CH 9

The next morning, I managed to cover up my slight lack of sleep with makeup and told the maid that I wanted to have breakfast in my room.

Honestly, I wanted to be alone a little longer.

Looking out the window, it was a clear and sunny day.

Until the Exiled Duke’s Daughter,...

According to the plan, the men were supposed to go hunting today, leaving only the women in the mansion. The time had finally come for their jealousy and hatred to rain down on me.

Wow, that’s depressing.

“Maybe it was a bit too much to exchange for being seen up close.”

I muttered absentmindedly.

I was alone in the room. Dorothea had gone to the dining room for breakfast. I had to lie to her, who had worried about me until the end, and tell her that everything was really okay if something happened.

“Sigh, I really want to tell the truth.”

I sighed and muttered, and then I heard a voice.

“What do you want to say?”

Surprised, I looked for the source of the voice and noticed that my aunt with a gleeful look in her eyes was looking at me through the slightly open door.

——How long has she been there…!

Baroness Fiorenza Palmara, my aunt, had a slightly overweight figure due to overindulgence. She gave off an impression of having a comforting presence, but also gave off an impression of being someone who was loyal to her own desires, depending on how you looked at it. In reality, she was the latter.

My aunt, with her hair tied up high, which had increased in white hair, and dressed in a daytime dress that seemed to squeeze her flesh, looked at me with eyes full of excitement.

Eventually, I said to my aunt, who came into the room laughing happily, while feeling truly amazed from the bottom of my heart.

“No, it’s nothing major. I’m just a little tired, so I thought I’d decline today’s tea party.”

“I see. Then why are you so tired? Is it because of Jeremiah?”

Her fastball, which didn’t need any sugarcoating, hit my heart. I wished she had at least sugarcoated it a bit more. It was too straightforward, and I was left stunned. My aunt then snorted and showed a proud smile.

“Did you think you could fool me? I could tell right away that there was an unusual atmosphere between the two of you just by looking at you yesterday. So, what’s going on? Did “he” say something to you?”

Her inquisitive eyes moved around restlessly.

Exposed to that gaze, I groaned and said, “Um…”

Well, I thought it would come by yesterday, but it came earlier than expected, so I hadn’t come up with a suitable answer yet. I was planning to come up with a plan in the morning, but I couldn’t help but be amazed at my aunt’s quick actions.

I was troubled about what to do.

I can’t tell the truth, and if I answer as a girlfriend, I can only say, “I like him.” But once I say that, she will be thorough in making it happen.

The intentions are not important. Creating more couples is her raison d’être and the greatest entertainment.

That’s the kind of person my aunt is.

As I stumbled over my words, my aunt seemed to realize that I wasn’t going to answer anytime soon and nodded suggestively.

“I see, I understand. You’ve fallen in love with Jeremiah. But you can’t say anything because you don’t know how he feels. It’s okay, leave it to me, I’ll make sure everything works out.”

“Uh, um, Auntie… it’s not like that.”

“It’s okay, it’s okay. My cute niece is in trouble, so I want to help her. Don’t worry, you don’t have to worry about anything, everything will go well. Well then, we should meet Lord Castalde right away.”

My aunt’s eyes began to shine all at once.

This is a bad situation, what should I do? But no one has been able to stop her actions until now. Her husband, Baron Palmara, early declared that he would only provide money and not interfere, and her son followed his father’s lead.

Dorothea also said, “It’s useless to say anything when my mother is obsessed. Besides, leading the men and women she has her eye on to marriage is not a bad deed. It’s actually a good deed.” So she doesn’t seem to be willing to listen.

“Well, it’s getting busy now!

Dorothea also wants to find a man she likes as soon as possible. Then we can arrange a marriage proposal together and have a joint wedding!

Oh my gosh! Isn’t that wonderful!”

It seems like particles of light are overflowing from her small eyes and filling the area.

Sigh, have I finally reached the limit of eye strain? It’s still morning, and I thought with a distant look.

“I’ve decided! If possible, we’ll have a joint wedding this fall, and if it takes a little longer, we’ll have it next spring. First, let’s subtly talk to Lord Castalde, and then to Jeremiah and your parents.

Now, now, this is going to be tough.”

My aunt shouted alone and hurriedly left the room.

With a patting sound, the door closed, and I finally came back to reality from my state of escapism.

“This is troublesome… I have to tell Jeremiah-sama first.”

As I said that, I realized that he was out hunting and not at home. While he was away, my aunt would surely talk to Lord Castalde.

And my parents would definitely receive a letter.

Under siege.

I feel like a cornered deer. If things continue like this, it may cause great trouble for Jeremiah and hurt Dorothea.

“Ugh… I hate this.”

It’s still morning, but I thought it was the worst start.