Episode 10

A few days after Ute Velvet asked me on a date with his large, comforting arms, I ran into a fundamental problem.

‘I have no clothes.’

It wasn’t that nothing could be color-coordinated into an outfit or they were dirty.

I literally did not have any clothes.

‘They all disappeared along with the house…’

To be precise, they were torn to absolute shreds.

I glared at the black uniform issued by the mansion.

No matter how much I rummaged through the closet, no miracle occurred.

‘I borrowed that dress from Iris just for the interview.’

As soon as the interview ended, I sent it back by parcel.

I didn’t have the time or money to buy any replacements.

“No clothes, no friends, no time…”

A perfect trinity indeed.

My heart ached at the harsh reality... Not really.

It was just a bit inconvenient.

‘I don’t want to wear my uniform on a day off.’

Until now, I hadn’t noticed this problem because I never took rest days.

‘How can I deal with this…’

“Shall I lend you something?”

“…Yes? Madam?”

The Countess, who had been listening to my mutterings, slowly nodded.

I was often called upon since she had yet to be assigned a certain maid.

‘Lucky me.’

Her soft fingertips lightly caressed my shoulder.

“The height will roughly match. I’ll pick out some pretty clothes for you.”

"No, it's alright."

"Why? There's no need to refuse. Is it because you feel burdened?”

“That’s not it…”

I gaped at the cute little lady that resembled a white rabbit.

The fluttering light yellow dress made her look like a fairy.

I couldn't imagine myself wearing anything of the sort...

‘They’d tear as soon as I try to fit my waist in.’

How was I to fix a belt that amounted to more than my yearly salary?

To begin with, the height difference would not 'roughly' match.

“Anyway, it’s fine.”

"Still…It’s for your date, after all.”

“A date?”

“Isn’t this a date? I'm right, aren't I? Who’s it with? A woman? A man? Could it be both?”

The slightly sullen face quickly brightened up.

‘Cute.’

Although she still appeared pale and thin, her complexion was much healthier than before.

I shook my head at the Countess who giggled and chatted on.

“It’s not a date.”

"Then what is it?”

“It’s a kind of self-development. A job competency development.”

Her silver eyebrows narrowed.

I looked away and avoided her question.

Pink flowers were in full bloom on both sides of the garden field.

At that moment, a voice rang from behind.

“…You’re taking a walk as well, Madam.”

“Ah, well, good… afternoon.”

The Count gradually approached the Countess and slicked his ebony hair.

I politely lowered my gaze and rolled my eyes slightly.

‘Why is Sir Ute here?’

Since we were inside the mansion, there was no need for a guard.

Why was the Count outside in broad daylight with his physician, of all people?

‘Thank you.’

His enchanting features stood out even more than the sun.

It truly was a face that made one feel grateful for its existence.

The Count quickly stood before his wife.

After a prolonged silence, he muttered softly.

“…You look alike.”

"Yes?"

"Nothing."

There was confusion evident in her pink eyes.

I whispered into the madam's ear.

“The master said you resemble the flowers.”

“...Really?"

“Of course. I heard it clearly.”

To be precise, he just said they looked alike.

‘That’s all.’

However, he commented she resembled the garden—was there more to it than just the flowers?

At my words, the Countess covered her cheeks with both hands.

At the same time, Ute Velvet also covered his mouth with both hands.

‘Just why is he here?’

His green eyes darted back and forth over the Count and Countess's head.

“Now that I think about it, I’ve never walked you through the garden.”

"Ah, yes."

“Let me show you around.”

As the Count and his wife advanced at the same pace, Ute and I naturally followed behind, keeping our distance.

Ute looked like he was ready to cry.

"Oh my God…”

"What's wrong?"

“This, this, truly..."

The explanation hardly continued.

I gave up trying to listen and changed the subject.

“Anyway, what are you doing here? With the master.”

“I persuaded the Count to go for a walk for his health so his aide could earn some time alone."

“Why the aide suddenly…?”

“Being away from your boss is good for your mental health.”

