~Chapter 68~
After Aileen finished speaking, silence fell between them for a while.
Cedric looked deep in thought. Countless thoughts seemed to be swirling inside those blue eyes—where they began and where they ended was impossible to tell.
I wish I knew what he was thinking.
At some point, it had become difficult for Aileen to read Cedric’s emotions from his expression.
“Aileen, I…”
Just then, footsteps echoed from the end of the corridor.
Cedric’s posture stiffened immediately. His arms were folded, but from the tension in his body, he looked ready to pull out his sword at any moment if danger appeared.
“My lord.”
Unfortunately, the person who appeared was the very subject of their earlier conversation—Sir Dane. He glanced briefly at Aileen as he passed.
Cedric’s shoulders loosened a little, but his attitude became bitter, almost displeased.
He seemed to know why Dane had come.
“What is it?”
“It’s about the inheritance of Doris territory. The second son of the family wishes to see you one last time. He’s still waiting in front of the office.”
Cedric tilted his head slightly, looking irritated.
“He still hasn’t left?”
“No, sir.”
“Tell him this—my decision is firm. It’s already been made. And if he keeps complaining, the portion of the territory he was going to receive might end up going to someone else.”
Cedric’s voice was icy. His blue eyes grew even colder. His displeasure was obvious.
“You won’t meet him?”
“I believe I made my intentions clear just now.”
A faint, mocking smile—something he almost never showed—appeared at the corner of Cedric’s lips.
“The baron still hopes you’ll reconsider—”
“This is my decision. I’m grateful for my uncle’s advice, but you were there when I said I’d handle things my way this time.”
Cedric’s coldness was sharp enough to make even the sturdy knight flinch.
“…My apologies. I’ll deliver the message.”
Dane bowed his head slightly, preparing to leave—but Cedric stopped him.
“And Dane—there’s something I’m curious about.”
“Ask me anything.”
“It’s been a long time since I assigned the investigation of that assassination attempt. Why haven’t I heard a report yet? Has there been no progress?”
“There has been progress, sir. But we haven’t completely identified the mastermind yet. That’s why the baron told me not to trouble you unnecessarily until we had something solid.”
How much of that is true…and how much is a lie?
Aileen watched quietly, holding her breath.
But Dane’s expression was so unreadable that it was hard to tell anything from his face.
Is it true they haven’t discovered the mastermind yet?
Maybe they had a vague idea but were hiding it.
Or maybe they really knew nothing.
Aileen’s mind turned quickly, analyzing possibilities.
Meanwhile, Cedric spoke again in a calm, detached voice Aileen wasn’t used to hearing from him.
“From now on, report to me first—not to my uncle. Tell him he doesn’t need to worry unnecessarily.”
“Yes, sir.”
“It was my order. No matter how busy you are, I want to judge and handle this myself.”
“…My apologies.”
“And you know you’re giving me a proper report on this matter tomorrow morning.”
Understanding that he was being dismissed for the day, Dane bowed and finally left.
As he passed Aileen, his eyes met hers again.
His gaze lingered, observing her carefully. He glanced at her, then at Cedric.
He’s trying to figure out why Cedric suddenly acted like this.
Aileen hadn’t said a single word, yet Dane seemed to sense her influence behind Cedric’s firm orders and reprimands.
Let him guess whatever he wants…
Still, she felt a little disappointed.
She wanted to compare what Dane said with what she’d heard from Ruth.
But she had to put those thoughts aside for now.
“Haaah…”
Cedric let out a long sigh and sat down against an especially large box. He clearly wasn’t in the mood to listen to any more reports.
Well, at least he came here, so I achieved what I wanted.
The important thing was making Cedric investigate properly.
Cedric, still deep in thought, ruffled his hair distractedly before finally meeting Aileen’s eyes again.
It was like he snapped out of his cold, distant self and returned to the Cedric she knew.
Scratching the back of his head awkwardly, he said,
“Ah, sorry. You were here too. No—wait, I’m the one who came here…”
He started rummaging randomly through a pile of luggage, lifting a small storage box and tossing it lightly in the air.
“It’s all just annoying.”
“Sir Dane?”
“Everything.”
The answer was short, but not cold like earlier.
“I used to think I needed my uncle around. When people looked down on me, I believed he was the one who could fill the absence of my father’s authority.”
“And now?”
“Now…I’m not sure.”
When their eyes met, he gave her a small, complicated smile.
Aileen still couldn’t read him easily, but Cedric was honest with her—he always was.
Cedric…
When they first met, it wasn’t intentional.
But now, it was a choice.
His lack of confidence, his uncertainty, his hesitation—
He was choosing to show all those imperfect parts of himself to her. Whether on purpose or without realizing it.
“Cedric… um. Before, I…”
Maybe it was time to finally talk about the things she’d been keeping inside.
After all, she promised she’d tell him someday. And this quiet, calm moment felt like the right time.
But he didn’t seem to hear her.
Cedric set down the little box and picked up a square one, speaking suddenly.
“Isn’t there anything you like?”
“What?”
He shook the box near his ear and continued, as if it were obvious.
His eyes drifted to a white fur cloak half-visible in an open box.
“These gifts aren’t all things I can use. Some look like something you’d want.”
“…I’m fine.”
“There are more gifts this year than usual. And Diana used to take whatever she liked too. Stuff like this—looks like something edible.”
Sweet fragrance drifted out when he opened it. It really was food.
Aileen immediately recognized it.
“Honey candies.”
“You know what they are, huh? But you don’t like sweets.”
“These are different.”
She stepped closer to look at the carved box. She knew it very well.
“It looks like it’s from a famous shop in the capital. I used to buy these all the time when I was little.”
“Then it’s practically a gift for you.”
Bringing such a thing from far away made it feel intentional.
Still, Aileen gently shut the lid and put it back.
“Why? Have one.”
“No.”
Her voice was already shaky.
Just remembering her childhood made her feel like crying.
If she actually ate one now, she was sure she’d burst into tears in front of Cedric.
She had no confidence she wouldn’t.
Trying to ignore the sudden wave of sadness, she said quietly,
“Give them to Diana. She’ll love them. They’re full of honey inside.”
Since Diana loved sweet treats, she definitely would.
“You two seem close.”
“We have fun—without you.”
In truth, there was some calculation behind it.
Aileen wanted someone firmly on her side.
Especially since Diana’s attitude toward Chester Lowell was uncertain. Making sure Diana’s goodwill leaned toward herself was the smarter move.
“I see. Okay.”
Cedric didn’t ask further. Maybe he already read something in her expression.
Not that he had time to ask anyway.
“My lord. There you are. It’s about—”
“I know. I’m coming. I almost forgot our appointment.”
This time it was Ruth.
Aileen asked with a sinking feeling,
“Another sparring session? It’s late evening. Why are you training so much?”
“I feel like I’ve gotten lazy. And I have been neglecting it a bit.”
Cedric was already stretching his neck and swinging his arms lightly like he was warming up.
Maybe talent wasn’t everything after all.
But Aileen couldn’t help feeling worried.
“Don’t overdo it.”
“It’s fine. This much is nothing.”
“You look tired.”
If he worked this hard and trained this much, no wonder he barely had any time left for her.
“…Even if I try to stop you, you’ll just say you need to do all this to protect the Lowell family, right?”
Cedric halted mid-step and turned toward her, answering in a slightly sulky tone,
“The Lowell family includes you.”
It wasn’t until he left that Aileen fully understood what he meant.
He wanted to protect her.
And because she knew he meant it sincerely…
Aileen found she still couldn’t lose her trust in him.
She hoped—truly—that it would stay that way.
