CH 48

Suppressing the urge to shout, “What the hell,” I stood still in that spot. Bruno and Tatiana, who caught up with me soon after, noticed me and called out.

“Jeremiah, did you lose sight of her? It seems like you were caught by Baron Baiano’s widow again.”

“Yeah, that’s why I lost sight of her. Damn it, I thought I was so close.”

I said without hiding my frustration, and Tatiana laughed in a troubled way.

“But, you were able to get some clues, so let’s consider it a good thing. Maybe she didn’t come here after all? It’s not fun to catch prey that’s so easy to catch.”

“Tatiana, I don’t think Jeremiah is doing this for fun.”

“That’s true, but it’s still about catching prey, isn’t it?”

Tatiana looked at me and asked as if questioning me. I think she’s right.

It’s a kind of game. A desperate measure to survive this painful season. In fact, chasing after her honey-colored hair was more fun than I expected.

“That’s right. Since I still have to attend many parties, it’s a good thing that I found out her appearance, including her hairstyle, which is the most distinctive feature.”

“Exactly! But still, honey-colored hair… huh.”

“Do you have any idea?”

When asked, Tatiana tilted her head. It seems that she thought of someone, but she hesitated to speak. I waited anyway, and then Bruno, who seemed to have lost his patience, asked.

“If you have any idea, it’s okay to say it. Even if it’s wrong, it’s not a big deal.”

“Really? Well then, I’ll tell you, but I think it’s a wild guess. That woman is an owner of an incredible beauty, and various anecdotes are whispered about her. And above all, what’s distinctive is that she has luxurious honey-colored hair. Her name is Lady Lavina Valcourt.”

“Oh! That’s right, it’s the house next to your territory, Jeremiah.”

Bruno pointed his finger and said.

Of course, I immediately remembered. It was the territory next to the Castalde family’s. The owner was the Valcourt family, who held the title of Baron. The head of the family had a terrible plain face, but he had a love marriage. At that time, there were various rumors about why Lady Valcourt, who was a beauty beyond compare, chose him.

I was still young, so I couldn’t understand the details, but the impression I got from meeting her a few times later was not different from the rumors.

And among her divine beauty, what stood out the most was her shining honey-colored hair.

“I see, that’s possible. Maybe she’s related to her, that girl… come to think of it, she had a daughter, but what did she look like?”

I should have met her somewhere before. However, I can’t remember clearly, feeling somewhat hazy. It’s as if her face was shrouded in mist, and I can only vaguely recall it.

“Hmm… no, I can’t remember either. How about you?”

“I can’t remember either. There’s no way we haven’t met her, considering she is her daughter! She’s the envy of all women living in the aristocratic society, you know?”

I understand Tatiana’s perplexed expression.

It’s almost like some kind of magic that we can’t remember this much. Anyway, it’s pointless to discuss Lady Valcourt and her daughter here.

The most important thing is to catch her.

“That’s right, we’ll know if we catch that girl. Okay, let’s participate somewhere tomorrow.”

“Yes, we’ll help as much as we can.”

“Thank you. But don’t push yourselves too hard. I don’t want to interfere with you newlyweds.”

I smiled at Tatiana and Bruno alternately. The two of them exchanged a glance for a moment.

“It’s okay, don’t worry about it. We’re just participating in the event.”

“That’s right, and besides, we’ll have plenty of time alone together when we get home, right~?”

Tatiana smiled happily at Bruno’s words. It was heartwarming, but at the same time, I felt envious. I decided to leave early and told the two of them before leaving the venue. I called out to the waiting coachman, and the carriage immediately headed towards the townhouse.

Alone in the carriage, I closed my eyes and thought back to that hair.

Yes, if I could catch her, I would rudely look at her hair. I’ve decided.

Then, for some reason, my heart began to flutter. The event that I had found boring suddenly began to look enjoyable. It’s strange how I only felt irritation at first.

Thinking that way, I slightly twisted my mouth.

◆

Since then, I have been attending gatherings without Bruno and Tatiana, searching for a lady with honey-colored hair. I have seen her a few times, but she always disappears from my sight so smoothly that I wonder if she was just an illusion.

Despite my frustration, I attended quite a few parties and even surprised my mother.

“What’s going on? Or is my son here a different person?”

“He’s definitely your son. I just found something fun to do.”

I answered my surprised mother at the breakfast table. She looked at me as if she was seeing a strange creature.

I didn’t want to be pried into too much.

After finishing my meal, I went out as usual.

My destination was a lecture.

There are several squares in the capital, and one of them is where a young politician is giving a speech. Since I know him, I can’t not go. But it was much more enjoyable than a trivial event.

I told the servants to prepare the carriage and soon I was inside, heading towards the western square.

I watched the people passing by from the swaying carriage.

A child in rags was shouting. Most of the people walking on the street were vendors. They had loud voices and haggled with customers. It was a familiar scene. After watching for a while, I saw people choking on the dust kicked up by a carriage on an unpaved road, and I told the driver to slow down.

Eventually, I saw my friend standing in a building facing the square.

He was shouting from the balcony using a loudspeaker. The audience gathered below were nobles or wealthy people. Only those who could participate in politics were present, but some were accompanied by women.

I avoided them and entered the building.

Then, I stopped for a moment.

——That is…

A man with a sturdy build and a woman accompanying him.

I recognized her graceful demeanor. My stomach tightened. I had heard that she was staying in her territory with her husband, so why was she here?

Unconsciously, I approached the pillar of the building to escape her sight.

She passed by without noticing me.

Her rich black hair swayed, and I heard her laughter. She wore beautiful clothes and had a graceful smile. Seeing her happy face made me feel betrayed.

At the same time, I had a bad feeling.

If they were here, it meant that the couple had come to the capital. If so, they might show up at the gathering I was about to attend.

Did I have to see the face I never wanted to see again?

But I didn’t want to run away from such a trivial matter.

Still, I couldn’t stop frowning. My head hurt.

I decided not to think about that woman.

I switched my thoughts and started thinking about something else as I climbed the stairs. – Yes, if I’m going to think about something, it should be something enjoyable. My thoughts naturally turned to the girl with honey-colored hair.