“What? What do you mean……”

“Darling.”

Darling? What darling?

As I blinked my eyes, he kindly spoke each word separately.

“Why aren’t you calling me darling?”

What did I just hear?

I was contemplating whether to dig into my ears.

Evan stepped forward in front of me.

“She is my maid. Please speak with me.”

It was a boldness that didn’t seem like a 7-year-old.

But in Kashar’s eyes, he was nothing more than an obstacle.

“Step aside, child. We adults are about to have a conversation.”

His grinning face, showing his teeth, looked extremely handsome yet threatening.

Evan’s expression hardened.

Kashar approached the child who still didn’t move aside.

“Didn’t you hear? The fact that Eileen and I are lovers. For a very long time……”

“Wait, wait a moment!”

What is this man saying in front of a child!

“Lord Evan, I’ll be right back!”

I hurriedly grabbed Kashar’s hand and entered the building.

I was so frantic I didn’t know where I was heading. When I arrived, it was the kitchen.

‘Here again?’

The kitchen was also where I first met Kashar.

I wondered if he might mention the incident from that time. I became very tense.

But Kashar just silently stared at me.

‘……He’s looking me up and down.’

Kashar was examining me from head to toe with his eyes.

‘He’s clearly thinking about where to start cutting.’

If not that, then he’s considering whether to dice or julienne me.

‘I’m sorry, princes. This seems to be the end for me.’

To think I’d die even before Louis and Evan turn evil.

It was my wish to see the grown-up princes, but now it’s all ruined.

‘If you’re going to kill me, do it quickly.’

But while I was leaving my last will, Kashar was thinking of something else.

“Why aren’t you wearing anything?”

“……Pardon?”

“I mean the gifts.”

I couldn’t understand why that topic suddenly came up.

‘Don’t tell me he’s complaining that I didn’t receive anything?’

That was the only way I could interpret it. After all, most of what Kashar sent were things to wear.

I timidly expressed my opinion.

“Because they’re not mine……”

“Why not? They were a reward for the breakfast. I said I would reciprocate, didn’t I?”

“Was that for real?”

I still couldn’t believe it.

No matter how excellent the food I prepared was, it couldn’t possibly be worth more than the gifts he sent.

But Kashar acted as if it was ridiculous.

“Did you think it was fake?”

“No, I thought just sparing my life was enough.”

With my life on the line, I unconsciously became serious.

Still, perhaps because it was a horror movie I had experienced before, I seemed to be holding onto my sanity well so far.

“That’s different from this.”

“How is it different?”

“The gifts are a reward for breakfast. Compensation for the accident is separate.”

He meant this is this, and that is that.

‘What kind of logical nonsense is this!’

I hurriedly raised an objection.

“I didn’t receive anything!”

“One of your princes was surrounded by toys.”

His mocking words brought despair to me.

‘Lord Louis!’

The 7-year-old who couldn’t overcome his desires had finally broken his promise.

‘I should have made him pinky swear and stamp it too!’

No, I should have shown him the ghost first!

But regret was water under the bridge now.

“Don’t worry. I won’t ask you to repay it. But aren’t you going to treat me to a meal today?”

Kashar, who seemed to find my despair amusing, asked while looking around the kitchen.

Is wealth important when life is at stake?

I grumbled involuntarily.

“……You’re not going to spare me anyway.”

It’s irritating to be asked like that when he has no intention of sparing my life.

He asked, pretending not to notice his slightly raised eyebrows.

“What if I do?”

“I could make you an 18-course meal!”

If the number sounds like a curse, you must be mistaken!

It felt like going back and forth between hot and cold water, but having hope was better.

Laughing at my lightning-fast change of attitude, he grabbed the end of my hair and said,

“As tempting as your food is, I need you to do a different favor.”

Kashar’s shadow loomed over me. The distance was so close that I felt I had to hold my breath.

Sensing my tension, his elegant fingertips slowly released my hair.

“First, a date.”

Was he serious when he said he came for a date?

Thump. Thump. My heart pounded.

However, it was hard to distinguish whether I was trembling from fear or excitement.

“I don’t understand a word you’ve been saying.”

At this point, it might be better to be honest.

Kashar frowned as if it was my fault for not knowing.

“Because I’ve become interested in you.”

At that bombshell declaration, my face turned bright red.

It must be a scam. But.

‘Hey, Your Grace. It’s a crime to make lies so exciting.’

The subject was too handsome to be accused of being a con artist.

Kashar nonchalantly pushed me into confusion and acted as if nothing was wrong.

Before I could express my indignation, he extended his hand to me.

“Let’s go.”

His large hand with thick knuckles resembled its owner.

‘His hand is huge.’

It was a hand with prominent bones and visible veins.

Gulp. I swallowed dryly as I carefully placed my hand on his.

