Chapter 3

“Pardon?”  

Helen froze stiff at the sudden question. Heat flared up in the ear where his breath had brushed past. The man, gazing down at her in a strangely amused manner, asked again.  

“What do you think of me? Judging by what you just saw, I must seem like a scoundrel and trash in your eyes.”  

Was he telling me to stay away from him, or asking me not to misunderstand because he wasn’t a scoundrel?  

“…I’ve just met you, so I wouldn’t know.”  

It didn’t seem like he was expecting an answer, so Helen mumbled vaguely. That was the end of their conversation. The mountain path began to curve. Raymond, as if he had never wrapped his arm around her slender waist, withdrew it and flicked the reins.  

***

At the mansion, Helen was greeted by an elderly butler.  

“Miss Godwin?”  

“Yes, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Sir Butler.”  

“My name is Gerald. Welcome. You must be tired from traveling such a long way.”  

The butler naturally took her luggage and handed it to a nearby servant before offering to show her around the mansion.  

“Groene Hall is divided into three main wings: the main building, the annex, and the new wing. There’s also a stable located a bit further away.”  

The annex, which was attached to the back of the main building like the blade of a sickle, housed the kitchen and the servants’ quarters. The new wing was connected to the main building by a long corridor across a small courtyard.  

“The maids stay in the main building, in the rooms adjacent to Madam’s quarters. You’ll also stay in the main building, right above the nursery. This here is the annex. Even though you’ll be staying in the main building, please use the back door of the annex, just as you did today, instead of the front entrance.”  

“I’ll keep that in mind.”  

Helen nodded repeatedly at the smooth and natural guidance. Gerald, walking ahead, asked gently,  

“Was the journey here difficult?”  

“Oh, no. Thankfully, I received help from someone.”  

“That’s a relief. I was worried we might have to send a maid to meet you in town. The mountain is vast, and some people have wandered for hours.”  

Fortunately, Gerald didn’t press further about how she had arrived. Helen felt a sense of relief. It didn’t seem wise to mention that she had ridden with a man she had just met, especially since he had disappeared somewhere after dropping her off at the back door.  

“The Earl and Countess are currently traveling. They’ll return soon, and you can greet them then.”  

“Yes.”  

“Oh, and…”  

Gerald suddenly stopped and spoke with a serious expression.  

“There’s one thing I must ask of you. You may enter any part of the mansion, but the new wing is off-limits.”  

“Why is that?”  

At her curious question, the butler hesitated before explaining quietly.  

“It’s mostly used for long-term guests. Aside from the maid responsible for cleaning, no one is allowed to go in and out.”  

When they entered the servants’ hall, which doubled as a dining area, the staff were seated at the table, waiting for her. The butler introduced them one by one.  

“This is Kaya, the head chef. These are Sena and Jenna, our kitchen maids.”  

“It’s nice to meet you.”  

“Welcome, Miss.”  

“I’m glad to meet you too.”  

“This here is…”  

Since there were quite a few people, the introductions took longer than expected. Nevertheless, Helen made an effort to remember each name and face. However, she froze for a moment during the final introduction.  

“Is something the matter?”  

The perceptive butler tilted his head curiously.  

“No, it’s just… Is there anyone who isn’t here right now?”  

“Everyone except Madam’s personal maid is present. Why do you ask?”  

A chill ran down her spine. 

Then who was that man? Why did he lie about working here?  

“…I see. It’s nothing.”  

Helen barely managed to respond, forcing herself to maintain her composure.  

“So, what was this person’s name again?”  

***

A small figure tossed and turned on the bed, struggling against the cold touch pressing against his back. Despite pushing away the persistent hands that kept embracing him, Henry eventually sat up.  

“Brother! Did you drink again?”  

“Hello, my little monster.”  

“You’re cold!”  

“You’re warm, so it feels nice. My dear little brother.”  

Raymond’s smiling face didn’t look particularly drunk. Frowning, Henry pushed away the arms reaching for him.  

“What’s with the ‘hello’? You stayed out all night again. What will you do if Father finds out?”  

“Did you know you look just like the Earl when you act like this?”  

Raymond teased, his lips curling into a mischievous smile, causing Henry to sigh. Despite sharing the same father, Raymond always kept his distance. He was gentle and kind to his eleven-year-younger half-brother, yet he was notoriously cold toward women.  

“Seriously, I can’t deal with this.”  

Shaking his head, Henry climbed out of bed, his small feet touching the floor. Taking his older brother’s large hand in his tiny one, he led him to the washroom.  

“Go wash off that perfume smell. And do something about your cheek. Stop advertising that you got slapped.”  

“Yes, yes, my little Earl.”  

