Chapter 04
The reason my beloved stopped smiling and became such a solemn adult was the death of his only family, Lucas Igarluc.
The duke—my beloved’s uncle—dies a month after my favorite turns eighteen.
Midnight’s Secret did mention the cause of death.
Influenza.
It started as a light cold but worsened until it became a serious flu.
But that can’t be the whole story.
The duke had been wasting away since eleven years before his death—when my beloved was only seven. A man who had been perfectly healthy suddenly grew thinner and weaker day by day.
Was it an incurable illness?
Someone secretly feeding him small doses of poison?
Something else entirely? I had no idea.
If it was murder, there are a few suspects… but I have a more immediate problem.
The duke’s long decline begins three years from now.
That means, if I want to change fate, I need to stay with my beloved and the duke until then.
And that was the real problem.
…Would the duke really let me stay with them for three whole years?
“Haaah…”
Since that day I’d run into the duke several times while walking the halls with my beloved.
And every single time—
“Good morning, Your Grace.”
“…….”
Even my forced greetings were met with complete silence.
I might as well have been talking to the wall.
No—on second thought, it was exactly like talking to a wall.
“The more I think about it, the more it feels like he’s just waiting to throw me out.”
Judging by how determined he was to ignore me, I’d clearly gotten on his bad side.
Honestly, it’s a miracle he didn’t kick me out that first day after I mouthed off to him.
I clutched my head, frowning.
The more I racked my brain for a clever solution, the more it ached. My body felt sore, and when I finally stood up my joints cracked loudly.
That was when a soft knock came, and my beloved peeked his head in.
“Helen! I have a favor to ask!”
His amber eyes curved like a crescent moon, bright with excitement.
“A favor? What kind?”
I looked at him with the resolve to grant anything.
“Hehe. Will you come out with me?”
He chattered on about why he wanted me to go out with him.
…So it was to buy me clothes!
I’d been feeling guilty for constantly borrowing other maids’ dresses, so it was perfect timing.
But calling a simple shopping trip a favor?
Mom, what do I do with this angel?
If God realizes there’s a misplaced angel living on earth, He might come to take him back.
I secretly prayed to my late mother to please blind God’s eyes for a while.
Once we were ready, we stepped outside.
Wow…
Brick houses with red and blue roofs filled the view. Windmills turned here and there. Stalls lined the streets, selling fruit, jewelry, and all sorts of food. People bustled through the busy market.
“So many people.”
“Mm-hm! I heard folks come from the surrounding villages, so it’s always crowded during the day!”
“I see.”
I blinked at the people’s unfamiliar faces and clothes.
Is this what Alice felt like in Wonderland?
Everywhere was familiar yet strange. Different from the manor, but in a delightful way.
I scratched my cheek in slight embarrassment and hurried to keep up with him.
“Welcome, customers.”
At the dress shop, we picked out several ready-made outfits that fit me.
As for the cost…
“Helen was found and brought here by me, so—my treat!”
My beloved would pay.
“I keep depending on you. I’ll pay you back someday.”
“I get a big allowance! This is nothing!”
He planted his hands on his hips, trying to look tough.
“Still…”
“Mm! Then, Helen, can you help me?”
His small finger pointed toward a display of handkerchiefs.
“Which one do you think would suit Uncle best?”
“You’re giving him a gift?”
“Yup!”
He nodded eagerly, smiling as if he were the one about to receive it.
Does he really like the duke that much?
I’d only seen glimpses of their life—maybe the duke was actually wonderful to him?
I almost hoped that were true as I asked,
“How is he usually with you?”
“Mm! He’s just… like that! Uncle’s always busy. So I try my best to be dignified and grown-up, like a sacred beast, and not bother him!”
His clear voice was full of pride.
Trash. He really is trash.
To let a child feel they have to grow up this way…
And I have to work to save that man?
A sudden ache crawled up my neck.
I forced my face to smooth out when I noticed him watching me, perhaps expecting praise.
