episode_0003

Episode 3

For a while, I decided to stay quiet in the mansion. The attention from the Yeongji family was burdensome, and since life had become familiar, it seemed like I should gradually get closer to my wife’s family.

“But everyone seems busy, so I can’t find the right timing to talk.”

The master’s mother-in-law, of course, and even the father-in-law were always busy helping with work. Although I could see their faces at meal times, there was never a moment to suggest having tea.

I was pondering how to continue living together when walking in the garden.

“What’s this?”

Someone had collapsed in the garden.

—

Christiana opened her eyes, looked at her familiar ceiling, sighed, and got up.

She must have collapsed again, waking up in her room after strolling in the garden a while ago.

This had happened several times before, but the self-loathing that arose each time did not improve easily.

“Why am I so frail even though I’m a woman?”

Christiana had been fragile since birth. Even as a baby, she had faced several life-threatening situations.

Although her health had improved compared to before as she grew older, this fact had never been a source of comfort for Christiana.

“Is anyone out there?”

“Yes, Miss.”

In response to Christiana’s call, the butler Tommy entered promptly.

Knowing that men are weaker than women regardless of appearance, Tommy felt even more sorry because he was physically small.

“Thank you for moving me. And thank you for finding me quickly.”

Even if she disliked her body, gratitude had to be expressed properly. That’s why she said it, but Tommy was surprised and lowered his head.

“It wasn’t me who found the lady collapsed in the garden and moved her; it was Edward.”

“Edward?”

Frowning at the unfamiliar name, Christiana soon buried her face in the blanket.

“That’s Layla’s husband’s name!”

If it were the servants, it would have been better. Of course, being transferred by a woman to a man was embarrassing enough, but they were there by her side for that purpose.

But if it was her younger sister’s husband, it was a completely different story. Moreover, he had been sick throughout the wedding and she hadn’t even seen him once.

“Tommy.”

“Yes?”

“Please kill me.”

“Oh, that’s a bit much.”

Having her biggest wish rejected, Christiana sighed deeply and then got up from bed.

Fortunately or unfortunately, she was fine due to fainting once. She thought she could go and at least say thank you.

“To be honest, I don’t want to go meet him. A woman going to a man to thank him for moving her? What a shameful play.”

However, ignoring help received was unacceptable not just as a woman but also as a noble. Especially now that he had become part of the family, he should not be ignored even more.

Putting on a suitable gown, Christiana went outside and had to call Tommy again.

“Tommy.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“Where is this person Edward now?”

“I believe he’s still in the garden.”

Christiana thought she did well to call Tommy. Otherwise, she might have wandered around the mansion looking for him like a fool.

Heading towards the garden, Christiana easily found Edward. Sitting on a bench reading a book, he noticed her and stood up.

“You’re Christiana, right? Are you feeling better now?”

At the sight of Edward, Christiana harbored the impression that he was an unusual man. He was very tall, had a good physique, and unlike other men, his lines were bold.

She made a unique impression, which could be described positively as having a unique feeling or negatively as an unmanly man, on her younger sister’s husband.

“Was Leila’s taste this unique?”

She didn’t quite understand, but since he wasn’t her husband anyway, but her younger sister’s husband, she should respect his taste.

Christiana bowed politely towards Edward.

“Thank you for helping, Edward. And you don’t have to use honorifics. You are now part of our Bell family.”

“Is that so? Understood.”

Christiana walked over to Edward and sat down with him, as it was odd that he came just to thank them and quickly turned to leave after the greeting.

“Tommy, please bring some tea and snacks.”

Seeing Tommy head back to the mansion, Christiana looked at Edward. He seemed to be waiting, so she spoke.

“I’m not sure if I should say this, but things worked out well. I wanted to have a proper conversation with Leila’s family members anyway.”

“Me too. I couldn’t attend the wedding and it bothered me all along.”

Their conversation flowed smoothly. Edward only asked Christiana if she was okay at first, and after she said she was fine, he didn’t seem to worry about her state anymore.

Moreover, he asked various questions about Leila and her parents, which were typical things one might wonder about as a newly joined family member, making it easy for Christiana to answer.

“It’s strange. Isn’t it awkward?”

Even though she thought that, she didn’t feel any awkwardness towards Edward. Above all, she found it very comfortable that Edward didn’t excessively scrutinize her like other people.

“It feels like he has become just like ordinary people.”

However, in Christiana’s eyes, Edward wasn’t the type to enjoy gossip like other men. Even when the conversation paused, he casually sipped his tea and ate his snacks.

Typical women might think, “Are there really men like this?” But for Christiana, he was just right.

“Does Edward like books?”

