CH 17

“Today was so much fun. Everything I said in the carriage was my true feelings, so please don’t misunderstand me. Well then, goodnight my love.”

Jeremiah, who lined up lines that were too sweet and sugary to be said by a cool guy (or rather, didn’t suit him), took my hand with a natural movement and kissed the back of it.

Where in the Bible does it Say to C...

His blue eyes, which were directed towards me as he bent down, held a strong light that pierced through me and kept me pinned to the spot.

Eventually, he let go of my hand and said, “See you tomorrow,” before walking away looking cool.

On the other hand, I was left standing there, unable to say a word, still frozen in place.

What was that just now? I felt like I had been hit by a sudden storm and was left in a daze. For a while, I looked in the direction he had left.

After a while, I came back to my senses and became angry, thinking that I didn’t need to act like a lover in a place where no one was watching.

“Ah! I don’t understand that guy at all!”

I felt like stomping my feet, but it would be meaningless. At best, it would only result in me injuring my foot and increasing my frustration.

Anyway, for now, I need to focus on Dorothea rather than analyzing Jeremiah’s actions.

I quickly returned to my room, switching my focus.

❂❂❂

When Dorothea saw me coming back, she jumped up with such force that I wanted to ask her if she was really sick.

“Oh! Lorraine, I’ve been waiting for you. I don’t know what to do, but I can’t consult with Okaa-sama… That’s why I wanted to ask you.”

“Of course, I intended to come back as soon as possible, but it took a little longer. So, what do you want to talk to me about?”

Dorothea pulled a chair to the bedside, sat down, and grabbed my hand, leaning forward. Upon closer inspection, her body was trembling slightly.

“Well, you see… there was a letter that you gave me.”

“Yes, Lord Caldelara’s letter.”

When Aurelio’s name was mentioned, Dorothea’s hand squeezed mine tightly.

…It hurts. It hurts so much that I wonder where she got that strength from, but I couldn’t ask her to let go. While enduring the pain, I waited for her response.

“That was a summons letter.”

“So, did you go?”

Dorothea nodded and averted her eyes. It was hard to tell because of the candlelight, but her cheeks were flushed. Her eyes seemed to be getting teary, and she looked like she was about to cry.

I wondered what had happened.

Suppressing the urge to cut in, I waited.

“I was with him all morning today. We strolled through the garden, had tea, and it was fun and enjoyable. But when I came back and spent time with the other ladies, I heard it.”

He’s a playboy, whispering sweet words to various women and making a name for himself… So they told me not to take it seriously. Then, they started a gossip session about you, but I’m already so overwhelmed by it…”

“I-I see.”

My face twisted involuntarily. Well, I had a feeling that something was being said behind my back, but it was tough to hear a report without any context. I could guess the content, but there were still things that bothered me.

But I told myself to put my own feelings aside for now.

Ignoring me, Dorothea began to speak as if a dam had burst.

“Hey, what should I do? Can I believe him? I can’t consult Okaa-sama about this. She’ll definitely oppose it… But if what they’re saying is true, am I just being deceived? Am I being played with? Or is he just trying to find a suitable lady to marry because he wants a wife? I can’t believe anything anymore… I thought you might know something since you received that letter, right? He’s not really that kind of person, is he?”

I thought this had become troublesome.

After all, I hardly knew anything about Aurelio. I only knew that he was an acquaintance of Jeremiah. Jeremiah had warned me not to get close to him because he was a libertine (prodigal).

If I believed that, I could only say that it would be better to stop. However, I had not seen Aurelio in any libertine scenes, so I couldn’t say for sure.

Besides, what should I do about my promise with Aunt Fiorenza?

If I tell her about this conversation, it will seem like I’m tattling, but I can’t say nothing either. Among the limited choices, what action can I take? I voiced the question that suddenly came to mind.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know either. So, please wait a moment while I look it up. But before that, there’s something I want to ask you.”

“What is it?”

“Weren’t you admiring Jeremiah-sama?”

Dorothea then looked surprised and asked back.

“Why do you think that?”

“Well, you said you definitely wanted to get close to Jeremiah-sama, so I thought you liked him.”

Somewhat bewildered, I said, and Dorothea finally smiled and began to explain.

“Well, he is the best among the current candidates for a marriage partner. Even if I couldn’t be seen that way, I thought that if we could become friends, he would have a good network and could introduce someone. At that time, I wasn’t aiming for anyone specific, he was just the top candidate… Oh no, did you mind that? If so, I’m sorry. I think he’s a desirable person, but I don’t have any feelings beyond that, so don’t worry. Your rumors are incredible. It’s a storm of jealousy because there are so many ladies aiming for him. But don’t worry, you are suitable for him.”

“T-Thank you.”

I intended to listen to her, but I ended up being comforted, and I thanked her while feeling pathetic.

Huh, that’s strange, salty liquid is coming out of my eyes. I didn’t plan to release salt from my eyes.

If I’m criticized any further, I’ll be bedridden. I’ll stay in a canopy bed for a while.

While becoming petty, I thought about it.

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