Beautiful things tend to catch one’s gaze for long. Dia, without realizing, stared at Deborah’s smiling face for a while before suddenly coming to her senses and hurriedly averting her gaze.

“I’m, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to stare so blatantly. You must have felt uncomfortable.”

“Oh my. I don’t mind at all.”

It was true. Of course, she was curious why Dia was staring, but that was all. She didn’t feel any discomfort. After all, it was Dia’s gaze.

‘If someone asked me to name one truly kind person, I would choose her without hesitation.’

After all, hadn’t Deborah read Dia’s story? Dia might seem frustrating to some, but she was undoubtedly a kind person.

“If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to call me.”

Deborah smiled brightly, about to add ‘have a good night’ but held back.

Perhaps Dia might call before going to sleep. Of course, Dia had never once called for Deborah first until now, but who knows what might happen during this long night?

With that thought, Deborah smiled instead of giving a night greeting similar to ‘see you tomorrow’.

After leaving the room, Deborah went straight back to her own room and looked out the window.

‘It seemed noisy earlier, but I guess Mr. Baker hasn’t returned after all.’

For the first time, Deborah had asked Shelley to quickly inform her when Zen arrived. So if that commotion had been due to Zen’s return, the diligent Shelley would certainly have come to find Deborah.

‘Thank goodness.’

Still gazing out the window, Deborah recalled what happened after Dia’s arrival.

Dia had asked, resigned like a child who knew they couldn’t avoid being scolded. Though Deborah read her concern, she could only answer that Zen would return in 2 or 3 days.

Dia nodded in understanding and thanked Deborah, but the time waiting for Zen seemed difficult as she barely ate or slept properly.

Today too, she had spent all day pacing by the window, which was worrying, but it was a relief that she showed interest in the book.

‘I hope at least tonight passes peacefully.’

As Deborah gazed at the garden scenery, her eyes suddenly widened.

‘That light, it’s a car!’

It would be too late to check who was getting out of the car. Deborah ran before the car could stop. She restrained herself in the hallway so as not to startle Dia with the sound of her hurried footsteps, but not when going down the stairs.

‘Why is he back so early?’

It seemed her nonstop running wasn’t in vain, as Deborah was able to reach the first floor stairs before Zen arrived.

“Huff, huff…”

Sedrick, who had been watching outside like Deborah, was already at the grand entrance and spoke with a startled face.

“Deborah! What’s the matter?”

“He’s, arriving, now, huff, right?”

Deborah, who had run up next to Sedrick, clutched her chest and asked breathlessly.

Sedrick gestured for her to calm down and said:

“First, catch your breath slowly.”

Following Sedrick’s advice, Deborah slowly regained her breath and brushed back the hair stuck to her forehead from the untimely sweat as she spoke.

“Mr. Baker, he’s arriving now, right?”

“Yes. How did you know?”

“I was looking out the window.”

“Ah, I see.”

Sedrick nodded and moved closer to Deborah, asking in a low voice.

“But why did you run here like this? Do you have some urgent business?”

“Ah, well…”

Just then, Zen entered the foyer. Though the chandelier was lit, it wasn’t as bright as daytime inside, and seeing the two people standing close together, he frowned.

“What are you doing there?”

“Welcome home, sir.”

Sedrick bowed in greeting. Deborah, standing beside him, also bowed and greeted.

“Welcome back.”

“…I asked what you were doing.”

Zen, who had already approached Deborah, frowned and asked again.

“We were waiting for Mr. Baker.”

“You have no obligation to wait for my return, especially not in the entrance hall.”

Deborah couldn’t understand why Zen was so displeased, but since things had come to this, she decided to get to the point.

“I have something to tell you.”

Zen still hadn’t erased his displeased expression, but he gestured with his chin for Deborah to speak.

“If it’s alright, may I speak with you in your office?”

Zen’s head tilted slightly. He had expected her to speak right away, so it was strange that she was even specifying a location.

‘What does she want to talk about?’

Then Deborah added:

“It’s about the young lady.”

“Young lady?”

As Zen frowned and asked, Sedrick explained:

“Yesterday, the daughter of Count Blaise arrived.”

“…What did you say?”

Surprise dawned on Zen’s face. Even someone without tact would know that Zen was not pleased.

‘Good start.’

Deborah realized her choice had not been wrong. Yes, of course he wouldn’t be happy. There was no reason for him to say anything nice. Though Zen Baker wasn’t as bad a person as she had thought, he was still ‘Zen Baker’ after all.

