CHAPTER 53

"Oh, Killian! were you waiting for me?"

"Where did you go?"

"I'm just coming back from visiting Lizzy."

Killian nodded slightly when he heard that she had been to Lizzy. Is this also a scoring point? Killian went to the other side and talked about something that didn't really matter to Edith, Things like the weather or news about the Duke and Duchess. Then, he suddenly changed the topic to something about me.

"By the way. . . . Why don't you increase your exercise a little for your health? I heard you're taking a morning walk, but in fact, you'd better take a walk around the garden once after meals."

"Oh, is that so?"

In fact, since I started eating after Sophia starving me, I ate a bit too much, and even the romance novel world buffs couldn't stop me from gaining weight. It's a bit of a stretch on the side.

"It makes you feel good, and it keeps you from gaining weight."

"Me, do I look fat?"

"Unmm, yes, you look a little fatter than before."

Killian's words shocked me. If Killian, who doesn't care about me, thinks I've gained weight, how much did I've gained my weight! I jumped up.

"In that case, maybe i should take a walk."

"Let's go together."

"What. . . . ?"

"I'll escort you for your walk?"

My spine got cold for a moment.

"Ah. . . . but come to think of it, Killian's remarks are a bit insulting. When I gained weight, you told me to exercise because I gained much weight. . . ."

"Oh, no, I don't mean that!"

"I'm not going for a walk today. i'll do it next time."

I could see Killian clenching his molars. Wow, I almost got caught in a test transformation. If I clung to you like I did earlier, your gaze at me would have become very cold, right?

"I'm afraid my wording was misunderstood. I'm just saying that you weighed more than you did when you lost a lot of weight before, not that you gained weight to the point where you needed to lose weight."

"Oh, I see. I apologize for the misunderstanding. but it's not that i want to go out that much. Well, thank you for caring about my health, Killian."

I paste a little thank you. Isn't that a good answer?

"I see. see you later."

"Yes. Have a great day!"

I smiled and waved him off with a hospitality mindset.

'Wow, you passed today's test too!'

While Anna was not looking, I was dancing a dance of joy by myself, and suddenly, I remembered Killian's eyes looking at me and stopped. His eyes looked as if something was about to break off.

'Now it's clear that the notice is not far away!'

This should be the last one. "This isn't right, and she's going to jump on it, right? to test me, but it's not working out the way you thought it would, and you're starting to doubt your suspicions.

'I thought, 'If I get over this hump, will i be able to have tea with Killian then? i'd love to have dinner with you and take you for a walk. . . . '

Once you realize that I'm not the lustful, body-rolling woman you've heard about, will you treat me like a human being? i'm so nervous.

***

I was always nervous about going through Killian's 'test', and if I had time to control my mind in the meantime, it was definitely a time to work in Linan's office. Even though it's summer, Linan's office is cool and full of the smell of paper. It was one of my favorite places in the mansion. I especially liked the warm sense of silence. Contrary to the initial introduction that was stingy with compliments, Linan praised me more than I thought. In fact, it was not difficult because it was enough to organize the documents by date and organize the scattered contents into several pages in one sheet, but Linan said that she had handled it neatly and meticulously. Not too much, but in that word that recognizes my hard work, in one word, I found peace of mind. But I think even that will be difficult today.

"Killian? Why are you here?"

I went to work(?) and Killian was sitting in the middle of Linan's office.

"Is this something that I shouldn't do?"

"It's not like that. . . . Just because it's surprising me. I think it's the first time I've seen you come here since I worked here?"

"Sometimes i comes. Even though you weren't there."

"Aaah,I see. . . . so, is there something you'd like to discuss with Linan?"

"Yes, well. . . . "

Indeed, even though he is the duke's second son, Killian is also helping the duke's work. It wasn't surprising that he showed up in Linan's office. He might have something to look into taxes.

"Then you two can talk. I'll be doing my job."

I smiled and sat down in front of my desk with what I had to do today, but I couldn't erase the idea that Killian had come to spy on me.

