Chapter 83 (1/2)

"What is it?"

Rubica asked when seeing him lost on thoughts. She then thought for a moment and raised a pot of water boiled with cinnamon, ginger, and honey instead of coffee and poured it out for him.

"I don't have that strange drink you like here, so this should do."

"Tea isn't strange. It's much better for your health than this."

"It's just dried leaves added to water. Edgar, nothing's better than this at preventing a cold."

Edgar pouted. He always tried not to, but he always quarreled with Rubica when they talked. However, he didn't hate her scolding him like that. She was giving him a drink good for his health, so she was caring about him at least a little. He liked it. Although he hated cinnamon, he emptied the cup Rubica handed him.

"You don't like cinnamon?"

He frowned a little after finishing the drink, so Rubica couldn't help but ask.

"Yes."

Rubica made a complicated expression at hearing that. Edgar put his chin out a little and nodded as if asking what it was about. Then, she shook her head as if dismissing an idea.

"It's nothing."

"It doesn't look like nothing."

"It's just, you seem to have similar tastes to someone I know."

She smiled bitterly while longing gathered on her eyes. Edgar's heart ached when she smiled like that. It made him feel the high and thick wall between them. She smiled like a noblewoman and behaved like a girl according to circumstances, but sometimes she made an expression that only those who had lived a long life could make. Edgar didn't know what to do.

"There are many who hate cinnamon."

He was trying to comfort her, but all he could say was that useless comment. He knew it must have sounded as if he was scoffing at her. Rubica didn't know what was going on in his mind and smiled bitterly.

"Yes, there are many who like strawberries and hate cinnamon in this world."

"… how did you know I like strawberries?"

"You ate only strawberries from the cakes Steven brought and didn't touch the other parts, you picky-eater duke."

"Hup."

The last part was what Edgar's late grandmother often said. She called him the duke since the moment he was born. Everyone said it was going to spoil the child, but she didn't care. Edgar hadn't heard that for a long time and couldn't help laughing out loud. His agitation melted right away.

"You sometimes sound like an old lady."

Most women would have gotten mad at that point, but Rubica wasn't mad. She rather looked surprised as if Edgar had just discovered an important secret. Edgar was embarrassed when Rubica didn't joke back and cleared his throat. Really, she was so unpredictable.

"Rubica, I heard that you have decided not to get mana quartz this year."

Her face immediately darkened when hearing that. She realized that what she had talked with Ann about the budget this afternoon had been delivered to Edgar. It was the second time, and now she felt an uncontrollable anger.

"This mansion looks clean, but I guess many mice are living here."

"Mice?"

Edgar was surprised to hear that, and it made her even angrier. He wasn't even seeing what he had done wrong. She put down her anger and continued to speak with a smile.

"There are many mice hearing and spreading words here, so I think it would be better to clean the house. But I must get your permission first, right?"

Alarms rang in Edgar's head. She was clearly mad, and she was smiling. That meant she was really, really mad.

"I'm sorry."

"You have no reason to apologize. It's my fault, I should have kept this house clean."

"I am really sorry."

Edgar turned pale and repeatedly apologized, and Rubica's anger shrank a little at seeing that he was genuinely sorry. Edgar had been a little honest these days. Plus, this matter was something big. She had meant to talk to him about it before announcing her decision. He was certainly smarter than she was. She felt like he would see why she had made such a decision and find a good way to convince everyone.