Chapter 15

Growing Feelings (7)

The food that Lyria took while she was starving in the basement was from the cupboard. The servant of Matthias, the eldest brother, always forgot to lock the cupboard, so it was easy to steal.

No one noticed that Rowena was stealing because it was thought that even if a lot of food disappeared, someone else would have eaten it.

Rowena knew how she was being taken for granted. Even the countess’ maids would go out to the streets freely and buy snacks on payday.

Marrying the crown prince was inevitable, but it would not be as Paul wished.

“Where’s the count? Hey, I think I can get permission if you’re here…”

Paul was weak to those who were above him. It was the same for the Marquis’ daughter, Lyria, who he would reluctantly listen to when asked to do something about Rowena.

“I will have similar power. If I get engaged to the crown prince, I don’t know… Because I’m living in the palace.”

“Oh…”

Lyria seemed to notice that her outing was not something to simply be happy about. Rowena smiled soothingly at it.

“But the crown prince won’t restrict us from going out. We’ll see each other more often!”

“Will we?”

The fact was pleasing, but it was hard for Lyria to be happy, as Rowena’s engagement was considered the same as going instead of Lyria.

Rowena held Lyria’s hand and her eyes shone.

“Let’s go anywhere! I’m not allowed to go out, but I can’t just stay here!”

In addition, she wanted to take Lyria out of here before Matthias came. Matthias acted as if he had been the heir to a duke just by becoming an in-law to the imperial family.

He didn’t condescend to Rowena, but he was annoyed because he seemed to think that she was useful at times.

It was clear that Matthias would make a move if he found Lyria.

“Yes.”

Lyria smiled shyly and moved along with Rowena.

* * *

Lyria came in the marquis’ carriage, so naturally, they got in. However, it was the two maids and the escort driver, Kian, who boarded the carriage together.

Kian was known to the marquis’ employees as a knight. The count’s employees were secretly on bad terms with the marquis’ employees and did not hesitate to mock Kian.

Rowena and Lyria’s maid already knew that Kian and Lyria were lovers.

Therefore, in a carriage covered with curtains, the two lovers sat side by side, and Rowena sat facing them with the two maids next to each other.

“…It’s been a long time, Lady.”

It was Lyria under tight security. It was not easy to be alone. Rowena watched the two as they ate the cookies offered by Anna, Lyria’s maid.

“It’s been a long time.”

“I think your face is too hot, young lady.”

Alas, Anna and Pina, Rowena’s maid of honor, joined hands. Lyria’s face turned to Kian and went bright red.

Kian, too, looked at the three people red-faced.

“Lady, please…”

“Yeah, yeah. I know, I know.”

They arrived at the destination. The place where they enjoyed the secret meeting was the prayer room of the temple.

Outside the carriage, the marquis’ guards were also guarding the carriage on horseback. Therefore, if he got out of the carriage, he would have to return to the ordinary Marquis’ worker and the Guardian Knight.

Rowena giggled and turned the attention of the two maids to herself. She was curious about the conversation between Kian and Lyria whispering in a low voice, but she had to give both of them time.

“…Should I match the engagement dress with the wedding dress in the same place?”

Pina folded her arms and tilted her head. It was not the right attitude for a noble maid, but Rowena hired Pina as her maid of honor.

“Will it be in time? We’re both running out of time…”

“So I’m thinking of buying the engagement dress at the right place and adjusting it to my size. I don’t need a new one.”

Rowena was a little excited about buying a dress. When the count entered society, he bought clothes only so that Rowena would not be humiliated.

It meant that they bought dresses that were out of fashion or were not sold due to poor design for less than half the price.

Still, Pina’s brilliant first skills improved the shape of the dress, but it was a dream to choose a dress without thinking about the price.

If she had fled the count and become a librarian, she would never have worn such a luxurious dress again in her life.

“Is the royal family paying all the expenses?”

Anna asked in a curious voice. She knew everything between Lyria and Kian, so she didn’t resent Rowena for taking Lyria’s place.