"Wait a moment, Your Highness...”
Lobelia muttered as she grabbed Cedric, who was passing by her.
She had a sad yet pure atmosphere.
Her rich blonde hair sparkled like a midday stream, and her thin but well-set features harmonized with each other, like those of a noblewoman in an oil painting.
The moonlight streaming in through the window tangled with the bridge of her dainty nose, creating a light and dark shadow.
Beyond her face, which exudes divinity, the soft and fragile nape of her neck is clearly revealed.
A sight that makes any man want to reach out for her hand at least once if he gets the chance.
But Cedric's eyes, looking down at her, were nothing short of insensitive.
"What?"
There wasn't even the slightest hint of curiosity on his face when he asked that question.
All he felt was a slight annoyance at the person blocking his path.
Lobelia, facing that cold face, withdrew her hand in horror.
“Oh, I just...”
Her womanly round shoulders trembled slightly.
Lobelia, her face bewildered, slowly ran her fingers through her hair.
Then her white and delicate nape was clearly revealed.
It was just as Cedric's frown narrowed again.
“Your Highness, were you here?”
A familiar voice instantly split the delicate atmosphere between men and women.
Cedric quickly turned his head, as if he had been waiting for the interruption.
“Ah, it’s Lehman. Is there anything else you want to say to me?”
In response to Cedric's question, the aide shook his head but hurried towards his master.
That was when he finally reached Cedric.
“Why is Lobelia here...?”
She had a sad yet pure atmosphere.
Her rich blonde hair sparkled like a midday stream, and her thin but well-set features harmonized with each other, like those of a noblewoman in an oil painting.
The moonlight streaming in through the window tangled with the bridge of her dainty nose, creating a light and dark shadow.
Beyond her face, which exudes divinity, the soft and fragile nape of her neck is clearly revealed.
A sight that makes any man want to reach out for her hand at least once if he gets the chance.
But Cedric's eyes, looking down at her, were nothing short of insensitive.
"What?"
There wasn't even the slightest hint of curiosity on his face when he asked that question.
All he felt was a slight annoyance at the person blocking his path.
Lobelia, facing that cold face, withdrew her hand in horror.
“Oh, I just...”
Her womanly round shoulders trembled slightly.
Lobelia, her face bewildered, slowly ran her fingers through her hair.
Then her white and delicate nape was clearly revealed.
It was just as Cedric's frown narrowed again.
“Your Highness, were you here?”
A familiar voice instantly split the delicate atmosphere between men and women.
Cedric quickly turned his head, as if he had been waiting for the interruption.
“Ah, it’s Lehman. Is there anything else you want to say to me?”
In response to Cedric's question, the aide shook his head but hurried towards his master.
That was when he finally reached Cedric.
“Why is Lobelia here...?”
Lobelia blushed in embarrassment as the aide opened his eyes wide.
Cedric, who was quietly watching the scene, let out an irritated sigh from his lips.
“She said she came all the way here at night looking for a squirrel or something. Well, it's not something I really care about. So, what is the business you came for?”
At Cedric's indifferent words, the aide seemed to remember his business again and said, 'Ah!'
He uttered a single word.
Then he covered his mouth with one hand and lowered his voice.
“New information has come in from Rebecca’s mansion.”
Only then did Cedric's black-and-white face begin to take on a variety of colors.
Rebecca.
The change came from just that one word.
“What’s going on with Rebecca?”
Cedric asked urgently as if he had shown a grumpy attitude at some point.
Then the aide opened his mouth without delay.
“This is news from the chef of the mansion. Rebecca said she has an appointment with an acquaintance tomorrow, so there is no need to prepare lunch.”
"Appointment? With whom?"
"That is....”
The aide glanced at Lobelia, then covered his mouth again and continued speaking hesitantly.
“The mansion next door, I mean... I heard that Adrian invited her to the villa for a meal.”
The aide already knew from experience what the reaction would be when he said those words.
Sure enough, Cedric's face was already becoming viciously distorted.
The tendons on his fist gradually grew thicker.
The angry silence continued for a long time.
