Episode 70
The treat Demian threw flew farther than expected. Among the herd of deer that had been backing away while watching them, a fawn abruptly came close and ate the treat that had fallen to the ground. Demian broke into a wide smile at the sight and tightly grasped Rowina’s hand.
Rowina smiled back and tried to pat Demian’s head, but her hand met Cedric’s, who had already been patting it a step ahead.
The morning’s incident flashed through her mind, and Rowina hurriedly withdrew her hand. It was then that Demian, who hadn’t noticed the awkward tension, took one step, then two toward the fawn.
“It hurts!”
Demian, who had stepped into a trap, suddenly let out a scream that seemed to tear through the air.
* * *
Even after returning to the mansion, Demian cried for the longest time before falling fast asleep once he finally calmed down. The doctor examined the sleeping Demian’s ankle, applied medicine, and wrapped it in a bandage.
“Fortunately, it isn’t a serious injury. It won’t leave a scar either. However, you must avoid walking as much as possible and be careful for several days.”
“Thank you, Doctor.”
“I’ll come back to check on him in a week. Farewell.”
Rowina, who had seen off the elderly doctor, stroked her chest as though she had aged ten years. Cedric, who had been by her side the whole time, quietly spoke to her.
“You were quite surprised, weren’t you? I’m sorry. It’s my fault for suggesting we go to the forest.”
“No. It was an accident. Demian really enjoyed seeing the deer, too.”
Rowina returned a faint smile instead of thanks. The fact that the injury was only minor was thanks to him. While she had been frantic and out of her mind at seeing the child in pain from the trap, he had comforted Demian and carried him on his back, running. Fortunately, Demian gradually found calm in his broad back and large hands.
On the way back to the mansion, and while waiting for the doctor, Cedric had desperately told interesting stories to keep the child’s eyes off his ankle. “Beyond the wide ocean, on another continent, there are dogs with big ears and long backs. They wiggle their hips every time they walk, and it’s adorable. You’d like them if you saw them.” “Hic… really? Can you show me?” “It would be hard to show you the real thing, but I’ll draw a picture for you. They’re really cute.” “Promise…?” “I promise. In return, when the doctor comes, don’t thrash around and behave during the examination. Okay?” “Yeah. I got it.”
Demian, nodding while wiping away tears, looked less like a little child and more like a boy who had suddenly grown up overnight.
Watching the two of them, Rowina thought they looked just like father and son. She recalled how Demian, when it had just been the two of them living alone, would stop in his tracks several times while walking down the street. When she followed his gaze to see what he was looking at, it was always the sight of a father and son holding hands affectionately as they walked.
Just as she found comfort in Cedric, Demian too seemed to find stability with him. She was grateful for that.
“I’ll bring tea, so please sit down.”
“Thank you, but there’s no need for you to bring it yourself…”
“Wait.”
Cedric seated the exhausted Rowina on the parlor sofa and returned shortly with a teapot and two teacups instead of a maid.
Puzzled by the somehow familiar scent, Rowina took a sip of the tea he had poured for her. At the same time, her eyes grew wide.
“How did you get this tea?”
The mugwort tea had been something only drunk in the remote valley of her hometown. Mugwort itself was only found in deep rural areas, and due to the prejudice that it was a herb eaten by the poor, it was a tea she had rarely been able to drink since coming to the capital.
Cedric grinned at the astonished Rowina and explained.
“I thought you would like it. Yesterday I told the chef to buy some if he saw it at the market.”
“Thank you. It’s even more delicious since I haven’t had it in so long. Other people ask what kind of taste this is.”
Rowina looked down at her teacup and smiled gently. The rising scent of mugwort made her feel as if her startled heart was calming down. While she closed her eyes and savored the fragrance in the warmth of the hot teacup, Cedric stared at her intently and replied.
“I like it too.”
“Pfft.”
Startled by the sudden remark more than before, Rowina nearly spat out the tea she was drinking. She covered her mouth and looked at him as if to ask what he meant, and Cedric shrugged his shoulders.
“I said I like mugwort tea too. What did you think I meant?”
“…”
It was such a simple and clear answer that she felt embarrassed by her flustered reaction. Looking at Rowina, who subtly averted her gaze, Cedric raised the corners of his mouth and narrowed his eyes.
“Ah. Don’t tell me you thought I meant I liked you?”
“No.”
“I think I’m right? How cruel. To think you cast me aside so coldly back then, yet when I say I like you…”
“Stop.”
Rowina racked her brain to change the subject from the teasing that seemed like it would go on and on.
“By the way, I wonder if Lauren is doing well?”
