If You Are Suited for the Villain's Secretary - Chapter 53

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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If the Villain’s Secretary Suits Me
Chapter 53
The “house” was located in the most secluded corner of a fairly quiet Residential District, not far from the Plaza.
At first glance, Aden’s House appeared unremarkable except for its high outer walls.
It was an utterly ordinary dwelling—perhaps even smaller than one might expect for the residence of a renowned Merchant Guild’s Director.
‘Considering his tastes, it’s rather surprising he didn’t paint everything black.’
There was nothing particularly distinctive about its exterior.
Only the complete absence of flowers or trees—the sort of ornamental greenery one would ordinarily expect—lent it a somewhat desolate atmosphere.
After passing through multiple locks, I finally reached the entrance and followed Aden inside with careful steps.
‘This is rather awkward….’
I should have brought a housewarming gift.
I’d insisted on staying with him out of basic propriety—one simply cannot impose oneself as a guest in a home whose owner has been displaced. Yet now that I was actually here, the situation felt decidedly uncomfortable.
Moreover, I was the one who’d clung to him insisting on this arrangement. It wasn’t as though I were pestering someone I harbored romantic feelings for….
‘Of course, Aden isn’t the type to entertain such strange misunderstandings.’
So unlike my bold insistence on accompanying him, I hesitated now, stepping inside with reluctance.
“Make yourself comfortable. Though I suspect that won’t be easy.”
The moment I saw the interior of the entrance, Aden’s words proved prophetic—I felt decidedly uncomfortable.
Though the exterior had seemed somewhat austere yet ordinarily residential, the interior was simply desolate.
The walls were ashen gray, the marble floors cold. There were virtually no furnishings—not even the basic pieces one would expect in a lived-in home, let alone decorative items.
The materials and sparse furniture present were each exquisite, yet the space bore not a trace of use nor warmth.
Most people would not call such a place a home.
‘A safe house.’
Or perhaps,
‘…a prison.’
I’d once wondered why he came to the Office when he could work from home—the Trading Company’s lights burned through weekend nights regardless.
But if “home” was a place like this…
“Though I suspect that won’t be easy.”
And if it was equally uncomfortable for Aden…
…then he had nowhere to return to.
As I recalled how Aden had referred to his dwelling as a “residence” rather than a home, our eyes met.
“Director.”
“Yes?”
I didn’t want to comment on what his house was like.
Whether praise or criticism.
Kind words would be a lie, and harsh words—no matter how expressionless his face appeared as he looked at me now—
“I’ll pay for my stay.”
Something told me such words would cut deeply into him today.
So I smiled slightly instead.
“May I use the Kitchen?”
***
After finishing my shower, I rolled up my sleeves with determination, only to open the pantry and roll them back down just as forcefully.
‘I knew this would happen.’
True to form for someone whose specialty was skipping lunch, Aden’s pantry was nearly bare of anything resembling groceries.
But I was an expert at scrounging together meals from whatever scraps remained.
After thoroughly searching the kitchen and unearthing the available ingredients, I smiled with satisfaction.
‘This should work, actually. I can make something with this.’
At least there was more than just bottled water, thank goodness.
I shrugged and retrieved the pristine, unused dishes, my mind drifting back to the conversation I’d had with Aden moments earlier.
Of course, Aden hadn’t agreed to my request immediately.
When I mentioned lodging fees, he’d let out a hollow laugh and shaken his head.
“That’s unnecessary.”
“I’m hungry, that’s why.”
“….”
“I didn’t eat dinner during the interrogation, and I barely managed lunch on the train. I’m so hungry my legs are giving out.”
He’d cut me off decisively, but my words gave him pause.
“…If there’s something you want to eat, just say so. I’ll buy it for you.”
“And then you’ll sneak away and sleep at the inn, won’t you!”
“I had no such intention, but now that you mention it, this does seem like a perfect opportunity. In any case, I’ll buy it for you….”
“Where in this world is there a Merchant Guild so incompetent that the secretary sends the Director on errands? I can’t have rumors spreading that La Mare’s discipline has grown lax under my watch as secretary.”
“If you keep quiet, no one will know.”
“…You do realize how frightening that sounds, don’t you…?”
Our somewhat childish argument ultimately ended in my victory.
“Have it your way.”
Aden abandoned the fight with nothing but those weary words, leaving his seat.
To extort lodging and kitchen access from the man who’d given me a place to sleep—I was practically a highway robber.
I knew my own stubbornness.
‘Truth is, I don’t expect Aden to actually eat this.’
A man who wouldn’t even eat the chocolate I’d given him wasn’t likely to eat food I’d prepared.
But this meal wasn’t really payment for lodging—it was bait, an excuse.
“Let’s talk after you have some.”
Just as Aden had handed me apple honey tea before broaching the subject of Father’s debt.
An excuse to seat him at the table and create time for conversation.
A form of mental care for a villain at risk of mana backflow.
But that wasn’t my only intention.
…I wanted, at least a little, to bring some warmth into this empty house. Though I wasn’t sure if Aden would even want that.
‘Since today might be the only chance we have to share a meal together, I might as well try.’
But why did something smell like it was burning?
“Oh no.”
Lost in thought, I’d slightly charred the last batch of dough.
I didn’t want to face Aden’s cold stare—the one that said I couldn’t even cook and was wasting his ingredients!
First, I’ll hide it.
As I quickly concealed the burnt food at the very bottom of my plate, I felt a gaze upon me and turned my head.
“….”
Aden was looking at me.
He leaned against the wall, his damp hair falling over his eyes—he must have just finished showering, for his gaze was obscured beneath the still-wet strands.
Was he really looking at me with that cold stare, just as my sad premonition had suggested…?
“I’m going to eat it.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“But you’re saying it with your eyes.”
“I didn’t know you possessed such an ability.”
Aden replied indifferently to my rambling, brushing his wet hair back.
His violet eyes, now revealed, were fixed on my hands.
His gaze, which had traced down to my fingertips, withdrew along with his quiet words.
“Be careful.”
‘Ah, perhaps….’
Had he been concerned that I’d burned myself?
I’d made a needless misunderstanding—embarrassing enough to make me feel flustered.
Scratching the back of my warm neck sheepishly, I hurried to finish cooking and gestured to Aden.
“All done!”
What I’d prepared was pancakes—the best menu I could manage with the available ingredients.
Fortunately, there were dried fruits on hand, and with a bit of decoration, the pancakes rose with a comforting warmth and looked quite appetizing.
Yet Aden simply stared down at the plate. Was he about to say he’d pass and suggest I eat instead?
“You’ve worked hard.”
With those words, Aden sat down at the place where my plate was.
Where the burnt pancake was.
“Have a seat. You too, Iliana Grecia.”
Then he looks at me.
“Um, Director, that’s my seat….”
“Is that so? For the record, this is my dining table.”
“No, that’s not what I meant… The bottom of the last pancake is burnt. Not much! Just a little bit….”
As I rambled on, Aden, his gaze fixed upon me, picked up a knife and cut into the pancake.
With movements that belied their elegance, he placed a piece with a darkened bottom into his mouth without hesitation, and his jaw moved.
He paused for a moment, then swallowed it all and spoke briefly.
“It’s delicious.”
As I stood speechless, he looked at me with eyes that held a faint glimmer of amusement, gesturing once more to the seat across from him.
“So come on, have a seat. Iliana Grecia.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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