Chapter 9

Evelyn straightened her back, which had been bent looking at the drawing, and glanced at Dyffrin.

“I was just… looking at Rykal’s drawing?”

“At this hour?”

Realizing the implication, Evelyn understood that others could misinterpret the situation. 

It was late, with all the household staff in their rooms, and she was alone in a room with Rykal.

However, the door was wide open, making it unlikely they were doing anything secretive.

“I came out to the hallway to close the window, and then I heard some sounds coming from Lord Rykal’s room, so I came to check.” 

“…” 

“That’s when I saw the drawing on the desk.” 

Dyffrin, who had been staring at Evelyn, turned his gaze to Rykal. Caught in his scrutiny, Rykal looked a bit flustered but quickly composed himself and spoke.

“It’s just as Lady Evelyn said.”

However, Dyffrin’s expression didn’t soften.

Evelyn and Dyffrin stared at each other, like a silent battle. Then Dyffrin first dropped his head with a sigh and said.

“Alright, now get out of Rykal’s room.” 

Evelyn shrugged and left the room. Dyffrin slammed Rykal’s door shut with a loud bang.

She glared at Dyffrin intently.

He was acting like this over something so trivial.

Thinking back, it was odd.

In the original story, Dyffrin didn’t care whom Evelyn met or talked to, even if it was another man.

But soon she understood his behavior.

‘Dyffrin was a person who valued his honor greatly.’

He was likely worried that if the maids saw his wife alone with another man late at night, it could lead to bad rumors. 

However, with all the maids already in their rooms, there was no need to worry so much. This time, he was being overly sensitive.

‘Honestly…’ 

Evelyn clicked her tongue inwardly and went back to her room.

* * *

About a week after Rykal started staying at the ducal mansion, Evelyn had become quite close with him.

Catching him in a private hobby like drawing played a significant role, but also, with Dyffrin being oddly cold lately, Evelyn and Rykal found themselves sharing a subtle sense of camaraderie, trying to avoid Dyffrin’s mood.

Additionally, Evelyn found that she and Rykal had more in common than she had thought. 

For example, liking drawings and stray cats.

She discovered this when she saw Rykal cutting up chicken meat to feed the stray cat on their way back from a walk.

There were also some unexpected aspects, such as Rykal reading poetry.

At first, she could not believe it.

‘…A collection of poems to soothe a mind weary from a demanding superior?’

After lunch, she noticed a book on the table and assumed it belonged to one of the maids, so she reached for it. 

But before she could, Rykal hurriedly approached and snatched the book away. 

Seeing this, Evelyn realized. 

‘…It was Rykal’s.’

Given Rykal’s expressionless and rigid manner of speaking, she had never imagined he had a sentimental side. It was truly surprising. 

Evelyn began to see Rykal in a more positive light, and it seemed Rykal felt the same way.

At first, he was wary of her like a wild cat, but gradually he began to lower his guard.

Eventually, they reached the point of having tea time together and chatting about various things when Dyffrin was not around.

Just like now. 

“I never thought the person crouching down to feed the cats would be you, Rykal.”

Evelyn said in a voice tinged with laughter, and Rykal responded with a sheepish expression.

“…Please, let’s stop talking about that. Normally, I don’t like cats. It’s just… seeing it soaked to the skin and wandering around made me feel sorry for it.”

‘Lies.’

Unbeknownst to Rykal, Evelyn had seen him feeding the stray cats several times. 

But she kept it as her own secret. If she mentioned this fact, Rykal would stutter like a malfunctioning robot.

“I found that side of you quite nice, and surprising as well.”

Evelyn smiled, and Rykal quietly observed her face for a moment.

“I was surprised too…”

Evelyn paused with her teacup halfway to her lips and asked,

“Hm?”

“The Evelyn I had in mind was not like this.”  

“What kind of person did you think I was?” 

“A good person, but… delicate and emotional… a rather tiring person.” 

And he thought she was probably Cinderella-like who got lucky and ended up by Dyffrin’s side.

Evelyn already knew how Rykal had viewed her in the original work, so it was not surprising.

Now, she no longer had any resentment towards him.

Just as she had her prejudices about Rykal, he had his about her too.

“But now… I realize I judged you too hastily, Lady Evelyn.”

Rykal bowed his head respectfully.

“I’m sorry.”  

Evelyn waved her hand dismissively. 

“No, don’t apologize. I’m always grateful to you for assisting Dyffrin so well.”

Dyffrin and Rykal were inseparable like a needle and thread, and Rykal always loyally supported Dyffrin.

‘But it’s a bit strange lately…’

For some reason, their closeness did not seem as special as before.

It might just be her imagination, but lately Dyffrin often gave Rykal short answers or stared at him for no reason.

