No way. A self-deprecating laugh escaped as I found it ridiculous that I had such a thought.

The clear mockery was still vivid as if painted before my eyes.

‘There’s no way that young master would have done that for me.’

It must have just been another small whim this time.

It’s true that I defied his mood and dared to send an uninvited guest to the attic in this mansion without permission.

Still, the strange assumptions that kept popping up unsettled her heart.

Yuriel, that child is coming.

In fact, Cassian had watched Yuriel’s entire process of coming here today as well.

Every movement of that child was captivating enough to catch one’s eye.

Because of that, I end up wasting the productive morning time I used to spend reading the daily newspaper by watching that child.

It’s been like that since the day that child came to the mansion until now.

Ah, to be precise, it can’t be entirely blamed on that child.

It was I who ordered to place that child’s room where all movements could be seen through the window.

If we’re being picky, it was also I who ordered to break the perfectly fine window frame and make a full-length window.

But whatever the result, the cause was still that child.

That child who wakes up at the same time every day never comes early.

After stretching once, that child who finally gets out of bed moves about gracefully.

With movements as elegant and just as slow as a swan.

Although I don’t know how busy and noisy it might be inside, I decide not to consider such things.

There’s nothing good for me in trying to understand that child’s noisy inner world.

The silhouette flutters in the distance as if changing clothes.

The butterfly-like fluttering movements soon transform into a neat dress outfit.

In reality, there’s no way to tell whether it’s a neat dress or an elaborate dress just by looking at the shadow, but it truly was so.

Now I can tell what clothes were chosen just by looking at the shadow.

It’s actually funny to be pleased about guessing correctly since that child always comes out wearing the clothes I picked out.

After putting on the dress, that child sits at the table and reads a book.

Then enthusiastically writes something down, and repeats reading again.

The butler’s report briefly crosses my mind.

Did he say something about doing transcription work?

It must be part of that job.

That child still hasn’t given up on that work, at least, since being assigned to serve me and unable to do any other work.

Well, I could make that child quit even that if I wanted to.

At first I thought about doing so, but the idea particularly disappeared.

The sight of that child’s shadow fidgeting from dawn and sitting in a proper posture was quite worth seeing.

After staying like that for a while, the girl finally stands up with the sound of the bell marking the time.

Sometimes there were cases when she would come out after seeing her birth mother receiving breakfast.

Today seemed to be one of those days.

The shadow’s figure was noticed coming out only after a servant had entered.

The thin body that looked like it would fit perfectly if the window facing straight ahead was folded three times slowly approached my direction.

It was only when those steps turned the final corner that Cassian got up from his seat as always.

Nevertheless, he always arrived first at the reception room right next door.

After that, Yuriel would appear right on time without fail.

Like always, that child who hid her insolent face behind a polite mask bowed her head courteously and took her seat.

The sight of her thoroughly following the dining etiquette like a proper young lady was always impressive.

It’s a perfect posture that makes one wonder if the books she supposedly reads every morning are for studying such things.

Even among young ladies raised with plenty of excellent etiquette teachers, those who maintained such formality were rare.

It was certain that she was a quick learner.

Well, with that brain, she must have had the adorable thought of deceiving me.

The meal continued silently like that.

Since the day I decided to overlook that child’s impudence of acting as if even my gaze touching her was like some insect landing on her, I’ve kept my eyes on the plate.

Silently picking up the spoon and naturally picking up the water glass after eating one of the dishes as usual.

Then Yuriel beyond would ripple in the water glass.

The small nose that wrinkles every time she tastes the appetizer.

The trembling transparent glass-like eyes that she probably doesn’t even realize herself.

Even the small head shake as if trying to deny that it’s delicious.

The head chef excellently carried out his duty today as well.

The hand that used to turn pale just from being in front of me, barely eating, now moves quite naturally.

After the meal, when I move, Yuriel follows behind with quick steps.

The quick steps abruptly stop after turning several corners.

“The room… isn’t this way.”

As if I didn’t know that and came this way.

A smirk spreads, and the small body flinches.

Seeing that, I moved outside again. Because the weather is nice today.

Because I’m curious what kind of light that child will shine in the good sunlight.

Yuriel would occasionally show a smile in the window that matched the bright sunlight as much.

Not sitting with a gloomy face like inside that mansion.

Outside, canvases and tools in various colors that I had instructed in advance were prepared.

Magnificent tools that would make one think some court painter had come out if they saw.

The girl’s eyes widened upon discovering them.

As I leisurely took a seat in the comfortably placed armchair, that child carefully observed me for a moment before taking a seat opposite.

And then she started painting like a picture, like a doll moving as I command.

