𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟒𝟒: 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Finally, the maid announced that the carriage for pick up had arrived.
There’s no running away now.
I must brace myself and face Lord Montyver.
Only my confidante Ga-chan, who had become a charm around my neck, can be relied upon.
ㅤ
“Ga-chan, I count on your support today.”
[Nya!]
ㅤ
Ga-chan responded with an unusually brave expression and voice.
As I received Florenci’s farewell, I left through the front door.
There was already a carriage waiting.
I had planned to compose myself before boarding the carriage, but the door immediately opened and Lord Montyver descended from within.
ㅤ
He appeared in a black button-up jacket, trousers and boots, and a matching shoulder cape.
I was accustomed to seeing him in his uniform as a royal guard, so this was my first time seeing him in civilian clothes.
The top button of his shirt was undone, offering a glimpse of his white skin at the base of his neck. His appearance was somewhat more casual than usual.
ㅤ
Upon seeing me, Lord Montyver came over with a joyful energy, reminiscent of an excited dog.
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“Ah, I’m relieved. I was worried about being stood up.”
“Are there women who stand you up?”
“No, not at all! But, I thought that you, Lara, might.”
“I wouldn’t do such a dishonest thing.”
“That’s not what I mean. I was just thinking that if Ren were suddenly to fall sick, you wouldn’t come.”
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Indeed, even if I had a prior arrangement, if Ren fell ill, I would cancel even on the day of.
I had to admit that.
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“But, isn’t that normal?”
“Normally, noble children have wet nurses, so they entrust the nursing to them and go about their leisure, don’t they?”
“I see. . . . . ..”
ㅤ
I was inwardly surprised to learn that such people existed.
When I was at home, if Ren had a fever, I would stay by his side all day and nurse him.
At the time, even though we had a wet nurse, I tried to accompany him as much as possible.
ㅤ
“You look like you can’t comprehend.”
“No. . . . . .It’s not uncommon for nobles to neglect their child-rearing duties.”
ㅤ
Even though they live in the same house, there are plenty of nobles who rarely interact with their family.
However, I was raised surrounded by my parents since my early childhood, and as I was an only child for many years, I was overjoyed when my brother was born. I found him so cute and precious that I couldn’t bear to be apart from him for a moment.
ㅤ
“I envy Ren for having a mother like Lara. Being loved, he must be very happy.”
ㅤ
His words, sounding somewhat careless, seemed to imply that he himself wasn’t happy.
Love is invisible and can be difficult to feel in one’s heart.
Demonstrating affection in an understandable way might actually be difficult, even if it seems easy.
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“My mother is quite selfish, I feel like I was always her second or third priority.”
ㅤ
A dark color seeped into the usually bright eyes of Lord Montyver.
I wondered what kind of upbringing one must have had to develop such a look.
It’s probably not a topic I should delve into at this stage of our relationship.
At a lull in the conversation, I suggested that we should be on our way.
ㅤ
“Then, please give me your hand, madam.”
“Ah, thank you.”
ㅤ
Being escorted like this was something I anticipated.
I felt shy the moment our hands touched.
I had no choice but to pray that my cheeks and ears wouldn’t turn red.
Repeating to myself to stay calm, I boarded the carriage.
As soon as Lord Montyver got in, he knocked on the seat wall where the coachman sat with the hilt of his sword, and the carriage began to move.
ㅤ
Before any awkwardness could set in, I started a conversation.
ㅤ
“Where are we going today?”
“First, we’ll watch a performance, then have tea at a café, do some shopping, have a meal――what after that?”
“Return home.”
“I thought so.”
ㅤ
He had scheduled our day so fully, where else could we possibly go?
I couldn’t help but feel drained.
The tension I had felt until I got here seemed to have dissipated.
ㅤ
“Still, it’s like a dream. I never imagined Lara would agree to go out with me.”
“I’m surprised that you, Lord Montyver, would be interested in a married woman like me.”
ㅤ
It unexpectedly turned out to be a sharp comment, but it seems that Lord Montyver was not affected.
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“Usually, I refuse to engage with married people, but Lara is exceptional.”
“Oh, why is that? I feel it’s less troublesome when playing with married ones.”
“No, it’s actually quite a hassle. As frequently reported in gossip magazines, there are many troubles like getting assaulted by the husband after meddling with a married woman, or accidentally impregnating her and getting billed for substantial child support. . . . . .It seems like these problems are happening frequently.”
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That’s probably because he’s being dishonest in his relationships.
ㅤ
“Since my husband is not in Binemöer, I suppose that means I don’t have to worry about such things.”
“No, it’s different. I think you’re a unique case.”
“Unique, you say?”
“Yes.”
“Because I’m running away from my husband?”
“No, that’s not it either. With you, I just can’t feel the presence of your husband. How should I put it. . . . . .it’s like he doesn’t exist, like he’s not even alive in this world. It’s a strange feeling.”
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Upon Lord Montyver’s remark about my husband, my heart beats fiercely.
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“Lara, may I ask for your husband’s name?”
“――!”
ㅤ
There was only the name Dosa, my family name, on the passport.
I was so flustered because I hadn’t anticipated being asked about it.
ㅤ
Lord Montyver’s eyes seemed to pierce through my lie.
However, it was only for a moment, and his expression quickly softened.
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“I’m sorry. You probably wouldn’t want to mention the name of a husband who had been violent towards you.”
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I realized too late that I could have said it like that.
But, that’s not something you say with a smile. . . . . .
ㅤ
“Well, how should I put it, the moment you saw me, you stared at me with full alertness and then stood in between to protect the Marchioness. Those actions made me think you’re different from other women.”
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I never intended to glare at Lord Montyver, but it’s true that I moved to protect the Marchioness. I never dreamt that he had noticed that.
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“Even when we exchanged words, your aloof attitude didn’t change, and I was thinking why are you so stubborn. Then, I was told you have a child, and that you’ve become strong to protect that child, that suddenly sparked my interest in you.”
ㅤ
I feel embarrassed, as if I’ve been seen through completely.
Even though he usually only shows a playful attitude, it seems he has been observing me carefully since our first meeting.
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