Chapter 29…
Unable to bear the inexplicable gaze directed at her, Cynthia began babbling incoherently. Then, without warning, Tession suddenly bent down and grabbed the top of her foot. Startled by his abrupt action, Cynthia let out a small scream.
Why my foot all of a sudden…?!
“Why does your foot look like this?”
“…Pardon?”
“It’s swollen. Have you been wearing uncomfortable shoes for too long?”
Looking down at her foot, Tession spoke calmly. Cynthia pulled it away from his grasp and hid it beneath her dress.
“It’s fine. I just walked a bit longer than usual today…”
“You didn’t come here by carriage?”
“I–I went for a walk! Around the area here… and then…”
Ugh, seriously… why is he questioning every little thing?
Improvised lies were one of the things Cynthia was truly terrible at. Trying to lie to him on the spot made her heart race uncontrollably.
“Alone?” Tession asked with a puzzled look.
“No! I–I’m with someone! I was going to have dinner with… them. They just stepped out for a moment. They’ll be back soon.”
She pointed at the empty seat across from her. Upon hearing that she had company, Tession’s expression briefly darkened but soon relaxed.
“I was worried.”
“…Worried?”
“I sent several messages but didn’t receive a reply for days. Did something happen that I don’t know about?”
Messages…? Cynthia closed her mouth and avoided his gaze.
The truth was, after Tession woke up, she had only planned to make sure the Bailey family reclaimed the Retemper Trading Company—then take the remaining 4.5 million mint and leave the mansion for good.
To cut all ties with both the Baileys and Tession.
I didn’t reply to him on purpose… to make it easier to sever things.
Cynthia glanced at Tession’s dissatisfied face. With his eyes open now, it was much easier to read his expressions than before.
Was he annoyed? Or… did he actually worry about me?
“My lord, you should stand up now. People are watching. It doesn’t look good for someone like you to be squatting like that in public.”
She extended her arms to help him up. Tession rose, though his gaze still lingered disapprovingly on the hem of her dress.
“Ruth.”
“Y–Yes!”
The attendant who had been standing quietly behind him jumped at the sudden call.
“Send an ointment effective for swelling to the Bailey estate. If necessary, have our family physician accompany it.”
“Understood.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
Cynthia thanked him politely. Even though she had left the Bailey estate in anger…
He didn’t have to say that.
“Well then, my lord, please enjoy your meal. I’ll just—”
“Perfect timing. There were things I wanted to discuss with you. Ruth, we’ll finish the restaurant matters another day. You may go.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Hmm?”
After giving the order, Tession sat down naturally across from her. Cynthia stared in confusion as the server began to set the table for him.
“M–My lord! My companion will be here any minute!”
“I’m aware. But since I’m Elizabeth’s official fiancé, there’s nothing strange about me sitting with someone.”
“That’s… not the issue…”
“Your companion seems rather late. It’s impolite to keep a lady waiting this long.”
He glanced at his wristwatch. Cynthia began sweating, pretending to think about her nonexistent companion.
“R–Right…”
“Have you ordered yet?”
“Ah, not yet.”
“Would you prefer to wait, or should we start first?”
He appeared completely composed. His movements, always neat even when he was blind, were now even more refined and confident.
“L–Let’s start… just in case they don’t show up…”
What am I even saying?! I said I had company, and now I’m saying they might not come?
Even Cynthia realized how ridiculous that sounded and clenched her hands tightly over her lap. But Tession simply nodded with a gentle smile, as though he’d known all along she was alone.
“Understood. Do you have anything you’d like to eat?”
“No…”
“Then I’ll order for us.”
“Sure…”
Tession raised his hand and called over a waiter. He listed off several dishes with names Cynthia had never even heard of, then turned to her with a pleased expression.
“To meet you here by chance—it’s quite a delight.”
“Ah, yes. Me too.”
“Had we not run into each other today, I was planning to visit the Bailey estate tomorrow.”
Cynthia sipped from her water glass and nodded.
That might’ve been better… poor Dale and the Baileys probably had to sweat explaining where Elizabeth went.
That thought brought her a small, guilty satisfaction.
“Do you come here often?” she asked, subtly changing the subject to avoid talking about the Baileys.
“From time to time,” he replied. “The head chef here used to work for our family.”
“I see…”
“As you know, our family’s restaurant burned down completely. So lately, when I dine out, I tend to come here.”
That’s right. His restaurant burned down… just like my house…
Thinking of the charred remains of her cottage, Cynthia’s chest tightened again.
Where am I even supposed to go now…
“Cynthia? Are you all right?”
Noticing her darkened expression, Tession asked with concern. She quickly shook her head.
“O–Oh, I’m fine. I was just reminded of your restaurant and got worried again.”
“You have such a kind heart, Cynthia.”
“Haha…”
Cynthia forced a smile, feeling a pang of guilt.
“When you smile like that,” Tession said softly, gazing at her, “I see now—that’s the expression you make.”
His shimmering violet eyes seemed to pull her in.
“You’re very beautiful.”
“Eh?”
The bold, straightforward compliment made Cynthia make a strange sound. But Tession didn’t look away.
“Even your flustered look is charming and lovely.”
“Wh–What are you saying…!”
“To see you clearly with my own eyes… it feels like a sweet dream I never want to wake from.”
Was he always this good with words?
She’d never been on the receiving end of such flattery before and had no idea how to react. Thankfully, just then, the waiter appeared with their appetizers.
Thank goodness! Any longer and I might’ve exploded from embarrassment.
“Here are your appetizers: sous-vide scallops and lobster, served over a carrot purée for sweetness.”
“Thank you.”
Cynthia’s stomach growled as she stared at the delicious plate. She was starving, and the sight of the food made her feel as though her stomach was shrinking.
“Please enjoy, my lady,” said Tession.
“You too, my lord.”
Whatever. I’ll think about everything else later—food first.
She speared a plump, white scallop with her fork and brought it to her mouth—only for Tession’s calm voice to interrupt her mid-bite.
“The eye drops you gave me—I haven’t told anyone about them.”
“C–Cough!”
Really? Bringing that up now? Cynthia grabbed her water and gulped it down to force the scallop down her throat.
Such a waste! I didn’t even taste it properly…
“The day my sight returned was chaotic. Dreams and reality blurred together, and I let you go without a word. But once my mind cleared, I realized… something didn’t add up.”
“D–Didn’t add up? W–What do you mean…?”
Cynthia’s voice trembled.
“You said the magic eye drops were a Bailey family secret, didn’t you?”
“Y–Yes… I did…”
“But as far as I know, the Baileys are staunchly anti-magic. They think magic is nothing more than a cheap trick.”
Wait, really? How was I supposed to know the nobles’ beliefs?
Cynthia swallowed hard. So it’s come to this. This was exactly why she’d avoided him until now.
“Hm…”
She never expected to face a moment where she’d have to explain everything to Tession.
Seriously, I thought that night in his room would be the last time we ever saw each other…
“Is it… difficult for you to talk about it?” he asked quietly.
