“It’s a wonderful restaurant.”

“Now you sound like you’re reading a book.”

“……It would be troublesome for Sir Duston if there were ears outside.”

“That would defeat the purpose of a special room.”

Pendlore, cutting her off, tapped the table lightly with his fingertips. The slow sound continued briefly, then abruptly.

“You have many dependents, Mrs. Brill.”

“……Pardon?”

Her green eyes grew round. Dependents? How did he know that?

“Perhaps Lady Rizan…… no……”

Radilt stopped speaking, nearly biting her tongue. There hadn’t been time for that at the party venue. Pendlore had snatched her away and taken her outside as soon as he asked for her name.

“A mother-in-law, a brother-in-law, a sister-in-law. Another brother-in-law took the property and title outside the house and left.”

“……”

That man already knew about her family situation. Had he investigated while she was at the shop?

Radilt lowered her eyes in shame and tightly clasped her hands on her lap.

She had long accepted her circumstances. She thought there was no need to be newly pessimistic about it, but still, having it dissected in detail by that man’s lips was embarrassing and miserable.

“I can’t help but express sympathy for your efforts, being the only one truly working.”

“……”

She couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t bear to meet the blue-gray eyes directly facing her. Just when Radilt was about to completely sink into invisible water.

Ding, a bell rang. It was a small bell on one wall connected to the outside. After the bell that served instead of a knock rang and a brief interval passed, the curtain slowly parted.

“Excuse me.”

Wine in an ice basket was placed beside the table, and the server poured a small amount into a glass for tasting. Unlike Radilt, who sat stiffly watching cautiously, Pendlore skillfully took the glass, savored the aroma and taste, then nodded slightly.

“Mrs. Brill, are there any ingredients you find difficult to eat?”

The server who had poured wine into both glasses asked. Radilt quickly answered that there were none. Then to the question of whether to bring out the food right away, Pendlore said to do so. When the server left again, a long sigh escaped from between Radilt’s lips.

“I specifically reserved a special room, so please dine comfortably today.”

Today. In other words, next time would be in a place where others’ gazes could reach. And the man wanted Radilt to act skillfully in such places as well. To match him.

Radilt ground her molars at the cold words coated with kindness. How had Pendlore acted just now? The shape of his long, thick fingers gripping the wine glass, the elegant motion of lifting it, the red tint flowing lightly as it touched his lips.

“……I don’t have confidence in mastering it all at once.”

Recalling each detail in her mind, Radilt said.

“If I encounter a situation I don’t understand, I’ll wait for your actions,  Sir Duston.”

Instead of making mistakes, I’ll watch you and follow.

Pendlore’s eyes curved faintly at those words. Though she wasn’t sure, he didn’t seem displeased. Rather, it felt closer to the opposite.

“The sponsorship seems worthwhile, madam.”

“Thank y—… I declined the sponsorship.”

“In your circumstances.”

Pendlore’s voice held no mockery. His straightforward statement of fact made Radilt’s ears burn hot. Nevertheless, Radilt didn’t back down. This time, she looked directly into those dim blue-gray eyes.

“Yes. I have lived this way until now, and I will continue to live this way, so I must decline.”

You are merely a passing gale. Even if I stumble and fall in your whirlwind, there’s no reason to change my life for a breeze that will soon disappear.

Instead of answering, Pendlore raised his wine glass. Red liquid swirled before the colorless man. Before the uncomfortable silence could lengthen, the bell rang again.

“Grilled rurman mountain scallops with king crab salad and white wine jelly. I recommend dipping the scallops in this sauce. The jelly can be eaten with this mother-of-pearl spoon.”

The server who had politely brought the food bowed and left. Radilt, intimidated before the unfamiliar food despite her earlier firmness, glanced nervously at Pendlore, waiting for him to pick up his fork first.

“There’s no need to be so tense.”

Pendlore said, lightly stirring the salad with his fork.

“The server will kindly explain everything step by step, just as you’ve seen. The restaurants you’ll visit with me will only be such places.”

High-end restaurants with perfect service that prioritize guest comfort. The tip of his fork speared a piece of king crab meat and lifted it.

“If you maintain a reasonable level of dignity, all you lack is composure, madam.”

