Chapter 23
I should’ve left when I didn’t hear a response, but unfortunately, it was the maids who manage the sleeping quarters that came into the room early in the morning.
The maids quietly entered the room, but as soon as they saw us, they froze.
Then they gasped as if they had seen something they shouldn’t have and began to apologize in a fluster.
“S-sorry…! We thought you were asleep because there was no response…”
“We’ll come back later…!”
I was wondering why they were reacting so strongly when I realized.
Ah. We must look like a mess right now.
First of all, Reus’s navy robe wasn’t fastened, so most of his upper body was exposed. And… maybe I had pulled on it all night, but the robe was wrinkled even in places where it should have been fine.
On top of that, Reus looked extremely tired—most likely because I had tormented him all night, though in a different way than usual.
My situation wasn’t much better.
My robe was underneath me like it had been taken off at some point, and the straps of my slip had fallen, leaving my shoulders completely exposed. Not only my face, but my neck and shoulders were all red and blotchy.
I learned something new.
That when I’m embarrassed, not only my face and ears, but also my neck and shoulders turn red.
This really did make it look like we got caught doing something we shouldn’t have!
‘But it’s not what it looks like…!’
Just as the shame hit me again and I closed my eyes, I heard the door shut with a click.
Only then did Reus finally let me go, as if his business was done. Now free, I practically ran from the bed into the bathroom like I was fleeing.
I stared blankly at the small dessert plate in front of me.
It held a round, light green ice cream on a clear, small dish.
“It’s melon ice cream, prepared at the Grand Duke’s request.”
I had barely managed to forget the embarrassing scene, and now just looking at this green ice cream made the shame return.
The chef’s face even looked touched, and seeing that made it hard to ask them to take it away. Reus also spoke, as if telling me not to refuse and just eat it quickly.
“You were looking for it all night, weren’t you?”
I almost lost control of my expression and made a face.
Aware of the gazes directed at me and Reus, I quickly forced my lips into a smile and slowly nodded.
At this point, it seemed better to just get rid of the ice cream quickly and clear it from my sight.
I moved my hands quickly and ate most of the ice cream. That’s when Reus called me again.
“How about we take a look at the east garden after the meal?”
His voice was soft, like a gentle husband suggesting a walk.
To others, it might seem sweet—but I knew better. The Reus I knew would never suggest a garden stroll just for leisure. I didn’t know his reason yet, but acting like a happy wife was more important right now. So I smiled as brightly as I could.
“Sure, Reus.”
We walked arm in arm like the closest couple as we headed toward the maze garden in the east.
Even though the wedding was over, we were still keeping up the act—for the sake of the staff at the Grand Duke’s estate.
That maid who bowed to us just now might be a trained spy, and someone managing the lawn might be acting as someone else’s eyes and ears.
At the moment, the only people who knew about the contract between Reus and me were the two of us and his aide, Dwyn.
In short, our ridiculous couple act would have to continue until the marriage ended.
As we walked, saying things we didn’t mean, we arrived at the entrance to the eastern maze garden.
The trimmed hedges of the maze rose even higher than Reus, who was tall himself. Plus, it was located far from the main building—perfect for a secret meeting.
Reus naturally led me into the garden.
The deeper we went into the maze, the more distant the sounds became. When Reus finally stopped walking, the only thing we could hear was the wind brushing through the bushes.
Then, in a voice completely different from his earlier gentle tone, I heard him speak, calm and indifferent.
“I’m going to tell you about the witness I promised you today.”
‘The witness…?’
The person who saw me that night in the Silent Forest on our way to Anas?
“He’s part of my plan. Once you know who he is, you become part of it too—whether you like it or not. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Part of the plan.
He dressed it up nicely. But the truth is, what he means by “plan” is rebellion. And once I’m part of it, it means he can get rid of me any time he feels I’m a threat.
But my answer was already decided.
There was no going back now. No place to run to.
“I don’t regret… my choice.”
“Even if it means destroying House Ivelle?”
He’s reminding me now, even though I already said it before we even made this ridiculous agreement.
“I’m the one who chose to be part of it.”
“How do you know how far I’ll go?”
Thinking of the Reus from the original story, the half-mad villain, I didn’t need to wonder how House Ivelle would end.
‘In a year, my father will be in my shoes.’
An empty, worthless life.
Honestly, it’d be a lie to say I felt nothing.
I didn’t care much for Peria or Briella, but when I thought of my father, I did feel a bit of guilt. Even though he had stood by and watched—and even taken part—he was still my biological father.
Just thinking of how he normally acted was enough to make revenge seem reasonable.
I reminded myself of all the reasons I had to go along with this revenge.
“No matter what happens to Ivelle… I won’t regret it. I’ve made up my mind.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Reus stepped aside, like I was free to go on. As I walked ahead of him toward the center of the maze garden—
“Loelle.”
“Yes?”
“Even if you’ve made your decision, you should know—I’m not as forgiving as you think I am.”
I didn’t know why he said that, but I brushed it off and kept walking. As I turned the corner, I saw the center of the maze, where all paths met. In the middle was an ivory fountain, and I caught a glimpse of a figure reflected in its water.
A man’s back. He had a sturdy frame, like Reus.
But something felt familiar. I hadn’t even seen his face properly yet, but I felt like I knew him.
‘Where have I seen that back before?’
The white shirt with a good fit, the rough black pants, and even the military boots looked familiar.
Still unsure, I kept walking. Soon, the man turned around.
His light brown hair was messy, slightly unkempt. Below it were sharp amber eyes—and the moment our eyes met, a few memories stirred.
“Huh…?”
At my dumb reaction, the man laughed heartily. And the memories became clearer.
‘Anas. Right… I saw him in Anas.’
He was the man who sometimes guarded the cabin when Haven was away.
His fierce face didn’t match his wide grin.
“You remember me, huh? We’ve met before, right?”
Haven didn’t seem to know Reus, so how did this man, just an employee, know him?
As I was trying to figure it out, the man continued.
“The guy behind you—I’ve known him a long time. You could say we’ve been on the same boat for ages. I guess it’s okay to say that much, right?”
Reus had silently come up behind me. I looked up at him, expecting an explanation.
He said, like it was nothing:
“He’s the guild master of Anas.”
“What?”
I blinked, then turned back to the man with the light brown hair.
He smiled when our eyes met.
I hadn’t seen him that many times, but every time we did meet, we had a conversation.
Despite his intimidating look, he was always smiling and easy to get along with… I had never doubted he was just a regular employee.
‘He was the guild master of Anas?’
All those rumors—that the owner of Anas was an old war veteran, or a clever noble with a hobby, or someone with a hidden noble background—were just that: rumors.
The real guild master was a man with an unknown face. Though he didn’t exactly look ordinary, either.
“I didn’t think I’d see you here like this.”
He suddenly reached out his hand, and I grabbed it without thinking.
“I know your name. You’re from House Ivelle… Loelle? Loelle? Something like that.”
“Ah… Yes. It’s Loelle. Loelle Ivelle.”
The man smiled brightly, proud that he remembered my name.
“My name’s Theron. Like I told you before.”
It was already shocking that the man I thought was just staff was the guild master. Now I learned that his name wasn’t even fake—it was real.
‘What the…’
Whether I was stunned or not, Theron happily shook my hand.
“If I’d known we’d be this connected, I would’ve gotten close to you earlier. Don’t you think?”
