Her eyes shifted to scan the room but there was no maid. It was just Laritte and her.

Spotting the mop in her hand, Ava had unconsciously slapped her thigh. Laritte hardened to a stone.

Oh, my goodness, My Lady!!

..!

Larittes eyes widened soon after.

However, it felt entirely different. It didnt hurt her at all.

Who told My Lady to do that?! No, I..

The girl before Ava silently listened to her nagging, unaware of why she was being scolded.

Ava did not stop even when the maid Alice arrived late and started preparing the bath earnestly.

No, My Lady. You are not supposed to do that. Did you think Id compliment you if you did that while trying to get me mesmerized by your pretty deer eyes, huh? If I had told you where the bucket was, would you have gotten the water as well?

Ava scrubbed the foam on Larittes slender white arm, scolding her endlessly.

Larittes was zipped silent as if her mouth was filled with honey. She was never treated so gently like this before.

If the Duke gets to know about this, Im sure hell be surprised.

Ava began to apply the rose-scented oil to Larittes hair with delicate care.

Laritte spoke, closing her eyes at the unknown relaxation.

Will he be very angry?

She couldnt imagine Ian getting angry. She never saw him get angry.

In her memory, Ian was a person who was clumsy enough to take care of himself.

Of course, he will. Hell be very displeased about how his wife was being raised.

Oh, its not me.

Laritte muttered without realizing it.

Eventually, when they appeared in front of Ian, Ian started whispering something to Avas ear, which seemingly made her ears hurt as she had to cover it with her hands once he was finished. She also obediently kept her word to not speak a word of it again.

After Ian whispered something to her ear, Avas eyes, which has turned into that of a terrifying devils, clearly changed like last time.

..Yeah.

Ian smiled bitterly, raising one corner of his mouth.

He said he did not know what to do with Laritte.

Laritte stood awkwardly with a look of I dont know anything on her face in her new clothes and styled hair.

Shaking his head, Ian asked Ava.

When will the dinner be ready?

There are still 20 minutes left. The chef is ambitious at filling something good in our empty stomachs.

Then..Laritte, let us take a walk outside for a while.

Ian said, reaching out his hand. Laritte gazed down at his palm before placing her fingers over his.

The sky was giving off a red glow as the sun was touching the horizon.

Silence filled them until they left the mansion and walked into the garden.

Ian stepped slowly to meet Larittes stride.

The garden, which had not been maintained for a long time, was desolate.

However, since the gardener had returned recently, miscellaneous garbage such as fallen leaves were discarded.

The silence felt awkward, so he finally spoke up, sneaking a glance at Larittes new appearance.

How is the Duchy?

Duchy?

For instance, the people here. Of course, it hasnt been long since you woke up. Things are still a bit disorganized.

Unaware that Laritte had suddenly stopped, Ian kept walking and when he turned around, she was a hand away from him.

Laritte?

She muttered as she stared at the luxurious material that was covering her arms.

Well, actually, I dont know.

Did..someone bother you?

That couldnt have been the case. People who might not like Laritte had already been turned away.

It had taken months for the aristocratic knights to return to the Duke because of their contracts.

No, its not that.

The quality of the dress was so good.

The people were very kind to her, too.

That was the problem.

I didnt think any of this was real. So, I couldnt think straight.

She calmly accepted it.

This was the reason why she was following the maids while holding other peoples hands until now.

Ian stayed quiet as she continued.

It feels amazing to be treated like a human.

Like a human..

He repeated slowly.

Instead of showing any violent reactions, Ian turned his eyes to the red stretch of sky over the wall.

.Why dont we go up there?

The wall was taller than most humans.

When she didnt respond after a while, he sighed, reaching out his hand.

The sunset from there is beautiful.

Eventually, it made her curious, too.

After she granted him permission, he lifted her up and put her on the wall.

The width of the wall was adequate enough for a person to sit comfortably.

Her ocean blue orbs, mixed with the red color of the sky, sparkled while giving off a mysterious color.

It was definitely a scenery to bewitch people.

Reinhardts mansion was located on top of a hill, thus giving a glimpse of the city below belonging to the Dutchy.

The landscape was picturesque enough to make it feel as if God was playing with the colors of the sunset and pure white clouds.

This is very unusual.

Arent you cold?

She turned to Ian, who climbed up beside her.

A faint smile crept up on her face, her cheeks red from the cold breeze in harmony with the background.

Yes. But, Im fineIan.

She said as she looked up at him.

Ian squinted at her smile that was so rare.

It was crystal-clear that he was crazy about it. He was craving to see it.

But, it wasnt like she was going to disappear soon.

The red gleam of the sunset was reflecting off her fair white skin and silver hair.

Her small, pointed nose was red like the sunset.

Pretty. But, it felt like she was going to disappear soon because of being assimilated into the background.

Nervous, he asked.

Why are you calling me by my name all of a sudden..?

Then, do you still want me to call you, you? Were in a close relationship now.

Ah, is that so?

He was met with silence in return.

Pulling off his coat, Ian wrapped it around Laritte.

Its cold here. Cover yourself with this. Or, Ill have to call someone to bring a blanket.

This helped her dim shape to feel much better. Ian was finally relieved.

Her face poked out from within his large coat. Her expression said she was unsatisfied.

What are you doing? I said I wasnt cold.

IIIts just, its weird.

The two were largely different in size, so it made Laritte look like Santa Claus.

She pouted, poking out her lower lip.

Whats weird? Do you know that you look a little suspicious?

Suspicious.

Yes, for example.is my face the problem?

Laritte was sensitive to the way others looked at her.

Rose used to quarrel with Laritte due to a ridiculous reason that Rose did not not like her face.

She wasnt even pretty. Besides that, she even lost the fullness of her cheeks due to hunger, which could be counted as a flaw in her. On top of that, she mustve gotten a scar when she was hit.

And so, Laritte felt positive that it was the problem.

Is there something wrong with my face? Look at me, Ian. Is there something on it or is there a scratch?

Laritte insisted, moving closer to Ian. The more she did, the more he scooted away, avoiding her eyes.

Its not like that.

He felt embarrassed.

He had never had such a connection with a woman in his life before.

Her mother, Selena, and nanny, Ava, were the only women who could break through the iron fortress of his heart.

He let go of his breath he was holding in. His pupils shook aimlessly.

Larittes eyes were convinced.

..Ive become ugly, havent I?

How can a person become ugly in a day?

He questioned. But, there was a second problem.

She was so cute.

She laughed, the hem of her cloth fluttering with her every move.

It became the biggest difficulty of his life. He clenched, holding it in.

That can be possible! I used to get scolded for blathering in the morning and get beaten for being ugly at night!

Laritte yelled out while he barely kept holding in, as if he had been hit.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep