CH 59

Before my eyes stood the magnificent Duke Astorga’s mansion. Generally, the residences of nobles are luxurious. They cherish the wealth inherited from their ancestors and use the wealth they have acquired in their own generation to renovate their homes even more luxuriously.

Moreover, the owner of this mansion is a Duke.

They are always given the role of serving and accompanying the country’s ruler and own extremely large estates even in the limited land of the capital. The sight of the white, huge building sitting on the estate, which is inferior to the royal palace but close to it, is simply astonishing.

I was staring at the building for a while and suddenly realized that my outfit was a disaster. I was dressed like a noble lady, wearing a proper daytime dress, but it was not made by the tailor I went to with Jeremiah and Paula. It was something I already had, with brown trimmings and a warm woolen shawl over it, and a yellow bonnet on my head. It was one of the better ones I had in my possession. By the way, I had planned to change into it after arriving because I didn’t want it to get dirty on the way.

On the other hand, Jeremiah was dressed as a proper nobleman as usual.

There was no way I could compare to him. I looked at Dora, who had come down from the following carriage, and thought that I had to change my clothes immediately. Then, another woman got off the same carriage as Dora.

No, it would be more accurate to say she was a young girl. She wore a slightly rural, floral dress and had a rustic appearance. Her cheeks were reddened by the cold, and her eyes sparkled.

She was Dorothea’s younger sister, named Lucia.

Unlike her sister, she was truly a beautiful girl, like a doll with blonde hair and blue eyes. This time, when she saw the letter inviting Dorothea, Lucia, who had nothing to do, forced herself to come along. After all, she boasted that if they didn’t let her go, she would thoroughly disturb Dorothea’s time with Aurelio, and she really started doing so. Dorothea begged me to bring along.

“I’m sorry, Lorraine, but I can’t take it anymore. Please help me.” I can’t do anything about the tear-stained letter sent with Mrs. Morena as a chaperone. Besides, if Lucia gets caught up in the pleasures of the city, I’m sure we’ll have less trouble. I have to believe that, and if I refuse, I’ll have a bad night’s sleep. Above all, I felt like I couldn’t stand being alone with Jeremiah, so I decided to accept it.

Of course, it would have been fine with another person, but the newlywed couple Bruno and Tatiana couldn’t be invited, and I thought about bringing my brother, but he hates the capital. That’s why Lucia ended up coming along.

She was also staring in awe at the grandeur of the Duke’s mansion.

Then, as if she had been waiting, Paula appeared from the entrance hall. She was Jeremiah’s sister and the Marquess Astorga, and as always, she came with a smile on her face and an imposing beauty.

“Welcome, I’ve been waiting for you.”

Paula greeted us with open arms, and I, Jeremiah, and Lucia exchanged the usual greetings. During that time, I could feel glances being directed at me from time to time. Of course, I know what she wants to say. I know, okay? Please don’t look at me with eyes like a demon finding its prey.

Even though it was close to freezing, I felt a strange sweat on my back… I inadvertently looked in the direction of the day after tomorrow, and Paula let out a faint breath. Scary, scary.

“So, who is this?”

Paula shifted her gaze to Lucia. I looked back at Paula and noticed that her eyes were shining brightly, causing my cheeks to twitch.

“Um, this is Lucia from Baron Palmaralady’s family. Thank you so much for inviting me even though we don’t know each other very well!”

Lucia’s voice clearly conveyed her sincere gratitude. Paula stared at her intently and suddenly lifted the corners of her mouth. Jeremiah frowned when he noticed it.

“Nee-san, you’re not planning anything bad, are you?”

“Ara, don’t be so suspicious. I just think it’s a waste not to use the talents I have for others. Don’t you think so too, Lorraine?”

“Uh, yes, I do!”

I reflexively answered, pierced by her intimidating eyes framed by long eyelashes. It was as if I was about to shout, “Yes, ma’am!”

“Lady Lucia, I welcome you. It doesn’t matter if we’ve met before, it often gets in the way anyway. And above all, it’s worth modifying such a shabby Lady like you. Oh, sorry, forget what I just said?”

Paula smiled broadly and offered her hospitality. I pretended not to see it, but Lucia was confused. Jeremiah put his hand on his forehead and made a bewildered face, muttering something like, “Well, whatever.” I want to say that if he’s my lover, he should help me, but he has a track record of trying to change my too plain appearance from the beginning, so I’m sure he’d rather promote it than defend it.

There is no escape, and I have prepared myself for this.

In any case, I have a long-standing relationship with Paula. It would be better to learn how to protect my mental state from now on. Alright, let’s do it, I’ll do it. Bring it on! I put on a fighting spirit as if I were going to battle and smiled.

For a noble lady, a smile is a weapon.

“Well, if we keep talking here, we’ll get cold. I have prepared some delicious sweets and tea, so let’s move the conversation there.”

“That’s a good idea.”

Jeremiah shrugged his shoulders and extended his arm towards me. After hesitating for a moment, I took his arm, and Dora, Jeremiah, Lucia, and I stepped into the Duke’s mansion.

The interior was beyond my imagination.

The elegant entrance hall was made entirely of white marble, and the paintings on display hinted at the history of the Duke family. Among the nobles, the Duke, who held the highest position, had privileges that set him apart from others. The mansion, which was a symbol of his power, spared no expense in its construction.

In that sense, the people of this world and the people who lived in my previous life are no different. Thinking about this, I wonder if the god who created this world and the god who created the other world are the same.

As I walked, the servants standing around bowed their heads to me. As expected of the Duke’s mansion, they had a considerable number of servants. I looked at them and thought to myself. Suddenly, my eyes were drawn to one of the good-looking servants, and Lucia whispered to me from behind.

“Lorraine-oneesama, that servant is wonderful.”

“Yes, indeed. It’s because we’re in the capital and at Duke-sama’s mansion.”

I answered and laughed, then looked to the side and met Jeremiah’s icy gaze. I felt my smile freeze. Although he was smiling, he was definitely feeling uncomfortable. I averted my gaze from the servant and cursed myself.

As I have said before, I am shallow.

I love good-looking people above all else, regardless of gender or social status. It’s not just nobles; my search function automatically activates for handsome men. It’s like the scene in a typical food program where you’re lured by the smell and wander over there.

However, I am Jeremiah’s fiancée and we have pledged our love to each other. Moreover, he has clearly stated that he will not tolerate me looking at other men. Of course, I fully intend to abide by that.

However, it’s not easy to change a long-standing habit. Besides, the period leading up to our engagement was as short as a blink of an eye. It would be amazing if I could suddenly switch my mindset.

But that has nothing to do with my boyfriend next to me.

I started to think of excuses while breaking out in a cold sweat.