CHAPTER 45
“Looks like you grew up in a place like this.”
The parlor attached to her room. Killian, still standing, scanned the room with curiosity.
“Are you disappointed?”
“No. Just as I expected.”
Adel didn’t mind whether that was an insult or a compliment.
She poured the tea with a soft trickle, too busy inhaling its fragrance.
Ah, how long has it been?
Colorful cookies and scones, jam and cream. Just looking at them made her mouth water.
After two grueling weeks at the Temple, with only her last meal being remotely proper, Adel had learned to appreciate food.
“Ah…”
This was what happiness felt like.
Crunch. Adel bit into a cookie and savored the buttery aroma that filled her mouth.
The flavor and sweetness spreading through her body were far more satisfying than any heir’s position.
“I should send some to the children too. I regret not saying a proper goodbye.”
“You’re going to send them this?”
“Who doesn’t like sweet things?”
Adel picked up a strawberry-topped pie, but paused mid-bite, smiling.
“Don’t you like sweets, Commander?”
Ridiculous. Adel smiled playfully, her eyes crinkling.
She knew well that he didn’t care much for these kinds of things.
She simply found it a pity that he was missing out on one of life’s greatest joys.
“It’s fragrant and sweet. So much so that just being near it could shake one’s reason.”
“……”
“And you’re saying you’re not interested?”
“No. I’m very interested.”
Huh?
Adel froze mid-bite, confused.
She had thought Killian was just staring at the decorations on the wall, but he had turned slightly, his gaze now fixed on her.
“If it’s sweet and fragrant, I can’t help but like it too.”
“I see… Would you like a piece of pie then?”
“No, that’s alright.”
Killian had already approached, now standing right in front of her.
He says he likes sweet things, but refuses pie—what am I supposed to make of that?
Adel smiled awkwardly, while Killian simply stared at her lips.
“Um, well…”
“Go ahead.”
An awkwardness similar to what she felt in the carriage earlier lingered in the air.
She hadn’t felt even the slightest embarrassment bringing him to her room, but if moments like this kept happening, it’d become a problem.
If her heart kept racing and her mouth went dry each time, she’d be in trouble.
“If you’re worried that your reputation might suffer because you brought me to your room before we’re officially engaged…”
“No. I like it here.”
Killian turned to leave with firm steps, as if preparing to make a hasty exit. Adel placed her teacup down to stop him.
He was already several steps away.
“There are eyes and ears all over this mansion. No matter where we go, this is the safest place for whatever we need to do.”
“Whatever we need to do?”
“Well…”
As she caught sight of his blue eyes and the curve of his neck, a thirst stirred within her.
Adel rose from her seat hesitantly, drawing Killian’s attention.
Unlike him, who seemed a little expectant, Adel was cautious.
“Could you come here for a moment?”
“……”
“It’s nothing weird. It’s just… My father is very observant. If we stand apart like strangers, he’ll suspect something right away. I want to decide on our positions in advance…”
Before she could finish, Killian stepped forward without hesitation.
His quiet compliance as he stood by her side made her both thankful and amused. He really was fast when it mattered.
“I’ll handle questions about how we met. Just don’t look too shocked when I explain, okay?”
“Exactly how did we meet, anyway?”
“Ah… You’re better off not knowing.”
Adel pouted, still tugging slightly at his uniform.
It’s something you can hear once, but not twice.
For the sake of Killian’s rigid worldview, a little mercy was necessary.
“My father can be very particular, so he might ask a lot. If you’re uncomfortable, just leave it to me.”
“And what exactly am I supposed to do then?”
“Just stay right there.”
Why do you think I chose you?
Even without speaking, he was a man who shone on his own.
His overwhelming presence was enough to make someone forget what they were about to say—a powerful weapon indeed.
“Just stand next to me—kindly, if you can. Like this, maybe your hand, and your arm a little closer…”
“Like this?”
Killian naturally placed a hand under Adel’s arm.
If you’re going to get that close, at least give a warning first.
Adel nodded as naturally as possible, hiding her fluster.
A perfect pose of social decorum. Not quite like an engaged couple yet, more like a formal pair at a ball—but for Killian, it was progress.
Not bad, Adel thought, biting her lip as she looked at their reflection in the glass.
If they got any closer, her heart would drop so fast she’d forget what she came here to do.
Her gaze, once fixed on the window, drifted past her reflection and onto Killian.
His eyes were on her too, and as they met, time seemed to stop.
They both stayed silent, as though the first one to look away would lose.
Then, the silence broke with a loud voice.
“My Lady! The Count has returned!”
“Ah… Jacqueline.”
Only when Jacqueline knocked on the parlor door did Adel snap back to herself.
Killian’s arm, holding her lightly but firmly, did not let her go easily.
“There’s no need to step back, is there?”
“What?”
“You seem to forget—you are my fiancée.”
His solemn face seemed to ask if she had practiced all this for someone else.
Right. Adel straightened her shoulders. If she wanted to protect him in her own home, she’d have to stay sharp.
“Let’s go.”
When she nodded, Killian opened the door.
Jacqueline flinched at the change in atmosphere between them, but quickly composed herself.
She knew her mistress well. A trembling, flushed expression like that? Easily faked.
“My Lady, I peeked outside—it’s unbelievable. So many carriages I couldn’t even count. The Count must have brought back an entire mine from the Tavanta Islands!”
“Really?”
Adel quickened her steps, watching the busy servants below.
Though she stood in as the Lady of the House, she wasn’t the true head.
Descending the stairs one step at a time, her voice revealed unavoidable tension.
“Don’t forget—my father is… a lot.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“He’s strict, suspicious, and might not approve easily… Father!”
