Chapter 13

“Ah, Helen. I almost forgot to tell you something.”  

After finishing their pleasant meal and stepping out of the restaurant, Raymond spoke up.  

“This year, for Henry’s birthday, we’re planning a small dinner with close acquaintances.”  

“Should I end the lessons a bit earlier that day, then?”  

“That would be appreciated.”  

“Oh, right.”  

As they exited the shop, Helen rummaged through her belongings.  

“This is a gift.”  

It was a small impulse. What she handed him was a snow globe she had bought on a whim at the toy store earlier because it was small and pretty. Raymond blinked in surprise before responding a beat too late.  

“Uh… it’s not my birthday today.”  

“It’s a gift for your eleven-year-old self.”  

The air froze for a moment. Helen couldn’t believe the expression she saw on the man in front of her.  

It was a look she had never seen before. Like an actor who had memorized their lines so well that they could perform flawlessly anywhere, only to suddenly forget the script for the first time in their life.  

“If you don’t like it, you don’t have to accept it.”  

“Helen.”  

“It’s a cheap gift… Like I said, if it bothers you, it’s fine to refuse.”  

“No, it’s not.”  

Just as she awkwardly tried to withdraw her hand, a large hand covered hers. The spot where they touched felt as if it had been burned. The next moment, his hand left hers just as calmly.  

“It’s already mine.”  

Raymond took the gift from her as if he were stealing it and smiled brightly.  

“I’ll gladly accept it. Thank you.”  

“…It’s nothing, really.”  

It really wasn’t much. But seeing how happy he was made her feel oddly embarrassed. She averted her gaze, feeling a strange ticklish sensation.  

“Raymond?”  

A voice unfamiliar to Helen interrupted the moment. She turned her head to see a man she didn’t recognize approaching them.  

“It really is you.”  

“…Theo.”  

Raymond quickly stepped in front of Helen, his usual mask-like smile returning as if he had never forgotten his lines.  

“What are you doing here?”  

“What do you think?”  

The man gave Helen a brief, unreadable glance before answering.  

“I came to see you. I was invited by Uncle.”  

* * *  

The snow globe on the desk was crude. A common, cheap trinket. Inside was a tiny Santa Claus no bigger than a pinky finger, standing in front of a small cabin. When shaken, white decorations swirled around, mimicking snow.  

—It’s a gift for your eleven-year-old self.  

Normally, it was the kind of childish item Raymond wouldn’t have spared a second glance.  

And the face of the woman who had handed it to him.  

Helen Godwin.  

She wasn’t particularly unattractive, but she wasn’t a beauty either.  

Her reddish-brown hair seemed dull and plain, her brown eyes unremarkable, and she even had faint freckles.  

Raymond thought she wasn’t ugly, but she wasn’t striking either. If he had to describe her, she was a simple, somewhat rustic country girl.  

In truth, such qualities made her perfect for his plans. She was someone he could use and discard without hesitation, as she wouldn’t tempt him to get too involved.  

But for a fleeting moment, an odd impulse struck him.  

He wanted to touch that tightly tied-up hair of hers. He wanted to look into those warm, earthy eyes and embrace her. He wondered what expression she would make if he hugged her out of the blue. Would she freeze in shock, push him away firmly, or maybe…  

He was about to reach out.  

If not for the untimely interruption.  

Thanks to that, all his plans had gone awry.  

“No greeting after all this time?”  

His deep thoughts slowly resurfaced. Cold eyes turned toward the unwelcome guest. The uninvited visitor was lounging on the opposite couch, legs stretched out and half-reclined.  

Theo Erekt.  

Three years older than Raymond, but as a member of a collateral branch, Theo’s rank was far lower in both power and wealth. In formal settings, he was expected to show deference to Raymond.  

Raymond smiled faintly, his eyes narrowing.  

“I’m not curious.”  

“Our young Earl must have blue blood running through his veins, huh?”  

Raymond’s smile deepened at Theo’s sarcastic remark.  

“How long do I have to tolerate you?”  

“Tolerate what?”  

“You.”  

“…”  

That smile, harmless to women, was anything but to men.  

The relaxed atmosphere instantly grew tense. Theo, sensing the shift, awkwardly laughed and sat upright with a grunt, grabbing a scone as he spoke.  

“Do you remember that woman?”  

“Who?”  

“The maid who attempted suicide.”  

“…Ah.”  

Raymond’s reaction came a beat late, and Theo narrowed his eyes.  

“You don’t actually remember, do you?”  

“Only vaguely.”  

Raymond leaned back against the couch, crossing his long legs.  

“This time, she really crossed the River Styx.”  

“…”  

There was no response. His expression remained indifferent, as if he were merely confirming a fact.  

Theo shook his head in disbelief.  

“She was crazy, sure. Delusional, clingy… She stalked you obsessively. But still, a life is a life. Don’t you feel even a little sorry for her?”  

