Chapter 4 (Part 1)

Rumors spread quickly. But no one dared to speak of it lightly.

On the night of the first storm this year, for the first time in 10 years, the Madam slept peacefully.

The room was not in disarray, but the maids who cleaned the Madam’s room knew there were lingering traces of intimacy on the bedding. They had suspected as much from the moment he was in that room.

Since the Madam was the wife of the deceased young lord of Tarnu and thus served as his proxy… it was improper for her to have another man in her bed.

But for the first time in 10 years, the Madam slept peacefully.

For that alone, the servants decided to keep the secret in their hearts.

If the collateral relatives who were eyeing this castle found out, the Madam would never sleep peacefully again.

“It turned out well, didn’t it.”

“That’s right. It’s not like there aren’t any difficult tasks in the Madam’s room.”

“Every winter, the bedding and curtains are so heavy that it feels like Leni and I are going to dislocate our wrists.”

“Right, Greta, you hurt your wrist doing winter laundry after giving birth to Pio.”

“Oh, it’s aching again.”

Leni and Greta, who entered the castle around the time Ellenia married at the tender age of seventeen, were particularly fond of the Madam. Over the years, they aged with the Madam, dated various men, got married, and had children, while their pitiful Madam had been separated from her husband at twenty and had remained chaste for ten years.

They didn’t know the details, but they knew the Madam couldn’t leave this castle, and above all, she couldn’t return to her family.

It wasn’t fair to the Madam, nor to her as a woman.

So when a young man, claiming to be a benefactor, devoted himself to the Madam, there was nothing to object to.

The guest was popular among the maids in the bedroom and kitchen, but it wasn’t appropriate to let the Madam stake her life on an unknown man. A fleeting connection was just right for a noblewoman.

If he could keep the Madam healthy through this rainy season, that would be enough.

“Alright, alright. He doesn’t have a specific duty anyway.”

The butler moved his quarters to the room closest to the Madam’s room. The pretext was to assist Madam’s dedicated maids, Leni and Greta.

The Madam, already frail, collapsed more frequently during the rainy season.

Though persuaded by their words, the butler already had some idea of what was happening in the Madam’s room.

As long as he stayed, he would ensure the Madam slept well and then leave quietly.

If the Madam didn’t survive this year, at least she would have a peaceful final year.

Anyway, in his eyes, the Madam was like a pitiable granddaughter…

…Though he pretended to think rationally, the old butler who had served Tarnu since the days of the deceased young lord’s father knew of a certain mystery that descended through the family. He couldn’t speak of it openly, lest he be considered a non-believer.

‘Perhaps, you never know…….’

Living unobtrusively, as if he were there or not, the guest began to frequent the Madam’s room openly, as if he knew what she needed during stormy nights or when similar rain sounds were heard.

“Please eat something.”

“…I can’t swallow.”

“Still.”

Edan offered her freshly baked soft wheat bread dipped in beef stew that had been simmering all day.

Since he started serving the Madam, even the smallest tasks fell to him.

Initially, it was tidying the bedding marked with their traces. Then, carrying her limp body, bruised from his marks and handprints, to the bathroom to wash her. After that, he began to dress her, and as he tended to her morning routine, even her meals fell into his hands.

In part, he willingly wanted to do so. To ensure the Madam could forget all the terrible things through him.

Since he insisted on doing everything, Leni and Greta had no choice.

They scrutinized him for a long time, wondering if he was a spy sent by the collateral relatives or if he was trying to seduce the Madam with his looks, but he seemed content just to be able to do something for Madam.

Though they didn’t let their guard down, seeing the Madam’s once pale face regain some color, and her eating better, and her once emaciated limbs filling out with flesh, they began to think it didn’t matter anymore.

“The chef said he simmered it since yesterday for you, Madam.”

“…I know.”

Leaning against the headboard, Ellenia looked out the window with a dark expression. The gray sky hung low.

The rainy season had been here for fifteen days. The intermittent storms that filled the nights had begun to darken the sky day and night. Thunder struck even at midday, and it rained even when the sky was clear.

Naturally, the time spent in the room increased. The late autumn chill seeped into the room, carrying moisture.

Watching her expression closely, Edan asked cautiously,

“Would you like to get some fresh air?”

“…What if it rains?”

“I’m here.”

With a voice that held no hesitation, Ellenia turned her head to look at him.

A white face with a chiseled jawline, a sharp nose that formed the center of his face along with thick eyebrows, and lips that balanced it all perfectly.

He had such a noble appearance that it was hard to believe he was a squire driven into battle against foreign tribes.

His eyes, which seemed to be just over twenty, sometimes shone as if he had known nothing but her all his life.

What am I to him, that he is so kind? Despite enduring such a long ordeal, he still…

“It doesn’t look like it will rain immediately, so let’s take a short walk.”

Edan smiled brightly at her words. His sensual lips curled up at the ends, and Ellenia stared blankly for a moment.

“…Alright.”

At times like this, she wondered what shape his heart took…

“Oh my, Madam. Wait a moment.”

When Ellenia, wearing a poncho, arrived at the stables, the tousle-haired stable boy, who had been talking with the old stable master, brightened up. Bringing out the Madam’s mule, Solipari, was his small joy.

It was a moment when he could get close to the Madam, whom everyone served equally.

“Where are you planning to go today? Just a short walk around the area?”

“Oh, you.”

When the tousle-haired boy knelt on one knee to help Ellenia onto the mule, as always, Greta, who had accompanied her, made a small gesture with her hand. 

Get up, man. Haven’t you heard from the butler?

At that moment, Edan, who had asked the kitchen to prepare a picnic basket, arrived in front of the stable.

“Greta, thank you.”

Handing the basket to Greta, Edan gently lifted Ellenia by her thighs. His hand naturally grasped just below her b*ttocks. The unreserved touch was clear in its meaning.

When Greta almost dropped the basket due to the familiarity of his actions, Edan’s gaze briefly flicked to the tousle-haired boy. His green eyes, under prominent brows, shone darkly like the color of the forest during the rainy season.

“We’ll be back.”

“See you soon.”

“Don’t go too far, Madam.”

Taking the basket back, Edan showed a slight nod to Greta and then led the mule away.

“That insolent…”

The tousle-haired boy, who had unconsciously swallowed dryly, was furious.