Chapter 23
From indifference to faint displeasure—Eden’s feelings were visibly shifting.
It was a latent emotion, something buried so deeply that even he hadn’t realized it yet. It stirred quietly, nestled beneath everything else.
“Does Her Grace often visit you?”
Diego, perceptive as he was, sensed the change immediately.
“I often handle auctions and consignment sales, so she visits occasionally. If Your Grace ever has need, please feel free to seek me out.”
There was no need to stir unnecessary trouble. Diego lowered himself respectfully before Eden.
“…”
Eden gave no reply. His gaze simply lingered—on the window of the woman who had observed everything, then vanished like a shadow, leaving not even a trace.
Late at night, Cecilia looked up from her book at the sound of a knock on her chamber door. Abby, who had been attending her, opened it to see who had come.
“Your Grace!”
The unexpected visitor was Eden.
“Quickly, show him in.”
Cecilia set her book aside and instructed Abby. Flustered, Abby opened the door wide and ushered Eden inside.
“Abby, go rest for the night.”
“I hope I haven’t disturbed you.”
Eden spoke as he entered. Cecilia dismissed Abby, then responded with a gentle smile.
“You’re the master of this house, Your Grace. Wherever you go, whatever you do, it’s only natural.”
Her reply was composed—but strangely, it unsettled Eden. Lately, everything about her quiet responses gnawed at his nerves.
“What brings you here tonight?”
“I realized we haven’t spoken much lately. What were you doing?”
Eden kept his feelings carefully hidden and asked softly. Cecilia glanced at the book on her desk.
“I was reading about the island—wondering if there’s anything we could do there besides fishing.”
“Don’t overwork yourself.”
“I won’t.”
Cecilia answered easily.
“Then I suppose you’re done for today.”
“Pardon?”
She hadn’t expected what would come next.
“Let’s get some rest.”
Eden reached out and took her hand, guiding her. Cecilia followed, momentarily caught off guard, narrowing her eyes slightly. She couldn’t grasp what he was thinking.
“It doesn’t sit well with me, seeing you do all the work.”
“I do it because I want to. Please don’t feel that way.”
As they neared the bed, Eden stopped abruptly and turned to her.
“I saw someone from Morak Pawnshop earlier.”
“Oh, I called them because I had a few items I wanted to sell. But if it bothers you…”
“No, I was just going to ask if there’s anything you’re lacking.”
Eden quickly denied it. Admittedly, the slick-faced man had irritated him—but that was all. It wasn’t the man himself, but the unfamiliarity. He just wanted to know if Cecilia was in need of something.
“Something you want, perhaps?”
“No, I’m fine.”
Cecilia shook her head with a soft smile. She had been like this recently—wanting nothing, asking for nothing.
“Nothing you wish to know? Nothing you’re curious about?”
Eden’s question gave her pause. Their eyes met directly.
“…Nothing.”
Cecilia replied with a picture-perfect smile. Her answer contained not the slightest discomfort.
“Not even one thing?”
Surely, she’d heard the rumors swirling through the estate—and witnessed the commotion earlier. Yet here he was, coming to explain himself, feeling like a fool. Eden tightened his grip on her hand. Cecilia’s gaze shifted naturally to their joined hands.
“Yes.”
Then her eyes returned to Eden’s face—serene as ever. That flawless expression grated on Eden’s nerves.
“I’ve begun gathering information about the island. Once it’s organized, I’ll share it with you.”
It was strange. A woman who claimed to love him… who remained entirely unbothered that he was spending time with another woman under the same roof—his only maid, no less.
Cecilia wasn’t a fool. She surely understood the implication of those rumors. She should have confronted him. But she remained calm.
Was that even possible? Such indifference—wasn’t it only possible between people with no expectations at all?
The thought left him with a troubling question.
“There’s nothing between your maid and me.”
Regardless, Eden didn’t want to be misunderstood. This was why he had come tonight—to clarify that there was absolutely nothing between him and Illina.
“I just didn’t want you to get the wrong idea.”
At the sudden mention of Illina, Cecilia blinked, her expression genuinely puzzled, as if she had no idea what he was talking about.
“I know. You’re not the kind of man who would do such a thing.”
And that—was strange. If she truly loved him, how could she not suspect a thing? Eden thought about that unknown man with the smooth face, the one who had come to the townhouse more than once… and even that had unsettled him.
“Your Grace?”
Eden blinked slowly. Cecilia shook their joined hands gently, snapping him out of his thoughts.
“You said we should rest.”
Her expression was calm, as if asking how long they planned to stand there. That serene face sparked something deeply childish, impulsive, and destructive in Eden’s mind.
He wanted to shatter that peace. He wanted to tear apart that composure.
Eden’s hand suddenly cupped the back of Cecilia’s neck. Her eyes widened in shock.
“Y-Your Grace…”
She couldn’t speak, couldn’t stop him—before she could react, Eden’s lips pressed lightly against hers.
“…!”
It wasn’t passionate, nor affectionate. It was a tepid kiss, devoid of warmth, yet it felt as if her heart had dropped to the floor. Reflexively, Cecilia pushed him away and stumbled backward, colliding with the bed.
“Careful.”
Eden caught her before she could fall. Just like her swaying body, Cecilia’s eyes trembled. In them flickered both surprise—and rejection.
“What was that…”
Raising a hand to her lips, Cecilia couldn’t even finish her sentence, stunned.
“It was just… a feeling.”
Watching her, Eden wondered. Maybe she truly didn’t care. Maybe, to Cecilia, this meant nothing at all.
“I just wanted to.”
They say some people’s feelings fade, all of a sudden. Maybe Cecilia was one of those people.
Yes, perhaps. Though, thinking of her bright face from not long ago, when she’d said she loved him—it seemed unlikely.
And even if her feelings had changed, Eden had no right to criticize her. He had known, ignored it, stood by doing nothing. He’d have no words to defend himself if she said so.
“All of a sudden?”
But realizing that only made him more irritated. As if something that belonged to him had been taken, as if something he had believed was his had vanished.
That emotion flared up violently and without warning.
“I don’t understand what you’re thinking.”
Cecilia looked at him with confusion, her gaze clear and direct, as if to say he was acting strange. That only made Eden laugh.
“You’re not usually like this.”
He agreed. Even to himself, his actions seemed unfamiliar. And yet, perhaps he had simply never noticed.
Until now, he had never thought much about Cecilia’s feelings. He assumed she’d always be there—whether he paid attention or not.
But now… he wasn’t so sure. And that uncertainty left him with a strange sense of injustice.
“I feel the same way.”
“…”
“So… did you hate it?”
His sudden shift in tone was almost absurd. Cecilia, startled, quickly shook her head.
“I was just surprised.”
Luckily, it wasn’t a rejection. Eden sensed relief in himself, but pretended not to.
“Well, since I’ve already startled you, let me make a proposal.”
Cecilia looked at him, wary and confused. Clearly, she thought he was behaving oddly today.
“Let’s go to Laner Island together.”
Eden had considered proposing the trip before, but now the words spilled out impulsively, without proper thought. Still, he didn’t regret it.
“It’ll be a good opportunity.”
He gently brushed his thumb across the back of Cecilia’s hand. Following the motion of his hand, Cecilia flinched slightly. Eden smiled faintly at her reaction.
“Well?”
“…Yes.”
Seeing is believing. Visiting the island would help Cecilia with the matters occupying her thoughts.
And he had resolved to try.
That alone was enough reason to set aside all logic and rationale—to justify his irrational actions with the excuse of effort.