The only person called into the chilly office, which had been without its master for several days, was Deborah. Sedrick had to finish his report while Zen was moving and go call Todd.

“So, what do you have to say about that woman?”

Deborah was not intimidated by the irritated voice. No, she felt relieved that he didn’t seem as angry as she had expected.

‘I was afraid he might not even listen and go straight to Dia to lash out at her.’

Clasping her hands in front of her, Deborah opened her lips.

“Do you remember what you promised me before?”

“…”

Previously in this place, Deborah had presented somewhat impertinent conditions.

And Zen had accepted them, and the two had signed an employment contract. Therefore, it would have been fine to ask him to recall the contracted terms rather than a promise.

But Deborah didn’t want to force him to keep the contract. Although she had made such a contract due to various concerns, emphasizing it would only come across as a threat.

‘Starting a conversation that way is bound to provoke resistance.’

So Deborah decided to appeal on a human level. The Zen Baker she had experienced wasn’t as cold-blooded as she had thought.

Though his words were prickly, he certainly wasn’t an unfortunate person who didn’t understand consideration at all, so at least he wouldn’t cut her off immediately.

“The young lady is very frightened.”

“It seems she knows she did wrong.”

“Of course. Why wouldn’t she?”

Zen’s eyes widened slightly, as if he had expected Deborah to defend even that.

“Even so, please try to understand the situation that forced her to come to the Baker mansion.”

“Are you saying I must understand unconditionally? Because I promised you?”

“No. Beyond the promise, I’m simply hoping for Mr. Baker’s kindness.”

Deborah took a breath and added, “Sincerely.” Zen, who had been staring at her silently, ran his hand through his hair and opened his mouth.

“Having agreed to accept the conditions you presented, I was prepared to exercise some patience. However, I want to make it clear now. I cannot be kind when that woman does something crazy.”

The word ‘crazy’ made Deborah smile bitterly.

“My pretense always has a limit. So even if you say I’m going back on my word after accepting all the conditions, there’s nothing I can do about it.”

“Yes. I’m not asking for anything unreasonable.”

Deborah just needed to get past this moment. What comes after would be dealt with later.

Zen, who had been staring at Deborah’s maturely smiling face, spoke again.

“So is that all you wanted to say?”

‘That’s all…’

Deborah nodded. Zen snorted a laugh and said.

“It seems my impression must be quite bad. Seeing you rush out here like this.”

“Oh, no. That’s not it.”

Deborah hurriedly replied. Zen curled his lips upward as if Deborah’s lie was laughable.

‘Right. It’s understandable that he doesn’t believe me.’

Composing her smile, Deborah opened her mouth.

“Honestly, I was very worried until I wrote down the conditions. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have written such things.”

“You’re quite frank.”

“But you’ve been such a kind gentleman that I feel sorry for having worried.”

The sneer that had been plastered on Zen’s face like pomade in his hair instantly evaporated.

As Zen stared at Deborah in surprise, she smiled awkwardly and said with embarrassment:

“I’m being honest about this too.”

“When was I ever kind to you.”

Zen retorted gruffly, turning his gaze away. Deborah opened her eyes wide and said:

“When, you ask? Even the clothes I’m wearing now were bought by you, Mr. Baker.”

“Is buying clothes considered kindness? Even though you showed such reluctance to accept them.”

“That may be true, but you still bought them because you were worried about my health in the cold weather.”

Deborah placed her hand on her chest and said:

“Since we’re on the subject, I must say the clothes are really pretty and warm. Thanks to them, I think I’ll get through this winter without even noticing the cold.”

“Don’t exaggerate. It’s not that big a deal.”

Deborah simply crinkled her eyes without saying anything. Glancing at her again, Zen said:

“Stop with the unnecessary jokes and go get some sleep. You must have been busy enough with work suddenly piling up.”

“No, I’m really fine…”

After briefly rolling her eyes and organizing her thoughts, Deborah smiled brightly and said:

“You must be busy, I shouldn’t take up any more of your time.”

“…”

“Then, have a good night.”

With that light night greeting, Deborah left.

The spacious office, which could easily accommodate mountains of documents, should naturally have been filled with a cool chill. But why did it feel as warm as holding a cup of hot tea?

“Haah…”

Zen’s rough hand covered his face. But soon that hand moved not to his heated face, but to the documents. He had to move quickly. He couldn’t hesitate after even holding back from saying it was okay to take more time.