TFCMD~06

Chapter 6

She was completely exhausted.

Even though she knew there was still a dress fitting waiting for her, Lauren felt like throwing everything away and collapsing right there.

What that “butterfly” had said wasn’t entirely wrong. At first, Lauren had considered becoming a governess for some noble household.

The reason she had ultimately rejected that path was exactly what the butterfly had warned about. It was not uncommon for governesses to be taken advantage of—by force, power, or status. Becoming the wife of an old nobleman’s second household, or being forced into the role of a tutor who was also treated as a mistress… Lauren wanted neither.

Her lost baronial house could not support her. She did not resent her father. Compared to other noble families, theirs had been poor, but the late Baron Sias—upright and honest—had been her pride. He had loved her deeply, supported her even when she said she didn’t want to enter high society, and taught her everything she wished to learn without hesitation.

But sometimes she couldn’t help wondering—what if her father had been like other nobles and accumulated wealth? What if he had pursued power? Would things have been better now?

Yet she dismissed the thought almost immediately.

Even if that had been the case, nothing would have changed much. She would still have been forced into an unwanted marriage for the sake of continuing the family line. And she would not have found meaning in her work the way she did now.

Lauren slapped both her cheeks lightly with her hands.

She couldn’t afford to be gloomy. At least not in front of Astor. It was a stubborn, inexplicable resolve.

Straightening her posture to clear her thoughts, she knocked on the door. A low voice answered from inside.

‘Come to think of it… that man’s voice is rather nice.’

The thought made her chuckle quietly. Good. Keeping a smile shouldn’t be too difficult.

Astor looked up and acknowledged her presence. Beside him stood Leti, with documents in hand.

“You’re back. Finished already?”

“No. It’s break time.”

Lauren sat beside him. Someone had placed a slice of whipped cream cake on the table. When she stared at it, Astor let out a faint laugh.

“Go ahead. Eat it.”

Lauren glanced at him. His green eyes curved faintly in amusement.

She really was hungry. Between exhaustion and constant work, she had barely noticed it before. She picked up a fork, cut into the cake, and took a decisive bite.

The soft cream and moist sponge melted across her tongue, sweetness spreading instantly.

“You’re not eating?”

“I don’t like sweet things.”

“I see. Then I won’t hold back.”

She continued eating the second bite. A small sigh escaped her without her realizing it. Leti refilled her empty teacup. Lauren nodded in thanks.

“Did something happen?”

Astor spoke only after Leti left the room with the documents.

Lauren, startled, shook her head with a fork still in her mouth.

He had seemed indifferent—but surprisingly observant. The man who was supposedly indifferent to everyone around him.

Astor leaned back, arms crossed, watching her with slow-moving green eyes.

Lauren abruptly turned her head away.

“Your cheeks are red.”

“It—it’s just hot. It’s hot in here.”

“…Hmm.”

His gaze returned forward. Lauren lowered her fork and pressed a hand lightly to her chest. He really was someone who kept her constantly off balance.

“What were you reading earlier?”

She changed the subject quickly, wrapping both hands around her teacup.

It wasn’t an inappropriate question. She was, after all, supposed to manage the duchy’s paperwork.

But Astor did not answer.

Lauren turned back toward him.

The faint smile that had been on his lips earlier had twisted into something sharp.

“…Classified.”

The single word was cold.

It stung more than she expected. Still, it made sense. Their marriage was not built on love or trust. She had not yet earned the right to see everything.

So she simply nodded.

He was better than the rumors suggested—better than the so-called “war hero” or “butcher.” But that didn’t mean he was safe. Even now, he could change at any moment.

Best not to provoke him.

For some reason, that thought left her feeling slightly disappointed.

Neither of them spoke after that.

Cake was eaten. Tea was drunk. Silence filled the room so completely it felt like even the wind outside had stopped.

Then—

Knock, knock.

The door opened before Leti could return.

It was Calvin.

“Garnet has arrived.”

The name made Astor rise immediately.

Lauren’s eyes followed him instinctively.

Their gazes met briefly—his expression unreadable, her purple eyes slightly tense.

“I should go,” he said.

“Alright.”

Astor lingered for a moment, then left with Calvin.

As he passed her, something barely audible slipped from his lips.

“…Sorry.”

It was so faint she almost missed it.

Lauren stared at his retreating figure.

She could no longer understand Astor at all.

Late Night

In the dimly lit office, Astor sat alone on the long sofa.

One hand supported the back of his head while the other held a document he reread again and again. His brows were tightly furrowed.

A knock interrupted the silence. At his permission, the door opened.

Calvin entered carrying a tray with a bottle and glass.

“Jasmine requests an audience.”

Astor nodded slowly.

While Calvin fetched the guest, Astor set the document aside and poured himself a drink. He took a sip of the amber liquid and exhaled deeply.

“Your Grace.”

A reproachful voice.

Astor looked up lazily. A faint smile touched his lips.

“Drinking this frequently is not good for you.”

“I know.”

He leaned back and stretched slightly, resting against the sofa.

“So?”

A short question. No subject, no object—just intent.

Jasmine smiled despite the bluntness.

“May I ask how you met her?”

“Pointless question.”

Astor answered flatly.

But Jasmine kept smiling.

She had once worked in this household. People from his childhood were always difficult to deal with.

He exhaled sharply.

“She is a good person,” Jasmine said gently. “She could have demanded a more extravagant lifestyle as a duchess, but she chose only modest things. I had to remind her of her status myself. She seemed unaccustomed to being served, yet she accepted everything with composure.”

Her smile deepened.

“To me, she is already a perfect duchess. Elegant, dignified—nothing more is needed.”

“She must have impressed you.”

“Yes.”

Astor took another drink.

Jasmine was perceptive. If she said so, it could be trusted.

“Garnet seems to have brought the report,” she said, glancing at the papers.

Astor didn’t respond.

“I thought you would have finished investigating it already.”

“…I finished investigating her already.”

His gaze drifted toward the report.

There was something in it that bothered him.

Jasmine would be the one best suited to resolve it.

“How long will it take to prepare the duchess’s wardrobe?”

“If she prefers simplicity, it won’t take long. About a week, if we prioritize it.”

“Good.”

Astor handed her a page from the report.

Jasmine scanned it quickly, her expression sharpening.

“…Do you think you can find her?”

He did not answer immediately.

Instead, he watched her carefully.

Lauren had become a necessary person.

Not just for the duchy—but for him.

He did not want to owe her anything. That was all.

“…I will do my best.”

Astor nodded once.

Jasmine left after a bow, and silence returned.

Astor stared at the report again.

It kept pricking at his thoughts like a thorn.

He didn’t understand why he was paying attention to it.

He drained his glass.

Leaning back, he closed his eyes.

Something in his chest felt uncomfortably tight.

And with a long sigh, he let it out into the darkness.