The Maid Dreams Of The Sunset - Chapter 43

After Max’s threatening approach, Isaac had never left the mansion for more than half a day. He knew Max wasn’t foolish enough to indulge his anger by taking advantage of her; instead, he only used her to control himself. However, when it came to lust, Isaac couldn’t be certain what Max might do while he was in a frenzy.

Furthermore, this time he left his post to counterattack Max. Although the plan was well laid out, and there should be no hiccups, he still needed to be prepared for the unexpected. He had contingency plans in place, so hopefully, nothing would go wrong… but if Dahlia suffered any harm due to his attack on Max, then it would all be in vain.

“Dahlia.”

Isaac decided to change the subject, leaving his worries behind. He subtly pulled her closer by the waist, and their bodies pressed together. Dahlia looked up at him curiously. Isaac gently whispered in her ear.

“It’s my birthday in two months. You haven’t forgotten, have you?”

‘Do you remember when I said we should live together when we become adults?’

‘…Do you remember the words about us getting engaged?’

He asked without much expectation. As expected, he received a casual response.

“Yes, that’s right. Young Master’s birthday is coming up… Oh, if it’s your birthday this year, won’t you also have your coming-of-age ceremony?”

His birthday would mark his independence as an adult. At the same time, he could receive his vassal titles and acquire personal property. Every year they celebrated his birthday together in a simple way, but this year, it would be different. There would be the coming-of-age ceremony, and as the acting Marquis and the Duke’s assistant, a more elaborate birthday party than before was expected. It made her feel both upset and happy. Dahlia forced a smile, feeling conflicted.

“Happy birthday in advance, Young Master. Is there something you want? I can’t afford anything too expensive, but… I’ll do my best.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Like every year, should I buy you books? You probably don’t have many things you want to read anymore… How about a bookmark? A fountain pen… Oh, but you already have a good one. Hmm, a handkerchief… Or gloves…”

As the words continued, Dahlia lowered her head more and more. There was nothing Isaac needed. Well, even if there were things he wanted, she couldn’t afford expensive items. Hand-embroidered handkerchiefs or gloves were pitiful compared to the luxurious items he usually carried.

Dahlia had worked so desperately for the past two years that she thought she had reached the end he was at, but he was already flying high in the sky. Dahlia remembered the melancholy look on her face as she realised that the gap between him and her had grown so great that it could no longer be bridged.

“What’s the matter?”

Isaac raised Dahlia’s chin with a puzzled expression.

“Just by looking at your face, I can tell. You’re thinking strange things again, aren’t you?”

Dahlia pretended to avert her gaze with embarrassment.

Isaac knew precisely what she was thinking since they had spent so much time together. He gazed down at Dahlia languidly, then gently lowered his head and pressed his lips against her forehead.

“To be honest… There is something I want. Something only Dahlia can give me. Can you give it to me as a gift this birthday?”

As if whispering from a distance, his voice caressed Dahlia’s ears. Dahlia quickly blinked her eyes, the feel of his lips tickling her forehead.

“What is it?”

“You.”

“Huh?”

“Dahlia, I want you.”

Isaac’s deep, resonating voice filled with sweetness echoed in her ears. Half-lowered eyelashes concealed his intense gaze that looked at her with a mixture of bewilderment and anticipation.

I want you.

Under the short silence, their understandings of each other diverged. Isaac’s intention to buy her future was misinterpreted as an intention to possess her body, leaving Dahlia wide-eyed with astonishment.

“What… What are you talking about?”

Startled, Dahlia stood up, pressing her hand against her chest, and retreated towards the window. Her flushed face displayed confusion, embarrassment, and incomprehensible expectation.

‘What did he mean by wanting to have me?’

“That… That’s not…!”

Of course, she should be angry. The fact that someone so beautiful and noble wanted her was both unpleasant and strangely satisfying.

Dahlia was caught in a dilemma as she struggled to find her words.

“Even though I understand that you value me, I can’t just easily give myself to you. I mean, yes, it’s a servant’s duty to obey their master’s orders, but still…!”

Her voice trembled with either genuine anger or confusion, making it hard to discern. As Isaac looked at her with surprise and uncertainty, he tried to clarify, stumbling over his words in an attempt to rectify his mistake.

“No, that’s not exactly what I meant. Well, not entirely, at least. I mean… it’s not just about that.”

Isaac, who had been speaking hastily, realised this was not the case and let out a slight cough as if to cover up his mistake.

“I didn’t mean it that way. Of course, I’m not opposed to the idea of intimacy, but I want our relationship to be less ambiguous and more concrete.”

