ISOL 10

Chapter 10

Shuindel entered his room and handed his coat to Werther, the head butler.

“Bath water?”

“It has been prepared.”

“Haah, I want to wash it off quickly.”

“I will serve you right away.”

Shuindel roughly loosened his cravat, threw it onto the bed, and walked toward the bathroom while undoing the buttons of his shirt.

“I will bathe alone, so do not send any maids in.”

“Yes, Master.”

Werther bowed politely as if he was used to it, picked up the clothes Shuindel had taken off one by one, and left the room.

Normally, when nobles took a bath, whether they were men or women, they were attended by maids.

However, on the late mornings of the days when Shuindel returned from the Imperial Palace, he always entered the bathroom alone.

After soaking his entire body in the bathtub, Shuindel’s face was damp with water, and his smooth hair was slicked back.

The purple eyes beneath his wet eyelashes were clear and deep.

He submerged himself in the water until only his nose was visible and fell into thought.

‘How much do you like me, Sir Shuindel?’

Last night, Panen had asked while lying on the bed, pulling down his revealing nightclothes that showed half of his chest.

‘Do I really have to say it for you to know?’

‘How would I know if you do not say it? Panen wants to hear it from Sir Shuindel’s own mouth.’

Should he call him a small, cute white puppy?

The Crown Prince Panen had exactly that kind of image.

With his curly platinum hair swaying and his large blue eyes blinking, if he whined softly like a puppy, he really looked no different from one.

No wonder people said that both men and women became captivated after seeing him once.

However, in Shuindel’s eyes, that was all Panen was.

A man who looked like he could charm anyone with his beauty alone, but whose mind was only concerned with the love he would receive.

“Hmm, he is living in a flower garden. Completely drunk on the fragrance… Let him stay drunk forever.”

Shuindel blew bubbles with his lips in the water, then suddenly rose up, revealing his firm upper body.

Outside, he was the very image of a cold and dignified count without a single change in expression.

But here, he was simply a twenty-three-year-old young man.

Of course, in the Empire, twenty-three was already an age where one was considered a proper adult who carried one’s own responsibilities.

But that did not mean he never wanted to let go and act immaturely sometimes.

If his father had been alive and he had not inherited the count’s title, he would not have spent every day with his nerves stretched this tightly.

Luna, however, made a fuss, saying that even his silent and sharp appearance was cool.

Whenever she chattered alone about him being a “cold beauty” and such things, he secretly found himself smiling.

But because she said she liked that side of him, he had also become unable to smile in front of Luna.

It was completely opposite from how he always wore a faint smile in front of Panen.

Even if he acted that cold toward her, Luna would probably still cling to him and say she liked him.

What would she say if she saw the marks left on his body?

Shuindel’s broad shoulders and chest were covered with clear red bite marks.

Unlike him, who always tried to be as careful as possible because Panen was the Crown Prince, Panen always left marks in noticeable places.

If he were to show this body to anyone, the only possible person would be Luna de Mirage.

Of course, he had never shown this much before.

But if she saw it, she would probably jump around and make a huge fuss.

Just imagining that made Shuindel feel strangely pleased.

However, he thought he needed to be careful.

The last time Luna lost consciousness had been completely unexpected.

He had only expected her to shed pretty little tears.

He had never imagined that she would collapse so completely.

At that moment, it truly felt as if the sky had fallen.

He had cherished and protected her so carefully for so long.

If even a single wound appeared on her body, he would never be able to forgive himself.

Would Luna ever understand these feelings of his?

Shuindel fiercely rubbed the red marks left on his body with the still-hot bath water.

As if trying to erase every single one of them.

“Lily, how long has it been since you started working in our house?”

Lily counted on her fingers before answering.

“About three years.”

“How old are you again, Lily?”

“Fifteen years old.”

If this were the real world, she would have been at an age where she should be running around and playing.

Yet this small girl was already carrying the weight of life.

Luna felt even more sorry for Lily.

“Was your family’s situation difficult?”

“Everyone is like that, you know. Still, I was lucky enough to work at the Siltburg Count’s house. Master gives us much more than just wages for our work. Besides, not everyone can work at a count’s household just because they want to.”

Lily smiled brightly, showing no signs of complaint.

It seemed the servants did not have a bad opinion of her father.

Then who exactly was acting as Shuindel de Freund’s spy?

While having breakfast, while going for walks, and while taking a turn around the training grounds, Luna carefully observed the servants around the estate.

Who would risk being kicked out of the count’s household for just a little more money?

“Lily.”

“Yes, Lady.”

Lily, who was organizing the room, turned around.

