Chapter 37

First day of recovery.

She left the busy individuals to their own devices and headed to the garden alone.

A tea table was set in the shade of a corner of the boxwood garden. Sitting in the chair before it, she enjoyed a leisurely afternoon tea.

“How romantic. This sunlight, temperature, humidity…”

“Chief, was it your head that was injured…?”

The sudden voice belonged to Pell. Knowing he was there from the beginning, Shaterian smirked at Pell’s exasperated expression.

Kirin, ever sharp, brought Pell his tea. Kirin had been sent by her sister as a reinforcement after hearing there wasn’t enough staff at Duke Astrea’s residence.

Of course, Kirin, who had rushed over in concern, clutched her neck when she saw Shaterian perfectly fine.

When Kirin tried to write a letter to announce her immediate departure, Shaterian snatched the quill and hid it.

Pell had stopped by the Duke’s residence briefly to handle some urgent paperwork.

“Are you happy that you’re free until I get back?”

Most of the work assigned to the Grievance Counseling Office had been redirected to the Knight Order during her leave.

“Are you saying that right now? Do you know how surprised I was when I heard about you, Chief?”

Pell’s nagging poured out. Shaterian wondered if she should have pretended to be in pain until Pell left.

Feigning attentiveness, she listened as Pell raised his voice, clearly annoyed.

“Yes, it’s wonderful to have so much free time. I don’t even work, yet I’m still receiving my salary and even a bonus added by you, Chief. I’ve become a thief of wages.”

“Being a wage thief sounds nice…”

“Chief.”

“Don’t huff and puff. You’ll look even more…”

“Chief!”

Tsk. She won’t let me say anything.

“Fine. But you know I can’t stand this kind of atmosphere. As you can see, I’m perfectly fine. I just faked being sick to take a break. So, let’s drop it.”

“Seriously… Don’t make me worry. My heart nearly stopped.”

“Sorry for worrying you. And thank you for worrying about me.”

Shaterian offered an oatmeal cookie to Pell, who grumbled about her insincere gratitude. It was her way of apologizing.

Normally, Pell would have taken it reluctantly, but this time, he simply stared at the cookie before pulling out an envelope from his pocket with a sigh.

“I’m returning this. I can’t accept it.”

It was the money Shaterian had secretly sent to Pell’s house.

Ignoring the envelope, Shaterian broke off a larger cookie.

“That was Vivace’s allowance. For snacks.”

Vivace was Pell’s eldest daughter.

“Chief, Vivace is only 13 months old. She just started walking.”

“Save it and give it to her as pocket money when she’s older.”

“Chief, where do you even get the money to give me?”

“Pell, even if I’m like this, I’m still a noble lady. And not just any noble lady, but one from the Melis Ducal Family, said to be wealthier than the Imperial Family itself. Of course, none of it is mine…”

It’s hard not being the head of the family.

“Ahem, anyway. Honestly, you do all the work. So, this is just my way of being fair. Just take it.”

“…But you’re saving up to buy a house, Chief.”

Pell worried that her savings were being delayed because of her, knowing how much she wanted to leave quickly.

The money disguised as Vivace’s allowance came from a portion of her salary.

Salaries for employees were paid directly by the Imperial Headquarters, but bonuses were allocated from the department’s budget, based on amounts set by the Imperial Family.

In other words, if the bonus was set at 10 gold, the department heads could distribute bonuses up to that amount as they wished.

This meant they could give someone the full 10 gold or give nothing at all.

Everyone agreed it was an unfair system, but…

“It’s all the Grand Chancellor’s doing.”

It was a trap set by Marquis Arturito, the current Grand Chancellor.

He claimed it was a way to evaluate department heads’ integrity using money, the easiest way to test one’s convictions.

And indeed, several heads who played favorites were dismissed as examples, proving his point wasn’t entirely wrong.

But that was their problem.

For the budget-less Grievance Counseling Office, it was a distant issue.

“Sorry, Pell.”

Shaterian reflected on being one of the reasons for the lack of results that scared off clients.

“Don’t worry about it. I’m saving diligently, so just eat this.”

“…Thank you… I’ll enjoy it.”

“Good.”

Pell smiled faintly and picked up a cookie.

Crunch. The sugar-reduced cookie crumbled. The lack of sweetness was offset by the nutty flavor, making it quite enjoyable.

That’s when it happened. Pell, chewing the cookie, suddenly stood up.

“Commander, please sit here.”

