Chapter 20

Meanwhile, today Robert took Randelon’s advice and arrived at the Treasury at his usual time.  

That meant he spent more time at the mansion, and had to face Celiana for longer.  

Robert felt guilty, uncomfortable meeting Celiana’s eyes. After all, hadn’t he thoroughly ravished her last night?  

Of course, it had been a happy time for Robert, but he didn’t know how Celiana felt.  

‘She didn’t seem to remember anything.’

To him, it was an undeniable reality. Although he was briefly confused last night, it wasn’t a dream.

Yet Celiana’s reaction was not that of someone who had spent a wild, passionate night together.

If what happened last night wasn’t dismissed as a dream, Celiana’s gaze toward him should have held some fear.

But since it didn’t, it meant one of two things: either she considered it a dream, or she didn’t remember at all.

Celiana was just as usual. In fact, she even apologized to him.

Robert recalled the events of the morning.

“Celiana, did you sleep well?”

“Yes, and you, Robert?”

It was their everyday greeting. But then, Celiana was the first to apologize.

“Um, Robert. I’m sorry for answering sharply that time.”

“Pardon? What do you mean?”

Robert hadn’t expected this at all. As he listened, he realized Celiana had shown a sharp reaction in the carriage that day and mistakenly thought he was angry.

Not at all. In fact, Robert had been avoiding Celiana because he found it difficult to control his own desires.

Of course, it would be a lie to say he wasn’t hurt by her frightened reaction, but he was only troubled by the thought that his preferences might never be understood, not by the misunderstanding Celiana thought.

There was nothing for Robert to be angry at Celiana about. If anything, he was angry at himself.

He felt sorry, thinking Celiana must have felt uncomfortable because he’d been avoiding her.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it that way.”

Robert apologized to Celiana for causing the misunderstanding. Celiana waved her hands, flustered by his apology.

Soon, the atmosphere between them returned to normal, as if nothing had ever been awkward.

With this, Robert was even more certain. Celiana didn’t know that what happened last night was real.

Otherwise, she would never be acting this way.

Why? Why didn’t she know?

Who was the Celiana who suddenly clung to him, asking to be treated according to his tastes?

Robert found it hard to shake off the mysterious feeling about the magical events of last night.

Even the traces of their wild night had disappeared by morning. There wasn’t a single mark left on Celiana’s pale neck.

It was as vivid as the dream Robert had about two weeks ago, yet felt like an illusion. That time, too, he had torn Celiana’s slip, but everything returned to normal…

As his thoughts reached that point, the words the old woman had left behind flashed through his mind.

“This time will be different. You’ll be the reality, and the other will seem like a dream.” 

“Tonight, put everything you like under the bed before you go to sleep.” 

Could it be that the dream back then was real too? Robert narrowed his eyes.

Otherwise, it couldn’t have felt so real. The memory of tearing Celiana’s slip, tying her up, and gagging her with the remaining piece of cloth…

If his guess was correct, it was all just as that old woman had said.

Robert had used his tools to indulge his desires with Celiana, and she didn’t remember.

Only Robert recognized last night as reality.

‘Wait. On the contrary?’

Robert mulled over the old woman’s words.

This time would be different—he would be reality, and Celiana would consider it a dream.

That meant…

Was it possible that the previous dream, or rather, that night he mistook for a dream, was already remembered by Celiana?

Robert’s expression hardened.

If she remembered the night he tied her up and explored her to his heart’s content, why was she acting as if nothing happened?

She should be avoiding him out of fear.

That night was even before the Ephelmar Duchy’s banquet. Celiana hadn’t acted awkwardly toward him at all.

Unable to find an answer, his mind was in chaos.

Robert couldn’t focus on work all morning. Perhaps it was only natural.

He spent hours wasting time at his desk.

Eventually, he called for Randelon.

“Marquis, is something the matter?”

Randelon visited Robert’s office gladly. Robert had come to work at his usual time, just as Randelon had advised yesterday.

