Chapter 31

“Why?”

Bleria’s expression went blank at Gopher’s inexplicable response.

“I wondered what you were saying suddenly, but were you trying to comfort me?”

The corners of his lips curled up into a boyish grin. He seemed pleased, but seriously—why?

“You’ve seemed pretty tense lately, but you still found the time to notice something like that. Even before deciding to retrieve the pendant, you…”

“…”

“I’m not saying it’s unpleasant, hmm.”

He slowly rubbed his chin and took a sip of tea.

“To be honest, I always thought you were overreacting. I dislike fire, but didn’t I make it obvious that you didn’t need to bother? Most people just make a pretense of caring once or twice and stop. They realize there’s nothing to gain since I’m fine with it.”

Bleria opened her mouth but closed it again without saying a word.

“But you? You’re not exactly oblivious, yet you keep going out of your way to look after me—even now, five years later. No matter how much I tell you to stop worrying, you’re not going to, are you?”

“…”

“I used to find your stubbornness in strange areas annoying, but I’ve gotten used to you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t feel this… okay right now.”

So, are you saying you’re okay with this or not?

Feeling parched, Bleria reached out for her cup, but her arm was caught before she could lift it. Gopher’s thumb brushed her skin slowly, causing her sleeve to bunch up.

Ah.

“So, Bleria. If I were to try and kiss you now, you’d avoid it again, wouldn’t you?”

Her grip on the cup tightened involuntarily. Since Gopher was holding her arm, he must have noticed.

Why say something so blatant?

Bleria pressed her tongue nervously against the roof of her mouth, unsure what to do. She clenched her hand instinctively, then released it several times in succession.

Caught in her ridiculous little loop, her gaze eventually flitted upward. Gopher’s face came into view—the dimples on his cheeks, the smirk pulling at his lips, the clean color of his mouth.

It feels like… it might be okay.

The thought startled her more than anything else.

Just because Gopher seemed a bit kinder didn’t mean he loved her. How much had her emotional walls crumbled to allow such thoughts in?

The newfound trust, accompanied by rising hope, made her feel pathetic. And yet, at this moment, she had no intention of pulling away.

As Bleria unconsciously wetted her dry lips, Gopher’s eyes glinted mischievously.

“Relax. I won’t do it.”

He let go of her arm. Bleria opened her mouth but ultimately said nothing, feeling an odd emptiness. To quench her lingering thirst, she silently drank her tea.

Gopher laughed aloud as if amused by something. Annoyed by his ignorance of her turmoil, Bleria secretly glared at him—but not for long.

“But you do know our wedding isn’t far off, right? Getting married means becoming a couple. And couples do things even more—”

“I know.”

“You do?”

“…I get it, so just drop it.”

Her face burning, Bleria turned away and clumsily tried to change the subject.

“So, what did you want to talk to me about?”

“Hmm. Nothing worth ruining the mood over.”

“What?”

“Whatever it was, you probably forgot because you were too busy worrying about me. Let’s just leave it at that.”

“What are you even talking about…”

Midway through asking, Bleria remembered something she hadn’t yet shared.

Come to think of it, she hadn’t mentioned the secret letter she’d received. She’d handed it off to Damian and promptly forgotten about it. The second letter’s troubling contents had made her avoid thinking about it altogether.

It wasn’t a big deal, but there was no reason to hide it. Bleria was just about to bring it up when a commotion erupted outside.

Voices rose amid the bustling movement of several people.

“Is HerExcellency back already?”

“My grandmother makes scarier sounds than this.”

Gopher strode toward the door, seemingly unsurprised. With one hand on the doorknob, he turned his head to look at Bleria.

“You don’t dislike dogs, do you?”

“No, but why…”

The moment he opened the door, a large black shape barreled inside.

“Gopher!”

Bleria shot to her feet, but nothing alarming happened. Gopher caught the incoming mass firmly and began stroking its back.

Panting noises followed—it was a dog. Big, black, and muscular.

“My hunting dog. He’s retired now, but he’s in high spirits today.”

“A… dog.”

“Rex!”

A servant rushed in belatedly, pale with worry, as he bowed deeply.

