Chapter 57
Is this how wizards or astrologers feel?
I was thinking something like, “Scaring people is kind of thrilling,” when—
“Rieve.”
Adrian looked down at me with a curious expression.
“How did you know? What did you do to me?”
Then he pulled something rustling from his pocket.
I knew it!
Sitting in the palm of Adrian’s hand was an adorably small candy.
“How did you know? Are you doing magic or something?”
Even as he showed me the candy, his face remained baffled.
“Can you see everything in my pocket or something?”
Judging by Adrian’s face, he genuinely looked like he’d believe me if I said yes.
He’s more gullible than I thought.
Honestly, I wanted to just tell him the truth at this point, but I couldn’t exactly say, “Oh, I know because I lived this in another dimension.”
“I figured you might’ve brought a few nostalgic things since it’s been so long since you saw her.”
Apparently, lying gets easier the more you do it.
I thought I responded calmly, but to Adrian, I must not have looked that way.
“You’re lying.”
“…?”
“It sounds like a lie. How did you really know?”
Sigh. The road to a poker face is long and arduous.
“Well, the important thing is that I got it right. You were surprised, weren’t you?”
“I was actually excited to come and tease Rieve for not remembering me, but I ended up being completely outplayed.”
Still, Adrian’s expression, even while saying he’d been caught off guard, was genuinely cheerful.
It was the kind of smile that brightened the mood for anyone looking at him.
“Well, you were a strange kid even back then.”
That, I’d already heard before.
I think Adrian once described me as being like a baby wolf?
Basically, that meant I was mischievous and wild.
I was about to pretend I knew that too, but I decided to keep my mouth shut.
If I kept talking like this, he might really start thinking I was doing mind-reading magic or something.
When I just grinned silently, Adrian opened his mouth again.
“I remember when you and Renata ruined Oliver’s stuff and turned the house upside down.”
Ah, so we trashed the whole house too.
“Did we?”
“Guess you don’t remember that part.”
When I gave an awkward smile, Adrian’s eyes lit up with excitement as he continued.
“You two brought in a bunch of sand and dumped it in Oliver’s room, saying you were going to build a sandcastle. Then, because the sand wouldn’t clump, you poured water on it too.”
“Please tell me it was Renata who started that, not me.”
I scrunched my face in horror, and Adrian laughed heartily.
“It was your house, Rieve. Of course you were the ringleader.”
“Oh, dear. No wonder Brother Oliver was furious.”
“Yeah, he was crying and screaming like crazy.”
I didn’t know what young Oliver looked like, but the image was funny enough to make me giggle.
“I can still picture his pale face, crying his eyes out.”
“You mean Renata, right? Not me?”
“Nope, I meant you.”
“So what happened after that?”
“Haha, you really don’t remember?”
Well, I didn’t actually live through that part of my childhood.
“Rieve, I’m really glad that even after so long, it doesn’t feel awkward between us.”
“Me too.”
Of course, that was only possible because I’d already been spending time with him for a while now.
Wait a minute—so in this world, there’s really nothing between Leoni and Adrian?
Well, technically I did take Leoni’s fiancé, Jerlach, so… maybe yes, maybe no? I’m not quite sure anymore.
To confirm, I decided to bring up Leoni a little more.
“Then I guess you haven’t seen Renata since back then either?”
“Yeah. You’re still close with Renata, right?”
I meant to fish for clues, but now I’d trapped myself.
“Ah… actually…”
“Yeah?”
“Well, there’s been a bit of a misunderstanding, so we’re kind of…”
“Oh dear.”
As I fumbled for words with a sheepish face, Adrian’s expression turned serious.
“Is it a serious misunderstanding? Still, it’d be good if you could talk it out.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
Though honestly, I’m not even sure if it can be talked out.
Seeing me looking embarrassed, Adrian gave a soft smile and said,
“I was planning to visit the Almaz estate tomorrow anyway. If I see Renata, should I try talking to her?”
