Chapter 4 (Part 10)

Finally, they stood before the arched drawing room door.

Damon cleared his throat and brushed his jacket unnecessarily. The butler watched him for a moment and called out lowly.

“The master’s aide has returned.”

A moment later, a graceful voice echoed.

“Let him in.”

The butler looked back at Damon. When Damon nodded, the butler led the way inside. Damon kept his head low and stopped in front of black fox fur slippers.

He couldn’t bring himself to lift his head and only stared at the red carpet. The black fox fur slippers slightly moved.

“Where’s Cardin?”

Only then did Damon raise his gaze. Hernes, with clear skin, looked down at him indifferently. Her slightly lowered eyelids couldn’t hide the sharpness in her eyes, which exuded an overwhelming presence.

“He says he’ll be here by tomorrow afternoon.”

A sound of disbelief spread as she exhaled.

“He must have found that girl.”

Damon held his breath for a moment before answering.

“Yes.”

Suddenly, the surroundings felt deathly silent. Hernes stared intently at Damon. The butler shifted his eyes towards Damon. Just as the butler instinctively opened his mouth to speak,

“It’s a relief you’re Cardin’s man.”

“……”

“Otherwise, I would have handled it myself.”

Damon swallowed and bowed his head. His hands, clenched into fists, were clammy with sweat. Hernes picked up the glass of water in front of her. She slowly drank and then set the glass down.

“I managed to handle the Foyne situation on my end, but what about the dinner with Marquis Pendrick?”

“I personally sought his understanding. Fortunately, the Marquis was understanding of the Duke.”

“Of course. He’d think of the late Duke and not want to lose a good investment opportunity. But I heard he didn’t attend the noble meeting either.”

“The Duke moved urgently, so…”

“Even if that meeting didn’t require Cardin’s direct involvement, don’t you find this situation laughable?”

“I’m sorry.”

“What are you sorry for?”

Her voice rose elegantly at the end.

“I should be supporting the Duke well…”

“You are doing your best. The problem is Cardin.”

Damon had nothing to say. Hernes’s gaze, filled with a murderous intent, pierced him.

“He said he’s going to marry that girl?”

Damon felt a tension in his heart as he answered.

“It seems so.”

For once, Hernes sighed. The butler quickly refilled her glass with water. Hernes watched the glass fill and then spoke.

“No matter what I do, it doesn’t work. Whenever that girl is involved, he does his best to escape.”

“……”

“Even with this gold mine issue. He leaves me speechless.”

The butler calmly interjected.

“But wasn’t that something the master accomplished brilliantly?”

Damon nodded in agreement.

“Indeed. Securing the mining rights from the royal palace is a historic achievement.”

Hernes rubbed her forehead. The butler, noticing her discomfort, cautiously asked,

“Shall I bring some headache medicine?”

“No need.”

Hernes irritably lowered her hand and lifted her head.

“If Cardin acts that way, I can make that girl miserable enough to drive her away.”

She stood and ordered the butler,

“Bring me all the information on that girl.”

Hernes turned coldly and left the drawing room. Damon watched her leave with a puzzled expression. Once she was completely gone, Damon straightened up and looked at the butler.

“Butler, did you see that?”

“What do you mean?”

“The Madam. Doesn’t she seem much calmer than before?”

“Does it really seem that way to you?”

“If not, why did she let it go so easily now?”

“No. Since she asked for all the information, she’ll become more meticulous. After understanding everything about that girl, the Madam will pretend to be nice while achieving her goals.”

The butler seemed to have anticipated everything, looking troubled. Damon watched him with interest, and the butler spoke calmly.

“It’s late at night, so rest now. And don’t forget to bring the spinach ciabatta over the weekend.”

“Thank you, butler.”

The butler nodded briefly and left the drawing room. Although Damon’s mind was troubled by the butler’s expression, he felt relieved that the report ended lightly for the first time in a while.

He happily stretched and headed to the estate’s quarters.

