Episode 13 –
When Ian stepped into the hallway with a portable gas lamp and a water bottle, the damp, cold air of dawn slipped through his collar. His face naturally tensed up.
Although Ian had a cold and fearless look—like he wouldn’t even be afraid of ghosts—he didn’t actually like the dark.
He didn’t hate all darkness, just the kind that made him feel like he was completely alone in the world—the silent kind. That darkness, he truly disliked.
“Phew…”
This was exactly why he tried to get by just drinking water.
But now, deep inside his throat, a sense of discomfort began to rise—his body resisting hunger.
He quickly headed for the stairs. At least the moonlight reached the central staircase—
“You’re up early.”
A sudden voice, along with the sight of a pale figure, startled Ian before he could even react.
“Ugh…!”
He let out a small noise of surprise.
“Oh… I’m sorry if I scared you.”
It was her.
The baroness—the same woman who had asked him earlier if he’d eaten dinner.
Now that he recognized her, his racing heart calmed just a little—barely, like a bird peck’s worth.
But instead, a slow blush started to rise on his cheeks.
“…I wasn’t surprised.”
He forced out the reply.
She stared at him for a moment.
“Is that so?”
Thankfully, the area was still dark, and the gas lamp gave off only faint light.
That way, he could at least pretend he wasn’t embarrassed.
“…Yes.”
His embarrassment and awkwardness swelled at once.
But talking more would only make things worse—so he kept it short.
“I just lost my balance.”
“I see.”
“…”
“…”
A slightly awkward air filled the space between them.
It was always like this when he talked with her.
So many silent pauses. She never tried to fill the gaps with small talk, unlike others.
Maybe that’s why…
Ian had always thought he didn’t like overly talkative people.
Yet strangely, when he was around the baroness, he kind of missed that kind of chatter.
“…If you’re heading downstairs, shall we go together?”
He spoke, trying to break the awkward silence.
“I was actually on my way up.”
“…”
Up?
But she was clearly coming down from the third floor.
It was obvious she was trying to avoid walking with him.
“…”
Ian pressed his tongue to the inside of his cheek, then sighed and held out the gas lamp.
“Please take this.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine.”
If a servant got injured in the mansion, it would be Ian’s responsibility.
If he hadn’t seen her, maybe it would be different—but they had already spoken.
He held out the lamp again.
“It’s still dark. You could get hurt.”
She looked down at the lamp in his hand with her usual unreadable expression, then shook her head.
“You’ll need it more going downstairs. And I’m used to the dark—I’ll be okay.”
She was telling him to keep it. And honestly, he wanted to just say “Alright, as you wish” and walk away.
But he couldn’t.
Rubbing his forehead with his fingers, Ian stopped her before she could leave.
“I don’t need it either. So please take it.”
She stared at the lamp in his hand again with that same mysterious look.
Then she sighed softly.
“…Then let’s go down together. I just remembered—I need to check the storage room.”
It sounded like she said it reluctantly, and Ian frowned slightly.
Why does this feel like she’s rejecting me again?
But whether she understood his feelings or not, she had already started walking down the stairs.
****
The mansion was perfectly symmetrical from east to west, with the central hall in the middle.
The east side held living spaces like the kitchen, while the west side had guest rooms and bedrooms.
The kitchen was at the far end of the east side, on the first floor.
And the storage room she was heading to was right next to the kitchen, accessible through a small door.
Since their destinations were basically the same, Ian walked ahead with the gas lamp, and they moved together in silence.
Soon, they arrived in front of the kitchen.
Ian glanced at the slightly open door and handed her the lamp.
“You’ll need this on your way down to the basement.”
This time, unlike earlier, she accepted it.
“Thank you.”
“See you later, then.”
Ian turned to go. It was still dark, but once he stepped inside the kitchen, he could turn on the light.
That’s what he was thinking when he reached for the slightly open door.
But then—
Whoosh—
A dark shape passed quickly through the crack in the door.
“…”
Ian froze like his feet had grown roots.
Then again, something shadowy moved past the gap in the door.
A cold chill ran up his back.
“…”
It was silent.
But he felt something in there. Was it just his imagination?
Finally…
“…Baroness.”
Ian turned slightly toward her.
“On second thought…”
Let’s be clear—he hated this kind of quiet darkness.
The kind where even his eyesight felt useless, like it lost all power.
So he had no choice but to say,
“I’m unfamiliar with the kitchen layout.”
****
“I’m unfamiliar with the kitchen layout.”
At Ian’s half-request, Estella thought,
“He’s scared.”
Well, people get scared.
She herself was afraid of fire.
Not little sparks, but big, destructive flames terrified her.
So Estella didn’t say much. She simply stepped in front of Ian and opened the kitchen door.
Creak…
The door let out a creepy noise as it opened into the pitch-black kitchen.
That was strange. It had opened smoothly and silently earlier in the day.
Did it rust that fast?
Maybe it was just a coincidence. Or maybe it was the deep, eerie darkness inside.
She sensed his steps behind her falter slightly.
She noticed that and turned her foot slightly, deciding to turn on the light first.
It was 4:30 in the morning—still very much night.
Was the gas switch over here?
She reached toward the wall—
But before her hand could touch the switch, a warm weight covered the back of it.
“Ah…”
It was Ian’s hand.
“…Sorry.”
His voice was low and quiet, with a hint of embarrassment.
“It’s fine.”
With a calm tone, Estella flipped the small switch upward.
Click.
The light came on suddenly, and it stung her eyes.
She winced and covered them with her hand.
Ian added quietly,
“It’s a new light—brighter than most.”
It was her first time seeing a gas lamp like this in the house.
Baron Vansen had been poor, so they used cheap wax candles.
Gas lamps were still new and rare, not commonly used yet.
As her blurred vision cleared, and the sting in her eyes faded, Ian said,
“Wait here. I’ll bring some food.”
He wanted to grab something quickly, wash up, and get to bed. He’d sweated a lot from running earlier.
He’s said he’s sensitive to smells…
Rumor had it he once fired a servant who didn’t bathe and smelled bad.
She worried that she might smell of sweat too.
I should wash up quickly.
With that in mind, she turned around—
But before she could, Ian stepped closer.
“Let’s go together.”
She looked at him with confusion.
Then he said,
“I’m really hungry.”
It seemed more like he was just scared, not hungry—but she didn’t call him out.
Again, even grown adults can be afraid.
Still, being too close made her worry. It would restrict her movement, and he might catch a whiff of her sweat.
So she spoke gently, trying not to sound rude.
“You’re standing a bit too close.”
“…Understood.”
He looked slightly embarrassed, but Estella pretended not to notice and turned back.
“Would bread and fruit be okay?”
“That would be enough.”
As they moved toward the pantry, they exchanged calm, simple conversation.
“What kind of bread would you like?”
“What kinds are available?”
“Usually just rye bread and biscuits are left at this hour.”
“Then rye bread, please.”
Estella naturally picked up a bread knife as they passed it.
“There’s apricot jam and berry jam. Which would you prefer?”
“Apricot sounds good.”
In the center of the kitchen, Estella grabbed a small cutting board on the island counter.
“And what about fruit?”
“What kind of fruit do you ha—”
But before he could finish his sentence—
Wham! Thud!
As Estella quickly turned at the edge of the island table, she kicked hard beneath it.
A man’s groan echoed from under the table.
“Argh…!”