“I’ll try my best.”

It wasn’t as difficult as she had expected. Radilt sighed with relief and slowly picked up her fork. The tender crab meat paired with fresh vegetables, and the complementary dressing was delicious.

‘Ah……’

Only when food entered her stomach did she realize how hungry she had been. She hadn’t even had a sip of water at the party venue and had only taken a little tea at the shop. She could almost hear a small growling sound from within.

Though she tried not to show that she was eating hastily, Radilt’s plate was soon empty. She gave a small fake cough and placed her hands neatly on her lap. Fortunately, Pendlore simply observed her quietly without any criticism.

The subsequent dishes were all equally delicious. The server kindly explained each dish, and Pendlore served as a good example. Along with this, her tension gradually eased, and Radilt was able to finish dinner rather enjoyably.

“We look forward to your next visit, Sir Duston. Goodbye, Mrs. Brill.”

Radilt boarded the carriage while receiving the server’s farewell. Thankfully, no words were exchanged on the way to Radilt’s home. The carriage stopped in front of the old mansion. A servant came out carrying stacked boxes of clothes and shoes.

“Madam, where should I put these—”

“I’ll carry them!”

Radilt quickly said, looking back at the dimly lit house with its first-floor lights off. When the late dinner ended, it was already night. Her mother-in-law typically went to bed early and would have retired to her bedroom by now. Still, she felt suddenly afraid of encountering her while dressed like this.

She had prepared herself, yet despite everything starting because of her sister-in-law’s new dress, when the moment actually came, she wanted to hide.

“Thank you for tonight’s dinner. Please leave now.”

Radilt bowed her head while struggling to receive the boxes. Instead of answering, Pendlore glanced at the small mansion and turned away. The carriage door closed and soon moved away. The house remained quiet.

‘Whew……’

Entering through the front door, a sigh of relief naturally escaped—home was still home after all. Just as she was feeling her way through the darkness to turn on the living room lights.

“Why are you so late?”

Her mother-in-law’s icy voice reached her.

Creeak, the front door slowly closed behind Radilt. Green eyes trembled faintly, looking at Merdea standing in the darkness. The oil lamp in Merdea’s hand rose, casting a long, yellowish dim light.

“What is that outfit?”

Merdea asked, raising the end of her eyebrow. Despite the dim visibility, it was unmistakable that her daughter-in-law’s appearance had completely changed from when she left. No, it was impossible not to notice.

The shabby, outdated, dull dress was gone, replaced by an elegant blue fabric that shimmered even in that faint light. The dress that gradually deepened in color toward the top emphasized her full bosom without being vulgar, wrapped in a thin silver thread shawl. Silver ornaments sparkled on her exposed long neck and white arms.

“Well, they said my attire was unsuitable, so they lent me this.”

Radilt quickly said. It wasn’t a lie. Pendlore had dressed her up to match his standards. Of course, Merdea understood it to mean that Lady Rizan, the party host, had lent her the dress.

Radilt prayed that her mother-in-law wouldn’t notice the luggage she had set down outside to open the door. She subtly moved her body to block the slightly visible gap in the doorway.

‘You sent me there, Mother. Did you truly not know this could happen?’

She momentarily felt bold enough to retort like that, but facing her mother-in-law, she instinctively shrank back and tried to hide. Since her husband’s death, she always felt like a criminal in front of her mother-in-law.

Merdea’s cold gaze pierced through her daughter-in-law. Then she bluntly spat out.

“Stupid and foolish thing.”

“……”

“Would that woman lend such an expensive dress out of goodwill? She meant for you to dress up and attract men who would make donations. Her dark intentions are obvious, yet you just wore whatever was given? Or did you suddenly remember you’re a widow once you entered the party venue?”

“No, Mother!”

Radilt quickly shook her head. But her mother-in-law’s expression remained utterly cold. The sound of her clicking tongue cut through Radilt’s heart like a dagger.

“To think I lost my son because of such a loose thing.”

Because of you, because of such a worthless thing.

Merdea turned away in disgust. The dim light retreated toward the bedroom.

Frozen in place, Radilt slowly moved to light a small flame in the entrance lamp. Though her heart ached, she felt surprisingly numb. Like a bruise that had turned black with death.