Chapter 15

She had always wanted to escape, but to think she would end up receiving help from a man she had spent just one night with. Lost in her thoughts, a knock came at the door. Turning her head, she saw women dressed in maid uniforms entering the room, with Anne among them.

“Madam, we’re here to assist you with bathing.”

“Huh? Me, Madam…?”

“Even though a wedding ceremony wasn’t held, you are indeed the Madam, as you’ve received the temple’s vows.”

The woman who spoke introduced herself as the head maid. Soon after, Lyzbel followed them out into the corridor. As they walked down the hall and entered a certain room, an elegant bathroom came into view. Seeing it, her eyes widened. She longed to soak her body in the warm water, especially after not being able to bathe properly for days.

Although she had received assistance with bathing before, she was used to undressing herself in the Baron’s household. But when she tried to remove her clothes, the maids stopped her.

“Allow us to assist you.”

“Oh, uh, alright.”

As they began bathing her, all the fatigue seemed to wash away. The fragrant oil they used seemed extraordinarily expensive, filling the air with a delightful scent. She scooped some up with her hand and sniffed it, smiling faintly when she heard soft laughter nearby. After being thoroughly washed from head to toe, she was seated in the powder room. Once her hair was carefully dried, she was dressed in a luxurious gown.

“You look stunning, Madam.”

“Yes, truly beautiful.”

“Th-thank you.”

The dresses she had worn in the Baron’s household weren’t bad, but this was on a completely different level. Come to think of it, even Anne’s new maid uniform was far more refined than those at the Baron’s household. She thought they would return to her room, but instead, the maids led her to the garden. In the middle of the garden, there was a lovely table and chairs set up. At their urging, she sat down, and soon, light dishes were brought to the table.

“Am I eating all this alone?”

“No, the Earl will be joining you shortly.”

Much time passed after hearing that. Eventually, a slightly nervous voice called out. He sat down across from her, smiling softly as he gazed at her. While the name “Phil” suited him, “Felix” was undoubtedly the better fit.

Since she had only recently woken up, this was the first time she was properly greeting him. As they looked at each other, her stomach suddenly growled, causing her face to flush with embarrassment.

“I’ve prepared food that’s easy on the stomach. Let’s eat first and talk afterward.”

“…Thank you.”

After sleeping for three days, it was no surprise she was hungry. Trying to calm her flushed face, she slowly brought a spoonful of soup to her mouth. The moment she tasted it, her eyes widened—it was delicious. They must have used excellent ingredients. Being near the sea, the seafood flavor was rich and vibrant.

In the capital, seafood was expensive. Besides the soup, there were plenty of other light dishes, and she eagerly filled her stomach. Felix watched her eat with a pleased expression while eating his own meal at a leisurely pace.

In the fragrant garden, the two enjoyed their meal. The food was so delicious that she ate just the right amount, leaving her stomach feeling comfortable. The sky was blue, and the sound of waves added to the refreshing atmosphere. As she wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, a bouquet of flowers was presented to her. It was a bouquet of blue hydrangeas. Holding it in her hands, she looked up to see Felix’s face slightly flushed.

“I’ve never given flowers to a lady before, so this is a bit embarrassing.”

“…I’ve never received flowers before. It makes me happy.”

Hearing her response, he looked relieved. Silence fell between them again. Felix watched her as she admired the hydrangeas. When their eyes met, he quickly averted his gaze. Finding his reaction endearing, she chuckled softly.

“I’d like to ask you something.”

“Yes?”

“May I know the reason why you decided to help me?”

They had shared only a fleeting moment together. Yet, for him to go so far as to obtain a temple-certified marriage contract seemed extraordinary. At her question, he fell into thought for a moment before speaking cautiously.

“When I was young, during my time at the academy, I had a classmate who suffered abuse at the hands of their family.”

“…”

“Whenever they returned home, they’d come back with signs of violence. And eventually, they didn’t return after the break.”

As she listened to his words, tinged with a bitter smile, Lyzbel realized something. Felix must have seen a reflection of his past friend in her. She now understood why he had gone so far as to secure a temple-certified contract to help her. Indeed, it wasn’t common for someone to help like this after just one night. She felt grateful, but her emotions were complicated.

After a brief silence, he spoke again.

“Oh, and your parents won’t be able to come here.”

“…”

“Your other family members are fine, so don’t worry.”

It seemed he knew not only about her but also about her estranged siblings. Knowing that rumors about her family were unfavorable, she felt ashamed. While she was grateful for his help, the thought of him knowing made her feel embarrassed.

The two continued to talk about various topics in the garden. None of it felt real to her—the fact that she had escaped the Baron’s household, the fact that she was now an Earl’s wife.

Of course, Felix must have married her out of pity. Typically, a divorce could only be filed after a year of marriage. However, if she were subjected to crimes like assault, the temple could approve a divorce sooner.

But a man who had helped her out of sympathy, seeing her as a reflection of his deceased classmate, wouldn’t resort to violence. A marriage born out of pity… It left her with a peculiar ache in her chest. She had always been met with pitying gazes because of the peculiar Baron and Baroness, but this was the first time she felt this way.

Still, Lyzbel didn’t let it show as she looked at him. When their eyes met, his pale blue eyes, reminiscent of the sea, reflected her. …How should she describe it? He was so handsome that it made her shy. Her heart had raced when she first met him, but now it pounded even harder.

So this is what it feels like to want to run away from someone too attractive. Though she and her siblings had been known for their looks since childhood and were surrounded by handsome and beautiful people, Felix was on another level. Just looking at him made her face heat up.

“Shall I show you around the estate while we take a walk?”

“…Of course.”

Felix stood and offered his hand. Taking it, Lyzbel walked with him. Her body, now recovered, felt no discomfort as they toured the estate. Unlike the Baron’s household, this grand estate harmonized beautifully with nature.

After walking around the exterior, they went inside and eventually returned to the room where she had woken up.

“This is the master bedroom. Would it be alright if I showed you where your belongings are?”

“Oh, yes. Of course.”

So this was the master bedroom. No wonder the bed was so large. 

Felix walked slowly, explaining the items in the room. There was even a bathroom with a spacious bathtub large enough for two people. When they moved to the dressing room, she saw an array of clothes, including dresses.

“Whose clothes are these?”

“…They’re yours. The seasons here differ slightly from the capital, so I had them prepared in advance. Your maid assisted in ensuring the sizes were correct.”

“They’re mine?”

Not a single outdated dress was among them. In fact, they were all made of the finest silk, immune to fleeting trends. There were riding outfits, casual wear, and countless pajamas. For the first time in her life, she owned so many clothes.