It wasn’t like he could make a huge cake every time, so Steven said yes to Rubica’s order. Actually, he had been instructed in private by Ann. She had said the duchess would probably look for sweet things for some time so he should make them without asking back. He should also not make dishes that smell too fishy, never use adlay and coffee should be reduced. He also had to get sour fruits. Those orders were enough. Steven could easily see what Ann was worried about and why she wasn’t speaking clearly.
Is there anything else you’d like to eat?
Anything else? I can’t think of anything right now.
Then please, tell me anytime if you need anything.
Did cooks of noble families always try to win the mistress’ favor that much? Rubica’s title had been the only thing she had had as a noblewoman, so she didn’t know.
Anyway, today’s dinner was satisfactory as well. Dragon’s eyes, that were expensive but somehow made Rubica feel sad, didn’t come up today, and Edgar didn’t try to pick a fight with her after what he had done in the afternoon. Rubica kept glancing at him as she ate, and Edgar pretended to focus on his food while enjoying her gaze.
‘You will be attracted to me eventually.’
Edgar normally found it so hideous when others confessed they liked him. However, Rubica was different. He was silently happy that Rubica was studying his face. He hated his handsome face so much that he sometimes looked into the mirror and cursed at it, but he couldn’t feel any better when Rubica was fascinated enough to look at him. He started to like his face for the first time.
‘But why? Why do I feel like this?’
Why was he so happy when Rubica stared at him in a daze? He was even whishing that she liked him. Edgar soon found the answer.
He had been defeated by Rubica all along. What he would have ignored, if it came out of someone else’s mouth, pierced his heart when she said it. It was pathetic, but he was desperately trying to find a meaning behind each word of hers. It was really pathetic. Moreover, he didn’t even know why he was doing that. It was driving him crazy.
If she liked him, he might be able to free himself from that stupid relationship. Then, Rubica would be the one to be so careful.
And Edgar was confident since, until now, there hadn’t been a single woman not attracted to him.
‘… but I really don’t know.’
However, even if Edgar had seduced people, he didn’t know what to do exactly. Most women loved it when he just spoke to them, even when he scolded and told them to get out of his sight. On the other hand, Rubica often frowned or got mad at him even when he spoke to her out of goodwill. He had ordered ten nightdresses this afternoon because he couldn’t resist the excitement and was kicked out by her.
He decided to be careful and not speak for now. He wanted to seduce Rubica, but he didn’t know how to do that. He did have information about certain actions women liked, but there was no guarantee that they would work on Rubica.
He made up his mind to focus on eating with his cold and indifferent but elegant attitude that people admired so much, and Rubica’s eyes shook hard each time he moved.
‘… is it working?’
Edgar could feel his lips curling up. He couldn’t feel the knife’s weight, and all those troubles that had given him a headache in the afternoon were now gone. How long had it been since he felt that sensation the last time? It was the first time after he graduated from the Academy. He realized he was now very much in joy.
Um, Edgar.
His mood then reached its height when Rubica came to him first after the meal. He tried to not smile like a fool and looked at her as coldly as he could.
Yes?
A button of your shirt… has been undone.
Edgar looked down in surprise. The fourth button of his shirt had undone itself. He didn’t know when it had happened. Rubica didn’t keep glancing at him because of his beauty, it had been because of that button. Realizing that made Edgar wish he could run out of the hall immediately.
Wait.
Rubica hadn’t been able to focus on her meal because of that button. She stretched out her hands and fastened it. She also straightened his sleeves and collar. Untidy Edgar looked cool, but he looked best in a neat style. As Edgar had often touched her cheek and held her hands, it looked like she could do that much without getting his permission. She did all she wanted to do and proudly looked up.
‘Huh?’
The tips of Edgar’s ears had turned fiery red again, and Rubica felt as if a yellow flame was burning under his blue eyes.
She quickly went away, and Edgar let out a short sigh. She didn’t know why, but she blushed.
I, I should go first.
She got to her feet. Her cheek that his breath had touched felt somewhat tickly. However, his ears had turned red first… why was she feeling so nervous? She didn’t know.
Okay, go first and take some rest. I will be there later.
Unlike her, Edgar replied calmly. Rubica immediately left and missed that his fingers hidden under the table were trembling hard.
How she had come up to the bedroom, she didn’t know. When she finally came back to her senses, she found herself lying on the bed wearing a soft linen nightdress that came down to her ankles. She had now gotten used to getting help with bathing. Her hair smelled of her favorite lily perfume, but one of the maids had asked her a strange question today.
Your Grace, are you going to take a bath in His Grace’s bathroom?
Hum? Why would I do that when I have my own bathroom?
Wouldn’t it be good for you to take a bath together?
It had made Rubica freak out. She wanted to ask how she could ask such a thing, but the blushing maid didn’t seem to know what was wrong with her question.
‘Well yes, we are married.’
They had agreed to only look like a couple, but strangely, people seemed to think they were deeply in love. As they were actually cold to each other, Rubica wondered how people could be so wrong.
I will always take a bath in my bathroom.
The maids looked disappointed at hearing that. What had they been anticipating? Rubica wanted to ask. Why on earth were they thinking so wrongly? It probably had to do with Edgar’s attitude. He asked for permission to kiss her and often took her hand and pulled her close when others were watching. He probably wanted them to believe they were in love.
Moreover, there could be only one reason for him to do that. To screw her over. In fact, his abrupt actions did make her blush sometimes and he laughed at seeing her like that.
‘I must tell him to stop teasing me.’
However, her determination was shattered the moment the wall was opened and Edgar came from the duke’s chamber. His hair was wet, and his face looked so hot. It made her forget what she had to say for a second. She could tolerate his arrogance for as long as she could keep looking at his beautiful face.
Edgar made the maids go away. Then he plopped down on a chair opposite the bed and looked at Rubica. Although she was wearing a long and plain nightdress, he strangely felt restless. Was it because she had touched his body to tidy his clothes at dinner? Or was it because of the dress design he had seen this afternoon? Imagining Rubica wearing that dress made of diaphanous fabric made his heart beat fast again. It was driving his crazy. He wished that research he had entrusted to the scholars at the Academy to be done fast. However, could the heart beat so fast even when he wasn’t in a special situation? Maybe he had a disease even worse than his curse.
Rubica.
Hum?
He called her name and she replied. She looked so beautiful in the dim candlelight. Edgar felt like he was walking on clouds.
Rubica.
He called her name again and suddenly stood up. He sat down on a console right next to Rubica.
Why?
Rubica yelled. It was too close. How could he come so close without any warning in advance? Plus, water was still dripping down from his hair. He was still wet. Too many sensations. What was this man trying to do to her? She got mad.
I was just trying to talk,
he replied stiffly.
Rubica barely managed to calm down.
It’s too close.
Edgar smiled. At the same time, he liked it that she was aware of him. He didn’t argue and pushed his chair a step behind. Then he studied her. She was cooling her red cheeks with her cold hands.
Rubica…
What?
You’re blushing.
It had been bothering Rubica, and her cheeks became even hotter when Edgar mentioned it. Edgar said with laughter,
Now your face is on fire.
Stop teasing me!
Rubica glanced at the clock. Sadly, it wasn’t midnight yet. She, therefore, decided to use the time to say what she wanted to say.
