Zimmer, as usual, responded with a serious and respectful attitude.

“I searched the entire house using repairs as an excuse, but I couldn’t find any documents.”

“What about Adel’s bedroom?”

“Madam has forbidden entry, so I couldn’t search there.”

In fact, Zimmer had searched for a blank document that might be with Adel under the excuse of repairing the house. With that excuse, he had sought to realize his dream of royal floral wallpaper.

“That’s the most suspicious place.”

“So, I’m going to have the servants look for it this time.”

“Leave the bedroom for now.”

“Understood. But I have one question.”

Zimmer asked cautiously, but his superior coldly refused to engage in conversation.

“I have a lot to think about, so don’t make me talk.”

Then, with his arms folded, he cast his gaze out of the window. His sharp profile was so chilly that it was not a moment for conversation.

With no other choice, Zimmer stroked his chin and mumbled to himself.

“But did the two of you really just knead dough last night? I’m really curious to death.”

Christine’s eyes moved from the window to Zimmer, gathering a deadly glare.

But Zimmer naturally closed his eyes and continued to mumble.

“Moreover, in winter, when desires are at their peak, and the smell of the Countess is unbearable as you said. If you really just kneaded dough all night, that’s a problem……”

“Zimmer Craiton.”

At the sound of his full name in a chilly voice, Zimmer slowly opened his eyes and was startled when he met those fierce eyes.

“Ah, sorry! My inner thoughts just slipped out!”

“If I hear those inner thoughts one more time, this will be your grave.”

“Yes, understood!”

Zimmer quickly responded respectfully.

“But I really do admire you.”

“Enough. Don’t admire me. Don’t say anything.”

Despite Christine’s warning, Zimmer expressed his admiration for his superior with conviction.

“It’s truly a patience that would make even a eunuch cry.”

Whoosh!

Christine’s sword moved, creating a wind without a moment’s hesitation.

The cushion in the carriage where Zimmer had been sitting was brutally split in two.

Of course, Zimmer avoided it with a face showing ten years of suffering.

They were a pair that surprisingly got along well.

Meanwhile, after seeing off Christine and Zimmer, Adel and Tanya began their fullfledged dessert work.

“I was surprised. The Count, who has otherworldly beauty and exudes hellish power, kneaded bread dough all night.”

Tanya laughed out loud, and Adel also whispered with a twinkle in her eyes.

“I was a bit surprised too. I didn’t really think he’d do it.”

“It seems like he listens to everything you say.”

“He was like that when we were little. He’d grumble about not doing it but would eventually follow along. It was quite cute.”

“I can’t imagine a cute Count.”

“Actually, I’ve almost forgotten his cute side too. His current image is too strong.”

“He’s the hero of Calame, after all.”

“So today’s event is all a secret, right? For the sake of the hero’s image.”

“Of course. If I leaked it, my life would be in danger.”

Tanya cleverly nodded.

And that clever Tanya felt that Adel was unusually happy today. Wasn’t she humming while making custard foam, clapping her hands as she took the wellbaked choux out of the oven?

It wasn’t her usual calm demeanor.

“Did the two of you really knead bread dough all night?”

Oops!

Adel’s hand, filling the round choux with custard cream, slipped.

“Of course! What else would we do in the kitchen?”

Adel’s voice was unusually loud.

Tanya, who wouldn’t miss it, sensed it.

“Hmm……”

“We really just kneaded dough!”

“Sure. What would you do with someone like a younger sibling? Right?”

“Of course. But isn’t it a bit hot? Let’s open the window.”

Adel hurriedly went to the window to cool her flushed face.

Wide open!

Opening the kitchen window, a sharp winter breeze brushed her cheek. Pleased with the wind blowing through the white birch trees, Adel quietly closed her eyes.

And without realizing it, she gently touched her lips.

Was it a dream?

Entrusting the bread dough to Christine, Adel laid down on the countertop and dozed off.

Then, she woke up because her right hand was itching.

He was applying medicine to it, and his side profile, gently looking at the wound, was affectionate. It was as if he was grieving for it like his own wound.

Was it because of the flickering lamp that it looked that way?

“Adel……”

His soft voice calling my name was especially pleasing to hear.

“Don’t try to solve everything on your own from now on. Don’t endure, don’t tolerate.”

Does he know that I’m awake? Or is he talking to himself?

…Or is he dreaming?

‘Yes, it must be a dream. Because it’s so happy and warm.’

Adel closed her eyes again so as not to wake from this happy dream.

“I’ll keep you from swinging around something like a dagger that you don’t even know how to use……”

His voice, his words, were so comforting that Adel’s eyes grew hot.

Even though it was a dream, she didn’t realize how comforting it was to know she was not alone.

So she must have cried. His fingers brushing past her wet eyes were moist.

Adel finally opened her eyes. When she met his full bluegray eyes, she involuntarily gasped.

“Chris……”

“Sleep more.”

His voice sounded like a spell.

And the soft breath that touched her lips.

‘Yes, it’s all a dream. So that’s why it’s so sweet.’

Remembering last night’s event, Adel brushed her lips with her fingers as if drawing over them. She closed her eyes and recalled the sensations that had touched her lips.

‘Did it really touch? Or was it just a breath brushing past?’

Just thinking that caused a tingling shiver to wrap around Adel’s body.

“Adel! Adel!”

At that moment, she came back to reality at Mia’s voice from behind.

Turning around, she saw her clutching her skirt, panting as she ran into the kitchen.

“Are you here?”

It was a common occurrence, so Adel greeted her with a calm face.

But Mia looked around the inside of the house, which had changed in one day, and was amazed.

“My goodness! What has the Earl done to this house!”

“That’s right. If he hadn’t sent the laborers away in the middle, I wouldn’t have found our house.”

“So the house repairs are all finished?”

“Yes.”

“Then what are all those carriages coming in for?”