Lea, who had entrusted her body to the swaying carriage, muttered a low curse under her breath. It had only been three days since she vowed not to even be near the count for the time being.

“Why am I sharing a carriage with the count!”

She had thought she would climb aboard the carriage with other attendants traveling to the capital.

[You mean, it’s just the count and me in the carriage?] [If you don’t like it, sit next to the coachman.]

The count’s face as he spoke those words in a sullen tone remained vivid in her memory. Astoundingly, the journey to the capital was just the two of them.

“No, what kind of noble goes on a long journey with just one apothecary?”

She had expected at least a few maids to accompany them, but the journey only consisted of the coachman and a few knights.

Nevertheless, Lea, not daring to sit next to the coachman in this scorching summer heat, had no choice but to board the carriage.

Lea stole glances at the count. The carriage was small for a speedy journey, so every time it shook, their knees touched.

And each time she came in contact with the count, Lea instinctively flinched.

At first, she didn’t notice, but after it happened a few times, the count’s gaze toward her subtly changed.

“People might think you’re catching some disease from me.”

An annoyed count frowned as he spoke to Lea.

“That’s not it…”

What could she do about being haunted by the dream?

However, Lea felt stifled as she couldn’t honestly express her state.

Each time she saw the count’s red lips, that day’s dream kept popping up in her mind, tormenting her. She barely managed to contain her flushed face.

At that moment, when the count seemed to be annoyed by Lea’s frustrating behavior.

[Dash] The carriage shook violently, as if it had run over a boulder. And Lea’s body slowly tilted forward.

“!!!”

Startled, Lea instinctively shut her eyes tight.

When she slowly opened her eyes with a sinking feeling, as expected, she was in the count’s arms. A shocked Lea quickly pulled away from him.

“I’m, I’m sorry…!”

Sitting far away from him, she averted her eyes. A rising heat once again engulfed her body as she fanned herself repeatedly.

“Sigh.”

The count swallowed a bitter laugh as he looked at Lea.

“What are you doing?”

“Well, it’s hot, isn’t it? Haha.”

Lea awkwardly dodged the question, but the count simply stared at her with an unsatisfied look.

He was bothered by Lea, who kept looking outside and avoiding him. Although he didn’t show it, he was getting annoyed with Lea’s behavior.

Not remembering what happened that day and not even making eye contact now.

Annoyed, the count said nothing more.

“…….”
In a heavy silence, they rode for a while before the carriage finally began to slow and came to a stop.

“We’ve arrived.”

Lea practically leapt out of the carriage as soon as it halted. Following her was Akkia, who let out another empty laugh.

Purposely using a cheerful tone, Lea asked, “Is this where we’re staying?”

She had assumed Count Heidern’s townhouse would be large, but it was a surprisingly modest mansion.

“It’s more like a villa where my mother lived before she entered the palace.”

“I see.”

Following Akkia into the mansion, Lea looked around and tilted her head.

‘Strange. Why is no one here?’

Normally, the caretaker should come out to greet them now that the owner had arrived. But not only was there no welcome, the entire atmosphere of the mansion was strangely chilly.

“So, where is everyone? I don’t see anyone.”

“Well, obviously. There’s no one here.”

“……What?”

Lea stiffened at the Count’s words.

‘What does he mean, no one?’

“Are you saying… it’s just the two of us in this mansion right now?”

“Yes. Is that a problem?”

Of course it’s a problem, why wouldn’t it be!

However, Lea quickly decided to think positively.

‘Well, it’s not like we’re alone in the same room.’

It didn’t seem like a big problem for them to be alone in this large mansion.

‘Yeah, it’s probably more comfortable than having other people around. No need to be selfconscious.’

Back at the Heidern domain, she had to be constantly aware of others when she stepped out to work on her new drug.

But here, she wouldn’t need to, which was probably a good thing for her.

“We had Rikel do a basic cleanup, so you won’t face major inconveniences. Trustworthy people will come to manage the mansion soon. Just bear with it a little longer.”

As if to conclude the conversation, Count Heidern turned to leave.

“Count, can I go out for a bit? I’d like to buy some things.”

Akkia pondered for a moment before nodding.

“Go ahead.”

“Great! I’ll be back soon!”

After briefly unpacking her bag, Lea headed out again.