𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑𝟓: 𝐔𝐧𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐂𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠
In the world before time rewound, I was continually subjected to malice from others and exploited.
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――You just need to do as you’re told!
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――You care about your younger brother, right? Then do it quickly!
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――All the wrongdoings are Graciela’s! I had nothing to do with it!
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The reason it turned out this way is not just because I let my emotions control me, but because I was desperately weak.
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I want to become strong enough to fend off the malice of others!
Even though I wished for this, I――
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“――Huh!!”
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When I opened my eyes, I noticed an unfamiliar ceiling.
The surroundings were shielded by curtains and there was a smell of medication.
This must be the medical room.
It seems I had been carried here by someone and had fallen asleep without realizing it.
Just a slight movement made my head throb painfully.
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“Are you alright?”
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As I tried to reply to the gentle voice, I came to my senses.
I attempted to rise but was held back.
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“The doctor said you need to rest for a while.”
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He spoke in a calm and composed voice, quite unlike his usual playful tone.
The owner of that voice was Lord Montyver.
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“Um, why am I here?”
“You suddenly collapsed, so we brought you here. Right, Ga-chan?”
[Nya!]
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Ga-chan comes to my side and rubs her fluffy body against my cheek.
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“The doctor said it seems like you collapsed from mental shock.”
“Mental shock. . . . . .”
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No doubt, seeing the queen’s necklace caused this.
Just recalling it made me shiver.
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“Did something happen before you talked to Duke Maine’s daughter?”
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I was taken aback by the pointed question.
Reacting this way is the same as admitting something happened.
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“So something did happen.”
“No, it’s just. . .I was shocked by the conflict over the relationship between the queen and Karina-sama.”
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To my own surprise, the lie rolled smoothly off my tongue.
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“We’ll leave it at that for today.”
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And thus, he knew it was a lie.
Feeling awkward, I quickly asked a question.
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“Um, is it okay without the escort of Prince Ghodrove?”
“Yeah, the job is done.”
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Prince Ghodrove and the concubine had left the venue early and were apparently enjoying drinks in his private room.
Lord Montyver left the guarding task to his subordinates and was about to make a brief appearance at the queen’s birthday party.
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“And there, I met you.”
“I see.”
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Lord Montyver nods and covers me with a blanket that had slipped off.
He usually talks rapidly but today he pursed his lips with a gloomy expression.
I wonder what happened. Noticing my gaze, he said something unexpected.
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“You’d better not get involved in the social circles of this country.”
“Why is that?”
“They may seem glamorous, but they’re mired in filth behind the scenes.”
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But that’s not unique to Binemöer.
Even the social circles of Vulcano are far from pure.
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“From now on, Lara, you should just look at beautiful things, eat delicious food until you’re full, sleep soundly, wear lovely clothes, and live your life.”
“Lord Montyver. . . . . ..”
“And then, I want you to age gently and pass away.”
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I was fine until halfway through, but the last words made my face serious.
He didn’t say this to make me laugh, it seemed like words spoken from the bottom of his heart.
Confused, I looked at Lord Montyver who stared back at me with a puzzled expression.
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“Um, Lord Montyver, why did you mention until the moment of death?”
“Huh, isn’t dying naturally in your sleep a very happy thing?”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, it is. There’s no pain, hardship, or suffering. The ideal would be a cute grandchild waking me up, saying “Grandpa, how long are you going to sleep? You’re such a sleepyhead. . . . . .Grandpa? Grandpa?!” I think that’d be a nice way to go.”
“Please don’t let your cute grandchild confirm your death.”
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I was completely drained.
But thanks to the conversation with him, I felt as though my tightly wound heart had finally found some calm.
Before I knew it, my spirits were revived, and I pushed myself to sit up.
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“Lord Montyver, thank you.”
“For what?”
“For all the ways you’ve helped me.”
“Ah, I see. So I’ve done some favors for Lara, huh? You can repay me with five dates.”
“I’m sorry. I’m married and my husband is back in Vulcano, so I can’t accept your offer for a date.”
“Ah, right!!”
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The mere existence of a husband whom he had never met saved me.
Indeed, it seemed that coming to Binemöer as Florenci’s mother was the right decision.
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“I can make churros anytime, so please come over when you’re free.”
“Oh, that’s great. Your churros are very tasty, so I’m looking forward to it. I’d also like you to make some tea. Your tea is special.”
“I can make as much as you want.”
“Thank you.”
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Lord Montyver wore a beautiful smile.
It didn’t carry his usual air of dubiousness; he looked genuinely pleased.
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We managed to find common ground that satisfied us both.
I should go home soon, or the Marchioness and Florenci would start worrying.
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Just as I was about to stand up, a hand was extended in front of me.
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“Lara, I’ll escort you to Marquis’s house.”
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I usually would have declined, but today, for some reason, I felt like indulging him.
I gently placed my fingers on his outstretched hand, and Lord Montyver gripped back gently.
It gave me a little thrill, but I told myself it was nothing.
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The carriages were in a major traffic jam near the castle, but Lord Montyver took a route that only the insiders could use to take me home.
Thanks to that, I was able to return home at a time that was neither too early nor too late.
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🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸
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The next day, Rachael came to visit me.
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“Lara-san, I’m sorry! We were supposed to meet up at the venue, but I couldn’t find you at all.”
“That can’t be helped.”
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There had been a small rivalry between the Queen’s Faction and the Concubine Faction, so it would have been difficult to find an acquaintance in that crowd.
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“Actually, my grandmother asked me to take you home. The way home was in terrible traffic, wasn’t it? How did you get back?”
“Well, I ran into Lord Montyver by chance and he offered me a ride home.”
“Oh, I see. He’s surprisingly kind, isn’t he?”
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There was nothing surprising about Lord Montyver’s actions, but it seemed to intrigue Rachael.
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“I’ve heard that he appears to be kind but isn’t really.”
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Indeed, he did give off a vibe that suggested he wasn’t simple to deal with.
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“Why would he be kind to Lara-san?”
“Perhaps he thinks I’m a pitiful foreigner. Also, I’m a companion of the Marchioness, so he probably can’t afford to treat me poorly, can he?”
“Hmm, I don’t think that’s the case.”
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I wonder what Rachael sensed in Lord Montyver’s actions.
I had only considered it to be capricious kindness.
While wondering about it, unexpected information came to light.
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“Actually, Lord Montyver was Irma’s fiancé.”
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