“My sister is someone who would survive just fine even if you threw her on a deserted island, isn’t she?”
“That’s true. She’s really amazing. There’s nothing she can’t do. Managing the estate, farm work, business, even sponsoring artists.”
Rowina’s eyes sparkled at Cedric’s casually thrown joke, and she nodded. Taken aback by her more enthusiastic reaction than expected, Cedric asked cautiously.
“Don’t tell me you want to be like her?”
“Yes. If only I could.”
Rowina agreed immediately as if there were no need to even think about it, her cheeks flushing faintly.
“I want to become a wonderful woman like Lauren too. A wonderful woman who stands on her own.”
He had been about to tease her, but her face was far too serious for that. Changing his mind, Cedric spoke abruptly.
“Rowina. You are already wonderful enough as you are.”
“There’s no need to lift me up for no reason.”
Rowina waved her hands dismissively, embarrassed, and picked up her teacup again.
“It’s true. You bore and raised a child with love, and now you’ve even written and published a book.”
“…”
“I truly think you are admirable and worthy of respect.”
It was a tone filled with sincerity, unlike his usual half-joking manner. Feeling a warm sensation spreading deep in her chest, Rowina raised her head, which had been momentarily bowed. She met passionate purple eyes burning with intensity.
“That’s why I like you. Enough to want to become your husband and your child’s father.”
“Cedric…”
“I’ve said it many times, but my marriage proposal was sincere. Demian likes me quite a bit and follows me around, but what do you think?”
It was a definite and straightforward confession that she could neither avoid nor turn away from like last time. Rowina swallowed dryly. Because she had become a mistress without ever having experienced romance, this situation felt unfamiliar and awkward. She didn’t know how to deal with a man who charged forward so openly like this.
“I’m not trying to burden you.”
Cedric flashed a smile at the bewildered Rowina and, riding the momentum, leaned his upper body forward.
“It doesn’t have to be love right now. Even as a friend is fine, so will you think about it?”
“That’s…”
“Surely you won’t say that even that isn’t possible. With words like we don’t suit each other.”
Rowina bit her lip at his fervent expression. Although her first impression of him hadn’t been great, Cedric, whom she had gradually come to know, was a good person. More than good enough for her—he was far too good for her. She shouldn’t nod if she thought of Lauren, but when she thought of Demian, who liked him, her heart wavered.
“…
All right.”
Postponing a definite answer, Rowina nodded. Cedric’s face brightened with color at the first positive reaction he had received, just as he was about to say something.
“Lord Cedric! Lady Diana!”
Urgent footsteps were heard, and a maid flung open the parlor door.
“It’s terrible! The lady—!”
* * *
The news the maid brought was none other than that Lauren had suddenly collapsed. At the words that she had suffered a sudden seizure and had not regained consciousness, both of their faces turned ashen in an instant.
Cedric packed his bags and prepared a carriage in less than an hour. Even while distraught, Cedric barely held onto his composure and bid farewell to Rowina, who had come to see him off.
“I’ll be back.”
Rowina nodded as she looked at Cedric, who was trying his best to appear calm. She was equally worried and anxious about Lauren. But with Demian injured, she couldn’t leave.
“Will she be all right?”
“Of course. Didn’t we just say so? She’s someone who would survive even if thrown on a deserted island. I’ll contact you as soon as I arrive.”
Cedric caressed Rowina’s cheek once, as if comforting a child, and closed the carriage door. The coachman cracked his whip, and the carriage departed, kicking up dust. Rowina clutched her chest and watched the carriage grow distant.
And so Cedric left, and ten days passed in the blink of an eye.
The peaceful atmosphere of the mansion froze over like thin ice. Demian’s condition gradually improved. Relieved that it could have been worse, Rowina nevertheless prayed every night until dawn with anxiety over Lauren.
“Mom. Any letter from Aunt Lauren today? When is Brother Cedric coming?”
“No letter has arrived yet. Your brother seems busy these days.”
Unable to bring herself to say that Lauren was seriously hurt, Rowina told him Cedric had left for research, and Demian waited anxiously.
“Is it because I stepped on the trap? Is he mad at me?”
“Of course not.”
Rowina hugged the sullen Demian tightly and kissed his cheek.
“He’s probably just busy. More importantly, don’t you remember we promised to make wild strawberry jam today?”
“That’s right! We did!”
Rowina smiled at the face that showed childlike innocence despite having been serious just moments ago, and gently pinched Demian’s cheek.
“Yes. Go wash your hands while I prepare the ingredients.”
“Okay!”
Demian nodded energetically and left the room. The moment she was alone, Rowina’s expression hardened, and she unfolded the letter she had hidden in the drawer.