"Then, I'll show you how hard I work."

She was really focused on her work. She never once glanced in Killian's direction, instead focusing on organizing her papers. I think Killian was a little impressed with how hard she worked? Killian, who had been quiet about what he was doing, suddenly spoke to Linan.

"Maybe you should hire one more employee, Linan?"

I guess I wasn't the only one who thought that was out of the blue.

"All of a sudden?"

"I'm sorry I haven't been paying attention. Now that I'm here during working hours, it seems like you have a lot of work."

I can now understand Lizzy's expression that he was blunt on the outside but deep on the inside. It was a little embarrassing to suggest it out of concern for Linan, but his voice was hard.

"Thank you for your concern, but Miss Edith is helping me, so it's okay."

"How much does Edith help you?"

"I'm not just putting this word on my mouth, but she is more competent than any employee I have been through. It made my work a lot easier."

Oops! it's kind of embarrassing to be praised in front of Killian. I'm embarrassed, but I can't hide my proud pride.

'But what's wrong with his face?'

Killian's brow crumpled as he heard my praise from Linan. At first, I thought I didn't like being complimented, but then I thought about it and realized that I had to admit it, so it was more like a process of suspension of disbelief.

'Let's stay alert until the end and cheer up!'

I pretended not to hear their conversation and worked harder on my paperwork.

***

<Linan Filch's Diary>

April 2, 1824

The Duchess sent me Miss Edith. It seems like she will help me with my work. I didn't expect too much, but it's also true that things have been a little too much since the stupid guy ran away last time. I was hoping she would have the intelligence not to mix up the dates,but surprisingly, she organized the receipts faithfully and meticulously. She even looked very skilled, like someone who had been working somewhere for a long time. I thought I could ask for nothing more than that, but in the afternoon Master Cliff called me and asked about Miss Edith. I answered as I felt, but I don't think that was the answer he wanted.

May 20, 1824

Miss Edith, who had always been faithful, seemed strangely anxious and nervous recently. I asked if something was wrong, and she took something out of her arms and asked me if it was okay. At first, I thought it was a piece of cloth, but when I looked at it, it was a handkerchief that was embroidered. It seems to be an item for Count Hermenia bazaars soon. Then i told her that, to be honest, the handkerchief was a little weepy on all sides, and the spacing of the stitches was off because I could definitely recognize what the picture was. To me, it was a compliment, but she looked like the sky had fallen. I don't know what to say about the women's embroidery work that would sound like a compliment.

June 18, 1824

The day before yesterday, Riegelhoff sent a maid to Miss Edith. The lady didn't look very happy. Even though he seemed a little weak, she suddenly enjoyed the desert he didn't eat today. she left a cookie and a madeleine for me, but as she was sipping her tea, her eyes were fixed on it, so I couldn't help but tell her to finish it. The way she asked if it was okay, but her attitude was like a young girl. But why are you suddenly eating dessert? Do you happen having a baby?

June 29, 1824

After I'm back from a business trip, the atmosphere of the mansion is unusual. It seemed that Miss Edith was trying to harm Miss Lizzy by poisoning herself and then attempting to poison Miss Lizzy. It was hard for me to believe. Well, greedy people give it away somehow, but Miss Edith didn't seem greedy. I didn't listen to the servants' gossip because it was none of my business. Then Miss Edith says she was on probation for the time being, but it's quite pretty uncomfortable to have one empty hand.

July 15, 1824

Miss Edith's probation has been lifted. The events surrounding the young lady seem to have been cleared up, but the servants still believe that Miss Edith is the culprit. I wasn't too interested in whether Miss Edith did it or not. If she could help me with my work as she do now. But what did I provoke, she showed tears. I panicked a bit, but luckily, I had the presence of mind to hand her a handkerchief, and she quickly wiped her tears and got back to work. Again, she is doing a great job. How much better he would have been if the young Miss had been the daughter of a commoner who needed money. Then he would have hired her as a full-time employee right away.