Chapter 24: Pathetic Fool

Eirene and Gemma were so surprised by Kailro’s appearance that they forgot to greet him. Unlike them, Kailro asked again with his characteristic warm smile.

“Should I buy you some?”

Eirene almost declined. She managed to keep her lips sealed and nodded instead. Though being with Kailro made her uncomfortable, she recalled the day they met in the Phineas family garden. 

That day when he warned her to be careful of Siaran and her family. She had felt conflicted about using him despite her reluctance, but now she had made her decision. 

He was someone who had deceived her anyway. She didn’t need to feel guilty about it. Kailro bought bread from the merchant and held out the paper bag.

“The bread here is delicious, so I buy it sometimes too. Let’s not eat here though, let’s go over there.”

The place Kailro pointed to was a park. This first-time visit to a park revealed a world Eirene never knew existed. She had seen parks in books, but only partially illustrated, so reality differed from her imagination. 

There was a large lake with a rainbow-shaped bridge spanning across it. The weather had warmed considerably in late winter, allowing a flock of swans to glide gracefully through the water. 

Quite a few people strolled through the park. Judging by their attire, most were nobles: couples on dates, families on picnics, friends engaged in pleasant conversation. Everyone looked happy. 

Gemma and Eirene sat on the bench Kailro guided them to. Eirene and Kailro shared one bench while Gemma took the adjacent one. 

Feeling the warmth through the paper bag, Eirene removed her gloves and took out the bread. Unable to resist the savory aroma, she took a bite, and her vision seemed to brighten.

“Wow. This is really delicious.”

Kailro smiled at her spontaneous comment and ate his bread.

“The baker is skilled.”

“What did they put in this to make it so delicious? I think it’s the most delicious thing I’ve ever eaten.”

“Being with you like this makes me feel like we’ve gone back to the old days.”

At Kailro’s words, the savory taste of bread in Eirene’s mouth suddenly vanished. Those unwelcome childhood memories. 

Even if she had known something back then when she was young, innocent, and powerless, would things have been different? 

Knowing it was pointless to dwell on past times, she couldn’t help but feel bitter. Eirene stopped eating and put the bread back in the bag.

“You’re done already?”

“I’m full. But you, is it okay for you to eat like that?”

Although Eirene’s face was hidden behind the veil of her hat, Kailro’s wasn’t. A noble son sitting on a park bench tearing into bread made for good gossip. 

Understanding her question, Kailro swallowed the bread he was chewing and said it didn’t matter.

“This bread tastes best when eaten this way.”

“What will you do if the noble young ladies hear about this?”

“They’re not interested in me anyway. Since I’m not yet the official heir to the Phineas family, I’m excluded from the marriage market. If I become the heir, they’ll probably say it’s fine even if I’m ravenously tearing into meat instead of bread in the park.”

Most families determine their heir before adulthood, but Kailro was already an adult. Eirene couldn’t understand why Count Phineas kept Kailro in this position.

“Two years ago, on my sixteenth birthday, I was supposed to receive the title of baron, but it was canceled.”

Kailro told her before she could ask.

“Why?”

“It was my father’s decision, so how would I know?”

She could see bitterness shadowing his gentle smile. Having finished his bread, he dusted off his hands and stood up, suggesting they walk without Gemma. 

Seeing he had something to say, she went along with his wishes. Kailro, who had been quiet the entire time, only spoke after climbing onto the bridge over the lake.

“Have you seen Siaran lately?”

“I think it’s been a few days. He hasn’t come to the mansion recently.”

“I heard something strange, and I’m not sure if I should tell you.”

“…”

“But I think I should.”

Kailro began telling her what he had overheard while hiding behind a curtain.

* * *

After Kailro finished his story, Eirene turned her gaze toward the lake. Watching the movement of nearby swans, she sighed. Eirene was dumbfounded. Planning to take her child? 

She had never even thought about having a child with Clive, yet they were plotting such a thing. Well, that’s just like them. They were the kind of people who would do such things and worse. 

Even though she already knew what they were capable of, encountering new evidence still shocked her.

“But Kailro, those words are truly strange.”

“It’s the young lady’s body anyway.” 

The word “body” remained stuck in her mind, refusing to leave. The words that followed were equally bizarre. 

Why would Eirene’s good relationship with Clive mean a good relationship with Aishe too? Why did Aishe need to be equated with Eirene? 

Almost like they were the same person. No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t understand what it meant. 

When Eirene placed her hand on her head due to the gradually increasing headache, Kailro grabbed both her shoulders.

“I’ve been so bothered by what Siaran said that I couldn’t sleep. I’ll continue looking into it, so don’t worry too much.”

“Why are you continuing to investigate?”

She looked up at Kailro. Seeing her questioning gaze, he exhaled softly. He seemed to hesitate, struggling with difficult words.

“I want to help you.”

“But why?”

“Because my parents, Aishe, and I have wronged you.”

“You should think about yourself and our family first. That would be right.”

“You’re family too! I know it. I know we did something terrible to you. That’s why I want to apologize on their behalf. Of course, I know helping you won’t earn forgiveness for what was done, I know all that, but I still want to apologize. I want to at least earn the right to apologize.”

Eirene pushed back the veil of her hat. With the sun at her back, the light didn’t hurt her eyes. She quietly looked into Kailro’s eyes, wondering if she could trust him. 