“I’m sorry, young master! I tried to replace his collar, but he kept slipping away.”

“It’s fine. Is that the new collar in your hand?”

Still holding the large dog with one arm, Gopher accepted the leash with his free hand.

After inspecting the dog’s neck with his fingers and eyes, he motioned for the servant to leave. Then, he released the dog onto the floor without attaching the leash.

“Oh.”

“It’s okay. He knows I’m his owner, even without the leash.”

As if proving his words, the dog stayed obediently in place. When Gopher crouched, it immediately lay down on the floor. With a calm demeanor, Gopher attached the leash to its collar.

“His name is Rex. I could have given him a better name, but I didn’t have the chance back then.”

Click. The sound of the clasp locking echoed softly.

Hesitant, Bleria slowly approached at Gopher’s urging. Rex’s eyes were darker than his fur, gleaming as they reflected no light.

She swallowed nervously as her shadow blocked the light, but a gloved hand covered the dog’s eyes.

“Don’t stare too intently. He used to be a hunting dog.”

“Sorry, I don’t know much about dogs.”

“Just avoid meeting his gaze directly and stroke him gently.”

Bleria slowly stroked the dog’s back in the direction of its fur. Though not as soft as a puppy’s, it was warm and firm. She found it fascinating to feel the movement of its muscles with each breath.

Just as her expression softened, Gopher stood up.

“Would you like to take a walk with Rex?”

Gopher held the leash.

Walking side by side, the two engaged in lighthearted conversation, free of tension for the first time.

Perhaps intentionally, Gopher led them away from the estate’s rear garden, but Bleria didn’t point it out. Unfortunately, that silent effort brought about the opposite result.

“Your Lordship?”

A small sigh escaped Gopher, followed by a clear voice acknowledging them. Rex, who had been enjoying treats from Bleria, let out a low growl.

Is it the perfume’s scent?

Though pleasant, it might have been too strong for the dog’s sensitive nose. While Gopher soothed Rex, Bleria straightened her posture.

Standing before them, with her clean silver hair catching the light, was Eos Liche.

Her widened eyes suggested either genuine surprise or a feigned reaction. Despite the unexpected encounter, Bleria’s resolve remained steady, unaffected by the moment.

She spoke first.

“Hello, you’re a lady of House Liche, correct?”

“Oh, yes! Hello. I’m Eos Liche. Um…”

“I’m Bleria of Heaven.”

Her voice introducing herself was calm and composed. She might not have managed it a few days earlier, but her heart had grown resolute since then.

“Ah, I’ve heard a lot about you, Lady Bleria. You’re as beautiful as they said.”

“You’ve heard a lot about me?”

Bleria felt Gopher’s gaze on her cheek but didn’t turn to meet it.

“Oh! People I met in the capital told me. There were so many good things said about you.”

“Is that so? I’ve heard some things about Lady Eos from the temple.”

“Hmm. From the priests, you mean…?”

Though she’d only overheard Eos speaking with Gopher, Bleria didn’t deny it.

Eos looked momentarily troubled but quickly adjusted her expression. She stepped half a pace closer and lowered her voice.

“Um, I hesitate to bring this up, but I heard you’ve had experiences similar to mine. If you don’t mind, could you share how you found your family?”

“My father was the one who found me first. It was purely by chance.”

“Oh, I see. Thank you for telling me.”

Eos’s brows drooped in what looked like disappointment. How shameless, pretending to be a victim when she was a fraud. A cold sensation spread in Bleria’s chest, but she suppressed her anger.

“Lady Eos, you want to find your family, don’t you? If so, relying solely on the priests won’t be enough. As you know, clergy are far more cautious when discussing others.”

“But I have no other options.”

“Are you certain your lost family members are nobles of the Empire?”

“Yes. My adoptive parents found me in Heaven, and back then, I… Well, I think it’s almost certain.”

“Then attending social events would be the quickest way.”

Gopher grasped Bleria’s arm, but she didn’t yield. Eos, looking reluctant, replied.

“I’ve been to a few balls with the Count but wasn’t exactly welcomed.”

“That’s probably because you didn’t bring a chaperone.”