Chapter 8: 8

As soon as Charter left Bornes County, he immediately returned to the Duchy. It was to inform his mother of the engagement.

 

Charter frowned as soon as he got out of the carriage. A carriage with the seal of a familiar family was parked right at the entrance. When Charter entered, a tall, skinny middle-aged butler took Charter’s coat as if he had been waiting.

 

“The daughter of Count Proud is here.”

 

“She doesn’t seem to get tired.”

 

Charter’s cold words made his butler lower his eyebrows as if holding back his laughter.

 

“The Lady seemed to be waiting for Master to get tired first.”

 

“What about mother?”

 

Charter didn’t even feel worth talking about her anymore, so he had decided to let his mother know about his engagement.

 

“Madam has gone out.”

 

Charter nodded his head and went up the stairs without a word. The parlor was on the first floor, but he had no intention of going there.

 

Charter was a busy man. He wasn’t idle enough to spend time with people he didn’t even care about.

 

Then, a voice holding him back was heard.

 

“Duke, you’re here. I was wondering when you would come back.”

 

He sighed low and turned around. Two women down the stairs were looking up at him with ecstasy.

 

“Lady Layla.”

 

Charter was acquainted with the light brown-haired woman. Every time this situation came, he was annoyed and tired of it, but for now, they were her mother’s guests, so he had to keep the least courtesy.

 

He didn’t even know about the name of Lady Proud, who blushed next to Layla. After turning back reluctantly at Layla’s call and doing all the courtesy, he lifted his head slightly and turned around, but Layla quickly continued.

 

“Would you like to have a cup of tea? Lady Merian brought some precious tea leaves today. It’s tea leaves that came across the sea.”

 

Charter looked down at them with a cold face.

 

“…”

 

Then he turned back without saying goodbye and strode up the stairs. Despite his rude behavior, the women standing in the lobby still looked like they were dreaming.

 

“Oh my, he even looks cool too when being cold.”

 

At Merian’s words, Layla rolled her eyes when Merian couldn’t see and pretended as if nothing had happened.

 

“Let’s go drink the tea. It seems he’s a little busy today. I will ask after him for dinner.”

 

At Layla’s words, Merian spoke with her eyes filled with envy.

 

“Lady Layla, I envy you so much. You’re living in the same place with Duke Kaien…”

 

Layla raised her head straight and moved to the parlor. Merian, as usual, was busy following her and asking about Duke Kaien.

 

* * *

 

It’s been two days since he left. Now that the pain in my shoulder was almost gone, I had to move to the next step.

 

I wrote and sent a short letter to Charter. Now that my body had recovered, I told him to come here two days later. I also told him to keep some free time for that day.

 

“Oh my! Lady! You’re so beautiful. You look good with that dress.”

 

Madrenne admired and praised me as I dressed in my outing dress and looked in the mirror. Apart from being beautiful, she seemed happier to see her lady in a good mood. Usually, her lady was always sharp, and when she offended her, the whole house was on thin ice that day.

 

Noticing this, I felt a bit nauseous when she tried to say another word again.

 

Let’s be patient today.

 

First of all, I was satisfied with my reflection in the mirror. And today is a special day.

 

The sky blue dress was designed stylishly that emphasize my slim waist, and the top-notch lace, which was not overdone on the top of my neck and sleeves, was lovely. The overall look went well with the fine silver hair that was gently braided to one side.

 

I cursed inside as I couldn’t eat a single pie because of the tight corset, but I forgave it when I looked elegant.

 

“Lady, Duke Kaien is here.”

 

I stood up from my seat as if I had been waiting for the news. Putting on the white gloves made from 100% finest fabric and grabbing the lovely lace parasol, I walked out of the room to meet him.

 

Charter was sitting in the parlor, waiting for me. Seeing him, I began to feel excited. Ah, of course, it doesn’t mean that I like him. However, today is a special day.

 

“Welcome. I’m sorry to keep you waiting.”

 

I showed up without making him wait that long.

 

“No, I’ve just come.”

 

Charter glanced at me with his indifferent eyes. In the letter, I asked him to come without saying much, but he had an expression on his face that he couldn’t understand why I was dressed up.

 

“Where are you going? I must have come at the wrong time.”

 

“No, you’ve got it right. Now, shall we go out together?”

 

Charter couldn’t understand what I was saying. But when he saw my sparkling eyes, he somehow felt that he had to move according to my will.

 

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I didn’t say anything while his carriage was being prepared at the mansion’s entrance. In the end, Charter, unable to hold back his curiosity, asked,

 

“May I ask where we’re going?”

