Chapter 62
Inside Schlesien Castle, Theodore’s Room.
Thud!
A chunk of soup, looking like blood, fell from the spoon I had intended for Theodore. My hand was trembling with anger.
I quickly wiped up the fallen soup and wrinkled my nose at Theodore. I didn’t want him to know I was upset.
This was about Gerald.
“Here you go, my lord.”
I scooped a generous spoonful of fresh soup.
Shuung, plop!
Theodore closed his mouth at the sound and chewed carefully. I felt proud.
But that pride was instantly doused by Gerald.
Despite this, the clueless man sat beside me, resting his face in his hands like a flower petal, radiating “I want praise” with his entire being, emerald-green eyes sparkling.
“So, in Father’s study, which is also the stepmother’s workshop, does that mean I can have my own desk?”
“No, that’s not allowed.”
For a moment, Theodore bit his lip tightly like a clam.
I was about to feed Theodore when I looked at Gerald in confusion.
“That’s a place for adults only. An R-rated world.”
When Gerald’s eyes widened like shrimp at me, I unconsciously dropped my spoon and stared.
A private workshop? R-rated?
Oh my, is this man crazy?
“I’m still a child, you know.”
Tears glimmered in Theodore’s eyes.
“You’ll be able to enter in 14 years.”
Gerald teased his young son, using honorifics, placed the dropped spoon back on the table, and winked at me.
Hah… this man. Is he really the same Gerald I know?
I was confused. Regardless of my disbelief, Gerald called for Madeline.
“Madeline, bring a new spoon here.”
“I won’t eat it.”
Theodore pushed the bed table with his tiny hand.
“Theodore.”
I tried to soothe him, but the child shook his head firmly, asserting his will.
“All right, that’s enough for now.”
Whether Gerald sensed my anxious heart or not, he lifted the bed table himself and handed it to Madeline. Theodore’s eyes went wide.
Is this how a child shows no communication or empathy?
Madeline, who came from the pantry, received the table and handed it to another maid.
“Come with me for a moment.”
I glared at Gerald challengingly.
“Stepmother. Won’t you read a book for me?”
As I was about to step out, Theodore urgently grabbed me.
“Wait, Theodore. We need to talk about Father and the workshop.”
I stepped outside. Gerald quickly followed, sticking close.
“We should go somewhere quiet.”
Gerald grabbed my wrist as if he had been waiting for this, and opened the door leading up to the castle tower.
“Hey!”
Gerald didn’t answer.
Dangerous. This man!
‘Why is he acting like this?’
I felt like I was losing control of my pace to Gerald’s. Hesitation crept in. Besides, with his long strides, it was hard to catch up as he climbed the stairs two steps at a time.
“Tired?”
“Of course.”
At my sharp protest, Gerald descended the stairs in one motion and scooped me up.
“Eek! What are you doing?”
“If it’s too difficult, say so. I’ll carry you.”
“Put me down.”
“No. I can’t bear to see my wife struggling.”
Suddenly, alarms rang in my head.
‘This kindness seems dangerous. What is he really planning?’
In the Emperor’s Audience Room.
Heraeus put a bright red cherry in his mouth.
“Hmm. Sweet.”
“I’m glad it pleases you.”
Thud.
Michael bowed politely, rubbing his hands, and a cherry pit fell to the floor.
His eyes widened, resembling the small brown pit.
‘Did I spit it wrong?’
As Michael tried to assess the situation,
Thud.
Another pit bounced off his knee and fell to the floor.
Thud, thud, thud, thud!
Now the pits were hitting his face relentlessly.
Michael silently endured the emperor’s rudeness, intended to humiliate.
“Delicious. Yes, very delicious.”
Heraeus stood abruptly and wiped the red juice from Michael’s pristine uniform with his fingers. Then he leaned in threateningly, baring his white teeth.
“Sir Michael!”
Yet Heraeus’ voice was softer and gentler than ever.
“This isn’t the cherry I’ve been waiting for—it’s a bright, plump red eye, like a cherry. You know exactly what I mean, don’t you?”
Michael lowered his gaze like a gentle deer. Heraeus’ merciless dark blue eyes glared at Michael’s light brown ones, pressing on his shoulders.
Yet the elderly officer’s posture didn’t falter.
“Next time you play such a trick, I won’t be so forgiving.”
Heraeus lightly tapped Michael’s shoulders and left the audience room. The attendants and guards quickly followed.
“Understood.”
Michael bowed respectfully, but his fists by his thighs trembled.
Red blood trickled from his palms onto the carpet, forming small red flowers.
An attendant quietly approached and asked,
“Will you be serving the Empress?”
“Next time.”
Michael rose and left the room, limping.
No one knew that he had sustained an injury after the Grand Duke visited the marquis family.
“Compared to the abuse from my father-in-law, this is nothing.”
Gerald’s insulting words still echoed in his ears.
He had to carefully walk the line between the emperor and the grand duke just to survive, twisting his lips.
Schlesien Castle Tower.
Gerald, who seemed unwilling to let me go, finally put me down.
“Turn around for a moment.”
“Eh?”
“Just for a moment.”