Cedric's lips finally opened and a new, chilling voice came out.
“Put off all tomorrow’s noon schedule.”
That was the only thing left to say.
Cedric disappeared straight toward his bedroom.
Then Lobelia, who was suddenly left alone with the aide, stared at the spot he had left with a vain expression.
The aide looked at her rapidly darkening complexion and let out an embarrassed laugh.
“It’s not that he's doing this to ignore Lobelia, but his true nature is so indifferent to anyone other than those close to him...”
“I know.”
The words of the aide who was protecting his master were cut off by Lobelia's low voice.
“...I know very well.”
The aide tilted his head in the unfamiliar atmosphere.
Then he glanced up the central staircase and then back at Lobelia.
“Then I guess I’ll just have to go.”
"Yes. Have a restful night, aide.”
“...Lobelia, will you continue to stay here?”
She is the Princess's tutor standing in the hallway of the Grand Duke's Hall at midnight.
The aide gave a subtle hint to the situation, which anyone could see was strange.
But Lobelia suddenly looked at him with a bright smile.
“I’ll be there soon too. I did not find what I was looking for, so I’m still looking for it.”
Are you still looking for that squirrel? It's really a big deal.
At this, the aide smiled awkwardly.
“I see. Then I’ll leave.”
The aide soon left the corridor.
For a moment, Lobelia stood alone in the empty hallway.
Lobelia's smiling face slowly cooled.
“...Something is strange. I don’t know what it is, but it’s definitely changed.”
She slowly approached the Grand Duke's bedroom while muttering something unknown to her.
She then put her ear to the door.
A voice mixed with a dark smile soon came out from her lips.
“I guess...I need to check it properly, right?”
It was around the time when the cold weather in the north became slightly warmer due to the midday sun.
I arrived at Adrian's villa.
When I knocked on the front door, the employees welcomed me as if they had been waiting for me.
“You are Rebecca, right? It’s going to be cold, so come in!”
It was the same welcome I received from Adrian when I first visited the Dark Mansion.
Even though it was clear that all of the employees had lived only in the demon world before, their attitude was very polite.
Probably because they are servants of the historic Monter family.
'Looking at things like this, Vincent must be a mutant even in the demon world.'
With that foolish thought in mind, I went inside.
Then, I was greeted by the meticulously decorated interior.
The lobby was decorated like a garden with various flowers and plants, fully reflecting Adrian's taste.
It was a time when I was looking around me, intoxicated by the scent of flowers that naturally tickled the tip of my nose.
The old butler politely took my coat and smiled softly.
“I don’t know how much the Count has been reminded since last night.”
“Adrian?”
The butler nodded softly.
“Yes, he has been anxiously waiting for the time he promised Rebecca.”
A deep smile appeared at the corner of his wrinkled mouth.
“Of course, he didn’t say it directly, but as someone who has served him since childhood, it is impossible for me not to know.”
"Yes..."
As I answered, both grateful and bitter feelings came flooding back to me at the same time.
It was because I was here to deliver news that Adrian would regret.
The moment I turned my head for no reason and looked up at the large portrait of Adrian hanging in one corner of the lobby.
“You’re here, Rebecca.”
A familiar bass sound rang from behind me.
When I turned around, Adrian smiled brightly and came closer to me.
“...Adrian.”
I gave him a quick glance and he gently took my hand.
And then he lightly kissed the back of my hand.
“It truly feels like a dream that Rebecca has finally found my space.”
Happiness was colored in the blue-violet eyes.
“I always imagined it... This is what it felt like.”
Adrian smiled softly as if he was savoring his current emotions.
“Please come with me to the dinner room.”
His hand was held out in front of me again.
“You can look forward to it as the workers seem to have done a good job.”
Along with the gratitude, the pressure soared rapidly.
The reason was a recent feeling of nausea of unknown origin.
I repeated this to myself as if brainwashing myself.
‘Let’s not gag today. Please, please. Adrian will be hurt.'
Then, when he glanced at the butler of his villa, he nodded his head with a benevolent look.
I soon headed to the dining room, escorted by Adrian.
