Chapter 15

Robert Dalton, the Marquis and Chief Administrator of the Imperial Palace Treasury. His aide, Randelon, had been starting his work at dawn these past few days.

“Aide Randelon, has the Marquis arrived early again today?”

Robert’s earlier work hours had become the talk of the Treasury.

“I know, right? It’s not even a busy season, so why is he doing this?”

The Treasury’s busiest times were at the end and beginning of the year.

But this was spring—a time to catch their breath after the rush.

So why was he suddenly acting like it was busy season?

Robert was already known for starting work earlier than anyone else, but now, with his schedule an hour ahead, even Randelon and other staff were feeling the pressure.

Normally, Robert would work from home once or twice a week.

Randelon knew this was Robert’s way of making time for his wife despite his busy schedule.

But for some reason, this week, Robert had reported to the Imperial Palace every single day.

‘Did he have a fight with his wife?’

‘Robert Dalton, of all people? That seemed impossible.’

Whenever his wife was mentioned, he wore an expression as if speaking of the most precious thing in the world.

Randelon had only realized then that even Robert’s cold features could look so warm.

‘Sigh.’

Whatever the reason, Randelon hoped it would resolve quickly.

When Robert worked from home, the staff could finally breathe easy. He wondered if Robert understood how the Treasury employees felt.

And today, the report he had to deliver was something that wouldn’t have happened if Robert had been his usual self.

It was the first time Randelon had felt nervous working under Robert Dalton.

He took a deep breath and knocked on Robert’s office door.

“Marquis, it’s me.”

A short reply came from inside, inviting him in.

Randelon opened the door and stepped in, but Robert remained focused on a single document among the piles.

‘Something really must be wrong with the Marquis.’

Normally, by this time, Robert would have reviewed a stack of documents.

And he was always busy passing reviewed papers every minute, but today he was still on the first one.

Seeing that the tray for completed documents was empty, Randelon was shocked.

He’d never seen his superior so unfocused.

Even with Randelon’s arrival, Robert continued to stare blankly at the papers—very unlike him.

Randelon cautiously called out.

“Marquis. About the investigation you ordered…”

At the sound of Randelon’s voice, Robert finally looked up at him. Randelon had never seen such emptiness in Robert Dalton’s eyes.

“Is there a problem?”

Robert was normally flawless. Every order had a reason and was logical.

But today, for the first time since working under him, Randelon decided to offer a contrary opinion.

“Wouldn’t it be better to investigate the Peblum estate instead of the Camble estate you ordered?”

“Camble?”

Robert’s face hardened. It was as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. But then, recalling the order, he sighed deeply and rubbed his forehead.

“…I did tell you to investigate Camble.”

He remembered telling Randelon to look into Camble estate.

“Yes, but for the latest tax increase report, Peblum seems more suitable…”

Robert clicked his tongue. Randelon was right. He couldn’t understand why he’d given such an order. Even he couldn’t make sense of yesterday’s judgment.

“Peblum is correct. Please make the correction. Sorry for the trouble.”

“No problem. I’ll investigate Peblum and report back.”

“Thank you, Randelon.”

Randelon bowed and left the office.

Click—

The sound of the door closing left the office in silence. Robert finally gave up trying to focus on paperwork and gazed out the window.

Robert was more aware than anyone that he hadn’t been himself lately.

And he knew the reason was his wife, Celiana Dalton.

The turning point was the box he discovered in the carriage after the banquet at the Duchy of Ephelmar.

‘…Why did I open that box?’

He should have just ignored it. Or even if he’d opened it, he shouldn’t have asked questions.

Robert regretted acting impulsively at that moment.

When he saw the cuffs and collar in the carriage that night, his heart had pounded uncontrollably.

Whether it was the alcohol or excitement, it didn’t matter. The only thing that mattered was that Celiana possessed those items.

Robert felt as if he was floating on a wave called anticipation.

His rational mind screamed that it was impossible, but his heart had already planted the seeds of hope.

He’d never dared to wish, even by chance, that Celiana shared his tastes.

Wishing his wife could be like him was too much to ask.

He was already grateful just to have her as his wife, and had planned to keep his secret for life.

In his overwhelming emotion, his mouth had moved on its own.

“Is this yours?”

If Celiana said yes—

Robert waited for her answer, suppressing his desperate hope.

Even the short moment waiting for her reply felt agonizingly slow.

“…It was a gift.”

But the answer Robert wanted didn’t come. To say he wasn’t disappointed would have been a lie. It wasn’t the answer he’d hoped for, so he asked again.

“Then, what about you?”

Normally, he wouldn’t have asked such a question. But the situation before him made him lose his composure.

“How did you feel when you received this gift? Did you like it?”

If a traveler who had wandered the desert found an oasis, it would be strange for them to remain rational.

But Celiana…

“No. There’s no way I’d like something like this.”

The oasis before his eyes was nothing but a mirage born of longing.

Realizing this, Robert felt his rationality return.

Of course, it was impossible. He’d let himself hope for nothing.

Watching Celiana’s shocked reaction, Robert tasted bitterness.

“…I see. Understood.”

Normally, Robert would have responded kindly, no matter how Celiana reacted.

Hiding his feelings had never been difficult.

But at that moment, it was hard to hide his disappointment. His emotions had been so shaken that it showed.

Silence filled the carriage.

Noticing Celiana’s reaction, Robert sighed inwardly, but it was too late.

Saying anything more would only worsen the mood. In the end, Robert chose silence.

“Hoo…”

Recalling that moment, Robert sighed again. He even wanted to reach for a cigarette he didn’t smoke.

Maybe he could hide his sighs in the smoke.

It has been several days now. Robert’s early departures were not to avoid Celiana, but to suppress his own desires.

Since that dream, Robert found himself wanting Celiana even more.

And then, seeing the cuffs and collar in the box, it was easy to imagine how he felt.

He wanted to fasten the leather collar on Celiana, and have her take him in her mouth.

He imagined tugging on the collar whenever her movements slowed, making her choke as he pressed deeper.

He pictured spilling himself onto her pink tongue.

He knew that if Celiana discovered these desires, she would recoil just as she had at the cuffs.

But for some reason, every time he faced her, these crude thoughts kept surfacing.

Even knowing the oasis was a mirage, he couldn’t let go of the vision once he’d seen it….

How could he face his wife now?

‘Maybe I should go to the cathedral.’

Suppressing his desires every night with Celiana beside him, Robert felt he was losing his mind.

He’d never struggled like this before. His life had always been like solving equations—every problem had a solution. If there was a problem, he fixed it.

But nothing about Celiana Dalton went as planned.

No matter what formula he tried, he couldn’t find the answer. For the first time, Celiana made him feel this frustration.

With these complicated feelings, the workday finally drew to a close.

“Marquis, I’ll be leaving for today.”

“Wait, Randelon.”

Robert called out to Randelon, who was about to leave.

“Yes? Is there still unfinished business?”

In truth, Robert hadn’t called out to him with any particular purpose. The moment he saw Randelon, who had half-turned to leave, his voice came out before he even had time to think.  

He was surprised at his own impulsive action. What was he hoping to do? It seemed he couldn’t bear the frustration alone.  

“…It’s not that.”  

“Then, Marquis, do you have something on your mind?”  

Randelon had been curious for days. What could be troubling a superior whose emotional changes were usually so minimal?  

“So you noticed. I apologize for making you worry.”  

Randelon’s eyes widened. It was unexpected. To hear such words from Marquis Robert Dalton, who seemed like he wouldn’t bleed even if pricked.  

He’s human after all.  

Randelon thought so and answered Robert.