Chapter 69

Chapter 69

“That’s why I feel like I’m running away for being guilty.”

Janet grunted as she shoved the clothes into her bag. Jean, who was helping next to her, pointed out the condition of her bag as it was already full.

“You can’t take them all. Bring only the bare minimum of your luggage.”

“Why do I have to leave so suddenly before my schedule?”

“It came in a hurry, so we’re just going in a hurry. You have to leave anyway.”

Jean replied sternly, taking all the clothes from Janet’s bag and hanging them back. Those are my favorite clothes! Belatedly Janet reached out her hand, but Jean quickly dragged the hanger into the dressing room. Janet rubbed her mouth and looked at her bag with really minimal luggage left. It was the perfect amount to bring along while escaping at night.

“Really, everyone tells me nothing.”

What was her fate? Janet closed her bag and folded her arms. Still, she noticed one thing. Things are moving faster than expected. If it weren’t for that, the plan she had made that’s meant for a few days later would not have been implemented today.

‘What are you thinking…’

Janet walked over to the window, swung the door open, and looked underneath. After all of the other wives had left, the annex was quiet and she was left alone.

But Janet did not believe the silence. It was because there were people who were watching her from before. As they couldn’t get into her room, if she left, they would immediately catch her.

‘Well, I didn’t expect you to notice it so quickly. He is a man that should not be taken lightly. Of course it’s good for Tessa, but…’

She was worried about something.

Janet narrowed her eyes and then pulled the window close. Jean, who had just finished organizing the clothes, was coming out of the dressing room.

“More than that, were you able to sneak out?”

As Janet asked gruntfully, Jean nodded her head sternly.

“Sure. I also took out the Young Marquis, right?”

“You had Geoffrey’s help back then. We don’t have Geoffrey now.”

“Sir Geoffrey is a secondary option. Don’t worry, everything’s already in place. I don’t know what the Marchioness is trying to do… I lost my permission.”

“If Sir Shine finds out later, everything will be overturned.”

How would his expression change if he knew that everyone was in cahoots?

Marquis Borwen began extensive preparations for the Jutert Marquisate two years ago. One pillar of the plan was Janet, and in a broader sense, the Marchioness was also included. Even thirty percent of the workers here were planted by Marquis Borwen.

In a way, the fate of the Jutert Marquisate was decided on that day two years ago.

‘We are nothing more than Her Excellency’s chess pieces.’

Most of the troops that Hert, who became the new lord, brought here were soldiers of the Borwen Marquisate. In other words, there are a lot of people who would help Janet escape. For them, the name of Marquis Borwen takes precedence over Hert’s.

Of course, she heard that there were also some of Hert’s private soldiers here. He picked up people from the war along the way. But even so, the number of those under the marquis was much greater. This was proof that he had not yet escaped from the marquis’ clutches.

In other words, Hert Shine was also Marquis Borwen’s long-term chess piece.

‘But why do you have to hide me?’

Janet came to this place two years ago as the Marquis said, but she actually had a hard time understanding her order. Why would she have to hide from him that she had come in here on the marquis’ order? If he knew it was the marquis who helped Tessa after all, he would certainly appreciate it.

‘What is it, I can’t see the big picture.’

Janet shook her head and sat in the chair. In any case, this quiet marquisate will be in turmoil after just a few hours. Because she would disappear without a sound. Janet said to Jean, stretching.

“Jean, I want to enjoy tea time one last time. Would you bring me some lemon tart?”

“Yes.”

Watching Jean disappear beyond the room, Janet leaned her chin on the table. It was really goodbye to the people of this marquisate who she had been living with for the past two years.

‘I’m sorry Tessa. I can’t even say goodbye…’

Will there be a big deal about it though? There was a man next to her who was strong enough to bite and suck her and carry her on his back. Janet rubbed her stiff neck and closed her eyes.

“Are you done crying?”

Tessa couldn’t show Hert her puffy eyes, so she bowed her head. Even if she didn’t see it, her eyes must’ve been puffy. But Hert didn’t mind at all and persistently continued to look at Tessa’s face. Eventually, he took a step back when it was confirmed that there was nothing wrong with Tessa, except for her swollen eyes.

