Episode 34
Laurel laced her fingers together and leaned slightly forward.
My thoughts drifted quietly through the silence. When I didn't speak, Laurel's eyebrow twitched slightly. With a faint smile, she adopted an easy, nonchalant tone.
This was news to me. Perhaps noticing the shift in my gaze, Laurel's smile broadened.
As Laurel rose slowly, her shadow stretched long. Stepping toward me one pace at a time, she whispered,
The thought crossed my mind that her death might be tied to why Nina had changed rooms. Concealing my thoughts, I looked up at Laurel, who had drawn close before I realized it. Glancing sideways at the sloppy bandage Maya had wrapped around my hand, she smiled grimly.
Foolish woman.
If Nina truly killed that maid, to her, Laurel and I would make no difference at all. In fact, Laurel was in greater danger, lacking any protection of status. If I died, things would get quite messy, but if Laurel died, all they'd need to do was clear away the body.
Our exchange made it clear how much of a child Laurel took me for. In that case, playing along with her tune while gauging the situation wouldn't be a bad idea for the time being.
Shrinking my shoulders slightly as if frightened, I lowered my eyes. Laurel's gaze followed me. Fidgeting with my fingers, I murmured softly,
Speaking softly, as if soothing a child, Laurel sat beside me. Pretending to ponder for a moment, I chewed on my lip and asked,
A fairly pragmatic goal. Considering what I'd seen in Nina's room, it would certainly line her pockets far beyond anything a tutor could hope for.
As Laurel wrapped an arm around one of my shoulders and whispered sweetly, I had to swallow a sigh to keep from laughing.
Clearing my throat with a soft cough, I slowly nodded and raised my eyes. Looking straight at her, I spoke.
Lowering my voice, I let the words trail off as if confiding a secret.
It was a lie, but Laurel would have no way of verifying it. A look of intrigue crossed her face, and her eyes darted about.
Mid-sentence, a bell clanged abruptly, and our heads turned at the same time. A servant was shouting at the top of his lungs.
Startled, I hurried out of the room alongside Laurel. The servants were already rushing about in a frenzy.
Lamps flickered to life along every corridor, and the servants in charge of the baths were in a fluster boiling water. The air carried the stir of an estate waking from a long slumber.
I didn't run all the way to the entrance simply because I remembered Kirhin's request. I wanted to confirm his safety, and whether Damian was with him. Though along the way, the bright smiles on the servants' faces already told me he was unharmed.
Sprawled across a long sofa in the parlor and waving his hands about, Kirhin spotted me and shot upright. Taking in his rather unfamiliar appearance, I hesitated and stepped forward slowly.
Unlike when he'd left the estate, Kirhin was clad in rags that looked as though a peasant had worn them for years, and half his face was covered by a thick beard. Only after he grasped one side of the beard and ripped it off did the familiar face appear beneath, and I let out a long sigh.
Though he wore an easygoing expression, Kirhin's complexion was rather pale. With the beard gone, his smooth face was noticeably gaunt as well. He certainly did not look like a man who had enjoyed a leisurely journey.
Rolling my eyes at him as he held his arms wide open toward me, I accepted the damp towel a servant brought over. Sitting at his feet, I wiped his hands, and a slightly awkward expression flitted across Kirhin's face.
Kirhin flinched as I used a clean corner of the cloth to wipe the dust from his face, having relaxed into my touch a moment before. A sheepish smile spread across his lips.
Kirhin gave a wink, but it wasn't particularly convincing.
I knew very well how much he cared about his attire. He was a man who had worn an extravagant scarf even when coming to see me in prison, after all.
While we spoke, Nina brought out a plate of desserts made with almond flour, butter, and cheese, alongside honey. Yet Kirhin made no move to use his hands, opening his mouth instead.
Clearing her throat as she let out a stern admonition, Nina broke off. My hand had already picked up a confection and was feeding it to Kirhin.
Looking at her arched brows, I blinked blandly.
Munching away, Kirhin flashed a grin of distinct satisfaction. Nina shot a brief glare at the back of my head before withdrawing.
Dip it in honey, feed me two at once—Kirhin had plenty of demands, but he cleared the plate in an instant and patted his belly.
Muttering thoughtlessly, he shot a tentative glance my way and awkwardly shut his mouth. Watching Kirhin quietly, I asked,
The question seemed entirely unexpected. Unable to hide what he felt, Kirhin let unease show in his blue eyes. It felt as though someone had poured chilling ice water down my spine.
My voice tumbled out in a hurried, slight tremble. Deciding it was already too late to lie, Kirhin let out a long sigh and rested his chin on his hand at an angle.
This time, my defense failed. I had never imagined Damian would wear it at his waist. And far less that Kirhin would be the one to see it.
Narrowing his eyes into slits, Kirhin's gaze gleamed triumphantly. Letting out a faint sigh, I replied,
At my words, Kirhin chuckled dryly and rubbed his sharp chin.
