CH 38

Running in with a rumble, aunt opened the door with great force and hugged Dorothea as soon as she saw her.

“Oh, I’m glad you’re safe. Lorraine is gone too and I was worried something had happened to you!”

“It’s okay, Okaa-sama. Everything has been resolved… My troubles have been resolved too. Hey, let me introduce you to him, my beloved.”

Dorothea said so and pointed to Aurelio. Aunt, with tears and snot on her face, glared at Aurelio and said in a voice that echoed from the depths of hell.

“You’re the man who deceived Dorothea, aren’t you?”

“N-No, it’s a misunderstanding! I intended to follow the proper procedures, but due to circumstances, please listen to me.”

“Fine. However, if I’m not convinced, I won’t let you marry her even if I have to use force.”

“Y-Yes.”

Aurelio’s throat made a gulp sound. Dorothea hurriedly tried to calm the situation by saying, “Okaa-sama, he’s not like that.” I smiled at the scene and turned my attention to the person who came in with Aunt.

Standing there was Marquess Castalde. Mrs. Castalde’s fair skin had turned even paler, but she walked towards me with determination and gently touched my hand.

“I’ve heard the story from my husband and son… so, what happened? The guests were startled by the sudden screams.”

“I will explain.”

Jeremiah said so and carefully explained the situation. After hearing everything, the tired-looking lady dropped her shoulders and smiled at me.

“It was a disaster. Women’s jealousy is always a terrible thing, but it must have been scary. Honestly, she did a terrible thing to my future daughter-in-law.”

I was surprised by the lady’s words, which were full of compassion. At the same time, I remembered that I had forgotten to go and greet her first due to being caught up in various things.

Of course, I didn’t have absolutely no time. Deep down, there was a part of me that avoided it because I didn’t want to be denied. However, The Marquess looked at me with a calm gaze. Joy welled up inside me, and my chest became warm.

“But it’s okay now, right?”

“Yes. And I will be careful to prevent such things from happening in the future.”

Jeremiah nodded at his mother. I was choked up and couldn’t speak, but I made an effort to say something.

“Um, I… apologize for being late with my greeting.”

“Oh, it’s fine. I was busy too, and I knew Jeremiah was running around. I thought we could talk after this house party. Besides, I trust my husband and this child.”

“Thank you very much.”

I managed to express my gratitude, and The Marquess – Lady Natalia said, “Don’t worry about it.”

“Anyway, since it must have been tough, please rest. I’ll explain this to my husband and guests, so what will you do?”

“I’ll stay with Lorraine a little longer.”

“I see. Well then, I hope you recover in time for the ball.”

Natalia said that and smiled at me before leaving the room. Aurelio’s voice continued to explain things in a rambling manner. As I listened absentmindedly, my body suddenly floated up.

I let out a small scream in surprise.

When I opened my eyes, Jeremiah’s face was closer than ever before.

I looked down fearfully and understood the situation. This was what they called a “princess carry.” I felt unreliable floating sensation and instinctively put my hand on his shoulder and said in confusion,

“Um, is it heavy?…I can walk.”

“It’s not heavy. Aurelio, we’ll retreat first.”

“Oh, uh…sorry about today. Lady Lorraine, I’m really sorry.”

While Aurelio explained with cold sweat under the sharp gaze of my aunt, he turned to me with concern at Jeremiah’s voice.

Beside him, Dorothea looked at me with an open mouth, grinning happily. I knew what she wanted to say, but honestly, I wanted her to stop. It was embarrassing enough, and her grin was just adding insult to injury.

“No, please do your best with Aunt’s persuasion.”

“Thank you.”

“Have a good time~.”

The last line was from Dorothea. I was about to get angry, but before that, Jeremiah took me out of the room. There was no one in the hallway. Probably, the Marquess had taken them away.

As I was carried in an embarrassing position, I realized that the place Jeremiah was heading to was not the room assigned to me and Dorothea.

“Jeremiah-sama…aren’t we going to my room?”

“Oh, we’re going to my bedroom.”

“…!”

Thinking that it was indeed bad, I made a startled face, and Jeremiah chuckled in a low voice.

“I’m not going to do anything…I just want you to rest nearby. I’m worried about you, not just today, but I want you to stay longer than other guests.”

“Would it be okay to go home a little later?”

“That’s fine if you discuss it with your mother and brother who will come tomorrow.”

“Then, let’s do that.”

After the affirmative answer, I didn’t say anything. I was getting tired and sleepy since I arrived here. However, there was something I wanted to tell him.

But I didn’t feel like I could say it properly in this situation.

Eventually, we arrived at Jeremiah’s bedroom. When I opened the door and entered, I saw a room enveloped in masculine colors. It looked a bit heavy, but I thought the room with a lot of blue would suit him.

Jeremiah carried me to the bed and asked as he laid me down.

“Is there anything you want?”

As I spoke, my head was stroked, and I closed my eyes with a ticklish feeling. I felt a slightly uneasy voice that was very pleasant, and my heart felt relaxed.

“Well… um, thank you for coming to help me today. I’m glad.”

“It’s fine. Rather than that, make sure you rest properly. You’ll probably be under the attention of guests tomorrow, so you’ll definitely get tired.”

“Yes. Good night.”

“Good night.”

After the quiet exchange of words, I closed my eyes.

Perhaps I was tired after all, as sleep quickly came over me. I wondered in a daze where he, who had opened the bed for me, would sleep, but that thought was also quickly swallowed up by the sea of sleep.

The answer to that question would become clear the next morning.