* * *

As soon as morning came, Brienne’s mind was hazy. Perhaps it was because she hadn’t slept well the night before, but her body felt heavy. Cardin was hugging her waist.

Even when she tried to sleep, he wouldn’t let go. At that moment, there was a bustling sound outside. From the sound of clinking dishes, it seemed Kelle was already preparing breakfast.

As she tried to get up quickly, Cardin pulled her closer. She felt something firm. Startled, she tried to turn around, but Cardin lowered his head to her ear.

“Can’t we stay like this a bit longer?”

His slow-spreading words uniquely stimulated her ear. Her fine hairs stood up, and she felt tense below. Come to think of it, she was n*ked. He subtly pressed his thigh against hers.

“You didn’t get to sleep properly last night.”

She felt wronged.

“Of course, you went all the way.”

He laughed quietly.

“No, I didn’t.”

“Enough. I want to get up.”

She tried to push Cardin’s arm away, but it wouldn’t budge easily. It didn’t seem like he was applying much force, yet his arm was so firm and heavy.

Her strength left her hands.

“Cardin.”

He laughed and hugged her tighter, whispering.

“I’ll let go if you give me a kiss.”

Reluctantly, she turned her body. Facing him directly, her heart skipped a beat. Unable to look at him any longer, she lightly kissed his cheek.

As she tried to pull back, Cardin lifted her and stood up. Soon, his lips touched hers softly. Unlike her hurried peck, he persistently and leisurely intertwined their tongues.

Unknowingly, she was drawn into his breath as if entranced. Her breathing wavered, and a strange excitement arose as their firm bodies touched.

Cardin seemed to feel similarly, as his hand moved to her chest. She barely regained her senses and grabbed Cardin’s shoulder.

At that moment, Cardin hugged her tightly.

“Why do you keep trying to get away from me?”

His breath spread low, as if mixed with a sigh. She felt sorry for Cardin, yet believed she had no choice.

“Kelle worked hard to make dinner last night. I should help with breakfast.”

“You’re only thinking about Kelle.”

“That’s…”

Cardin chuckled and slowly pulled back his upper body. As their eyes naturally met, he rested his face on her shoulder.

“I want to stay like this with you, but what about you?”

His eyes, slightly looking back at her, were vivid. It reminded her of how he looked at the academy.

Staring blankly, his eyes gradually deepened. She belatedly regained her senses and stepped back. Cardin raised an incredulous brow.

She hastily put on the dropped dress and said,

“I’ll make a delicious breakfast.”

She left the room as if fleeing. Just then, Kelle saw her.

“Brienne, you could sleep more.”

Brienne quickly approached her.

“No, I slept enough.”

Kelle observed her closely and tilted her head.

“You look really tired, though?”

Brienne’s face flushed momentarily. 

Was it that obvious? 

As she unconsciously touched her cheek, Kelle laughed.

“I’ll handle it, so spend more time with Cardin. Or you could take a walk around here.”

Come to think of it, this was the last time here, so it might be nice to look around with Cardin. Just then, the sound of a door opening startled her. She turned to see Cardin coming out of the room.

He greeted Kelle warmly.

“Did you sleep well?”

While wrapping an arm around Brienne’s waist and drawing closer. Watching tensely, Cardin kissed her cheek before looking at Kelle.

“Shall I help you?”

At his words, Kelle hurriedly waved her hands.

“No! It’s alright! I can’t possibly let you do that, Your Grace. Take a short walk around here with Brienne. I already mentioned it to her.”

Cardin looked back at Brienne. Kelle seemed to feel slightly uncomfortable around Cardin. Considering his status and being the lord of this land, it couldn’t be entirely comfortable.

Brienne thought it would only make things awkward if she insisted on staying here.

“We’ll take a short walk around here.”

Kelle smiled brightly and nodded in agreement. Brienne took Cardin’s hand.

“I’ll show you around the village.”

Cardin looked at her hand for a moment before slowly lifting his face. He smiled brightly and gave her a quick kiss on the lips.