“…….”

Indeed, this woman couldn’t become a talented spy.

Arthur simply put it in his pocket, pretending not to notice, as Reina looked like she might faint at any moment.

Then he extended his hand to Reina as if nothing had happened.

Reina took a step back without even looking at what it was.

“…….”

My goodness. Even if I try to cover for her.

It was the attitude of someone with something to hide, so he couldn’t do anything in front of Tristan.

Arthur smiled bitterly.

“……It’s fine. I already knew.”

Tristan frowned oddly behind Arthur, staring at him.

Since the expression was made behind Arthur, he couldn’t see it,

But to Reina’s eyes, Tristan’s cold expression that seemed to say “……What did you say?” was clearly visible.

In front of the flustered Reina, Arthur beckoned with his hand to urge her.

“Your hand.”

“……?”

Reina finally looked at his hand in bewilderment.

Arthur was holding the wedding ring.

Ah.

Reina, her face flushed red, unconsciously extended both hands politely to receive it.

“…….”

Without handing it over, Arthur let out a small sigh, then grabbed her hand and turned it over.

And he slipped the ring onto the ring finger of her left hand.

[This is the timeline separator]

When Tristan’s request for a maid in the bridal chamber was conveyed, a serving maid soon arrived.

After checking what had happened, Brody tidied up the messy vanity,

Brought a new earring stand to replace the one with a broken corner, and carefully hung the young lady’s accessories on it.

Seeing pearl earrings scattered messily on the floor, she flinched for a moment,

But then calmly put on gloves, carefully wrapped them in a dry cloth, wiped them clean,

And after confirming there were no scratches, hung them prettily in the most visible spot with relief.

Meanwhile, Reina sat on the bed the whole time with a helpless expression.

“…….”

Brody discreetly observed Reina’s complexion.

Her expression didn’t look good at all, making Brody wonder if something had happened,

But seeing the wedding ring that Reina usually didn’t wear now on her fidgeting hand on her lap, Brody was reassured there was nothing to worry about.

There’s no way she put that on herself.

It seems Lord Arthur put the ring on her?

Hehe.

And Reina is so honored she doesn’t know what to do?

Haha.

Anyway, on the surface, this was the young lady’s room, and Reina was ‘Young Lady Christina’,

So the wedding ring and the famous ‘Pilgrim’s Pearl Earrings’ were all by Reina’s side.

Though it seemed Reina hadn’t dared to touch them since the wedding ceremony, just keeping them safely on the vanity.

Brody asked, just in case:

“Young lady, shall I put on your earrings too?”

But Reina,

“No, it’s alright. Thank you…….”

She replied, sounding deflated.

As expected.

Brody quickly finished her work and withdrew, managing her expression to not look too pleased.

She already knew from experience that Lord Arthur disliked having his time alone with Reina interrupted.

[This is the timeline separator]

After the somehow excited Brody and the somehow stiff-faced Tristan had withdrawn.

Left alone, Arthur changed the subject while unfastening his cufflinks, as if he had never put a note in his pocket.

“Did you meet with the doctor well?”

Reina couldn’t bring herself to raise her head.

“……Yes.”

Arthur pretended not to notice her guilty reaction and took off his outer garment.

“The wound on your forehead seems to have healed completely. Is there really a need for the doctor to come every day?”

Reina spoke after a brief pause.

“……It’s for the medicinal tea he prescribes daily.”

I see.

Arthur vaguely recalled something about healthy medicinal tea from the back of his memory and remembered that she wasn’t in the best of health.

Arthur sat down in a chair in front of her.

“What did Dr. Lorenson say?”

“…….”

Arthur had already received a report from Lionel.

That day too, Lionel had been present when Dr. Lorenson met with Reina.

But rather than showing that he had already heard, it seemed better to hear directly from her.

“…….”

Reina seemed to guess what he was asking about.

Reina changed the position of her folded hands and clasped her fingers.

With her gaze lowered as if resigned, she answered after a short pause.

“Tomorrow…… he said he’s going on a business trip. He’s sending his son instead.”

She spoke quietly like a confessing sinner.

That Taylor Lorenson was coming tomorrow.

Arthur gazed at her silently.

Reina was looking down at her own fingertips, unable to meet his gaze.

“…….”

He had said he already knew, thinking it would be the quickest way to calm her panic, but.

It didn’t seem to have helped much.

She had asked Rembrandt things like ‘Since when did you know?’

But she doesn’t ask me such things.

Arthur stroked the nape of his neck and quietly leaned back in the chair.

“…….”

She must be unable to face me out of shame for having the note discovered, he thought.

Though he understood this rationally,

His crooked heart jumped to its own conclusions.

Have I not gained her trust, not even as much as Rembrandt, let alone Taylor Lorenson?

