Chapter 31
“He was found dead. It looked like he was killed by a robber.”
I was shocked and asked again. The only witness who could reveal who was behind it was dead.
“Dead?”
Ernheart nodded and said, trying to comfort me.
“It’s being investigated, so Lady, it would be better if you stop worrying about it and forget it.”
I noticed that he was reluctant to tell me more.
Since he probably had his own position, I didn’t ask further. But inside me, the ominous certainty about Yelena grew deeper.
“To even kill a person because the plan failed.”
I felt bitter thinking I might end up like that person someday.
At that moment, Ricardo’s figure was seen behind Ernheart.
Ever since the night of the accident(?), I had gained a strange ability to find Ricardo even from far away, and now I immediately sensed his presence.
“Thank you, Sir Ernheart.”
“Oh, yes…”
When I hurriedly greeted him awkwardly and left, Ernheart looked at me with a puzzled expression. I felt sorry for leaving suddenly while we were still talking, but Ricardo was walking this way, so I had no choice.
I felt embarrassed and awkward about facing him, so I found myself trying to avoid him.
It wasn’t my intention, but I kept remembering the shameful scene where I clung to him badly, and I didn’t have the confidence to face him while being fully conscious.
‘Right. He told me not to stand out in the mansion.’
The warning he once gave me became a very good excuse to avoid him.
Afraid that Ricardo might see me, I walked away quickly. No — I ran away from there.
Feeling Ricardo coming closer, Ernheart quickly straightened his posture. He wondered if the duchess standing beside him earlier had been noticed, so his gaze moved between his lord and the lady.
“Your Excellency.”
Ricardo, who approached, stared silently in the direction Stella had disappeared to despite Ernheart’s greeting.
“Lady asked about the arrow.”
Even though nothing was asked, Ernheart first explained the situation.
“Don’t speak uselessly.”
“Yes.”
“Anything else?”
“Pardon?”
Ernheart hesitated, unsure what the short question meant, then shook his head.
“She didn’t say anything else. But… after seeing Your Excellency, she turned her body and left in a hurry.”
Seeing his lord’s face stiffen slightly, Ernheart regretted mentioning the last part.
“Keep this investigation secret. Do not let it leak to anyone.”
“I will remember it.”
After Ernheart left, Ricardo stood alone and slowly walked, lost in thought. It was because of the unexpected report he received while investigating the hunting competition incident.
But it was not only that.
Something else made his heart feel unsettled — Stella’s great interest in the hunting competition incident.
Even just now, she deliberately made time to visit Ernheart and ask questions, as if she wanted to dig something out.
From the time she forced herself to attend the hunting competition and came to him, to her current behavior, everything felt strange.
Asking Ernheart to put that ridiculous mark on the arrow was also unnatural. It was as if she knew everything that would happen and actively participated in the accident.
Thinking this, he lightly laughed and escaped from foolish imagination. Of course, that couldn’t be true.
But one thing was certain.
Since that night of the hunting competition, the woman had been persistently avoiding him.
In the mansion too, it was not just once or twice. Sometimes, in the corridor, on the stairs, in the garden, when he found the woman quickly hiding after seeing him, he let out a small laugh.
Like watching a child hide behind a curtain, covering only her face and thinking she wouldn’t be seen.
In the afternoon, I did something I had postponed because of various reasons.
With Yan’s guidance, I walked through the mansion from the front entrance to the back entrance. While living here, I finally understood why I had felt something was strange.
‘This place is not a noble’s mansion… it’s like…’
The duke’s capital mansion was large, but the inside looked more like a gloomy military barrack.
After visiting Woodlake Castle, the difference became clear.
I suddenly became curious about what other noble mansions in the capital were like.
Because of Ricardo’s position, there were many rough men here, but the inside of the mansion was hard to find warmth.
Curtains and carpets were all dark colors, making the gray stone mansion feel even more desolate.
Noticing my darkening expression as I toured each place, Yan cleared his throat and said defensively.
“There was no lady of the house before, and it’s a mansion with mostly men coming and going, so it feels a bit empty.”
The mansion was really so cold that standing in the wide hall felt like a whirlwind passing by — whoosh.
“Also, the duke is not interested in decoration or appearance, and spent most of his time on the battlefield…”
As I nodded slowly as if understanding, he added happily.
“Now that Lady has come in, this mansion will change from how it is now. Please change it according to Lady’s taste.”
I only gave a bitter smile instead of answering.
Because somewhere in my heart, I felt like I was not the real mistress of this mansion, just someone temporarily staying.
My thoughts changed completely a few days later.
The carriage leaving the mansion passed the fountain in the square.
Water droplets shining like small waterfalls scattered everywhere from the fountain.
Although the day was bright and sunny, my heart was not.
Because I was heading to the Guineiro Marquis residence.
‘What is their intention? What are they planning this time?’
It was probably an invitation to dinner to repair the strained relationship with the ducal family after the hunting competition, but it felt like entering enemy territory.
What happened that day had already been mostly forgotten among the nobles.
People talked more about how fantastic the masquerade ball was rather than the unfortunate accident of the Guineiro young lady.
But not only me — it was obvious that the Guineiro family also still had resentment about that day.
I was especially curious about what face Yelena would show after failing to frame me as planned.
Would she still pretend to be pure like a saint and face me?
While lost in thoughts, the carriage began to slow down.
It seemed we had arrived at the marquis residence.
“We have arrived, Lady.”
Hearing the coachman’s words, I stood up to get off the carriage, and the door opened from outside.
Naturally thinking it was a servant helping me, I extended my hand.
But when I straightened my waist and raised my head, I was confused.
The one helping me down from the carriage was not a servant — it was Ricardo.
“Ah!”
He gently pulled my frozen hand toward him and supported my waist with the other hand to help me down.
His unexpected appearance froze my body, but I had no choice but to leave myself to his touch and get off the carriage in an awkward posture.
After stepping on the ground, the place where his hand touched felt burning hot, and I was seized by a strange feeling.
I walked clumsily like a fool, and was lucky not to trip over a stone.
Looking at Ricardo’s sharply stretched back, I slowly followed him.
People from the marquis family were waiting at the entrance.
Seeing a faint shadow on Yelena’s face, it seemed she had witnessed Ricardo personally escorting me from the carriage.
More than checking her mood, I was more concerned about Ricardo.
My head was confused about why he suddenly did something he didn’t usually do.
“Welcome, Your Excellency, Lady.”
As the marquis couple approached, I quickly erased my bewildered expression and drew a smile to greet them.
“Thank you for inviting us.”
After greeting the marquis couple, I immediately looked at Yelena beside them.
“How is your injury, young lady?”
At my concerned question, Yelena’s eyes turned cold for a moment, but I held her hands friendly.
“You don’t have to push yourself like this. We could have dinner another time.”
“I am fine, Lady. Thanks to your concern, I am much better now. Thank you for visiting.”
Yelena kept her usual gentle smile and manner, but her hands pulling away from me were as cold as ice.
“Now, please come inside. Dinner is prepared.”
