CWMBR 51

Chapter 51

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Sponsored by Elisa. Thank you ❤️ (3/6)

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*The past

While drinks and simple snacks were being prepared, Bridget found a moment to look around the mansion. 

"You can look around any room that's open. As for the locked ones... well, I'm not the owner of this mansion." 

"I wouldn't dare sneak into a locked room, would I?"

 Ain shrugged at Bridget's retort. He stepped away for a moment, leaving Bridget to wander the mansion alone. It wasn't so large it required a guide, but it wasn't small enough to take in at a glance either. 

Having lived in Glynford for so long without ever entering such an elegant mansion, she would normally have embraced this rare opportunity with interest. But today, the pleasure of exploring new spaces held little appeal.

 It was because of the conversation she'd had with Ain in the dining room a little while ago. The fact that Donna was Ain's first love—even though she'd confirmed it with the person himself—still didn't quite register. She knew it was rude, but she kept wanting to pry further. 

But having heard nothing, Bridget could only imagine the two standing side by side. Ain and Donna standing together. Both handsome and beautiful, they made quite a striking picture simply by being there. 

This only made Bridget feel more dejected. She couldn't understand why she felt so deflated when they looked so good together. Lost in these gloomy thoughts, Bridget stopped abruptly in front of a firmly locked door. 

She slowly scanned the door. It looked much like any other door, but the golden doorknob made it seem unnecessarily special. She grasped the knob again and tried to turn it. Only a clunking sound came from it; the handle wouldn't budge. 

Why was this door handle gold? Did that mean the key was gold too? Even without that, she'd found it odd how few servants were employed in the mansion. Now, standing before this locked room, she felt exactly like Bluebeard's wife. 

The only locked room in this mysterious castle. The wife who ultimately used the golden key despite her husband's warning not to enter... Of course, Ain wasn't a deranged murderer like Bluebeard, and Bridget wasn't his wife. 

Still, an inexplicable chill crept over her, and Bridget spun around abruptly. Wandering through the quieter sections seemed only to invite frightening imaginings, so she headed toward the brightly lit areas this time. 

The servants she occasionally encountered didn't stop her. They all seemed aware of the mansion's guest. Thanks to that, Bridget reached the inner rooms without anyone's interference. 

The door looked quite ornate—perhaps a study or gallery? With that thought, Bridget pulled the door open. Beyond the silently swinging door, ornate furniture came into view. The moment she stepped inside, a wave of warmth washed over her. 

It seemed the fireplace had been lit with extra care compared to other rooms. In the center of the spacious interior sat an elegant sofa and table, looking expensive and reflecting the owner's lavish taste. Bridget murmured an involuntary exclamation of admiration as she walked further inside.

 She hadn't deliberately tried to muffle her footsteps, but the plush carpet allowed her to move quietly. This somehow gave her an inexplicable sense of secrecy, and she found herself nervously scanning the interior. After confirming a closed door on the right, she turned her gaze to the left. 

A massive tapestry dominating the left wall caught her eye. Mesmerized, she admired the intricate embroidery pattern created with shimmering threads. Only then did she notice the passageway beside it. It seemed to be a private room, unobstructed and clearly visible inside. 

“·····Oh.

While peering inside without much thought, Bridget froze.

In the center of the room stood a large, ornate bed, spacious enough for two adults to lie comfortably. Realizing this was the bedroom, Bridget took a step back with a look of embarrassment just as the sound of a door opening came from behind her. 

"Hm?" 

The one who opened the closed door and appeared was Ain. Judging by his much more comfortable-looking loungewear compared to her dining attire, he must have changed clothes in the dressing room. 

He frowned, clearly not expecting anyone to be in the bedroom, and stopped abruptly. Seeing this, Bridget grew even more flustered and hurriedly moved. 

"Oh, I didn't realize it was the bedroom. I just came in because it was open... I'll leave right away." 

Of course, it was Ain who had said it was fine to look around anywhere that was open, but surely he hadn't intended to show her his bedroom, which he was currently using. Bridget practically ran to the door, grabbed the handle, and yanked it hard. 

