It was unbelievable.

He was pouting like a child.

To Mary, Cedric looked like a young boy desperately trying to win Aileen's favor by any means possible. It didn't even seem like he realized how he was acting—or how ridiculous he appeared to everyone else.

It was almost...

Cute.

"I'll make sure to tell Lady Aileen that Young Master Cedric was looking for her."

"She's going to avoid me anyway."

"Cedric Lowell. Stop bothering my maid and talk to me instead."

At that moment, a familiar voice came from the doorway.

For entirely different reasons, both Cedric and Mary were relieved to hear it.

"I wasn't bothering her. You kept avoiding me, so I was just asking where you'd gone."

Even so, Cedric instinctively lowered his shoulders ever so slightly as he looked at Aileen.

Despite his broad, well-built frame forged through years of swordsmanship training, it was obvious he was trying not to appear intimidating.

That's exactly what makes him so amusing.

Mary smiled to herself.

When he gave orders to the knights, he looked every bit the dignified young noble. Yet now, he was nothing more than an ordinary boy hoping for a smile or a word of praise from Aileen.

Of course, Cedric himself probably believed he looked perfectly composed and impressive.

"I'll excuse myself now. Please, enjoy your conversation."

Mary sincerely hoped the two of them would finally clear the air.

She had only been here for a few days, but she was already convinced that no one suited her young lady better than Cedric Lowell.

Aileen watched Mary disappear down the corridor before letting out a quiet sigh.

Earlier, while heading toward the study, she'd glanced out the window and noticed Cedric was no longer in the training grounds.

The uneasy feeling she'd gotten had made her turn back before reaching the library.

Avoiding him really isn't like me.

Lately, Cedric's relentless questioning had only grown worse. Rather than continue dodging him, she had decided it was better to confront him directly.

"Why are you so determined to see me? Is there something you wanted to say?"

"Because you've been avoiding me."

"I already told you I was keeping my distance. I just didn't want to be a nuisance."

"You're not a nuisance."

"I see."

Thinking the conversation was over, Aileen turned to leave.

But Cedric quickly reached out and grabbed her shoulder.

"Wait..."

Startled by the sudden contact, Aileen froze.

Realizing what he'd done, Cedric immediately let go.

"I... have something I need to say."

Yet even after saying that, he hesitated beneath Aileen's calm, unwavering gaze.

"I'm sorry. If I've done something wrong... no, actually, I think I've done a lot wrong... N-No, that's not what I meant. Anyway... I'm sorry."

Why did he always stumble over his words whenever he stood in front of her?

Dodging enemy arrows was honestly easier.

For a long moment, Aileen simply looked at him in silence.

One hand resting on the doorknob, she leaned lightly against the door.

"You don't need to apologize."

"But I don't want you to keep avoiding me."

Even with his thoughts tangled in every direction, there was one thing Cedric knew with absolute certainty.

He didn't want things between them to stay awkward.

As long as she remained here, he simply wanted her to feel comfortable.

And if she'd decided he'd done something wrong...

She could tell him.

She could even scold him if she wanted.

"Is that really what you want? Why? You're going to break off our engagement anyway."

Her words sounded almost accusatory.

You're the one who said you didn't want me.

And she wasn't wrong.

Cedric had said exactly that.

But that had been before he truly knew who Aileen Cassier was.

"But... we haven't broken it off yet."

No.

That wasn't a good enough answer.

Panicking, Cedric hurried to explain himself.

"I mean... you're already living here, so... I just thought it'd be better if you could be comfortable. There's no reason for you to go out of your way just to avoid me..."

That somehow sounded even stranger.

Even as he spoke, he wasn't entirely sure what he wanted himself.

Everything was confusing.

Still, when he noticed the faint smile spreading across Aileen's lips, some of the tension left his shoulders.

Maybe...

Maybe his apology had worked.

"All right. I'll be comfortable here, if that's what you want."

"You don't need my permission. Just do whatever you want."

As he continued reassuring her, Aileen narrowed her emerald-green eyes and thoughtfully tapped her chin.

Then, without warning, she said,

"In that case, let's start by replacing the head chef. Then we'll need to replace half the servants."

"...That's the very first thing you want to do?"

"Mm-hmm. I've wanted to say it ever since I arrived."

She looked genuinely satisfied.

Like someone who had finally set down a heavy burden.

Cedric blinked in confusion.

He could never understand what went on inside her head.

But there was one thing he'd learned.

Aileen Cassier was never wrong.

Thinking back on everything, she had been right almost every single time.

And once again...

Cedric found himself completely agreeing with her.

"...Sometimes I honestly think the chef is trying to assassinate me with salt."

"You knew that and still didn't fire him?"

"Well... everyone deserves a second chance. Besides, I like dried meat."

"Cedric. If you're always this forgiving..."

"...Then I won't become a proper head of the family?"

But he didn't want to hear those words right now.

It wasn't that he disliked being scolded.

He simply wanted her to see him as someone dependable.

Someone capable.

Just as she had when he'd first brought her away from House Cassier.

He wanted to see those green eyes looking at him with trust once more.

"I know. I'm strict enough when it comes to training the knights."

He had merely turned a blind eye to a few other things for the sake of convenience.

"Obviously."

Watching her frown, Cedric couldn't help but smile.

She was acting like her usual self again.

And for some reason...

That filled him with an overwhelming sense of relief.

This—

This was the Aileen Cassier he had wanted to see.

Nothing more.

Nothing less.