Episode 38

Baroness Carla’s husband, Atlas, came waddling over. He was sweating so much it looked like a waterfall, and no matter how hard he wiped with his handkerchief, it didn’t help.

“There you are, haha.”

“Oh my, what happened? You’re sweating so much…”

“Well, uh…”

He rubbed his hands together nervously and looked troubled as he continued.

“The Count—um, Count Icarus…”

“Did something happen?”

I tried not to show it, but I was a little excited. Maybe he got into a fight and got beat up, or fell and hit his head. But Atlas shook his head.

“No, no. It’s nothing like that. Haha… He just drank a little too much. I think he was in a really good mood.”

“Oh dear. So my sister’s husband has bad drinking habits too.”

The young duchess, Pides, made a sarcastic comment. Atlas’s face turned pale. Pides grabbed my arm.

“Let’s leave the drunk husband alone. He has a beautiful wife already.”

She spoke coldly.

“He’ll come back when he sobers up, don’t you think?”

“Well… the thing is… he passed out.”

Atlas’s hand shook as he held the soaking wet handkerchief. I paused to think.

If it were Theodore, he could easily carry the unconscious Count. Once he was home, the servants would take care of changing his clothes and helping him. I wouldn’t have to lift a finger.

But that wasn’t the problem.

‘Why should I take care of a drunk guy just because he’s pretty?’

I wanted to leave him there, but there were too many people watching. For now, I had to look like “Carla, the loving wife.” If I acted sweet now, it would be easier to win the public’s support later. So I blinked like I was troubled.

“I’ll take you in my carriage,” Pides offered cheerfully. “Let the Count use the one you came in.”

She smiled.

“Baron Atlas is such a generous man. He’ll take good care of the Count until he wakes up.”

“But…”

“I know you’re worried about your husband, but don’t forget your sister is here too.”

“Haha, yes, ma’am! I only came to tell you not to worry!”

Atlas quickly changed his tone and wiped his forehead again, trying to smile.

“See? Now you can spend some good time with your sister.”

Pides gave a sly, seductive smile.

The duke’s carriage was magnificent. It was far fancier than the Count’s. There was a symbol of a book carved into the roof, and golden roses on the door.

The entire carriage was white, from the roof to the wheels. Even the four horses pulling it were pure white.

It was a good idea to leave Liza behind. If she had seen this carriage, she would’ve screamed in excitement, saying she’d never seen anything so fancy.

“Come on, let’s go,” Pides said.

I grabbed Theodore’s arm, and he helped me up into the carriage.

Pides sat across from me, so Theodore had to sit next to me. As soon as the door closed, the carriage moved smoothly.

No one said a word. Pides crossed her legs and just stared at me. Theodore was always quiet, and I kept looking out the window. It was late, and my eyes started to feel heavy.

I must have dozed off for a moment. When I opened my eyes, I saw Pides trying hard not to laugh.

‘What is it?’

Did I drool? I wiped my mouth, but my face was dry.

“Hehe… Have a nice nap?” she teased.

“I just closed my eyes for a moment because I was tired,” I answered stiffly, sitting up.

‘Wait. What was I leaning on?’

When I looked, I saw Theodore sitting stiffly, staring straight ahead. I had apparently been sleeping on his shoulder. My face burned red.

“Sir Theodore, I’m so sorry. I must have been heavy.”

“No! Not at all!” he replied, stiff as a robot, still staring at the empty seat in front of him. So awkward.

I looked out the window, trying to guess how far we’d come. But I didn’t recognize the road at all. Even if I didn’t know the area well, I was sure we were going the wrong way.

“Are we really going to my house?”

“Yup,” Pides said with a straight face, still smiling.

“But this isn’t the way to the Count’s house.”

I started to feel uneasy. And usually, when I had that feeling, it turned out to be right.

“You said ‘home,’ right? Well, this is my home.”

If this were a novel—well, technically it was—I’d throw the book across the room at this ridiculous plot twist.

Taken to the duke’s mansion without warning? At least foreshadow it a little! I didn’t think she meant harm, but I was still speechless.

“Are you crazy?”

“No. I’m totally sane.”

Pides stretched her legs out and started tapping my feet with hers.

“I’m not crazy at all. It’s just better to rest at my house than in your little rat hole.”

“Duchess, there’s a limit to bad behavior.”

“No, no. This is just sisterly affection,” she said, wagging her finger playfully. I was speechless. I turned to Theodore, annoyed.

“You should’ve stopped this!”

“I’m sorry,” he mumbled like a scolded puppy. I felt a bit guilty. I was blaming others even though I was the one who fell asleep.

I looked at the true cause of all this again.

“If you take me back right now, I’ll pretend none of this happened.”

“I would love to,” she said.

“But?”

“We’re already here!”

She grinned mischievously. Are all younger sisters like this? I felt like hitting her twice just to get it out of my system.

Outside the window was a huge mansion. The white walls were spotless, not a single stain. It didn’t have any fancy decorations, but that only made it look even more intimidating.

‘This looks more like a monastery than a house.’

I swallowed nervously.

“Time to get out,” Pides said and jumped down. Theodore followed and helped me down from the carriage.

In front of the house stood several servants. One old woman stood out, wiping tears with her apron.

‘Is she Carla’s nanny?’

I tensed up. My fingers trembled. I was now surrounded by the people who knew Carla best. I wasn’t truly alone—but still, it was scary.

‘If something happens, Theodore will protect me.’

That thought gave me a little courage. Even though it was late, the servants didn’t look tired. They all bowed politely to me.

“Welcome back, miss.”

They called me miss, not madam, even though I was married. It was clear they didn’t think much of the Count.

I stood silently, unsure of what to say. Pides nudged me.

“Sis, you need to respond.”

My head said I should scold them. I should demand they treat the Countess properly. At least complain to Pides for such poor hospitality.

But… these people hadn’t seen Carla in years. And yet they welcomed her like she had just gone out for a short walk.

I couldn’t yell at them.

They kept bowing until I answered. Feeling choked up, I nodded gently.

“Yes. I’m back.”

They all straightened up with big smiles and opened the door. I followed Pides inside.

The hallway was as big as a palace. Everything—walls, floor, and even the wide staircase—was white.

‘Did a ghost who died from not seeing enough color decorate this place?’

It was almost too white. But thankfully, the decorations were colorful. Pides asked an old man who looked like a butler:

“Is Mother asleep?”

“She’s in the drawing room.”

“And Father?”

“He’s there too. They heard the young lady was coming.”

I was sure now—this had all been planned. I glared at Pides, and she avoided my gaze.

“Well, I mean… the Count got drunk, so you had no choice but to come, right?”

Suspicious. The Count had left to play a game, not to meet her. She hadn’t even seen him.

‘Did she use someone to drug him or something?’

I narrowed my eyes and said,

“I don’t know how you did it, but if anyone could pull that off, it’s you.”

“Why are you accusing me?”

“I never said I was accusing you, Duchess.”

“You’re being way too polite.”

“It’s just basic manners.”

Even though we were bickering, none of the servants stepped in. The butler just watched us like we were cute kids.

“Miss, shall we take you to the drawing room before your room?”

“Fine,” I replied coolly, lifting my chin.

Pides looked delighted.

“Father will be so happy to see you.”