Perhaps because of the fluttering sunlight, or because of my mood, Yuriel’s expressions were quite varied today. Surprised, cautious, then trying to regain composure.

At such times, I recall that child trembling in front of me, caught stealing glances at my body.

A laugh escapes.

The cold appearance of that child since that day makes everything okay when I recall just that. Like some magic.

But that was all when I was captured in that child’s gaze.

The scratching sound of the pencil had stopped at some point.

As I slowly opened my eyes, I saw the emerald eyes looking elsewhere.

Turning my head in the direction of the emerald gaze, I see an uninvited guest.

Silver hair.

The unwelcome guest who came to ruin this entire perfect picture was making eye contact with that child.

It had been a few days since Hael appeared.

Judging by his appearance, he had clearly just entered this place.

There was much I wanted to ask.

‘Did you find the lost Bridge?’

‘Where was the Bridge?’

‘So has my false accusation been completely cleared?’

I wanted to run over right away and ask all those questions.

It was a relief to see him smiling, as he seemed to be definitely better.

After greeting him… I should also give him the money I’ve carefully stored in a box.

Hael would refuse, but it can’t be helped.

It wouldn’t make sense for me to keep such a large sum.

The things to do were neatly organized in my head.

Meanwhile, my hand naturally stopped working.

The painting drooped down, leaving a sloppy long line.

I noticed it when a clattering sound rang through the air.

Turning my head towards the source of the sound, I saw a teacup overturned and rolling around miserably.

The young master who had burned his hand on the steaming, quite hot tea didn’t show a single change in expression even in this situation.

“Young master!”

I ran over in surprise to wipe up the tea, but he remained in that state.

As if he had lost all sense of pain.

Veins stood out on his clenched fist.

Only then did my body tremble in fear.

Though he seemed the same as usual, his expression was subtly different upon closer inspection.

The young master’s brow was terribly furrowed.

As if he had seen something he shouldn’t have.

‘Is he like that because I looked elsewhere?’

Is that something to be so angry about?

I was just bewildered since he had already made me draw and redraw the same picture several times.

Each time I handed over a drawing, he would only repeat the simple word “Again.”

At first, I thought he was just toying with me for not drawing properly, and I thought I could escape this drawing hell if I drew well.

But at some point I realized.

The reason this arrogant young master ordered me to draw.

He would have repeated this hundreds of times even if I had drawn more perfectly than any court painter.

This arrogant young master was clearly afflicted with a disease where he’s only satisfied when all the world’s attention is focused solely on him.

It wasn’t difficult to notice that.

He would turn his gaze back to me even if I just let my eyes wander a little while drawing, or if my attention was scattered occasionally.

Drawing the young master’s picture was among the better tasks.

Sometimes when his malicious energy was activated, he would pick up the pen himself and start drawing me.

Those crude lines whose form couldn’t even be recognized.

Yet he wouldn’t allow my gaze to deviate from him even slightly.

Gently grasping my chin to make me look up at him, or not letting me avert my eyes.

From then on, hell would begin.

That’s why Yuriel had never let her attention wander while drawing him until now, if possible.

It was like a strategy to be a little less tormented.

Though it was a sigh-inducing daily life, I had rationalized to myself that that much was no big deal.

As long as I’m by the young master’s side, who here doesn’t do that much?

Neither the butler nor the servants inside this mansion do anything to upset his mood.

Everyone maintains perfect tension by his side without fail.

In that sense, this incident was clearly a mistake.

Being caught looking elsewhere, at Hael no less, during work.

I was suddenly reminded of the young master making the same face before.

Then too, I was facing Hael.

The only difference is that I was conversing with Hael then, and now we just happened to meet eyes.

That was clearly after work hours had ended, so I had felt at ease.

But the next day, it ended up causing trouble.

Exchanging words with Hael feels like committing a crime.

Just standing in front of this young master.

As if a woman promised in marriage is having an affair.

As if caught in the act of infidelity by her fiancé, my heart stings sharply like that.

Seeing the young master’s face overlapping with that day when I was caught talking to Hael, a strange assumption suddenly crosses my mind.

Does he dislike me being with other men?

It was a chilling and ominous intuition.

I hope all these sensations I felt were delusions, but that seemed highly unlikely.

His expression would distort every time I encountered Hael.

Why. For what reason. Numerous questions follow.

Why would that young master care what conversations I have with Hael, or how long we look at each other?

On top of that, the words about the young master chasing out that brown-haired man are layered.

I forcibly turned my gaze back from where it had reached Hael.

The young master was there. With his usual composed expression returned in an instant.

With a face that would make one think I had seen wrong just moments ago.