***

The imperial palace was an incredibly vast place.

‘To make an analogy, it’s like an excessively luxurious village?’

With the main palace being the largest and over a hundred other palaces of various sizes, a carriage was essential.

The Street of Affluence, centered on the largest garden in the imperial city, was like an exclusive shopping district for the royal family and nobles.

‘Cafes, restaurants, shops, there’s nothing missing.’

I looked around as soon as I got off the carriage.

Befitting a place in the imperial city, luxury overflowed everywhere.

The Eileen in my memory had been to the Street of Affluence before.

She longed for this street and wanted to frequent it like eating meals, but everything was so expensive that she could only be frustrated.

‘It means it’s beyond the reach of a maid’s salary and even a prince’s minimum dignity maintenance allowance.’

A cup of coffee would cost Eileen’s entire monthly salary.

But it would be a mistake to think the street would be deserted because of that.

‘Are there really this many rich people in the world?’

The street was filled with elaborately dressed ladies and gentlemen.

Kashar walked down the street holding my hand.

When I clumsily followed, he matched his pace to mine.

‘This feels kind of real, doesn’t it?’

It really felt like we were on a date.

His back view, the sophisticated buildings, and even the sunny weather – everything was perfect.

Lost in that scenery for a moment, I tripped over my own feet.

“Waaah-!”

With a strange cry, my body lurched forward.

I squeezed my eyes shut in anticipation of the coming pain.

But contrary to my expectation of kissing the ground.

Whoosh.

A firm and warm embrace was holding me.

As I raised my head, I met Kashar’s eyes.

“You should be careful.”

My face burned at his pleasant voice.

‘I-I can feel it. A handsome man’s chest!’

The chest muscles felt through his shirt were hot and firm, making me dizzy.

While I couldn’t move, I felt gazes on us. Everyone on the street was glancing at Kashar and me.

‘This is too much pressure!’

I felt like I might cough up my heart.

Hoping he would help resolve the situation, I asked Kashar for help.

“Um, everyone is staring at us.”

“It’s fine, don’t be embarrassed.”

Instead, he grabbed my hand and pulled me closer.

“My goodness, who is that lady?”

“She doesn’t look like a lady, but a maid. Did that Duke Bladis have a lover?”

Hearing Kashar’s voice, a group of young ladies nearby could be heard making a fuss, saying “Oh my, oh my goodness.”

Unlike his flashy appearance, Kashar had no scandals with women.

A woman being embraced by a man who mercilessly rejected approaching women was bound to attract attention.

‘They say his obsessive-compulsive disorder flares up when he sees an ugly woman.’

Moreover, he was known as a virgin until he met the female protagonist, which was one of the reasons why I preferred Kashar over the male lead.

‘People, you’ve got it wrong. This man is a virgin!’

I wanted to shout that so badly.

He stopped in the middle of the street, unaware of what I was thinking.

“Are you not feeling well today?”

“Huh? That’s not it, but……”

“Eating something sweet might help. Darling.”

Kashar’s act wasn’t over yet.

‘Darling. Darling. Darling. Dar……’

An angel’s bell rang in my head.

The onlookers gasped, turning their backs on me who was completely dazed.

“Oh my, look over there.”

“……That icy duke?”

“What am I seeing right now?”

I could hear all the whispers.

Many women had their hearts set on Kashar.

They say dangerous and handsome men are attractive or something.

But most ended up in tears due to his cold sarcasm that spared neither men nor women.

“That fox-like woman……”

The voice of a pretty young lady stuck in my ear.

Soon, fierce glares were directed at me.

‘It’s a misunderstanding!’

I felt like I was being alternately dipped in cold and hot water.

All I could think about was somehow escaping from here.

As I frantically scanned the street, I saw what looked like a café right in front of me.

I tugged on Kashar’s arm.

“My throat is! Absolutely! Parched! I wonder what they sell here-!”

Speaking like that actually made my throat dry.

I practically pushed Kashar inside as we entered.

A waiter from the café greeted us.

“Welcome to Golden Eden. The seat you desire……”

“The most secluded spot please! Even better if it has curtains!”

At my desperate request, the waiter guided us to a seat.

It was the most secluded sofa seat on the third floor, really with curtains drawn.

‘This is exactly like a room café.’

As I looked around while sitting down, the waiter brought us menus.

There were various types of cakes and teas, but they were all eye-poppingly expensive.

“……Eek!”

I swallowed my scream by pressing my mouth.

The cheapest glass of water was 50 silver.

Even 5-star hotels at least give you water, I thought this was really too much.

‘Since we’ve already come in, we should order something.’

It was like entering a tiger’s den to escape wild beasts.

I understood why Eileen had given up on the Street of Affluence.

“I’ll just have a glass of water, please.”

My voice trembled.

From morning until now, there had been a mountain of expenses.