“Not a chance!”
Despite my protest, Gerald covered my eyes with both hands. I sighed automatically.
Okay, just endure a little.
I closed my eyes. He held my eyes with one hand and twisted the doorknob with the other.
Creak.
He opened the door. Once fully open, he covered my eyes again with both hands.
“Now, turn around and move forward.”
“Gerald.”
I growled lowly.
“It’s fine, just a little more patience.”
Sigh.
I exhaled deeply and followed his instructions slowly. Fear made my hands move on their own.
Gerald held me close in his arms and took my hands. His knees brushed my calves. As he stepped forward, mine moved automatically.
This steadiness almost eased my tension.
No, no. Just wait until this prank is over.
As I steeled myself again, a cool river breeze swept over me. Birds chirped. The warm sun gently caressed me.
The liberating feeling of being atop the castle tower tingled all over me.
Finally, Gerald lowered his hands. The sunlight blinded me.
I blinked.
Specks of light glittered before my eyes. As they adjusted, the outlines of objects appeared.
I gasped in surprise.
Gerald proudly puffed out his chest and pointed to my workshop.
“Welcome to the Grand Duchess’s workshop.”
Before me lay a rooftop workshop, separate from but next to Gerald’s study.
In front of both the study and my workshop were long chairs and a table for relaxation.
Someone had even decorated the table with beautiful flowers.
Heart racing, I ran to the workshop. Upon entering, I noticed the floor was finished with a curious pink stone. Marble?
I carefully examined the floor with my feet and ran to a large furnace in the corner. It held materials that could melt tungsten, which melts at 3,422°C.
Unexpectedly, the walls were filled with experimental tools, many times better than those of Count Arthura.
On the opposite wall were books on magical stones, plants, and various other subjects.
“Are these all forbidden books?”
“Yes. Joanna comes once a week to teach you anything you’re curious about.”
“Isn’t that illegal?”
“Protective barriers are in place. Only you and I can enter.”
“Ah…”
“I specially asked Joanna, so learn whatever you want. You may go to the demon realm whenever you wish. By the way, earlier you seemed upset—what was that about?”
“No, the workshop is wonderful, Gerald.”
His face curled like a puppy’s, and he blushed.
“Don’t call me Gerald. Call me Jed.”
“Jed?”
My heart skipped a beat. In romance fantasies, asking to be called by a nickname meant opening one’s heart.
“Sinclair.”
His voice brushed past my eardrums like a spring breeze, reaching my heart.
‘Huh? Did he teleport?’
Suddenly, he was right in front of me.
“May I hug you too?”
My mischievous hands wrapped around his neck excitedly.
He nodded slightly, giving permission, and I hugged his waist. My chest pressed against his, flushing my face.
He seemed slightly embarrassed too and gently stroked behind my ear.
“What would you like me to call you?”
‘Joohee!’
My original name flashed through my mind. I looked up at him.
‘Kang Joohee.’
Such a nostalgic name. Could I live again as Joohee?
He didn’t know that everything I was doing was my attempt to return to being Kang Joohee. Feeling guilty, I lowered my head.
“Sinclair?”
He bent slightly to look at me with concern.
“Joohee.”
Tears welled in my eyes.
“Could you call me Joohee?”
“Joohee.”
Seeing him unable to pronounce the final ‘hee’ made me laugh, slightly easing my tears.
“It’s not ‘hi,’ it’s ‘hee.’”
“Hi?”
I realized combining ‘ㅡ’ and ‘ㅣ’ might be difficult.
“Quickly say ‘heu-i’ and it becomes ‘hee.’”
I gently taught him.
“Hee!”
“Eh.”
My competitive spirit to teach flared.
“Hu…hee…”
I placed fingers at the corners of my mouth and slowly pronounced ‘ㅡ’ and ‘ㅣ’.
“Hee.”
I said it quickly.
“Joohee.”
“Joohee!”
“Ju.hee.”
This time, I placed my index fingers at the corners of his lips, closing and stretching them gently.
“Joohee.”
“Joohee!”
I sighed deeply.
“I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s okay.”
“But… Joohee?”
“?”
“Why does Curtis call you Joohee?”
“Oh! Hehe.”
“?”
“When we first met, he asked your name. I didn’t want to tell him, so it comes from ‘what are you looking at?’”
His expression brightened instantly, and he began practicing aggressively.
“Hee, hee, hee. Joohee, Joohee? Joohee!”
Jed placed his fingers at his lips like I did, waiting for my approval.
Seeing my expression sour, he pouted.
“Difficult pronunciation, right? I also like ‘Sing.’”
“Sing?”
“The ‘Sing’ in ‘Sinclair!’”
“Oh, Sing!”
Yes, here, I’ll happily sing and enjoy life. If I sulk, only I lose out.
“Yes, husband.”
“No, Jed. Say Jed. Sing.”
“Yes, Jed.”
“Sing!”
“Yes, Jed.”
“Sing.”
“Stop it.”
“Sing?”
As my eyes naturally lifted with a smile, Jed gently touched my temples with his thumbs and whispered,
“I love you, Sing.”
“…!”
My heart exploded like fireworks.
