It was 5 PM, when the languid energy of noon gradually faded. A time when the desolate atmosphere of the deepening sunset filled everything. Before the sun set, the air in the mansion was calm as always, and there were hardly any footsteps going back and forth in the corridors.

However, before Dr. Lemon left the mansion after finishing Adeline’s examination, he requested a meeting with Mrs. Lien, the head housekeeper.

Mrs. Lien guided him to the head housekeeper’s personal office. The inside was excessively neat, resembling its owner. There were almost no personal items except for the desk where she worked and the safe where she kept the ledgers.

Only the two of them were in the closed room.

Dr. Lemon first took out a familiar medicine bottle from his bag. It was the same medicine he’d prescribed during Adeline’s hospitalization.

“This medicine is the same as before. Since she hasn’t fully recovered yet, please make sure she takes it morning and evening without forgetting.”

“Understood.”

Mrs. Lien accepted it.

But that didn’t seem to be the end of it, as Dr. Lemon rummaged through his bag again. After a moment, he set down a small brown glass bottle without any markings on the table.

Mrs. Lien’s gaze lingered on that bottle for a while.

“This is…”

She asked, trailing off.

Dr. Lemon pushed the bottle toward her and lowered his voice considerably.

“You may have already heard… This is once a day. Mix it into food or tea and give it to the Countess.”

Mrs. Lien’s eyes slowly rose.

“What kind of medicine is this?”

Dr. Lemon steadied his breath and answered briefly.

“Contraceptive.”

At those words, the air in the room changed very subtly. Mrs. Lien said nothing. Instead, she lightly pressed the surface of the bottle with her fingertips. The smooth texture of glass remained on her hand.

“This medicine…”

She continued carefully.

“Was this discussed with the young master—no, the master?”

Dr. Lemon looked at Mrs. Lien quietly.

“Yes, it’s Lord Belliche’s instruction. I’m merely delivering it.”

Instead of making excuses or explaining with a calm face, the doctor only conveyed that it was Kailen’s instruction. There was no further detailed explanation.

“Then does the madam know as well?”

Mrs. Lien asked again.

“Did the two of them discuss taking contraceptives?”

The doctor lowered his voice.

“…Lord Belliche doesn’t want the madam to know.”

Mrs. Lien’s eyes wavered, but she didn’t ask for more details. In fact, she was somewhat confused about what to ask or how. It was that unexpected.

Silence descended in the room. It wasn’t long, but it wasn’t light either.

“Please don’t misunderstand. It seems Lord Belliche wants to enjoy their newlywed life a bit longer.”

Dr. Lemon cleared his throat to lighten the atmosphere.

“If the Countess knows about the contraceptive, others might notice too, wouldn’t they? Lord Belliche doesn’t want speculation-like talk going around.”

He added, choosing his words.

“Don’t worry. Later, if the two of them want an heir, they can slowly stop the medicine then.”

The doctor made roundabout excuses. But Mrs. Lien guessed that what she’d just heard was far from the truth. That giving this medicine wouldn’t be temporary either. Nevertheless, she readily nodded.

“I understand what you mean.”

Even adding a smile.

“I heard the two of them had a connection in the past?”

Dr. Lemon finally seemed relieved and organized his bag.

“I thought it was a political marriage, but it was unexpected. They truly are a picture-perfect couple.”

“…”

Dr. Lemon left a greeting saying he’d come back at the next examination and left the room.

Even after the door closed, Mrs. Lien stood there for a while. Looking at the brown medicine bottle on the table.

* * *

In the evening, Mrs. Lien personally prepared Adeline’s sleep tea.

Steam rose faintly above the teacup. She opened the cap of the brown medicine bottle. Then she dropped one drop, paused briefly, then dropped another drop into the teacup.

Perhaps because she’d spent several days facing Adeline, her heart felt strangely unsettled. She couldn’t quite understand why she felt this way.

Deceiving others was always uncomfortable.

However, she’d watched Kailen for a long time, since the days when she called him young master. A shrewd person. A person with great ambitions. He was that kind of person. Mrs. Lien knew well who the master of this mansion she should serve was.

Since the head of the family wishes it, I must follow.

After mixing the medicine in the proper amount, Mrs. Lien headed to Adeline’s room with Tanya, carrying the medicine and sleep tea with an unaffected face.

Adeline, who spotted Mrs. Lien, showed a bright, pleased expression.

“I was feeling lonely at just the right time, and you came to visit my room.”

At her innocent reaction, one side of Mrs. Lien’s chest stung very briefly. Deceiving others wasn’t as easy as always, as it should be.

She was just doing it because it had to be done.

She maintained her usual expression.

“The master asked me to tell you he’ll be late.”

“Ah, I see…”

Though one would think she’d stop reacting to the situation that had repeated all week, a faint shadow crossed Adeline’s face.

With an unsettled heart, Mrs. Lien unknowingly offered a word of comfort in a gentle voice.

“The master coming home late is routine. Even before the wedding, he rarely came home on time. If anything, these days he comes home without fail even if late.”

“Then he must be paying a lot of attention to me.”

Adeline answered with a small smile. The smile carried a tinge of loneliness.

“Yes, so please don’t be too disheartened, madam.”

“Thank you for caring, Mrs. Lien.”

Does she know how lonely she looks? Is she truly happy sitting in the position of this mansion’s mistress? No, what… These are all useless thoughts.

Mrs. Lien, dismissing her musings, spoke again.

“Please rest well until the end of this week, and how about slowly looking around the inside of the mansion starting next week? You still need to take medicine, and it would be good to focus on recovery. We can’t have any aftereffects.”

“Yes, then I’ll indulge in a bit more leisure this week following your advice.”

“Yes, currently the head butler handles major fund management, but since the mistress position has been vacant, I’ve been managing the internal household. I’ll give you the ledgers I’ve kept next week.”

“Alright, let’s do that.”

But Adeline, who’d been answering, suddenly grasped Mrs. Lien’s hand. Adeline’s small, pale hand stroking the back of her hand was affectionate.

“Mrs. Lien, I’m quite lacking.”

Mrs. Lien was flustered at having her hand suddenly grabbed by Adeline, but couldn’t bring herself to pull it away.

“Still, having you by my side is truly a great support. If there’s anything I do clumsily that doesn’t meet your expectations, please don’t hesitate to tell me.”

And, Adeline hesitated briefly before adding.

“If there’s anything you need my help with, you can tell me anytime too.”

Mrs. Lien smiled warmly.

“I will, madam.”

A brief chat continued at the mistress’s warm attitude. Light, trivial small talk about things like Kailen’s preferences and the mansion’s old customs.

In a way, it was nothing special to Mrs. Lien since it was her everyday past, but Adeline listened with enjoyment, her eyes sparkling with interest. She seemed to concentrate, wanting to hear even a bit more since it was about her beloved husband.

However, Mrs. Lien couldn’t meet Adeline’s eyes for long. Looking at Adeline’s innocent eyes continuously made her feel like her heart would waver. Still, she revealed nothing in her expression. She tried to act as usual, as she always had.

“Madam, the time has already… It’s time to take your medicine.”

Adeline obediently accepted the medicine and tea. Mrs. Lien confirmed that she drank the tea without suspicion and swallowed the medicine. One sip, then another. 

With each gulping sound, Mrs. Lien felt her heart grow anxious. Only after Adeline emptied the cup did she inwardly breathe a deep sigh of relief.

“Then I’ll have Tanya stay and attend to you, madam.”

Mrs. Lien, who’d told her to have sweet dreams, left the room with unwavering steps.