CHAPTER 52

"If you're free, you can come over for tea."

Killian, who thought easy and offered Edith tea time, was politely rejected.

"I'm fine, Killian. thanks for asking."

It was as if she was aware of Killian's offer as a courtesy.

'Hmm. . . . .was my attitude too rude?'

A little embarrassed, Killian invited Edith to join him for dinner the next day.

"You're welcome to come down and eat in the dining room since you always seem to eat alone in your room."

"Ah. . . . . "

"Speaking of which, why don't we have a meal together today?"

"I know the Duke still uncomfortable with me, so I don't want to interrupt his meal time. Thanks for the offer, Killian."

It was the second rejection.

'Well, it's true that my father is still reluctant to Edith.'

Struggling with how to make suggestions that other family members might not bother with, Killian spoke casually, as if it there's no another day.

"The weather is nice today, so I'm going to take a walk in the garden for a while. Would you like to come with me?"

However, Edith, who was surprised with her eyes wide open, smiled and shook her head again.

"No. The sun is still hot, so I'm going to stay in my room."

". . . . .if you say so."

After the third rejection, Killian felt like Edith was avoiding him.

'Why the hell? I even kicked out that damn maid, didn't I? Then isn't it not enough to hang on to say thank you?'

At the same time, he feels offended. The next day, Killian dropped by Edith's room again without a hitch and offered Edith to go to the tea party with him. But the answer was the same and unexpected.

"Is it a duty?"

"It's not. . . . .a duty, but."

"Killian, do you really want to go to this tea party?"

"That's not it."

"Then may I ask why you're asking me to go?"

"That's it. . . .women like that, don't they?"

Edith's eyes looked surprised again, but then she said, 'That's all'. And then shook her head.

"If it's because of me, you don't have to."

"Don't you like it?"

"I don't have any particular desire to go right now, and I don't want to take away your time with something like that."

It was too subtle a rejection to be offended by.

"I got it."

"Thanks for asking."

"I'm not sure if you really appreciate it."

With a bitter taste in his mouth, Killian had no choice but to return to his room like a defeated soldier.

'Come to think of it, I haven't seen Edith go to another house party since we got married. . . . . maybe she getting tired of the party?'

I couldn't help but feel a little nervous at the same time.

***

"Someone gave me <Peridot>'s strawberry tart as a gift. Would you like to eat it together with me?"

Just before the afternoon tea time, Killian stopped by on the way and casually suggested.

"Strawberry tart from <peridot>?"

Wow, this temptation is too hard to resist. I've always been curious about <Peridot> strawberry tarts, which is you can't buy it without standing in line before the shop opens.

"Well. Thank you, but I've been eating too much of dessert these days, and I'm getting a little fat. . . . . How about having it with Miss Lizzy?"

"With Lizzy. . . . ? are you serious?"

"Of course! I never hold anything against the two of you!"

I tried my best to convince him with my selflessness, but I could feel Killian's lips tilt up in a pout, and his eyes grew vicious.

"If it's just me and Lizzy, you don't mind if we stick together, do you...?"

Finally, it seems that he has been able to take a look at my true feelings.

"Of course! I know very well that the two of you have been living like a family for a long time. I have no intention of interrupting the intimate relationship between the two of you. Never!"

"Uh. . . . .!"

However, his angry expression rarely unfolded, perhaps because he didn't believe it.

"Really. . . . I mean it . . . "

"I see. Then excuse me."

Killian turned round. Then, he moved away with the strawberry tart of <Peridot>.

'I've always wanted to try it once, but. . . . . Won't you give me some piece of the leftovers?'

I had a terrible appetite, but that does not make me stop eating here. It's just that i wanted strawberry tart earlier, but Killian might find out that i am making a sloppy excuse so far.

'You have to maintain a clean relationship without being clingy. Never fall for Killian's test.'

I had recently been rejecting several of his proposals in oder to change Killian bad view toward me. Who denies me and misunderstands me as lewd. It was clear that Killian was testing me, seeing him making a favor several times that he did not normally do.