“No, I’m fine.”

Eched’s refusal made Pell hesitate before sitting back down.

His face, weary from a day’s work, seemed unusually sullen.

‘Is he tired?’

“Where’s Orgon?”

“He left early due to work.”

“I see.”

“Dinner is ready.”

“Is it that late already?”

Time always flew when she was resting. She stretched her relaxed body.

“Pell, have dinner before you leave.”

“My family is waiting for me at home.”

“Ah, of course. That can’t be helped.”

Pell stood to bid farewell.

“I’ll be leaving now.”

“Alright. See you next time.”

“Yes. You look well, but please take care of yourself.”

Pell left after his polite goodbye, still worried.

Once Pell was gone, Shaterian and Eched moved to the dining room. Yet, she couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched.

Turning her head sharply, she saw Eched looking elsewhere.

When the sensation returned, she turned again, only to find him gazing at the distance once more.

‘What is this?’

Shaking off the discomfort, she spread butter on freshly baked bread. The nutty aroma filled the air as sheztook a bite.

“You’ll get indigestion.”

Eched’s gaze bore into her as he scolded her.

“Why? Do you have something to say?”

He neither confirmed nor denied it.

‘What’s with him?’

Frowning, she pressed him.

“This is your last chance. Do you have something to say?”

“Where… do you plan to buy a house?”

“A house?”

Chewing her bread, she pondered the odd question.

‘…But you’re saving up to buy a house, Chief.’

Ah. 

Suddenly, her earlier conversation with Pell came to mind.

‘Why is he asking?’

Curiosity? Or perhaps a misunderstanding? Could it be jealousy or possessiveness, like the male lead obsessing over the runaway heroine?

‘I’m not even the heroine, so what…’

She vaguely mentioned finding a place nearby, thinking evasion was the best option.

‘It’s not even a complete lie.’

She did plan to find a good spot nearby.

Eched didn’t seem satisfied with her answer, staring at her persistently.

She feigned ignorance.

Throughout dinner, she ignored his gaze and finished her meal.

By evening, as the sun set, she headed to her room with Eched trailing behind.

Her bedroom was right next to his.

As she grabbed the doorknob to enter, he asked, 

“Can you sleep alone tonight?”

She raised an eyebrow at the question.

Last night had been unavoidable.

“Who are you treating like a child?”

“If you’re scared, come to me.”

“No, I won’t. That won’t happen, so don’t even dream about it!”

Without hesitation, she entered her room.

At that moment, she truly believed she’d be fine.

As bedtime approached, she found herself unable to extinguish the lamp.

Lying wide-eyed in the brightly lit room, she tossed and turned.

‘Damn it…’

Eventually, she grabbed her pillow and got up.

Dragging her feet, she headed to the adjacent room. The faint orange glow from the half-open door spilled into the hallway.

Eched sat at his desk, flipping through documents.

Without looking up, he asked in a calm tone, 

“Can’t sleep?”

It sounded as if he had expected this.

Hugging her pillow tightly, she pouted and claimed his neatly made bed.

“Don’t mind me. Just keep working.”

Waving dismissively, she lay her head on the pillow.

Pulling the soft, fluffy blanket up to her nose, she felt like she was lying in a sunny field.

The scratching of a quill on paper filled the room.

Her racing heart gradually calmed.

“I might have to sleep here for a while…”

Mumbling as sleep overtook her, she felt the bed dip slightly. Eched had taken a spot beside her.

“What are you doing…?”

“A lullaby.”

Eched patted her shoulder rhythmically. Warmth seeped through her as he gently held her hand.

‘Is he touch-starved…?’

He always found excuses to make contact, raising that suspicion.

Too tired to protest, she let it be. His faint chuckle was oddly comforting.

“Good night.”

Soon, all thoughts faded to black.

***

Those peaceful, comfortable days continued to repeat.  

Spring was now retreating, yet this persistent drowsiness showed no signs of disappearing.  

After breakfast, she had tea.  

Under the warm, lazy sunlight, her eyelids began to droop.  

‘Is this really okay…?’  

There was no one to nag her, no matter what she did—a tranquil peace.  

Of course, Kirin’s gaze was a little sharp at times, but… it was cozy.  

Her mind became hazy, as if she were about to fall asleep.  

‘Maybe… I’ll end up living here forever.’  

“Eh…?”  

Forever, just like this?  

“Gasp…!”  

At that moment, the shock jolted her fully awake.