Chapter 19

Renee raised her voice in shock, completely stunned.

 

“Shh—.”

 

Ricard placed his index finger over his lips, adding with a mischievous smirk, “There are three people standing guard outside your door right now—your two maids and my mother. If you really want to blab to them that I’ve seen you naked, feel free to keep shouting.”

 

Renee cupped her burning cheek with both hands, staring wide-eyed at the door.

 

Tatisha, Bonnie, and even Melda… How on earth did all three of them know she had returned and come to stand outside her door?

 

“I’m told that skinny maid and the tiny, rat-like one guarded your empty room every single night,” Ricard answered, as if reading her mind.

 

“Why…?”

 

“Supposedly, spending nights away from you in the servants’ quarters was too painful, so they stood outside your bedroom weeping instead.”

 

“……Hic!”

 

“What the?! Are you crying?!”

 

……It was absurd, but she really was crying. Tears burst forth without a moment’s notice, so suddenly that even she found it ridiculous.

 

Only then did Ricard release her wrist. As Renee buried her face in her hands and sobbed as if she had been waiting for the moment, Ricard scrambled in flustered desperation, trying to catch a glimpse of her face.

 

“Where in the world do those tears even come from?” he muttered, genuinely baffled.

 

Renee found Ricard—who couldn’t comprehend it—even harder to understand. How could anyone not cry upon learning they had stood guard over an empty room out of love for her?

 

Moreover, she had been framed as a murder suspect. She didn’t know whether the two maids believed she could never do such a thing, or if they missed her despite suspecting she might be a killer—either way, the unexpected warmth of their affection seemed to instantly wash away all the sorrow she had carried.

 

Looking around in a panic, Ricard reached over and grabbed a dry handkerchief from the nightstand, offhandedly thrusting it toward her.

 

Renee, who was just on the verge of a runny nose, snatched it up instantly. As she wiped her tear-streaked face and blew her nose, Ricard’s mouth hung open in disbelief.

 

“Sob, sob……. Tatisha and Bonnie, hic, are one thing, hic……. How did, hic, Mother know to come?”

 

When Renee asked through her miserable weeping, Ricard chuckled, his shoulders shaking with silent laughter.

 

“Pick one—either talk or cry.”

 

“I’m, hic, sorry. Please, hic, answer me.”

 

As Renee tried her best to suppress her sobs, Ricard spoke, looking amused yet faintly sympathetic.

 

“Mother has been receiving daily updates about you every single night since you were arrested. Asking if you were sleeping well, if you were skipping meals.”

 

“Stop. Please stop.”

 

Emergency. This was a full-blown emergency.

 

She tried desperately to cut Ricard off, but it was already too late. At the overwhelming news that Melda had worried about her every single day and kept track of her well-being, tears poured down her face like a waterfall.

 

Renee sobbed with her whole body trembling, venting all the unspoken grief she had secretly built up over the past few days—no, ever since she had suffered alone leading up to the banquet. All the while, she muffled her sounds with frantic hiccups, terrified the three people outside might hear.

 

Watching his wife desperately suppress her sobs, Ricard’s expression grew complex.

 

Waiting patiently until her crying subsided, Ricard finally reached out. He wiped the corners of his wife’s raw, tear-soaked eyes again and again, but it seemed to do little good.

 

Ultimately, Ricard took Renee’s shoulders, gently lifting her into a sitting position before cradling her small head. When he pulled her straight into his chest, Renee collapsed into his embrace without the slightest resistance.

 

Ricard patted his wife’s back, which was trembling like a fragile bird. He could feel his shoulder soaking through with her tears.

 

Normally, he would find someone else’s bodily fluids—be it sweat or anything else—utterly repulsive, but he didn’t feel even a trace of disgust at Renee’s tears.

 

Only after a long while did her crying finally quiet down.

 

“……The trial is in two weeks, right?”

 

Emerging from Ricard’s embrace, Renee shifted the subject with an embarrassed expression.

 

Ricard simply stared at her face in silence.

 

“We’ll talk about that tomorrow.”

 

He reached out. Then, he slid the shoulder strap of her nightgown down.

 

Renee’s slender shoulders were fully exposed. Her skin, so clear and radiant it hardly seemed human, caught the moonlight and gleamed like a pearl.

 

What dwelled in Ricard’s eyes was undeniable male desire. Like a bright blue flame, a raw craving burned so fiercely it felt almost chillingly cold.

 

And facing her husband like this, Renee felt neither fear nor aversion.

 

It was quite the opposite. The dark early hours of dawn, far from morning break, and a bedroom occupied only by the two of them.

 

Above all, they were a married couple—it wouldn’t be strange in the slightest if they stripped naked right now and tangled together as one. Passing this dawn into morning without anything happening felt like it would be even stranger.

 

‘That would ruin the romance of a romance novel…’

 

Just as Renee sank into ridiculous thoughts with a flushed face, their lips collided.

 

Ricard’s lips were soft yet slightly dry. As if proving that both of them had spent agonizingly tense, exhausting days, their lips were parched.

 

Ricard was the one to offer his tongue first. As he moved gently, moistening his wife’s lips, his breathing grew sharply ragged.

