Chapter 24
Just moments ago, the ones who had been making a noisy fuss in front of Autumn suddenly ran toward him, complaining.
“How heartless. I have nowhere else to go but here. And today, I haven’t even had a single meal.”
“Brother, are you serious? I even packed up my house because I was planning to stay the night.”
Tired of the relentless complaints from these uninvited guests, Randel eventually grabbed his head in frustration and raised his hands in surrender.
He walked over to Autumn, who had been standing a bit apart, and whispered softly.
“…Wouldn’t this be uncomfortable for you?”
“Well, it’s fine.”
The sun had already set while the guests argued.
‘I’m just a temporary visitor who’ll be leaving soon. How can I kick out his guests?’
Seeing the two looking at her with such pleading and sparkling eyes, Autumn had no idea how to reject them.
“Wow, suddenly this mansion feels completely full.”
At that moment, Randel’s capable secretary arrived at the study.
“Long time no see, Hudson.”
Caitlyn greeted him casually, clearly familiar.
“Have you been well, Lady Caitlyn? It’s been a long time since you last visited the capital.”
Randel threw a sharp glance at his secretary, who was cheerfully greeting the guests without reading the mood.
But Hudson ignored it and continued with his message.
“Sir, the head chef asked me to check—will the four of you be dining together tonight? If so, preparing the banquet may take a little extra time.”
“I’m not going to—”
“We’re eating together.”
Theodore quickly patted Hudson on the shoulder and walked past him as if it were nothing.
Then, he sat leisurely in front of the desk.
“Brother, it’s been so long since we ate together. I’ll just unpack and come down.”
Clearly, they had no intention of respecting Randel’s opinion.
Rael, left to deal with the chaotic duo, looked quite troubled.
“I’ll go up to the top floor.”
“No, you won’t.”
Caitlyn looked up at Randel, surprised by his firm tone.
“Why?”
“The fifth floor is occupied—by her. You’ll stay in the guest room on the third floor. And don’t go up without permission.”
“The whole floor?”
Looking disappointed, Caitlyn glanced mischievously toward Autumn.
“Lady Rosalyn is more greedy than I expected.”
“That room’s always been the best. If there’s a spare room, could I borrow it?”
“Caitlyn.”
Randel’s strict voice echoed through the room like that of a stern older brother.
Feeling awkward, Autumn nodded at Caitlyn to reassure her.
“It’s fine. You can use one of the empty rooms.”
“Problem solved~”
Without hesitation, she grabbed Autumn’s hand and pulled her along.
Before Randel could say anything else, the two had already run out of the study.
— Thud thud thud.
“That woman… what a temper.”
Theodore muttered with a click of his tongue. Now, only the two men were left in the study.
“Phew, finally made it up.”
Caitlyn, dragging a huge suitcase, had reached the top floor.
Clearly exhausted, she wiped her forehead as soon as she entered the room.
‘She said she was staying just for a while… what’s with all this luggage?’
Autumn silently watched and thought to herself.
“Luckily, this room was available! Great!”
Clearly familiar with the space, Caitlyn comfortably sat on the sofa placed in one corner of the room.
Then, as if she owned the place, she looked at Autumn, still standing awkwardly.
“Ah, sorry. I ended up invading your space.”
“It’s okay. Like I said earlier, there are plenty of rooms.”
She patted the soft sofa beside her.
“Come sit and rest here. I need to unpack a bit.”
She then opened the largest suitcase and began hanging up an array of dresses in the wardrobe.
“Should I wear this? Or this one?”
Caitlyn, preparing for the upcoming dinner, started trying on different comfortable outfits in front of the mirror.
Compared to Autumn’s simple and dark clothes, Caitlyn’s dresses were all bright and flashy.
“Hmm, this one’s pretty, right?”
Noticing Autumn’s gaze, Caitlyn lifted one of the dresses.
Autumn nodded.
“It’s from Madame Serenity. Miss Kiss also gets her dresses there often.”
Having finished choosing the dress, Caitlyn then picked out matching jewelry.
“What a pity. It would’ve been great if you wore something from our boutique.”
“Our…?”
“Of course, I mean our ‘Belluci Dress Boutique’ in the heart of the capital.”
While putting on one earring, Caitlyn looked at Autumn through the mirror.
“Come visit sometime. I’ll treat you like royalty.”
Though Autumn would later learn Caitlyn’s true identity, she already exuded the confident charm befitting the eldest daughter of the wealthy Belluci family.
Caitlyn twirled in front of the mirror and looked back at Autumn.
Her confident gaze quietly searched Autumn’s expression.
Then, casually, she offered:
“Since fate brought us together, how about I make you a dress while you’re staying here?”
“That’s…”
Looking at Autumn’s plain outfit through the mirror, Caitlyn commented.
“Interested?”
Autumn hesitated.
She wasn’t sure of Caitlyn’s intentions, and accepting such kindness from someone she’d just met felt overwhelming.
Ultimately, Autumn decided to politely decline.
“Well, I think—”
“Ah, you really are hopeless.”
Offended, Caitlyn put down her makeup kit and stomped over to Autumn.
“Turn around.”
Rustle
Caitlyn grabbed Autumn by the collar, adorned with frills, and pulled her up.
“You know? It’s been a while since Brother Randel spent this much money. Even I was surprised.”
Autumn’s eyes widened at the unexpected grip on her collar.
Caitlyn muttered to herself.
“…Flawless skin like this—oh right, he ordered only the finest jewels for your stage props.”
‘Of course, all the accessories must be custom-made for the play.’
‘Ah… that’s right.’
Autumn had initially tried to cancel those excessive requests but had completely forgotten.
“All of that is processed through our boutique, by the way.”
Caitlyn calmly looked over Autumn’s black dress.
“I trust my brother. If he thinks you’re worth investing in, then you must be.”
Her sharp, appraising gaze made Autumn feel as though she were being stripped bare.
“And, it’s been bothering me. That outfit doesn’t suit you at all. I saw your wardrobe earlier—everything’s so dull and similar.”
“But right now, I’m…”
The character she was playing—Rosalyn—was a widow, having just lost her husband. Even if she was just acting, it was customary to wear plain and modest clothing.
“Just hear me out.”
Caitlyn gently raised Autumn’s arm, moving it as she wanted.
Autumn caught a glimpse of Caitlyn’s slightly smudged coral eye shadow.
Still, Caitlyn didn’t seem to care, and quickly took out a measuring tape and started measuring Autumn’s body.
“There’s no rule that says widows can’t dress nicely. I didn’t want to go this far, but I guess this is a bit of a professional reflex.”
Autumn tilted her head in curiosity.
She thought Caitlyn was just the owner of a major house in the capital—or maybe even a gambling hall.
‘So she designs clothes too, huh?’
“Seeing someone with a pretty face wearing the wrong outfit—it’s the ultimate sin to me.”
Caitlyn winked.
“So please, understand that. We’ll be sharing this floor for a while, after all.”
