CH 51

“What? Did you find out who she is? But how did you do it?”

“It wasn’t a very commendable method, so I’d rather not say. Actually, I saw her at the party two nights ago that you guys didn’t attend. She seemed to be heading somewhere afterwards, so I followed her carefully.”

I explained to Bruno and Tatiana, who had come to visit, about what happened two nights ago and what happened afterwards.

Since then, I had traced my memory and made my own deductions based on the lady’s name. The conclusion was quickly reached.

Her name was Lorraine. She had honey-colored hair and was a daughter of Baron Valcourt, who owned the neighboring territory, and had just entered high society.

When I asked my mother about her characteristics, she easily gave me the answer. The lady’s name was Lady Lorraine Valcourt. I was honestly surprised when she said that I had met her several times before.

Anyway, I called the two of them to tell them just this result.

After hearing everything, Bruno had a meaningful smile on his face.

“I see, I see. Eavesdropping is certainly not a commendable method. But, well, I would have liked to see her face.”

“Really, it’s very frustrating, but there’s nothing I can do, so I’ll just imagine her.”

“So, are you still not satisfied?”

When Tatiana asked me, I groaned a little.

The discomfort of being stared at had completely disappeared by now. However, another reason had emerged. That is, I became interested in her.

“Well, it’s not that I’m dissatisfied, but rather, I became interested in another aspect.”

“Oh really? You, who used to dislike young women so much?”

I gave Bruno a sour look as he made a genuinely amusing face.

“I like women too, you know. What I dislike is being forced into marriage. I understand that it’s important to them, but I don’t like being forced, and I dislike what they do for it even more. But Miss Lorraine seems to be a little different from those people.”

As I spoke, I saw Bruno’s face become even more cheerful. He wasn’t the only one. Tatiana’s face was also shining.

“I see, so what you’re saying is that a lady who might be suitable as a marriage partner you’ve been looking for has appeared?”

“She hasn’t appeared, but there seems to be a possibility.”

As I corrected her, Tatiana shrugged her shoulders. Then, Bruno opened his mouth.

“So, the fact that there is a possibility made you want to know more about her, right? Then, what if Miss Lorraine is the woman of your dreams, what are you going to do?”

“Of course, I plan to propose to her. But that’s still a long way off. If she is the woman I’ve been looking for, then I’ll do it. However, there is also a possibility that she is not.”

“I see. Well, if you find out anything about her, let me know.”

Tatiana’s words made me a little confused. I felt sorry for getting involved in such a trivial matter, and I didn’t feel like asking for any more help.

“That would be helpful, but…”

“It’s okay. Besides, if she’s the person you think she is, she’ll surely become a good friend of ours. I don’t have many female friends… I know the reason, but can you give me a little hope?”

“That’s the situation. It’s not a big deal. I just listen to conversations and eavesdrop a little.”

I couldn’t refuse after being told that. I sincerely thanked Tatiana and Bruno.

“I’m happy to have you as my friends. Thank you.”

“No, but from the information we have now, that person seems quite plain. I wonder why? If her Okaa-sama is Lady Valcourt, I’m sure she would look good if she were dressed appropriately.”

“Yeah, Claudio, her older brother, had a well-proportioned face like her mother’s, so I remember him well. Since we should have met him at the same time, Tatiana and I must have seen her too.”

Bruno tilted his head curiously.

I understand what he means.

“I see, she might resemble Baron Valcourt, the head of the family. He was a person with a thin face and not very memorable, so it’s probably true. But wait, Jeremiah, wasn’t your preference for someone more glamorous? She looks neat, but not glamorous.”

“…That was true before.”

I recall the boarding school days that led me to meet Bruno. At that time, I was a child and was attracted to women with mature charm. However, various experiences after that changed my thinking.

My sister, Dario, and my friends.

People who looked happy after getting married but then indulged in infidelity with unhappy faces.

I felt a deep fear of not wanting to become like that. I tried to forget my current situation by immersing myself in fleeting happiness.

“But now it’s different. And getting married means that we both have an obligation to the survival of the family. I’m human too, and I want to be kind to the woman who becomes my comrade. But no matter how hard I try, I can’t respect a woman who can’t reciprocate that kindness.”

“Indeed, I agree with that.”

“However, I wanted to say that sometimes preferences can come into play later on, so it’s better not to be careless.”

Bruno’s words made me feel a slight irritation.

He was implying that Lady Lorraine might not be beautiful. I sighed and remembered observing her. There was nothing unpleasant about her at this point.

No, I actually wanted to touch her, talk to her, and see various reactions.

“Well, that’s not a problem at all. I also looked at her for a while. If she was too ugly, I would have looked away, but she had a clean and slender figure. She wasn’t a world-class beauty, but she had a pretty face. She could be stunning if dressed up.”

“I see, I see. Well, I guess I was being meddlesome.”

Bruno smiled suggestively and looked at his wife. Tatiana understood and narrowed her eyes, looking at me with a happy expression.

What the hell is going on? What do you want to say?

I thought that if you had something to say, you should say it clearly, but you didn’t. I could imagine what you were going to say in an instant.

Internally, I think it’s ridiculous.

I think that people’s hearts and thoughts are not something that can change so easily.

“Well then, maybe I’ll take a closer look too. I’m looking forward to it. Oh, no, it’s already this late.”

“Really. We seem to have stayed a long time. Well then, Jeremiah, let’s meet again at some ball or evening party. If there’s anything, I’ll write and send it to you.”

“Yeah, I’m glad you came.”

Bruno and Tatiana left, telling me not to worry.

Left alone in the guest room, I picked up the cold tea and took a sip. Finally, I murmured what they wanted to say.

“Surely, Bruno would say something like this, ‘Hey, Jeremiah, don’t you even know such a simple thing? You’re in love, no doubt about it.’ “

I deliberately imitated him and said it in a calm but amused tone.

That couldn’t be true.

I only saw her face once. I don’t even know what kind of person she is. No, I know a little. She changed the atmosphere of that place and had a proper self-assertion.

Her voice, when she said that betraying someone was painful, was resolute. Yes, that’s what moved me. That’s why I just wanted to praise her.

After telling myself that, I stood up and left the room.

For now, I just need to get to know her. To start, I need to learn about the people around her. Going to some kind of gathering would be the best way to do that. I headed to my bedroom and called for a servant to prepare myself.