 

It was as though he had poured fuel onto his own desire. Up until now, she was a wife he hadn’t even had the chance to hold hands with.

 

Forget avoiding eye contact; not only were their lips pressed together, but they were now sharing breaths—no man could remain rational in this state.

 

When he pulled Renee’s body flush against his with rough force, a strained whimper escaped her parted lips.

 

Even though they couldn’t possibly press any closer, both were desperate to draw nearer without end. Fending off Ricard’s intense strength, Renee winced periodically, yet she neither pulled back nor broke the kiss.

 

And this purely instinctive surrender on Renee’s part stimulated Ricard even further.

 

His wife was giving consent. There were mountains of topics they needed to discuss—what had happened during today’s visitation, the trial facing them in two weeks, and how to handle her shifts at the café—but all of those vanished like ashes after a blaze.

 

The half-truth he had heard from her was no exception. If her claim of coming from another world was true, what on earth did that world mean, and did it mean she wasn’t human?

 

All the burning curiosity that felt as though it couldn’t be satisfied even if they stayed up all night completely evaporated.

 

None of that mattered anymore. Holding her this tightly, breathing in her scent, and kissing her like this—even if she were a monster rather than a human, what difference would it make?

 

Even if his wife truly intended to kill him, even if he was being deceived by her at this very moment, and even if he were to die by her hand next time…

 

He didn’t care.

 

“Ha, ah……”

 

In the brief moment their lips parted, Renee gasped for the air she lacked.

 

Her flushed cheeks and the subtle trembling of her skin were all lingering traces of the act they had just shared.

 

Renee smoothed down her disheveled hair and looked up at Ricard. He was gazing down at her with dazed, heavy eyes.

 

Strands of hair fell over his brow, lightly veiling his eyes, and his usually tightly sealed lips were slightly parted. Seeing him—a man always so impeccably composed and neat—looking so undone felt impossibly sexy.

 

With an agonizing expression, Ricard repeatedly tightened and loosened his grip around Renee’s back. She could feel him barely holding back an unbearable urge.

 

Renee reached out. The moment she grabbed Ricard’s shirt collar and pulled him close, a fierce flame instantly ignited in his startled eyes.

 

***

 

Woken by the morning sound of birds, Renee reflexively reached out before even opening her eyes. She checked the spot beside her, but Ricard’s place was empty.

 

A fleeting feeling of loneliness washed over her, but only for a moment. Renee stroked her own arms with both hands, then absentmindedly touched her lips.

 

‘……No way!’

 

The passionate kiss from early this morning flashed through her mind. Technically, the day of the banquet had been their first kiss, but since that was just a light peck, today was truly a milestone worth celebrating.

 

Throwing the blanket over her head, Renee kicked her feet wildly, thrashing around like a grasshopper.

 

It took quite a while before she finally opened her eyes and poked her head out from under the covers—only to immediately lock eyes with Ricard, who was quietly watching her display.

 

“…….”

 

Unlike her—disheveled and messy from waking up and throwing a tantrum—he was fully dressed and completely prepared for work.

 

She had no idea when he had walked in or why he was still standing there, but he stood at the foot of her bed with his arms loosely crossed.

 

“Are you done?”

 

Having been caught in so many embarrassing situations already, she wasn’t even surprised anymore.

 

“Yes.”

 

When Renee answered quietly, Ricard lightly shook his head. Then, he simply stood there without saying much else.

 

“What are you doing?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Aren’t you going to work?”

 

“……Ah. The café!”

 

At the word ‘work,’ Renee froze for a second before exclaiming in realization, causing Ricard to let out a short laugh.

 

“Indeed. A owner leaving her business vacant for over a week—unheard of for a proper entrepreneur.”

 

Ricard playfully scolded her. Renee sprang out of bed without even thinking to tidy her messy appearance.

 

“We tried to keep it quiet, but most high-ranking officials in the castle likely know you were arrested as a murder suspect.”

 

Instead of waiting for Bonnie, Renee was busy grabbing her own bath supplies when she paused at Ricard’s serious tone.

 

“Furthermore, the café staff would naturally be concerned about your absence. I’m not sure how fast rumors spread within the castle, but more people might know than I think.”

 

Renee slowly turned around. Ricard maintained a calm expression.

 

“It means you might face sharp glares and suspicious looks from people. But you’ll have to endure it.”

 

Lowering her gaze for a moment, Renee quickly looked up and nodded. A gentle smile broke across her face.

 

“Yes. Things like that don’t matter to me at all.”

 

“What makes you so happy?”

 

“While locked in that solitary cell, more than anything else, I wanted to go to work.”

 

“I’m not sure if I should be pleased about that or not.”

 

“Why?”

 

Looking at Renee, who asked with wide, round eyes, Ricard fell into a discontented dilemma.

 

Was she pretending not to know, or did she truly not realize? It had been a whole week since her arrest before they finally reunited, shared a bed, and even shared a passionate kiss.

 

Yet seeing her beam with a bright smile while discussing her café, as if her husband didn’t exist in her mind, gave him mixed feelings.

 

He couldn’t tell if the soul of a crazed businesswoman had possessed his wife, but in truth, Ricard felt much the same way about everything else being fine.

