Chapter 13

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Butler Pepe was busy watching Karman. Karman was working as usual.

He handled the affairs of the Hunter family in the capital. Since Pepe was in charge of the Baron’s internal affairs, Karman only understood what was reported. 

Even so, there was a lot of work. Originally, it was a job that the Baroness should have taken over. But Sharchen did not have the capacity to do so, and he could not give it to Eliana.

When Karman concentrated on his work, he had a unique atmosphere. But today something was different. The atmosphere around him was strange. It felt kind of awkward. Pepe, who had watched Karman since childhood, could feel it. 

He was now in trouble. It was not known exactly what it was, but it was certain that it was confusing his mind. The fact that Karman hasn’t been able to get over the document he’s grabbed for an hour was the proof.

Pepe looked at him as he wiped the sweat running down his temple. Karman stopped the pen, which was moving smoothly, and asked.

“What is she doing now?”

“Are you talking about Lady Sharchen? She’s now taking care of her skin. It’s the day when the professional comes.”

“No. Not Sharchen.”

“Someone other than Sharchen… who…”

“Eliana. Eliana Rose.”

“Ah! The Baroness. She’s….”

Oops. It was a big deal. Pepe didn’t care what Eliana was doing. It was out of the line of Karman’s interests. In response to the sudden question, Pepe hastily asked the servant to check Eliana’s location. Karman moved the pen again as if nothing had happened.

“Is she trying to make fun of me? Or do you think that Eliana keeps causing trouble because I have neglected to monitor her? What is it?”

Pepe felt uncomfortable in his stomach. The sausage he had for lunch seemed to be hard to digest as if it were stuck in the intestine.

The servant who had left Karman’s study in a hurry came back and whispered to Pepe. Pepe refined the crude language he had heard from the servant and reported it to Karman.

“The Baroness didn’t come out of her room today.”

“She didn’t even go to the library?”

“Yes. She ate all her meals in her room.”

“What did she eat?”

“What?”

The second time Pepe felt troubled. The Baroness’s meal was not taken care of by Pepe. Not only did Eliana order what she wanted to eat, but unlike the previous wives who were picky, there were no major complaints about what to prepare. Pepe wiped his forehead with a damp handkerchief. 

Karman waved his hand. 

“That’s enough. I asked about useless things.”

“… Sharchen, she ate a slice of freshly baked bread, olives, almonds, and milk today. For dessert, she had eclairs airlifted from Conter.” 

“Yes.”

Pepe thought Karman was really strange today. In the past, when Sharchen ate less, he would have said something like supplementing her diet or getting more nutrients, but he didn’t today. He just ended the conversation briefly.

Pepe was sweating. It just seemed like he was doing something wrong. He thought he should find out about the Baroness’ meals even now, but it was not right to bring it up once more because Karman already said it was useless.

Pepe couldn’t do this or that, but Karman wasn’t interested at all. He formally covered the document he was looking at. It didn’t catch his eyes at all. He could only remember the moment when Eliana burst into tears as if she was genuinely sad.

Not going to a social party together.

Karman didn’t even know how much shame it would give Eliana. Her family didn’t have much money or fame, so if he didn’t come with her, Eliana would stay on the terrace the whole party and return.

But it had to be. He had to stop Eliana from running rampant any more, and he had to release the heart of Sharchen, who was having a hard time because of the constant intimidation.

From Karman’s point of view, it was a fair choice. But was it really justified? Karman shook his head, remembering her tear-soaked eyes. Karman wasn’t friendly enough to move his heart at the woman’s tears. The same was true with his three former wives. But Eliana made him feel strange.

It made him angry but also made him feel sorry for her. It made him look back and think. Karman was displeased. Eliana was nothing. She shouldn’t be anything. Because he had Sharchen.

But, but, but.

Karman eventually closed his eyes for a moment.

He thought it would be quiet if he brought a woman from a poor family as a fake wife. In a pretty cowardly way, Karman didn’t want the house to be noisy anymore. Because his father in the capital would not put up with any more fuss.

