Kallion stood by the office window, quietly watching the garden where Yuliana was sitting.
He saw her maid, Kate, carrying the bouquet he had sent.
He held his breath, waiting to see Yuliana's reaction. Soon, Kate approached Yuliana and said something while holding out the flowers.
She was probably explaining that it was a gift from him.
Immediately, Yuliana's relaxed expression turned stiff.
She didn't even glance at the bouquet and turned her eyes back to the book in her hands.
Kate looked more flustered than Yuliana.
From the window, Kallion frowned in frustration.
'Did Kate explain it properly?'
Even as Kate arranged the flowers in a nearby vase, Yuliana didn't look at them once.
Maybe she doesn't know I sent them?
What if the maid didn't explain it clearly…
Tapping anxiously on the windowsill, Kallion finally gave in and left the office.
He walked straight toward the garden where Yuliana was.
He cleared his throat awkwardly as he approached. Yuliana frowned and looked at him, puzzled.
"I asked your personal maid to deliver the flowers to you…"
When he trailed off and glanced at the bouquet, Yuliana replied curtly,
"Yes, I received them."
"…You don't like them?"
At his question, Yuliana sighed and looked back at her book.
"There are plenty of flowers in the greenhouse. Why would you send more?"
Kallion frowned.
"Valdormer's winter flowers are rare and precious."
"Maybe to people from Valdormer. But they're not the kind of flowers I like."
Kallion had asked Layla what kind of gift would make a woman happy, and she said flowers—so he picked winter flowers, not thinking too deeply.
He never thought to ask what Yuliana personally liked.
Do women each have their own favorite flowers? So then… what kind does Yuliana like?
Pointless questions flooded his mind. While he stood frozen, Yuliana looked up at him, puzzled.
"Is that why you came here?"
Her dry question made Kallion look away awkwardly and mutter,
"I just came out for a walk. Needed some fresh air. Anyway… I'll go now."
He left awkwardly, and Yuliana watched him suspiciously.
Kate leaned over and whispered softly.
"I think Lord Kallion wanted to see your reaction."
"My reaction?"
Yuliana frowned, clearly not understanding. Kate chuckled.
"Maybe he wanted to see you happy after receiving his flowers."
Kallion?
He wanted to see me happy?
Impossible.
She figured it was just a gesture to show off—maybe even a formality for his father's sake.
The idea that Kallion came to check her reaction out of curiosity? Ridiculous.
Still, Yuliana looked after his retreating figure with a confused expression.
Eventually, she gave up thinking and returned to her book.
From within the mansion's shadows, Layla stood watching her for a long while.
***
Layla entered the bathroom and dunked her face into a basin of cold water.
She held her breath, her face underwater, letting the cold calm her mind and heart.
Slowly lifting her head, she stared into the mirror, ignoring the water dripping down her face.
The woman staring back looked pale, soaked, and pitiful.
Her master. Her world. Her man… was changing.
And it was all because of that woman from House Heister.
The woman who held the bouquet Layla should have received.
The woman who pretended to be indifferent even after receiving such rare flowers—Layla found her unbearable and disgusting.
Watching Kallion be affected by that woman was even harder to take.
He had to know.
That Yuliana wasn't innocent, but a sneaky, manipulative woman.
Layla thought back to her meeting with Lloyd.
She didn't trust everything he said with that emotionless face.
The only person she truly believed in was Kallion—the man who would become the master of Valdormer.
But…
Still staring at her reflection, Layla suddenly began taking off her clothes.
Looking at her pale, naked body, she twisted her clothing into a gag and bit down on it.
Her jaw clenched, veins stood out along her neck. Her bloodshot eyes were full of fury.
That's how Layla spent a long time in the bathroom, silently letting out her anger.
***
While I was reviewing ledgers, Layla approached me and cautiously spoke.
"Um… Madam."
Her voice and posture were timid—very unlike her usual self. I looked at her with suspicion.
I had heard from the butler that she had been scolded recently because of rumors about me spreading in the mansion.
Hard to believe, since Kallion usually treated her so kindly—but given how withdrawn she had been lately, maybe it was true.
Still, I didn't feel even the slightest gratitude toward Kallion for that.
"Go on," I said coldly.
Layla hesitated, then apologized.
"I'm sorry for what happened before. I shouldn't have doubted you just because of that half-burnt letter… I was thoughtless."
Her apology didn't move me. All I could think was, what's she planning now?
Even as I looked at her doubtfully, she seemed genuinely sorry.
Whether she meant it or not didn't matter to me.
An apology wouldn't undo the past, and it wouldn't change anything going forward.
Seeing my indifferent face, Layla gave an awkward smile.
"I regret not accepting you as the lady of Valdormer and not supporting you properly."
I returned my focus to the ledger, uninterested.
"Is that so?"
"I wanted to properly apologize," she said.
When I looked up at her again without any surprise, she quickly waved her hands.
"This is really sincere. I happened to receive a shipment of the finest tea leaves from Marcellino, and I'd like to serve you some, if you'd allow it."
"Is that really necessary?"
Seeing how reluctant I looked, Layla smiled nervously but added seriously,
"I admit that I haven't treated you as the true lady of the house. But I want to change that now."
"…"
"For example… I could share some of Valdormer's secrets that only the lady of the house would know."
My hand paused mid-turn on the ledger.
These secrets—like the vassal relationships and confidential matters about Valdormer—might even be related to Denian's death.
That's why I had tried so hard to become accepted as the mistress of this awful place.
Seeing my hesitation, Layla smiled sweetly and added,
"So, what do you say to having a little tea time in my room? Just us ladies. I promise you won't be disappointed."
It didn't sound completely clean—but the offer was very tempting.
After Kallion, Layla probably knew the most about Valdormer's secrets.
"If you're curious about anything, I'll share what I know sincerely," she said.
It seemed like there was nothing to lose in accepting.
No matter what Layla thought of me, she wouldn't dare harm me directly.
Even if Kallion hated and resented me, he wouldn't sit still if anything happened to the lady of Valdormer.
It was about the honor and dignity of the house. He had stepped in before—at the orphanage incident and when the vassal wives disrespected me.
Having thought it through, I calmly looked at Layla and said,
"Alright. I look forward to tasting that tea from Marcellino."