 

***

 

Riding in the carriage with Adonis and Tatisha, Renee gazed out the window at the approaching café building, overcome with a strange sentiment.

 

Even though she knew nothing dramatic could have changed in less than ten days, her heart fluttered with nervous excitement.

 

Everything felt fresh. The scenery of the square on her commute, and especially the lush flowers and trees in full bloom.

 

In that short time, spring had deepened significantly, making it feel as if early summer was taking a step closer.

 

The sky, the breeze, the sunlight—everything that used to be taken for granted felt like a precious gift. When she had finished getting ready and stepped out of her inner chambers that morning, she had almost thrown her arms around Adonis, who was standing ready in front of the carriage.

 

“Adonis. What if everyone has forgotten about me?”

 

“If anyone forgot about Madam in just one week, there is a severe problem with their brain, and we should escort them to the hospital.”

 

His unwavering, dry response made her chuckle repeatedly.

 

Tatisha, who usually commuted in the employee carriage, was riding with her today. Uncharacteristically for her blunt nature, she was clinging right next to Renee, linking arms with her tightly.

 

This morning, while hurriedly walking down the hallway carrying her own bath supplies, Renee had run into Tatisha and Bonnie by chance, and they had embraced and wept together.

 

Tatisha, who cried once more when Renee asked her to help prepare for work, shared the story of last night while assisting with her bath.

 

She revealed that Ricard had carried the sleeping Renee up the stairs to the inner chambers. Tatisha, who had been standing lonely in front of the empty room with Bonnie, had nearly fainted in surprise.

 

After laying her on the bed, Ricard had dismissed Bonnie—citing her loose lips—and briefly explained the situation to Tatisha alone. He assured her that the misunderstandings between them were resolved, though the trial remained, and they needed to gather evidence to prove her innocence.

 

He had asked Tatisha to take extra good care of her, as she was bound to be exhausted in both body and mind. Seeing him even thoughtfully request that the explanation be passed along to Melda, Tatisha concluded her story by saying it was beyond shocking to see if that was truly the Grand Duke Sainer she knew.

 

“By the way, Madam,” Tatisha whispered into Renee’s ear, glancing nervously at Adonis sitting across from them.

 

“You slept with His Grace last night, didn’t you?”

 

“W-what?”

 

Flustered by the unexpected question, Renee stammered.

 

“Her Grace, Bonnie, and I were all craning our necks waiting to see you, but we thought His Grace would leave immediately after placing you on the bed. Yet he stayed in your room until morning!”

 

“…….”

 

“What’s more, we definitely heard your voice and sobbing from inside, but after that……”

 

Glancing at Adonis once more, Tatisha lowered her voice even further.

 

“He kept groaning and gasping for breath as if he were in pain, so the three of us were so, so worried……”

 

Smack—!

 

Slapping Tatisha’s forearm, Renee covered her reddening face and clamped her hand over Tatisha’s mouth.

 

Just in time, the carriage came to a halt. Relieved as if she had met her savior, Renee personally threw open the door.

 

“Madam, wait a moment.”

 

Grabbing the arm of Renee, who was about to leap out, Tatisha examined the neck of her dress closely. After a moment of thought, she pulled a pristine white scarf from her inner pocket.

 

“What’s the scarf for?”

 

Instead of answering, Tatisha rolled up the small square scarf and wrapped it around Renee’s neck.

 

“Tatisha. What is this?”

 

Once again, Tatisha ignored the question and hopped out of the carriage.

 

Tilting her head in confusion, Renee let Adonis step down first before pulling a small hand mirror from her dress pocket.

 

Gently pulling down the scarf Tatisha had wrapped around her, she inspected her neck.

 

‘He’s crazy……!’

 

Clearly visible was a hickey. Judging by the fact that she hadn’t even noticed when he left it, she must have truly lost her mind early this morning.

 

Outside the carriage door, Renee’s eyes met Tatisha’s.

 

Giving a cheeky wink, Tatisha walked briskly toward the café with a spring in her step.

 

***

 

Passing through the garden in front of the café, Renee once again felt how deep spring had grown during her absence. The grass was a vibrant green, and roses were beginning to bloom.

 

“Oh! Madam Sainer!”

 

The ones who spotted Renee and brightened up were three men gathered at the edge of the garden.

 

They were café employees who handled various heavy tasks besides cooking and serving; right now, their shirtsleeves were rolled up, and they were holding tools like saws and hammers.

 

“Jordan, Jake, Tim!”

 

Renee called their names one by one, walking briskly toward them.

 

“How long has it been, Madam? We’ve been waiting for you!”

 

Jordan, boasting a tanned complexion and a muscular physique, wiped the sweat from his forehead and expressed his delight. Jake and Tim felt the exact same way.

 

Coming closer, she saw the three men sweating profusely as they built a fence surrounding the garden. Wood, white paint, and various tools were scattered across the ground.

 

“Are you feeling alright, Madam? All the staff were worried sick.”

 

Jake wore a concerned expression. Judging by their reaction, someone must have explained that she was away due to health issues.

 

‘And that someone is definitely Ricard.’

 

Thinking of how he—a man who had never needed to make up excuses in his life—had concocted a story for her sake made her feel apologetic yet amused.

 

“Yep, I’m completely fine.”

