Chapter 14

Unlike his earlier tone of grumbling toward Cali, Dylan’s voice was deep and gentle. The contrast amused Agnes, and she let out a quiet laugh.

“Have you been pretending all this time?”

“Pardon?”

“Hahaha!”

Dylan blinked, bewildered, while Cali burst into laughter as though she had just witnessed something truly entertaining.

She spoke in a tone that made it hard to tell whether she was defending Dylan or teasing him.

“Do not misunderstand, Lady. My brother only acts insolent toward me. It is not that he showed you a false side of himself. He is simply dying to get back at his sister whenever he can.”

“Is that so?”

Agnes blinked her clear golden eyes, looking up at Dylan as if genuinely curious.

Caught between the two women, Dylan could only sigh helplessly.

Ironically, it was Cali who saved him from the situation. Rising from her seat, she tilted her chin toward him.

“Very well. As you said, I will stop teasing your fiancée. Let us spend some time together instead. The townhouse garden looks quite lovely. Will you show it to me?”

Cali extended her hand naturally. Dylan accepted it with courteous resignation and escorted her out.

“Lady Everchen, please rest comfortably. I will escort Her Majesty back to the palace myself.”

“Is that how you treat a troublesome sister-in-law?”

“Yes. Since Your Majesty came all this way uninvited and caused trouble before the marriage even happened, your first impression will surely be terrible.”

“That is true. Then, Lady Everchen, I will see you again at the wedding. Until then, I promise not to bother you.”

Cali sounded sincere for a moment, but as she turned back toward Agnes and Dylan, her lips curved mischievously.

“To think you are already worried about your body before the wedding. I suppose I will meet my nephew soon.”

“Sister!”

Dylan’s voice rose in shock, which only made Cali’s grin widen.

“It has been so long since I heard you call me that. Does it take a joke like this to remind you that I am still your sister?”

“Ha… Let us go.”

Dylan left the parlor in haste while Cali’s laughter echoed down the corridor.

Not long after, a maid entered the room.

“His Grace instructed that we take special care of you, my lady, as you must be tired.”

Agnes gave an awkward smile and nodded.

With how attentive Dylan had been, it was no wonder Cali had teased her that way. Even this maid, despite her polite expression, might be imagining something she should not.

Something had indeed happened between her and Dylan the night before, but it was not what people might imagine.

If anything, it had been closer to a vow sealed in blood.

Of course, if she recalled the sharp fangs piercing her skin, the hot and ragged breaths scattering across her flesh, the strong arm that had supported her waist, and those crimson eyes that had looked at her as if nothing else in the world existed—

Her palms tingled, and a strange shiver crawled up her spine to the crown of her head. But it was nothing more than her own foolish embarrassment.

For Dylan, it had simply been an act of survival, driven by hunger. Thinking of it that way made it easier not to misinterpret his desperate movements or his gaze.

Perhaps that was for the best.

Their relationship was bound by a contract that took the form of marriage, so the more the world misunderstood them, the better.

And between them, the fewer misunderstandings there were, the better it would be.

As Agnes followed the maids toward her assigned bedroom, she noticed that Gavelin was among the attendants.

She paused and turned to look at him.

‘When the Emperor looked at Gavelin earlier, her gaze did not seem friendly…’

It had not been her imagination. No matter how carefree the Emperor appeared, that mischievous smile was surely a mask. The chill she had glimpsed in those eyes must have been the truth beneath it.

Sending the maids away with a small gesture, Agnes faced the butler alone.

“Gavelin, is there something I should know?”

The question made his shoulders twitch. He clearly remembered how Agnes had stepped in earlier, placing herself between him and the Emperor.

“…I am not sure what you mean, my lady.”

Naturally, Gavelin did not answer at once. It was only natural; he did not like her.

Yet Agnes showed no sign of offense. She simply smiled gently and asked again.

“Should I protect you from Her Majesty next time as well?”

“…What?”

“Her Majesty was practically attacking you with her eyes. I can block that much for you. You are someone His Grace values.”

Her words were light, almost teasing, but Gavelin stared blankly, caught off guard. His eyes flickered with both caution and confusion.

That was when Agnes finally said what she truly meant.

“I am sorry about earlier. I am still lacking and unfamiliar with the House of Vasteron, and I may have put you in an awkward position. It will not happen again.”

“You did nothing wrong, my lady. I am a butler, and I was merely standing where I belonged.”

“I do not agree. Even if I am only to be a duchess in name, you are still one of the people of this household whom I should protect. I will make sure nothing like that happens again.”

Gavelin opened his mouth, visibly flustered, and for the first time, his voice sounded almost youthful.

“Will you not ask what happened? Why Her Majesty dislikes me? You might want to know before deciding how to act.”

Agnes tilted her head slightly, blinking.

“But you do not wish to tell someone like me, do you? After all, I am only the daughter of Viscount Everchen.”

“That is…”

“I do not think you are wrong. You are right to think that way. For now, I am still only Lady Everchen.”

She drew in a small breath and straightened her posture.

“But when I bear the name Harkvitz and become Duchess of Vasteron, will you tell me then?”

Gavelin looked at her, puzzled.

He had always thought of her as a gentle, naive woman, but now she seemed strangely steady. Her softness did not make her weak. It was a kind of strength that could embrace everything without striking at anything.

It was unlike the firmness he felt from Dylan or Cali, something completely different and new.

He still could not reach any clear conclusion, but his expression softened as he bowed deeply.

“Yes, my lady. I will tell you then.”

After that, Gavelin called the maids back to assist her.

He stepped back, watching from a distance, and when Agnes began changing clothes, he slipped away quietly, as if he had never been there.

His cautious, wary demeanor reminded her of a cat trying to find a safe place to rest. It was so endearing that Agnes let out a small laugh.

A maid beside her asked warmly,

“My lady, did something amuse you?”

“Oh, I just thought the butler is rather cute.”

Agnes lowered her voice as she spoke, almost embarrassed, and the maid gasped.

“What? The butler? He is strict and scary!”

But not everyone disagreed.

“I think I understand what you mean. I am more afraid of the head maid than the butler.”

“Oh, that is true!”

Their cheerful chatter filled the room, softening the air.

Surrounded by such kind and ordinary people, Agnes felt as though the place itself was embracing her.

It was strange, really. This position she had gained through a contract should have made her anxious about being cast out at any moment, yet she felt none of that fear.

Instead, peace settled over her, and naturally, Noah came to mind.

Noah, I want to bring you here soon.

I want to raise you, love you, and protect you in the warmest, safest place in the world.

I want you to grow up among people who will not point their fingers at you, who will praise you when you do well, and gently hold your hand to teach you when you make mistakes.

Until then, please wait just a little longer.

Mom will do everything she can for you.