Chapter 30
Haha, I just said something random, but I guess it wasn’t such a bad idea after all.
I gave a sheepish laugh and scratched the back of my neck.
They say if you’re unlucky, you’ll even break your nose when falling backward, but this felt like hitting a hole-in-one without even trying.
I couldn’t tell whether I should be happy about this situation… or sad.
‘I shouldn’t be happy. I’m supposed to fall out of the Grand Duke’s favor, but here I am, liking him!’
As I squeezed my eyes shut in frustration, Jerlach spoke.
“What could the reason be?”
He tilted his head to the side and gave a faint smile.
“The more I look at you, the stranger you seem.”
“Pardon?”
“You come across as somewhat careless, but you’re not sloppy. It’s like you see right through everything.”
I didn’t know how to respond and just laughed awkwardly.
“Oh no, it’s nothing like that. I just said whatever came to mind.”
“So you’re saying you’re a natural genius?”
“No, no way. Not at all.”
“I need someone clever like you by my side.”
As I frantically waved my hands in denial, I noticed the secretary’s sullen expression.
He was the one who’d done all the hard work, but I was the one getting praised out of nowhere. Of course he wouldn’t be pleased.
“No, really, that’s not it…”
Phew, I’ve got your back again, dear secretary.
“I was just reflecting on what the secretary said earlier. He explained it so clearly and logically that I only needed to rephrase it a little.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, really!”
I nodded enthusiastically, and Jerlach glanced in the direction of the secretary before speaking again.
“Handle it as Ribe suggested.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Phew, another crisis averted.
I subtly avoided Jerlach’s gaze and turned to look out the window.
The rain had eased since our departure, and we were nearly back at the estate.
“Thank you for bringing me home.”
“When are you going to the bookstore again?”
“The bookstore?”
“The book you were holding—you didn’t finish it, did you?”
Haha. He really has a sharp eye.
I laughed awkwardly and nodded.
“Yes, maybe next time. It wasn’t anything urgent or important.”
“I see.”
As the carriage stopped in front of the mansion, Jerlach opened the door and stepped out first. Then he held up an umbrella and opened the door for me.
“Thank you.”
I stepped out with an awkward smile. Sharing an umbrella with him was unavoidable.
That familiar scent of Jerlach washed over me.
Thump. Thump.
I swallowed hard for no reason and took a slight step away from him. The umbrella wasn’t small, but his shoulders were so broad that it felt cramped.
I awkwardly leaned away as we walked, when suddenly he placed a hand on my shoulder.
“!”
The warmth of his hand made me hold my breath.
Oh no.
No choice now. I just had to walk faster!
I hurried toward the entrance of the house.
“Oh my, Ribe!”
My mother adjusted her posture and smiled elegantly the moment she saw Jerlach—without even glancing at me.
“Your Grace.”
Jerlach gave her a brief nod, then looked at me.
“Goodbye, Your Grace.”
As I quickly said my goodbye and turned away, my mother subtly tried to stop him.
“Your Grace, since you’ve come all this way, why not stay for a meal?”
“Mother, His Grace is incredibly busy. He’s preparing for St. Obenry’s Day next week—he hardly has time to eat!”
Why on earth was she inviting him to eat out of nowhere?
Flustered, I started rambling whatever came to mind.
“You brought Ribe home; it would be nice if you could come in, even just for a little while.”
Oh, Mother.
Unfortunately, the Grand Duke is really busy right now.
Naturally, I expected Jerlach to decline.
“Sure. I was thinking of visiting around tomorrow anyway.”
“…What?”
Oh, dear God.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
Throughout the meal, my mother must’ve apologized ten times for not being better prepared.
I sent her multiple pleading glances, but she prattled on unfazed.
Sigh… If only Father were here, he’d have stopped her.
But then I caught myself—wait, I want to distance myself from Jerlach. My mother’s endless chatter might actually work in my favor. It could help him lose interest in me!
Once I thought that, I stopped caring how much she rambled.
But when she said for the fifth time that she’d have prepared a better meal if she’d known he was coming—
“It’s already excellent,”
Jerlach said gently, setting down his fork.
He looked slightly worn out by my mother, which made me cheer internally as I popped a forkful of salad into my mouth.
“Ribe, can I ask what book you were reading at Klem’s bookstore?”
“It was just a popular novel.”
“A popular novel?”
He seemed curious about the book I had been reading.
Well, this might be a good opportunity. I should give him the worst possible impression.
“It’s called The Tumultuous Renata. It’s about a woman who steals the man her friend loves.”
At that, Jerlach raised one eyebrow.
“That doesn’t sound very… mainstream.”
“Really? I find those kinds of stories interesting—stealing what’s not yours, being nasty, doing bad things. That sort of thing.”
You’re misunderstanding me right now.
I’m not some brave warrior, nor someone full of ideals. I’m just someone trying to survive here!
“A story about stealing someone else’s lover, huh. Interesting.”
Jerlach narrowed his eyes and stared intently at me.
That dangerous look. The very one I wanted to avoid at all costs.
“It’s just about a wicked villainess! I enjoy that sort of thing.”
“Same here. I guess we have similar tastes.”
No, no, this isn’t how I wanted the conversation to go.
Sensing danger, I stuffed another forkful of salad into my mouth.
My mother clasped her hands and added,
“Oh my! It seems Ribe and His Grace have so much in common!”
No, Mother. That is not the case.
Not even remotely.
I shook my head subtly toward her, but she didn’t seem to notice my expression.
At long last, the awkward dinner ended, and Jerlach rose from his seat.
My mother offered him tea, but this time he declined.
“Thank you, but I have a lot of work to return to.”
“Yes, with St. Obenry’s Day coming up, things must be hectic. If only our Oliver could be of help…”
“Mother.”
I poked her side, and she blinked awkwardly.
Jerlach offered a polite smile and turned to me.
“See you next time.”
“Thank you for bringing me home today.”
I gave him a polite bow, and just as Jerlach was about to turn and leave—
The door, which we should have opened, swung open, and in walked my brother with someone beside him.
Oh, I’ve seen this scene somewhere before.
But this time, there was one big difference… Adrien had been a stranger when he first arrived.
The man entering now had a familiar face.
Wait—Nathan?
The man accompanying my brother was none other than Nathan Palamedes.
A character who, in the original story, becomes my fiancé. He’d never shown up before—but finally, here he was!
I barely stopped myself from smiling too widely.
“Oh, Your Grace. I didn’t realize you were here.”
My brother greeted him, and Jerlach nodded once before casting a dry glance at Nathan.
Before he could speak, I quickly called out to my brother.
“Brother, you brought a guest?”
“Yes, Sir Palamedes said he had a favor to ask you.”
“A favor?”
I blinked and turned to look at Nathan.
A favor? What could he possibly want from me?
I was going to follow up after Jerlach left, but then he suddenly turned around.
“Madam, on second thought, I think I will stay for tea.”
“I thought you said you didn’t have time?”
I asked quickly, but Jerlach was already walking toward the parlor.
“I have time for a cup of tea with you.”
