ILTDAMH |CHAPTER 46

Chapter 46

Never Forgive the Master!

Mercian, feeling her appetite return along with her lightened heart, finished off the last of the stew and said,

“Wow. I really think I ate too much today. Normally I can barely finish half, but eating together with all of you somehow makes the food taste so much better.”

“Oh? We feel the same way. Honestly, after Madam left, the ducal household became so bleak, gloomy, and frightening that none of us could eat properly. We spent every mealtime watching the Master’s expression. It only eased a little once he learned that you were still alive. Why, even the butler and Sir Cassel were so determined to search the entire empire to find you that they started packing their things.”

“I’m sorry. You all had to come all this way because of me.”

At Mercian ’s apology, Clea’s expression hardened.

“What? That isn’t your fault at all. Didn’t the Dowager Duchess say so too? That all of this began with the Master. We think the same. So please, don’t ever apologize to us. And besides, the reason we came down here wasn’t to help the Master bring you back to the ducal estate.”

“What?”

“We’re all on your side. So don’t worry about us—just do whatever makes your heart feel at ease. No matter how much the former crown prince was a scoundrel, and no matter how much he feared the empire would collapse if he ascended the throne, even so, he should never have lied to you. Not to you. You cared for him so deeply… didn’t you?”

“W-what? I did?”

How did they know that I liked Luan?

“Hahaha, Charles, you really shouldn’t spell it out so bluntly. You’ll only make Madam embarrassed.”

“W-what are you saying? When did I ever like Ruan?”

At Charles’s teasing, Mercian’s face grew hot with shame.

“Well, whenever you were eating, and the Master gazed at you with such fondness, you’d steal little glances back at him, cheeks slightly flushed, lips curving into a smile. You have no idea how lovely you looked. I thought you were so pretty that I would sneak peeks at you during meals.”

“I… I did that?” Mercian muttered, mortified.

“And when you dined up in the tree, your eyes were always turned toward the gates of the manor. Wondering when the Master would return. Of course, once he actually showed up, you’d pretend not to care and busy yourself with pastries or pies. But then he’d come running over like an eager puppy fresh from outside, chattering away, and even as you pretended not to listen, you’d answer him every time. Watching the two of you was like watching a pair of first loves—trying to hide it, but written all over your faces. That’s what made it so sweet.”

“W-was it really that obvious?”

Charles nodded earnestly.

“Everyone in the household knew. That you and the Master had feelings for each other. We only regret that, thinking the Master was near death, we didn’t dare step in and help you along. In fact, we even promised among ourselves that if the Master passed, we would stay by your side. And then we learned the Master had deceived not just you, but us as well. I still resent the housekeeper. She and the butler were part of it, too.”

Charles shot Clea a glare, but Clea quickly explained, as if to ward off misunderstanding.

“Wait, Charles. That’s not fair. I only found out the truth after the funeral. Edward told me that very day. I wanted to rush straight back and tell Madam, but when I returned to the estate, the mourning rites for the Master were already underway. By the time I’d tied the black ribbon and gone to look for you, Madam had already left.”

“Then the blame lies with the Master after all.”

“Exactly. All of this is his doing, no one else’s.”

Clea and Charles nodded in unison.

“Well… I suppose you’re right. But still, listening to you both, it sounds like Ruan suffered too. He could hardly eat or sleep.”

Unthinkingly taking Ruan’s side, Mercian spoke softly, but Charles shook his head firmly.

“Surely, Madam, you’re not thinking of forgiving him already, just because he seems a little pitiful?”

“What nonsense. Of course not. A man who deceives his wife and wounds her heart cannot be forgiven so easily. Madam, your heart is too kind—you found out he was alive and simply told him to go back. If it were me, I’d have broken his legs and only then felt some peace. Isn’t that right, Charles?”

Clea turned for agreement, and Charles clapped her hands together.

“Exactly, Head Maid! We can’t just let him off!”

“Clea, that’s not what I meant…”

Mercian couldn’t explain it—she simply felt uncomfortable listening to them tear Ruan down like that.

“Madam, promise us this: don’t even think of forgiving the Master yet. No matter what. We are on your side, always, no matter what he says or does. So until your anger has truly passed, do not forgive him!”

“C-Clea…”

Mercian was bewildered. 

She had assumed Ruan brought them down to help persuade her, not… this.

But instead, they were telling her never to forgive him.

When Mercian called her name in surprise, Clea only smiled brightly and said,

“As I told you, Madam, we are entirely on your side. Of course, Ed and Jean are men, so we’ll leave them to take the Master’s side.”

“What?”

Clea rose, clearing away Mercian’s empty plate.

“Now that dinner is over, let’s discuss exactly how we’re going to make the Master crawl on his knees.”

C-crawl?

He’s not some ball to be rolled around.

Mercian stared at Clea and Charles, who seemed far more excited at the prospect of tormenting Ruan than she herself was.

