CHAPTER 10
Edward the Crown Prince’s former fiancée, Eva Belle Turner Macys.
Although the Earl of Holland was skilled at concealing his emotions, this time his voice was filled with clear dissatisfaction. Knowing how dangerous and unstable his position was, Edward always acted with caution. He never acted recklessly, made decisions carefully, and did not easily grow attached to anyone.
He had never shown interest in women first, and while he was not rude to those who approached him, he was never particularly warm either. It was unthinkable for him to approach someone first, ask if they were alright, and even massage their feet. Moreover, deliberately taking someone’s hand and kissing the back of it—something like that would have been impossible before. Even if there had once been a deep connection, he could not understand why he was acting this way toward a woman with whom he no longer shared such ties.
“Because I felt sorry.”
“Pardon?”
“Your hands were rough. So I couldn’t stop thinking about it.”
Edward gave a faint smile as he looked into the dark void.
When he rescued her by the riverside and heard her name, he immediately realized she was Eva—his former fiancée. She resembled Count Macys, but her mysterious blue eyes matched the memories of his childhood.
However, the blue eyes he remembered were clear and bright, while the ones before him now looked dark and sorrowful. Her trembling gaze and shoulders shaking as she struggled without even being able to say she was in pain made him feel pity.
The sight of her enduring tears with quiet strength felt like a thorn lodged in his heart. And her hands—those rough, calloused hands—were clearly not the hands of someone who had lived a gentle life. Seeing them stirred an unnamed anger within him, as if it were his own failure for not protecting her. After Count Macys died and the Emperor collapsed, their connection had been severed, but he had once believed she would become his wife. Even if there had been no love, there was at least recognition.
“Your Highness, this is not the time to worry about others. If there is anyone whose safety should concern you, it is yourself, not that woman. Tea time or whatever—we should return immediately—”
Snap.
Before Holland could finish speaking, the sound of a dry branch breaking echoed. Both men flinched and turned their heads toward the sound.
***
“Are you alright, nanny?”
Eva gently placed a hand on Cecile’s forehead and asked with concern. As soon as dinner ended, she had brought food and forced her to eat. When a slight fever appeared at night, Eva mixed antipyretics into the medicine she had prepared and made her take it.
“Don’t worry, miss. I’m much better than yesterday. Cough.”
Lying in bed, Cecile smiled faintly as if to ease Eva’s worry. Still, she insisted Eva not come too close, as if afraid of passing the cold.
“What about those gentlemen—the Earl of Holland and Lord Ruth?”
Even while her eyelids drooped with sleepiness, Cecile did not forget to ask about them. Eva knew the question carried deeper meaning. She was worried about what they had said, and whether Eva might be shaken by any connection with them.
“They just had a meal. I only listened. They’ll be leaving soon, so don’t worry, nanny.”
Eva left out the important details and only told her what would put her at ease. If Cecile found out about Ruth kissing her hand or mentioning the broken engagement, she would not be able to sleep peacefully. Of course, she also did not mention the bracelet incident. Until Cecile fully recovered, Eva intended to avoid anything that might disturb her.
“You worked hard today, miss. You must be tired, so get some rest.”
“Alright. You should also rest without worrying.”
After smiling and adjusting the blanket, Eva confirmed Cecile had fallen asleep. She quietly extinguished the candle and left the room.
Tomorrow, she would somehow convince the baron to take Cecile to a proper hospital. If he refused, maybe she should get angry like she did with the baroness earlier?
Her body and mind felt exhausted from the day’s work. She wanted to sleep, but there was still so much to do—washing dishes, cleaning up, and also deciding whether to stop Lord Ruth, as Pamela had suggested.
“Eva, where have you been?”
As she descended the stairs, Pamela grabbed her.
“I was checking on Cecile. What is it?”
“The Earl of Holland and Lord Ruth went outside to talk, but they haven’t returned since Ross went to call them. Go check.”
“Me?”
Eva’s voice rose coldly. It wasn’t just that she disliked being ordered around. She had just said she was with Cecile, yet no one even asked how she was. Even the teacher who once taught her etiquette showed no concern.
“Yeah. Go tell the Earl to come inside, and hold Lord Ruth back. Remember what I told you, right?”
“I don’t want to. Do it yourself.”
“Eva, you promised. Why are you suddenly acting like this?”
“I never promised anything. You decided it on your own.”
Eva brushed past Pamela and walked ahead. She no longer wanted to be involved with this mother and daughter. She was already tired of them at dinner, and above all, she had no desire to help send Lord Ruth into Pamela’s room.
“I will definitely take Cecile to the hospital tomorrow.”
“….”
Eva stopped walking. Turning around, she looked at Pamela with suspicion.
“I’ll speak to Father tomorrow and take Cecile to a proper hospital. You know I keep my promises, right?”
It was a tempting offer. Pamela was unreliable, but when she decided something, she did follow through. In this household, she was like a queen.
“…I’ll go with you, but I won’t send him into your room. I’ll try to hold him back.”
There was no way to refuse if Cecile’s health was at stake.
***
Light spilled from the manor, illuminating the outside. The moon was also bright, making the night less frightening. However, the Earl and Ruth were nowhere to be seen. Not even Ross, who had gone to call them.
Where did they go?
Since the estate was not as large as Beil Castle, Eva followed the path. Soon she saw a woman leaning against a cone-shaped garden tree, as if listening closely to something.
“Ross?”
Startled, Ross hurried toward her, gripping Eva’s arm. Her face was pale as if she had seen a ghost.
“What happened? Is there something there?”
“It’s… Lord Ruth… no, Lord Ruth is not Lord Ruth…”
“What? What are you saying? Speak clearly.”
Eva shook her shoulders. Ross finally steadied herself, bowed, and stepped back.
“I-I’m sorry, miss. I’ll go now.”
“Ross!”
The maid hurried away, as if fleeing.
What’s wrong with her?
Eva walked toward the spot. The moment she reached out toward a tree, someone suddenly appeared from behind it.
“Oh my.”
“Miss Eva?”
It was the Earl of Holland. He looked startled, as if he had come through the trees instead of the path. His expression quickly turned suspicious.
“How much did you hear?”
“I didn’t hear anything. I was just—”
Eva bit her lip. She was being unfairly accused.
“Miss Eva?”
Lord Ruth appeared a moment later, calm and unhurried. Unlike the Earl, he seemed completely unbothered.
“I came to call you for tea. I followed the sound but I swear I wasn’t eavesdropping.”
“Is that so? I must have been overly sensitive,” Ruth said smoothly. “Isn’t that right, Earl?”
The Earl reluctantly apologized.
“It seems I overreacted. I apologize.”
“I-It’s alright.”
Eva became flustered and bowed as well.
So it’s true… Ruth’s presence overwhelms the Earl of Holland. His status is likely equal to or above the Earl’s. More likely, he is the Crown Prince.
“Shall we go inside then?”
Ruth ended the situation and began walking.
Eva hesitated. It was awkward to call Ruth aside now. But if she entered the mansion, separating him would be even harder.
“Miss Eva?”
“Yes?”
The group stopped.
While Eva was lost in thought, Ruth spoke first.
“The night air is nice. Would you like to take a walk with me before going inside?”
As if reading her thoughts, he suggested they be alone together.