 

Seeing her smile brightly as she answered, the three men’s expressions finally cleared up.

 

“It looks like you decided to build a fence?”

 

Renee shifted the topic. As she asked with a curious expression while looking at the items on the ground, Tim stepped forward with a nod.

 

“Starting last week, roses began blooming like crazy along the edge of the garden. All of us employees walk past this garden every day for work, but we thought it was just wild grass—who knew roses would bloom like this?”

 

The same went for Renee. When she started the business, she had simply bought an abandoned building in a prime location and hadn’t paid attention to what kind of flowers bloomed in the garden.

 

Morning sunlight poured down. Renee shaded her eyes with her hand and looked around the garden.

 

Looking now, it was exactly as Tim described. Roses of various colors bloomed densely, encircling the wide garden edge.

 

“So that’s why you’re building a fence? So the rose vines can climb up.”

 

“Exactly. Priest Bernst was the one who suggested it.”

 

“Huh? The priest?”

 

“Yes. While you were away, Madam, the priest visited our café three times.”

 

At Tim’s words, the other two nodded with fond expressions.

 

‘Come to think of it, I almost completely forgot about Theon.’

 

Ever since that day when Ricard had caught them together—nearly causing a total catastrophe—she hadn’t had any contact with Theon.

 

“He even gave us all this lumber for free. He said it’s resistant to moisture and wind, so we won’t need to do separate repairs.”

 

The additional detail Jake shared stirred feelings beyond simple gratitude—it made her feel deeply apologetic.

 

“That’s so kind of him. To take such detailed care of our café while I was away.”

 

“Is that all?”

 

The person who suddenly chimed into the conversation was Joanna, who had approached silently. As always, her apron was tightly tied, and she was carrying a basket overflowing with cherries and blueberries.

 

“Joanna!”

 

Unable to contain her joy, Renee threw her arms around Joanna. Joanna practically tossed the basket to the ground and hugged Renee back, jumping up and down.

 

Cherries and blueberries rolled everywhere. Seeing this, the muscular Jordan led the other two men in squatting down to gather the fallen fruit.

 

Watching them out of the corner of her eye, Renee smiled even brighter. To an outsider, it might look like they were overreacting as if they had been separated for an entire year.

 

‘But I don’t care what other people think.’

 

It felt like coming home. A sense of stability and fulfillment—as if she was finally where she belonged—warmed her heart like a gentle stream.

 

“When we heard the news that you’d be away for a while due to health issues, we informed the customers as well.”

 

Joanna, linking arms with Renee, began excitedly sharing the news from her absence.

 

“Yeah, and then?”

 

“We didn’t know if it was because they were worried about you or if they guessed there was another reason, but the atmosphere among both customers and staff sank completely.”

 

Recalling that time, Joanna’s face darkened slightly.

 

Just from her explanation and expression, Renee felt as if she had been there herself. She could practically sense the gloomy, heavy mood.

 

“But then Sir Bernst stepped away from the temple and visited the café himself. He stayed for nearly half a day, chatting with customers, looking over the fruit in the backyard and the flowers in the garden. Most importantly, he reassured everyone that you were simply resting and would return without any problems.”

 

“Oh my goodness, did Theon really go that far? I had no idea……”

 

She was so touched that tears welled up in her eyes.

 

However, Joanna seemed fixated on something else entirely, her eyes sparkling.

 

“Theon? Did you just call him Theon?”

 

“U-uh? Did I?”

 

“I knew it! The rumor that you two have been close friends for a long time is true! I’m so jealous I could die! Does Priest Bernst also call you by your name when it’s just the two of you? Do you guys joke around and banter? Do you?!”

 

Joanna showered her with a barrage of questions with a wildly excited gaze. Sweating nervously, Renee picked up the basket to help gather the fruit instead.

 

Just then, she saw the café door swing open in the distance. Propping the door open with his thick arm was Brad.

 

Beside his warm smile, the kitchen cooks and hall staff poked their heads out one by one like little chicks.

 

Everyone looked ready to celebrate Renee’s return with all their heart and soul.

 

Every single sight before her felt like a sweet dream. Renee made a firm vow to herself.

 

‘I’m going to pour my entire soul into running this café!’

 

……Or so she had firmly resolved.

 

“Madam Sainer. Is the rumor true that you’re pregnant? It was taken as fact that you and His Grace use separate rooms, so if it’s true, that’s quite shocking.”

 

That resolute vow was already wavering just one hour later.

 

Leaning against the counter with his upper body stretched far forward, a man who had long finished ordering and paying was busy spouting nonsense instead of giving way to the customer behind him.

 

Renee repeatedly etched the character for ‘patience’ in her mind, recalling a truth as fundamental as a legal code: Obnoxious Customer Trait #1: They have no idea they are being obnoxious.

 

The flaring-nostriled man and the woman who appeared to be his wife—a pair of absolute pests—acted completely brazen, as if unaware that bringing up pregnancy to a stranger was outrageously rude.

 

“Haha. Was such a rumor going around? That is not true.”

 

Renee forced the best smile she could manage as she answered. At that, the woman whipped around.

 

Following her gaze, Renee saw a large table in the corner of the hall. Four couples—a total of eight people—were craning their necks, indicating they were a group.

