IMCUV | 005

Chapter 5

Oh, did I act too enthusiastic?

Dayna, staring at Knox as he gazed back silently, slowly let the smile fade from her face.

She’d forgotten that Knox Betelgeuse was a bit of a prickly character in the original novel.

Of course, his flawed personality had its reasons, but…

Still, that was a little embarrassing, wasn’t it?

Clearing her throat and looking away, Knox finally spoke, albeit belatedly.

“I heard you stayed up all night tending to me. It’s late, but thank you.”

“Oh, no need to mention it! You’re a guest in our mansion, so I only did what was natural. If you need anything or feel uncomfortable, please let me know.”

That wasn’t too awkward, right? Dayna responded as politely as she could, playing the part of a refined noble lady.

The reason she was going to such lengths was that this man was the original novel’s male lead, here to deliver divorce papers to Stella.

And later, he was the one who would harshly punish Stella for putting the heroine in danger.

So I need to make a good impression! For Stella’s sake, so she doesn’t get off on the wrong foot from the start…!

Even if she planned to keep Stella far away from the main characters once she returned, just in case, Dayna wanted to ensure Knox left with positive memories of his time here.

While he was in the mansion, she’d play the role of an ex-wife who gracefully accepted the divorce! She’d make it clear she held no grudges against him or his future heroine, ensuring no trouble down the line!

With this resolve in her heart, Dayna flashed another bright smile at Knox.

Hehe…

“…”

But Knox was colder than she’d expected. Like before, he just stared at her without responding.

What? Is there something on my face? Why’s he staring like that?

Unable to read his golden eyes, Dayna subtly averted her gaze.

“Well then! I’ll leave you to rest. If you need anything, just say so. Thankfully, the snow’s stopped, so we should be able to call a doctor today.”

Rising from her seat, Dayna gave Knox a brief nod and headed for the door.

That should be enough for today’s work, right?

Unlike the original novel, Knox had been injured in an avalanche, but once he recovered enough, he’d hand her, no, Stella, the divorce papers and leave. That would mark the end of Knox and Stella’s connection.

She even felt relieved that it was her, not Stella, dealing with Knox, sparing Stella the pain of the divorce news.

“Lady Viviwood.”

Just as she reached for the doorknob with a light heart, Knox’s voice called from behind.

“Yes? Do you need something?”

Turning, she saw him pointing at the fireplace embedded in the wall.

“The room feels a bit cold. I haven’t fully regained my body heat yet, so could you light the fireplace?”

“…Pardon?”

Dayna froze, looking back and forth between the cold fireplace and Knox.

Is he… okay with lighting a fire?

Something was off. In the original novel, it was clear…

But she couldn’t read his expression or guess his thoughts.

Knox, watching her, spoke again. “Is that not possible?”

“N-No, it’s not that it’s not possible.”

“Then please, I’d appreciate it.”

Wait…

It didn’t make sense, but Dayna moved toward the fireplace.

As she walked to the cold hearth, her thoughts swirled.

Knox Betelgeuse.

The male lead of ICLBV and the young Duke of the Renosium Empire.

As a child, he lost both parents in a mysterious fire at the Betelgeuse estate, leaving him emotionally distant, unable to form attachments or trust easily. Since that day, he avoided anything that could spark a fire, candles, cigars, and never attended late-night parties. He couldn’t sleep deeply without leaving the door slightly ajar, a sensitive trait others mistook for discipline and restraint.

That was Dayna’s basic understanding of him.

And more importantly…

Knox has a fear of fire.

Glancing at him as she approached the fireplace, she recalled how she’d forbidden lighting it last night, scrambling to gather heated stones to warm him instead.

Did that change from the original too? Did I go through all that trouble for nothing?

At the fireplace, Dayna skillfully picked up tongs and began stacking dry wood from a nearby pile in an arrangement that allowed good airflow. Tilting her head, she checked the flue for any issues, then reached for the matchbox on the mantel.

Clutching a single match, she hesitated briefly.

Should I really light it? He’s acting calm, but what if he has a panic attack behind my back?

Swallowing hard, Dayna turned and asked, “Duke, are you sure about lighting the fire?”

Knox gazed at her silently.

Why isn’t he saying anything? Is he starting to feel scared now?

His eyes shifted to the small match in her hand, and his lips slowly parted.

“Well—”

“Here’s the hot water!” Clian burst through the door, carrying a steaming bucket. “Duke, shall we start with a bath?”

Appearing cheerful, he froze upon seeing the odd standoff between the two.

“…Not taking a bath?”

“I will.”

Knox answered indifferently and rose from the bed.

What about the fire?

Dayna watched his broad back as he headed toward the bathroom, pausing briefly.

“I’ll light the fire myself later. Thank you for your help, Lady Viviwood.”

“Oh… No problem.”

“If I need anything else, I’ll call for you. Please forgive my rudeness for leaving early due to my condition.”

Without waiting for a reply, Knox disappeared into the bathroom. Clian, still holding the bucket, hurried after him.

“My apologies! I’ll be back.”

With a deep bow, Clian was gone too. Dayna dropped the tongs with a sigh.

“Seriously, what…?”

Everything seemed subtly off from the original novel she knew.

* * *

That night, Dayna couldn’t sleep, tossing and turning.

The presence of new people in the old Viviwood mansion, where she’d lived alone or with Stella for so long, felt strange and unsettling.

And the fact that these were the novel’s main characters? That made it even more uncomfortable.

Thankfully, the snow had eased that afternoon, allowing a doctor to visit, examine the Duke, and prescribe medicine. Aside from minor scrapes from the avalanche, he wasn’t in critical condition, so he’d likely recover and leave soon.

Already uneasy, Dayna wished the Duke of Betelgeuse would hurry up and go.

And I wish Stella would come back soon.

Unable to sleep, she rolled around in bed until dawn before finally sitting up.

“Ugh… Why can’t I sleep?”

Deciding to tire herself out with overdue chores to fall asleep from exhaustion, she thought, Hmm, the pillowcases I gave the Duke and Clian were pretty worn. Maybe I’ll mend some old ones.

With that, she crept quietly into the hallway to grab a needle and thread from the linen room.

Careful not to make noise as she descended the stairs, she reached the second floor and glanced absentmindedly at the room where Knox was sleeping. Her brow furrowed immediately.

The guest room door she’d given him was tightly closed.

Huh? That’s odd…

It wasn’t just that the door was closed, it was odd for Knox’s room to be.

Due to his trauma from the fire, he could rarely sleep with the door fully shut.

“…No way.”

After a brief pause, she shook her head and looked away. Even if it seemed strange, meddling further would be overstepping.

Since the details of his arrival already differed from the original, his fire trauma might not be as severe as she thought.

So I’ll just go get my needle…

“…”

As she turned toward the stairs, a faint sound came from the room behind her.

Freezing in place, Dayna quietly strained her ears.