As though they knew or didn’t know her conflicted heart, Charles clapped her hands eagerly and declared,

“Perfect, Head Maid! I love this sort of thing. Madam, don’t worry—I’ve already gathered plenty of stories from other experienced veterans in the household!”

V-veterans? What on earth are these two…?

Why did it feel as though the two of them were more excited than she was, when she had said she wouldn’t forgive Ruan?

Mercian looked at Clea and Charles, who were brimming with some unknown fire, fists clenched with enthusiasm. 

She could only offer them an awkward smile.

And in turn, Clea and Charles gave her a strange little smile of their own.

***

A few days before they descended to the village of Phenomenon, voices had carried across the garden of the Canoluph Ducal estate.

“What do you mean by that, madam?”

At Edward’s question, Olivia took a sip of her tea, her eyes moving between Edward, Clea, and Charles.

“I’ve heard the three of you are closest to Mer here in this household. Which means, in this matter, you’ll have to lend your help.”

“Just say the word, madam. If we can bring the lady back to the ducal estate, we’ll do anything.”

“Good, Charles. Thank you for saying so. Now, as for Ruan—given his nature, the moment he finds out where Mer is, he’ll run straight to her without a second thought. But the Mer I know won’t accept him. Especially after what I happened to overhear: just before he collapsed, that fool Ruan confessed his love to her. To say that and then plot something like that? Worthless boy. I warned him, and he ignored me.

If he had truly died, I would have simply introduced Mer to some fine young nobleman. But as things stand… What choice do I have? For better or worse, he is my only nephew. I must see to it that Mer forgives him somehow.”

“Of course, madam.”

“He must be with Mer already. Soon, he’ll return here, rejected. When that happens, he’ll undoubtedly resign from the Imperial post and run back to her. When he does, you’ll go after him. And then, do what you can to soften Mer’s heart.”

“How should we go about that?”

“First, you must point out each of Ruan’s faults and get angry alongside her. People are strange creatures—no matter how deeply someone wronged them, if that person is their beloved, they don’t like hearing others speak ill of them. So complain about Ruan as much as you like. But also let her know he has been suffering since she left.”

“Ah, so we should criticize him, but at the same time tell the lady that the master has been regretting her departure?” Charles asked quickly.

“Yes, Charles. That is exactly what I mean.”

Charles’s eyes widened in admiration. 

“You’re truly remarkable, madam. If we speak ill of the master together, the lady’s anger will ease, and if she hears that the master has suffered, her heart will soften and she’ll forgive him soon enough, won’t she?”

Olivia gave him a gentle smile.

“That is not the point. If Mer forgives Ruan too easily, then you must stop her.”

Stop her?

Wasn’t the entire purpose of their going to make sure the lady forgave the master more easily?

Charles tilted his head, confused. 

“Why is that, madam?”

Olivia’s smile deepened. 

“Because of Ruan himself. Men, you see, if forgiven too easily, quickly forget their own mistakes. Isn’t that so, Ed?”

Edward, who had been nodding along to every word, froze at the sudden question. 

“M-madam, I would never do such a thing. Truly, Clea!”

“Who accused you? Why are you reacting so defensively?” Clea’s voice was deliberately cool, and Edward shouted back in exasperation, his face twisted with frustration.

“Clea! I swear I didn’t!”

“Now, now, take your quarrel elsewhere,” 

Olivia interjected smoothly. “But suppose the lady never forgives the master—what if, then, he gives up on her?”

Olivia let out a light, tinkling laugh. 

“Hohoho, Charles, that will never happen. Men of the Canoluph line never let go of the one they’ve chosen as their partner. So you needn’t worry. What does concern me is that Mer is far too softhearted, and may forgive him too soon. That is what you must prevent.”

“Then how can the master earn her forgiveness?”

“That,” Olivia said, turning her eyes on Edward, “is what I wished to tell you. I hear Mer is running a sandwich shop. Tell Ruan to work there.”

“At the shop? You mean… as a clerk under the lady?”

“Of course. He’s spent his whole life commanding others from above. Learning to serve others will not be easy, but if he wants something, he must pay the price for it. Wouldn’t you agree? And when Ruan works there, you must not help him in any way. Understood?”

Her voice carried a firm, unyielding weight. 

The three of them lowered their heads in unison.

“Yes, madam.”

“Especially you, Ed. You must advise Ruan well. If he truly wants forgiveness, his apology must not be a hollow display but heartfelt. If someone is precious to you, protecting them does not mean bending them to your will—it means thinking from their perspective. That boy must learn that. Ruan has many good traits, but he always pushes for his own way, forgetting how much his actions can wound the other. It’s a flaw common among the men of our house, I admit. But I want him to understand this time: love is not a one-sided force dragging someone along. It is built on mutual respect and trust between two souls.”

Edward nodded gravely. “Do not worry, madam. We will guide the master well, ensure he wins the lady’s forgiveness, and bring her back to the estate.”

“I trust you, then.”

With Olivia’s words, Edward, Clea, and Charles exchanged determined looks, their eyes burning with renewed resolve.