 

“Anywhere. We’re on a date now.”

 

I smiled and looked into Charter’s eyes. My eyes gave a look that I was really looking forward to today’s date, so he would have to do his best.

 

* * *

 

Charter looked into Arianne’s eyes without saying a word.

 

‘A date.’

 

It was the second most embarrassing moment of his life. Arianne seemed to embarrass him every time he saw her. However, when he faced those lively purple eyes, he couldn’t dare to refuse. In the end, Charter decided to go along with her. Since he already made free time today as Arianne notified before.

 

‘There’s nothing I can do about it.’

 

* * *

 

I noticed Charter’s trembling eyes that he didn’t expect today’s date at all.

 

What’s wrong? I already wrote in the letter to make some free time for today. He should’ve understood!

 

I grumbled inwardly, thinking I should have met a man who understood what I meant.

 

“This is not a real date. Let’s call it a way to glorify our engagement.”

 

Charter nodded slightly as if he understood.

 

We walked quickly towards the carriage that arrived in front of the mansion. And when I got to the front carriage…

 

* * *

 

‘This…’

 

Arianne reminded him that he must escort her. Following her, he escorted her with a clumsy touch. Her hands were thin enough to fit in his hand.

 

Arianne, who was indifferent to Charter’s small trembling fingertips, who was embarrassed by the unexpected skinship, didn’t notice at all.   

 

After a short touch that contained no emotion at all, Arianne sat face to face in the carriage with Charter.

 

Charter asked as if he had no energy left.

 

“Where are we going?”

 

“To the theater. I’ve never been there.”

 

Charter was puzzled.

 

“You never… go there? That’s weird. From what I know, Count Bornes usually booked VIP seats there.”

 

“That’s right.”

 

Arianne ended her sentence, turned her gaze out of the window, and shut her mouth. It meant she didn’t want to talk anymore. Charter didn’t ask anymore because he noticed it.

 

* * *

 

Among numerous things Charter has, the second best one was that he didn’t ask more. The first one, of course, is his wealth and status. He may not be interested in me, but it was true that I was comfortable with him.

 

I didn’t want to talk to him about my situation. We will marry by a contract anyway, not because of love.

 

Obviously, there will be VIP seats for Count Bornes in the theater. Nobles usually enjoyed cultural life, such as theater, opera, and horseback riding to show off. So did my father.

 

But it didn’t apply to me. There was only one reason. Because it’s dangerous.

 

Every place outside the mansion, including the theater and riding ground, was a dangerous place for me. More than one or two people had a grudge against my father, and they didn’t dare to attack my father, so the arrow was aimed at one place in return. Of course, to Count Borne’s daughter.

 

I was kidnapped when I was a child. It was when I tried to go to a famous dessert shop in the capital. I went out with an escort, but I couldn’t get out of the grip of those who were determined to capture me. Of course, my father punished them cruelly, but since then, I haven’t been able to leave the mansion.

 

I couldn’t even go where the maids could go.

 

Working as a servant for Count Bornes was a nightmare, but it was definitely paid better than anywhere else. Count Borne was a man who spared no money; if someone did their job well, he would pay more than double the salary of other servants. Thanks to this, the servants in the mansion could also enter an expensive theater once or twice a year.       

                          

“Oh my. Listen to me. I went to the theater yesterday. It’s the first time I’ve been to such a magnificent and elegant place. I was really amazed…”

 

“Did you just go there? So envious. We go there once a year.”

 

“Really? Ah, I’m glad I worked here. Our Masters are scary, and the work is hard, but where else would pay you this much?”

 

“Why is it so noisy? Are you guys done doing your job?”

 

I, who was listening to the maid’s conversation, suddenly became irritated and angry. I think it was because I was jealous of the fact that I alone couldn’t go to a place that commoners could go to or a place that everyone in the empire could go if they had money.

 

I could never leave the mansion. When I asked if it would be okay to go out with a lot of escorts, Count Bornes simply refused, saying, ‘If you don’t go out at all, you won’t be kidnapped, so why do I have to go through such trouble?’

 

So, until this day, I have lived as if imprisoned in the mansion. Of course, there is an exception to visiting the orphanage every weekend at the order of my father. So I didn’t let anyone know I was going out today, even to Charter.

 

I was worried that if my father found out, he would stop me from going out again. Fortunately, no one stopped me from going out with Charter, and I could go out properly after a few years.

 

Therefore, my date with Charter today is very exciting, and I anticipated it. Although the purpose of the date was to highlight our engagement, I couldn’t help but be excited.

 

With his indifferent face, Charter smiled when he saw me, who was excited like a child. 

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