Chapter 06
“So, Miss Layla… you don’t know everything about him after all, do you?”
“Pardon…?”
My voice came out more calmly than I expected.
Layla frowned, clearly irritated.
She must think she knows Kallion better than anyone.
But Layla—
You only see what you want to see.
You know nothing of his real self.
You don’t know that he can sleep with someone he feels nothing for.
That he can stay cold and indifferent even when his own child dies.
I sipped my tea quietly before continuing.
“Don’t provoke me, Miss Layla.”
My low voice made her brows furrow as she tried to read between the lines.
I smiled sweetly—
The same fake smile she always wore.
“I just want to live quietly in this house, as if I don’t even exist.”
I slowly traced the design on my teacup with my finger, then looked up and added:
“So don’t go guessing things or provoking me with jealousy that doesn’t suit you.”
Though I smiled, my words were razor-sharp. Layla froze.
She hadn’t expected that the “naive” and “harmless” wife could speak this way.
I watched her calmly, then finished:
“As long as Kallion keeps his promise to me, I don’t care if he rolls around with you in the office every night.”
At my blunt remark, Layla’s face stiffened.
The ever-composed and confident Layla—finally rattled.
It was oddly satisfying.
I gently placed my teacup down, crossed my legs, and looked at her from above.
“But I wonder…” I added casually, “if a servant girl from the Sorrento family will ever be accepted by the great Valdormer House.”
That one hit her.
Her clenched fists trembled ever so slightly.
Yes, Layla.
Even if he protects you, even if he favors you—our places are not the same.
Don’t overstep.
Whether my warning worked or not, Layla lowered her head and hid her trembling hands under the table.
“I think… you may have misunderstood something, Madam.”
I kept my face calm.
“Is that so?”
My dry tone made her rise from her seat and bow stiffly.
“I’ve delivered Lord Kallion’s message. I’ll excuse myself now.”
She practically fled the room.
I turned my gaze to the window, bored.
Is this how the ‘villainess’ feels in those stories? Tearing apart two forbidden lovers just because of social rank?
A villainess…
If I could meet that child again—
I wouldn’t just be a villainess.
I’d be a devil.
I stared blankly down at Layla walking through the garden below.
Then quietly swallowed the now-lukewarm tea.
***
A devilish woman.
Kallion pressed his fingers to his aching temple.
Something about Yuliana… always threw him off.
He hadn’t meant to break their deal.
He just couldn’t bring himself to face her, so he thought he’d go a bit late.
But when Yuliana slapped Layla…
Unforgivable.
How dare a Heister lay hands on someone from his household?
“You think I’d be turned on by you, Yuliana?”
That bitter, cutting line slipped from his mouth.
And he didn’t regret it.
There was no way he’d be aroused by someone like her.
It would be humiliating for both of them.
If this was just for appearances between the families, maybe it would be better to just sleep in the same room without actually doing anything.
He thought he should propose that to her.
But would she accept it?
After all, she was the one who insisted on the physical relationship.
She probably believed it would make him fall for her.
Foolish.
If he suggested a no-contact arrangement now, would she agree?
Then he remembered her last words:
“I’ll seriously consider your advice about taking a lover.”
Ridiculous.
A woman who had clung to him like a fool for ten years?
She’d never go to another man.
She was bluffing, hoping to make him jealous.
Trying to play power games now that they were married.
But it wouldn’t work on him.
He’d never be moved by a Heister.
He could never forget what her family did to his mother.
He remembered how Yuliana used to stare at him so innocently before the wedding—
and it made him clench his fists.
She didn’t know the truth behind his mother’s death, of course.
That information was tightly sealed.
But watching her smile back then, so clueless and sincere… made his blood boil.
“Lord Kallion, the heads of the vassal families are waiting in the assembly hall.”
Layla approached with a stack of documents.
Kallion collected himself and nodded.
“Let’s go.”
He and Layla headed to the assembly room, which was located at the far end of the first floor—past the terrace.
Just as they were passing by, they ran into Yuliana coming from the terrace.
Kallion paused, his brow twitching.
Layla stopped too.
It was the first time they’d seen each other since their fight that night.
Yuliana calmly bowed her head and walked past as if nothing had happened.
Kallion blinked, stunned.
He turned around in disbelief, watching her walk away—without even looking back.
“Ha…”
He let out a breathless laugh.
Acting like nothing happened. How fake.
Still, it was better than her throwing tantrums or pretending to be a real wife.
If she wanted to act cold and indifferent, fine.
Let’s see how long she can keep it up.
***
The quarterly meeting went smoothly. It was mostly ceremonial, just to report on the state of the vassal families.
Technically, the head of House Valdormer should have attended.
But Kallion’s father had long ago handed over full authority and retired to a separate estate.
Layla quietly looked at Kallion as he stared out the window.
She admired and pitied him.
He carried the entire house alone.
She had watched him grow since they were kids.
Then she followed his gaze outside—
And saw Yuliana.
His eyes weren’t soft—they were sharp, full of suspicion.
“Lord Kallion, should I place the report from House Schultz here?”
She tried to distract him.
“Yeah, leave it there.”
Still looking out the window.
Layla clenched her fingers around the document.
She had never wanted to possess him.
But still—why did his wife have to be from that family?
If it weren’t Yuliana, she would’ve quietly accepted her place.
“I wonder if the great House Valdormer will ever accept a mere servant girl from Sorrento.”
She remembered Yuliana’s mocking words.
Layla’s grip tightened.
That woman—so cold and manipulative, pretending not to care just to draw Kallion’s attention.
A snake.
Just then, the butler entered with a knock.
“Lord Kallion, um…”
Kallion finally turned from the window.
“What is it?”
The butler hesitated.
“Normally, the management of the estate should be turned over to the lady of the house. It may still be early, but I thought I’d ask.”
Kallion’s brows furrowed.
Yuliana, managing the house?
The same woman whose head was always in the clouds?
She’d never be able to handle it.
He was about to reject the idea—but then he had a thought.
“If she’s the lady of the house, she should handle her duties. Give her full responsibility for managing the estate.”
The butler and Layla both stared at him, surprised.
“Excuse me…? Is that really okay?”
It wasn’t.
There was no way a woman like her—untrained, unprepared—could manage a household this large.
The work had always been divided between Layla and the butler.
There was no chance Yuliana could handle it alone.
She’d give up within a week.
And then…
He would propose a new deal—one that favored him and cornered her.
“It’s fine. Let her handle it.”