Click! But the door only shook slightly; it wouldn't budge. Eyes wide, Bridget pulled harder than before, but it was the same. Frowning, she cautiously glanced back at Ain while still gripping the handle. 

"Um, this isn't opening..." 

Ain had been watching every one of Bridget's movements up until that point. Bridget, embarrassed, reflexively looked away just as she was about to pull on the door handle again. In an instant, the shadow of the large man fell over Bridget's back. The warmth of another person covered the back of her hand, which was tightly gripping the handle. Click. 

"You have to push." 

A low voice, tinged with laughter, settled near her ear. Bridget stared blankly at the door that slid open effortlessly, then lowered her gaze. She watched Ain’s hand covering hers. She noticed the thick veins and protruding bones on the back of his hand, something she'd never really looked at closely before. 

They were larger than she'd imagined, and if they overlapped just right, they could completely cover her own hand. Bridget swallowed hard and gripped the innocent doorknob tightly. The touch of the palm felt like a burning sensation. 

"I got confused because it's opposite from home." 

"Ah." 

"I'll go ahead and wait. Take your time finishing up and come slowly." 

Bridget strained to open the door fully. But Ain, who had been holding both the handle and her hand, suddenly tightened his grip, thwarting her effort. Thud. The door, which had opened slightly, slammed shut again. 

"As you can see, this room's table is spacious. Since moving is a hassle, how about just bringing the drinks over here?"

 Ain, who had pulled the door shut while holding Bridget's hand, slowly released his fingers. Watching his hand fall away from her own with a dazed expression, Bridget slowly turned around. 

Though he'd only let go of her hand, Ain still stood behind her. He was closer than she'd realized. Bridget held her breath, noticing the Adam's apple on the man's neck, positioned higher than usual. Ain, having removed his vest, was undoing the top couple of buttons on his shirt. Because of this, his straight neck and the collarbone below it came fully into view.

 "...Here?"

The table was wide, but the bed was right next to it. If you had to distinguish, this entire room was a bedroom, and no matter how comfortable they felt with each other, a man and a woman drinking alone together in a bedroom was... As if sensing Bridget's racing thoughts, Ain spoke in a calm voice.

"Ah, if that bed bothers you, don't worry. You won't see it if you close the inner door."

 Was there a sliding door? She'd been so flustered by the bed that she hadn't noticed the room's layout afterward. But closing the door wouldn't change the fact this was a bedroom, would it? With question marks swirling in her head, Bridget, unable to find a place to rest her gaze, moved her eyes around until she finally lifted her head to look at Ain.

 At first glance, he wore his usual indifferent expression. But looking closely, the faint smile lingering in his blue eyes was plain to see. 

"Any other issues?" 

The way he asked resembled a mischievous adult teasing an innocent child. Bridget bit her lip hard without realizing it. It felt unfair and hurt her pride that she alone was conscious of this man. Clenching her teeth, she retorted in a sulky voice. 

"No problem."

 Bridget lifted her chin, pretending nothing was wrong, and walked past Ain. As if to show that she wasn’t being nervous, she plopped down right in the middle of the sofa, leaned back, and said in a light tone. 

"This sofa is wonderfully soft and comfortable. It's so spacious, you could even sleep on it." 

Ain swallowed a groan at Bridget's boastful remark before muttering under his breath. 

"...You want to sleep?"

"I didn't say I wanted to sleep!" 

Bridget recoiled in shock, jerking her back up. Ain, who had been watching her with narrowed eyes, clicked his tongue. 

"I've felt it before, but you seem to lack any sense of danger. Should I say you don't know the world is scary?" 

Ain walked over to the sofa opposite where Bridget sat and casually slumped onto the armrest. Leaning back with a relaxed posture, he continued. 

"Then again, you did say you were full of adventure since childhood. Considering your track record of casually hopping over other people's fences, it's hardly surprising."

At that, Bridget pouted her lips and lowered her eyes. Listening to him like listening to her stuffy cousin's nagging made her feel thoroughly displeased.