She knew he was someone who couldn’t lie. Perhaps that’s why he had stopped visiting the underground room. 

Now I understand why I felt confused when I saw you last time. Because even though you inherited Count Phineas’s blood, you’re different from them. 

At the very least, the fact that he mentioned forgiveness proved he was different. 

Knowing this, I’ll still end up using you. Because I have to.

“Then I’m counting on you, Kailro.”

Eirene’s gaze returned to the lake. Two swans from the flock changed direction and passed under the bridge.

* * *

Splash. 

Water overflowed as Eirene entered the bathtub. She closed her eyes and waited for her worsening headache, which had intensified after parting with Kailro, to subside. 

Not wanting to arouse suspicion from the Count and Countess or the servants, they had returned separately. Someone might have seen Eirene and Kailro in the park, but returning home together was a different matter. 

She arrived in the late afternoon, and by then, the Count and Countess Phineas and Aishe still hadn’t returned. Were they completely at ease now? 

Eirene felt comfortable with their absence. On the other hand, it didn’t feel particularly good. Perhaps she had become sensitive due to recent events. 

Her head ached from thinking about what Kailro had told her during the entire carriage ride. 

Siaran’s words still wouldn’t leave her mind, and whenever the word “body” surfaced, she felt hurt like she was being stabbed with a needle. 

Eirene frowned as she looked at her hand, which she had kept outside the bathtub to keep the bandage dry. The cut on her palm had healed cleanly, but the headache persisted. 

It seemed only visible wounds could be healed. Now she was lost in thought about which part of the mansion to explore next. The materials in the secret space of the office contained nothing but children’s personal information. 

The source and use of the Phineas family’s funds. 

This was the most important thing, but where would they keep it? If it was in a location other than the mansion, the situation would become difficult. 

What should she do? 

Just as she was scooping water to splash on her face and about to submerge, there was a knock, and Betty entered with a flushed face.

“Miss Eirene! He’s here!”

“Who?”

“The, the Grand Duke has arrived!”

Ah, why did he have to come at this time of all times? She immediately got out of the bathtub and dried herself.

* * * 

Calmly seated and drinking the tea brought by a maid, Clive exhaled deeply the moment Eirene entered. 

She had been bathing, and having rushed out, her clean face without makeup showed a flush. 

Her still-damp hair clung to her cheeks and neck. It looked like black thread embroidered on white cloth. Eirene was the one who had just bathed, so why did he feel so hot? 

Clive inserted his index finger into the collar of his shirt and pulled it slightly.

“Did you come because you received my message?”

She walked slowly toward him.

“No.”

His voice came out hoarse. Clive moistened his throat with the tea he had been drinking.

“Did you try to contact me? Where?”

“I asked the manager at the café we used to go to. I told him I’d like to meet you there tomorrow around noon, but I guess you haven’t received it yet. So why did you come?”

Eirene approached and sat in the chair beside him. The unfamiliar scent of her skin tickled Clive’s nose. 

Though not a strong fragrance, it filled the surroundings completely, like someone had pressed a perfume pump. 

Clive found it difficult to breathe. Should he call it stifling? 

The heat rising from below continued to make him feel warm.

“I came to see how you were doing. If I had known you were going to contact me, I would have waited until tomorrow.”

Clive answered in the most stable voice possible, ensuring Eirene wouldn’t notice his discomfort. She tucked her flowing hair behind her ear and gathered it to one side. 

Her nape was exposed, and Clive turned his gaze elsewhere. But soon enough, his eyes returned to her. Their gazes entangled in midair before scattering. 

He had forgotten his purpose for visiting the Phineas family today. Eirene had made him unable to even think about it. 

Why was he losing his composure just because she had just finished bathing? 

Feeling he might do something rash if he stayed longer, he stood up.

“You’re leaving?”

“I’ve seen your face. Why did you want to meet?”

“I’ll tell you tomorrow.”

“Alright. See you tomorrow.”

As Clive hurriedly left, Eirene followed behind him. She told the servants who tried to come out with her to stay inside, making it a private farewell. 

The stable keeper brought Clive’s horse and handed him the reins.

“Ulik didn’t come with you today?”

“This was an unscheduled visit.”

“I see. Take care on your way back.”

Clive grabbed Eirene’s arm as she greeted him with a dry voice and expression. Then he pulled her into his arms. It felt like he was enveloped in the fragrance that had been making him dizzy. 

He wanted to stay like this. However, the soft cheek against his and the damp hair triggered sensations that made no sense, causing him to push her away.

“I’ll be going.”

Again, today Eirene looked at him with an unaffected face. She probably thought it was just an act of pretending to be in love. 

Not knowing what was happening inside his head. 

Clive knew what this strange stimulation that had arisen from the moment he saw Eirene was. 

What am I doing, I’m not a dog in heat. Pathetic fool. 

Mounted on his horse, he looked down at Eirene gazing up at him. Even at a distance, he could vividly feel her presence, like she was still in his arms. 

He straightened his tense body, applying strength to his thighs. Throughout this, Clive never took his eyes off Eirene. Perhaps sensing his intense gaze, her eyes wavered before turning toward the horse’s head.

“See you tomorrow.”

Clive kicked the horse’s side hard. Before galloping at full speed away from the Phineas domain, he completely finished the thought process that had occupied him for over a week.