CH 11

After finishing the story, Jeremiah said something unexpected.

“I see, that’s fine too.”

“…Huh?”

Until the Exiled Duke’s Daughter,...

Why did he come to that conclusion from the story just now? I stared at him in surprise, and he gave me a wicked smile. Even that villainous face looked good on him. I accidentally felt my heart skip a beat, but I quickly regained my composure, realizing that now was not the time to admire him.

“It’s okay to at least get engaged. It will make it more believable and serve as better protection against bugs. I can openly protect you as well. Unlike marriage, it can be dissolved later, so there’s no need to take it too seriously.”

“But…the promise was only for the duration of my stay in this mansion, right?”

If we made that public, we would have to keep up the act throughout the upcoming social season. That would be quite a burden.

Above all, Dorothea and Jeremiah’s fans wouldn’t stay quiet about it. Well, it’s okay to tell Dorothea the truth…

“Do you hate being with me that much?”

His voice shook me again, and it was once again unexpected. Why did he seem so pained? I didn’t want to see him look so sad. Somehow, my heart was beating even faster.

It’s safe to say that I’m in love with his face, which is quite troublesome.

Or rather, I can’t see Jeremiah’s true intentions. I don’t really know who he is in the first place. There are parts where I can’t judge which expression is acting and which is serious.

“No, it’s not like that… but if we get engaged, it will get in the way if a good opportunity comes to Jeremiah-sama, and I am also looking for a marriage partner, so I don’t want to waste the next season.”

I try to imply that there are only disadvantages for both of us.

“I see, then let’s do this. If you end up being left behind, I’ll take responsibility. So, I want you to cooperate a little more during the social season. Is that okay?

Actually, I’ve been enjoying spending time with you… I want to get to know you a little better.

Women who speak frankly like you are rare.”

“Ah, yes, that may be true.”

Basically, it was considered manners among the nobility to express what you want to say indirectly. Speaking frankly was considered indecent. However, I couldn’t use such unique expressions, so I made excuses that my memories from my past life remained and talked normally.

After muttering that, I realize that I skipped over a more important line.

“No, wait a minute. What do you mean by taking responsibility?”

“There’s only one way to take responsibility. Get married.”

“With whom? Are you going to find someone for me?”

“Why do I have to do that? You’re marrying me.”

I stared at him as if he were an incomprehensible creature after he spoke those shocking words so casually.

If you ask him normally, what he says is very correct. As a nobleman, no, as a man, it’s the most proper thing to do.

He delayed his marriage on his own responsibility, so he’s taking responsibility by getting married.

Yes, it’s correct. He’s a mirror of a nobleman. Wonderful. I want to give him a big round of applause.

But why can’t I nod obediently?

Even though I’m like this, I’m still a part of the nobility, so there’s no difference in status between Jeremiah and me. Even the upper class rarely looks down on us.

Well, in the first place, marriage between commoners and nobles is not allowed, so if we force it, we’ll be kicked out of the upper class.

Besides, the Baron Valcourt family has a small but decent income that can provide a dowry.

There’s no fear of poor nobles trying to do something to the property of wealthy nobles.

In general, the Castalde Marquis family is wealthy. They even have a company in a foreign country. That’s why the lady of the house can entertain nobles like this and still manage somehow.

So, there are no major obstacles.

“Um, you’re joking, right?”

“No, I’m serious.”

Jeremiah answered as if he didn’t really understand the reason for the question.

I imagined the scene of myself smiling next to him, with my face contorted.

Doesn’t it feel really strange? — It does to me. A lot.

If it were someone as beautiful as Tatiana, it would be balanced, but I only look like a servant to the high nobles. It’s not that I dislike my own face. It’s just a matter of balance.

As I hesitated to answer, Jeremiah continued to speak.

“If that’s not enough, should I give you something? I promised to give you something if you fulfilled your promise, so just tell me what you want.”

“No, it’s enough. It’s just that…”

“Just what?”

I had no choice but to be honest here. I gathered my courage and said:

“I’m worried that I might not measure up to your expectations in terms of appearance.”

“Measure up?”

“Yes, because my appearance is ordinary. But, Jeremiah-sama is very handsome.”

Speaking with a downward gaze, my tone naturally became smaller at the end of my sentences.

It’s kind of self-deprecating, I thought, and closed my mouth for a moment, hearing a big sigh.

“That’s ridiculous. You look inferior?

You just lack confidence in yourself.

Okay, then let’s go shopping tomorrow if the weather is good. My sister, who happens to be visiting here, will come with us, so you can consult with her. What, you just don’t know how to dress.

Your honey-colored hair and eyes are very beautiful.

I’m saying it, so it’s true. So, I asked you to be my girlfriend.

Well, I’ll go back to changing clothes soon. Let’s talk later.”

He lifted a strand of my hair and dropped his lips, leaving me frozen without a response. Yesterday’s incident was shocking enough, but what was with his sweet smile and words now?

And he kissed my hair…?

I have no idea when we became so intimate.

While I was being tossed by waves of questions swirling in my mind, Jeremiah had already left.

I immediately returned to the room, and I started embroidering. I stabbed the needle into the fabric while escaping from reality.

Concentration――!

I must transform this fabric into a gorgeous thing no matter what!

After killing time with that thought, I finally remembered the letter that Aurelio had given me, but it was already night.

I hurriedly gave it to Dorothea, but forgot to add “playboy” to it, and regretted it the next day.