𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟒𝟐: 𝐓𝐨 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥
The severe cold has eased, and recently, warm sunshine has been pouring in.
Winter has ended, and we are now welcoming spring.
Whenever I find some free time, I go out to the garden and help with the gardening work.
Lately, I’ve had endless worries, and touching the plants may be my way of seeking healing.
Today, I was tending to roses that are about to reach their peak in spring.
Cutting off the buds that have no buds, checking the condition of each stem. To make beautiful roses bloom, careful attention is needed.
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Ga-chan collects the stems I’ve cut off and binds them with her proud thread.
The gardener uncle, seeing her hard work, praised him as an immediate asset.
Ga-chan blushes, and Nyas cutely.
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Listening to the sound of cutting stems, I’m lost in thought.
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Irma was killed by Lord Montyver――
The story told to me by the concubine keeps repeating in my head.
The more I think about her death, the more suspicious points there are.
I could accept that she was found floating in the lake if she was killed by someone.
However, I did not believe that the murderer of Irma was Lord Montyver.
I had no intention of judging based on information heard from others.
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How should I investigate Lord Montyver?
As I was thinking, I heard a voice from behind.
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“Lara, you were here.”
“――!!”
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A bright and cheerful male voice――The one who was there when I turned around was Lord Montyver.
I should be praised for not screaming in surprise.
As always, he was mysterious and unpredictable.
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The story that Lord Montyver killed Irma came back to my mind, and I shuddered.
Despite telling the concubine that I couldn’t believe it, when the person himself was in front of me, I found myself feeling scared.
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“Lord Montyver, do you need me for something?”
“Not particularly. I just wanted to see your face.”
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Usually, I would have responded with something like “Don’t tease me like that.”, but today I couldn’t find the words.
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“Lara, you look tired.”
“I, Is that so?”
“There are bags under your eyes and your complexion is not good.”
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That’s probably because I’ve been thinking about Irma’s death and have been going to bed late recently.
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“Are you getting a good rest on your days off?”
“Yes, of course.”
“What are you doing?”
“That is――.”
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Cleaning the cottage, reading books with Florenci, baking sweets, cooking, I was having a fulfilling time.
However, when Lord Montyver heard how I spent my holidays, he was surprised.
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“Hey, Lara. That doesn’t sound like resting at all. You’re working hard, aren’t you!”
“Working? To me, working means serving the Marchioness and being useful. I don’t call anything else work.”
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Listening to my claim, Lord Montyver put his hand on his forehead and sighed deeply.
It was a reaction of utter disbelief, and it seemed a little angry.
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“Holidays are days to change your mood. You’re not realizing the importance of that.”
“Cleaning and cooking, playing with Ren, are ways of changing my mood.”
“That’s not the point, Lara. You should ask the Marchioness to hire a maid to work in the cottage.”
“There’s no need. I can take care of the house.”
“Even if you’re okay now, you’ll collapse in a few years. What will Ren, who has no reliable family other than you, do then? You’re not going to insist on continuing knowing you’ll cause sadness in the near future, are you?”
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His words were sharp, but not wrong.
Just as Lord Montyver said, if I overdo it and collapse, Ren will lose his reliable adult.
“. . . . . .On second thought, you’re right.”
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Ever since I came here, under the belief that I must not rely on others, I feel like I’ve been working tirelessly.
If relying on someone is allowed, then maybe depending on them is also an option.
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“Lord Montyver, thank you. I will consult with the Marchioness later.”
“That’s good.”
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Lord Montyver smiles with a relieved expression.
Seeing him like this, I couldn’t tell whether the kindness I was feeling now was false or real.
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“As a token of my gratitude, shall we go on a date?”
“Yes, that would be fine.”
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At this moment, I came up with a way to investigate him.
I should get closer to Lord Montyver and show signs of affection.
Then, he might reveal his true nature.
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Lord Montyver probably didn’t expect to be accepted.
He stares at me with a surprised look.
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“Did I say something funny?”
“No, it’s just that you seemed to dislike my company.”
“I’m sorry if it seemed that way. As a married woman, I was merely maintaining an appropriate distance with Lord Montyver.”
“Then why would you agree to go on a date?”
“I thought we could enjoy a change of pace. It’s important, right?”
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As I tilt my head and ask, Lord Montyver nods in agreement.
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