But it was Karman’s wrong calculation. Eliana Rose danced in his head. She was bold, clever, and captivating. It was enough to think it was her who was suited to be the Baroness, not Sharchen.

But he couldn’t love her. Because he had Sharchen.

Karman kept trying to draw the line that Eliana was trying to cross over and over more firmly. 

He tried to do better with Sharchen, and he treated Eliana more coldly. But why was his heart so uncomfortable? Karman pressed hard on his chest. Pepe, who had been wary of Karman, opened his  mouth carefully. It was to change this heavy air.

“That… Lady Sharchen said that she wanted to show the Baron the dress the dressmaker made in the afternoon. What time can you come?”

“Is that today?”

“Yes.”

Pepe answered excitedly in a high-pitched voice. After all, beautiful things make people feel good. Sharchen, Karman’s true love, was also beautiful. Seeing her in an expensive, beautiful dress would make Karman happy.

“There are only four dresses in total, so it wouldn’t take long.”

“….”

If it was usual, she would have made 10 suits, but now she had reduced it by more than half, saying that it will help the Baron’s wealth. Aren’t you proud of her? She’s ready to become a full-fledged Baroness now.”

Pepe continued chatting. He was sure that Karman would be delighted with the news. 

But Karman didn’t respond. Instead, he asked something else.

“How many suits did Eliana Rose get?”

“What?”

“Should I ask you again?”

“Oh, no.… But the Baroness did not call a dressmaker.”

“Then, what is she going to wear to the party?”

“I heard that she’s going to wear a dress made by the maid. I don’t know the details…..”

“What’s happened?”

“Yes?”

Pepe sweated at Karman’s question. What does he mean ‘what’s happened’? It was a vague question.

The finances of the baron’s family were being checked by Karman, but with regard to expenditure, Pepe was in full control.

In this case, Sharchen was no different from an informal hostess, so the amount allotted to her was large. In other words, her luxury was always acceptable. But the scarecrow, Eliana Rose, was different. Most of the small amount set aside for her would be given to her poor family.

Pepe didn’t even understand why Karman had asked him this question. What is it? Is he asking him to throw more distance that would bother Eliana Rose? Pepe shook his head, sweating profusely. If so, he had something to say.

“Well, that’s the way it is. So have all three of the previous Baronesses. However, since they were all formal families, they prepared themselves so as not to harm the Hunter family. But, as you know, the Rose family is so poor that even if you shake it, you can’t get a single grain of oats, so I’m worried too. Who wouldn’t be in the Hunter family…… ”

“Pepe.”

“Yes, Baron.”

“If that’s the case, isn’t it your job to take care of it even if I don’t tell you in advance?”

“Ah. Baron…that… Not that.”

“Call her a dressmaker.”

“….”

“Never forget that she is a Baroness, no matter how her name is.” 

“Yes Yes! I’ll keep that in mind.” 

After Karman finished speaking, he got up. Pepe was sweating and shoved his handkerchief into his pocket and followed him.

Karman went out to the garden and followed a familiar walking course. Pepe was bewildered, but he followed him, hoping that it would be nothing else. Then he started sweating again where Karman had stopped.

It was the promenade overlooking the library. The library’s window was closed as tightly as Eliana’s closed heart. Pepe watched carefully as Karman’s gaze touched the closed window and did not fall.

After a while, Karman’s lips opened.

“Tell Sharchen.”

“Yes Yes!”

“She can wear any dress.”

“Yes? Baron, are you saying…..you are not going to choose a dress with Lady Sharchen together?”

“Sharchen is beautiful no matter what she wears. I don’t even have to pick one.”

Karman’s words were firm. Pepe didn’t know how to convey this to Sharchen, and he felt like his hair was turning white. When he imagined Sharchen crying in disappointment, his head went blank. Pepe thought that there might be a major change in the Barony soon.