Eugenia wore a troubled expression as she fell into brief thought.
Enrique had told her to wait in the room, but she felt uneasy.
It was because, an hour ago, she had already gone downstairs and settled the lodging bill with the innkeeper.
At the time, the innkeeper had asked several times when they’d be leaving, which made her realize he wanted them out of the room as soon as possible.
Tap, tap, tap, tap.
Her fingernails twitched nervously as they gripped the window frame.
What should she do?
After a brief deliberation, she finally came up with a suitable compromise.
‘What if only I keep watch in front of the inn?’
That way, she wouldn’t be leaving the inn, so technically she wouldn’t be disobeying Enrique’s instructions.
With a face that said “I’ve got it!”, Eugenia pulled up her hood.
“I’m going out to check the situation, so you two stay here.”
She gave the children strict instructions, but still seemed uneasy. As she turned the doorknob, she repeated her warning.
“Don’t come out until I get back… okay?”
“You’re finally out.”
Eugenia’s eyes widened.
Two men were standing right outside the door, clearly waiting for her.
Recognizing them immediately, she stammered their names in shock.
“…Huh? Sir Enrique? And Mr. Albury?”
They hadn’t been there when she returned to the room after settling the bill.
“We meet again,”
Albury waved cheerfully at the flustered Eugenia.
“All set?”
Enrique, who had been leaning against the hallway wall, stood upright and turned toward Eugenia.
Now that they were face to face in such a narrow space, she was reminded again of how tall he was.
“Uh, when did you get here?”
“Not long ago.”
“If you had made your presence known, I would’ve hurried more…”
“I didn’t think it was necessary.”
After giving a short reply, Enrique’s gaze slowly dropped.
Eugenia’s eyes followed his.
“What are you looking at… huh? When did you two come out?”
Selmia and Joshua stood on either side of her, as if protecting her.
More accurately, it was only Joshua who was glaring fiercely.
“Wow! They’re really handsome!”
Selmia marveled at the two men’s looks.
‘Might as well introduce them now.’
Eugenia gently nudged the children forward.
But before she could speak, Enrique did.
“So these are your siblings? They don’t look alike at all.”
His tone was indifferent—borderline cold.
Eugenia, already feeling slightly defensive, tried to keep her cool and replied evenly.
“Am I required to explain our family background?”
Enrique shrugged.
“No, you don’t need to. That’s not important at all.”
The more you know about someone, the more disadvantages you might take on.
Their agreement was to use each other while maintaining an appropriate distance.
“Let’s refrain from personal questions.”
“Thank you.”
Enrique kept observing the children.
“By the way, their hair is pitch-black.”
“As you can see.”
“That’s fortunate.”
The comment seemed out of place, leaving Eugenia puzzled.
Thankfully, she didn’t have to ponder it long.
Albury interjected.
“I’m honestly relieved. I was worried it’d be too jarring if their appearance differed too much from Sir Enrique’s.”
He looked pleased, and while looking at Joshua, he continued:
“Especially this boy—his vibe and expressions are quite similar to Sir Enrique. The way he glares, in particular. With this, people would easily believe they’re father and son.”
So that’s what this was about.
If she was to pretend to be Enrique’s wife, the twins would naturally be seen as his children.
Eugenia instantly understood and nodded.
‘That’s all? What a relief.’
She stepped aside.
“Let’s talk inside. This isn’t the place for conversation.”
She didn’t like discussing things in public, especially with the children present.
All four followed her obediently into the room.
With five people crammed in, the already small space felt even tighter.
And as soon as the door closed, chaos erupted.
“What?!”
Joshua suddenly burst out in a loud voice.
With sharp eyes, he glared at Enrique and spoke each word with clenched teeth.
“You’re saying I have to pretend to be that guy’s son?!”
Eugenia looked down at him in embarrassment.
“Uh… Joshua, we talked about this in the room earlier, remember?”
Joshua was firm.
“No. You said you were going to do a fake marriage, and only for a short while.”
Why was he putting emphasis on certain words?
Eugenia closed her eyes and pressed her fingers to her forehead.
‘Once he starts being stubborn, he won’t stop until he’s convinced. Ugh, what exactly upset him so much?’
Her head was pounding.
Meanwhile, Enrique watched the bickering without the slightest hint of interest or emotion.
Then, without warning, he spoke up.
“So.”
Joshua frowned.
“So what?”
“I mean, are you refusing to play the part?”
“Well…”
“Do you have any idea how hard your sister worked all day to secure this opportunity? I personally don’t care. But what about you? If you say no, all you’re doing is holding her back.”
Joshua flinched at the painfully accurate point.
But backing down now would hurt his pride even more, so he didn’t soften.
“Who said… who said I wouldn’t do it?!”
Enrique scoffed lightly and tried to end the matter.
“Then we’re settled. Just follow along.”
Joshua bit his lip and clenched his small fists tightly.
He knew better than anyone how hard Eugenia had worked—not that guy.
So for her sake, he would cooperate. But still…
‘He’s so annoying.’
Joshua pouted.
Maybe realizing he’d been the only one throwing a tantrum, he lowered his voice a bit and continued.
“I can play the son. But why does he have to play the father?”
There was no mistaking the childlike bitterness in his tone—and he wasn’t even trying to hide it.
Eugenia’s headache worsened.
These two men…
‘Can I call both of them men? Joshua’s just a boy…’
Well, anyway.
Tension sparked between Joshua and Enrique.
More accurately, Joshua was glaring furiously, while Enrique simply didn’t avoid the look.
It was like a silent battle of wills.
Joshua suddenly pointed a finger at Albury.
“Why can’t that flimsy-looking guy play the dad?!”
“Flimsy-looking?!”
Albury looked wounded, placing both hands over his chest like it hit a nerve.
Eugenia, exhausted, rubbed her temples.
To stop Joshua’s outburst, he needed to be convinced—but she couldn’t think of how.
Then, after a long silence, Enrique sighed and spoke again.
“This boy has less patience than I thought.”
Joshua snapped.
“Ha! What do you know about me, old man?!”
“There’s a saying: you can tell a lot from one thing.”
Enrique crossed his arms and tilted his head leisurely.
“It’s just a few days. And even then, only pretending in front of others. If you can’t stand that and throw a fit, then clearly, you’re not very patient.”
Joshua clamped his lips shut in frustration.
Enrique, acting like he was done, looked away and delivered the finishing blow.
“Or… is it that you just don’t think you can do it? If that’s the case, I apologize.”
Joshua’s eyes sharpened.
Fury blazed in his gaze as he glared at Enrique.
“Who are you to apologize to me?!”
“So you’re refusing the apology?”
“Of course!”
His voice grew louder and angrier.
“There’s nothing I can’t do!”
Enrique wasted no time, immediately following up as soon as Joshua finished.
“Then you can do a perfect job playing my son—swallowing your dislike, doing such a good job even I would be impressed?”
“Of course! Just watch me! I’ll do it perfectly!”
“…Good. That’s settled then.”
Only after hearing Joshua’s confirmation did Enrique’s expression finally change.
The faintest smirk flickered across his lips—for just a moment—before disappearing.
“…So unfair.”
Joshua muttered, clearly upset.
He realized he had been baited by Enrique—and it pissed him off.
‘…Wow.’
