Translated: reireiss, MTLs-nim 

Edited: reireiss, Grammarly ssi 

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Chapter 7

Every time he meets me in the dining room or corridor, Alexander looks at my cheeks and his face is petrified as if he doesn't like something. Whenever I saw him, I would smile awkwardly and ignore him.

Then he wouldn't step and just looked at me from behind until I was gone. Even though I don't have eyes behind my body, I can feel his gaze clearly.

For the past few days, I've been ignoring Alexander. Except when eating, I was always in my room and watched the flowers blooming through the window. When my mother was alive, every day was a happy day. Sometimes I would even go to my mother and comb her soft golden hair.

'Ophelia, you look like a mother.'

My Mother always took my hand and said that. I smiled behind her, hugging my mother's slender shoulders. I'm really happy.

Knock, Knock

"Miss, may I clean your room?"

asked a maid who came in shortly after she knocked on the door. To be honest, I haven't used a blanket for 3 days. I just sat quietly by the window, and slowly I stood up.

"Yes."

The maid passed me and opened the window. The winter wind blows. The blonde-haired maid was moving here and there.

I want to have hair like that maid. I want my hair to be like my mother's, as well as the color and features of my eyes.

"It's very cold, isn't it? But the weather is very nice today. Miss, you can't stay in your room and be sad. How about you put on a warm dress and go for a walk?"

asked the maid, then she went into the changing room and took the coat. What is this maid's name? I never asked. In this Manor, the maids whispered and looked at me from behind whenever I passed them, but I had never seen this maid before.

"...Then, I'll go to the greenhouse."

I wrapped myself in a light brown fur scarf over the coat the maid had given me. The maid escorted me out of the room with a book, after which she started to change the sheets.

"It's cold."

As soon as I stepped out of the front door, the chill hit me. Those who were born and raised in the North say that this is good weather? Come to think of it, I've heard that the knights in this Manor train their bodies on a snowy day.

I reached the greenhouse, and exhaled white breath. Next time I'll bring gloves, that's what I thought.

"Oh, isn't this beautiful Ophelia?"

I chose the wrong place. As soon as I entered the greenhouse, I immediately turned my eyes to where the sound was coming from. It was the middle-aged man who made eye contact with me a few days ago. If I'm not mistaken, Adrian?

"I thought you were gone, Sir."

Whenever I go out to eat, the dining room is always empty. So I guess the Arpad Family's relatives are gone. Neither the red-haired old woman nor Catherine had a loud voice anymore.

"It's true I'm going, but I haven't been here in a long time. So I asked Alex to let me stay here for a few more days."

'Yes, I don't care about the Duke's assets or power. So Alexander did not need to build a wall to cover himself.'

After explaining that, Adrian put down the cigar he was biting. As for me, I have a book in my hand so I can't do this or that. "How to put it, isn't it fate for us to meet like this. So how about we take a walk outside? Sometimes I need some sunshine for entertainment."

He held out his hand to me. I picked up the book and said,

"Thanks for the offer, but I came here to read a book."

"Isn't that you can read a romantic novel any time?"

Casually, Adrian ignored my answer. It was hard to resist because he smiled confidently, he even said that his hands were cold. Moreover, he was Count Lassis, one of Arpad's close relatives.

Basically, I'm in a difficult position. I couldn't just refuse his invitation. I was forced to accept Adrian's hand.

"Your hands are cold. A woman must stay warm."

Adrian immediately grabbed my hand without permission. I hope he will at least act like Alexander, and be gentlemanly by saying 'Excuse me'. I feel uncomfortable with Adrian.

"Miss Ophelia. No, can I just call you Ophelia?"

"...Please."

What power do I have to resist it? I grumbled in my heart.

"Do you remember what I said last time?"

"I do not know what you are talking about..."

"About me looking for a bride."

What does that have to do with me? I looked at Adrian and followed in his footsteps. I hope he won't propose to me here, I pray to God that it doesn't happen.

"I heard you entered adulthood this year. Don't you think I'm good enough? Maybe not as good as Arpad, but it's enough for an abundant life. Of course, after you get married, you have to work hard to give birth to a successor. if you give me 3 sons-"

"Oh, wait a minute. Someone ran in here. Did something happen?"

I cut Adrian off. I was shocked when I heard all those words. 'Don't you think I'm good enough?' Of course not. I would not marry a man who was 20 years older than me, even if I was a homeless woman with no roof to shelter from.

"...Even though you are an ordinary person, your attitude is still impolite. When an adult speaks, you must listen carefully."

Then, you're trying to get an ordinary woman who's just turned 20 to be your bride? I don't know if I sighed at being speechless.

"Miss... Miss Ophelia!"

The one who ran was the maid who cleaned my room. She wasn't even wearing a coat, so her face was red and she was having trouble breathing. The maid looked at me and looked at Adrian for a moment then said to me.

