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Translated by Neijude
The rain did not cease easily. Even after Rackley finished bathing and changed her clothes, it continued to pour.
“It is quite a downpour, considering it is not yet the rainy season. This year, the season will be lengthy.”
Brand sighed in frustration, seemingly having a lot to do, as he gazed outside. Rackley shared his sentiment.
“Does it often rain like this in the South?”
“Indeed, it does. Even on clear days, sudden showers may occur, but when it rains this heavily, the roads become a mess, making it difficult for carriages to travel for some time.”
“I insisted on leaving. I am sorry.”
“No, it is not your fault. I failed to explain properly.”
Although they had come to her friend’s villa to rest, Rackley had no particular plans in mind. She had intended to take light strolls, look around, engage in some physical activity, and read books. However, her bag had gotten wet, ruining her books.
Her options for indoor activities were limited.
Busy with managing the estate, Rackley had no time to enjoy indoor hobbies such as gardening, embroidery, or sewing.
Suddenly finding herself with free time, she did not know what to do and blankly stared out the window.
It was a feeling similar to when she was introduced to Rowena and Edward by the count and entered a new room.
The overwhelming sense of being thrown into an unfamiliar place.
“It’s not chilly, but you still might catch a cold. I have warmed some wine, shall I bring it?”
“Yes, thank you. Ah, I will have it in the dining room.”
Although Kain was not visible, Rackley went to the dining room, thinking she might run into him if she passed through the parlour. However, the man she wanted to avoid was already seated there.
Brand placed the warmed wine opposite Kain, forcing Rackley to sit.
She did not want to make it apparent that she was avoiding Kain by changing seats, as it would seem like she was paying attention to him.
The awkwardness dissipated with the sound of the rain and the warm wine.
She resolved to leave the villa and find an inn, but then she remembered that she did not bring much money.
Having managed the count’s household, Rackley had learned the importance of money earlier than most ladies.
While most ladies would have received an allowance for maintaining their personal dignity, Rackley had not set aside such an amount and had used the count’s operating funds for necessary expenses.
But one day, her position was suddenly usurped by Rowena. Only then did she realise she had no personal funds of her own.
‘I do not want to swallow my pride and ask Rowena for an allowance. Why should I have to ask her?’
In the end, Count Winner would not feel the absence of Rackley. Although she knew she was only making room for Rowena, at the time, she just wanted to escape the suffocating estate.
She hated the pitying gazes of the unfamiliar servants as they looked at her, the displaced lady.
Having made up her mind and left, she should not have to worry about the estate any longer, but she still could not shake her concerns.
‘Foolish Rackley Winner.’
Rackley bit her lip as she looked at Kain seated across from her.
“How long did Irina say you should stay here?”
“One week.”
Kain had intended to stay longer, but instinctively gave a shorter response.
“Alright. Then, please leave the villa in a week.”
Her words implied that she would also stay in the villa.
That meant she must also be at the villa.
Kain thought it might be her nefarious scheme. He wondered if she had pressed him under the pretext of having no choice but to capture him.
“Aye, even if you catch me, I will leave.”
“There is no need to catch you.”
“Women always say that. But in the end, they cannot forget me and beg me to stay, weeping and holding onto me.”
“That will never happen. I will not…engage in such acts with you again.”
Rackley stated firmly.
Even women who refused him as firmly as she did eventually crumbled before him. Kain glanced at Rackley’s profile as she gazed out of the window with her chin up.
She had covered the nape of her neck with her hair and wrapped her chest with a scarf despite being indoors. She looked suffocated.
He already knew her naked body.
Beneath those suffocating clothes were her fair skin, slender waist, and tempting breasts. Imagining her body, Kain licked his lips, sensing the faint scent of Rackley.
“Even so, I am quite valuable. Your lady friend purposely hired me for you, so why not accept her favour? That Lady Class thing.”
If she were a true friend, she would not have set up such a situation.
Though it was obvious that it was a trap to ensnare her, Kain did not add that.
The social world was a place where, without wielding a sword, yesterday’s friends could stab you in the back, laugh, and threaten you in a survival of the fittest manner. It was a world where if you were weak, you would perish and fall behind, where being unable to form a group was a sin, and being attacked was natural.
