chapter 2
At Elizabeth’s question, Kiern stopped in his tracks and quietly looked at her.
His blue eyes sank into stillness, as if measuring something. Elizabeth asked again,
“…Right?”
Abigail Frery was the second daughter of the Marquis Frery family.
For generations, their family had been involved in shipbuilding, and with the recent surge in trade between kingdoms, they had grown rapidly.
Because of this, talks of an engagement between the two families—Agapel and Frery—had been circulating. A union between them would bring great benefit to future business ventures.
“Why do you think it wouldn’t happen?”
At Kiern’s gentle voice, Elizabeth’s lips parted slightly.
Did he think she was just being unreasonable because she disliked seeing him involved in marriage talks with another woman?
In truth, she couldn’t deny that her own feelings were mixed in.
But still—
If the Duchess were alive, she would never have allowed a political marriage like this.
‘Kiern, you must marry someone you truly love.’
Had he already forgotten the words the Duchess used to say?
The Duke and Duchess had been in an arranged marriage, and their relationship had not been harmonious. For a romantic like the Duchess, it had been a barren and lonely marriage.
The Duke was indifferent—and selfish. Now, perhaps out of belated regret, he hadn’t taken a new wife, but that didn’t mean the deceased Duchess would return.
Perhaps her illness had worsened because of loneliness. She had been someone who withered away, deprived of her husband’s love.
That was why she had wished, at the very least, for her son Kiern to meet someone he truly loved.
Not for family interests—but for his own heart.
She wanted him to love deeply, and be loved in return.
Even in her final moments, Elizabeth believed the Duchess had only wished for her son’s happiness.
So regardless of her own feelings, Elizabeth asked because she wanted Kiern to have the marriage he desired.
“If it’s necessary, I will.”
Kiern answered calmly, as if he already knew what she was trying to say.
Unable to hold back any longer, Elizabeth grabbed his wrist.
“Do you love Lady Frery?”
“Is that important?”
“It is. At least… the Duchess wished for her son to marry someone he loves.”
“Then I’ll try to love her.”
A man who says he’ll try to love someone.
Elizabeth felt as though Kiern was broken from somewhere deep inside.
Love wasn’t something you forced yourself into.
It was something that happened naturally, before you even realized it.
She was certain he didn’t like Abigail. If he did, he would have simply said so.
Moreover, there was only emptiness in his eyes when he looked at her. Just like the Duke had once looked at the Duchess—mere formality without any feeling.
That wasn’t the gaze of someone in love.
At least, Elizabeth—who knew love, who was already in love—could tell.
“If the Duchess knew, she’d be heartbroken. That her son ended up in a marriage he didn’t want.”
“Who said I don’t want it?”
“…Because that’s not the look of someone who does.”
“Don’t act like you know everything about me, Elizabeth. And where exactly did you hear about this engagement?”
So that was why he had looked at her strangely earlier.
In truth, Elizabeth had known for quite some time, but she hadn’t been able to bring herself to ask.
She had delayed and delayed, afraid of his answer—until now, when the Duke’s return was near.
“…I heard it from my mother. The Duke proposed your engagement to Lady Frery.”
“That’s interesting. How does Stella always hear things so quickly?”
Kiern’s lips twisted. It was a habit of his whenever something displeased him.
Elizabeth didn’t know what exactly had upset him, but she answered honestly.
“My mother is close with the head butler. And after the Duchess passed, she sometimes attends to the Duke as well… so she overheard it and told me.”
“What I mean is—why is your mother close with Gilbert, and why is she going in and out of my father’s chambers?”
“That’s because… the Duke often calls for her—”
She trailed off mid-explanation, only then realizing the intent behind his question.
Her face twisted in shock.
“Kiern… what are you trying to say?”
“Exactly what it sounds like.”
Kiern shrugged, feigning indifference.
But Elizabeth knew exactly what he was implying—and her body trembled.
Stella had been the Duchess’s most loyal attendant.
How could he make such a disgraceful insinuation about someone who had been both her trusted maid and friend?
Moreover, according to her mother, before the Duchess died, she had asked Stella to take care of the Duke.
Because of those last words, her mother had remained at the estate, continuing to serve him even after the Duchess’s death.
