Translator: Nox

The Mansion Awaits Spring

Chapter 55

April, wondering what to do about Hannah—who had clamped her mouth shut in a silent protest—opened the door at the sound of Bauman’s voice calling from outside.

Bauman spoke.

“Young Master Fezin has walked up the hill on such a harsh day.”

“At this hour?”

“Yes, truly. Something must have happened, I’m certain of it.”

“Hmm.”

April wondered if Fezin’s heart had grown heavy after meeting Heidi Dieus. Though she couldn’t immediately think of why he would come here afterward.

April said.

“We promised, right? That you’d be able to read books before the year is out.”

“Yes….”

“Practice your reading a bit more. I’m going to go meet our guest.”

Confirming Hannah’s nod, April slowly descended the stairs and headed toward where Fezin was waiting.

He was still standing outside the front door. April, wearing a coat Bauman had draped over her pajamas, stepped out onto the porch.

“What are you doing?”

At her question, Fezin, who had been staring out at the snowy fields, turned to look at April.

April thought that Fezin’s blue eyes suited this season remarkably well.

His eyes were like a lake that would never freeze, even in the dead of winter. Legends always followed nature when it existed in forms so high, deep, or vast. His eyes, too, looked as though they held at least one legend within them.

Fezin spoke.

“They said it was going to snow.”

“Yeah, and they said it’ll get really cold after that. It’s perfect timing. We’ve found ourselves a worker. Mr. Bauman was quite worried.”

“Are you telling me to shovel snow?”

“Of course.”

“How have you been living all this time?”

April let out a small laugh at Fezin’s question.

“You’re the first person to ask me that.”

“People probably don’t ask because they’re afraid it’s a rude question.”

“And you?”

“I don’t really care much about other people’s feelings.”

“I thought you didn’t know better.”

“Is that what you thought? I knew, I just didn’t care.”

“That’s even worse,” April muttered. Fezin’s complexion did not look good.

Tightening her coat, April said.

“Hurry up and come inside. It’s cold.”

“I’ll just go. I don’t want to shovel snow.”

“Stop talking nonsense and get in here.”

As April spoke, she grabbed Fezin’s clothes and pulled him.

For some reason, she was afraid that Fezin, who had appeared so abruptly this night, might just as abruptly disappear.

Unable to wait for the drawing room to be prepared, she brought him to her bedroom and sat him down on the carpet spread before the fireplace.

Taking off his coat, Fezin said in disbelief.

“You have quite a talent for hosting guests.”

“What are you talking about, showing up without warning?”

Fezin took his seat amidst April’s scolding.

He absentmindedly pulled off his gloves, and as the warmth of the fireplace melted the blood clotted on his palm, it began to trickle down his hand.

While April hesitated, Fezin hurriedly pulled out a handkerchief and wrapped his hand to prevent the blood from dripping onto the carpet.

“I got cut by some grass on the way here.”

“Grass?”

“Want me to do some weeding for you? There are plenty of idle bastards at the Special Investigation Headquarters.”

“Public power isn’t meant for things like that. Besides, I have plenty of money. It’s just that there’s no one willing to work here.”

April continued with a displeased expression.

“After they went and spread those rumors themselves…. They must think I’m going to eat them alive or something.”

“You said you were going to hold a funeral. You should have the place tidied up before then.”

“Should I try it? The weeding.”

“It would take you ten years.”

When Fezin spoke skeptically, April shot him a glare.

Fezin sat quietly, watching her glare at him. He was staring so intently he didn’t even seem to realize he was doing it, until April pointed it out by gesturing toward his eyes.

“You have a habit of staring like that.”

“What did I do?”

“You always stare so fixedly at people’s faces.”

“When you’re having a conversation, you’re supposed to look at the face. Where else would I look?”

“You look too much. Don’t you hear that often?”

“I’ve heard it plenty.”

“But you haven’t fixed it.”

“I told you, I don’t listen to what people say.”

April let out a scoff at Fezin’s brazenness.

Fezin found her bewildered face amusing and allowed his own expression to soften a bit.

April said.

“Stay here a moment. I’ll go get some medicine.”

“Call Mr. Bauman.”

“Mr. Bauman is seventy-five this year. I already feel bad enough waking him up this late; why would I make him walk up and down the stairs multiple times?”

As April stood up to leave, Fezin caught her hand.

“Don’t go.”

April narrowed her eyes and looked back at him. Fezin continued.

“I don’t need medicine.”

“Yes, you do.”

“It’s just that right now, strangely, I don’t want to be alone.”

Fezin was looking up at her with a somewhat desperate face.

His hair, which he usually kept neatly styled with pomade, was now disheveled and falling over his forehead.

Seeing that face actually made April’s heart harden, and she shook off his hand. However, her strength wasn’t enough to completely break Fezin’s grip, and since he was persistent, his hand remained clamped around hers.

For a moment, she had thought they might become awkward because of the time they were blinded by lust, but instead, he had come here today as if nothing had happened. And with an injury, no less.

April spoke.

“It’s not just a regular cut; you said it was from grass. It needs to be disinfected.”

“You’re really cold-hearted. Even when I say I don’t want to be alone.”

“Don’t act like a child. You’re not a kid. Think of how many citizens’ safety you’re responsible for.”

“Fine, fine. I’ll wait, alright?”

Fezin finally let go of her hand.

April shook her head as if he were pathetic before walking off to fetch the medicine box and some warm water.

When she took the medicine box from the bedroom shelf and brought over the teapot warmer with a candle inside, Fezin scratched his neck and spoke.

“If it was inside the bedroom, you should have told me to get it.”

“Be quiet.”

“Fine.”

For once, Fezin shut his mouth obediently. He looked embarrassed.

After bringing the teapot filled with warm water, April pulled Fezin’s hand toward her. She cleaned his hand with the clean, warm water and applied medicine to the wound.

April asked.

“Is it because of the Grand Duchess?”

When Fezin didn’t answer her question, April lifted her head to look at him and continued.

“Does it still make you sad to see her?”

“Why are you asking that?”

“Just, I’m curious.”

“If it makes me sad, then what, are you going to fix it for me?”

April looked back down at his hand and said.

“How could I fix it? You deal with it yourself. Go and seduce her or something.”

Fezin let out a hollow laugh at her words.

April muttered.

“Then my mood would improve at the same time, too.”

“So if I meet another woman, your mood improves.”

Fezin thought he was being spiteful. Seeing April’s hand pause at his words confirmed it.

Suddenly, he became a little curious about what kind of person April was.

He wanted to know.

How she reacted in certain situations, when she laughed, and when she cried.

Despite her striking face, she didn’t often reveal her emotions through her expressions.

It wasn’t just because of her seven years of house arrest. It was a trait of the Lunos family line.

Fezin continued.

“Answer me. Is that how it is?”

“Yes.”

“Yes?”

“I think I’d feel good. If you did that.”

“Do you have no feelings for me at all?”

And the end of his spite was that kind of pettiness.