I gently patted his head.
“Our little Fay, it’s wonderful how thoughtful you are about your uncle.”
“Hehe!”
“But you’re still just a kid. You don’t have to act so grown-up all the time.”
It’s the guardian’s job to make life easier for a child, not the other way around.
Sure, a child acting mature can be cute…
But my beloved is only four.
It’s far too sad for him to feel he must be adult-like already.
“It’s okay to bother him a little.”
His lashes fluttered upward, golden eyes fixed on me, breath caught.
“I… no one’s ever told me that before.”
His small lips moved hesitantly.
“Not to be grown-up… or that it’s okay to be a bother… I’ve never heard that.”
“Maybe everyone thought it was too obvious to say.”
“Really…?”
“Yeah, I think so.”
He crumpled a bit of his clothing in his fist and lowered his head, as if hiding the ticklish feeling inside.
Look at him blush.
I wanted to nibble him just to tease.
I tamped down my wild fangirl heart and turned to the handkerchiefs.
What should I pick?
I wasn’t about to give something nice to that hateful duke.
Scanning the display, I ignored anything elegant or tasteful.
“How about this one?”
I lifted a hot fluorescent pink handkerchief.
“It would suit the duke perfectly.”
I lied smoothly with a wicked grin.
At first, Fay looked doubtful, but then nodded enthusiastically.
“Then I’ll take this one!”
Nice.
“Thanks, Helen.”
“Oh, it’s nothing—…huh?”
He suddenly hugged my skirt tight.
Clutching my legs, he whispered softly,
“I like you, Helen.”
…Good grief.
Has the world always been this beautiful?
The red and blue roofs of the brick houses looked like pieces of art.
The haggling of merchants and the cheerful chatter of shoppers sounded like a musical performance.
The sky was brilliant blue; fresh spring buds were charming.
Even a cranky man starting an argument nearby seemed adorable.
I like you, Helen.
My smile stretched so wide it almost caught on my ears.
Passersby startled at my face and quickly moved aside.
Don’t worry.
I’m not dangerous.
Heh-heh.
I like you, Helen.
Heeheehee…
It’s the first time my beloved’s ever said he likes me.
Even if the world ended today, it would still feel magical.
I almost wanted to stop a stranger and ask if I looked like someone who’d just been told “I like you” by their favorite person.
No—people would think I’d lost it.
The shop offered to deliver the clothes to the villa.
Since Fay wanted to play more, we decided to wander the market instead of going straight back.
“Fay, where should we go first?”
I turned to look for him at my side.
“…Fay?”
Where was he?
The spot where he’d been walking held only strangers passing by.
The child who barely reached my thigh was nowhere to be seen.
I quickly scanned the crowd.
Not here. Not there. Nowhere.
It felt as if the blood in my body was draining upward.
I blinked, stunned, then had to accept it.
Mom… I think I’m lost.
I was the one who’d become a missing child.
At least I don’t have to worry about him.
My beloved knew this area far better than I did.
And if he transformed into his sacred-beast form, he could easily overpower any adult.
In other words, I was the only one in real trouble.
I won’t get kidnapped like right after I transmigrated… right?
I swallowed hard.
The bright, cheerful street now seemed shadowed and dangerous.
Don’t try to find Fay. Just head back to the villa.
I roughly remembered the way.
The Igarluc family’s villa was the biggest mansion around.
I could probably ask directions and find it.
I started walking, mentally retracing my path, shivering inside.
That’s when—
“Please stop for a moment.”
Someone gripped my shoulder.
A chill shot from my toes to the crown of my head.
Please be a ghost. Ghosts are less scary than people.
I silently prayed to every god I could think of.
I turned my head—and froze.
A massive man loomed there.
Sun-darkened skin, thick brows, eyes sharp and fierce beneath slanted lids.
A huge scar slashed across the bridge of his nose, sending a shiver down my spine.
“P-please don’t hurt me. I have a precious bunny-like favorite waiting for me!”
