Chapter 42.2

Chapter 42 – Part 2

But that plan was yet to be revealed. I don’t know how it would leak to someone else. Besides, Charlotte and I only ever talked about it whenever we’re alone, and we never talked about it at just any other place.

Still, if the head of the Valentino Duchy would want to find out… it’s not impossible for him to find a way to learn about it. After all, he could very well put a tail on me and Charlotte.

“Lily, I won’t regret it. Rather, what I regret is… the way I had been so hard on you before I lost my memories. That’s all.”

“……”

“You asked me what I’d do if there were actually no misunderstandings between us, that I might have come to hate you for a reason, but… I…”

His voice trembled as the hand around mine clenched tighter. His eyes were painted with desperation.

“I know for sure that I did not hate you. Even now… Just gazing upon you makes my heart race so out of control that it hurts.”

He placed my hand over the left side of his chest. The vibrations of his pounding heart could be felt beneath the palm of my hand, through the barrier of his clothes.

“……”

I stared at him blankly. Still as ever, I didn’t know what to say to him.

Even so, I hadn’t changed my mind.

This desperation in his eyes…. This fluctuating heart…

They would all soon disappear.

You. How can you be so certain.

Looking at him like this, it looked so easy for him to come to this conclusion. Shouldn’t he be more doubtful? What if he truly would regret it?

I tried to pull my hand once more. But this time, again, he wouldn’t let go.

…After several more attempts, I couldn’t help but let out a small sigh.

“My hand. Let go.”

“…No.”

“Why are you being so stubborn?”

“I…”

The area around his eyes had become red. This made it seem like tears would burst through at any given second.

Faced with this sight, I soon became flustered.

“Please believe me. And… Please, don’t push me away.”

“……”

It seemed like he intended to insist on doing this until he would get the answer he wanted to hear.

I didn’t know that Theodore Valentino could be such a tenacious man. And quite self-righteous.

As I was conflicted for a moment, it occurred to me that, in the end, he would forget all this anyway once his memories returned.

…So, I decided to give him the answer he wanted. Even though I was just lying through my teeth.

“…Fine.”

“……!”

He raised his head in a hurry and came closer to me.

However, as if it wasn’t enough, he raised me from the ground and lifted me into his embrace.

“……”

I had to grit my teeth as I said this.

“I will try to believe you.”

“Truly…”

“And I won’t push you away.”

I’ve decided to lie and act in front of Theodore Valentino.

When I surrendered and made this decision, it didn’t feel all that difficult.

…Just like always, it’s easier to do the things that I was never sincere about.

“…Thank you, my dear.”

Theodore murmured, his voice laced with so much emotion.

He buried his face into the crook of my shoulder. I had to stay in his arms like this for a while.

Even though the sunset’s radiant light was spilling through the windows ever so clearly and beautifully,

Everything in this very moment was nothing but a lie.

These days, Missus Seymour’s position within the Valentino household was getting more precarious than before. Or maybe it only seemed that way.

The cause for this was, of course… Theodore’s changed attitude.

He continued to side staunchly with me. Subsequently, the vassals also began recognizing me as the madam of the house.

But rather than being pleased with this change, I was just afraid of the imminent repercussions.

No. There’s nothing to be afraid of.

I won’t stay at the Valentino residence for the rest of my life anyway…

“Madam, it seems like we’ve arrived.”

Charlotte’s voice pulled me out of my reverie.

Brushing aside my thoughts, I looked out the carriage window.

Indeed, we’ve arrived at the destination.

“But… Is this truly alright, Madam? Of all things, it’s the art exhibition of the Pinerze Barony’s Elder Madam… And it’s held at the salon of Marquis Elsner’s esteemed daughter…”

“…….”

Florentine Elsner was Owen’s former fiancée. I don’t quite know the reason behind their broken engagement.

However, I heard that Owen had gotten annoyed by how out of control the obsession of the noble lady had become. I had yet to confirm whether this was true.

“…It should be fine. Wouldn’t Lady Elsner have many other suitors to choose from by now?”

“But still… Madam, I have a bad feeling about this. If you feel that there’s something off, please don’t hesitate to leave right away.”

“Missus Pinerze had a difficult time securing this place, I can’t just…”

Today’s exhibition would be attended by a number of prominent people. This included Georges Rennier, whose real identity was Cecil Pinerze.

And it was a precious opportunity to appreciate artworks that I otherwise wouldn’t be able to see.

Florentine Elsner might be tiresome to deal with, but I don’t want to miss out on this extraordinary opportunity.

“Let’s go, Charlotte. Nothing’s going to happen.”

“…Yes, Madam.”

The carriage’s door opened, and soon, I alighted.

The sky was clear and blue today, as if only good things were meant to happen on this day.

Of course, I was never allowed good things in this life of mine.

——