“You’ve really lost your mind this time.”
There was an edge in the voice. Goyo shrugged at Rajin’s words and gave a sidelong glance at the clock.
Today, Rajin had been sent to keep the company of Lady Bethelgius, who was in a down mood. In reality, she was sent for a break after spraining her wrist during training, but the fact that she was on duty remained unchanged.
“It’s still before quitting time.”
“Of course, that was just me talking to myself, my lady.”
The knight’s face, which had been twisted, quickly shifted to a casual expression. Yet, the resentment in her voice didn’t fade away.
“To chase after someone and throw a tantrum about getting a divorce, I can’t see it as anything but madness.”
“I wasn’t planning to see it positively.”
“Well, that’s true, but I’ve learned just how unreliable reputation can be. Oh, it’s quitting time. Regardless, the Marquis must be furious.”
As Rajin spoke, Goyo turned her gaze to the clock, which showed the second hand passing the fifth mark. She hadn’t even noticed she was looking at it.
Her gaze returned to Rajin, who had gone from sitting upright to sprawling on the sofa, nibbling on cookies.
“Right, since you freely rummaged through the mansion.”
“That’s not what I meant…”
‘Hmm? The expression is subtle.’
As Rajin attempted to clarify her tone, she noticed something strange in Goyo’s demeanor.
Though her voice and manner remained normal, her eyes were clouded with complex emotions. However, Rajin chose not to poke at it and pretended to sip her tea.
“By the way, I had no idea. It’s not an ordinary matter, but somehow, no word has leaked.”
“What’s so great about it?”
“The heir of Alte came to make a fuss over his former fiancée; it would make a great headline.”
“Right. That would be a remarkable final piece for that newspaper.”
With a calm sarcasm, Rajin burst into laughter. At that moment, a presence was felt from outside the door.
Perhaps mistaking the familiar aura for the passage of time, Rajin looked back at the clock, but the time hadn’t changed much from before.
‘It’s fervent for pretending.’
Since she had business in the mansion anyway and would soon return, she didn’t intend to interrupt the couple’s time together.
As she announced she would take her leave, Goyo stood up to accompany her friend.
The reception room door opened. Goyo hesitated when she saw the familiar face, but Rajin, who had already noticed Annecy’s presence, greeted him with ease.
“Good day, Your Grace.”
Annecy returned the greeting just as casually.
“You arrived early.”
“I hurried to finish some matters.”
“Do you have any specific business at the mansion?”
“Nothing in particular; I just wanted to come back early.”
“It seems you also have those moments. Ah, go on up and rest. I’ll see Rajin off.”
“I’m fine. I don’t want to be a nuisance.”
“What?”
“Then I’ll take my leave first. You two.”
With a bright smile and a bow, Rajin excused herself. A nuisance? She hadn’t been doing that lately.
Goyo watched Rajin’s retreating figure with a sense of dismay and let out a quiet sigh.
Given how perceptive Rajin was, she might have caught on to Goyo’s complicated feelings.
* * *
Dinner started a little earlier than usual because the master of the mansion returned home early.
Upon entering the dining room, Goyo paused as she approached a chair that was positioned much closer than usual.
“You’ve arrived, my lady.”
The man who had already been waiting for her pulled out her chair with familiarity.
Once seated, Goyo felt the proximity more acutely. Glancing at the utensils, she hesitated and asked, “Isn’t this a bit too close?”
“I was just longing for warmth. Is it too much for you?”
“What if it is?”
“Then I’d appreciate it if you could endure a little burden for my sake.”
“What if it’s not just a little burden?”
“Then I’d ask you to bear a significant burden.”
“Stop talking.”
‘It’s only a bit closer than usual; there’s no need to make a fuss.’
With that light reprimand, the two began their meal. Fortunately, Goyo quickly adapted to the somewhat closer distance. Grateful for her heart’s regular rhythm, she regained her composure.
“It seems your busy times and leisurely times are quite distinct.”
“Well, that’s true.”
He was busy rushing to handle work that he had postponed.
Annecy didn’t voice anything that would tarnish his image; after all, it would be too much to ask for favor.
“Right now is an extremely leisurely week. It’s almost like a holiday.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. There are only a few days like this in a year, so I intend to make the most of it.”
“Hearing Annecy say ‘make the most of it’ is a bit frightening.”
“It’s not that great, really. Just a trip with you, my lady.”
“Excuse me?”
That was something she had never heard before. Her gaze, wide with surprise, turned to Annecy.
“I didn’t realize you had another wife besides me.”
“Of course, I have only Goyo as my wife, now and always.”
“I doubt that.”
The certainty in her voice made Goyo blurt out her words without thinking.
Recalling the name Melissy Bethelgius, it seemed like a natural assumption, but even as she spoke, she felt flustered, though Annecy didn’t seem as perturbed. His slightly shocked expression hinted at some unsettling thoughts.
What if he really is having an affair? The thought brushed her mind, but it was a doubt that felt foreign to her.
When had trust in her enemy developed to this extent? Her mouth tightened slightly.
“Is there… perhaps a rumor going around in the capital that I’m having an affair?”
“Yes. It’s said that you meet with a provocative blonde with blue eyes every day.”
It was a joke. Annecy, who had been secretly tense, relaxed his stiff shoulders.
“Oh, seeing that it’s so far from my taste, it must be a baseless rumor.”
