Red Tape

Glasedale is exactly as it was a week ago. The neatly trimmed garden, the maids in their spotless aprons welcoming them—everything looked unchanged.

But Erwin knows that the world around him has completely changed.

As he prepared to soak in hot water and wash away the fatigue of his journey, he noticed a string wrapped around his wrist while taking off his coat.

The  red leather strap has faded slightly, now resembling the color of aged wine and the sharp edges also have softened with wear. But anyone could tell—it was just an ordinary leather string used for binding documents.

It would look strange to others. For noblemen, the only acceptable accessories are a signet ring with the family crest on the little left finger , a simple tie pin, and a thin watch chain.

Erwin, who was looking at the leather bracelet in his hands, came up with an idea.

Leaving the warm bath that awaited him, he stepped out of his room and went down to the third floor. After making sure no one was around, he reached for the portrait of the first Duke of Calliwell.

His fingers traced over the bricks behind the frame until he found the hidden button. He pressed it firmly and opened secret safe, which he had not touched in five years, since before leaving for Saint- Bernoulli.

His mother’s jewelry box, which he had placed in here, remained untouched and covered in a thin layer of dust. Opening the lid, he found everything inside just as he had left it.

Only the retired head butler and Erwin himself knew about this place. He couldn’t think of a safer hiding spot.

Next to his mother’s cherished sapphire ring, he placed the crude leather bracelet. Somehow, in his heart, the two objects now held the same weight.

He gently stroked the bracelet one last time. As he closed the jewelry box, his fingers hesitated, heavy with lingering attachment.

***

Liam, seeing that Erwin had entered the mansion, unloaded his luggage from the carriage and walked down the forest path.

Though it had only been a week, Mary followed him around, happy to see him since they never apart for this long.Liam did not push her away because he has something special for her.

Reaching into his tightly packed trunk, Liam pulled out a paper envelope and handed it to Mary.

“Huh? What’s this?”

She took it absentmindedly, but the moment she opened the envelope, she gasped and collapsed onto the dusty wooden floor of the cottage.

“You’re… giving this… to me?”

With tear-filled eyes, she gazed down at the glittering hairpin resting on her cupped hands.

As if afraid her gaze might wear it down, she examined the intricately crafted rose petals with delicate caution.

“Something this precious… How did you?”

“I picked it, but the young master paid for it.”

“Really? Oh my…”

Mary’s face melted into pure emotion.

“This is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen!”

Seeing her overwhelmed with joy, Liam felt a warm sensation spread deep within his chest.

Mary held the pin up to the sunlight, then examined it in the shade, then placed it against her hair, completely absorbed.

Meanwhile, Liam quietly unpacked his things. He placed his laundry in a basket, carefully hung his neatly folded evening coat on a hanger, and brushed off his black frock coat. He isn’t sure if he would ever wear it again.

“Ha… Thank  you so much,Liam.”

By the time she finally finished admiring the hairpin, Liam had nearly finished tidying up.

After gently placing the pin back in its envelope, Mary set it on Liam’s desk and turned to him.

“So, tell me. How was it?”

“What?”

“The trip with the young master. Did you enjoy it?”

“Uh… well, yeah, I guess.”

“Don’t try to play dumb, Liam. You like the young master, don’t you?”

Liam’s eyes widened to their limit. Mary barely managed to hold back her laughter at his stunned expression.

“W-What are you even saying?”

“You don’t have to pretend. I’ve seen it all.”

Mary began her story.

It was some time ago when rumors about a ghost wandering the estate started circulating among the servants.

Late one night, unable to sleep after drinking too much strong tea, Mary had thrown on a coat over her nightgown and slipped out of her room.

She was hoping to see the ghost that Julia and the gardener’s assistant, Nicky, had claimed to have spotted.

But as she stepped outside into the garden, she froze in place.

There was already someone there.

Just as Julia had described, a ghost in a white dress was drifting through the garden. And following closely behind… was her best friend.

“Liam…?”

Mary narrowed her eyes. Moments later, she realized the “ghost” was none other than the owner of the room she was assigned to clean.

Young Master Erwin was wandering barefoot through the garden in his nightclothes.

Her eyes went wide with shock as she watched the two.

Erwin walked as if lost in a trance. A few steps ahead of him stood a massive stone obelisk, yet he showed no signs of stopping.

Fearing he was about to crash headfirst into the rock, Mary clenched her fists tightly.

Just as the collision seemed inevitable, Liam’s hand reached out, cradling Erwin’s forehead. His other arm wrapped securely around his waist.

‘No,Has he lost his mind?! Touching the master’s body without permission. What if he gets punished for this?!’

Mary’s face filled with concern.

Then, to her astonishment, Liam lifted Erwin off the ground with ease.

With a swift turn, he redirected Erwin and gently set him down in Mary’s direction. Panicking, she ducked behind the corner.

Her mind told her to return to her room, but her curiosity won out. Peeking back out, she watched.

Erwin, now walking in a clear direction, headed toward the mansion’s entrance. The ground was damp with puddles from the afternoon rain.

Liam, quietly trailing behind, placed a steadying hand on Erwin’s shoulder, bringing him to a halt. Then, Liam knelt in front of him and took off his own shoes.

Mary inhaled sharply as realization struck her.

For five years, she and Liam had been inseparable, more like siblings than friends. But in that moment, she recognized the emotion in his eyes—the quiet tenderness in his expression.

Liam carefully slipped his shoes onto Erwin’s feet. The sturdy boots looked like oversized rain boots on him.

Erwin, still hazy, gazed blankly at the night sky, his tired expression lit by the pale moonlight. His eyes, reflecting the incomplete circle of the moon, looked utterly hollow.

Mary had heard of it too.It’s called a ‘dream wandering’. The illness of walking while sleeping. She never imagined the young master would suffer from it.

Meanwhile, Liam meticulously tightened the laces, ensuring the shoes wouldn’t slip off. Then, as Erwin resumed walking aimlessly, Liam followed, barefoot.

Mary watched as his bare feet sank into the muddy puddles.

Leaning against the cold stone wall, she clutched her chest. The scene she had just witnessed was so heartbreakingly tender that made her breath catch in her throat.

At that moment, she knew Julia had no chance.

“That… That was just me having inappropriate feelings on my own.”

Liam’s tanned face paled. He couldn’t allow even Mary to damage Erwin’s reputation.

“I… I’m the only one who harbors such feelings. The young master has done nothing wrong.”

Mary chuckled softly.

“Of course, the young master isn’t at fault. The real crime is his face, which captivates both men and women.”

“…”

“You sure know how to pick impossible crushes,” she sighed.

To her, Liam’s love is hopeless.

Liam, however, secretly exhaled in relief.

But at the same time, a bitter realization sank in. The idea of ever being with Erwin is so absurd that I can’t imagine it.Not only Mary but the whole would see it that way.Maybe they would throw stones at the Master.

So he would never let it be known.Loam vowed once more. His fist clenched without him realizing it.m.

Then, Mary tilted her head slightly, her gaze shifting toward his wrist.

“What’s that?”

Following her eyes, Liam instinctively covered his wrist with his other hand.

“I’m not taking it from you,” she scoffed. “Who would want an old string like that? But seriously, what is it?”

After a long pause, Liam finally spoke.

“…It’s my treasure.”