel much more at ease.

Whether it was because of the health food, because she had left the Ventus mansion, or because of the kind and affectionate maid taking care of her.

Though she couldn’t pinpoint the reason, Asla felt like she was finally breathing properly.

While Asla was resting in the hospital room after eating the health food, Enoch discharged her.

She had thought they would depart immediately for the capital since her condition had improved, but she was surprised when Enoch took her to the Luitel Hotel, said to be the largest and most expensive in Dynus city, without any discussion.

“We need to go to the capital.”

When Asla grabbed Enoch’s arm and whispered as he was talking with the deeply bowing manager of the Luitel Hotel, he put on a stern expression.

“How can we depart immediately when you’re so weak? In this state, you’ll collapse again on the way, so rest for a few days.”

“Enoch.”

“The hospital room is small and uncomfortable. It’s ridiculous for the Duchess of Ventus to stay there. Rest at the hotel, have the doctor examine you again, and then we’ll leave.”

“But.”

“Asla Ventus.”

Hearing Enoch’s low voice calling her gently rather than in a sharp, cold tone, Asla unconsciously released his arm.

Her husband called her full name after their marriage for the first time.

Being called “Asla Ventus” by him suddenly felt unfamiliar.

‘So I was Asla Ventus.’

But had she ever really been Asla Ventus?

Pain, sorrow, loneliness, misery.

Listing the emotions she had felt while living as Asla Ventus made her truly sad.

When Asla closed her mouth and let out a cynical laugh, Enoch stared at her intently, and Asla quickly nodded, afraid he might detect her emotions.

“Alright.”

Though nothing would change by resting for a few days, it probably wouldn’t be too long either.

In truth, as long as it was a place without Margo, she could at least breathe. She considered that enough.

Asla thought it would be good to rest with the pleasant May, as Enoch would likely neglect her during their stay at the hotel anyway.

Besides, she needed time to calmly organize her thoughts about the complex dream God had shown her.

Arriving at the largest suite under the guidance of the Luitel Hotel manager, Asla looked around the room with May.

While May chattered about how this was the largest and most luxurious room, one of a kind in the Luitel Hotel, Asla’s gaze was fixed on Enoch, who was leaving with Talet.

‘As expected.’

Asla smiled bitterly.

Her husband distanced himself from her, as always.

Having grown accustomed to such loneliness, Asla turned away without lingering feelings and collapsed onto the bed.

After taking a short nap and waking up, Asla found Enoch had returned.

Wondering why he had come back so soon, she tilted her head as he handed her a large jewelry box.

Enoch appeared slightly stiff, as if nervous.

“We’ll have dinner outside. Wear these to adorn yourself if you wish.”

“……”

Asla, who had received the jewelry box in bewilderment, looked back and forth between the box and Enoch.

‘A gift……?’

Had he ever given her a gift before?

Too surprised to even think of saying thank you, Asla closed her mouth tightly and stared at him. Enoch rubbed his chin, frowned, and then left again.

“My goodness. It’s the Gruije logo. The Ventus ducal family is truly different.”

May made a fuss, opening her eyes wide upon discovering the expensive luxury brand logo embedded in the jewelry box.

Having grown up serving the Marquis family at the Kroitz mansion, May knew well that this brand was so expensive that even the lady and young lady there found it burdensome to purchase.

“My lady, my lady! Please sit here.”

“Ah…… alright.”

Having received an unexpected gift, Asla stood in a daze before sitting at the dressing table with May’s support.

Asla stared blankly at May, who was humming happily, and wondered why Enoch had done such a thing.

Noticing her gaze, May smiled brightly.

“Don’t you like it, my lady?”

Only then did Asla look at herself in the mirror, and her eyes widened.

Asla made a troubled expression and spoke carefully.

“No…… this is too flashy……”

“Oh my, these splendid accessories would suit no one but our lady with her lovely cotton candy-like hair.”

Asla’s lips curled up slightly as she watched the excited May.

When May described her hair as cotton candy-like, Asla was reminded of her nanny again.

‘My nanny also said my hair was like fluffy cotton.’

Remembering her nanny’s affectionate touch, Asla felt a heaviness in her chest.

Asla firmly shook her head as she pulled off the sparkling jeweled, feathered headband from her hair.

“Still, this isn’t right, May.”

“Yes, I understand. But this May won’t give up. There must be accessories that will please you, my lady!”

When Asla refused, May slightly drooped her shoulders but soon sparkled her eyes combatively as she selected hair accessories.

Seeing May excited about the beautiful and expensive accessories placed in the large velvet box, Asla simply couldn’t bring herself to stop her.

‘I thought I shouldn’t have accepted it, but May seems to like it.’

“Ta-da! Look at this, my lady. Isn’t it pretty?”

“……Hmm? I, I see.”

May was good with her hands.

Asla, who had been trying to play along with her, was genuinely impressed when she saw her reflection in the mirror.

May twisted and braided Asla’s pink hair this way and that, then skillfully secured it with three small pearl combs.

As her swan-like long white neck was revealed, she felt refreshed in her mind as well.

Asla always tied her hair neatly down with a net, but with May styling it so vibrantly, she finally looked appropriate for her actual age.

Asla carefully touched her hair, as the softly glowing white pearls complemented her hair so perfectly.

“Thank you, May.”

“No need for such words. I should be the one thanking you for letting me touch such beautiful, lovely hair, my lady.”

May smiled with a friendly charm. Asla liked her more and more.

So she made a decision.

She would absolutely not take her to the Ventus mansion.