The noblewoman, who entered the drawing room with an expressionless face, had the fierce gaze of a tiger, even at nearly fifty years of age.

Wearing a deep mahogany dress and a shawl made from the skin of a manticore she had personally skinned, her entire presence exuded authority and dignity.

She was Barbara, Cabil-Grey’s biological mother and Regina’s mother-in-law.

“Mother. You’re here?”

“Yes. Are you feeling better? You made it all the way down.”

“Yes, thank you for your concern.”

“You really are something else. The moment you regain your strength, the first thing you do is go after innocent servants?”

Barbara clearly had a sharp ear – she had already overheard the conversation.

Regina thought it might be for the best.

“Mother, if you don’t mind, I’d like to change my personal maid.”

“And why is that?”

“Dain is still young and thoughtless, and not fit to serve someone of higher rank. I’d like another maid to be assigned to me.”

“You are so cold-hearted. When you were in bed for a year, who took care of you? She should be rewarded for her devotion and yet you want to punish her for a few minor mistakes?”

Ah… Regina had momentarily forgotten that Barbara was the type to hold grudges and favours close to her heart.

As long as she believed that Dain had taken good care of Regina, she would never agree to replace her.

“Mother, if you knew how Dain really looked after me…”

“Mistakes happen at work. As someone in a higher position, shouldn’t you show a little grace and patience? Think what the other maids will say if they see you being petty and small-minded.”

There are people who hide their soft hearts behind harsh words – those who lack tact.

Barbara was one of them.

In the past, Regina had feared her mother-in-law, who would scold her for making eye contact.

But when she was lying in bed like the walking dead, it was Barbara who would occasionally open the bedroom door, look in with a worried expression on her face and quietly leave.

Even today’s scolding, if you sifted through the sharp remarks, was mostly rooted in concern.

One of her eyebrows even twitched slightly, as if thinking, “Oops. Was that too harsh?”

“I’m sorry, Mother.”

“Do you have no pride at all? Why apologize when someone says something unpleasant to you?!”

“You’re just saying that because you’re worried about me. How could I not like that?”

Barbara looked a little taken aback – perhaps she hadn’t expected this reaction.

“I’ve only been mistress of this household for three years. And for one of those years I was bedridden. You were worried that I would lose the respect of the maids before I had a chance to earn it, weren’t you?”

“Well. If that’s the way you want to take it, fine!”

Barbara turned her head sharply.

Small scars stood out against what had once been flawless skin – marks of her past as a knight, evidence of a life lived hard.

“Since you have given me such valuable advice, I will follow it this time.”

Regina realised, however, that she would need clearer evidence to fully convince Barbara.

Seeing her step back, Barbara’s gaze softened.

“Hmph. If that’s what you mean, Regina, then…”

“What’s going on?”

Just as Barbara was about to say more, Grey stepped through the front door, interrupting the conversation.

“Everyone’s gathered here, I see. Doesn’t look like you came to greet me, though.”

His eyes darted between the two women, a strange glint in them.

Looking very much like his mother scolding his wife, Regina quickly stepped in.

“Welcome home, dear. Mother was just explaining some household matters to me.”

“You’ve only just got out of bed. Shouldn’t you be resting a little longer?”

He took her arm gently and led her to the sofa.

The faint scent of spring clung to his winter coat, which he still hadn’t shed.

“You look pale, my lady.”

He was right. Her legs were shaking and sweat had gathered at her temples, sticking her fine hair to her skin.

She’d only come down to the drawing room and yet she was in this state.

As she instinctively reached up to fix her hair, Regina smiled bitterly.

How foolish a woman in love could be.

Even with the world spinning before her eyes, the thought of looking unsightly in front of him was what bothered her most.

“This is good timing. I happen to have a gift for you.”

“A gift?”

Something cold and heavy was fastened around her wrist.

It was a bracelet, platinum framed, set with three diamonds the size of thumbnails.

