CH 56

“What’s wrong?”

“Well, you see… it seems that all the Valcourt family members have returned to their territory. The head is a member of the House of Lords, so he will come back to the capital again, but I don’t think the others will come back.”

The next morning.

A visitor came to me while I was waiting for my mother to wake up. The visitor was Bruno, and I thought it was a good opportunity to talk to him, so I headed to the guest room.

But what I heard from him as soon as we met was the last thing I wanted to hear.

“Is that true?”

“Unfortunately… Tatiana was also disappointed about it. So, what are you going to do?”

“I don’t know what to do even if you ask me.”

I sighed deeply and leaned back on the sofa.

I regretted not getting involved with her and her family earlier, but it was already too late.

“Well… they went back.”

“You should have acted a little earlier. But, you know, I never thought I would see you in this state.”

“In this state?”

I frowned, not understanding what Bruno meant. He had a cup of tea in his hand and a funny smile on his face.

“Yeah, look at you, getting so worked up over one woman. Well, it’s very much like you to not care about appearances. You looked desperate, it’s quite comical watching from the sidelines.”

Bruno chuckled merrily. In other words, he must have meant that I was being comical now. I couldn’t help but make a sour face. I felt like I was being made fun of.

“It’s payback for Tatiana. You made fun of me so much back then. I decided that if the same thing happened to you, I would make fun of you to my heart’s content.”

“I see, I guess I deserved that,” I said with a wry smile as I got up.

“Anyway, thanks for letting me know. I was actually planning to ask my mother to invite them over later, but it looks like I saved myself a wasted trip.”

“Yeah, if you do decide to have a party, it would be better to have it at the Marquis’ mansion. They were your neighbors, right? You could invite them.”

“Yeah, that’s what I’m thinking. I need to go back to my territory and think about what I can do for now.”

Despite my words, I was deeply disappointed. I wouldn’t be able to see her from afar for a while. Not only that, but the thought of her getting engaged to someone while we were apart made me freeze with fear.

“That’s a good idea. I’m also thinking of heading back soon. The capital is too hot.”

“Yeah.”

After that, we talked about some harmless topics, and Bruno left. As if to make up for the disappeared goal, I decided to go out.

I headed to a club where women were not allowed.

I thought it would be good to try gambling to relieve my anxiety.

My mother was still asleep.

I called a servant and headed to the club by carriage.

◆

In the end, several days passed without any particular thoughts, and the day to leave the capital finally arrived.

The air was filled with the refreshing feeling of summer, as well as a sense of lethargy, and the movements of the servants were somewhat sluggish. Without blaming them, I boarded the carriage and left the capital.

The Castalde family’s estate is located north of the capital.

The land is rich, but the winters are harsh. The Valcourt family owns the land next to it, and it is possible to visit them if desired.

Although our family were apparently close friends in the distant past, we are now just acquaintances.

Even though we are neighbors, we are quite far apart. It takes three days from the estate for hunting owned by the Castalde family, which is closer, but from the estate itself, it takes that long.

Unless there is a special party or event, it is not easy to visit casually, and it is a delicate and troublesome place.

I was lost in thought inside the carriage.

My mother seemed tired and was dozing off in front of me. After looking at her face, I sighed.

I thought about various things, but I couldn’t come up with a solution. Above all, even if I suddenly visited, what should I say?

From what I heard, she doesn’t have much confidence in herself. She doesn’t talk to me even though she stares at me with a hole-burning gaze. That’s because she thinks she’s not suitable for me.

I couldn’t help but snort.

I wanted her not to decide things on her own. Because it’s me who should judge that. I will observe the behavior and actions of the other person and make a proper judgment.

Appearance is not everything.

Thinking that way, I chuckled bitterly.

In short, I am dissatisfied that she didn’t talk to me. If she had, I would not have had to go through all this trouble. If asked, I would have been her escort or whatever, just for the sake of being a neighbor.

During that time, I could have noticed her personality.

But it’s too late to say that now.

Then I should do what I can. If there is an opportunity to get along with her, I will never waste it.

I’ll come up with any excuse and keep her close to me.

By doing so, she will gradually get to know me as a person. That way, I should be able to overturn the inferiority complex she has. At least, I plan to make that effort.

By being together, we can get to know each other’s personalities more deeply. Then, I can propose to her.

Even if I am rejected for any reason, I am still a good candidate.

Not many ladies would give up the opportunity to become a Marquess in the future.

I nodded slightly.

It may not be perfect, but it’s the only thing I can do. A man who is good at handling women may be able to come up with a more clever way. Unfortunately, I lack that ability.

I sighed softly again and looked out the window.

The flowing scenery changed from a densely populated city to a rural landscape. Looking at the scattered trees and cows grazing on grass, I suddenly felt calm.

Finally, I can go home.

That was the only consolation.

◆

Opportunities didn’t come around easily.

According to what I heard, the Valcourt family went on a summer trip to a summer resort and won’t be back for a while.

Needless to say, I was disappointed.

Autumn was busy.

While being busy, it became a daily routine for me to look at the neighboring territory. However, there was no talk of Lady Lorraine getting engaged to anyone or having a suitable man, and it was worrying that there was no mention of her at all.

Eventually, the opportunity finally came.

During the long winter, my mother couldn’t bear the boredom and said she wanted to hold a small house party and invite acquaintances.

Among them were the names of Baroness Palmara and her daughter.

But that’s not important. The important thing was the name written next to it. Lady Lorraine Valcourt. The name I had been wanting to see for a while.

She’s coming. She’s coming from over here.

My mood soared on its own, and her name began to feel like something wonderful. As I stared at her name with a surprised expression, my mother asked me.

“Is there someone you’re interested in? Or is there someone else you want to invite? But I’ve already invited Count Grimani and his wife, and I’m sure everyone you’re close to is already on the guest list.”

“No, I just want Bruno and Tatiana to come a little early.”

I answered like that.

I focused all my nerves on holding back the loosening of my mouth. If I didn’t, I would become a creepy man with a silly grin. I didn’t want to be thought of as crazy.

“Well, it’s always nice to have someone to talk to. Then let’s write it on the invitation and prepare their room early. But anyway, I’m looking forward to it. We have to leave here early and head to the Samoneliva mansion.”

My mother said with a genuinely happy expression as she looked at the invitation list. I nodded and headed to the study to write a letter to accompany Bruno’s invitation.

What to write was already decided.

I will write that I want their help in devising a plan.