How to Tame That Gentle Hero - Chapter 10.1

Most of the maids believed that the young lady was simply being capricious. But as Del could see, other maids also observed that Resena had not mistreated her staff for a long time, and opinions shifted toward believing she had completely changed.

‘Moreover, she even gives tips occasionally now…’

The generosity she showed to her maids—giving them adequate rewards during makeup sessions and balls—did not match her previous notorious reputation at all.

Fortunately, she had entered service around the time the young lady began to change. Del looked down at Resena with gratitude. The lady who appeared as beautiful as a goddess descended now had a heart to match her appearance.

‘Miss. Please keep that heart forever.’

Del looked back at Resena as she left the room.

In the quiet room, only the sound of calm breathing proved what state this room’s owner was in.

Del closed the door slowly.

Very, very quietly.

***

The Founding Day Festival was approaching in two days.

All members of the Arnasus family were adorned with accessories made of obsidian on some part of their bodies. Renard wore earrings, the Duchess wore a necklace, and the Duke had a brooch attached to his cravat, all placed to match well.

“The black looks so good with your white skin and black hair, Miss. Choosing to match both the necklace and earrings was truly a good decision.”

“Hehe, right? Usually, people wear just one, but I tried both to help promote the guild’s obsidian.”

Resena spoke cheerfully while looking in the mirror. The rounded, polished parts of the obsidian reflected light. The black color, which complemented her translucent white skin so well, evoked the night sky.

Moreover, the obsidian had a slight purple tint mixed in, making viewers unable to hold back their admiration.

“It’s really splendid. The lucky man who gets to date you is truly fortunate. Well, seeing you dressed up like this, any man in Crevasta would inevitably fall for you.”

The maids who said this laughed brightly as they brushed Resena’s hair into curls beside her. They made the curls even thicker and draped them over her shoulders, making her look more alluring.

However, Resena, hearing these words, inwardly gave a bitter smile. She knew very well that among those men who would fall for her, Alken, Ian Fullecher, and Renard were exceptions. But excluding those three, the thought that everyone else would turn to look at her while walking down the street made her quite pleased.

‘Well, Resena is a peerless beauty after all.’

After finishing her preparations and standing up, Resena glanced at the calendar hanging on the wall.

Today was September 1st.

The Founding Day Festival was on September 3rd. If Eldis didn’t return by then, her escort would probably be someone else. But for now, she didn’t want to choose anyone else as her companion.

Whether it was Vernas, whom she would chase after.

Or Eldis, who would chase after her.

She disliked anyone who wasn’t one of those two. Amidst the squealing maids, Resena quietly gazed into the mirror. With her obsidian-like black hair flowing down to her waist and wearing a purple dress, she looked like Trelia, the goddess of night.

However, Trelia was famous for putting men who courted her in terrible situations. Also, the goddess of the moon, she was kind to travelers but would trap those captivated by her beauty in hallucinations and laugh at their confusion. She was truly a goddess with a wicked sense of humor.

“Miss, shall we stop by the shopping district? Or would you like to visit Vernas’s sculpture exhibition that recently opened?”

“If it’s Vernas’s sculpture exhibition, I must go. I can’t miss it. Let’s go.”

“Understood.”

After the head butler left, Resena came out to the entrance and boarded the carriage. Even though the serial killer had quieted down, she couldn’t give them an opportunity. For that reason, she headed to the auction house accompanied by three knights.

When talking with Vernas, she often discussed her daily life, so she hadn’t heard where he was holding his sculpture exhibition. And Vernas himself didn’t seem to know exactly when the exhibition would be held. It seemed he entrusted his sculptures to a sales agent and only received the settlement, which made Resena wonder what would happen if the sales agent was unreliable, but Vernas apparently trusted this sales agent, so it was difficult for her to say anything.

“Oh, Resena.”

“Ah, Alken.”

In front of the auction house.

The man standing next to Alken was the captain of the Daren Imperial Guard. Resena felt both pleasure and confusion. She had thought Alken was also part of the group accompanying Eldis to the holy land…

“His Highness Eldis has returned, Resena.”

Alken, as if reading her thoughts, spoke with a gentle face. At the same time, Resena’s face lit up beautifully like a blooming flower. Seeing her eyes curve prettily, Alken also smiled and added.

“By now, a messenger bird should have reached your mansion. He tested his limits and overcame trials at the holy land Lemordus. Since you’re the person he wants to see first, he’ll probably visit your mansion soon.”

“Thank you, Alken. Then, I’ll see you later too, Captain of the Daren Guard.”

“Farewell, Lady Arnasus.”

With a heart full of dreams, she quickly boarded the carriage. Her heart was beating so violently it felt like it would jump out. Tears welled up for no reason, and Resena rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand.

The carriage seemed unusually slow. Resena told the coachman to drive faster. As the carriage gradually picked up speed, Resena quietly thought of Eldis.

“Eldis…”

Recalling their sweet kiss, she touched her lips and reflected on what Eldis had said.

“If you would accept me as your husband, I’ll go to Lemordus. If not, I’d like you to dangle a bait that can tempt me. Something powerful enough to make me willingly risk my life to go to Lemordus.”

“…..”

“This kind of reward makes it worth going.”

“Resena.”

“Yes, Eldis.”

“When I return, will you give me another kiss like this?”

“…Eldis.”

When she quietly called his name, the area around her chest grew hot with warmth, and her heartbeat accelerated even more. She couldn’t bear how badly she wanted to see his neat face soon. Resena clutched the hem of her dress and quietly closed her eyes.

She just waited for time to pass quickly.

Picturing Eldis’s face, wishing only to meet him again.

‘What should I say to him when he returns?’

Welcome back. Was it difficult?

“I’ve been waiting for you. I believed in you?”

Yes, this sounds good.

Of course, waiting for him while believing in him was painful.

Fearing that he might not return alive from the dangerous place…

It had been agonizing to feel as though she was pushing him, who was perfectly fine, into a dangerous place. But… now that pain would disappear. Because Eldis would have surpassed his own limits.

‘And I want to hear his story about what it was like in the holy land Lemordus.’

When Resena opened her eyes, the carriage had stopped.

“Miss, an imperial carriage is here.”

“I see. Thank you, Marim.”

As she got out of the carriage and approached the entrance, she met Luna, who was just coming out. Luna brightened and approached Resena.

“You’ve come at the perfect time. His Highness the Crown Prince is waiting for you in the drawing room.”

“Hehe, I understand. Thank you, Luna.”

The head maid withdrew with a broad smile. Resena placed her hand on her rapidly beating heart, took a deep breath, and slowly stood in front of the drawing room.

“Eldis…”

As the knights opened the door, she could see Eldis sitting quietly on the sofa. This moment felt like a dream, and after staring at him blankly, Resena suddenly came to her senses.