Chapter 15
They say a paycheck just passes through your bank account. Honestly, I knew that Maynus, and the Jeremias family, were wealthy enough to spend money like this without a care. I also knew the gift I was preparing wouldn’t measure up to that. The rent I wanted to pay would be nothing to them.
But it’s the thought that counts.
Today, just thinking that I could do something for Maynus and for the people who had helped me and Delerone made me feel lighthearted. I had barely gotten out of bed when I heard a careful knock at the door.
“Oh my, you’re already up? Delerone insisted on seeing you.”
It was Yuz and Delerone. The fussy baby saw me, stretched out her hands, and smiled brightly. Now she showed her smile so well. Delerone was growing by the day.
“Delerone, my baby. Did you sleep well?”
“Kkyuung?”
“Aww, really?”
Watching Delerone grow day by day was truly moving. How sad Ellice must be not to see this. Delerone waved her tiny fists.
“I’m thinking of going out today. I guess I can’t take Delerone with me, right?”
“It’s still cold, so she might catch a cold. But where are you going today? Another date?”
Yuz’s eyes sparkled as she asked. The maids were excited because I had dinner with Maynus yesterday. They made a fuss about it being a date from the moment I went out. I was only going out, but they redid my makeup and had me change clothes three times.
“It wasn’t a date. I just had something to discuss over dinner yesterday.”
“But still, maybe a proposal…”
“Yuz?”
Yuz giggled.
“I’m going out alone today.”
“That’s too bad.”
Yuz picked up Delerone, who yawned and was getting ready to go back to sleep.
“She just fussed a bit. Jewel and Elsa will be here soon. I’ll take Delerone to the nanny. You should get ready to go out.”
I saw the sparkle in Yuz’s eyes. I suddenly thought I might have to change clothes several times again today. According to Jewel, since Delerone and I arrived, many things had changed in this mansion that used to be quiet and full of only men.
Now there was the scent of cosmetics and perfume, and the sound of a baby’s laughter. The maids chattered that it finally felt like people were living here. They said Maynus liked things quiet, so everyone used to move quietly. When he worked, they didn’t even walk past the office.
I couldn’t imagine Maynus being like that.
Of course, I didn’t want to leave this mansion either. But what can I do? Someday, Maynus will meet a good woman and get married, and I’ll have to step aside for that.
How much of an eyesore would a guest be?
Besides, I’m an unmarried woman with a baby who isn’t even related.
I need to pay back my debt, save up, and find a place to go. I planned to splurge just this month and tighten my belt starting next month. I’d be working at the new national healing center, so there would be income from that…
Working at the national healing center sounded good. The emperor always gave special treatment to clergy with sacred power, calling them angels who save lives. Usually, priests in the temple were those without sacred power.
Most people with sacred power registered with the temple and worked at places like healing centers. If the national healing center opened and I could work there, maybe my dream would come a little closer.
Hang in there, Veloce!
You can’t rely on others forever, can you?
Let’s go, let’s go!
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It wasn’t just Veloce who was left with lingering feelings from yesterday. Maynus was also reflecting on what had happened. In fact, Maynus was a man who only knew work. Carrying and supporting Jeremias alone was already overwhelming. But yesterday was strange. It was like he was under a spell.
‘Why all of a sudden…’
He couldn’t forget Veloce’s bright smile against the snowy backdrop under the streetlights.
‘It’s cold, right? But I think it’s so beautiful. Maynus, thank you for bringing me here.’
People said Veloce was wicked, a woman who coveted her sister’s man. But the Veloce Maynus saw was not like that. And Maynus believed what he experienced himself over noisy, exaggerated rumors.
The Veloce he saw was responsible enough to take care of her late sister’s child and had the grit to do her work diligently.
He didn’t understand why such rumors had spread about Veloce.
‘It must be because of Artemio.’
Maynus’s gaze darkened. Artemio must have pushed Veloce until she acted that way. There was evidence. Count Artemio had thrown Veloce and Delerone out into the cold and never looked back.
And though the countess had visited, it was clear from the servants’ words that the conversation hadn’t been pleasant. The maids said the countess’s face was icy as she left.
If she had come for a good reason, to apologize and take them home, that wouldn’t have been the case. And Veloce never talked about her parents.
Lastly, the Artemio family was looking for a new heir among collateral relatives, leaving Veloce and Delerone behind. In such cases, if Veloce had no intention of inheriting, the title would usually go to her husband.
Artemio had completely abandoned Veloce and Delerone.
‘The mansion is warm, Maynus. And I’m glad you’re a warm person too.’
He kept thinking of Veloce, who smiled with a red nose. She was someone no one protected. Not even her parents or family.
His heart felt warm and fuzzy.
‘She’s a lot like me.’
Maynus smiled wryly. He had been alone for a long time. His parents died when he was young. At just thirteen, Jeremias had fallen into his hands.
He had to struggle to protect this huge family, walking a thorny path alone through many trials and errors. There were many he had to protect, but no one to protect him.
Delerone was protected by Veloce, but Veloce was facing the world all alone. It couldn’t be easy for a count’s daughter, but she was so strong.
‘…I want to protect her.’
If only he could. He wished he could keep seeing Veloce’s smiling face like yesterday. Maynus was surprised at himself for thinking this and shook his head.
‘Get a grip, Maynus.’
Letting his mind wander while working was unlike him. And Veloce kept making him act unlike himself. Maybe it was because no one had ever stayed at Jeremias this long.
That’s how Maynus explained his confusion.
It was just a temporary change brought by a stranger.
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“This one’s nice. That one’s pretty too.”
I wanted to buy everything, but the problem was I didn’t have that much money. Still, I didn’t want to just buy anything for someone as wealthy as Maynus. It had to be something that suited his dignity.
Thinking about it, with my salary, all I could afford was a small cuff button. Honestly, what would suit Maynus’s snow-white hair best would be diamonds or the finest rubies to match his eyes, but I didn’t have the money for such treasures.
What kind of noble lady am I.
I’m practically a dirt spoon.
Normally, I never felt lacking or disappointed. There were plenty of dresses in the duke’s mansion that had been worn by past duchesses. Fashion comes around. They were well kept, so with a little alteration, I could wear them just fine.
As for Delerone…
Wait a minute.
Now that I think about it, Stellin, who cared for Delerone, had never said she needed anything.
“Could it be, this considerate man…”
Maynus, you’re amazing…
Maynus had taken care of things I hadn’t even thought of. Bringing in a nanny to nurse Delerone meant bringing the nanny’s own baby as well. Now there were two babies living in the mansion, so expenses must have increased…
The things I needed to repay kept piling up.
Maybe I should pick something a bit more expensive?