“Without making it obvious to others, could you quietly find out if there are any servants in this house who are having serious financial difficulties?”

“Excuse me?”

“You do not have to push yourself too hard. I am asking because I trust you, you know?”

Lily nodded as if she understood.

“I will find out secretly, Lady.”

“Thank you, Lily. I always rely on you.”

At Luna’s words, Lily’s face turned slightly red.

Having someone rely on and trust her meant a lot to the young girl.

Luna had never been a harsh master, but after losing consciousness for three days and waking up, she seemed softer and kinder.

She also seemed more mature than before.

People really did change after experiencing something major, didn’t they?

But then, why had Lady gone to the greenhouse that night?

What had happened that caused her to even faint?

Since Lady kept silent, no one asked further.

But judging by the fact that Count Shuindel carried her back in his arms, it was obvious that the two of them had met there.

It was also the first time Lily had seen Lady become so angry in front of others when Count Shuindel kicked Ray.

Lady, who normally could not do anything against Count Shuindel.

Honestly, Lily had felt upset because it seemed like Lady was always being dragged around by Count Shuindel.

So seeing even a small change made her feel relieved.

“Ah, right. And Lily!”

“Yes, Lady!”

Lily quickly snapped out of her thoughts.

“Could you call Ray? Tell him I have something to ask him to do.”

“Yes, Lady!”

Lily quickly left the room with small hurried steps.

Seeing her cute back, Luna naturally smiled.

She needed to find the spy, but she could not simply lie down forever using her recovery as an excuse.

Although there was still time before the Crown Prince swung his sword, she did not know exactly what day that would happen.

So she needed to gather money as quickly as possible.

Soon, Princess Cluck had invited her to a tea party at the Imperial Palace.

If she introduced her scented candles there, it would be a good way to promote them.

But first, she needed to make a prototype.

She did not have any materials right now, and she could not suddenly cause a commotion by making scented candles inside the house.

“Lady, you called for me?”

While Luna was thinking with her hand on her chin, Ray’s voice came from behind.

When she looked up, she saw Ray standing there with his hands politely folded.

Today, once again, he had an overwhelmingly impressive appearance.

His black hair was neatly tied back, his unusual red eyes shone brightly, his tanned upper body revealed a large and sturdy chest, and his long, strong legs looked perfect.

And look at that obedient posture.

His clothes and body were bold, but his attitude was careful and respectful.

That made him even more attractive.

In the real world, Luna wanted to experience those kinds of things that she never had before.

But doing that to a slave carrying deep emotional wounds was not right.

She should just be satisfied with enjoying the view.

“Ray, before coming to our house, you said you had wandered around many places, right?”

“Yes, Lady.”

“Then do you happen to know a place in the market that makes good candles?”

“Are you referring to the Candle Guild?”

“The Candle Guild?”

“Yes. The association of craftsmen who make candles. I once visited the guild master’s workshop while running an errand.”

Oh?

I had a useful person right beside me.

Luna could not hide her happiness.

Seeing Luna’s face blooming like a bright red flower, Ray unconsciously smiled as well.

“Would you like me to take you to the Candle Guild master’s workshop?”

“I would appreciate that. I also need to visit a few other places, so it would be great if you and Lily could help me.”

“Why say you appreciate it? It is something I should naturally do.”

“Even so, gratitude is gratitude. Nothing in this world is truly something that should be taken for granted, right?”

At Luna’s words, Ray bit his lips shyly.

Seeing him look like a giant dog wagging its tail, Luna unconsciously raised her toes and reached out to pat his shiny black hair.

“So cute. Hmm? Oh my, I touched your hair without asking. Sorry! I did it without thinking.”

When Luna apologized after being surprised by her own action, Ray quickly waved his hands.

“No, Lady. You may touch it whenever you want. Ah… I feel happy when Lady pats my head.”

As he said that, the tip of Ray’s nose turned red.

Wow.

A true human-sized puppy.

“Ray, but do you know something?”

“Yes, what is it?”

“You always speak very politely to me, but whenever I say you are cute, your tongue suddenly becomes shorter.”

“M-Me?”

Ray thought about it and realized Luna was right.

His face immediately became red like fireworks from embarrassment.

“Could you ask Lily to prepare the travel expenses so I can go out?”

“Yes, Lady.”

With his neck turning red, Ray shrank his large body as much as possible and left the room.

After getting ready with Lily’s help, Luna walked toward the carriage Ray had prepared.

On the way, she saw the training grounds.

There, Razent was currently receiving swordsmanship lessons.

“Razent!!”

Luna raised her hand high and waved at him.

At that, Razent ran toward Luna cheerfully while still holding his sword.