'How many times has it been? Is it already Seventh or Eighth?'

Although it's a bit frustrating to pretend to refuse his favor, since all his suggestions involve doing something close to him, it's not hard to figure out his intentions.

'If I continue to convince him with my sincerity, maybe one day Killian will believe me. Maybe that's why he tested me on purpose? Is it Like the last hurdle. . . . .?'

I pushed myself harder, feeling proud that I was able to pass his tests one by one. But the next day, Lizzy, who hadn't gotten out of bed yet, called me. I still had to convince Lizzy with my innocence, so I made my way to the room where she lay. I didn't bring a gift because I was afraid of another suspicion.

"Lizzy! how are you feeling? I was very worried."

"I heard Edith had a hard time, too. Why these things keep happening. . . . ."

"I read somewhere that in times like this, just assume it's because I'm cute."

". . . . .Yes?"

I just smiled broadly at Lizzy, who looked puzzled and confused. Lizzy hesitated, then spoke with difficulty.

"By the way, Edith. Is there anything wrong with Killian, by any chance. . . . no, of course there was. There must have been. . . ."

"Oh, no! I don't have anything against Killian, not even my fingernail."

"Even your fingernails?"

"Uh.. that's a bit of an exaggeration, but anyway, I'm more grateful to Killian than I am to him."

I tried to put on my best Virgin Mary face, hoping that Lizzy would be able to relay my story to Killian.

"Then why are you rejecting Killian?"

"What? me?"

"Yes. . . . .Killian seemed trying to get close to Edith, but Edith seems to be rejecting him. . . ."

"Did Killian say that?"

"Oh, no,no! It's not what Killian said, just. . . . i heard that somewhere."

It seems the maids made fun of their mouths lightly. They don't even know what I'm thinking. If they don't know what's inside my head, it's was enough to misunderstand the situation. Unlike before, Killian, who stops by my room once a day to suggest something, and me who refuses whatever excuse I have. So it might look like I'm arrogantly rejecting him.

"Well. . . . I don't know how it sounds to Lizzy."

"Yes, Edith."

"Killian is a poor man. The man who sacrificed himself for the Duke of Ludwig. I know it's common, but it wasn't necessary for someone like Killian to do it."

"Oh, Edith. . . . !"

"I'm not blaming anyone, I swear! I actually didn't have a bad marriage."

I explained in a purposely brighter voice, but Lizzy's frown didn't lift.

"But Killian is different. That person is still . . . . not accepting me. If he is asking me to do this or that, he will probably be forced to do it because of his position."

"I don't think so, Edith."

Lizzy held my hand tightly and explained to me that Killian had opened up to me, and he was trying to get to know about me a little better. However, I felt like I was going crazy.

'Don't say anything comfortable, Lizzy. Killian is talking about me!'

Of course, Killian wouldn't go around saying things like that, and that's why Lizzy is trying to convince me, but I know Killian heart.

'Lizzy may have cheated, but Killian, I won't fall for it.'

As i thought about it, I had to pull my facial muscles as hard as I could and smile broadly.

"So, Edith, please open up a little."

"Of course. I'm thankful for Killian. By the way, I'm worried that you didn't care too much about your sick body because of me and Killian."

I came back from visiting Lizzy with a gentle look as possible. Everyone seemed to be pressuring me in all directions.

'Reveal your true nature! Take off the mask! poked me in the side and drove me into a corner, as if expecting me to collapse soon.

'But that's not my nature, no matter how much pressure you put on me. Of course, I can't say no to Killian if he puts his hands on me.'

Technically, it was Killian who was lecherous, not me, okay? there's no reason to refuse a meal when you've made it for them. But I'm not actively setting the table for myself. . . . . huh? Killian seemed to be in my room again today.

'What else tricks you use to seduce me this time?'

I enter the room calmly with the heart that I will never give in and sat across from Killian.