 

Which brought her to: Obnoxious Customer Trait #2: They always travel in packs.

 

“What did she say? Huh? What’d she say?”

 

The largest man among the group—to put it bluntly, a pig-like middle-aged man—covered his mouth with his hand while practically bellowing at the top of his lungs.

 

“She said it’s not true.”

 

When the woman answered, exactly three out of the eight people groaned in disappointment and slammed the table. Because they were making such a scene, the other customers’ eyes were already drawn to them.

 

“Ah, you see, we made a bet among ourselves.”

 

The man offered an explanation without a shred of tact.

 

“It’s a bet covering an entire week’s worth of dinners and drinks!”

 

His wife leaned in close, continuing the story.

 

“Three people bet that you were indeed pregnant, and seven people—including the two of us—bet that it was just a false rumor.”

 

Watching the two of them chuckle between themselves, Renee recalled the time she had dumped a glass of ice water over the rude, lemon-headed Young Master Rodrigo.

 

‘Patience. Young Master Rodrigo acted that way knowing full well what he was doing, while these people are likely doing it out of sheer ignorance.’

 

Clenching her teeth tight, Renee mustered every last drop of her remaining patience and smiled.

 

“If you have nothing more to order, could you please step aside? The line is backing up.”

 

Whispering among themselves, the obnoxious couple headed back toward their group.

 

And naturally, Adonis was recording this entire situation—a fact that Renee, back at work after a long break, hadn’t yet realized.

 

***

 

After working furiously without a single moment to catch her breath—even skipping dinner in the process—the time had already come to close up shop. Having completed their respective closing duties and changed out of their uniforms, the staff gathered together in the main hall. Naturally, Renee was among them.

 

Unlike usual, with a large round table set at the center, Brad brought out the cake he had prepared.

 

It was a massive cake with five whole layers. A layer of chocolate cake, then strawberry, and then chocolate once more.

 

The outside was covered in snowy white fresh cream that made one’s mouth water just looking at it, and the top was generously heaped with various candied fruits.

 

“Then, I shall light the candle—.”

 

Beginning with Brad’s cheerful voice, the modest party celebrating Renee’s return commenced. Even the candle had been custom made by hand: a sugar confection crafted in the image of a red-haired woman wearing a dress.

 

Naturally, the model was Renee. Her nose tingled with emotion, but since she didn’t want to show herself crying any further, she swallowed it down, blew out a breath, and extinguished the flame in one go.

 

Every single employee broke into a broad smile and began sharing the cake. Those who didn’t enjoy alcohol paired theirs with coffee or tea, while those who favored drinking poured themselves champagne, wine, or whiskey according to their tastes.

 

“Let’s drink as much as we want tonight, drink up!”

 

Naturally, Renee belonged to the group that enjoyed alcohol. Today, her drink of choice was high-proof whiskey.

 

It felt as if a blaze were cascading down her esophagus. Sensing a persistent giggle escaping her lips, she could tell she was already drunk; yet in this moment, she was a racing horse, a sports car without brakes.

 

As she bounded through the hall clinking glasses frantically, she caught sight of Adonis’s expression steadily hardening. However, given the special occasion, he couldn’t bring himself to stop her either, choosing instead to monitor the situation for the time being.

 

‘How long has it been since I last drank!’

 

Though to be fair, she had drank wine on the day of the banquet as well…….

 

‘Back then, my mind was so utterly consumed by the thought that Ricard might suffer something horrible that I didn’t even know whether the liquor was going into my nose or my mouth.’

 

Having just emptied her eighth glass, Renee clinked glasses with Brad this time.

 

“My goodness, what is the meaning of this, Madam? None of us could have ever imagined that Madam, who looked as if she lived on dew alone, could drink so well!”

 

“Dew? Hahaha! I used to like it, sure. Whenever life was tough, a red cap of Chamisul* was my one and only friend.”

 

[T/N: A brand of Soju]

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Oh, it’s nothing, hahahahaha!”

 

Renee’s shoulders shook as she burst into a fit of giggles. She was spouting utter nonsense in her drunken state, but because everyone nearby was thoroughly intoxicated, no one cast a suspicious glance her way.

 

Only Tatisha, who was chatting with the hall staff further off, glared at her with wide eyes.

 

“DRINK. IN. MODERATION.”

 

She mouthed a terrifying warning.

 

“WHAT? DID. YOU. SAY?”

 

Renee put on a teary, clueless expression.

 

“DON’T. PRETEND. YOU. DON’T. KNOW. AND. DRINK. IN. MODERATION!”

 

“Huh? WHAAAAT?”

 

In the fierce battle between the one determined to pretend ignorance and the one fully aware of the act, the victor was Renee.

 

It was because, after several rounds of back-and-forth, Tatisha threw her hands up as if surrendering in defeat. Perhaps knowing better than anyone how happy Renee was in this moment, she had chosen to yield at this point.

 

Intoxicated by the liquor, intoxicated by the conversation, the night deepened. Stumbling slightly, Renee happened to check the wall clock.

 

Without her realizing, over two hours had flown by, and it was heading toward 11 PM.

 

‘Right. Ricard.’

 

A forgotten face flashed through her mind.