Arthur gazed at her face silently.

Is having this note discovered such a shock?

Well, what could she have written that was so significant?

I already knew anyway, and it doesn’t really matter.

“…….”

More than that, her resigned attitude grated on his nerves.

The fact that Taylor Lorenson was scheduled to come tomorrow.

And the fact that until just now, she had been quite excited and elated.

The fact that she had been doing pretty things she had never shown while waiting for him.

And the fact that she was now so dejected.

It felt like ruthlessly shackling and caging a delicate bird that had been secretly rejoicing at the thought of flying free.

Arthur quietly gazed at Reina.

“…….”

Thirty gold…….

She seems to be quite conflicted.

I thought she was at least considering my offer, but.

Is it still Julius and Taylor Lorenson?

“…….”

After Dr. Lorenson had left, Arthur had asked once.

「You seem comfortable with Dr. Lorenson. Are you close with your attending physician?」

As if unaware of how she had acted, she hesitated a bit, then rubbed her neck with an awkward expression.

「Just…… because I’ve known him for a long time. He always takes care of me.」

Arthur smiled gently as he looked at her.

「He says he wants to serve for generations if I allow it. I’m considering it.」

「I’d like to hear the opinion of someone who has watched you for a long time.」

When he said that, she hesitated a little, thinking carefully.

Then she absentmindedly looked at the place where the doctor always prepared the tray with medicinal tea and pills, fidgeting with her fingertips.

「……He’s a respectable person, and well-regarded by the people in the mansion. Not to mention he’s a capable doctor.」

「……If you entrust him with work, he’ll do it well. I don’t think there’s anyone better.」

Arthur gazed at her quietly.

「Do you think well of him personally too?」

Reina made an awkward face as if to say who was she to evaluate him.

But soon she pressed her nape and smiled sheepishly yet softly.

「Yes, of course. I’m grateful in many ways…….」

「He’s a good person I can rely on.」

It wasn’t an uncomfortable or difficult voice,

But a voice that seemed genuinely grateful in secret.

If it was towards her lover’s father.

There couldn’t be a more ideal emotion than that voice.

“…….”

Arthur gazed at Reina quietly, then lowered his head and interlaced his empty hands.

「You’re not one to easily let people get close to you.」

「I heard Taylor Lorenson is an exception.」

「……I understand you have a special relationship with him……」

「……Now that I’ve gotten to know Dr. Lorenson to some extent too……」

“…….”

Honestly, such base thoughts also occurred to him.

Why doesn’t Dr. Lorenson oppose ‘Reina’?

As the match for his only son.

To that level of family. To a generational doctor.

From what I investigated through Tristan, he could meet any noble, undeniably upper class.

Even though I didn’t deny his misconception

That she serves my bed every night.

Why.

Doesn’t he oppose?

I understand he’s not married yet.

Reina kept avoiding his gaze.

Without realizing it, his aura began to explore her fidgeting hands, nape, and hunched shoulders.

Though it’s not visible to the eye, he finds himself quietly gazing at her trembling eyelashes.

As if something might be seen.

Is it money that you desire?

Or is it his status.

Or, a good family that gives you stability.

Or do you really.

Thud.

Reina suddenly raised her head.

Arthur had placed a small silk pouch beside her.

Reina’s gaze fell on it.

Arthur spoke with his gaze lowered.

“The Marchioness asked me to give this to you. She said it’s your weekly allowance.”

“…….”

The contents were five gold coins.

Thud.

And Arthur placed a heavier satin pouch beside it.

“This is just maintenance money I’m giving you.”

“…….”

The contents were thirty gold coins.

Reina stared at it without saying a word.

Her eyes were trembling slightly.

“…….”

Are they conflicted eyes?

Or eyes filled with guilt.

Or perhaps indignation towards someone trying to buy her with money.

If only your goal was money, it would be simple.

Arthur soon spoke with a calm smile.

“I hope this money doesn’t feel like a great rudeness to you.”

“…….”

He continued quietly.

“I’d like it if you could tell me directly what you need. Because I can’t know until you tell me.”

“…….”

Silence fell between them.

Arthur sat in front of her with his empty hands clasped, expressionless.

Two pouches of gold coins placed in front of her.

Reina just stares at them without choosing either.

Neither of them speaks any more about it.

“…….”

The sound of rustling leaves in the wind and peaceful birdsong could be heard through the open window.

After waiting for her words for a long time.

Arthur opened his mouth.

“Do you have to meet him?”

Reina raised her head with a start.

“……Pardon?”

Arthur quietly uttered his name.

“Taylor Lorenson.”

Thump.

Her heart drops.

Arthur looked straight at her and said quietly.

“I want to prevent you from meeting him.”