Recalling Vincent’s words that he had rattled off over the phone about what he had investigated, Noah clicked his tongue. 

 

What a wretched fate. Is it because the flower has no thorns that all sorts of bugs swarm to it?

 

Ah. Does it not have thorns?

 

Like a white rose that is pure and innocent but has fine thorns that prick the flesh the moment it is broken.

 

Noah, from whose lips a chuckle leaked, momentarily made a crooked expression.

 

“My father’s last gift to me was also a bouquet of roses. It was so long ago.”

 

With that kind of face, and all he’s jealous of is that?

 

It was absurd.

 

That father of hers is human scum, but still an incomprehensible bastard. 

 

Looking at that gentle, clear face, if she were my daughter, I’d want to give her anything. I’d carry her around like she’s made of gold and jade.

 

No matter how much his brain is ruined by alcohol and gambling, it doesn’t make sense. I’ve never heard that his eyes are blind. 

 

To have a daughter like that and still….

 

Fuck, am I playing daddy right now?

 

A hollow laugh escaped in disbelief. Comforting her when she cries, carrying her on my back, making sure she eats, worrying about her bedding because she’s so frail she can’t sleep, picking out her first tea party dress, even seeing her off with a “have fun”…. 

 

Just now, I was fretting over whether some random guy might latch onto her.

 

This is practically a nanny. I don’t even have a kid yet, but I’m pulling all this damn nonsense.

 

Noah irritably ruffled his hair, shook his head side to side, then burst into a laugh again. 

 

What did she say? Am I really your ward or something? 

 

Should I play Daddy Long Legs?

 

But what kind of father in the world lusts after his daughter? Bullshit.

 

It was after feeling a sexual attraction that he developed a full-fledged interest in her, beyond mere curiosity and generosity. 

 

So, his current excitement was nothing more or less than the bullshit of a male wandering around, aroused by the scent of a female.

 

Clicking his tongue in annoyance, he pressed the tip of his tongue firmly against one cheek and muttered.

 

“Not like some rutting dog with its eyes rolled back.”

 

Fuck, how embarrassing. No pride at all.

 

🫧

 

“Come on in, Miss Cordelia!”

 

The carriage stopped in front of a massive mansion with red brick walls and five gabled roofs. 

 

A well-dressed footman opened the carriage door, and Cordelia, who had carefully stepped down and was admiring the impeccably maintained garden and fountain of the ducal family with eyes full of wonder, spotted Sasha Ander hurriedly running out from outside and widened her eyes.

 

Contrary to her nervous heart, the moment she saw Sasha smiling broadly with pure joy, Cordelia smiled along with her. 

 

It felt as if golden sunlight was pouring down on her fully bloomed face.

 

“You must have had a hard time getting here. Was it uncomfortable?”

 

“No way. You even sent a carriage yourself, so I came very comfortably.”

 

Sasha, holding both hands together, spoke excitedly with a face close to being moved.

 

“I couldn’t find you after that day, and I was so worried! Especially since the pirates were trying to harm you, and after you left because of me, no one had seen you, so I was afraid something bad might have happened!”

 

“Don’t worry. Nothing happened.”

 

Feeling that she was genuinely concerned and worried, Cordelia was deeply touched. 

 

Ever since Sasha had saved her, she had only received help, yet she cared this much.

 

Of course, if it hadn’t been for Noah that night, a terrible thing would have happened to Cordelia.

 

But I didn’t want to bother telling this kind and beautiful young lady about the past.

 

Sasha linked arms with Cordelia and said pleasantly.

 

“Come on in. I’ll show you around our mansion.”

 

The Arsen ducal family was as wealthy and grand as the Tudor family, so it had a historic mansion and well-trained employees in residence, making it seem like a place that could come out of an old-fashioned novel or painting. 

 

If Tudor House was elegant, this place was solemn. Cordelia sincerely admired and praised it.

 

“It’s really a beautiful place. Thank you for inviting me.”

 

“Oh, come on. It’s just big. It’s not as beautiful as Tudor House.”

 

Sasha shook her head and said.