Finally, her gaze turned towards him. Her faintly furrowed brow reminded him of her whimpering and shivering expression at the peak of pleasure under his touch.
“I will not speak of your profession any further. But I shall never be involved with you again.”
“Really?”
Rackley took a light sigh and sipped her cold wine.
Kain chuckled softly.
Such women do not break easily, but once they unfasten the locks with great care, they fall even deeper for him. She just does not know what she wants yet.
Having tasted him once, the second time would be easier.
But how did such a tightly closed woman end up doing what she did last night?
Kain hummed, clearing his throat.
“Is marriage that important to you, that you would learn from a gigolo while remaining a maiden?”
“Is that not an odd question for someone who earns a living through such acts?”
“Well, I enjoy myself with the ladies and make money, so I have no complaints. But seeing you enjoy yourself while keeping your husband from entering on your wedding night makes me curious.”
If his tone had been teasing, she would have stood up and left, but his voice was plain.
He was naturally a brazen and rude person.
That made talking to him easy. He was different from the other ladies who spoke with hidden intentions. There was no need for caution. Besides, they would not meet again after a week. With that in mind, it was easier to speak.
Rackley sighed.
“Is there any other way to keep a husband who meets other women outside by my side?”
“Not all men are unfaithful. Just as not all women are chaste.”
“…I used to think that way.”
Rackley thought it was someone else’s story. She believed that while her mother was convalescing, the count would meet other women, but it would be a fleeting connection.
At that time, Rackley had illusions about marriage. She believed that marriages were built on trust and mutual affection. Even if it was not passionate love, she thought a husband’s role was to think first of his wife and children.
She had such expectations.
Watching the happy household of Mrs. Joel, who had worked for the comital house for a long time, Rackley thought that someday she would have such a family, and when she got married, she would live in such happiness.
However, Count Winner shattered Rackley’s illusions.
“I have heard that it is a way for a lady to protect herself. The Lady Class.”
Still, she wondered if they could create a harmonious and happy family if she made an effort.
So this was a struggle. A struggle to create a happy family.
But Kain was cold.
“It is an excuse.”
“…But when you marry, you have to have an heir, so there is no other choice. I have to make the best effort to be happy within what is given to me.”
“Please, happiness? You find happiness by meeting other men? Truly, can one be happy while deceiving one’s future spouse?”
He sneered. His tone was cynical.
Rackley, too, could not refute it because it was a part she blamed herself for. She knew the shame.
“An aristocratic marriage is a business. Pursuing happiness is torturing oneself.”
“You speak as if you have experienced it.”
“I have seen so many such cases around me. As you know, my counterparts are noble ladies like you. And even if they are not nobles, people’s lives are all the same. There is no difference.”
Sarcasm hung at the corners of his mouth.
“It is better not to marry and have children if it will make them unhappy. Unhappiness is contagious and spreads like germs.”
“You could make your wife and children happy.”
Kain looked at Rackley anew.
The story of Count Winner formally admitting his concubine and illegitimate child into the family was already widespread among the aristocracy. She did not know the details of the situation, but what would happen was inevitable.
But what did this woman believe in that she was still immersed in her illusions?
The countess had been sick since she was young and had gone away for treatment, so it was impossible to say that she had grown up happily, but she was incredibly naïve.
Sadly.
Kain leaned his upper body towards her, resting his chin on his hand. Though the table blocked him, his small movement felt as if he had come even closer.
“Would you really not take the Lady Class even if I treat you well?”
“I will not.”
“Fine. Since I cannot take money and do nothing, we can exchange stories while staying at the villa.”
Speaking as if he were doing her a favour from his position as an employee, Rackley felt stifled. But that arrogant appearance suited him.
“If you want to, just say the word.”
“I will not call you to my bedroom.”
“I was talking about exchanging stories.”
Kain enjoyed Rackley’s reddening face and smirked. He stood up. His lustful eyes scanned Rackley.
His gaze alone seemed as if he would immediately rush over, grab Rackley’s hair, and kiss her roughly. However, he did not lay a finger on her.
He lightly touched the teacup that she had sipped from. As if touching her lips, he gently traced it with his fingertips.
He cast a subtle glance at her and then left the dining room.
His broad back, his tight buttocks fitting perfectly in his trousers. His retreating figure captivated her eyes.