“Don’t call me that—”  

Henry, dragging Raymond along, suddenly stopped.  

“I told you not to call me that. You’re the one who’ll inherit the title of Earl, so why do you keep calling me that?”  

Henry’s expression darkened instantly. Just a few years ago, his brother had been admired for his intelligence and wit. But at some point, he had started to go astray, and now their father’s angry scoldings were a daily occurrence. His relationship with the Countess, Henry’s biological mother and Raymond’s stepmother, had also deteriorated.  

While Henry initially dismissed it as adult matters beyond his understanding, he eventually found the answer. The decisive clue came from overhearing the maids gossiping.  

—So, the Earl isn’t Henry’s stepfather but his biological father?  

—Goodness. But wasn’t Henry born while the previous Countess was still alive?  

—Then does that mean the Earl… while the former Countess was bedridden…  

Raymond Campbell Somerset’s biological mother had passed away eight years ago. Henry Gordon Somerset had been born nine years ago. Strangely, Henry retained faint memories from when he was a toddler. He remembered the man who often visited back then—the same man who was now his father, the Earl.  

“Every time you act like this…”  

“……”  

“I’m scared you’ll disappear one day.”  

Tears welled up in Henry’s eyes as he muttered. It felt as if Raymond could vanish at any moment, like a fleeting illusion. His brother always seemed to be precariously balancing on the edge between life and death—kind, free-spirited, yet dangerously unstable.  

“I won’t.”  

“…Really?”  

“Really.”  

Raymond knelt to meet Henry’s gaze and wiped the tears from his cheeks with the back of his hand. He cradled his younger brother, lifting him gently, and carried him back to bed.  

The door clicked open. Henry tightened his grip around Raymond’s neck. Moving carefully to avoid disturbing him, Raymond laid Henry back on the bed. Though he tried to pull away, Henry clung closer.  

Resigned, Raymond lay down beside him. When their eyes met, Henry let go as if he had never held on and turned his back.  

“Liar.”  

“……”  

“You’re a liar, a scoundrel, and a flirt.”  

“…Where did you learn to say such things?”  

“It’s a secret.”  

“You’ve grown up, haven’t you? Keeping secrets from your brother now.”  

Smiling playfully, Raymond reached for Henry’s side. Instinctively trying to escape, the small boy was caught and tickled mercilessly. Laughing until he was out of breath, Henry finally surrendered.  

“I-I surrender! I surrender!”  

“That’s better. Come here.”  

“Okay.” 

Raymond hugged Henry tightly once more before letting him go. Their faces, so alike they could have been twins, faced each other. Their resemblance was uncanny, with flawless golden hair and sapphire-blue eyes like finely crafted jewels.  

“Don’t disappear.”  

“Okay.”  

“But what happened to your cheek?”  

“I deserved it. I’m a liar, a scoundrel, and a flirt, remember?”  

“Even so… Don’t go around getting slapped.”  

“Then what should I do?”  

“Run away before it happens.”  

Raymond chuckled at the unexpected answer.  

“Alright. Now go to sleep. Sorry for waking you, my little monster.”  

Whispering gently, he kissed Henry’s forehead. As if by magic, Henry’s eyes fluttered shut.  

Raymond pulled the blanket up to Henry’s shoulders before standing. His expression turned blank as he stared toward the door.  

“When do you plan to stop spying?”  

His words were directed at the eyes peeking through the crack.  

“Come in.”  

“……”  

The door creaked open, and a maid entered, her head bowed. Raymond crossed his arms and gave a chilling smile.  

“Where did you learn to sneak around like a rat?”  

“Well, Sir…”  

“Did the Earl tell you to? Or the Countess?”  

“I saw you give the tutor a ride.”  

The maid, who seemed terrified by his questioning, suddenly raised her head. Raymond tilted his head slightly.  

“And?”  

“You accepted a stranger so easily… Why not me? Why can’t it be me?”  

Her flushed face glowed with longing as she gazed at him. Despite the distance, Raymond’s faint musk scent reached her—a subtle yet intoxicating fragrance.  

He didn’t answer. Emboldened, the maid took a step closer.  

“Hug me.”  

She threw her arms around him, and Raymond let out a bitter laugh.  

“Right. I’m the official public property here.”  

“What…?”  

“Go to my room. Take off your clothes and wait.”  

The maid froze at his sudden command. Stroking her cheek as if soothing an animal, Raymond spoke softly.  

“Lie down, raise your hips, and wait.”  

“……”  

“To mate with a stray dog, you’d have to be a b*tch, wouldn’t you?”  

His voice was gentle, as if consoling a child. Even if there was venom hidden in his words, the kind smile he wore made her mind go blank.  

The maid nodded as if entranced.