“Don’t you like it?”

Seeing her frozen in surprise, Grey tilted his head.

“I told them to put aside the most expensive item from our latest shipment of luxury goods. If you don’t like it, I’ll have them bring something else.”

“No, it’s beautiful. Thank you.”

She couldn’t bring herself to refuse – not with Barbara watching.

Did the bracelet feel like handcuffs because of his arrogant gaze – the gaze of the man who’d trapped her?

“My, my. Looks like marriage has blinded him to every woman but his wife.”

“Mother, why would you say such a thing?”

Something seemed to occur to Grey halfway through his sentence.

He reached for the vase.

He picked out one of the wilting flowers, shook off the excess moisture and handed it to Barbara with a bright, innocent smile.

“This is for you, Mother.”

“I don’t need that! Do you think I am stupid?”

Overcome with emotion, Barbara kicked open the door and stormed out.

Regina looked at Grey, wondering if he should follow her, but instead he looked at her.

“Shall we go back to the bedroom now?”

“W-What?”

“You’ve done well to make it to the drawing room, but it’s too soon to push yourself. You should get some more rest.”

‘Oh… that’s what he meant.’

Embarrassed at having misunderstood, Regina’s cheeks flushed bright red.

Grey personally escorted her back to bed.

As if that weren’t enough, he even stayed close by while she changed into more comfortable clothes, asking her questions the whole time.

“How are you feeling today?”

“Ah… I’m fine.”

“Have you eaten?”

“Yes.”

“Have you taken your medicine?”

The uncharacteristic concern made her nervous.

But the edge wasn’t directed at him – it was turned inwards.

She was afraid.

Afraid that, like a fool, she’d fall for some fleeting warmth again.

Grey noticed her guarded expression.

“Regina.”

He smiled bitterly and leaned down so their eyes met.

“You’re the one who asked me, aren’t you? To love you – even just a little.”

“And you answered me, didn’t you? You said, ‘How long is a married woman going to talk about love like a naive girl?”

The words he had once spoken left wounds in her, like fine, white scratches etched into her eyes, as if she were looking through broken glass.

As Grey gazed quietly into hers, a faint frown formed between his brows.

“I’m sorry for hurting your feelings. If you’ll give me the chance, I’d like to make things right – even now.”

“Are you sincere?”

“Of course.”

As if in apology, he pressed a kiss to the bracelet on her wrist and gave her a gentle smile.

Beneath his silver lashes, his navy blue eyes shimmered like the Milky Way, and the corners of his red lips curved in an enchanting arc.

At that moment, the diamonds that had sparkled so brightly before seemed to lose all their light at once.

“Why the sudden change of heart?”

Regina knew well the state of her heart.

Her love, already cracked beyond repair, was barely holding its shape. One more blow and it would shatter completely.

“Because I don’t want to lose you.”

“Grey…”

“You know I’m not the warmest person, so I might not be as good as you’re hoping. But… I’ll try.”

Grey’s expression as he said this was calm – too calm.

There was no urgency, no passion in his eyes to make her believe him.

‘It’s a lie. Just something to calm me down.’

For once she wanted to believe him.

A heart caught in unrequited love is like candle wax – soft, pliable, helpless against the heat of the one it longs for.

His warmth alone could have melted every wall she’d so carefully built, reducing them to nothing.

“Thank you for saying that.”

Hiding the turmoil inside her, she gently took his hand in hers.

“But darling… just in case it doesn’t work out, even after you try… what then?”

“Then I suppose I’ll have to divorce you. As you wish.”

“…!!”

“Surely you didn’t expect that answer?”

His grip on her hand tightened.

“I’m sorry, but I’m afraid I can’t do that.”

His voice was soft, his tone tinged with amusement. But his eyes – cold as a starless night – trapped her like a prison of ice.

“How heartless you are – to demand a promise of divorce from a man who says he’s willing to try. Don’t you overestimate your own charm, my dear wife?”