Chapter 19: Personal Circumstances (4)
Chapter 19: Personal Circumstances (4)
With a noticeably more relaxed expression, I waved my hand dismissively.
“It’s fine. I mean, it’s not like I can change it now anyway.”
“…What do you mean by ‘can’t change it’?”
“Well, it’s not like we get to choose our parents, right? Ack!”
That last sound definitely wasn’t intentional. I just got startled because my fiancé suddenly gripped the hand that had been resting gently over mine. The romantic tension suddenly skyrocketed! But he immediately drew his hand back, looking alarmed.
“I apologize.”
“No, really. It’s okay. It didn’t hurt.”
“…”
I said it didn’t hurt because it honestly didn’t. I don’t do empty reassurances when I’m in pain. If it had, I’d already have a doctor’s note and be negotiating a settlement. I gave him a confident thumbs-up, but he still looked a bit troubled.
“I really mean it. I’m fine. Anyway, what’s that white envelope? Lunch?”
“…Yes. I was told it’s the best takeout spot nearby.”
He answered a little curtly. I mean… why apologize and then act aloof? Well, whatever. Let’s eat first and think later.
Watching him open the envelope, I almost let out a cheer like I was at a school club party. No way, is that butter-roasted chicken? It looks like a whole one for each of us!
“Wow, it looks amazing! Thank you so much. I’ll dig in now.”
Without delay, I began dismantling the chicken and devouring it. It was slightly cooled but still crisp on the outside, juicy on the inside, with the butter flavor deeply infused, rich, flavorful, and deliciously bold.
As I ate, I felt my mood lift even more, and I found myself casually asking.
“Lord Moore, about the business you mentioned… is it something you inherited from your parents?”
My fiancé, who had been picking at his food half-heartedly, set down his fork and chuckled softly.
“No. I took over an early venture from a distant relative and have been managing it myself.”
Ah, I see. That significantly reduces the chance of any moral ambiguity in his current financial standing.
“I believe it’s growing steadily. At the very least, I should be able to maintain enough financial stability for you to continue living comfortably, Lady Rose.”
It was a confident, considerate remark befitting a fiancé, but the sudden jump in intimacy nearly made me choke on my chicken. And yet, he continued speaking.
“Rose, with that in mind, how about staying at my family estate until you come of age? I assure you, you’ll be quite comfortable there. And considering the poisoning issue, this house doesn’t seem very safe anymore. Once you turn eighteen in six months, you can claim your inheritance through the proper legal procedures.”
“Hm.”
I see. So everything he said earlier was laying the groundwork for this proposal. I nodded to myself and carefully considered it then gave a clear answer.
“I think that sounds like a great idea!”
His expression brightened.
“You agree?”
“Yes. But I’d like to talk to Sister Geryl a bit more about the poisoning attempt first.”
My stepbrother has probably calmed down from this morning’s shock by now. If needed, I’ll call in Sunset and have a three-way discussion to get to the bottom of this. If we don’t wrap this plot thread up properly, who knows when it might come back to bite us?
Besides, if this really is an otome-style fantasy novel, I’d prefer to resolve the family conflict and tie things up here before moving forward. If that doesn’t work out, though, I’ll have to go with a more aggressive solution.
Report it to the police and run. My life comes first!
“…I see. Please proceed as you wish.”
My fiancé smiled gently.
As soon as lunch ended, the staff once again suggested a walk. But in weather like this, with the sun blazing, it sounded too hot to be enjoyable, so I discreetly postponed it again.
Instead, I decided to go see my stepbrother. I headed first to the study where I’d run into our mother last time. This time, I knocked and waited a good while to avoid any surprise encounters.
“…Hello?”
No answer. Maybe he’s not in. I tried the door, but it was locked.
“Hm.”
Maybe it’s usually kept locked since it’s our stepmother’s workspace, and last time was just an exception. I should ask for a key. This could turn out to be a crucial item later.
If he’s not in the study, he’s most likely in his room.
“Lady Geryl is out at the moment. If it’s urgent, shall I send someone to call her?”
“No… that’s alright.”
The event encounter failed. I gazed wistfully out the window. Right… he went out earlier too, didn’t he? I might be a delicate shut-in, but it’s only natural for a healthy person to go out sometimes.
Last time, he had wrapped herself tightly in a robe and snuck out, so I thought it was a secret outing, but from the staff’s reply, it seems today’s outing is known to everyone. Now I’m curious.
“Do you know where she went?”
“We were told she went to a dressmaker’s.”
Oh… so he must have a favorite atelier or something. I nodded, trying to suppress the assumptions popping up in my head. Maybe he has a reason for crossdressing, but if he’s personally going to the shop instead of calling in a tailor, he must be genuinely into it. Well, it’s his life. Let him wear what he wants.
Come to think of it, I’m curious about the town too. Should I go out?
“Oh, then I’ll go out as well.”
“Pardon? Um, miss… Madame Zauer recommended rest, though…”
“I’m not going far, just a bit of sightseeing nearby.”
To keep things smooth, I tried to persuade the staff instead of pushing. If I were being mistreated in this household, I’d pull the ‘I’m the master and you’re the servant’ card, but I’ve been spoiled so far, no need for that.
Eventually, my argument that ‘fresh air is good for your health’ won them over.
“In that case, I’ll have the car and driver ready. Where shall we go?”
I answered with dignified gravity.
“The most expensive restaurant within thirty minutes from here.”
* * *
“…Excuse me?”
That was my fiancé’s reaction to my ‘Let’s go out and eat something fancy. Wink.’
I was all dressed up in an elegant outfit picked out by the staff. My fiancé, who looked like a 1980s dad on a rare dinner outing, examined my dressed-up appearance and showed a complex expression.
“…Did the lunch I brought not suit your tastes?”
His face clearly said, ‘You sure seemed to enjoy it, though?’
“No, it was delicious. I just suddenly felt like going out. I’ve been cooped up inside too much lately.”
“…I see.”
He paused, deep in thought, then gave a small smile.
“Then may I ask for a few minutes to change? I’d like to join you for dinner.”
He was already wearing a crisp suit, more than appropriate for going out, but on closer inspection, it didn’t quite match the formality of my outfit. I hadn’t noticed earlier since his face was so distracting. Still, I happily nodded while admiring that beautiful face once again.
And so, in the late afternoon, we passed through the garden and got into the car waiting at the front gate.
The elongated navy-blue sedan looked like something out of an old black-and-white film, classic and expensive-looking, but the ride wasn’t particularly smooth. Still, it was spacious and plush enough to make up for the era’s limitations, so I raised a silent toast to capitalism. Money really is the best. Always thrilling.
“Is there anywhere you’d like to visit after dinner?”
“Do you have any recommendations?”
My fiancé glanced at me briefly. He had insisted on driving himself and dismissed the chauffeur and now, with practiced ease, he was handling the wheel while chatting with me.
“Plenty. I think you’ll enjoy them.”
There was a playful sparkle in his eyes I hadn’t seen before. He was dressed more formally than usual, but he hadn’t changed his gloves, somehow, that was oddly cute.
Ah, such boyish charm. What a sight. A true work of art.
“The restaurant you reserved is in the heart of the downtown district. Around this time, there might be some traffic. Please let me know if you become uncomfortable.”
“I’m fine, really.”
