“It’s cold, why did you come out? Go inside.”

Jen said, wrinkling his forehead. Startled by the sudden loud voice, Deborah quickly blinked her eyes and replied.

“I’m fine.”

Deborah was honestly feeling cold, but she could endure standing for a while.

So, she thought she would follow Jen and Dia into the mansion once they entered.

However, Jen had no intention of indulging Deborah’s stubbornness.

“I’m not okay with you just standing here, go up right away.”

Jen said sternly. If Deborah insisted on waiting, he seemed ready to rush up without considering Dia.

“…Then, I’ll gratefully accept your consideration.”

As Deborah turned around to enter the mansion, Cedric felt relieved.

Honestly, if Jen wasn’t here, Cedric would have put his coat on her shoulders.

“Miss Deborah, welcome back.”

Dia, who had climbed the stairs with brisk steps, walked toward Deborah with a trot. It was like a child looking for her mom after going out.

“Did you enjoy the party?”

Deborah smiled at Dia. Dia responded with a bright smile, nodding.

“Yes.”

“Haha, that’s good. Even if it was an enjoyable party, you must be tired, so let’s go back to your room quickly.”

Just as Deborah was about to take Dia back to her room, Jen said to Deborah.

“See me later.”

Deborah drew a question mark in her mind. At this late hour?

‘What does he want to talk about?’

With puzzled eyes, Deborah smiled broadly and said, “Alright. Should I come to the study?”

“That’s fine, come to the drawing-room.”

Deborah nodded and left with Dia. Jen, who took a deep breath, said to Cedric.

“Prepare a fire to the extent that it sweats in the drawing-room.”

“Yes.”

“And…”

Dia, sitting in front of the mirror, said with a sullen expression.

“Is he calling me because of me?”

“It’s definitely not that.”

“Really…?”

“Of course. Mr. Baker used to look for me often. He hasn’t done that recently.”

Deborah realized her mistake. Her words, brought out to comfort Dia, sounded strange because of her wording.

But innocent Dia didn’t notice anything odd.

“What does he usually talk about?”

In response to the cautious question, Deborah thought with a gentle smile.

‘Small lectures…’

Jen used to give Deborah trivial lectures, such as advising her to wear thicker clothes when going out or asking the maids to take care of minor things.

If it was a lecture related to work, she would gladly accept it. However, work-related discussions were usually brief, and most of the lectures were about personal matters.

‘He is a good master.’

With a faint smile, Deborah said to Dia, who turned around like a troubled puppy.

“He usually talks about life in the mansion. I wonder if today’s talk will be the same.”

Deborah intentionally described Jen’s lectures like that.
“Rather than that, how was the party today?”

“Oh, right. I met Lady Rose today.”

“Oh my.”

Deborah was truly surprised. Lady Rose, in the original order of Dia’s second social activity, was the one she would meet.

But to meet her today.

‘It’s more surprising than the order of the meeting, ultimately it’s because Lady Rose couldn’t stand the injustice and approached Dia.’

‘So, there is a high possibility that the nobles still looked down on the lady today.’

Deborah wasn’t happy about it. However, Dia’s cheerful expression, who was babbling about what she talked about with Lady Rose, overshadowed her uneasiness.

“The reason I could have a conversation with Lady Rose is all thanks to Miss Deborah.”

Deborah said as she combed Dia’s hair.

“No, it’s entirely thanks to Miss’s efforts. I wasn’t even there in that position.”

In Dia’s dark room, the pleasant sound of Deborah’s low laughter and the crackling sound of burning fire echoed.

Certainly, until a while ago, it seemed like she wouldn’t be able to sleep due to excitement, but now she felt like she could fall asleep anytime.

Seeing Dia’s drooping eyelids, Deborah gently laid her on the warm bed she had prepared.

As Dia, who slowly closed her eyes, went into the snug blankets, Deborah, who gracefully closed her eyes, said,

“Have sweet dreams, Miss.”

“Yes… Miss Deborah, too…”

Hearing Dia’s voice, who was half-asleep, Deborah slowly left the room. Dia thought dazedly.

If she weren’t drowsy, she would have told Deborah.

‘Today, I was with you. I was never alone.’

The drawing-room where Deborah arrived was filled with warmth.

‘Oh my. How much firewood did he use?’

Jen’s attire waiting for her was the same as before. Enough time had passed even if he changed his clothes.

‘Maybe he kept waiting because he didn’t know when I’d come?’

Hmm. Deborah soon thought she was wrong. That was too unlike Jen.

No, it wouldn’t be any different if it were another employer. No employer would behave like this. Deborah would probably be waiting.

‘Of course, Mr. Baker is not an ordinary employer. There wouldn’t be an employer who would summon a servant to the drawing-room at this hour.’

Moving her steps into the drawing-room, Deborah said,

“Sorry for being late.”