Chapter 94

The prestige of the Cassius House skyrocketed following their immensely successful achievements. While other nobles suggested a grand victory celebration, the members of the household were already on the verge of collapse. The tension of hosting the Leander delegation for months had finally snapped, leaving everyone drained.

Seeing his limp staff, Adolf implemented “financial therapy”—distributing bonuses larger than their monthly salaries—which spread a wave of sudden well-being throughout the estate.

The eyes that had been dying of fatigue instantly became as vivid as spring sprouts the moment the payments cleared.

“Raon’s mother, please rest today. Actually, keep resting for as long as you need. You’ve worked far too hard.”

“It wasn’t hard at all. I truly enjoyed just becoming friends and talking with Sister Flora.”

Adolf tightly held Ramona’s hand as she gazed wistfully toward the sea. Ramona had been the greatest contributor to this success; thanks to her, the Emperor and Empress were perfectly hosted and all issues were resolved smoothly. In a grand gesture of gratitude, Adolf transferred the deed of a ruby mine to her name. He knew that the future profits earned through this alliance would be enough to buy hundreds of ruby mines.

The village woman who had once taken any odd job to survive had suddenly become wealthy, but Ramona remained humble.

“Everything went well thanks to you. I’d like to give you a personal gift as well,” Adrian insisted.

“I’ve already received far too much.”

She had gone from having nothing to owning a ruby mine. On top of that, Flora and Benjamin had promised to do anything for her if she ever visited Leander, gifting her the most valuable jewelry they possessed.

“Those were their gifts; I haven’t given you mine yet.”

“Then… later. Could you give me what I want later?”

“Of course. I’ll give you anything. Except for my father, that is.”

“Ah! You caught me. I was going to take Lord Adolf and seize control of this household’s political power,” Ramona joked.

Adrian and Ramona exchanged bright smiles, basking in the newfound leisure. As they sat on the sofa drinking tea, Ramona tried to stand up but winced and sat back down.

“I must be getting old. My muscles suddenly ache.”

Seeing her patting her legs, Adrian nodded slightly. “Lady Ramona, shouldn’t you get a massage? Your muscles must be stiff from living in constant tension.”

“Oh? I suppose so. Would it be possible today?”

“Of course. If you get a massage in the evening and go straight to sleep, you’ll feel much more refreshed.”

Expecting a professional masseuse, Ramona bathed and lay on her bed in only her undergarments. A moment later, there was a knock, and the door opened.

“I’m only in my underwear; do I need to take everything off?”

“I think it’s more comfortable for both parties if there’s direct skin-to-skin contact,” a familiar voice replied.

Ramona spun around. “A—Adrian?”

Her eyes went wide at the sight of Adrian wearing a shirt whose buttons were barely holding on for dear life. Each time he moved, the buttons trembled dangerously, looking like they might fly off like arrows.

“The professional masseuse I called suddenly fell ill, so I came in their stead. I might be a bit inexperienced, but I’ll do my best.”

Before she could even ask if he’d ever done this before, Adrian shook out his hands and pressed firmly down on her feet.

“Wait! My feet are dirty!”

“No part of your body is dirty to me, Lady Ramona. So please, leave yourself to me and relax.”

Relaxing felt impossible, but as his hands began to knead her feet, the pain made her brow furrow.

“Tell me if it hurts. I’ll adjust the pressure.”

As he lightened the touch, the deep lines on her forehead smoothed out.

“Ah… hng…”

As he moved to different areas, soft groans of pain escaped her lips, eventually fading into silence.

“Lady Ramona, are you alright? Haa…”

While Ramona was the one receiving the massage, Adrian was the one heating up in a completely different way. The moment his hands touched her smooth, firm thighs, his entire body stiffened.

Poong!

He had only taken a deep, ragged breath, but a button that had been desperately clinging to his shirt finally snapped and flew off. Once the first one went, the others gave up on their duties and followed suit. The shirt fell open instantly, revealing his muscular chest. His chest, heaving as if to tempt her, throbbed wildly every time his hands touched her skin. He felt the urge to let his desires go, but he managed to suppress them with every ounce of strength he had.

He slowly moved her undergarments aside to massage her back, leaning his body closer. The skin beneath his hands began to radiate heat. As the friction consumed them, Adrian swallowed hard. He pressed his bare chest against her through the gap in his ruined shirt and whispered softly in her ear.

“Lady Ramona, tonight…”

“Mmm…”

“T—Tonight… would you spend it with me? You don’t even have to hold my hand, just… Lady Ramona? Raon’s mother?”

Adrian, who had summoned all his courage while exhaling hot breaths, let out a long groan.

The massage had been too effective—Ramona had completely melted into a deep sleep. Looking at the peacefully slumbering woman, Adrian couldn’t bring himself to harbor any more wicked thoughts.

“You usually seduce me first, but now that I’m trying, you’re asleep? Well, at least you seem satisfied with the massage.”

He turned her over, tucked her in, and after a gentle goodnight kiss on her forehead, he simply held her hand.

***

A party was held to celebrate the successful conclusion of the Leander negotiations. Perhaps because everyone was well-rested and “financially healed,” the preparations were more elaborate than ever. Adolf wanted Ramona to be the guest of honor, but she refused so firmly that he couldn’t force her.

While the party raged in the mansion, Ramona stayed away from the guests to truly rest. Countless nobles swarmed Adolf and Adrian, hoping to use the Cassius House as a bridge for trade with the Leander Empire. Even after the party, nobles knocked on their door daily.

“Guests are coming today, but you don’t need to greet them. Just do whatever you like and rest,” Adrian said softly, ensuring there were no issues while Adolf was briefly away.

“Is that really okay? There are guests, after all.”

“You don’t need to look after them. Think of how many servants we have.”

Adrian didn’t want any more people falling for Ramona’s cooking. He strictly forbade her from helping. Consequently, Ramona, now a lady of leisure, spent her time reading or embroidering in the garden. Enjoying the languid afternoon, she scooped up Toto, who was waddling toward her looking quite plump.

“You’re getting so fat, it’s a problem. What if you get complications from obesity?”

At her worried tone, Toto’s whiskers twitched. As she carried the heavy rabbit into the mansion, he suddenly began to struggle.

“Toto, be still, there are guests today… Toto!”

Feeling her grip loosen, Toto leaped away. Fearing the rabbit might interrupt the discussions with other nobles, she immediately chased after him.

“Toto! Stop right there!”

Despite her shout, Toto charged straight ahead. This usually meant there was a pile of fresh vegetables somewhere. As she watched him dash into the drawing room where people were standing quietly, she mentally decided that tonight’s menu would be rabbit stew.

“Toto, not in there—”

The door was ajar. As she called out softly for the rabbit, her eyes met someone inside the drawing room. Ramona froze on the spot. The person inside also stared at her, eyes widening, and stood up instantly.

“Ra—Ramona? It’s you, isn’t it, Ramona?”

Hearing her name called, Ramona felt a crushing sensation in her chest and collapsed as if losing consciousness.

“Lady Ramona!”

“Ramona!”

Sir Onyx, who was nearby, caught her just before Adrian came running over.

“Lady Ramona! Please, wake up! Ramona!”

While Adrian desperately called for the physician, the guest who had recognized her rushed over and cried out, “Ramona!”

Seeing the man reach out to pick her up, Adrian pushed him away and pulled her into his own arms, shielding her.

“She is my fiancée! I will take her!” the man, Count Lucas, shouted.

Adrian tightened his hold on the unconscious Ramona and roared back: “Lady Ramona is the mother of my son!”