CH 21

After that, things progressed at his pace.

He found Tatiana and Lord Grimani talking on the terrace and invited them to the ballroom, where dance lessons began just like that day. This time, there was no shouting like before, but they were gently chiding me in their voices.

Where in the Bible does it Say to C...

I couldn’t lift my face at all.

So, I desperately focused on my footwork and somehow managed to do something resembling a dance.

“You’re getting better. See, I told you so.”

“It’s because you’re a good teacher.”

In fact, his teaching was so good that he could be a dance instructor. Dancing to Tatiana’s music was fun, but I gradually began to be concerned about Dorothea.

However, tea and light snacks were brought in again, so I couldn’t bring myself to bring it up.

In the end, I didn’t have much freedom in the afternoon either, and I just watched the two of them from afar.

At night, I took a pen to write a letter. However, I was unsure of what to write. I couldn’t be honest, and I didn’t want to lie either.

“What should I do about Otoo-sama, Okaa-sama, and Nii-sama’s response?”

Even if I muttered to myself, I didn’t know the answer.

It may be a good story, but they should want to know their daughter’s feelings. I asked myself. If I continued to play the role of Jeremiah’s girlfriend, when would I be released?

Moreover, listening to his words, it sounds like he would rather marry me, a close friend he can confide in, than marry any other lady. If I do nothing, he might actually end up doing so.

I wonder why he dislikes women who make a fuss about marriage, as I have heard him say. I want to know, but it’s hard to ask.

Besides, is it okay to just marry him like this? At least I don’t feel bad about it. No, it’s probably the opposite. I am not unfamiliar with romantic feelings.

If things continue like this, I will definitely fall in love.

If that happens, even if I understand in my head that it will be difficult later, my heart won’t listen. It’s just that kind of thing.

But something doesn’t feel right.

I can’t shake off the feeling of discomfort standing next to him.

It doesn’t match, and although he has never said it directly, the eyes of those around us definitely tell me so. Not only that, but I also feel the same way.

——I just need a little more time.

I felt that desperately.

Surely, Otoo-sama won’t agree so easily. It would be better to go home, cool your head, and meet him again. Even then, if Jeremiah-sama still wants to be engaged, you can sign at that time. In the letter, just write that you made a lot of friends and got along well with Jeremiah-sama.

Alright, it’s decided. I decided and then wrote neatly with my pen and folded it. I’ll send it tomorrow. I’m worried about Dorothea, but there’s nothing I can do if I rush everything.

I moved from the writing desk to the bed and blew out the candle flame, then lay down.

❂❂❂

The next day, as I was about to check on Dorothea’s condition after breakfast, Jeremiah immediately caught me. Since being asked to play the role of his girlfriend, we’ve been spending a lot of time together.

Perhaps because of that, I’ve become accustomed to his face.

I no longer feel my heart pounding or my breath quickening every time I see him, and instead feel a little relieved in place of loneliness. However, I never tire of looking at his face.

“As I said yesterday, I want you to meet my father. He’ll be out for business in the afternoon.”

“Understood.”

I’ve already made up my mind about that.

Bring on the poison tongue like Paula’s, I can handle it. I just hope it doesn’t go off on a tangent. I’m used to hearing things like “plain” or “unremarkable.” Even though I’m a little nervous about what’s to come, I put on a ladylike smile and take Jeremiah’s arm as we start walking.

Suddenly, an unpleasant noise reaches my ears.

“Well, how can she be with Jeremiah-sama every day with such looks? I wonder what kind of tricks she used.”

“She must have used some kind of magic. Otherwise, I can’t understand why he’s always with such a girl. I’m much prettier than her…”

“Yeah, I’m sure they spiked it with some suspicious drug or something.”

The whispered voices had the characteristic sound of young girls. I had been looked down upon many times before, but I had never been jealous. I was used to being criticized and insulted, so I strangely didn’t get angry. Instead, I began to feel sorry for them.

“Don’t worry about it. But why are they so sneaky? That’s why I hate it…”

“I’m completely fine with it. If it comes to physical violence, that’s a different story, but I’ve been used to being bullied to some extent. They are probably more miserable than me. They want something so badly, but they can never have it.”

I shrugged my shoulders and received an unexpected glance.

“…I was surprised. I thought you would be hurt and cry.”

“Don’t underestimate the life of a plain girl. Besides, every lady sympathizes with someone they know is beneath them, so it’s easy. I’m not beautiful, after all.”

“It seems we don’t agree on that.”

Jeremiah had a mischievous smile on his face.

Certainly, he always said I was cute, but I could never agree with him. I thought we would always be at odds on this topic, but then I saw the door to the study where Marquis Castalde was yesterday. I tightened my lips and regained my composure.