“When you go in, I’ll tell them to prepare ice first. Just put it on a little and the swelling will go away in no time.”

“…Yes.”

“Then let’s go in.”

Hert, who clasped Tessa’s hand in his, slowly led her into the castle.

They were about to head to the dining room where the meal was prepared. A knight hurriedly approached, searching for Hert. Seeing him gasping for air, the situation seemed unusual.

“This is an urgent report from the reconnaissance team.”

At the knight’s words, Hert looked at Tessa. There was wonder in her eyes as she alternately stared at him and the knight. Hert let go of the hand he had been holding for a moment.

“Tessa, stay here for a second. It will be over soon.”

Only after moving away from Tessa did Hert raise his chin for the knight to speak.

By the time the knight finished speaking, Hert’s expression hardened. He looked again at Tessa, who was waiting for him a little further away from him.

“I’ll get ready. I will follow you soon.”

Hert sent the knight away first then approached Tessa. She looked up at him with an anxious face, but he said calmly.

“I’m sorry, but don’t wait for me for lunch. You should go ahead and eat first. I have urgent business, so I need to go out for a while.”

“What…”

“It’s nothing big. I’ll deal with it right away.”

However, contrary to his words, Hert’s expression was unusual. His wrinkled brow was showing displeasure. Tessa suddenly felt her heart pounding uncontrollably. Did something bad happen? Without realizing it, she reached out her hand and grabbed the hem of Hert’s clothes.

“Hert…”

“Don’t worry. I told you it was no big deal.”

Hert saw Tessa’s trembling hand and kissed her on the forehead tenderly.

“However…”

“If possible, just stay in the room today. Never go outside the castle. Wait until I come back, okay?”

“…Yes.”

Hert was about to move when she saw the knight bringing his coat in the distance. Tessa still hadn’t let go of Hert’s hem that she had grabbed. So Hert looked back at her with a bewildered face.

“What’s the matter?”

“It’s, I mean… Please… come back safely.”

It was a very small voice that seemed to be crawling low, but Hert heard it clearly and let out a smirk. This wasn’t the situation to laugh, but it was because that little head was insanely adorable. He could help but laugh.

“Are you only saying that?”

“…Huh?”

“No, I’m just teasing you.”

So relax. Hert said, flicking Tessa’s forehead lightly with his finger. At his brief mischief, Tessa smiled back, but she did not let go of the hem of Hert’s robe that she was holding onto. Realizing that she had something else to say to him, Hert glanced at Tessa, motioning for the other knights within walking distance to stop for a moment.

“What’s wrong this time?”

“…Well, today… When you come back…”

“When I come back?”

“I want to… tell you…”

Hert already knew, but Tessa decided to tell everything through her own lips. She thought it was in return for the sincerity he had showed her.

Of course it wouldn’t be easy. Just thinking about what happened seven years ago was terrifying, and she hadn’t been able to get out of it yet. Even thinking like this was so frightening that her hands trembled.

But Tessa decided to take courage for Hert. And like he did, she wanted to confess and lay bare her heart.

That I still love you.

But it wasn’t easy either. Already, her lips couldn’t open properly, and her voice only lingered in her throat.

Hert still called her in her sweet voice even when Tessa was like that.

“Tessa.”

“I, I…”

“I told you, you don’t have to force yourself to do it if it’s difficult for you.”

“Still…”

“I will wait. I can wait. So don’t be in such a hurry. Like this, one, two… go slowly. Then one day we can go back to the way we talked all night long. Don’t you think so?”

Hearing Hert’s words, Tessa held her tongue and nodded.

“See you later.”

After Hert told the knight to take Tessa inside, he put on his coat and headed outside. As she watched Hert’s disappearing back, she felt her heart pounding wildly.

Yes, he was right. Don’t be in such a hurry. Go slowly.

Wasn’t it a good thing that she already decided to confess now? That alone was a huge improvement. At first, she didn’t even want to say anything.

Little by little… gradually… If she has the courage, one day, as Hert said, they will be able to go back to the time when stories bloomed all night like before.

‘I like you, Tessa.’

When Tessa recalled Hert’s voice, she felt like crying again. She felt that happiness had not yet completely left her.

Most of all, she was glad she wasn’t abandoned.

Really… It was a relief.

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