Isaac swallowed the words with a shy face, stroking the scruff of his neck, unable to meet his eyes.

‘…I want you to be my lover. Or rather, I want you to marry me.’

He had kept these ecstatic sentences locked away in his heart, wanting to shout that he had loved her for a long time and yearned to be with her forever. He desperately wanted to make her his own. However, when he saw her bewildered expression, he realised that hastily expressing his feelings might lead to a distorted and unsatisfactory outcome.

‘Should I say it or not?’

“Young Master. Are you here?”

Just then, his secretary knocked and entered the room, looking for Isaac. Hearing the message that he had to leave right now, Dahlia started to pack Isaac’s clothes without even trying to control her emotions.

Dahlia, who skillfully packed his things, handed the bag to the attendant and turned to Isaac.

“Young Master.”

Dahlia gently brushed her still-flushed cheek and averted her gaze as she stood before Isaac. In her mind, Max, Edina, and the improper proposal from the boy were all mixed up. Her heart fluttered as she let out a deep sigh and firmly raised her head to meet Isaac’s gaze.

Handing him his bag, she turned to face Isaac. Her cheeks were still flushed, and her voice shook as she spoke.

“What you said earlier… I’ll believe it was a mistake. W-well, not completely, of course… When you’re feeling… passionate, I can assist you.”

“……Huh?”

“If it’s you, young master, I’ll be alright. I can accept it. I’ll bear with it.”

With a resolute expression, Dahlia covered her slightly reddened face, revealing her true feelings even though it was against her will. Her true intentions were revealed from the way she unconsciously covered her chest. Still, she spoke cheerfully, “Sometimes, we can’t help it, right?”

Her words seemed to flow unconsciously, and she couldn’t stop herself. Isaac covered his mouth with his hand and tried to hide a smile, looking somewhat perplexed.

How did it end up like this? He found her determination endearing and heartwarming, but a sense of regret overshadowed everything. They wouldn’t have ended up in this strange situation if he had properly confessed earlier.

However, he didn’t want to rush and pour out his true feelings. This atmosphere wasn’t right. Isaac let out a deep sigh internally, then mustered a bitter smile and said, “Your resolve is admirable, but you misinterpreted my words.”

“Really?”

“It’s nothing, really. I’ll be back after my trip, and I’ll say it properly… I love you, Dahlia.”

Isaac gently brushed his lips against Dahlia’s cheek, leaving a soft whisper, “I’ll be back,” and then quickly left the room.

“Take care, bye.”

Subconsciously lowering her head, Dahlia realised she was now alone. Just before saying goodbye, his words, like tinnitus, lingered in her ears and made her heart pound.

“I love you, Dahlia.”

***

As the train departed, passing through the busy city landscape, the vast plains filled the window.

The journey to the meeting in Vilparson would take nearly six hours by train, but Isaac planned to make a stop at another place along the way.

Lost in his thoughts while scanning through the documents, a conductor approached him with a polite greeting.

“Mr. Eufgenschult, we’ll be arriving at the requested temporary station shortly. Shouldn’t you start getting ready?”

The conductor, showing the utmost respect to the major shareholder of the railway company to which he belonged, inquired about Isaac’s intentions. Isaac blinked and expressed his understanding before instructing his secretaries, sitting across from him, to organise the documents spread out before them with a gesture.

Even though the secretaries diligently followed his instructions, they couldn’t help but express their curiosity about this unexpected change of plans.

“Mr. Isaac, weren’t you supposed to head straight to the meeting venue?”

“I’ll make a brief stop at Cunningham. I have some business with Viscount Obrick.”

“What? Viscount Oubric?”

Viscount Oubric was someone who, until a few years ago, had been the right-hand man of the Duke. However, he became a recluse after his daughter’s death and no longer left the estate. Thanks to his seclusion, the influence of the old nobility weakened, and Count Newett managed to push them aside and take Viscount Oubric’s place by the Duke’s side.

“Why do you suddenly want to meet with Viscount Oubric?”

For Isaac, who had risen with the support of Count Newett’s power, there was no need to meet with him anymore. Besides, Viscount Oubric had always regarded Isaac, the Duke’s illegitimate child, with disdain. It was hard to fathom why he wanted to meet with someone who was almost an enemy.

“I’m sure Viscount Oubric doesn’t think highly of you. He’ll probably refuse your visit.”

“Thank you for your concern, but it may not necessarily be the case.”

Isaac chose his words with a vague smile, as if understanding everything.

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