“I do. It’s a shame she was so foolish to the end.”  

That was all. Raymond rested his elbows on his knees and leaned forward, propping his chin on his hand.  

“So? Are you here to blackmail me with that? Or does the Earl already know?”  

Raymond’s tone treated Theo like a scavenger feeding on scraps left by predators. Theo smirked at the unveiled disdain.  

If Theo was a hyena, then Raymond Campbell Somerset was a spider. Whether intentional or not, he ensnared people, making them mistake his web for a safe haven.  

Men and women alike, drawn to his dazzling exterior, would charge blindly into his web, only to find their wings burned.  

—Why did you treat me like a friend all this time?  

—Because it was fascinating. You were filled with jealousy, admiration, curiosity, and inferiority.  

—What?  

—But now, you’re no longer fascinating. That’s all.  

Theo swallowed a bitter laugh. He had been one of those victims. Though his trajectory had since shifted slightly.  

“Don’t worry. I’ve already cleaned everything up before the old folks could find out. I even checked her suicide note thoroughly. There wasn’t one.”  

“So, what do you want?”  

“Well… just a small token of appreciation?”  

Rather than taking sides, Theo had come to negotiate. Raymond let out a short, mirthless laugh, having expected such an answer. Theo was like a bat, always siding with whoever offered the most benefit.  

“Actually, I racked up a bit of debt during a card game recently.”  

“How much?”  

“Not much. Just…”  

Theo folded his fingers one by one, as if calculating.  

“Enough to buy a building?”  

Raymond chuckled silently. Rising from his seat, he brushed off his coat.  

“Fine. I’ll call a lawyer.”  

“As expected—”  

“But first—”  

Raymond cut him off and countered with his own proposal.  

“You’ll have to help me with one more thing.”  

* * *  

A week later, the Somerset family held a birthday dinner for their younger son, Henry, inviting only close acquaintances.  

In truth, the event was more of a banquet than a simple dinner.  

Relatives living nearby, the vice principal of a prestigious private school, a renowned poet, Raymond’s fiancée, and other distinguished guests with high social standing were all in attendance. They carried themselves with confidence and pride, holding the coveted invitations in their hands.  

“The food was absolutely delicious! Countess, your impeccable taste is truly enviable. How did you manage to hire such a talented chef?”  

“Not just the food! Look at this perfectly arranged table and the flowers in the vases. Everything is so harmonious and beautiful!”  

“The eldest son attended Carlton, but surely young Henry will attend our school, won’t he?”  

“Diana and Raymond look so perfect together. Perhaps it’s because they’re both so stunning…”  

The Earl and Countess, seated at the head of the long dining table, were the picture of sociability and warmth, engaging effortlessly with their twenty or so guests.  

After the lavish meal, the group moved from the dining room to a spacious lounge. With the Earl and Countess at the center, guests gathered around the crackling fireplace, sitting comfortably as they conversed.  

Behind this picture-perfect scene, Helen sat quietly in a corner, almost invisible. The other staff bustled about, cleaning up the banquet and attending to the guests.  

—Don’t say anything. Just sit quietly, Miss Godwin.  

—Yes, I understand, Mr. Butler.  

—I’m sorry to trouble you when you should be resting. You won’t have to stay long.  

—It’s fine. Don’t worry about me.  

Helen’s role was to keep an eye on Henry and the other children, ensuring they didn’t get hurt. It was a dull, thankless task.  

Though the gathering was meant to celebrate Henry’s ninth birthday, the center of attention throughout the evening was a young couple.  

Raymond Campbell Somerset and his fiancée, Diana Sendil.  

Their world was far removed from Helen’s. She tried not to listen to the conversations, but the constant mentions of the pair kept reaching her ears.  

Diana’s aunt, Lady Fennet, was particularly vocal.  

“I may be overstepping, but marriage works best between people of similar status. In that sense, our Diana will adapt perfectly as the Countess of Somerset. She’s been trained for this all her life.”  

“Of course! She’s so elegant and refined.”  

“Oh, absolutely. And have I told you about the time Diana embroidered a magnolia on a handkerchief all by herself when she was seven?”  

Her doting affection for her niece was almost embarrassing to witness. Even Diana herself blushed and avoided eye contact.  

“To be honest, I was a bit worried when I heard about Diana’s engagement to Raymond. After all, rumors travel fast, and our Diana is such a pure and innocent girl.”  

There was a faint intake of breath from the surrounding guests.  

If there was one unspoken rule at Groene Hall, it was that no one mentioned the scandals surrounding the young Earl of Somerset.  

“But seeing him in person has completely changed my mind. With a man like him, it’s no wonder women flock to him. Of course, some of them don’t know their place and throw themselves at him. For example…”  

At the words “don’t know their place,” Lady Fennet subtly glanced behind her.