“Taste? What’s your ideal type?”
“You’ve taken the joke to a strange place. I have no dating experience…”
“That’s a separate matter. We’re talking about your ideal type.”
“That’s true. My ideal type is quite clear. A good pair of brown hair and…”
“Please don’t say me. Such a classical statement doesn’t suit you.”
“There are days when high expectations become burdensome.”
Annecy’s eyes narrowed slightly, but they were already raised high, so they didn’t drop much.
Seeing Goyo pretend not to notice as she tilted her wine glass, he shrugged.
“Actually, I haven’t thought about it much. It wasn’t a very interesting topic.”
“Is that so?”
“However, saying that my ideal type is you isn’t entirely wrong. I’ve never seen anyone as beautiful as you. I used to think that Annecy Bethelgius was the most beautiful person in the world.”
Shaking his head, Annecy continued, sounding regretful.
Goyo could only let out a hollow laugh. They exchanged smiles, and Annecy rested his elbows on his crossed legs, propping his chin on his hands.
“What about you, my lady?”
“My ideal type?”
“Yes. I actually think I know what it is, even without you saying it. A dazzling golden blonde with light-colored eyes, the most beautiful man in the world with exquisite and delicate features, right?”
At the casual remark, Goyo narrowed her eyes.
“Dark, pitch-black hair, deep-colored eyes, a man with sturdy features that aren’t overly embellished.”
“You’re not talking about Terio Alte, are you…?”
“…Of course not.”
“That was a bit harsh. I apologize, my lady.”
“It can’t be helped. I’ll say my ideal type is you.”
“What an unparalleled honor it is.”
The couple burst into laughter simultaneously.
“So, what’s this talk about travel?”
“I’ve been busy with work, and even after getting married, I haven’t been dedicated to my family, which has been on my mind. So, I planned to spend time with you.”
“Everyone has different standards, but from my perspective, you’ve been more than sufficient.”
“So you’re saying you haven’t felt lacking in time spent with me? That sounds a bit disappointing.”
If she accepted his words, it would go on forever. Goyo pretended not to hear and continued eating. The meal had cooled slightly due to the lengthy conversation, but it still felt different on her palate.
“I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it, but I have one train, no, several trains.”
“Several… you say?”
“It’s not so many that it would shock you. At most, it’s a single digit.”
“The range of things that wouldn’t surprise you is way too broad. Were you born with the emotion of surprise?”
“Of course. It’s truly a surprising story, after all.”
“You say ‘surprising’ too often, and it gets confusing, so let’s drop that topic.”
“As you wish.” Annecy shrugged. His wife skillfully brought the conversation back to its original course.
“It seems you’re talking about train travel. I have plenty of free time, so I’m fine with going.”
“Thank you for taking the time. I plan to take the east-north railway.”
“Doesn’t that railway have regular train services?”
“That railway belongs to me. There won’t be any issues.”
With a pretentious air, Goyo nodded, her face slightly displeased. In that case, she understood.
A playful smile spread across Annecy’s face.
“We’ll be passing by Solaris’s largest junkyard; if you’d like to take a look, we can stop.”
“I’m not particularly interested in that. By the way, I didn’t know the Alte family had a railway connected to the capital, even though they’re located on the outskirts.”
“Excuse me…? What do you mean by that?”
After blinking slowly in confusion, Annecy’s eyes widened in realization. At the same time, a hearty laugh erupted from him.
The response to his light-hearted joke was more intense than he expected. Goyo had never seen him laugh this much before, which made her feel a bit flustered.
“…That was a joke, you know?”
His laughter only grew louder.
* * *
A man with bleary eyes wandered around the room. His unsteady steps were laced with anxiety, and his gaze was anxiously fixed on the door.
At the end of a long wait, the door finally opened, and the one he had been waiting for entered.
Marquess Frittil stepped forward, embracing Alexia.
“Oh, Alexia! Why are you only arriving now?”
“I’m sorry, Your Grace. The young master wouldn’t let me go.”
“You were with Conte? Don’t be ridiculous. I am the master of Frittil! I should be your top priority!”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“No need to apologize. I’m sorry, sorry, Alexia.”
As if he had heard something he shouldn’t have, the Marquess jumped up and shook his head vigorously.
With exaggerated movements like a child, Alexia couldn’t help but smile. She then pulled a small vial from her pocket and handed it to the Marquess.
The dark liquid with a hint of purple was the blessing he had been waiting for all day.
The Marquess hurriedly opened the bottle and gulped down its contents. He swallowed hard, emptying the bottle with a satisfied expression.
As the vial slipped from his hand, shattering on the floor, neither he nor Alexia seemed to care.
“Speaking of which, I didn’t see the young lady.”
“Young lady…? Who are you referring to? Oh! You mean Rante. Ugh, Rante, my daughter, Rante.”
“Yes, Lady Rante.”
“Where could Rante have gone? Hmm, perhaps she went to see Emily?”
“…Lady Emily?”
“Yes. I seem to recall hearing that, too. She said she was going to see Emily. How would she meet a dead girl? I can’t imagine she means to hang herself, right? Hmm.”
“That’s a pointless effort.”
“Huh? What did you say?”
Seeing the Marquess tilt his head, Alexia pursed her lips slightly.
“It’s nothing.”
Even if she spoke, she knew nothing would come of it.
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