Chapter 30 - Living Together in Secret

Merilyn continued to look at me with a worried expression. “It’s a wonderful day, my lady. How about taking a walk?” she asked. 

I once again didn’t understand why she would suggest this. If this were any other day, I would have joyfully agreed, but I couldn’t because of the man hiding in my closet. ‘I don’t have a choice but to lie to her,’ I decided. 

“No, I’m not feeling well today.” I looked down. This wasn’t completely a lie, as I felt a little sick from the cold air last night. My body was also sore from my father’s disciple pinning me down to the ground this morning. 

“Really? What’s wrong?” Merilyn asked. 

“Oh, I’m just feeling a bit under the weather today,” I reassured her. I deliberately vaguely explained my symptoms, just so I could have an excuse not to go outside, but Merilyn wasn’t letting it slide. 

“Shall I bring Dr. Allen?” 

“No, you don’t have to do that,” I said. 

She shook her head with a serious expression and said, “Even the small things should not be overlooked. You are the only heir to the Floyen family.”

“It’s really not a big deal though.”

Merilyn looked dissatisfied. “You must remember that you’re the only one who can lead the family during master’s absence, my lady.” 

I inhaled sharply at her burdensome words. ‘But I have no intention of leading the family…’

Merilyn sighed. “As I thought, I can’t just let this slide. I will call Dr. Allen,” she decided. 

A thought suddenly occurred to me. Even if my image was ruined even further, I had no choice but to use this excuse. “It’s really not a big deal. It’s actually because… I fell down from my bed.” 

Merilyn widened her eyes. “From your bed?” She was probably surprised because this never happened to me before.

“Yes, it doesn’t hurt that much because I fell on the carpet… but my back aches a little.” I thought this was a pretty good excuse, considering that I had indeed fallen on the carpet, although it was because my father’s disciple had pinned me to the ground.

“Oh, then I will just bring some medicine for muscle pain,” Merilyn said. 

I nodded, then wondered what time it was. ‘I’m hungry.’ The clock indicated that it was just before 11am, which was too late for breakfast but too early for lunch. If there wasn’t someone inside my closet, I would’ve gone downstairs and wolfed down a filling brunch. 

“Merilyn, could you bring some sandwiches as well? More than usual please.”

“Of course, my lady. Is there anything else that you need?”

“I didn’t sleep much because I was reading late into the night. I’m feeling a little cranky, so please don’t enter my room without permission,” I added. It was actually my father’s disciple who was feeling cranky, but this request probably wasn’t strange, considering Jubelian’s past personality.

“I will do as directed.”

As soon as Merilyn left, I hurriedly went to my closet. When I had pushed the man inside, it didn’t occur to me that some of my dresses were made of fabrics that wrinkle easily.

‘I hope he didn’t move around too much,’ I thought as I opened the door. I observed my clothes first and thankfully saw that they were fine. Then I saw my father’s disciple crouching in an uncomfortable posture. ‘I’m rather proud of him,’ I thought. 

“Can I go out now?” he asked bluntly. 

“No, I asked my maid for something, so you will have to wait a little while longer.”

The man’s expression twisted with dissatisfaction. “How annoying,” he spat. He was handsome even when he frowned.

‘Well, that doesn’t mean I have feelings for him.’ Although I occasionally admired his appearance, it didn’t hold any deeper meaning than that. It was akin to how an art enthusiast would admire a work of art.

‘More than anything else, I refuse to get involved with people who only look good on the outside,’ I reminded myself.

“What are you looking at?” It seemed like his natural way of speaking meant being disrespectful and impolite. Because I was a noble lady, this was enough to press charges, but I had given up on teaching him manners since last night.

‘I’m not even angry at him anymore, not when he acts like a wild animal. Plus, it’s a waste of time to pick a fight when he will only be staying here for a little while.’ I shouldn’t have to exhaust my emotions on immature people. With this in mind, I asked him something that I had been curious about. 

“How long do you plan on staying here?” Although I was doing him a favor, I couldn’t keep him here forever. I would make a decision on how to proceed based on what he planned to do. But instead of answering me, the man wore a surprised expression.

‘I hope he doesn’t plan to stay until my father returns, although I don’t know when that will be either…’ My thoughts were becoming more complicated until he finally answered me.

“I intend to leave… today.” His voice held a little hesitation. His expression wasn’t so good either, which made me feel sorry. 

‘Did it sound like I was trying to kick him out?’

Out of concern, I asked, “Do you have a place to go?” 

He coldly stared at me and said, “Does it look like I don’t have a place to go?” It was natural for people to get upset over a sensitive topic. Well, there was no reason for him to come here in the first place if he had a place to go, and he wouldn’t have worn such simple clothes.

“It’s okay to be honest with me,” I said with a sigh.

He frowned.