"Young Master is looking for you."

"...Alexander?"

That's impossible. Alexander will not tell anyone to call me.

"Yes, he said that this is an important matter."

"Where should I go?"

I felt that this was a little strange, but I asked the maid anyway. Adrian who was beside me coughed loudly.

"The conversation isn't over yet."

“I beg your pardon, Sir. But, Young Master said to convey it immediately.”

Obviously, the maid while lowering her head and apologized. Her hands looked rough because she had been doing housework for a long time.

"Mr. Adrian, I'd like to take a little longer walk with you. But... I have to go on an important matter."

I ask for Adrian's understanding that I didn't mean to do anything rude. His thick brows twitched, but he removed his hand from my arm. At least I'm lucky that Alexander has more power here. By the way, the timing is perfect. I was thinking of a way to get away from Adrian. I was still busy thinking when the maid told me to hurry to the training ground.

As I walked, I could hear Adrian yelling at the maid. I feel so bad for the maid, I guess I should pay more attention to her later.

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"Alexander."

The distance between the greenhouse and the training ground is quite far. It was because the Duke's Manor had such a large area of ​​land. I almost jogged to get to this training ground. Of course, my cheeks turned red, just like the maid from earlier.

"...Sister?"

I didn't know that the knights of the North actually practiced their swordsmanship in the midst of Winter like this. Alexander is running on the training ground wearing only pants. Then he came to me, he looked surprised to see me at the entrance to the training ground.

"What's wrong, Sis? Why is your face red again?"

I don't know because it's been hidden under clothes. Alexander's shoulders are so wide, his lower chest so tight, and his abs so defined, it makes you want to touch him.

"Nice shape..."

"What? What did you say?"

Sh*t! My heart seems to flow freely. Thank goodness Alexander didn't hear my little mutter earlier, is this a relief? I turned my head, trying not to see his upper body.

"Oh, no. I'm here because you called me."

Alexander wiped his face with the towel given by a knight. Then, he tilted his head as if something was wrong.

"I called you."

"Yes."

"Me? Calling you, Sis?"

"That's what I heard."

What was the important thing that made me have to come to the training ground, a place I had never been to before? I'm interested.

"There is something wrong?"

I turned my head and asked. Alexander's beautiful face looks confused.

Hah?

"...It is not like that?"

"What are you talking about, Sis? ...Wait. I don't know what you're talking about."

"Why- You know, blonde maid with short cut hair..."

He touched the back of his neck, Alexander looked even more clueless. He knitted his beautiful eyebrows.

"Who's that? I don't know the names of the maids."

"I don't know."

"Besides, I never call you if it's nothing personal."

"...Hah?"

"Nothing important."

I was speechless, and could only blink a few times. Somehow, it's a strange thing that Alexander actually called me. Not far from here, knights who were as large as bears gathered and looked around as if they didn't see us. Among them, the knight who gave Alexander the towel suddenly stood up.

"Young Master."

The knight held out his index finger up, pointing at the sky. Alexander looked up and confirmed where the sun was now, and he muttered, "Ah!"

"I'll be there soon."

Obviously. After that, he hung the towel around his waist and looked at me.

"Sister."

Instead of answering his calls, I prefer to make eye contact with him. The soft silver-gray eyes. Alexander smiled gently.

"I think the maid misunderstood. Of course, I'm glad that Sister visited me here."

But still, this is weird. Why is he saying such nonsense?

Alexander wiped the sweat off his cheeks. The sweaty knight... It looked elegant, not rude. I don't know if he was born that way, but all the moves he makes look so noble and mature. Just now, Adrian said that I wasn't polite because I was an ordinary person.

"...So."

Are you happy with that? I smiled like Alexander because I thought it would be fine if I put on a straight face. He looked at me, just silent, and for a moment he smiled.

"Anyway, I'll call that maid and talk to her later. I've failed as leader of Arpad for allowing a misunderstanding like this to happen."

"No, don't do that."

I took a step closer to Alexander and opened my mouth. I don't know why, but I think she saved me from Adrian even though she didn't hear my conversation with Adrian.

I won't have the face to see her if Alexander scolds that maid. Anyway, I thank her.

"...If that's what you want, Sis."

He shrugged. Alexander who is near me doesn't smell sweat but had the sweet smell of soap, which he used to use.

"Sister, I think I should leave soon. I will finish my training before sunset."

"Okay. Then, I'll be back."

After saying that, I stayed where I was and saw Alexander turn around first. There's no reason for that.

"Oh, Sister."

After walking a few steps, he suddenly stopped as if remembering something.

"Your cheeks, they look so much better. I'm grateful to see them."

And he grins like a bad boy. Instantly I reflexively touched my cheek. Even though I thought that his grin didn't suit him, I subconsciously laughed at him.


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