Chapter 28

Translator: Yonnee

 
__
 

When the unconscious chain of thoughts finally reached its end, and Adeline gave her calm reply.

“Mm, that’s right. We’ve decided to become lovers. This is kind of the proof of that… Ah!”

Carlisle’s hand had unintentionally tightened.

Only then did he snap out of his thoughts in shock. As he lifted his hand from Adeline and raised his head, he saw her turning away, complaining about the pain caused by his earlier mistake.

“That hurts, Carlisle…”

Their gazes met in midair.

In that moment, Carlisle’s firmly shut lips suddenly parted.

But what spilled out wasn’t an apology for his mistake.

“There’s something I’d like to ask, Milady.”

Carlisle’s gaze slowly dropped to Adeline’s nape, then returned.

“Do you love that man?”

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵

At the unfamiliar question, Adeline suddenly wondered—

‘Does Carlisle even realize?’

What kind of expression he was making right now.

The moment she faced Carlisle’s reflection in the mirror, Adeline had to suppress a laugh that almost escaped her.

How could she not find it amusing?

‘Just a moment ago, I was worrying about how to win Carlisle over.’

To think the answer would come so easily.

Carlisle always maintained a blank face.

It had often been frustrating not knowing what he was thinking because of that.

‘You look displeased, Carlisle.’

On the face that should have been expressionless, a clear sign of displeasure had surfaced.

It was a crack.

A facial expression she had never once seen on Carlisle until now.

His usually composed face was visibly creased.

His mouth was more tightly closed than usual, and the displeasure in his gaze revealed his feelings without filter.

It was a rare and overt display of emotion.

‘He’s never shown that in front of me before.’

At most, he might nag her like earlier, but there had never been any true feeling detectable in the habitual Carlisle.

And yet.

‘Could this… be the method?’

The way to sway Carlisle.

To stir him, pull out what lay inside, shake him, and finally bring him to his knees.

Could it be…

A soft, incredulous chuckle escaped Adeline’s lips.

“Carlisle, you’re suddenly so full of questions. Is that part of your duties too?”

“It… is not. I apologize.”

“No need to apologize. I only asked because it’s strange seeing you like this.”

If anything, Adeline was grateful.

Thanks to this, she had been able to witness Carlisle’s inner self so clearly. In truth, from her perspective, the fact that Carlisle was reacting this way over mere marks left on her body was rather ridiculous.

‘It’s not even something difficult to share.’

Adeline slowly stood from her seat, gently brushing her hand over her neck.

“Since you seem curious, I’ll tell you. Jack Hatzfeld did it. I started seeing him as of today.”

“…Then, did he act so familiarly on the very first day of your relationship?”

His restrained voice somehow carried the implication of How dare he?

“Don’t misunderstand. I initiated it.”

“You did… with Jack Hatzfeld?”

“Yes.”

Adeline replied lightly, stepping in front of Carlisle and tilting her head slightly.

“Carlisle, are you curious whether I love him?”

“…Yes. If you do, I thought it necessary to know, as you might marry him.”

“Aha.”

So that was the best excuse he could come up with? Marriage?

Given that the butler of House Zeller wasn’t exactly the flexible type, perhaps it was best to consider it an admirable attempt.

But how unfortunate for you, Carlisle.

A mirror once cracked can never return to its original form—and human relationships are even more irreversible than that. Adeline reached out and flicked the button at Carlisle’s collar.

“But you know, Carlisle.”

For a brief moment, Carlisle’s face had returned to its usual blank mask.

Adeline’s green eyes stared sharply into it.

“Why is it… that your words sound like lies to me?”

“…Pardon?”

At those words, Carlisle couldn’t help but show his confusion.

And in that instant.

Adeline grabbed Carlisle by the collar and yanked him toward her.

As if she were about to kiss him.