Chapter 56

Agnes held Dylan’s hand gently as they stepped into the Vasteron mansion.

The renovated castle exuded an air of old grandeur. The walls, once white, had turned a shade of gray, yet they stood firm and dignified. The long, narrow windows were designed so that sunlight could spill into the rooms no matter the hour.

A chandelier hung from the high ceiling, but the candles were nearly new, suggesting it was rarely used. From the wall-mounted candelabras drifted faint traces of smoke and wax.

The space was cool and quiet. It felt less like a home and more like a symbol of authority, majestic but lonely. Agnes thought the atmosphere resembled Dylan himself.

At the same time, she could tell that this place bore little of his personal touch.

The townhouse had been refined and elegant, reflecting his taste. This mansion, though impressive, felt raw and untouched, as though no one had ever truly lived here.

He must never have intended to welcome anyone inside, whether guest or mistress of the house.

Perhaps his choice to live in such solitude had been because of the curse or maybe to stay free from the Emperor’s watchful eyes.

Either way, the emptiness of it all made her chest ache. She unconsciously tightened her grip on his hand. Dylan glanced at her and smiled faintly.

“I’ll show you to your room. You must be tired from the journey, so rest today and do nothing else.”

He led her up to the third floor. The first and second floors looked similar, but the third was different.

A guard stood at the base of the stairs. When he saw Dylan, he bowed respectfully before straightening again.

“Only a few servants are permitted to enter the third floor. Please let only those trusted individuals handle matters here. If we allow exceptions, some will make excuses to come up.”

It was a quiet glimpse into how cautious Dylan truly was.

Those allowed here must have been people he could trust even if they happened to discover his secret, people who would never yield even if the Emperor himself tried to recruit them.

Agnes listened carefully and nodded with a serious expression.

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

Dylan stopped and turned slightly toward her.

“How much do you trust Lizzie?”

Agnes blinked in surprise. His calm blue eyes met hers, unwavering despite her sudden tension.

The reason for his question was obvious.

He was asking whether Lizzie was someone who could be permitted on the third floor, someone Agnes herself could vouch for.

That trust, so complete and unguarded, made her even more cautious. Lowering her gaze, she thought deeply.

Lizzie had grown up in the Everchen household since childhood. She had been Agnes’s playmate and later her closest maid. Though she had never received formal noble training, her care had always been thoughtful and lively.

But that was not what Dylan wanted to know.

“Lizzie was always by my side, even when I was isolated in the Everchen estate. Not once did anything I told her reach my father’s ears. Even after I married into the Overhen family and had to leave her behind, she remained loyal to me. When I wrote to Your Grace for the first time, it was Lizzie who helped deliver the letter.”

Agnes spoke steadily, then concluded.

“She’s someone I can trust.”

Dylan showed not a trace of doubt.

“Then I’ll add her to the list.”

“She’ll accept it, even if you test her.”

“That willingness itself is the mark of someone trustworthy. More than anything, I trust your judgment.”

Agnes couldn’t help laughing softly.

“My judgment, huh? You’re the only one who would ever say that to me.”

“Is that so?”

He asked casually, though his eyes were filled with quiet faith.

Turning to a waiting attendant, Dylan instructed, “Bring Lizzie up from downstairs.”

He continued walking and spoke as they moved.

“It’s true that meeting many people helps one learn to read them, but that’s not everything. Very few know how to seize the chances they’re given.”

Agnes followed beside him, listening quietly.

“Those who survive by discerning genuine goodwill tend to judge people most accurately. Would you agree?”

The third floor felt even more empty than the grand hall below. It was spotless, but there wasn’t a single painting or decoration on the walls. The air was cool and still, almost lonely. Agnes could feel it settling coldly against her skin.

She nodded slowly in response to his words.

Before long, soft voices came from down the corridor.

“Shh, Young Master. I think we shouldn’t talk loudly here.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know, it just feels like we shouldn’t.”

“Why?”

“Oh, I don’t know. It just does.”

Lizzie sounded tense at first, but when Noah kept asking questions, her tone relaxed, and she laughed while answering him.

Agnes smiled at the sound of their chatter.

Children always needed the care of adults, but in turn, adults often found comfort and courage in caring for them. That simple bond was precious.

“Lizzie, over here.”

It was Dylan who called her. His deep voice echoed down the hallway, and Lizzie nearly jumped before hurrying forward.

“Y-Your Grace. Did you need something?”

Her voice trembled as she shifted Noah in her arms. Compared to the polished manners of the mansion’s staff, her behavior was clumsy, but Dylan said nothing. He only gestured for her to follow.

He turned the knob of the nearest door and guided Agnes inside.

The room was bright and clean. Larger windows filled it with natural light. A small table and sofa in the center gave it the feel of a private sitting room, while a bed to the side made it clear this was her personal chamber.

On the opposite wall stood another door. When it opened, it revealed a smaller room with a child-sized desk and chair, and a tall bookshelf covering one wall.

Agnes immediately knew what it was.

“This is Noah’s room?”

Her voice trembled with emotion as she traced her fingers over the little desk.

“I started preparing it when we first made our promise,” Dylan said.

He chose his words carefully, using “promise” instead of “contract” for Lizzie and Noah’s sake. That single word sounded so gentle that Agnes smiled.

“From that early on?”

“Of course. A promise is a promise.”

His straightforward tone made her laugh softly again.

He probably didn’t understand why she was so happy. To him, he had only acted out of principle.

So Agnes hid her joy and gave a polite bow.

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

Lifting her dress slightly, she turned to where Lizzie stood holding Noah.

“Noah, this is your room. Do you like it?”

Noah’s eyes widened. He looked around the room in awe, then tapped Lizzie’s shoulder, wanting to be put down. Chuckling, Lizzie set him on his feet.

Noah ran first to the study area, then dashed straight to the bed and jumped onto it.

“Noah. You shouldn’t get on the bed without washing first.”

Agnes scolded, but the boy only giggled happily, his laughter filling the room.

Watching him so full of life, Agnes couldn’t bring herself to stay stern and soon joined in his laughter.

“Noah, before you do anything else, you should thank His Grace properly. That’s what a polite young man would do, right?”

Her voice was soft but firm. Noah nodded eagerly, then ran up to Dylan and gave a deep bow.

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

His clear, innocent voice made everyone in the room smile.