CH 26

“Oh, so does that mean you see me as a heartless person who easily abandons their fiancé?”

I turned pale at those words. Of course, it was completely different.

My hand, which was grabbed with strong force, hurt. I quickly shook my head.

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

“No, that’s not what I meant! I didn’t say that. But, I just looked around and saw many people who are more attractive than me. So, I was wondering if it’s okay to tie me down like this…”

“I see, that’s what you meant… But why do you deny your appearance so much? It sounds like you’re denying yourself, not just your appearance.

Is appearance really that important?

What’s important is mutual consideration. And for that, we need to think of each other as desirable. And I think you’re desirable. Besides, everyone has their own preferences. To me, you’re cute, and sometimes even beautiful.”

“What nonsense, Jeremiah-sama. Shouldn’t you get your eyes treated?”

Even I couldn’t agree with my own statement. I couldn’t help but let out a dry laugh. However, his words, “Is appearance really that important?” pierced my heart.

It seemed that my way of thinking was biased. I had to admit that.

“That’s a terrible thing to say. You’re praising me, but then you recommend eye treatment. Well, when we return to the mansion, if you wear the dress that my sister and Madam have chosen for you, change your hairstyle, and put on makeup, you’ll surely have to change your way of thinking.

I don’t really want you to dress up too much, but if you don’t, you’ll continue to belittle yourself like that.”

“…It’s not belittling, I think it’s the truth.”

Even though he said that, he shrugged his shoulders and didn’t agree with me.

I was somehow dissatisfied and had a sense of unease in my heart as the carriage journey continued. The journey by carriage on the same road as before was comfortable, but an awkward silence continued.

The hand that had been held tightly was already released, but it felt hot and painful, as if it had a fever.

Had I been denying myself that much?

Had I convinced myself that I was a worthless person, believing the words of those around me? I had tried to polish only the inside, even if I couldn’t change things like appearance.

However, I couldn’t just reject his words. I needed to think about it a little.

Eventually, when we returned to Castalde’s mansion, I felt relieved in a strange way.

When we got off the carriage, Jeremiah told me he had some business to attend to and kissed the back of my hand before saying, “See you later.”

“Okay,” I replied.

I couldn’t forget his cheerful eyes as he walked away.

I told the maid, Dora, “I have to go back for now. I need to change my clothes first. And I’m worried about Dorothea too.”

“Yes, I understand. But, Ojo-sama, you are truly loved. I envy you. He rushed the engagement because he didn’t want to lose you to someone else.”

Dora, a young girl, sighed in admiration. Her cute face was adorned with freckles. Her brown hair and blue eyes were lovely. She loved pretty things and enjoyed decorating my hair and modifying my dresses a little, but she was dissatisfied because I wouldn’t let her do it.

I looked at her with a suspicious gaze.

“Is that so?”

“Yes, I can tell from the way he looks at Ojo-sama. He doesn’t want to let go of her even for a moment.”

“…You’re imagining things. Anyway, we don’t have much time until dinner. I’m a little busy.”

“Yes. Oh, I’m looking forward to the new dress that’s coming! Ojo-sama, please don’t refuse to let me do your hair next time. I’m sure Jeremiah-sama will be pleased.”

“Okay, okay, I got it.”

While giving appropriate responses to Dora’s chatter, I returned to the room where Dorothea was supposed to be.

As soon as I announced, “I’m back,” I heard a sound like furniture falling over inside, and Dorothea came flying out of the door that opened with great force, crying and clinging to me. I widened my eyes and panicked. When I glanced back, Dora was also dumbfounded.

“Lorraine, I was deceived after all!”

“Wait a minute, what happened? Calm down, here, wipe your tears and nose with this.”

When I said this, Dora quickly offered a handkerchief.

Although her face seemed to be twitching, I was relieved anyway. If this continued, my coat for going out would have been soaking wet. I only had one coat, so it would have been a disaster if it got wet.

Thank you, Dora. We’ll have a big thank-you party later.

Then, Dorothea sat down on the floor, completely deflated, covering her face with the handkerchief that was offered to her, and began to speak.

“We had promised to meet on the terrace today, but before that, I had made plans to take a walk with another lady in the afternoon. So, I met him there, but guess what he did? He ignored my voice!

I thought he couldn’t hear me, so I asked him again, and he asked me which lady I was.

H-He probably didn’t want to be seen as my lover since I was with another lady. Once I realized that, he couldn’t even try to woo me! How terrible, just terrible.”

“…That’s what happened?”

Although it was somewhat incoherent, I understood what she wanted to say. While stroking Dorothea’s back as she sobbed, I was filled with anger towards Aurelio. Since it had come to this, there was no need to ask Jeremiah to investigate.

It would be best to just not get involved.

Then, a figure seemed to notice the loud crying and appeared. When I looked up, it was an older woman, Dorothea’s mother. Behind her was Paula.

“Oh my! What happened, Dorothea?”

Her mother hurried over to her daughter and began to stroke her back, just like I did. Paula looked at me with a puzzled expression and spoke.

“I heard that you were coming back, so I was talking to Baroness Palmara and waiting for you. I was going to tell you that your dress will be delivered soon. Then suddenly, there was a loud noise, and I was surprised… Hey, what happened to her?”

“She was deceived by a terrible man. He had been pursuing her ardently for the past few days, and Dorothea looked so happy that I couldn’t say or do anything about it… But I guess it’s over now.”

“That must have been tough. But it’s good that you didn’t get too deep before it got out of hand.”

“I think so too.”

Dorothea was still sobbing and unable to say anything.

“Anyway, you should change your clothes. We’ll come up with a retaliation plan for the trash that hurt this girl later.”

I couldn’t believe what Paula had just said.

“Ara, you look surprised. But I still have an unending hatred for men who toy with weak women, you know. I won’t be able to sleep after seeing such a scene… don’t you agree?”

“Y-yes.”

“Ojo-sama, let’s change your clothes for now.”

“Okay.”

Prompted by Dora, I hurriedly changed my clothes with her crying in the background. I had a feeling that something troublesome was going to happen as soon as I got back.

However, as I changed, I thought that I couldn’t believe Aurelio would do such a thing. Jeremiah had told me not to do anything, but I wouldn’t be satisfied unless I confirmed the situation myself.

So, I decided to find an opportunity to talk to him.

That was my resolution.