Chapter 12…
It had been a month since Julia began visiting Widow Michely’s house.
“What did you do to her? Julia’s becoming a completely different person—so much brighter.”
Kevin asked Michely.
Even though this was their secret rendezvous, once their physical act ended, their conversation inevitably drifted back to Julia.
“Hehe. There aren’t any spiteful servants in my mansion. Except for my personal maid, everyone else is a commoner, but Julia doesn’t have that arrogant air most nobles do, so she’s easy to talk to. That’s probably why she’s made some friends. I imagine she’s enjoying herself.”
Friends, huh.
Kevin had realized that Julia didn’t have anyone she could really call a friend.
After her divorce, she had been thrown out of her family home, and although one would normally turn to friends at that point, she had contacted no one—and instead had tried to become a prostitute.
“Oh, and since yesterday, she’s been living in to learn cooking. I’ll be taking care of her for about a month, give or take.”
“Living in? I see. I appreciate your help. It’s good for her to learn to cook for herself.”
Ever since he had given Julia a room to live in, he had also been providing her with living expenses—but she spent only the bare minimum, always holding back.
And lately, she seemed to realize that eating out every day was surprisingly expensive—and that it could get monotonous too.
Cooking for herself would save her from unwanted stares, and it would probably help her feel more settled.
“I hope she gets good enough to cook something for you someday.”
“Perhaps she will. She seems a little clumsy, but once she learns, I think she’ll handle it quite efficiently.”
Julia was the type to take her time and do things carefully at first.
Once she got used to something, she’d surely become quick and capable.
“Oh, Kevin! You sound more and more like Julia’s guardian these days.”
Guardian?
He hadn’t meant to be one, but… was that how it looked from the outside?
Being called the guardian of a woman his own age made him feel oddly old.
“When Julia gets used to daily life and finds work, she might leave you, you know.”
“Not ‘might.’ She has to leave.”
“Are you sure you’re fine with that? When you stop looking after her, she’ll be so easy to deceive. Doesn’t that worry you?”
Worry me…?
Maybe it did.
But still—wasn’t it strange to keep taking care of her forever?
She wasn’t a child. She was an adult.
Being deceived could be part of learning through experience—
…No, as an adult, some mistakes could ruin her life completely.
What should I do with Julia?
“Oh, by the way, I have a few things to take care of. Let’s meet again in about a month.”
“I understand. I’ll wait for your message.”
At moments like this, Kevin was reminded that their relationship depended entirely on Michely reaching out first—he couldn’t see her whenever he wanted.
Even so, he couldn’t bring himself to end things.
He found himself waiting for her message—because Kevin had come to truly enjoy his relationship with Michely.
