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Episode 42

I looked around the study slowly. It felt completely different with and without Frederic in it. When he was here, the room felt cozy. But now… it just felt kind of empty.

I suddenly remembered the first time I stepped into this room. Back then, it felt so awkward and unfamiliar—but now, it felt completely comfortable.

“So much so that I could stay here for weeks.”

And it was true. Ever since I left the Flerin mansion and came to the Peredy estate, I hadn’t gone out even once. I didn’t have anyone to meet, and honestly, I just wanted to rest.

“I’ve really become a shut-in. Worse than Frederic. At least he, Bella, and the butler are here, so I have someone to talk to.”

I walked over to Frederic’s desk. I was planning to just grab a random book, sit on the couch, and read while waiting for him.

That’s when I noticed a familiar symbol on the desk.

“Charlier.”

It was the seal of Charlier’s family. The wax-sealed envelope was already wide open.

Frederic.
Come see me now.
Come to the Salon de Pieque.
We need to talk.
—Charlier

The letter was just lying there, wide open.

“Seriously, she writes letters like they’re text messages. She’ll never change that habit.”

I walked up and picked it up.

The handwriting was rushed and messy, clearly written in a hurry. I could imagine how urgently Frederic must’ve left—he didn’t even bother hiding the letter.

“He probably smiled like an idiot the moment he saw it. Bet he ran out right away.”

I couldn’t help but feel a little hurt. Why didn’t he say anything to me?

—Creak.

The study door opened. It was Frederic.

It was too late to put the letter back and pretend I hadn’t read it.

“……”

“What are you doing?”

“What do you think? I came here to work. One hour of talking, remember? But you were gone, and this letter was just lying here.”

“You read it?”

“Yup. Did you just get back? You went to see Charlier, didn’t you?”

“Yeah.”

For some reason, Frederic seemed to avoid eye contact.

I felt even more upset.

“Really? Is this how it’s gonna be now?”

“Hey, seriously. That’s kinda cold.”

Frederic looked away slightly.

“Aha, I knew it. He’s totally avoiding my eyes. Wow. So unfair.”

“You’re unbelievable. Is this because things are going well with Charlier now?”

“……”

He still didn’t say anything. Still avoiding my eyes.

“Come on, be honest. Why’d you hide Charlier’s letter from me?”

Once again, he looked away.

“This guy… really.”

“Wait—are you doing this just so you don’t have to pay me 1,000 lukes?”

“…?”

Frederic frowned, looking like he couldn’t believe what he just heard.

“What…?”

“I mean, are you hiding this letter to save money?”

“Ha… wow… money demon.”

He leaned against the desk and ran a hand through his hair.

“Unbelievable.”

He let out a breathless chuckle and looked at me from the side.

“Ugh. Just because you’re handsome doesn’t make this okay.”

For a second, I felt my heart flutter.

“Seriously, this is cheating. That sunlight coming in at an angle… the side profile… even his curly hair looks perfect.”

I shook my head quickly to snap out of it.

“Focus. This is about my 1,000 lukes! I’ve got no money and nowhere to go, remember?”

I spoke with determination.

“Frederic. Are you seriously trying to save money by cutting my pay?”

He pushed off the desk and stepped closer. Now there was only a hand’s width between us.

I tilted my head up to look at him. He was tall—my neck actually hurt from looking up.

His expression was hard to read. Was he annoyed? Curious? Just tired?

“Hey.”

He leaned in a little.

“Wait, that smell…”

It was the same scent I smelled in the carriage on the way to the Forest of Spirits. It had this strangely nostalgic feeling.

He leaned in even more.

“Why is he so close all of a sudden?”

Then he spoke.

“Hey. Do you really like money that much?”

“Yup. Of course.”

“And your brain? Is it good?”

“My brain? What are you talking about?”

He stared straight into my eyes, so close I could feel his breath.

“Then learn to invest in trade ships.”

“…What?”

I instinctively stepped back.

“Trade ship investment? Why are you saying that up close like it’s a secret mission or something?”

Only then did Frederic seem to realize how close he’d gotten. He flinched slightly and stepped back.

“I mean… I did want to learn about investing. I want to make more money. But still—why now?”

I took a good look at his face. Something had been off about him since he came back. Like… his expression was more awkward than usual. Less natural.

“He’s definitely hiding something. It’s gotta be about Charlier.”

Maybe he felt my gaze, because he suddenly touched his face.

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You’re acting weird today. Are you hiding something?”

“……”

He looked away instead of answering. His ears turned red—he was definitely flustered.

“He’s such a bad liar. He’s hiding something for sure. Just doesn’t want to say it.”

“……”

“Oh! I get it now!”

That had to be it. He only had one thing worth hiding right now.

When I made a knowing face, Frederic looked surprised. Then he glanced at me… and quickly turned his gaze to the couch.

“It’s about Charlier, isn’t it? What else would it be?”

“……”

He went over to the couch and sat down, crossing his legs. I leaned against the desk just like he had.

“She asked you to kick me out of the house, didn’t she? But since you couldn’t do that, you decided to help me make money so I’d leave on my own. Right?”

Frederic rested his chin on one hand and stared at me without blinking.

“Not surprising that Charlier would say something like that.”

He didn’t like my comment. One of his eyebrows twitched—but unlike Leo, he didn’t defend Charlier in front of me.

“What is surprising is that you didn’t throw me out, Frederic.”

“What are you saying?”

“Your relationship with Charlier is the most important thing to you. So why didn’t you do what she asked? Why didn’t you kick me out?”

He swept his hair back with the hand that was on his chin and turned to look out the window.

“…Because I made a promise.”

“A promise? With me? What promise?”

“…You don’t remember, but I promised.”

He said something cryptic, then stood up from the couch. I thought he’d come over to me, but instead, he walked toward the bookshelves.

“So, are you going to learn investing or not?”

“I will! I said I will!”

I turned to face him. Honestly, it was a great opportunity. He offered before I could even ask.

“Alright. If I save up my salary and learn to invest, I could get a small house in a few years.”

“I’ll pick books that match your level. Read them and bring me a summary in three days.”

He started pulling books from the shelves and stacked them on the desk. In no time, there were nearly ten books piled up.

Rattle.

“Come here.”

Frederic opened the desk drawer. I walked over to see inside.

“Whoa…”

The drawer was filled with fancy pens and quills, like a collector’s set.

“Show me your hand.”

He checked my palm and picked out a quill and ink bottle.

“This one fits you. Try it.”

He handed me a small, elegant quill. It was greenish, with a marble-like texture and engraved nib.

“It feels perfect! And it’s so pretty. I’ve never seen a pen this beautiful. Can I really use it?”

“It’s yours.”

“…! Wow! Thanks!”

I hugged it to my chest. I’d never seen or used such a beautiful pen. And it felt like it was made for my hand.

“The paper’s here. If you want to read everything in three days, you’ll have to use all your time. Eat, sleep, and study. No need to talk to me during those three days.”

“…O-Okay.”

Frederic seemed different. Charismatic, even. I hadn’t seen this side of him since the Forest of Spirits.

I nodded slowly with a strange expression.

“You can read in your room or here in the study. Wherever is comfortable.”

He tied the books and paper together with string in the shape of a ribbon. His hands moved skillfully.

“Frederic.”

“Yeah?”

“Why aren’t you just kicking me out? You could’ve just paid me and sent me away. Why go through all this trouble…?”

“Have you ever earned money outside this house?”

He asked while cutting the string with a small knife.

Well, as Seo Joo-hee, I worked myself to death. I paid college tuition with part-time jobs during my time at a two-year college. But Delphine? Never.

“No, I haven’t.”