 

Without even thinking to set down the glass in her hand, Renee bolted out the door out of nowhere. A few people turned in surprise to follow her, but Adonis stopped them and trailed behind Renee on his own.

 

The night air was still chilly. She felt her body, flushed and hot from the alcohol, rapidly cooling down.

 

Passing through the rose-blooming garden toward the back of the building, she spotted Ricard’s carriage as expected. Seeing his carriage, which had come to pick her up so they could head home together for the first time in nearly ten days, brought a rush of new emotions.

 

Sprinting over to the carriage, Renee yanked the door open.

 

“Huh?”

 

However, no one was inside.

 

‘He usually catches a nap inside the carriage—where did he go?’

 

Closing the carriage door back up, Renee looked around. Adonis, who had caught up and stood nearby, didn’t ask any questions, maintaining a respectful distance while simply ensuring her safety.

 

“Adonis. By any chance, do you know where Lord Sainer…… Oh! There he is!”

 

Spotting Ricard’s silhouette in the distance, Renee brightened and headed toward him.

 

For some reason, instead of resting inside the carriage, Ricard was standing at the back of the café, facing a lush, overgrown path.

 

‘Since I’m two hours late without a word, that’s more than enough time for him to have woken up from a nap.’

 

Seeing Ricard’s back, a late wave of guilt washed over her for making him wait without any explanation.

 

Ricard stood rooted to the spot as if he hadn’t noticed her arrival—or even the fact that she was approaching him.

 

As she drew closer, she noticed something odd. Smoke was drifting above his head.

 

“Lord Sainer.”

 

When Renee called out softly, Ricard flinched in surprise and turned around. At the same time, the one who was even more startled was Renee.

 

Ricard was smoking rolled tobacco leaves. Renee froze dead in her tracks mid-stride.

 

It wasn’t like a middle or high school kid in a uniform smoking, but a nobleman in a romance fantasy world. Furthermore, it wasn’t like he was secretly smoking some contraband that would get him handcuffed and thrown in jail, but harmless leaf tobacco—so there was hardly any issue with it.

 

That wasn’t why Renee was shocked.

 

‘What the? He looks way too sexy.’

 

Ricard’s lips, slightly parted from smoking just a moment ago, and the residual smoke scattering between them formed a sight that was nothing short of a work of art.

 

The mere combination of the peerless beauty Ricard Sainer and leaf tobacco radiated an insanely decadent aura.

 

‘I used to hate—no, utterly detest—men who smoke, but my real-life preferences don’t mean a thing here.’

 

She felt as if she were falling in love at first sight with the husband she had married a year ago. And for a completely unexpected reason, no less.

 

Meanwhile, Ricard, who had frozen just as hard, belatedly took a step back.

 

“Lord Sainer, where are you……”

 

“Don’t come any closer!”

 

“Pardon? Why, what’s wrong?”

 

Having shouted abruptly, Ricard had already taken swift backward steps, retreating far out of reach.

 

As a bewildered Renee stammered and took a few steps toward him, he casually tossed the tobacco behind his back. Then, he waved his hand back and forth, fanning away the faint lingering smoke.

 

A late realization washed over Renee, who had struggled to grasp the situation for a moment.

 

‘Wait. Is he doing this because of me? So I don’t breathe in the smoke?’

 

Following Obnoxious Customer Traits, Female Lead Trait #1: Assuming the male lead is crazy about her over every little thing.

 

……It was clear this wasn’t one of those delusional situations.

 

“Stay right there. Don’t go inhaling tobacco smoke and coughing up blood.”

 

Because Ricard added those exact words.

 

He was looking at her with an anxious expression she had never seen before. Even in the thick darkness, she could distinctly feel the warmth in his eyes.

 

Renee decided to listen quietly to his words, even in her drunken state.

 

‘If a husband worries about his wife that much, she should naturally listen to him. Yes, absolutely.’

 

But wait a second.

 

‘Me, the wife? Ricard, the husband? Crazy! That’s way too cheesy!’

 

She was definitely drunk. Because at this completely obvious fact, goosebumps were suddenly erupting all over her skin.

 

Just in time, a ticklish night breeze unique to spring swept past.

 

Rustle…….

 

Even the sound of leaves rubbing against one another felt like background music crafted just for the two of them.

 

Judging that the smoke had fully cleared, Ricard began walking slowly toward her.

 

Watching him, Renee suddenly realized she was still holding a glass of liquor.

 

“Haha.”

 

A hearty laugh escaped her out of sheer embarrassment. She just wasn’t used to her role as a consumption patient who had to stay away from both drinking and smoking.

 

Ricard now stood within arm’s reach.

 

Catching the scent of alcohol carried by the wind, his brows twitched for a moment. Renee didn’t even bother trying to hide the glass, simply beaming up at him.

 

“I waited outside because I heard they were throwing a welcome party, only to find you inside losing your mind and gulping down booze.”

 

Ricard muttered in utter disbelief.

 

“You’re really in your element, aren’t you? Why don’t you go ahead and roll some tobacco leaves with the staff while you’re at it?”

 

“I haven’t learned how to smoke yet, haha.”

 

As Renee scratched the back of her head, Ricard shook his head with a look that said there was no point in talking further.