“Oh, this? I brought it from Leila because I was bored. I’ve hardly read books in my life, but it’s actually quite interesting.”

The work Edward was reading was one Christiana knew. Spending most of her time at the mansion limited her activities, and reading was one of them.

“That author has many interesting works.”

“Oh, then you might recommend something.”

When Edward showed interest in her limited hobby, Christiana felt happy. And then, she lost control and blurted out,

“There are plenty! What genre do you like? This author writes novels in various genres. The adventure novel you’re reading now is good, but detective stories are also very interesting. Oh, but personally, I think the best work is the first work that expressed chivalry as literature…”

As Christiana rapidly continued speaking, she suddenly stopped. Her face, which had been lowered, turned red as if it would burst.

“Crazy. What am I doing right now?”

It was embarrassing. Not the fact that she liked reading, but the fact that she had blurted out her favorite topic without thinking in front of her sister’s husband.

“What should I do? It’s scary to lift my head.”

Based on the conversation they had so far, Edward was an incredibly polite man, almost unbelievably so for someone who was recently a commoner. Therefore, he wouldn’t openly disdain her for making a fool of herself. However, the enjoyable conversation was inevitably becoming awkward.

“Ooh. I’m a fool!”

Edward spoke to Kristina, who wanted to wrap her head and run away if she could.

“Kristina knows a lot.”

“…Yes?”

“No, I just felt that way listening to the conversation. Especially, it feels like you really enjoy reading. As someone with no particular hobbies, I envy that.”

Kristina raised her head and blinked blankly. Edward wasn’t flattering or trying to please her.

He truly envied her.

“I don’t have much to envy…”

“I may not be one to speak, but I think being able to focus on something is a blessing in itself. Otherwise, life would be too dull and boring.”

A blessing. It was a word she had never heard in her life. It was also a word she thought would never suit her.

‘Can a woman like me, weak and sickly, whining all the time, deserve such a blessing…?’

Kristina thought she was in trouble. For some reason, she felt like she might cry.

Not wanting to show a pitiful sight of crying in front of a man due to her pride as a woman, Kristina quickly got up from her seat.

“I’m sorry. I’m not feeling well, so I should go in first.”

“Yes. It was a pleasant conversation, Kristina.”

As Kristina, who was about to turn around and return to the mansion, stopped her steps, without turning back, she said:

“…If it’s okay, would you like to talk again tomorrow?”

“You don’t need to ask for permission. I am also a member of the Bell family.”

Responding with the same words he had said before, Edward answered. Kristina softly replied ‘Yes’ and quickly walked back to the mansion.

She felt like both tears and laughter were about to come out.

—

After that, Kristina and Chris met occasionally and talked.

She was a good conversation partner. The recommended books were interesting, and they read together or shared their thoughts on books.

She thought she worked hard to get close to Layla’s family.

So, wanting a little praise, she told Layla about what had happened over the past few days.

“…”

For some reason, after returning home, Layla’s face, which had been smiling at me, hardened.

Strange. What was the problem? No matter how much I thought about it, there was nothing strange.

“I just tried to get close to Layla’s family. And talking to Chris was also for Layla’s sake…”

“Chris? What’s that? Why is Edward calling my sister by an affectionate nickname?”

It’s not an affectionate nickname. It was just a suggestion to call her Chris because her name was long and difficult to say every time.

“That’s an affectionate nickname. Harshly. I haven’t even called her by an affectionate nickname yet. Why are you calling my sister by an affectionate nickname?”

Oh, is this a living hell? Really?

“Layla has nothing to say about whether to shorten it or not.”

“Shorten it. Call her Leila, Ilala, Lera, whatever, just shorten it somehow.”

“Even if the front is okay, everything behind is weird.”

I didn’t think I said anything particularly strange, but Layla seemed to have a different opinion.

After hearing my words, she trembled and pushed me with both hands, trying to push me onto the bed.

“Why won’t you fall?”

She fell. When she did, Layla climbed on top of me and started undressing me.

“Do you dare play with another woman while enduring and striving every day despite being newlyweds?”

“Even if it’s another woman, it’s your sister, and as far as I remember, I haven’t endured or neglected anyone.”

She thinks that if she has a conscience, she shouldn’t say such things like that every night.

“I’m going to take a two-day vacation starting tomorrow. I’ll stick to you for those two days and make sure I know who you are.”

The sincere palace knight was truly remarkable.

In many ways.

Two days later, looking at me like a wreck, the master patted my shoulder and gave me something good for my body.

“……”

It was a herbal tonic.

Drinking the herbal tonic, I felt the warmth of family for the first time in my life.