“Ah no, please don’t.”
I frantically waved my hands.
If he got involved without knowing the full story, it might just make things messier.
“Just don’t mention me. I’ll take care of it.”
When I pleaded sincerely, Adrian nodded.
“Alright, that’s probably for the best.”
After that, we started walking in the other direction.
It was nice weather for a stroll, but honestly, I was itching to dash over to Mr. Clem’s bookstore.
Of course, I still had doctor’s appointments and other schedules lined up today, but—
Ugh. I really am fine, stop fussing!
“Um, Rieve.”
Just then, Adrian carefully called out to me again.
“Yes?”
“I know this might be a rude question…”
“…?”
“But I’m the type who can’t let things go once they get stuck in my head.”
“It’s fine. Ask me anything.”
“But really, if you’re uncomfortable answering, don’t feel like you have to. I mean it.”
I was just wondering what kind of question he’d ask, when—
“What you said earlier…”
“What part?”
“You said something about becoming a duchess.”
Immediately after that, Adrian shut his eyes tightly, then opened them again, clearly regretting having brought it up.
His ears even turned red as he turned away.
…What’s going on?
“Oh, that was something your mother said.”
Though honestly, I’m curious about that part too.
Even if I wanted to tell him, I couldn’t.
Because I have no idea myself!
“I’m sorry, but I don’t know anything about that either.”
“You don’t?”
“Right. His Grace the Grand Duke isn’t even in Myuton right now, and… well, I’m not even sure if we’re actually engaged or not.”
I gave a sheepish smile, and Adrian nodded as if he understood.
“Yeah, I suppose wanting your daughter to become a duchess is a universal thing.”
Hmm, that felt slightly off the mark, but I didn’t bother correcting him.
I was just nodding vaguely when—
“Young Lady!”
The mansion gates opened in the distance and Eclat waved at me.
Oh no, is it time for the doctor?
“Lord Watford, what time is it now?”
“12:30.”
“Oh no… not much time left.”
I absolutely had to go to the bookstore today.
And if I was going to make it, this was my only window.
“What’s the rush?”
“Lord Watford, could you help me with something?”
“Help you?”
Before Eclat got any closer, I quickly explained to Adrian.
“You just need to come with me to the bookstore. That’s it.”
“Sure, that’s no problem.”
By then, Eclat had walked up to us and greeted me with a gentle smile.
“Young Lady, you do remember the doctor is coming at 2 o’clock, right?”
As I leaned back nervously, Adrian cleared his throat and stepped forward.
“Um, Eclat.”
When she faced Adrian, she clasped her hands politely and bowed.
“The thing is… I came to Myuton today for a very important reason.”
“Yes, Lord Watford?”
“It’s actually because of Rieve.”
“Pardon?”
Seriously? Out of nowhere?
Eclat looked just as shocked as I was, eyes wide.
“There’s something she absolutely has to help me with. That’s why I made this long trip.”
“Oh… I see.”
“I’ll make sure we’re back before her appointment. Is that alright?”
When Adrian asked, Eclat narrowed her eyes and looked at me.
I clamped my lips shut and turned my head away.
“Lord Watford, are you really sure?”
“I promise. I’ll have her back before 2.”
“Alright. I’ll let her go because I trust you, Lord Watford.”
“Mm-hmm, don’t worry.”
“If you’re late, I’m seriously going to get scolded by the madam. You know that, right?”
“I know. I won’t be late.”
“Then please be careful, both of you.”
After Eclat left, I let out a long sigh.
“Thank you. Really, thank you.”
“Whew, that was nerve-wracking.”
Adrian wiped imaginary sweat from his brow and smiled.
“Well, we should get going before it’s too late.”
“Yes, let’s go.”
“You promised, so you’d better keep it. We’re just going in, checking the place, and coming back. Got it?”
“Got it. I promise. I’m just going to check and come right back. It won’t take long.”