 

“Regrettably, I can’t wait any longer, so let’s head back to the castle. Wash thoroughly with cold water, sober up, and then come to my office. There’s someone you need to meet.”

 

“Pardon? Why so suddenly to your office, and who is this person?”

 

“Lady Maydiland.”

 

Ricard answered concisely. Even before dousing herself in cold water, she felt completely sobered up.

 

***

 

Sitting before the mirror, Renee was deep in thought. Tatisha and Bonnie were clinging to either side of her, drying her wet hair.

 

“I give up,” Tatisha added in a discontented voice.

 

“How could I possibly know why His Grace summoned Lady Maydiland to his office?”

 

“And at this late hour past midnight, no less!”

 

As Tatisha grumbled, Bonnie stomped her foot and chimed in.

 

The two maids’ answers felt as if they had inadvertently pierced right through her heart.

 

Ricard’s instruction to come to his office, followed by the notification that she would be meeting Lady Maydiland together with him.

 

Of course, he must have set up the meeting for a proper purpose, but even while understanding that with her mind, she couldn’t help the petty feelings arising in her chest.

 

Finishing up drying Renee’s hair, Tatisha picked up a glass bottle from the vanity. She poured a small amount of sweet, fruit-scented oil onto her palm.

 

Her touch as she meticulously applied the oil to every single strand of Renee’s long hair was quite rough, unlike usual.

 

She wasn’t bothering to hide her thoroughly disgruntled attitude.

 

“Ouch. You’re going to pull all my hair out, Tatisha. What if I go bald from this and get divorced?”

 

“Bald or not, that’s not what’s important right now, Madam. A woman has never crossed the threshold of His Grace’s office before. Do you even realize that?”

 

“Hmm. You say that, Tatisha, but you weren’t at Sainer Castle the whole time—you came here with me when I got married……”

 

“Are you trying to tell me right now that I know nothing just because I’ve only been here a little over a year?”

 

“No, not to that extent……”

 

The more Tatisha fumed, the faster Renee shrank back. Trailing off, she glanced at the mirror to see her own comical reflection, her neck tucked in like a turtle’s.

 

“Madam, you have no idea how much gossip flies around in our servants’ quarters, do you?”

 

“Well, naturally……”

 

“From the fact that the only things allowed to cross His Grace’s office threshold are the boots of elderly ministers—never the skirts of a woman—to how many people working at Sainer Castle His Grace has fired on the spot! And solely because they got on his nerves!”

 

Tatisha was unusually worked up. Renee had no idea what was causing it.

 

“And how many marriage proposals from noble ladies has His Grace rejected up until now? We maids know down to the finest detail how His Grace humiliated those high-and-mighty ladies!”

 

While Tatisha was shouting, Bonnie, who had been nodding along beside her, suddenly cut in once more.

 

“Shut your mouth. Where do you think you’re constantly cutting in, acting so insolent?”

 

Tatisha scolded Bonnie with glaring eyes, as if she had been waiting for the chance.

 

“I am Madam’s maid too! I was just relaying the stories from the servants’ quarters to Madam!”

 

Bonnie snapped back, refusing to back down.

 

“Why, you little runt!”

 

“Must be nice! Being tall as a beanpole!”

 

“What? You come here right now.”

 

“Both of you, stop it!”

 

Looking between the two maids, Renee finally raised her voice to halt them. Bonnie merely huffed and tucked herself behind Renee’s back, but Tatisha’s expression remained grim.

 

At first, she had assumed Tatisha was simply displeased with Ceciana’s visit as her loyal maid. Looking at her now, there was definitely something more to it.

 

“Tatisha. What’s wrong?”

 

Renee turned around away from the mirror to face Tatisha directly as she asked, causing Tatisha to lower her head.

 

“Talk to me. What’s the problem?”

 

Hesitating, Tatisha finally opened her mouth upon hearing Renee’s gentle prompt.

 

“To be honest, I haven’t been able to tell you, Madam, but not just me—Head Maid Anna and the other maids all found it strange.”

 

“Found what strange?”

 

“His Grace’s true intentions.”

 

“Explain it in more detail.”

 

“I’m sorry to say this to you, Madam, but I think us maids and servants might actually know what kind of person His Grace is better. Especially according to Head Maid Anna, who has watched His Grace for a long time……. He is not the type of person to permit Madam’s business, nor is he someone to go out of his way to make time to pick you up.”

 

Only now could Renee understand why Tatisha was so agitated. She wasn’t angry; she was anxious.

 

“Of course, if His Grace truly loves you from the bottom of his heart, Madam, then no further explanation is needed. But if that’s not the case……”

 

Her lips twitched several times as if trying to speak before shutting them again, unable to bring herself to continue.

 

“You think he might have an ulterior motive?”

 

When Renee asked on her behalf, Tatisha nodded.

 

“I’m sorry. For a mere maid to dare harbor such suspicions toward His Grace, and for saying such impudent things about your husband, Madam.”

 

When Renee fell into thought without replying, Tatisha added:

 

“You probably already know, Madam, that marriage talks had once taken place between His Grace and Lady Maydiland.”

 

The one surprised by Tatisha’s words was actually Renee.

 

‘I only knew because it was in the original novel, but how does Tatisha know that?’

