NLBWM 07

Chapter – 07

“Your hands are so soft.”

“Oh my, you too, darling.”

Startled by Cassian’s sudden remark, Eveline blushed.

Because Eveline remained still, Cassian could closely observe her hands.

No calluses.

Normally, a knight’s palms and knuckles would bear the marks of training. Even with excellent care, signs of wear—blisters, calluses—would inevitably show.

Yet Eveline’s hands were smooth and polished, as if she had never labored physically in her life.

Was it simply that a lady’s hands were naturally this delicate?

Her hand fit perfectly in his, small and dainty. It even had a faint, pleasant scent, and every time he gently rubbed the back of her hand with his fingers, the sensation was surprisingly delightful…

“I’m losing my mind.”

“Pardon?”

“Nothing. Madam, please join me for dinner.”

To chase away his inappropriate thoughts, Cassian quickly stood up, pulled out a chair, and seated Eveline.

She’s already someone else’s. Focus.

Repeating the thought to calm his racing heart, he still found his gaze drifting toward her.

“Why, darling?”

“Nothing.”

Her normally easy-to-meet gaze now felt impossible to hold. His face flushed as he turned away, filled with confusion.

What is this feeling?

An impulsive craving. An unfamiliar emotion.

The more he pondered, the deeper he sank into this unknown swamp. Though he could not articulate it, one thing was clear: he needed distance from this “bait” for the time being.

He wasn’t running away—he just needed to clear his head.

After escorting Eveline back to her room, Cassian hurriedly summoned Hans, tossing him a robe.

“Prepare for the inspection.”

“Hmph, something feels off.”

Cassian had been acting strangely these past few days.

Since that meal in the dining hall, she hadn’t seen his face.

Had their previous conversation caused discomfort? There had been a minor quarrel over the ledger, but otherwise, their relationship had been fine.

She thought they would return to her room after exchanging glances and holding hands in the dining hall, but…

[Please, rest, Madam.]

He vanished like the wind, leaving nothing but this polite remark.

Already unsettled from not resolving the ledger issue, now she couldn’t even see him.

She had hoped to spend tea time together, but his hair, his very shadow, was nowhere to be seen.

She let out a deep sigh.

“Madam sighs as she sits on the sofa, drinking her tea.”

“And loudly too!”

Her maids’ eyes lit up as they began recording.

Did they think she couldn’t hear them? Of course she could.

“It’s all audible.”

“Whoops!”

Mary and Rose both covered their mouths in shock, clearly asking how she had known.

Answering them in detail seemed tedious, so she only gave a casual reply.

“I can actually read people’s minds.”

“Oh my! No wonder!”

“Hmmm… that’s why His Excellency has been avoiding you.”

These girls… dredging up memories she had tried to forget.

She briefly considered using a cane to educate them.

Wait, that makes me sound like a villain!

She shuddered at her own thought.

“Hmm. Mary, Rose, what does my husband like?”

“His Excellency? Not sure there’s anything in particular.”

“Hmmm… he seems indifferent to most foods.”

“What does he dislike?”

“Sweet fruits.”

“Especially orange ones?”

Wait, I gave him a lot of that at the dining hall!

[Darling, Harmon pairs well with sweet fruits.]

She had wanted to make the fruit more enjoyable, wrapping a red Harmon around a melon-like fruit for him.

At that moment, Cassian had shown no noticeable reaction—no acceptance, no refusal.

Then he unexpectedly took her hand.

And what happened?

His grip had tightened. She had instinctively wanted to twist his wrist, but realizing it was Cassian, she quietly blushed.

He wants me to feed him.

He kept his gaze fixed on her hand, avoiding eye contact—there was no doubt.

Wanting to match his first attempt at intimacy, she took a crimson fruit from the plate, wrapped it with red Harmon, and fed it to him.

Using only one hand was awkward, but he accepted every piece she offered.

By the time half the plate was gone, he suddenly stood and gestured for her to eat as well.

[Madam, you should join me.]

She thought they had finally communicated well when he pulled out her chair.

“No wonder he’s been so quiet.”

He had been suppressing his dislike to appear dignified in front of his wife!

She had misread the signals—what she thought was him requesting more touches was actually him trying to endure something unpleasant.

I was wrong.

She had assumed he loved it, but he had only been tolerating it. She needed to apologize first.

The only problem: she had no idea when Cassian would return.

What should I do?

Lost in thought, she was interrupted.

“Excuse me, Madam.”

A knock preceded the arrival of the butler, Sebastian.

Sebastian, his graying hair neatly tied, bowed politely as he observed Eveline.

She appeared curious but had no suspicions.

Until the fake ledger was ready, Sebastian had avoided her, knowing she frequently requested it.

“Ah, I heard you wanted to see the ledger.”

“Yes. Is that the ledger tucked under your side?”

Astute as ever, he immediately noticed, even though the ledger was rolled up on purpose.

This kind of tension hasn’t come around in a long time.

Sebastian’s hands were sweaty. His white gloves concealed it, but he felt like prey facing a top predator.

I can’t give her the real ledger.

Though treated as the Duchess, Eveline’s true identity was Princess Selrdian and Cassian Hetus’ beloved.

In such a friendly situation, it might pass unnoticed, but if she regained her memories, things could change.

So Sebastian placed a fake ledger on the table, modeled closely after the real one.

“This is the ledger.”

“You’re giving it up so easily?”

“Yes. Though I stubbornly resisted before, I now believe it’s right to hand it over.”

Eveline picked it up silently.

Her eyes examined it like a predator sizing up prey.

“This looks too neat for a ledger. The ink doesn’t even look aged.”

Damn!

In the rush to create the ledger, he had made a mistake. He maintained his composure, signaling the maids to cooperate.

“Preservation magic was applied to make it appear new, Madam.”

“Exactly! The Dukedom’s preservation magic is extraordinary!”

“The Dukedom’s magic rivals the Imperial Court!”

“I see.”

Though skeptical, Eveline let it slide, flicking her hand over it.

Sebastian bowed politely and left for the corridor.

“How did it go?”

Sophia, pacing nervously outside, rushed to ask Sebastian upon seeing him.

“For now, it seems fine.”

Sebastian gave a reassuring look and recounted the events with Eveline.

After hearing the explanation, Sophia’s expression relaxed.

“So we’ve cleared this hurdle.”

“Yes. She may notice eventually, but aside from crucial secrets, it’s essentially the truth.”

“Still, isn’t this problematic?”

They began tallying the ledger, covering past and upcoming dues, uncollected taxes, and various pending payments.

Though there were some gains, there were significant losses as well. Looking at the dense negatives, surely…

“Ahhh!”

They recognized the voice and dashed toward its source.

“Madam!”