There were already plenty of delicious dishes laid out on the table.
Because it was a midday meal, there were no candlesticks on the table, but colorful flowers took their place.
Just as I was admiring it, Adrian carefully removed the chair.
Only after he confirmed that I was seated did he cross over and take a seat across from me.
“I hope it suits your taste. I personally brought the top chef from Monter Castle specially for today.”
There was a slight tension on his face as he said that.
“They say my family’s cooking is comparable to the Twins’, so you won’t be too disappointed.”
Only then did I realize why he was nervous.
Maybe it's because I don't want to be blamed for anything.
Then, naturally, I remembered Cedric from the day we had our first dinner together.
Cedric was like that that day too.
The hands that strive to do anything directly and perfectly.
Blue eyes that always looked at me after handing something over.
When I smile with satisfaction, his lips take some time to smile along.
Without realizing it, I pictured Cedric in my head.
Then, when I came to my senses, I felt a slight sense of guilt as I saw Adrian smiling happily.
“...It will definitely be delicious. Thanks for the invitation, Adrian.”
Then he covered his mouth with one hand and lowered his voice.
“New information has come in from Rebecca’s mansion.”
Only then did Cedric's black-and-white face begin to take on a variety of colors.
Rebecca.
The change came from just that one word.
“What’s going on with Rebecca?”
Cedric asked urgently as if he had shown a grumpy attitude at some point.
Then the aide opened his mouth without delay.
“This is news from the chef of the mansion. Rebecca said she has an appointment with an acquaintance tomorrow, so there is no need to prepare lunch.”
"Appointment? With whom?"
"That is....”
The aide glanced at Lobelia, then covered his mouth again and continued speaking hesitantly.
“The mansion next door, I mean... I heard that Adrian invited her to the villa for a meal.”
The aide already knew from experience what the reaction would be when he said those words.
Sure enough, Cedric's face was already becoming viciously distorted.
The tendons on his fist gradually grew thicker.
The angry silence continued for a long time.
Cedric's lips finally opened and a new, chilling voice came out.
“Put off all tomorrow’s noon schedule.”
That was the only thing left to say.
Cedric disappeared straight toward his bedroom.
Then Lobelia, who was suddenly left alone with the aide, stared at the spot he had left with a vain expression.
The aide looked at her rapidly darkening complexion and let out an embarrassed laugh.
“It’s not that he's doing this to ignore Lobelia, but his true nature is so indifferent to anyone other than those close to him...”
“I know.”
The words of the aide who was protecting his master were cut off by Lobelia's low voice.
“...I know very well.”
The aide tilted his head in the unfamiliar atmosphere.
Then he glanced up the central staircase and then back at Lobelia.
“Then I guess I’ll just have to go.”
"Yes. Have a restful night, aide.”
“...Lobelia, will you continue to stay here?”
She is the Princess's tutor standing in the hallway of the Grand Duke's Hall at midnight.
The aide gave a subtle hint to the situation, which anyone could see was strange.
But Lobelia suddenly looked at him with a bright smile.
“I’ll be there soon too. I did not find what I was looking for, so I’m still looking for it.”
Are you still looking for that squirrel? It's really a big deal.
At this, the aide smiled awkwardly.
“I see. Then I’ll leave.”
The aide soon left the corridor.
For a moment, Lobelia stood alone in the empty hallway.
Lobelia's smiling face slowly cooled.
“...Something is strange. I don’t know what it is, but it’s definitely changed.”
She slowly approached the Grand Duke's bedroom while muttering something unknown to her.
She then put her ear to the door.
A voice mixed with a dark smile soon came out from her lips.
“I guess...I need to check it properly, right?”
***
It was around the time when the cold weather in the north became slightly warmer due to the midday sun.
I arrived at Adrian's villa.
When I knocked on the front door, the employees welcomed me as if they had been waiting for me.
“You are Rebecca, right? It’s going to be cold, so come in!”
It was the same welcome I received from Adrian when I first visited the Dark Mansion.
Even though it was clear that all of the employees had lived only in the demon world before, their attitude was very polite.