‘Had the problem that troubled the Marquis last night been resolved?’

That thought crossed his mind.

‘Had he reconciled with his wife?’

He wondered lightly.

But once again, Robert surprised Randelon.

“I think I’ll head home for today.”

“Pardon?”

Randelon couldn’t help but ask again. He thought he’d misheard. The Marquis had never said he’d leave before work was over.

“Didn’t you hear? I’ll say it again—I’ll be leaving for today.”

“Y-yes…”

“If anything urgent comes up, send it to the mansion, I’ll handle it in the evening.”

Randelon thought he was seeing a new side of Robert Dalton, the Marquis.

Indeed, one lives long and sees all sorts of things.

***

Skipping even his meal, Robert drove straight to Bondage Cathedral.

‘What is she, really?’

He intended to find the old woman and ask what was going on.

He also wanted to confirm whether the dream he had was actually real, and whether she had met Celiana before him.

But even after circling the cathedral several times, he saw no trace of the old woman.

‘Should I come back tomorrow?’

Quite some time had passed. Judging that there was nothing more to gain, Robert was about to leave.

‘……That person.’

He spotted a familiar figure in his field of vision. Robert recognized her at a glance. Wrapped tightly in a robe, but he knew it was his wife, Celiana.

‘Celiana? Why is she here?’

Robert tied his horse nearby, got down, and quietly followed Celiana.

She looked around and entered Bondage Cathedral. A puzzled feeling crossed Robert’s face.

‘Why Bondage Cathedral?’

According to his aide, Randelon, it was a place to go when one wanted to share what was weighing on their heart.

Was Celiana the same?

He wanted to know. Was it related to her pretending not to remember that night?

Robert found himself following her, eventually stepping into the cathedral.

His gaze landed on Celiana. After talking to a priest, she hurried into the innermost room.

‘Is that the confessional?’

It was a natural guess. Should he check? Robert decided to ask the priest who had spoken with Celiana about the room’s purpose.

“Excuse me, may I ask something?”

But the priest lit up at the sight of Robert.

“Are you the priest who was supposed to arrive today?”

Of course not. The priest must have mistaken Robert’s simple attire.

Since Robert had been searching for the old woman all day around the cathedral, he had changed clothes to avoid attracting attention.

Also, it seemed the new arrival was also silver-haired, like him. Since priests don’t memorize every noble’s face, it was easy to mistake him if their features were similar.

Robert was about to deny it.

“I’m just…”

He was just passing by, and wanted to ask about the room at the end.

“One of the priests scheduled to hear confessions today fell ill, so we were in trouble. If you don’t mind, I’m sorry it’s your first day, but could I ask you to help right away? That room at the end, please.”

If the room the priest pointed to hadn’t been the one Celiana had entered, Robert might have hesitated.

But without thinking, he agreed.

“Of course.”

“Thank you so much. I told the woman who just went in that she’d have to wait a while, but thanks to you, she won’t have to. Please, follow me.”

Saying the woman waiting for confession was inside, the priest led Robert.

Robert followed him slowly.

Each step down the corridor felt like he was venturing into the unknown.

Now, he would hear Celiana’s deepest secrets without her knowing.

He did feel some guilt, but his curiosity was greater.

He and Celiana were still somewhat distant, not yet able to talk freely, and, embarrassingly, he didn’t know much about his own wife.

Who knew?

After today, maybe he’d understand Celiana better and grow closer to her.

Maybe he’d learn what she liked and could prepare something secretly to make her happy.

Reasoning it wasn’t all bad, Robert soon found himself at the door.

“Here you are. Thank you.”

The priest led Robert in and left. Robert slowly turned the doorknob and entered.

It was a small, cozy room. Nothing special, just barely enough space for three adults to lie side by side.

The only thing in sight was a single chair for the priest.

There was one unusual feature: directly in front of the priest’s chair, at chest height when seated, was a hole.

It was the only channel for communication between the two rooms.

‘Celiana is on the other side.’

Robert, his heart pounding and a little worried, took his seat.