The problem was that the gaze was quite sharp, feeling almost like a glare.

“Lord Dyffrin is an admirable person. It is a great honor for me to be able to assist him.”

Rykal said with a rare smile, a hint of pride in the upturned corners of his mouth.

“But he is a bit too rigid, isn’t he?”

Evelyn murmured, and Rykal responded with a soft chuckle.

Evelyn was thinking about Rykal’s smiling face, which gave off a completely different atmosphere, when a maid hurriedly approached and bowed.

The maid was not from the duke’s residence, but one Rykal had brought with him.

“My lord, I have an urgent matter to report.”

“What is it?”

“Well, you see…” 

The maid whispered something in Rykal’s ear, and his expression darkened.

When the maid bowed and stepped back, Evelyn asked.

“Is something wrong, Rykal?”

Rykal looked down and said.

“The maid who cared for my grandmother daily has disappeared.”

“Disappeared…?” 

Rykal pressed his temples, as if he had a headache.

“She must have been frightened by my grandmother’s worsening condition recently.”

‘So, she ran away?’

‘I can understand the fear of the plague spreading, but she should have at least found someone to take care of the grandmother…!’ 

Evelyn felt a sense of discomfort, even though it was not her own matter.

“I suppose I have to take care of my grandmother myself today.”

“But Rykal, didn’t you have an important appointment in the afternoon?”

“But… I have no other choice.”

It would indeed be difficult to find someone else right now.

Since the exact transmission path of the plague was unknown, everyone avoided the infected.

Evelyn sighed inwardly and said,

“I’ll go in your place.”

She should have acted like Rykal, who pretended not to notice the messy account books. But having recently become closer to him, she couldn’t do that.

Rykal’s eyes widened at Evelyn’s words. 

“What…?” 

“I’ll go to your house and take care of your grandmother.” 

“But…” 

“It’s hard to find a replacement immediately, isn’t it?”

She couldn’t force the other maids to risk their lives and go, despite the plague. 

And Evelyn knew a lot about the plague. 

As long as she was careful with the patient’s blood, there was no risk of transmission. Since she couldn’t openly share this information, it was best for her to go herself. 

“I’ll check on her condition and tell you in the evening.” 

Evelyn stood up to leave, and Rykal followed suit. 

“No, Lady Evelyn. This is my responsibility.” 

“Rykal, you need to do what only you can do. I can take care of your grandmother, but meeting important guests on behalf of the state is something I cannot do.”

Evelyn’s firm words made Rykal open his mouth slightly but then lower his head.

“…I’m sorry. Then, just this once, I’ll ask for your help, Lady Evelyn.”

“Sure. I’ll keep this a secret from Dyffrin, so don’t worry.”

Although Rykal said it was fine, Evelyn knew that if Dyffrin found out, Rykal would surely be reprimanded. 

No matter how indifferent Dyffrin seemed towards her, he wouldn’t be pleased to know his subordinate had asked his wife to run such an errand. 

Especially since recently, Dyffrin had been looking at Rykal with disapproval for some reason. 

Evelyn asked a maid to fetch her coat and then looked at Rykal.

 “Rykal, can you tell me where your grandmother’s house is?”

* * *

Rykal’s house was not far from the ducal residence. 

Perhaps because the only person there was Rykal’s sick grandmother, the exterior of the house gave off a somewhat gloomy atmosphere. 

Evelyn carefully unlocked the door with the key Rykal had given her and stepped inside. 

‘He said it was the room at the far end of the second floor.’

Carrying the soup that the maids had prepared, she climbed the stairs. Upon reaching the room at the far end of the second floor, Evelyn took a deep breath and knocked on the door. 

“Hello, Lady Merkel?” 

There was no answer from inside. Evelyn wondered if it was because her voice was different from the usual maid’s?

Knock, knock.

Evelyn knocked on the door again. 

“I’m Evelyn, sent by Viscount Rykal. I’ve come in place of the maid.”

Still, there was no response from inside.

‘There’s no other choice.’

Feeling nervous, Evelyn turned the doorknob. Fortunately, it was not locked. 

With a creaking sound, the dimly lit room came into view. Evelyn swallowed nervously and slowly stepped inside. 

“Ma’am…?” 

On the bed lay an elderly woman, presumably Rykal’s grandmother, Lady Merkel. 

But she was sweating profusely and breathing heavily, clearly in a severe state.

Evelyn approached the bed and placed her hand on Lady Merkel’s forehead. As expected, she was burning hot. 

Moreover, despite the disturbance, she didn’t open her eyes or move at all. 

Feeling anxious, Evelyn shook Lady Merkel’s shoulder. 

“Ma’am…! Please, wake up!” 

She still did not respond.