Mark looked embarrassed as he explained.

“The maid who used to do our housework quit a few days ago. So I’ve been preparing the meals lately.”

“So the apron…”

“Oh, this!”

Mark realized he was still wearing the apron and hurriedly took it off.

“You wear it well.”

He frowned as if embarrassed.

“Are you teasing me?”

“I’m serious. Then I’ll prepare the meal while you see the patient.”

“No! You don’t have to!”

“You helped me, so I should help you too. Where’s the kitchen, Jade?”

Adel, entering the kitchen, was taken aback.

The kitchen counter was cluttered with food ingredients and cooking tools. She couldn’t figure out what he was trying to cook.

“It looks like a battle between cooking and war.”

Adel started by tidying up the counter.

Then Jade, who had disappeared for a moment, brought something.

“This.”

It was a white linen blouse and a red checkered skirt.

“Why this?”

“Your clothes are wet. You’ll catch a cold. Wear this.”

Only then did Adel notice her silk dress was soaked like laundry.

“Jade, you are really smart. Thank you.”

“It’s nothing.”

Watching Jade modestly refuse thanks, Adel ended up laughing out loud.

She quickly changed her clothes and started cooking, and Jade helped with his little fernlike hands.

He kept chuckling by Adel’s side, and thanks to him, she could momentarily forget about Christine’s affairs.

When Adel was setting the table, Mark came in with a friendly smile.

“Is this really the smell coming from our house?”

“I made something with the available ingredients. Please have a seat.”

But Mark stood still, looking at Adel for a while, and she was puzzled.

“What’s wrong?”

“That dress…”

“Oh, I changed because my dress got wet.”

Jade quickly shouted.

“I gave it to her! Just like Mom!”

Only then did Adel realize that this was the dress of Jade’s deceased mother. After all, there wouldn’t be another woman’s dress in a house with two men.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know. I’ve made a big mistake.”

As Adel looked uncomfortable, Mark shook his head.

“No, you did well. Let’s eat quickly. It’s torture just looking.”

In a short time, Adel had prepared a plausible table with mushroom soup, bread topped with bean purée, salad, chicken dishes, etc.

“How is the child from earlier?”

“He’s asleep. I’ll feed him some soup when he wakes up.”

Then a rustling sound was heard. Turning around, the battered child was standing shivering at the entrance of the dining room.

“That’s good. Let’s eat together.”

Adel quickly went and brought the child.

“Really… can I eat with you?”

The surprised child looked bewildered.

“Of course, let’s eat before it gets cold.”

Mark also kindly set down the child’s portion of soup and utensils.

When all four people sat at the table, Mark, holding a fork and spoon in both hands, shouted.

“Then let’s eat!”

With his hearty voice, Jade and the child also followed.

“Let’s eat!”

The three men soon began to eat voraciously.

The sound of clattering utensils and their talking, chewing food naturally blended on the humble table.

Adel remembered the times she spent with Christine long ago. He and she ate the food prepared by their mother, tasting the best in the world. Each time, she felt as though she knew a little of her mother’s mood, who would watch them quietly, smiling.

Outside, it was pouring heavily, but that made the meal warmer and more affectionate.

After finishing their meal, the two children went up to the second floor, feeling sleepy.

Now, only Adel and Mark were left in the dining room.

As the surroundings quieted down, thoughts of Christine once again began to erode Adel’s mind.

“I was the one who ordered you to become friends with the Countess.”

“So, did the Earl deliberately approach that woman to find the document?”

“Yes, that’s why pretend you don’t know. In a month, we will find the document, and there will be a grand engagement with April.”

Did Christine really approach me on purpose?

To find the Count’s blank document?

Had he not really forgiven me?

How excited I had been without knowing? Saying he’s my brother, wishing well for April, yet.

Adel was more ashamed and distraught of herself falling for him rather than being angry at him.

“I was quite rude at your place last time.”

Mark’s voice barely woke her from her thoughts.

“Yes?”

“That … kissing the cheek …”

Mark scratched his nose, embarrassed.

How could such a shy man do something like that? Especially in front of the terrifying subject of rumors, Earl Byers.

“No, I was more sorry because the Earl was rude.”

“If it’s okay with you, would you like a drink?”

Mark had brought a wine bottle and glasses without her noticing.

“No, alcohol is …”

“You look like you need a drink.”

Adel smiled weakly. Indeed, on a day like today, alcohol might be needed.

“Then just one glass.”

Chirrchirrchirr …

The red wine filled the clear glass.

“Where is Adel?”

As soon as Christine got out of the carriage, he asked.

Henry, who came out to meet him with an umbrella, answered politely.

“She is at the residence of Viscount Castler.”

For a moment, a deep wrinkle formed on Christine’s smooth brow.

“Viscount Castler’s?”

Tanya, who was standing with other servants of the mansion, answered cautiously.

“She took a wounded child there.”

“Taking a wounded child to a veterinarian?”

“It was past the clinic’s closing time, so there was no choice.”

Although Christine didn’t say anything special, Tanya somehow felt scared. It was strange. He looked the same with his handsome face, but his bluegray eyes seemed to choke her.

“Well, let’s say it was an unavoidable situation. But why hasn’t she come back yet?”

It was already completely dark outside. However, publicly, Adel was seeing Mark. So her late return meant that the two were having a good time.

But Christine looked very uncomfortable.

“That … it seems she is waiting to see the child recover.”

It was when Tanya was stammering in reply.

“Butler, wasn’t it your duty to protect your master’s safety and reputation?”

Christine’s voice was not louder but even more gentle than usual. However, it was filled with a coldness that made the other party cower.

Henry, who had also shrunk in Adel’s difficulty, also looked defeated.

“I apologize, master. I will go and fetch her right away.”

As Henry hurriedly bowed and prepared to go out, Christine had already jumped on his horse, shaking the reins.

“Heeya!”

The horse carrying him raced wildly through the rain.