C37
Oops! Maybe I misunderstood myself as someone who got beaten up.
"This.
"Who did it?
Terence asked in a low voice. There wasn't much difference in his facial expression or tone of voice compared to when he asked if I had eaten.
But somehow...
"Is he angry?"
The man's red eyes seemed to shine for some reason. At that moment, I was completely speechless. I needed to quickly clarify the misunderstanding, but I couldn't easily open my mouth.
"Who did it?
The same question as before.
He reached his hand towards me. A gloveless finger barely brushed my cheek.
"Who the hell dared?
I practically felt a skin-to-skin contact even though he clearly didn't touch me...
Did my five senses become strange?
While I was distracted by the strange texture, the arrow went in another direction.
"I'm sure I told you not to hurt a single hair.
It was a surprisingly cold reprimand.
"I'm sorry. It was my fault.
Vinetta, who was behind me, knelt with one knee.
When Vinetta was scolded for my foolish actions, I belatedly regained my senses and waved my arms.
"No! It wasn't Vinetta's fault!
"You don't have to worry about that. Just tell me who put you in this situation.
"... M-me.
"What?
"I slapped myself.
Terence's eyes widened.
"Then something like that happened.
Terence smiled slightly after hearing approximately what happened during the day. The impressive atmosphere from a moment ago had disappeared like a lie.
"It was a great plan. In the end, it turned out the way you wanted.
"... Haha, that's too much praise. Even in my opinion, it was a somewhat childish game.
I looked at Vinetta and asked.
"By the way. It's my fault for not being able to respond quickly, but if Vinetta is unfairly scolded, I should at least explain the situation.
"It's my fault, do I need an explanation?
"Why is it Vinetta's fault?
"When Ethel-nim explained the plan to me, I couldn't stop her. I myself thought it was effective, and there was no other method I could suggest as an alternative. As a result, it's the same as disobeying the master's order, so there's nothing to say even if I receive the corresponding punishment.
Oh my God. I can't believe she's so stubborn. But, on the other hand, I also had faith in that kind of sincerity.
"She's given me a subordinate I can really trust."
We decided to eat immediately, and as we headed to the dining room together, I looked at Terence.
I was surprised before.
"I didn't know you were so worried about me. The swelling has gone down a lot now.
The inquisitive look returned.
"Isn't it obvious? We...
Terence's words faded.
"We?
"......
The silence became a little longer despite my question. We stopped in the middle of the hallway.
Just as I began to worry, thinking of saying, "Did I say something unnecessary?"
"Because we are partners.
"Partners?
"That's right. We need each other.
"Yes, Tay helped me a lot.
We resumed walking.
"Ethel-nim is also a great help to me.
"Thank you for your words. But since I've already given the recipe for the herbal tea, it's fair to say that my help is over.
"My skills aren't very good, so why don't you continue making it yourself?
"If you practice a bit, you'll learn it quickly. If you think you can't, Tay can tell someone else, and my work will be done...
"Alright, that's it.
Before we knew it, we had reached the dining room.
"I'm hungry. Should we eat first?
Light snacks like salad and soup were prepared on the table. I obviously wasn't very hungry, but seeing the delicious food opened my appetite.
"Yes.
While we ate, I took a moment to tell Terence the details of what happened today.
It was already past midnight.
"Ah.
"Ethel-nim?
We met again on the terrace, where we often had tea together.
"Can't you sleep?
Terence poured red wine into a new glass and handed it to me.
"Yes, that's why I went for a walk.
I had no idea that I would find Terence like this even before going out to the garden.
"Marquis, did you go out because you couldn't sleep?
He had been drinking wine here before I came.
"That's right. But is it really that difficult to call me Tay?
"Ah, without even realizing it... However, after finding out that you're the marquis, it feels strange to call you that way.
Still, there were people in this villa who didn't know Terence's identity, so it was something I had to be careful about.
"I'm sorry. I was careless.
"I didn't mean to blame you...
"From now on, I'll call you Tay properly, and Tay will also call me Ethel.
"Really?
"I'm very happy that the person who will soon become a prince calls me "Ethel."
"... Can I?
"Of course. We are partners.
"Ethel.
It was a very sweet and deep voice, like the night. For a moment, a feeling of embarrassment overwhelmed me.