Probably because they are servants of the historic Monter family.
'Looking at things like this, Vincent must be a mutant even in the demon world.'
With that foolish thought in mind, I went inside.
Then, I was greeted by the meticulously decorated interior.
The lobby was decorated like a garden with various flowers and plants, fully reflecting Adrian's taste.
It was a time when I was looking around me, intoxicated by the scent of flowers that naturally tickled the tip of my nose.
The old butler politely took my coat and smiled softly.
“I don’t know how much the Count has been reminded since last night.”
“Adrian?”
The butler nodded softly.
“Yes, he has been anxiously waiting for the time he promised Rebecca.”
A deep smile appeared at the corner of his wrinkled mouth.
“Of course, he didn’t say it directly, but as someone who has served him since childhood, it is impossible for me not to know.”
"Yes..."
As I answered, both grateful and bitter feelings came flooding back to me at the same time.
It was because I was here to deliver news that Adrian would regret.
The moment I turned my head for no reason and looked up at the large portrait of Adrian hanging in one corner of the lobby.
“You’re here, Rebecca.”
A familiar bass sound rang from behind me.
When I turned around, Adrian smiled brightly and came closer to me.
“...Adrian.”
I gave him a quick glance and he gently took my hand.
And then he lightly kissed the back of my hand.
“It truly feels like a dream that Rebecca has finally found my space.”
Happiness was colored in the blue-violet eyes.
“I always imagined it... This is what it felt like.”
Adrian smiled softly as if he was savoring his current emotions.
“Please come with me to the dinner room.”
His hand was held out in front of me again.
“You can look forward to it as the workers seem to have done a good job.”
Along with the gratitude, the pressure soared rapidly.
The reason was a recent feeling of nausea of unknown origin.
I repeated this to myself as if brainwashing myself.
‘Let’s not gag today. Please, please. Adrian will be hurt.'
Then, when he glanced at the butler of his villa, he nodded his head with a benevolent look.
I soon headed to the dining room, escorted by Adrian.
There were already plenty of delicious dishes laid out on the table.
Because it was a midday meal, there were no candlesticks on the table, but colorful flowers took their place.
Just as I was admiring it, Adrian carefully removed the chair.
Only after he confirmed that I was seated did he cross over and take a seat across from me.
“I hope it suits your taste. I personally brought the top chef from Monter Castle specially for today.”
There was a slight tension on his face as he said that.
“They say my family’s cooking is comparable to the Twins’, so you won’t be too disappointed.”
Only then did I realize why he was nervous.
Maybe it's because I don't want to be blamed for anything.
Then, naturally, I remembered Cedric from the day we had our first dinner together.
Cedric was like that that day too.
The hands that strive to do anything directly and perfectly.
Blue eyes that always looked at me after handing something over.
When I smile with satisfaction, his lips take some time to smile along.
Without realizing it, I pictured Cedric in my head.
Then, when I came to my senses, I felt a slight sense of guilt as I saw Adrian smiling happily.
“...It will definitely be delicious. Thanks for the invitation, Adrian.”
Soon after, the workers began to place small portions of food on our plates and then stood far away from the table again.
It took a while for the meal that started like that to naturally continue with the conversation.
“After this meal, I have to go straight back to the demon world.”
Adrian put down his wine glass and parted his lips again.
“Oh, of course, I’ll be back soon. Some tasks cannot be done outside of the Demon World’s family castle.”
“Because it wouldn’t be good for the head of the family to leave the castle often.”
“...Of course it is.”
Adrian barely answered as if agreeing to something he didn't want to agree with.
After hesitating a little while looking at him like that, I finally opened my mouth.
It was to convey the real reason why I accepted his promise.
“Adrian.”
I put down my fork and calmly called his name.
Adrian, who knew nothing, just smiled happily while looking at me.
His face became even more painful engraved in my eyes.
“...Sorry."
Adrian must have instinctively sensed the meaning of that apology.
Eventually, the smile slowly faded from his face.
“I just can’t... I don’t think I can accept Adrian’s feelings.”
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