CHAPTER 22

Theodore treated me very gently.

“Do I smell like alcohol?”

“Not too much.”

I held my pounding head. I didn’t want to look like a drunk, so I shook my head and tried to act normal. The place where Theodore had touched my back still felt hot.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. I just added a bit of whiskey to my tea… I forgot I can’t handle alcohol. I’m just giving this letter to a maid and going back to my room. There’s no problem.”

I started talking too much, unlike usual. Theodore silently looked at the letter in my hand.

“I’ll deliver it for you.”

I handed the letter to him. The envelope in his hand looked terrible—wrinkled, with ink and wax stains everywhere. I said, trying to explain,

“It’s for Viscount Fides. He was so rude! It’s like he never learned manners. So I decided to be rude too.”

My cheek twitched. When I touched the corner of my mouth, I realized I was smiling. For some reason, I was amused. I proudly said to Theodore, like I was bragging. Carla wouldn’t have done something like this, but I couldn’t help it.

“I made fun of him by asking if he was still looking for a tutor. Funny, right?”

Theodore looked at me. His lips curled slightly, but he didn’t look amused.

“Lady Carla, if I may say… I think it would be better to send the letter tomorrow.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re drunk.”

I narrowed my eyes and looked up at him. I wanted to mess up his neatly combed hair, but I held back. Sure, whiskey was stronger than wine, but I wasn’t that drunk.

“I’m perfectly fine.”

“I know. But what I meant is…”

He paused and then spoke very carefully.

“That letter might not be suitable to send… to your younger brother.”

The words he used sounded very old-fashioned. Maybe it was because he was a holy knight, or maybe that’s just how people in this world talk. But what caught my attention was how he described Viscount Fides.

“Younger brother?”

“Yes. He’s… your brother.”

Theodore’s eyes widened.

“Ah… You didn’t know.”

He looked around nervously. Luckily, no one else was in the hallway. He lowered his voice.

“Viscount Fides is Lady Carla’s younger brother.”

I sobered up instantly. That was never mentioned! What kind of messy novel is this? I covered my mouth.

“Wait—say that again. No, not here.”

I stepped back, but there was only the door behind me. Fine, let’s talk inside.

“Come in.”

I pushed Theodore into the room and shut the door. Then I stepped close and asked sharply,

“Since when? Since when was he my brother?”

“Since… birth, I assume.”

Of course! I grabbed my head. I could feel Theodore watching me strangely, but I didn’t have time to care.

“You didn’t know?”

“Of course not!”

I felt like shouting. If Carla were here, I would’ve grabbed her by the collar and shaken her.

If Fides was her brother, that meant Carla was part of a Duke’s family. But her diary only said she gave up her rights and cut ties with her family. A Duke?!

Why didn’t she write something that important in her diary?!

Well, maybe she didn’t need to—she already knew. But I didn’t! Other people get cheat powers or helpful screens when they enter novels. Why am I stuck in this boring, frustrating story?

“This is awful.”

As I mumbled and held my messy hair, Theodore bent down and looked at me.

“Should I call a maid?”

“I’m okay. Really, I’m just confused.”

“You don’t look well.”

Even though I kept saying I was fine, he was clearly worried. I tried to calm myself by running my fingers through my hair. But it didn’t help.

If she hadn’t married the Count, she could have been a Duchess! Why fight with her family and ruin everything?

I shifted uncomfortably. What had Carla done with her life? Theodore suddenly reached his hand toward my face. When I looked up, he stopped and let it drop.

“Lady Carla.”

He gently called my name—or, Carla’s name. His blue eyes were full of concern.

I thought I was no longer drunk, but my face still felt hot. I straightened my back and lifted my chin.

“I’m fine. I lost my composure for a moment. I wasn’t expecting that at all.”

Theodore handed back the letter. I gripped it tightly. The envelope crinkled in my hand. Then Theodore stood straight again. I ignored my flushed cheeks and spoke firmly.

“I’ll see you tomorrow. I won’t be going out again today.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Then I suddenly realized—why was Theodore standing right outside my door at the perfect moment?

“Were you standing outside the whole time?”

Theodore smiled and answered,

“I’m your guard.”

Knowing Theodore was standing right outside my room made it impossible to sleep. I finally felt drowsy near dawn, but loud knocking woke me up.

“Lady Carla is sleeping!”

“Does a husband need permission from a knight to see his wife? Open the door!”

I got up, still half-asleep, and opened the door.

“What have you done?!”

The Count shouted the moment the door opened. His voice was so loud it hurt my ears. My tired head throbbed.

Holding my aching head, I glared at him. He flinched and stepped back, then stood tall and growled again.

“Viscount Fides is here! At this hour!”

I furrowed my brows, confused. Suddenly, Bell appeared and lightly touched my arm. I must’ve swayed without realizing it. I stood steady, and she quickly let go.

“Viscount Fides is here to see you, madam.”

She whispered in my ear.

“He’s in the sitting room. He says he won’t leave until he sees you. The Count tried to wake you up, and he and Sir Theodore got into an argument.”

I quickly understood the situation. I straightened up and nodded to Theodore, then slowly turned to face the Count. I tried to smile, but only one side of my mouth moved—probably because it was too early.

“You’re making such a fuss over a guest.”

The Count’s face turned red with anger, but I didn’t stop.

“You didn’t leave him alone in the sitting room, did you?”

“He said he didn’t want to speak to me, so what could I do? That’s why you need to—”

I shrugged. I had a feeling why he was so anxious, but I wasn’t about to rush for his sake.

A guest who shows up this early can wait a little longer. If the Count was nervous because he feared powerful people, that wasn’t my problem.

“Bell, let’s get ready.”

Bell, who had been quietly watching, quickly followed.

“Yes, madam!”

“How long has the guest been waiting?”

“About two hours.”

“Really? Then I guess there’s no need to hurry.”

If Carla really cut ties with her family, I doubt she would’ve run to see her brother. Bell panicked because the water wasn’t hot enough yet. I soaked in the warm bath, smirking at the Count.

A Count, acting like that…

Instead of calmly having a maid call me and entertaining the guest himself, he stormed over to bang on my door. Is he just stupid? Or has no pride? And with that kind of nerve, how is he having an affair?

“My lady, how should I do your hair?”

“Whatever. It’s not like there’s anyone I want to impress.”

“Alright.”

Washing, picking clothes, fixing my hair, and wearing accessories took so long it was almost lunchtime. Finally, I headed to the sitting room.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. This wasn’t just a friend of Carla’s—this was family. What if he could tell I wasn’t really her?

They said they were estranged, but still…

It’ll be fine, right?

I stood tall like a proud noblewoman. Even if he was a Viscount, I had the King on my side. Maybe that’s why he suddenly sent that strange letter.

Maybe the rude note was his way of showing he wanted to reconnect with his sister.

I opened the door to the sitting room and looked at the man calmly sitting on the sofa.

“It’s been a long time, little brother.”