 

“Don’t tell me you didn’t know?”

 

Seeing Renee’s expression, Tatisha asked in surprise. Renee hurriedly shook her head.

 

“No. I knew. I was just surprised that you knew about it.”

 

Tatisha let out a deep sigh.

 

“I figured you would already know, Madam. No matter how prestigious a family wanted to become in-laws, or how breathtaking a beauty tried to seduce him directly, His Grace never so much as blinked. The only person he ever considered up to the stage right before marriage was Lady Maydiland.”

 

So that’s how it was. But she hadn’t known it in such detail before.

 

A wave of complex emotions rushed over her for a moment, but Renee tried her best to stay composed.

 

“Yes. I know all of it.”

 

“And yet, on the day of the café grand opening, Lady Maydiland went out of her way to come and sit right in the front row—and right next to His Grace, no less.”

 

“And was that all? While you were sweating profusely serving the pouring crowd of customers, Madam, the two of them walked through the garden like lovers, shoulders touching, whispering sweet nothings to each other……”

 

Smack—!

 

The moment Bonnie crossed the line, Tatisha quickly reached out and struck her forearm.

 

“Ah! Why are you hitting me!”

 

“Stop talking nonsense. Where on earth did His Grace whisper sweet nothings to Lady Maydiland? What do you know when you’re not even a café employee?”

 

“I went to the café on the grand opening day too! You were inside the café building, Tatisha, but I was helping line up customers in the garden and witnessed the scene up close!”

 

“Look at you! Speaking as if you caught them in the middle of an affair!”

 

“Why do you get so angry every time I say something! I have a mouth too!”

 

“Fine. Today, I’ll make sure you can never wag that tiny mouth of yours again!”

 

“I get it, so both of you stop. Please.”

 

Renee let out a sigh and clutched her head. Only after hearing her near-pleading words did both maids shut their mouths.

 

“Bonnie. I feel a bit chilly—could you fetch me a cup of warm tea?”

 

“Understood, Madam.”

 

At Renee’s request, Bonnie swiftly slipped out of the room.

 

Left alone in the room, Tatisha spoke softly, her voice subdued.

 

“I’m sorry, Madam. To be honest, during the past week while you were locked in the solitary cell, His Grace had already met with Lady Maydiland twice without anyone knowing, so I suppose I was a bit on edge in my own way.”

 

Once again. Something she hadn’t known.

 

“Keep talking, Tatisha.”

 

“I was worrying about what would happen if His Grace was treating you with hidden motives no one knew about, and if it was somehow connected to Lady Maydiland. But then hearing that he summoned you to that very meeting today……. I guess I was just too anxious.”

 

“I understand. I’ll meet her directly first and talk to her. Thank you for worrying about me, Tatisha.”

 

Though she reassured Tatisha, an anxious feeling naturally lingered in her heart.

 

She had already realized that this world moved independently of the original novel, yet the terrible ending where Ceciana ultimately became Ricard’s new wife kept trying to resurface in her mind.

 

‘No.’

 

Renee recalled the night she had spent with him just a day ago. His warm embrace and passionate kiss.

 

Steeling her heart, Renee quickly finished her preparations and headed to Ricard’s office with Tatisha.

 

“Have you arrived, Madam? I’ve been expecting you!”

 

Standing outside the office door today as always was Gambri. After accepting Gambri’s welcome—always as warm as the first time—and waiting a moment, he knocked gently on the office door.

 

“Grand Duke. Madam has arrived……”

 

“Come in.”

 

And before Gambri could even finish his sentence, Ricard’s voice came from inside.

 

Seeing how her heart felt at ease despite Ricard’s hot temper cutting Gambri off, she wondered if she had grown completely used to him.

 

Meanwhile, Gambri also smiled pleasantly as if he were beyond accustomed to his master’s temperament. He then guided Renee into the office.

 

“Have a good meeting, Madam.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Tatisha remained outside the door.

 

Carefully opening the door and stepping inside, Renee immediately scowled.

 

The room was thick with dense smoke. Soon, the acrid smell of tobacco washed over her.

 

“Cough!”

 

A dry cough escaped her automatically. Bending at the waist and coughing for a good while, she raised her head to see Ricard and Ceciana sitting opposite each other at the reception table.

 

It was the exact spot where she, Ricard, and Rob had sat together not long ago to confess that problematic secret.

 

Just like then, a stack of documents was piled between Ricard and Ceciana. And in front of each of them stood teacups and…….

 

‘An ashtray?!’

 

Surprised by the unexpected object, Renee stared at Ceciana. Gracefully held between her snow-white fingers was, without a doubt, a tobacco pipe.

 

‘Wait. A noble lady was a smoker?!’

 

Astounded, Renee froze on the spot. To witness adults smoking twice within two hours and be this shocked!

 

Once again, it wasn’t like a middle or high schooler in uniform smoking, nor was it anything illegal, and she had zero intention of spouting old-fashioned nonsense about women smoking. But still—

 

‘It’s different here! A demure noble lady smoking—what on earth is going on!’

 

While Renee was swimming in a whirlpool of total shock, Ricard, just as he had done two hours earlier, quickly stubbed out his tobacco and waved his hand to fan the smoke away.