Chapter 12
12. To You, It Wasn’t a Marriage2021.10.10.
“…….”
I don’t get it. Do you really know? That I’m not Lady Christina……
“…….”
All Reina had heard about it was that Sir Arthur seemed to have noticed, and that after seeing Lady Christina, he’d said, ‘She’s not my wife.’ Oh, and one more thing. That he seemed angry, so she was just to be used to calm the situation for a bit. Reina huddled her legs together and timidly pressed her lips to her knees.
「Be thoroughly Christina in front of Arthur.」
「Even if he says he knows you’re a maid so you can relax, or tries to lead you into admitting it, deny it. Don’t give him any openings.」
「He’s probably expecting you not to answer anyway.」
「Be careful not to let slip any words that reveal you’re a maid, even by mistake.」
「Remember there are many eyes and ears in the mansion.」
「Don’t get caught in leading questions so that a careless slip-up doesn’t trip us up.」
“…….”
I don’t get it. It feels like Sir Arthur is the one denying it, and I’m the one who wants to ask. I’m not your wife. Why are you pretending not to know? Why are you keeping me by your side?
“…….”
If all this is just to lead her into a confession, then he’s a truly frightening man. Arthur opened his mouth.
“What are you thinking about?”
“……Your thoughts.”
“…….”
After blurting out an honest answer without thinking, Reina clamped her mouth shut. She wanted to sew her own lips together. First she’d said she wanted to be alone with him. Then she’d burst into tears trying to act affectionate. And now she was thinking about him. Was she crazy? Arthur chuckled softly to himself without looking at her.
“…….”
That sight was breathtakingly handsome in an instant. It was a perfect picture. Had jet-black hair and silver-gray eyes ever suited each other so well? He looked just like a statue.
Arthur moved only his eyes to look at Reina. Without thinking, she immediately averted her gaze.
“…….”
She didn’t want to keep doing it because it would look ridiculous after the third time, but his face was so handsome it was scary to meet his eyes. If he looked at her, she wouldn’t be able to breathe.
“…….”
The moment he opened his mouth as if to say something. Knock knock. A knock rang out, and at the same time, the door burst open. Before an answer could even go out to the hall. Startled, Reina jumped up from the bed.
‘The Marchioness!’
Reina shot to her feet like a thief caught red-handed, hurriedly brushing off her skirt.
“Ma……Mother.”
She’d almost said Madam but barely corrected it to Mother. Cold sweat dripped as if they’d been caught in a secret meeting in front of the master. Reina remembered every detail of how strictly the Marchioness had arranged and tended to this bed. It certainly hadn’t been meant for a maid to sit on. The Marchioness looked at the flustered Reina and smiled.
“Christina.”
The next moment, Arthur smoothly rose from the bed as well.
“…….”
Arthur approached Reina. Then he gently took her wrist and pulled her behind him. Flustered, Reina stumbled a little as she was drawn to his back.
“Marchioness.”
Arthur’s calm voice came from behind.
“I haven’t been informed whether this is the couple’s shared bedroom, or my private one, or my wife’s private one.”
Arthur continued.
“Either way, I thought it would be a place where a couple could spend time without worry. Was I mistaken?”
Dumbfounded, Reina looked from the back of Arthur’s head to the Marchioness beyond. A terrifying silence descended.
“…….”
The Marchioness, who had been quietly watching both Reina and Arthur, broke the silence.
“……You’re right. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t do this anymore. I’ve always come into my daughter’s room like this, so I didn’t realize it was a mistake.”
“…….”
Unexpectedly, the Marchioness apologized readily. Reina stared at her in inner shock.
“I was startled by the news that my daughter was ill and didn’t think about Sir Arthur being here with her. I’ve been rude. If it bothered you, I apologize.”
“…….”
Had the Madam ever spoken so mildly? It was astonishing, but there was no time to dwell on it. Every time the shameless word ‘daughter’ came from the Marchioness’s mouth, cold sweat broke out. Was this okay? She felt like Sir Arthur would turn cold and sneer at any moment……
“……!”
The next moment, their eyes met. Reina flinched and froze like a rabbit before a viper. She lowered her head and her lips trembled. She could feel the Marchioness commanding her to act right now. The situation the Marchioness wanted soon formed in her mind. She had to say something. Right now.
“I’m……sorry for worrying you, ……Mother.”
With her head bowed, she couldn’t see Arthur’s expression. The Marchioness naturally followed up in a deeply concerned tone.
“I heard from Doctor Lorenson. Are you all right?”
Reina forced a smile onto her stiff face and answered.
“Of course. I think I was just tired from standing in the cold wind for too long.”
The Marchioness examined Reina with worry. Reina stood still, submitting to the inspection. It was probably to check that. Whether anything improper had happened. She didn’t know if it would show to the eye, but Reina almost wished the Marchioness could see it. The Marchioness gazed at her with apparent concern, then let out a sigh laced with worry.
“What am I to do with you being so frail.”
After that, things flowed smoothly. Stammering, Reina asked Arthur if it would be all right to speak privately with her mother for a moment to reassure her.
“…….”
Arthur let her go.
“Go ahead, Madam.”
