Chapter 85
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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Chapter 85
He hadn't bathed yet, still in his shirt sleeves. The timing was perfect for presenting the gift.
I thrust the gift box forward without hesitation.
"I was worried I'd forget to thank you in the morning chaos. I was truly grateful back then."
"Back then?"
Lahedis tilted his head, his eyes shifting between me and the gift box as if uncertain what moment I was referring to.
'Why does mentioning that day feel so embarrassing....'
Nothing had actually happened between us, yet whenever I recalled that day, heat crept up my neck for reasons I couldn't explain.
Was it because I'd shown him such an unsightly side of myself? Or was it because his tenderness that day felt so unfamiliar?
I averted my gaze from his and hesitated for a moment before offering a quiet explanation.
"At the Clock Tower, I mean."
"Ah."
"Thanks to you, I was able to endure until I found Curtis Rohan. I'm truly grateful."
Lahedis didn't scold me as the Duke would have when I expressed my thanks, nor did he tease me to ease my awkwardness as he usually did.
He simply gazed at my stammering form before breaking into a soft laugh.
That smile, those gentle eyes that looked at me with such warmth regardless of what I said—I found myself drawn to them, yet my heart grew heavy.
As I'd been curious about it the entire way to his room, I asked the question that had been on my mind.
"So... if I go to the Marquis Estate, you'll return to Rachel now?"
Lahedis's eyes widened slightly, as if he hadn't anticipated the question, before softening once more.
"Would you prefer I didn't go?"
"Well, I've grown attached over this time, and honestly, I don't really have anyone in the Capital I could call a friend...."
"But I saw earlier—aren't all the people at the Duke's Residence your friends?"
"The sisters and the aunts and uncles are all wonderful people, of course, but I wouldn't exactly call them...."
"Ah, so there are ranks even among friends?"
"No, really! You know that's not what I meant!"
As I bristled and raised my voice, Lahedis burst into hearty laughter.
I realized belatedly that I'd fallen for his teasing again, and just as I was furrowing my brow in frustration, Lahedis spoke.
"I'm not going."
I had been anxious, thinking this might be the last time I saw him, but his unexpected words made my eyes widen.
"Really? I don't have to worry about you leaving?"
"Because you like me too much, I suppose I can't leave."
It was clearly meant as a joke.
He must have simply meant that I liked him as a friend.
Yet my heart leaped like a child caught stealing.
"I, I never said anything like that!"
I hurriedly changed the subject, as if ignoring my thundering heartbeat.
"Just open the gift already!"
Lahedis pretended to yield to my urging and opened the gift box.
Inside was a pair of cufflinks I'd purchased following Hector's advice.
'I wonder if he'll like them?'
I studied his face, waiting for a reaction, but his brow furrowed slightly as he glimpsed the gift inside the box.
Unease crept into me, and I asked.
"Does it... not suit your taste?"
"Do you understand what it means to give me this?"
I tilted my head in confusion.
"Does it have a meaning? I just bought something practical and versatile."
At my answer, Lahedis let out a bemused laugh.
Lahedis, observing my bewilderment, pressed the empty box into my hands, then deftly unfastened the cuff buttons of his sleeve.
"Giving cuff links as a gift means..."
Between the parted cuff buttons, a toned arm with defined musculature came into view.
He hadn't removed his shirt entirely—merely exposed his arm slightly.
Yet inexplicably embarrassed, I felt heat bloom across my face as his low voice descended.
"These buttons are mine now, which means I can open and enter as I please."
Upon hearing those words, my heart—already racing moments before—began to pound frantically. Simultaneously, warmth flooded my cheeks.
'Hector said he'd love this!'
He'd made me into a pervert!
Panicked, I stammered through trembling lips, fumbling for an excuse.
"I-I didn't mean it that way...!"
Soon after, Lahedis skillfully fastened the cuff links and closed his sleeve, then pressed my forehead lightly with his finger as he continued.
"So don't give them to anyone else."
A chill seemed to flicker in his gaze, though in my flustered state, I failed to notice it as I rubbed the spot his finger had touched.
"I won't. Not to anyone, ever again!"
Upon hearing my vow, a satisfied smile finally graced Lahedis's lips.
"I'll use them well."
The cuff links adorning his sleeve glimmered and shone in the darkness.
* * *
The next day, servants from the Marquis Estate arrived as soon as the sun rose.
After exchanging final farewells with the Duke, Lahedis, and the others from the Duke's Residence.
I arrived at the Marquis Estate and, while receiving explanations from the Butler, toured the various rooms of the estate until evening descended.
It was time for my Aunt to return home.
Finishing the tour of the estate in time for her arrival, I returned to my room, where the maids awaited me.
"Allow us to help you prepare, Miss. Please come this way."
At the title "Miss," I flinched without thinking.
'Am I really a noblewoman now?'
Since arriving at the Marquis Estate today, I'd been called "Miss" continuously, yet despite hearing it all day, I hadn't grown accustomed to it.
The feeling of being called "Miss" when solicited on the streets differed starkly from being addressed as a noble lady, so it still felt awkward.
But what felt even stranger was...
"How do you feel, Miss? Does it please you?"
"Wow..."
I stood before them in an elaborate, flowing gown like any noble lady, my face adorned with delicate makeup.
In the mirror's reflection, I could find no trace of the country girl I once was.
'I dressed up for the Hunting Festival too, but this is different....'
It was entirely unlike the occasional, once-or-twice-in-a-lifetime feeling of getting dressed up for an event.
Of course, living as a country girl had been sufficiently happy, but the life of a Marquis's daughter was... like a dream, truly.
"Thank you for making me look so beautiful! ...Oh, no. Thank you!"
After greeting the Maids in still-awkward formal speech, I descended to the Dining Room.
My Aunt and Curtis Rohan were already waiting in the Dining Room.
"I apologize for keeping you waiting."
"It's fine. I only just arrived myself. Besides, I was worried since we bought ready-made clothes in such a hurry, but it suits you quite well."
"Of course it does—whose daughter do you think you are?"
At my father and Aunt's praise, I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment as I took my seat with an awkward smile.
The moment I sat down, the dishes began arriving in succession as if they had been waiting.
Luxurious dishes different from those I'd eaten at the Duke's Residence were presented, yet none of them captured my attention.
What troubled me instead was....
'This is completely overwhelming!'
The servants carrying food, the Butler standing by in case anything was needed, and finally the Chef explaining each dish.
I had eaten under their watchful eyes at the Duke's Residence too, but today felt different.
'When I was just a commoner girl living off their charity, I never gave it a second thought....'
Now that I thought of myself as their superior, a sudden weight of responsibility pressed upon my chest.
'Like a true noblewoman!'
I began my meal in tense concentration.
After focusing solely on dining etiquette for some time.
Something felt odd, and when I glanced around, both my father and Aunt were staring at me.
Nervous at their attention, I asked.
"Did I make a mistake somewhere...?"
"Oh. Sorry. You're just adorable. Eat plenty, Vivian."
Only then did my father and Aunt pick up their cutlery.
My Aunt spoke when I had eaten about halfway through my meal.
"Dain, once the situation settles somewhat, I'll transfer the Marquis title to you. By year's end at the latest, the succession will be complete."
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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