Chapter 13: A Changed Routine

“We’ll arrive in five minutes.”

With the coachman’s announcement, the carriage picked up speed.

In the back, Timo’s face turned as pale as a sheet.

Barely thirty minutes earlier, she’d just finished seeing off a guest and was heading back to her lady.

‘Miss Timo?’

‘Yes, I’m Timo…’

The man who introduced himself as Ethan had approached her out of nowhere, demanding she come along.

Timo remembered him clearly—the one who always shadowed the Duke of Liston like a specter.

He really does look cold-blooded, she thought, nervously biting her dry lips as she glanced at Ethan sitting across from her.

Over the past week, Timo had wandered all over the Liston estate, quietly gathering information.

She thought it was especially important for her to help her lady adjust.

Are there any taboos to keep in mind here?

Well… maybe not taboos, but there’s definitely someone to be careful around.

Daisy, a maid she’d met while preparing a meal, had warned her: the duke was intimidating, yes, but the real one to watch out for was his attendant.

When Timo asked why, Daisy had replied in exasperation:

“The one giving the orders might be the duke, but it’s the attendant who decides how to use the knife. It’s best not to get noticed by either of them.”

Now, as she began this uneasy journey, Timo regretted not prying more from Daisy.

Lost in thought, she felt the carriage slow and then stop.

Following the coachman’s announcement, she carefully stepped down to the ground.

At the same time, Timo’s eyes grew wide with awe as she looked up, exclaiming softly,

“Wow…”

The large two-story office was not only impressive in scale and height, but the crowds moving about were incredible as well.

Coming here made her realize just how small the world she’d lived in had really been.

“This way, please.”

Timo hurried after Ethan, who was walking ahead.

As they entered the building, people moved quickly, each following their own set of rules.

She hunched her shoulders and squeezed between others to avoid bumping into anyone, and before she knew it, they’d reached their destination.

“You can go in.”

At his words, Timo hesitated, her hand wavering on the doorknob.

Unlike the bustling first floor, the second floor consisted of only two doors.

She had only climbed a single flight of stairs, yet the invisible lines separating them felt so stark.

She opened the door and saw a neatly organized interior.

Shelves lined with books and stacks of perfectly ordered papers revealed just how obsessive the Duke of Liston’s life was.

The oppressive atmosphere made Timo instinctively shrink.

“This is already the second time, isn’t it? Us meeting like this.”

The door closed, and the Duke’s low but distinct voice echoed through the air.

“Yes,”

The Duke set aside the documents he’d been looking at and focused his gaze.

In the clear surface of his eyes, the nervousness on Timo’s face was reflected without filter.

When their eyes met, Timo flinched and bowed her head deeply.

In that moment, Timo felt like a rabbit before a lion.

Just sharing the same space made her body and hands tremble; she suddenly found herself thinking how amazing Lady Leilia was for holding her own against such a presence.

“You were looking for me…”

Timo cast a quick glance at him, finally managing to force out the words.

Apparently pleased with her reaction, Carlisle tilted his head, the corner of his mouth curving up.

“Is there… something you want me to do…?”

“I want you to prove your usefulness.”

“Usefulness…?”

“There’s a lot I’d like to know about my wife. Instead of going far, I thought I’d start by asking for your help.”

“What kind of help do you mean…?”

“I’m curious about her past. I’ve tried investigating, but nothing turns up, which is rather inconvenient.”

Timo anxiously chewed her dry lips, watching the Duke’s expression.

The tension that swept over her left her fingertips numb and pale as she clasped her hands together.

The Duke regarded her in silence for a moment, then spoke slowly.

“You seem to be someone she cherishes, so I’ve given you a chance. But if you can’t prove your usefulness like this, there’s no reason for me to keep you in my house, is there?”

“I—I mean…”

“Last chance. Decide whether you’ll stay or disappear. Think carefully before you answer.”

“……”

“The outsider who came to my house a short while ago—what is his relationship with my wife?”

“Oh, they’re not anything like that. It’s not… not the kind of deep relationship you’re thinking of. They just knew each other a long time ago…!”

At the same moment, thud, the Duke rose from his seat with a hardened expression and strode over, his long legs stopping right in front of Timo.

“I told you to prove your usefulness.”

Liston’s Duke was now so close, his low voice was almost a growl.

The shadow at her feet made him seem just like a beast from a fable.

Timo, glancing up at him, closed her eyes and quietly shivered.

‘The Duke of Liston might come looking for you.’

‘Me? Why would the Duke want me…?’

‘If he ever asks about Sir Albion, just say we’re old lovers. That’s all you need to do.’

‘But… that’s not true. You’ll never even met him, let alone been his lover.’

‘That’s why you have to make him believe it.’

‘Why are you making me do this? Why lie about something that isn’t true…?’

‘Just remember one thing. This is how you help me.’

