Chapter 10: Misunderstandings

“I won’t have anyone but Sherry by my side.”

The voice sounded like Hawk’s.

“…I see.

You really cherish Sherry, don’t you?”

“She saved my life.

It’s only natural.”

“Are you visiting her before dinner?”

“That’s the plan.

It’s endearing how she eats from my hand.”

The man speaking with Hawk was unfamiliar, likely someone Fine hadn’t met.

‘Sherry’s a woman’s name, right?’

Sherry was a common name for commoner women in Vittore, meaning “pleasant breeze.”

‘So, Sherry is Hawk-sama’s lover?’

Fine pieced it together.

Hawk had a commoner lover named Sherry, whom he was devoted to.

But as a high-ranking noble, a count couldn’t marry a commoner.

Yet, as head of the Rosaider family, Hawk had a duty to marry and produce an heir.

So, while loving Sherry, he sought a suitable wife to bear children as the countess.

Then Banaji’s incident happened, and he proposed to Fine.

“…I thought we could make it work.

What a mistake.”

Disgust washed over her for naively coming here.

Nobles having lovers wasn’t rare, but learning this on her wedding day, right after arriving, stung deeply.

How much time passed?

Lost in thought on the sofa, a knock came at the door.

“Yes?”

The door clicked open.

“Dinner’s ready.

Shall we go?”

It was Hawk.

As he approached, a faint scent of soap wafted from him.

That alone was enough to spark thoughts of an affair.

“…I’m sorry, I’m too tired and have no appetite—”

Fine trailed off.

She wasn’t generous enough to dine cordially with a man fresh from visiting his lover.

“You do look pale.

Are you unwell?”

Hawk furrowed his brow and touched her forehead.

“No fever.”

“…I’ll be fine with some rest.”

Fine turned her face away.

“Alright.

I’ll have dinner brought to your room.

Rest well.”

Hawk said only that, then closed the door and left.

Soon, a young woman in a maid’s uniform brought a tray of food.

She was about Fine’s age, with striking, round eyes and a cute demeanor.

“My lady, I apologize for the late introduction.

I’m Anna, your lady-in-waiting starting today.”

“Nice to meet you, Anna.”

Fine returned the greeting, and Anna’s face lit up.

“When I heard the master was marrying, I was so excited to meet you.

You’re so beautiful—”

Her enthusiasm left Fine at a loss.

She likely didn’t know about Hawk’s lover.

“Anna, is there someone named Sherry in this mansion?”

“Sherry?

Oh, she’s in the kitchen sometimes.

Why do you ask?”

Anna looked at Fine curiously.

“Oh… I overheard mansion staff talking on my way here.

They said she’s very cute.”

“She is, isn’t she?”

Anna smiled brightly, as if recalling Sherry fondly.

‘So, the Sherry in the kitchen is Hawk-sama’s lover.’

Fine gave a vague smile to brush it off.