Chapter 8
The dessert presentation ceremony ended quicker than expected.
It was thanks to Adrian, who promptly gathered the servants.
The servants wore forced smiles tinged with fear, occasionally tilting their heads in confusion.
They seemed more uneasy than pleased about being treated better than they ever were by the Grand Duchess.
From the group of servants, I heard whispered remarks like, “Smell it before you eat it. What if it’s spoiled?” but I pretended not to hear and simply smiled.
Offering desserts wouldn’t erase the original death flags, but it wasn’t a bad first step in showing my change.
‘My dear half-demon servants, let’s get along from now on, okay?’
I gave instructions for all the servants, including Mina, to take a break.
Then, I began a tour of the mansion alone with Adrian.
The interior of the Dark Mansion was completely black, gleaming like obsidian.
The floors, walls, stairs—even the massive fireplace.
Especially beautiful was how the light spilling from the grand chandelier shattered across the wide black marble floor.
‘Totally my style.’
It was the epitome of sophistication.
The appearance suited the name “Dark Mansion” perfectly.
“It’s quite different from the Mansion of Light, isn’t it?” Adrian asked.
I nodded enthusiastically, clearly impressed.
“Yeah, very different.”
But then something caught my eye.
“…What’s that?”
In the center of the spacious lobby, between the staircases leading up on either side, was a large fountain.
It was lavishly adorned with tropical flowers not native to the northern region.
“Ah, as you can see, the Dark Mansion is all black, so we often decorate this spot with vibrant flowers as a focal point,” Adrian explained.
“…Did you do that yourself?”
“Yes. It’s a little embarrassing to admit, but I have a bit of talent when it comes to handling flowers and plants.”
Adrian smiled shyly, but I thought it was a talent that suited him well.
If I had to describe Adrian’s image…
He was like the gentle guy who ran a flower shop.
‘Even that part of him is so likable!’
I had secretly earmarked Adrian as the future butler of my seaside mansion after my divorce.
It wasn’t just his flower arranging skills.
I liked how meticulously and sincerely he maintained a mansion that the Twins family didn’t even live in.
‘Adrian, you’re my butler—here in the Dark Mansion and later at my beach house. Claimed.’
Smiling contentedly, I looked up at Adrian and gently said,
“I think we’ll be seeing each other often from now on.”
Adrian blinked, a look of disbelief crossing his face.
But only for a moment.
He then gave the brightest smile I’d ever seen from him.
“I’m truly… truly honored, Your Highness.”
He paused for a breath, overwhelmed with emotion.
“Anytime you visit, I will welcome you with the same heart. And if you ever need me, I’ll come no matter what.”
In his amethyst-like eyes, I saw genuine sincerity.
“If it’s something I can do for you, anything at all, I’d be happy to.”
I stared at Adrian, touched, and softly asked,
“…Aren’t you afraid of me?”
His face slowly turned solemn.
“Would you prefer that I feared you, Your Highness?”
“No, not exactly. It’s just that everyone avoids me… but you seem to genuinely welcome me.”
“…”
“Somehow… it makes me feel kind of… grateful.”
I turned my head slightly and mumbled my words.
Adrian, as if even my smallest voice was precious, let out a soft chuckle.
And then silence followed.
A gentle, quiet silence that oddly brought peace to my heart.
I don’t know how long we stood there like that.
But then he spoke, his voice low.
“I’ve always… been waiting for Your Highness to come here.”
One Hour Later
Adrian returned to the butler’s quarters after seeing Rebecca off.
He slumped into the plush chair in front of the fireplace and let out a quiet sigh.
Loosening the cravat that tightened his neck, he leaned back.
“…Haah.”
With both hands covering his face, he sat there in silence for a while.
‘Her Highness actually came here…’
It still didn’t feel real.
He never thought she would show up at the Dark Mansion.
But she did. And they had talked. Laughed, even.
As the memory of Rebecca’s smiling face came to him, a faint blush crept over Adrian’s flawless features.
‘Has she… finally forgiven me?’
Adrian first saw Rebecca on the night of her wedding to the Grand Duke.
She was crying alone by the pond that connected to the backyard of the Mansion of Light.
Under the gentle moonlight, tears streamed down her beautiful face.
Her pale forehead, soft profile, and tear-streaked cheeks painted a scene so tragic it seemed divine.
