𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟔𝟎: 𝐑𝐞𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞

The moment I laid eyes on the necklace, a dizzying brightness filled my vision and my mind went blank.

An unpleasant sensation filled my chest, my heart pounded violently, and a feeling akin to nausea surged up.

ㅤ

Though I wanted to lie down immediately, I was currently in front of the queen.

I must straighten my back and endure this until the end.

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Ga-chan, noticing my unusual state, let out a small, worried “Nya. . . . . .”. I faintly nod to reassure it, as if to say, “I’m okay”.

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The queen, touching the necklace, began to explain why she brought it.

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“Remember when we met before, you were looking at this necklace quite intently, weren’t you? If you liked it, I thought I’d give it to Mrs. Dosa.”

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The queen seemed to have noticed my possibly impolite gaze. I shake my head, denying that I was looking in such a way.

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“I do not have the right to receive such an item.”

“However, it would lack sincerity if I were to receive such a good item and give nothing in return.”

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It seems the queen genuinely liked the shawl. She is still touching it with joy.

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“That shawl was a token of greeting to your majesty, the queen. There is no further meaning to it.”

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In this dizzying situation, I find the words to respond.

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“However, this shawl is of equivalent value to this necklace. Mrs. Dosa, are you aware that lace is referred to as the ‘jewel of thread’? In this country, silk itself is very valuable, and craftsmen capable of weaving such delicate lace are rare, therefore it is traded at exceptionally high prices compared to other countries.”

ㅤ

Hearing the queen’s explanation, I realized that I had made a mistake.

I never knew that the value of lace varied between Vulcano and Binemöer.

In Vulcano, there are many lace-weaving artisans, and many nobles have them on their estates.

Silk farming is also thriving, with silkworm farming and silk production happening all over the place.

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“The mild climate of Binemöer is not suitable for silkworm farming. Therefore, we have no choice but to purchase silk products from other countries.”

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As I listen to the queen’s story, I regret that I should not have revealed the spiderwork to others.

I never thought that lace was so valuable.

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“If you won’t accept this necklace, I can’t be satisfied.”

“Still, I cannot accept it.”

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One of the queen’s eyebrows arches sharply.

It’s not surprising, given that I’ve made a comment that seems to reject her kindness.

I can’t let this continue. So I start to explain.

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“I, I am a newcomer from Vulcano. If those who admire your majesty find out that I’ve received such an item, they might question, ‘Why is this woman receiving such things?'”

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Indeed, if word got out that I received a necklace from the queen, even though I’m not part of the Queen’s Faction, I would surely endure many pointed stares.

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“There is an order to things.”

“Then it would be good if Mrs. Dosa were in a position to support me. Ah, that’s right. If you’re accompanying me as a lady-in-waiting, no one would complain.”

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How did it come to this? My body was already screaming at its limits.

I need to take this problem home and consult the Marchioness about what to do.

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“Mrs. Dosa, just take it and stop complaining!”

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The queen, saying this, sends a look to her maid, prompting her to do something. The maid, acting as the queen’s hands and feet, picks up the necklace and tries to put it on me.

The moment the cold metal touches the nape of my neck, memories vividly resurface.

It closely resembled the scythe of the grim reaper that was raised to take my life. . . . . .

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“—!!”

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As if the stage lighting had been turned off, my vision went completely dark.

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🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

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[Nyaah. . . . . .]

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I woke up to the sound of Ga-chan’s soft voice.

When I opened my eyes, I realized that it was completely dark around me.

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“Ga-chan?”

[Nya!!]

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Ga-chan climbed up my body and clung tightly to my fingers.

It seems like I had caused her some worry.

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“Oh, you’re awake?”

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Next, I heard Lord Montyver’s voice, which startled me.

His face immediately appeared in front of me, his beauty looming.

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“Do you feel any pain or discomfort?”

“Er, no. I’m okay. But, what exactly happened to me?”

“It seems you fainted while talking with the queen.”

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Amid the commotion about whether to contact the Marquis household, Lord Montyver happened to pass by and agreed to take care of me.

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“I seem to have caused some trouble.”

“It’s not like that. Aren’t Lara and I in a close relationship?”

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I wonder what kind of relationship he means. Feeling like I’d lose energy if I asked, I let it slide for now.

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“Thank you for helping me.”

“Don’t mention it.”

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Apparently, he managed to convey to the Marquis household that I would be late coming back, without revealing the fact that I had fainted.

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“Thanks to you, the Marchioness and Ren were not worried.”

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I was glad Lord Montyver helped out. I expressed my gratitude again.

When I tried to sit up, Lord Montyver held my hand and supported my back.

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“Lara, drink some water. Are you hungry?”

“No.”

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After drinking a glass of water, my head cleared up a bit.

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“But, it seems you made quite a scene with the queen.”

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I felt like I wanted to crawl into a hole.

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“If you hadn’t fainted in that situation, you would have been forced to accept that necklace.”

“Just thinking about it gives me the chills.”

“But why did you resist so strongly?”

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I just couldn’t accept that necklace.

I hesitated about how to explain it, but tried to present it in a way that wouldn’t cause any problems.

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“I had a dream.”

“A dream?”

“Yes. I was asked to take something similar to that necklace to sell, but afterwards, it turned out that it was stolen goods and belonged to the Queen of Binemöer and――”

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Without allowing any excuses, my life was taken away.

I told Lord Montyver about the “dream” I had seen.

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A drop fell on the back of my hand. When I looked, I realized it was a tear that had fallen from my eyes.

Just thinking about it was terrifying, but I had said it out loud. Maybe I cried out of fear.

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“I, I――”

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Just as I was about to wipe my tears, Lord Montyver hugged me.

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“Lara, it’s okay. It was just a dream, don’t worry about it.”

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The sound of Lord Montyver’s gentle voice resonated deeply within me.

Even though I am married in this setting and not allowed to be this close to any man other than my husband,

Even without that, I shouldn’t be leaning on others, but today I was so weak that I didn’t have the strength to push Lord Montyver away.