With a dry smile that only faintly lifted the corners of his mouth. Naturally, the hand that had held hers was released. When they were alone, she’d wanted to run away. But now that she was free, it felt a little strange. * * *
“You did well, Reina.”
At the Marchioness’s first words, Reina instinctively felt relieved. Honestly, she’d braced for a slap…… But it seemed she understood that using the lady’s bedroom had been unavoidable, so that was a relief. But at the Marchioness’s following words, Reina’s heart sank again.
“Seeing how well you handle things, it seems I can keep you in that position a bit longer.”
Reina’s face paled.
“Pardon?”
More……? No, please get me out of there soon. The Marchioness sat on the sofa, unfurled her fan, and continued.
“Arthur still hasn’t come to the negotiation table. It seems he wants to keep you by his side for a while, showing off like he has our weakness in hand. Childish, but whatever. We’re preparing compensation for him anyway, so a little leeway is fine. Bear with it just a bit more.”
The Marchioness crafted a sweet voice with her cold eyes. Not showing anxiety in front of a mere maid was the Marchioness’s last shred of pride.
“Still, it’s fortunate you’re quick on the uptake. If you were useless, it would’ve been troubling, but at least you’re reliable. I’m always grateful for you.”
“…….”
What did that mean? As Reina stared blankly at the Marchioness in fear amid words that felt insincere, the Marchioness gave her a brief look and turned away. Clink. Before she knew it, Mrs. Hurst, the head maid, approached holding a tray with a single teacup.
“Drink it.”
The Marchioness said. Reina froze slightly, staring at the mysterious teacup. It was filled with dark liquid faintly tinged red.
“What……is this?”
The Marchioness smiled.
“It’s medicine, because I’m grateful.”
The Marchioness personally lifted the teacup from the tray and handed it to Reina.
“It’ll protect your dream.”
“…….”
The moment she heard the Marchioness’s words, Reina realized what it was. It’s the medicine to prevent pregnancy. It was her first time seeing it for real, but she remembered the rumors among the maids about the ‘dark red liquid that aborts babies.’ She knew it was terribly harmful to the body—plenty of maids had become infertile or fallen ill after taking it—but unable to make excuses that nothing had happened with Arthur, Reina accepted the poisoned chalice from the Marchioness.
“…….”
Even if I said I didn’t sleep with Sir Arthur……she wouldn’t believe me, right? If I tried to avoid the medicine with words like that, it would look like I was scheming to get involved with him somehow. Honestly, whether we did or didn’t, as the wife, there’s no reason for her not to make me take this as insurance…… And if she says it’s preventive since the future’s uncertain, I’d have nothing to say. All she needs is assurance that I won’t become an obstacle to Lady Christina.
「If you don’t want it, we won’t do it.」
“…….”
Why am I thinking of that now…… Reina lifted the cup with both hands and brought it to her lips. The medicine was bitter and acrid.
“……Cough.”
After swallowing it all, a small cough escaped. Seeing Reina drink it all, Mrs. Hurst offered her a candy. Reina accepted it with both hands and said, “Thank you,” before putting it in her mouth obediently. The Madam’s order followed.
“Restrain from going out as much as possible, and especially avoid appearing before ‘Lord Rembrandt’ no matter what excuse. You know the imperial guest staying in the mansion? If he sees your face, things will get complicated. Make excuses like you’re not feeling well, or you don’t want to meet any man but your husband.”
“Yes, Madam.”
The Marchioness paused briefly and added.
“And one more thing, something I’d like you to do.”
What more from here……? An ominous feeling rose. The Marchioness continued.
“If you handle that task without a single mistake, I’ll give you ten times your weekly wage. No matter how long it takes, every week.”
Reina was startled. Ten times? Was such pay possible? With that money……
“…….”
Reina hesitated for a moment but soon leaned toward giving up. It was already dangerous now. If she was offering that much for it, it had to be extremely dangerous. Such money wasn’t worth more than her life. Above all, getting back to her grandmother safely was most important to Reina. With a pitiful and earnest expression, furrowing her brows as if to say, ‘I’m scared and inadequate, and dare not take on such a heavy duty,’ she tried to express her refusal in advance.
“Madam…….”
But the Marchioness added an offer Reina couldn’t refuse.
“I’ll send Taylor to your house. Taylor Lorenson, the son of our family physician, Doctor Lorenson.”
“…….”
Reina froze at the unexpected proposal. Taylor Lorenson. The son of Doctor Lorenson, who resided in the marquisate with him, and the household’s second physician.
「Taylor’s quite skilled for his age. He’s the one who’ll become the Julius family’s physician when Doctor Lorenson retires, so you can trust his abilities.」
‘Grandmother.’
Her heart pounded. The Marchioness continued.
“How about it? I know he’s close to you. Quite an appealing offer all around, isn’t it?”
* * * Arthur leaned back in his chair with arms crossed, quietly tapping his arm with his fingertips. A moment later, he uncrossed his arms, reached across the desk, picked up a cigar, and lit it. He exhaled, and long tendrils of smoke spread through the room. ……I see. So there could have been a man. For her, it truly wasn’t a marriage…… His Aura flickered. A sensation only Arthur could feel. A softly cynical air settled on the lips of Arthur, who had been waiting for them on another floor.
