CH 70

“S-So, I see. But those symptoms aren’t just from love, so let’s wait and see a little longer. If anything happens, tell me, and at least don’t go anywhere tomorrow.

Oh, maybe it’s a bad cold, so make sure to treat it properly if that’s the case. Otherwise, you won’t be able to go to the theater you were looking forward to, right?”

When I said that, Lucia nodded as if she understood but also seemed unsure. However, she nodded at the mention of the “theater” she was looking forward to from the bottom of her heart.

“I see. Okay then, I’ll just write a letter and go to sleep today. Thank you for worrying about me, Lorraine-oneesama.”

“It’s okay, don’t worry about it. Well then, rest well.”

“Yes, good night.”

Lucia smiled and nodded before returning to her writing desk. I told the maid to keep an eye on her and left the room, saying that if anything happened, she should let me know.

As I heard the sound of the door closing behind me, I couldn’t help but crouch down on the spot. I had lied to protect Lucia, but it was a desperate move and sounded like something a quack doctor would say.

——You, servant whose name I don’t know. And Mrs. Morena who still hasn’t arrived.

I muttered complaints in my mind and thought about it.

Anyway, this wasn’t a problem that could be solved by just me. When I returned, I would immediately send a letter to my aunt and Dorothea, then talk to that servant and explain the situation when Mrs. Morena arrived.

That’s all.

The things I had to do were decided.

No, I couldn’t do anything more than that.

“Alright, let’s do it.”

I stood up with determination and quickly returned to my room to write the details in the letter. I wrote the letter with a fierce expression (at least that’s how I imagined it in my head) and then fell asleep.

◇

The next morning.

Jeremiah had gone out.

Mrs. Morena hadn’t arrived yet.

And worst of all, Paula had gone out. Duke-sama was working. That meant I had to handle everything alone today.

If I really were alone, my heart would have been completely broken, but I had a strong ally called Dennis.

Although I had decided to talk to her last night, I was really unsure of what to do. However, when I saw Dennis’ face in the morning, I felt like I could somehow manage it.

While deeply grateful to Jeremiah for introducing her to me, I decided to take action.

“For now, is there anyone around?”

I walked down the hallway with Dennis.

We needed to find a servant and ask for “his” whereabouts. Then Dennis said,

“Oh, that person over there is a butler.”

“It’s true. I’m sorry.”

When I called out, the butler looked a little surprised but came over right away.

“What can I do for you?”

I was at a loss for what to say to the polite butler in front of me since I didn’t know his name. Then, Dennis, who was standing a little behind me, spoke up.

“Lady Lorraine has some business with the servant Paolo. Where is he now?”

“Paolo, is it? I have ordered him to continue yesterday’s work, but shall I call him for you?”

“Yes, please. Lady and I are in the guest room over there.”

“Understood. Please wait a moment.”

The butler gracefully bowed and left. I stood there speechless since I had tried to go by myself. However, Dennis seemed to have already found out the servant’s name. She looked at me and grinned.

“Gathering information about enemies is essential for escort duties. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. If there is something I don’t know, I will definitely investigate and show you.

Well then, let’s go to the guest room. I’ll prepare the fireplace.”

“Yes.”

I couldn’t say anything in response to his sudden ominous words and his smile that seemed to be plotting something. So, I just nodded obediently.

◆

After a while, when the room had warmed up a bit, there was a knock on the door.

“I have brought him.”

“Please come in.”

With the voice, the door opened and that handsome butler – Dennis, according to the information, his name is Paolo Hübner – came in. His well-groomed appearance was still so beautiful that I couldn’t help but be mesmerized.

“Excuse me. Lady Lorraine, what can I do for you?”

His blue eyes, which seemed to be smiling even though he wasn’t, turned towards me. I couldn’t help but stare at his face out of habit and quickly closed my lips in embarrassment.

“I have something to discuss. If it’s okay with you, please leave him alone with us.”

“Yes.”

The butler glanced briefly at Paolo with a puzzled expression before leaving the room. When his footsteps could no longer be heard, I thought about where to start.

There were many things I wanted to ask, but first, I needed to settle things about Lucia.

“I never thought you would call me first.”

“…What?”

I was surprised when he suddenly spoke to me in such a casual tone.

Since I was born into the aristocratic society, only my brother had ever spoken to me like that.

“You should know your place.”

Dennis immediately approached Paolo and threatened him with a low voice from close range. However, Paolo remained calm and cool.

“We don’t have such a thing in the country where we lived. Well, if you don’t like it, we can change it…?”

“Who do you think you’re talking to…”

“It’s okay, Denny. I knew it was like this.”

I put my hand on my forehead and sighed involuntarily.

If he had lived in modern-day Japan like me, there would certainly be no such thing as social status.

I didn’t intend to start with that topic, but there was no other way. I looked straight at Paolo.

“What do you mean by ‘I knew it’?”

Dennis still didn’t seem convinced.

If I didn’t explain it properly, we wouldn’t be able to have a conversation.

While looking at Paolo, I told Dennis:

“…He also has memories like me, and he lived in the same country and era as me.”