𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟏: 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬’𝐬 𝐭𝐞𝐚 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝
He appears to be in his mid to late twenties.
Donned in a navy blue knight’s uniform with a red cape flowing behind him, he’s casting an inquisitive gaze at me.
He’s just standing there, yet he emanates an extraordinary charisma. I’m entranced by his presence, just as I would be in a museum, captivated by incredible art.
However, the moment our eyes meet, I snap back to reality.
If he’s a visitor, I should’ve greeted him and announced him to the Marchioness.
As I stood facing him and tried to move aside, he gradually approached me.
ㅤ
His unexpected movement sends my guard skyrocketing.
He might be suspicious. To prevent him from getting any closer to the Marchioness, I stood between them.
As my heart pounded, he unexpectedly spoke.
ㅤ
“Wow, there’s a beautiful woman here!”
ㅤ
A breathtaking beauty has suddenly approached me.
Intruding with curious eyes, I inadvertently step back.
The closeness isn’t appropriate for a first-time meeting, so I tried to push him away.
Yet, at the edge of my vision, I catch sight of the clinking medals and badges of rank.
Most likely, he is a knight of high status.
He’s not someone a person in my inferior position could confront.
I must escape from his presence as soon as possible.
As I thought this and tried to move away, he held my arm and waist.
ㅤ
“Don’t run away. Show me your face.”
“What――?!”
ㅤ
Just as I tried to push him away again, a stern voice echoed in the conservatory.
ㅤ
“Leon・Von・Montyver! What are you doing this early in the day?!”
ㅤ
The Marchioness stands up and reprimands him with a stern gaze.
Leon・Von・Montyver――he’s the only tea-drinking buddy of the Marchioness, according to Rachael.
He’s a royal knight for Prince Goddlobe, the younger brother of King Binemöer, certainly not a suspicious character, she said.
ㅤ
“She’s the lady Rachael brought. Let go of her.”
ㅤ
He――Lord Montyver let go of my hand immediately.
I quickly moved away from Lord Montyver and took a position behind the Marchioness.
ㅤ
“Marchioness, that’s harsh. You’re making me out to be a suspicious person.”
“A man who gets too close to a woman he just met and stares at her face is undeniably suspicious!”
ㅤ
I nearly laughed at the Marchioness’s outright accusation of Lord Montyver as a suspicious person. I covered my mouth and managed to keep my composure.
ㅤ
“Greeting a beautiful woman is just courtesy.”
“That’s not a greeting, that’s flirting.”
“Hahaha.”
ㅤ
I wished he had vehemently denied the accusation of flirting.
ㅤ
“Did you not notice her hair tied up?”
“Tied-up hair. . . . . ..? Ah, does that mean she’s married?”
“Yes. It’s outrageous for a man to show interest in a married woman.”
“That’s harsh.”
“It’s because you did such a thing.”
ㅤ
Lord Montyver was not the man I had imagined.
I’d thought he was a serious and honest man, being the only person who interacted with the Marchioness.
Now I understand what Rachael meant when she said, “He’s not suspicious. Probably.”
Lord Montyver turned out to be a frivolous man who would flirt with a married woman upon first meeting her.
ㅤ
“Well, let’s have some tea and chat instead of standing around.”
“You really are. . . . . .”
ㅤ
The Marchioness, whose face had turned beet red with anger, was coaxed and seated by Lord Montyver.
I was also invited to sit down as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
ㅤ
“No, I――”
“It’s fine, it’s fine.”
ㅤ
Lord Montyver smoothly took my hand and guided me to sit on the chair with a flowing movement.
The moment I sat down, I locked eyes with the Marchioness sitting across from me.
As I tried to stand up, Lord Montyver pressed my shoulders from both sides to stop me.
ㅤ
“You’re going to drink that terrible tea again, aren’t you?”
ㅤ
Saying so, Lord Montyver casually poured the remaining tea and drank it.
ㅤ
“Wow, this is incredibly bitter!”
“Bitter black tea is my go-to in the morning.”
“This is over the top.”
ㅤ
Lord Montyver smirked, reaching for the teaware.
He started to prepare the tea with practiced movements.
ㅤ
“No, allow me to do it.”
“It’s okay.”
ㅤ
Although Lord Montyver spoke with a gentle smile, his words held an unspoken pressure that seemed to insist on obedience.
This was the first time I’d encountered a man who used a smile to control others.
Unable to resist, I was frozen like a statue, left to merely observe as he brewed the tea.
ㅤ
“Here you go.”
ㅤ
Lord Montyver extended to me the cup of tea he had brewed himself.
A quick glance at the Marchioness gave me the impression she was silently urging me to drink.
Although I felt reluctant to be the first to drink, I reassured myself that this was just a taste test and took a sip.
ㅤ
“Oh――It’s delicious!”
ㅤ
The rich aroma of the tea leaves, the slight hint of bitterness, and the refreshing aftertaste was a delight.
It was as if an expert butler had prepared this exquisite cup of tea.
ㅤ
It seems Lord Montyver is very skilled at brewing tea.
Even the Marchioness had a peaceful expression as she drank the tea he had brewed.
At this point, I understood why Lord Montyver was the only one permitted as her tea-drinking companion.
ㅤ
The comforting moment did not last long.
Between the brows of the Marchioness, who was savouring her tea, the crease had returned.
Within the increasingly uncomfortable space, Lord Montyver cheerfully spoke to Marchioness.
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“So, I’d like to learn about this beautiful lady here soon.”
ㅤ
After a deep sigh, Marchioness reluctantly introduced me.
ㅤ
“This is Lara・Dosa――as I mentioned before, she is a guest that Rachael brought.”
“Oh, your name is Lara. That’s very cute!”
ㅤ
He tried to take my hand, but I evaded it swiftly.
Perhaps he didn’t expect me to dodge, Lord Montyver was momentarily stunned. But in the next moment, he was smiling cheerfully again.
ㅤ
“But it’s rare that you allow someone this close. Usually, you would chase them away with a cane.”
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Upon hearing about Marchioness’ fierce resistance, I inwardly shrieked in fear.
At the same time, I thought to myself that she must have needed to be strong, living alone as she did.
ㅤ
“After hearing her circumstances, I couldn’t just turn her away.”
“Circumstances?”
ㅤ
Perhaps he was interested in the scandal of others, Lord Montyver asked, his eyes gleaming.
Marchioness looked at me, as if seeking permission to tell the story.
If he knew I had come from Vulcano to escape my husband’s violence and debt, his interest might fade.
To signal that it was okay, I nodded.
ㅤ
“――So, Rachael seems to want to keep her as my attendant, but I’ve been saying that I don’t need her for now.”
ㅤ
Although she said it was no problem for me to stay in the detached house, I had no intention of doing nothing and squatting there.
ㅤ
I wondered what I should do.
Judging from the state of Marchioness, it would be hard to say that she could manage alone.
Even if someone like me stayed by her side, it would probably reassure Rachael and her family.
ㅤ
When Marchioness conveyed the situation surrounding me, Lord Montyver turned sympathetic eyes to me and said:
ㅤ
“What a pitiful woman!”
ㅤ
This time, he swiftly took my hand and made an unbelievable proposal.
ㅤ
“If the Marchioness doesn’t need you, why don’t you stay at my place?”
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