There was no reason for such a misunderstanding.
“Don’t insult my mother.”
Elizabeth protested softly, biting her lower lip.
At the sight, Kiern burst into laughter.
“I see. That kind of low rumor is too crude for our innocent Ellie to hear?”
“Kiern.”
“Well, Stella’s loyalty is something everyone knows. Even after my mother died, she’s been working tirelessly here, day and night.”
“Stop it, Kiern Agapel.”
“Fine. I was about to talk about something else anyway, Elizabeth.”
Muttering softly, Kiern gently removed her hand from his wrist.
Only then did Elizabeth realize she had been holding onto him the whole time, and her face flushed in embarrassment.
Watching her for a moment, Kiern continued,
“Don’t call me that in public anymore. Especially in front of Abigail. As you know, we may soon be engaged.”
“So you really are going through with it?”
“There’s no reason not to. So I’d like your cooperation.”
“……”
“Abigail already seems quite bothered by your presence. The only reason she tolerates it is because you’re the daughter of my mother’s friend.”
At his words defending Abigail, Elizabeth felt a sharp pain in her chest.
She already knew Abigail didn’t like her.
Even she thought that having a fiancé’s female friend wouldn’t sit well.
But Kiern had been her longtime friend.
Despite the vast difference in status, they had been inseparable until the Duchess’s death.
And now he was telling her not to even call him by his name or nickname in front of others.
It felt as though he was drawing a line—declaring they were no longer friends.
Clasping her trembling hands, Elizabeth asked,
“…Then what should I call you?”
After silently watching her, Kiern spoke coldly,
“Well… ‘young master’ would probably be best.”
“……”
“After all, before being friends, you’re the daughter of a maid, and I’m the young master of this house. Isn’t that the most natural?”
At his pointed words, Elizabeth struggled to keep her expression steady.
She knew there was truth hidden beneath his teasing tone.
“Then just tell me to leave this place.”
“Your mother is here, and you’d leave alone? What about her precious loyalty?”
Kiern chuckled and gently brushed his hand through Elizabeth’s red hair.
His touch, grazing her ear, was unexpectedly tender.
That only confused her more.
She couldn’t understand his feelings—and it hurt.
If she weren’t the daughter of a maid, she wouldn’t even dare to look at him.
Yet at moments like this, that very position felt like it was suffocating her.
When she remained still without resisting, Kiern let out a small laugh and withdrew his hand.
The place his touch had lingered felt colder than before.
Like someone who, having known warmth, could no longer endure the cold.
Elizabeth felt like crying and murmured softly,
“Why are you being so cruel?”
“Because I want to be.”
His reply was merciless.
The line he had drawn between them felt impossibly distant.
As she lowered her head to hide her tears, Kiern lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.
Her moist eyes looked up at him.
Unlike her, his gaze was cold.
It was the look of someone measuring something—like a predator deciding whether to devour its prey now or later.
But in the end, the result was the same.
A predator’s gaze.
And yet, part of her wanted to be consumed.
As if she had already been marked as his—like prey bearing the bite of a beast.
Elizabeth understood her own heart better than anyone.
She knew she could never win against him.
And that she loved him deeply.
Biting her lower lip, she lightly slapped his hand away and snapped,
“You’re awful.”
“What kind of scoundrel is also a gentleman?”
“I take that back. I’ve never seen such a terrible young master.”
“You give titles as you please and take them away just as easily. You’re quite selfish yourself, Elizabeth.”
“Wouldn’t Lady Frery hate this? You said I shouldn’t even call your name.”
Pointing at the hand that had touched her chin, Elizabeth retorted.
Kiern smiled brightly and replied,
“Well, she’ll be receiving much more than this soon. This level of contact is nothing.”
“You—!”
“You’re more conservative than I thought, Ellie.”
As Elizabeth stood there, face flushed red, Kiern lightly kissed the back of her hand.
It was a noble gesture—the same courtesy he showed Abigail.
“Or… is this what you wanted instead?”
There was mischief in his eyes.
As Elizabeth’s hand trembled in humiliation, Kiern turned and walked out of the drawing room.
“Then, Ellie… this ‘young master’ will take his leave.”