Was he more worried about the aide’s mental health rather than the Count’s?

Ute fixed his gaze on the Count and his wife.

“What were you talking about, Miss Sonnet?”

“The Countess offered to lend me some clothes."

"Clothes all of a sudden?"

“Because I don’t have any.”

“Miss Sonnet is beautiful just the way she is."

“...What? Me? Beautiful?”

"Of course. I have never seen anyone as charming as Miss Sonnet in my life. Miss Sonnet is truly…”

Hey, someone save me!

The overly enthusiastic beauty was too close for me to handle.

Ute Velvet clasped both of my hands and continued.

“Miss Sonnet’s determination, ability to execute, and appropriate judgment…! I guess the reason I didn’t have any loyal partners until now was to wait for you."

"I…”

“What did you say to the Countess? The atmosphere suddenly changed completely!”

"That…”

“I need to work harder. Seriously—"

"Excuse me…!”

Enough.

This is my limit.

I lowered my head and bit the inside of my mouth.

My voice came out ragged, like someone who caught a cold.

“Please stop.”

“…I apologize."

“There’s no reason for Sir Ute to apologize.”

For what reason are you apologizing?

Are you sorry for being so beautiful and lovely? Guilty of being born an unparalleled beauty and making the temple statues jealous?

Fortunately, Ute quickly regained his original pace.

“Such developments all at once. Truly... It's touching."

His silver eyelashes rose and fell quickly.

When the Count's hand lay over the Countess's shoulder, Ute let out a silent scream.

“Is it that touching?”

"Of course. How did Miss Sonnet’s few words help the development unfold to such an extent… Oh, if you don’t have any clothes, can I gift you some?”

"You, Sir Ute?"

Only then did his clear green eyes focus completely on me.

The man sent a sidelong glance my way and pleaded with a bright expression.

“I want to give you this. Please accept it.”

---

“Sir Ute wishes to gift me..."

Her indifferent cheeks were slightly flushed.

Sonnet cupped her palm and quickly nodded.

“I would appreciate that. I won’t refuse. Thank you."

“No, thank you.”

You deserve the thank you.

Ute shouted in delight as he looked over the heads of the Count and Countess.

Why Do You Keep Obsessing Over Your Terminally Ill Wife? (192/998)

Such a vast change with just the flip of a page!

‘As expected, recruiting this person was a good idea.’

So what if her understanding of romance was lacking?

She could throw a punch like this!

‘If she can get used to the concept soon...'

Returning home would not be a long time from now.

Today's top contributor appeared very excited at the notion of a gift.

‘Miss Sonnet likes free things…’

No one in the world hated money.

At that moment, Ute wished to transfer his whole salary in Sonnet Posa's name.

‘But it’s still early.’

Whenever he gave out too much, they would always get used to it and demand more.

He must gradually increase the rate of compensation and encourage his contractor to become more actively involved.

‘It’s rather apparent what she desires.'

Because there was nothing as simple and apparent as money.

“This is going very well...”

“Going very well?”

“Those two. I think it was a good idea to invite the Count on a walk, right?"

Even as they were having a casual conversation, the pages seemed to be turning steadily.

The Count and his wife seemed to be in a ‘good’ mood even from a distance.

“There’s no place better than a garden for chance encounters.”

“Wasn't this about his mental health?”

“Usually, the male protagonist’s mental health is highest when he is next to the female protagonist.”

In particular, this area was full of flowers reminiscent of the Countess.

White tulips, pink ranunculus...

‘It was a good idea to lead them this way.’

The fact that this was an area the previous Countess had cherished was the icing on the cake.

‘Because the male protagonist typically has mommy issues.’

The female protagonist's role is to fill in the resulting loss.

‘He didn’t even know what flowers smelled like before.’

How lovely was the lavender hair as it shone against the bright sunlight!

‘It’s late, but wouldn’t it be a good idea to at least give her a contract gift?’

The gaze that had been fixed on the flower landed on Ute.

Sonnet Posa glanced back and forth between the flower and the stranger and smiled faintly.

---

“What, what is this?”

---

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