At last, the doors of the manor opened.
Adel instinctively let go of Killian’s arm and lifted her skirts.
Killian glanced disapprovingly at his now-empty arm, but Adel was already down the steps.
Rushing ahead with quick steps, she was met by a tall man.
“Find out who did it immediately! I’ll chew them to bits! It couldn’t possibly have been an accident—Adel!”
“Father!”
The man, fuming with rage, relaxed only when he saw her.
He gave her a sly grin as she clung to his arm.
“Well, well. Looks like someone who resembles my daughter.”
“And you look a lot like our missing father.”
His red eyes, just like hers, and striking features were hard to miss.
With a flawless, firm build, he hardly looked old enough to be her father—more like an older brother.
“What took you so long? I waited forever.”
“Don’t even ask. I should’ve arrived two weeks ago, but some lunatic blew up the Lennox Bridge right in front of me!”
“……”
“Brazen fool. Imagine thinking he could block my path and live.”
Like father, like son. So this is where Kaiden got his genes.
The glint in the Count’s eyes was as sharp and ruthless as his son’s.
Adel smiled faintly, feigning ignorance.
“So, what will you do?”
“What do you think? I’ll send Kaiden to blow them to bits—or tear out their heart while they’re still alive.”
Even Kaiden, with all his skills, couldn’t rip out his own heart.
Adel tugged at her father, trying to calm him.
If left unchecked, he’d really send in his private army. She needed him calm before bringing up the real topic.
“Come inside. Are you just going to talk about Kaiden all day?”
“Oh my, is my daughter jealous?”
“Not exactly…”
“Don’t worry. I’ve brought a generous engagement gift for you.”
The Count gestured at the jewelry boxes being carried in.
So many servants were unloading them from the carriages—his scale was unreal.
“By the way, where’s that Xerox fellow? Not that I think he’s good enough, but if you like him…”
“Father, actually, about that…”
“Oh come now. You think I didn’t notice? You’ve kept him close for so long—I figured something was going on.”
The Count’s boisterous laugh echoed through the house. He clapped Adel on the shoulder as they walked inside.
“That Xerox boy may be from a mediocre family and lack backbone, but on the flip side, he’d be easy for you to control… Hmm.”
“I’m honored to meet you, Count Sergio.”
Killian bowed politely before the Count.
They hadn’t even made eye contact yet, but the Count was already on guard.
His smile vanished as he looked at Adel instead.
“I know my daughter takes after me, but still…”
“Father.”
The Count gazed at her with a mixture of affection and disbelief.
“To think you’d already be having an affair.”
He was dazzling—painfully so.
Only family or very select guests could enter this house directly. That he was here meant only one thing by the Count’s standards.
“Adel, even when your mother was alive, I never—”
“No! That’s not it!”
“It’s not?”
“An affair? Why do you always measure everything by your own standards?!”
Adel, exasperated, let go of his arm.
What kind of person did he take her for?
Especially in front of Killian. She could tell he was clenching his jaw—if she didn’t stop her father now, it’d create serious misunderstandings.
It’s not like that!
Even if she could have any man, she’d never indulged just because she could.
“Please stop. You’re not the only parent here.”
“Then who is this gentleman?”
“That is…”
“Once again, I greet you, Count Sergio. I am Killian Setian, Commander of the Knights of San Fidelio and…”
At the word “Commander,” the Count’s expression shifted—but the real shock was yet to come.
“…the first and last fiancé of Lady Adel.”
“Fiancé?”
“Father.”
“No, wait a moment.”
The Count firmly blocked Adel from grabbing his arm again.
Running a finger across his brow, he seemed lost in deep thought, stunned.
“…Killian Setian. Setian, huh.”
This shouldn’t have been enough to shake him.
Adel nervously watched her father, who was murmuring to himself.
Most would be shocked that their daughter got engaged without telling them—but not her father.
Unless someone stole his money or sabotaged the family, he barely blinked.
“I was going to explain.”
“Explain what?”
“About how Killian and I met…”
Adel approached her father, signaling Killian to step back—but he didn’t budge.
I warned you!
Now was not the time for bravado.
Even as Commander, unless he pulled a holy sword, he wouldn’t stand a chance against her father.
And he had come home in a foul mood. Who knew what wild accusations he might throw at her fiancé?
“I know this is sudden, but feelings don’t always follow reason, right?”
“Now what are you saying, Adel?”
“I’m saying I’m not marrying Xerox. I’m marrying him.”
“Hahahaha!”
The Count’s booming laugh filled the hall.
He’s finally lost it. Adel gripped his arm, worried. He had lived a wild life, after all.
“Father, maybe you should lie down. I’ll get some brandy—”
“No, no.”
“……”
“Didn’t I always say? When judging people, a single glance is worth more than a hundred words.”
The Count pushed Adel aside and faced Killian properly.
There was no stopping him now.
“I should at least see his face properly. If that’s alright with you?”
“Of course.”
Killian raised his head without hesitation.
The Count stared boldly—almost rudely—into his eyes.
Adel moved to intervene, but he held her back with one hand, squinting as he studied Killian’s blue eyes.
And slowly, a satisfied grin crept across his face.
“Well, well. I’ll be damned.”
“Father, what is it? I told you I was going to—”
“No, it’s fine. If you say so, then it’s settled.”
“Wait, what did you just say?”
“You’re getting married. Or engaged, whatever.”
What does it matter?
Raising his hands in mock surrender, the Count threw off his black cloak.
Woven from ancient beast fur, the cloak shimmered as it settled over Adel’s shoulders.
“No matter what anyone says… you really are my daughter.”