Adrian, freshly arrived in the human realm for training, didn’t know she was the Grand Duchess.
‘I’ve been abandoned even here. No one truly loves me.’
Her despair had pierced Adrian’s heart.
He soon learned she was the Grand Duchess.
And that Cedric had postponed their wedding night and left to verify “Lillian’s Heart.”
‘I’ll tell you the way to Mount Manakin. That’s where His Grace is.’
He shouldn’t have said it.
Even if her fragile state tugged at his heart, he should’ve stayed silent.
After that night, Cedric and Rebecca’s relationship deteriorated rapidly.
Cedric became distant and wary. Rebecca grew hysterically attached.
Servants began treating Rebecca with disdain. But Adrian couldn’t bring himself to do the same.
The breakdown of the ducal couple’s relationship.
Rebecca’s erratic behavior toward everyone in the Twins estate.
Lady Bianca fleeing.
And above all… the way Rebecca seemed to descend into madness.
Adrian felt it was all his fault.
He believed he owed Rebecca a debt of the heart—one he would repay however he could.
And so he waited, hoping one day she’d return.
But she never did.
Adrian thought she avoided the Dark Mansion because she resented him.
He had even resolved to leave the Twins household and return to the demon realm.
To forget Rebecca and the guilt tied to her.
‘But today… she finally came back.’
Adrian pulled an envelope from his jacket pocket.
His resignation letter—meant to be handed to the Grand Duke’s aide this afternoon.
Without hesitation, Adrian tossed it into the flames.
Orange firelight flickered over his face.
‘I think we’ll be seeing each other often from now on.’
Rebecca’s gentle voice echoed in his ears.
Whether she meant it or not, at least he could dare to hope again.
Meanwhile
On the way back to the Mansion of Light, Mina couldn’t hide her joy.
“You’re that happy?”
“Of course! I haven’t seen Master Adrian in ages. He’s so popular in the demon realm, you know!”
Her glee made me chuckle.
“Yeah, he’s definitely handsome.”
“Handsome? He’s not just that—he’s the second son of one of the oldest noble houses in the demon realm!”
“Really? Why’s someone like him working as a butler?”
At my question, Mina twirled her basket before stopping abruptly.
“Good question. I heard he came here for human realm training, but never went back. Not sure why…”
Her words trailed off.
“…Huh?”
Mina suddenly stopped and stared wide-eyed over my shoulder.
As if she’d just seen someone completely unexpected.
Moments Earlier
As the carriage passed through the gates of the Twins estate, Cedric opened a folder in his hand.
Inside were divorce papers, stamped with imperial and papal seals.
Just their signatures remained, and the marriage would officially end.
It was what he’d always wanted.
But…
Why did he feel so sour?
‘The more someone loves, the harder it is to go back once that love fades. The Grand Duchess loved you deeply. Now, she has no regrets.’
A statement meant to be brushed aside.
Cedric, before, would’ve scoffed at the Emperor’s sentimentality.
But now, all he could think of was that night with Rebecca.
Her voice, her eyes—completely devoid of emotion.
She’d told him she no longer loved or wanted him.
“….”
Until then, Cedric had thought she agreed to divorce with hidden motives.
That she was making a last desperate attempt to win him back.
But now…
Rebecca seemed far too cheerful for someone with ulterior motives.
‘It’s like she truly wanted this divorce.’
That thought brought him back to the Emperor’s words.
‘Did… Rebecca truly love me once?’
Cedric’s brows furrowed.
Even if she had, what did it matter now?
Their relationship had long been broken beyond repair.
Rebecca must have accepted that too, and let go of her feelings.
Even after sorting his thoughts, irritation lingered.
Like his emotions and reason were no longer in sync.
A first for Cedric, who’d always relied on logic.
‘This is… bothersome.’
Just then, he turned to look out the window.
And saw a woman with red hair walking out of the Dark Mansion.
For a moment, he thought it was an illusion.
But it was clearly Rebecca.
Red hair, porcelain skin, dazzling attire.
She looked the same—but different.
Rebecca… was smiling.
A smile more radiant than lilacs blooming on a spring night.
Cedric couldn’t take his eyes off her.
“…Stop the carriage. I’ll get out here.”
Unconsciously, he gave the order to halt.