Timo chewed her lips anxiously, recalling her lady’s instructions.

Even with the warning in advance, she couldn’t seem to calm down.

Was it really right to lie like this? She couldn’t even be sure of that, just as the door opened.

“So, the two of them are…”

Timo began slowly.

***

“I’m exhausted.”

As soon as she returned to her room, Leilia threw herself onto the bed.

It had only been a week, but so much in her life had changed.

Instead of spending days buried in bed as before, she was now racking her brain every day, seeking a quicker, more certain end.

Her meeting with Albion just now was the first step.

For now, she’d told him to investigate Night Rabbit, but after checking his work over time, she planned to put him on researching Gridana.

“I’ll have to see if he can really be trusted.”

Leilia muttered to herself, pressing her temples.

Since she’d started dealing with people and using her body more, fatigue built up quickly.

She had always been inactive, so even small movements left her easily worn out.

“Timo.”

With her eyes closed, she called for Timo, hoping to soothe her tired body.

At times like this, a cup of milky tea loaded with sugar was just what she needed.

Soon enough, there was a click at the door, and she heard someone enter.

“Could you bring me some warm milk tea and sugar?”

“I’ll prepare it for you, madam.”

Leilia’s eyes flew open at the voice.

Through her clear gaze, she saw the faint silhouette of the head maid, Marie.

Leilia’s brow furrowed slightly as she locked eyes with Marie.

“Where’s the one I asked for? Why are you here, Head Maid?”

“The girl you usually have with you is out running an errand. We happened to run out of some kitchen staples.”

“She’s the one I asked for. This isn’t something you need to get involved in.”

“Since she’s new to the household, I thought it would help her to adjust. Miss Timo has been very helpful as well. I’m sorry if I overstepped.”

Marie didn’t look the least bit flustered by the cold response.

She simply smiled kindly, speaking as if what she’d done was perfectly reasonable.

It was so natural that Leilia couldn’t even muster anger.

Maybe it was because she never expected much in the first place, so there was no real disappointment.

Nothing ever changes.

Leilia let out a small sigh and thought about what to say next.

By now, she figured, Timo wasn’t out on an errand but bowing her head before the Duke of Liston—probably trembling like a frightened rabbit in front of him.

I hope she does well.

It was obvious, but Timo was a timid girl.

That made Leilia worry for her, feeling uncomfortable for dragging the girl into this mess.

If she needed an excuse, she could say she had no other choice.

Through all her returns, Timo had always been on her side—the only one who ever was.

Leilia forced herself out of her spiraling thoughts and finally spoke.

“I hope you’re telling the truth.”

“As you know, Miss Timo is adjusting well. She’s getting along with the other maids, too. There’s no need to worry, madam.”

“If anyone mistreats her when I’m not around, I will stand for it. Remember that.”

Leilia flashed a bright smile, finishing the conversation.

She shooed Marie away with a wave, not wanting to add any more unnecessary words.

How much time passed? There was a knock, and Marie soon entered with a gentle smile.

She set down a steaming cup of milk tea and a fragrant Earl Grey scone on the empty table.

“I heard you often skip meals, so I brought you something to eat. I’ll leave you to enjoy it. If you need anything, please call me.”

Once Marie finished speaking and left, a weary sigh escaped into the chilly silence.

The freshly baked scone still radiated warmth.

Leilia’s golden eyes, dulled with fatigue, followed the wisps of steam as she stared blankly at the table.

There was a time when she’d been foolish enough to be taken in by such kindness.

A husband cold as ice by day, yet hot as fire by night.

And a mansion that still felt so unfamiliar.

Back then, when the stark contrast between day and night wore down her body and spirit, Marie would bring her fresh scones like this.

‘The Duke of Liston is a difficult man to approach. The scars on his heart run deeper than those on his body. But if a kindhearted lady like you gives him time, I’m sure he’ll open up someday.’

Those words had been such a comfort to her.

From that day on, Leilia had shared so much with Marie—from trivial worries to the depths of her heart.

She’d never imagined that all of it would be passed along, through Marie’s lips, straight to the Duke of Liston.

‘Well, it’s not the scone’s fault.’

Leilia murmured softly as she pushed herself up.

She picked up the fork beside her and pressed it into the scone’s crispy exterior.

The burst of Earl Grey flavor and its pleasing texture eased some of the dryness from her mood.

She finished every last bite and carefully opened the glass jar beside her.

With a set expression, she dropped a neatly packed lump of sugar into her teacup and moved to stand by the window.

As if announcing the sunset, the once-clear sky was painted in shades of dusk.

Night fell over the wooded estate, and while her mind churned noisily, the scene before her was so peaceful it was almost beautiful.

“……”

Turning away from her fluttering heart, Leilia forced herself to gulp down the sweet tea.

How much time had passed? In the distance, a large carriage rumbled by, kicking up dust and disrupting the stillness around her.