 

“I went to Tudor House with my father when I was young. My father was close with the previous head of the Tudor family. I met Lady Anais there, and she welcomed me so warmly that it still remains a happy memory. Have you met her, Miss Cordelia?”

 

“No. I’ve only heard about her.”

 

She had heard a lot about Lady Anais, Noah’s mother, the renowned young lady of the Dufort count family and the wife of the Tudor marquis. 

 

It was all words full of affection, longing, and praise. 

 

Sasha also said with flushed cheeks.

 

“She is truly a perfect lady. She is someone I respect. She is kind and benevolent, and beautiful. When I was immature, I wished so much that someone like her was my mother. My mother passed away early.”

 

“Ah.”

 

Her heart stung sharply. When Cordelia’s face darkened, Sasha smiled as if it was okay.

 

“Instead, I received overflowing love from my father, so it’s fine. There were times I felt resentful and upset, but now I know she couldn’t help it. Oh my, I said something unnecessary,”

 

Sasha, looking embarrassed and sheepishly wrinkling the bridge of her nose, changed the subject.

 

“But may I ask how things are with Sir Noah? Oh, just in case, let me say that I have no relationship with him at all.”

 

“I know.”

 

Cordelia hurriedly waved her hands.

 

“You don’t need to explain. He and I, well, I’m receiving help from him. I’m not in that kind of relationship either.”

 

At her explanation, Sasha’s eyes widened, inwardly curious.

 

“Really? Actually, I was worried that Miss Cordelia might be his lover, so I wanted to meet you this time and clear up the misunderstanding. Coincidentally, there were a few scandals, but it’s really not like that.”

 

“What? No, it’s really a misunderstanding.”

 

Cordelia jumped up in surprise. It’s always so awkward whenever she gets this kind of misunderstanding. 

 

It would sound strange to say outright that she owes that man a debt and, thanks to his generosity, she’s been in his care for a year. 

 

As she firmly denied it, Sasha nodded.

 

“There must be some circumstances. Even when I first saw you, I felt you had a story, so I paid more attention. Everyone has their own personal matters, but they don’t want to talk about them, right? I’m like that too.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

She’s truly a kind person. Cordelia felt more and more fond of Sasha as they talked. 

 

Who could possibly dislike her?

 

“Oh, right, the tea party starts in an hour. I invited you early on purpose because I wanted to talk more with you before then. Is that okay?”

 

“Of course.”

 

It seemed she was being considerate since this was probably Cordelia’s first time at such an event. 

 

Sasha explained that today was a small gathering and she had only invited people who were really close and dear to her. 

 

Cordelia suddenly remembered and asked.

 

“By any chance, is Miss Georgiana Langham also coming to this gathering?”

 

It seemed like a question asked because she didn’t particularly like me from our previous meeting. Then Sasha looked surprised and gave a somewhat awkward smile.

 

“Of course, she’s an old friend. But I didn’t invite her today.”

 

A subtle emotion could be read in her tone. 

 

For a moment, Cordelia wondered if it was due to concern about encountering Georgiana, who probably hadn’t spoken well of her, but it was unclear. 

 

Cordelia carefully observed Sasha, who seemed lost in thought even as she smiled and chatted afterward.

 

The cozy atelier, said to be the room where Sasha spent the most time on her hobbies, was neatly organized with paints and canvases, a jet-black piano and golden harp, thick stacks of white paper and a typewriter, half-read books and an embroidery frame, and a fluffy pile of knitting, while in a basket filled with round balls of colorful yarn, a Ragdoll cat with blue eyes was purring and resting.

 

With warm sunlight streaming in and a green garden visible at a glance, this place felt like a cozy space from a fairy tale.

 

“It’s my own hideout. When I’m here, I feel like everything will turn out just fine.”

 

“It’s so pretty? Do you paint?”

 

“I paint and play music too. It’s my favorite space.”

 

Sasha laughed playfully while eating a cookie.

 

“Have you heard this saying? A woman needs a room of her own and a fixed income that allows her to live without worry for the rest of her life.”

 

It’s something my most beloved author said, Sasha quietly added.