It was a question she should’ve asked initially, but couldn’t because she knew he had met the empress.

“I have something to discuss, that’s why I’m here.”

“With me?”

“Yes.”

He poured two glasses of wine. The only alcohol allowed in the temple was wine, and even that was rare. As he took a sip, the bitter taste stung his taste buds.

“We’re sending a priest and two maids to Landhill soon.”

“Why?”

Her lips stained red with wine, she licked her lower lip and asked. Carson swallowed a sigh and spoke as calmly as possible.

“Louis is sick.”

“What?”

He hadn’t planned on being so direct, but the sight of the flushed woman in front of him caused him to speak without thinking.

“He’s not physically ill. He’s just emotionally distressed, anxious, and depressed.”

Ines was speechless, fidgeting with her lips. As her neatly cut white nails brushed against her red lips, he rubbed his face with dry hands.

“It’s not serious. Some of it is even a sham.”

Carson explained the situation in terms Ines would understand, including the cute tactics of Louis.

“So, he wants you to be there with him.”

Her eyes started to sparkle with an indescribable emotion.

“You mean…?”

“Yes, I’d like you to come to Landhill.”

Upon hearing this, Ines lowered her head. Seeing her hide her face, Carson became anxious.

“It’s just coming a year earlier. But you probably can’t go to Swalden Manor. The mansion is not what it used to be.”

However, he tried to appear as indifferent as possible and took a sip from his glass. He swallowed and looked down at her.

It was a habit that developed after realizing that her feelings were different from his. He kept checking on Ines.

But Ines, who had no way of knowing what was going on in his heart, kept her head down and said nothing.

“So, I’d like to know what you think.”

If Ines were to sarcastically laugh and ask what choice a maid had, Carson felt he wouldn’t be able to force her to stay by his side.
But could he really leave Ines here and go?

That was also impossible. So he had no choice but to keep pushing her with questions.

“How about it?”

“Can I really do that?”

She finally lifted her head. The woman who made eye contact with him was so nervous that Carson’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Ines?”

“Can I really enjoy something like that?”

Ah, I had forgotten you. Was it because I thought everything would be fine if I just said it was okay?

Ines’s gaze contained so much fear that he came to his senses.

“What should we do if the gods get angry because I haven’t paid for my sins?”

He completely pushed the table aside and pulled Ines by the arm. She stumbled into his arms.

“Can I really go to your side, my Lord? Because of me… maybe because of me…”

The woman’s shoulders, which seemed smaller than before, trembled severely. He felt so choked up that he could hardly breathe.

“It’s okay, it’s okay.”

“No, it’s not. What if everything disappears because I wanted too much and I end up empty-handed?”

Carson tightly embraced her. What use is it to care about what the gods think? If she wants to go with him, that’s all that matters.

“Even if I end up empty-handed because of you, it doesn’t matter.”

“How can it not matter? What if I ruin everything?”

Why is Ines thinking this way? Her life, except for the schemes of Count Graham, had been quite smooth. But there was nothing he could hide from the frightened woman.

“If everything falls apart, we can start over. If you are with me, if only you are beside me, I can do it.”

Even with his affectionate words, she didn’t seem reassured. Ines tightly gripped the collar of his clothes. Her knuckles whitened as she gripped her hand, blue veins popping out.

“Have you been struggling a lot?”

Ines vigorously shook her head side to side.

“It wasn’t that the work was tough.”

“Then?”

“To be honest, I was scared. Every time I couldn’t breathe. Every time I thought I might never see you again, my Lord.”