I Was Confessed to by the Person I Was Admiring

Chapter 94: A maiden in love is scary

“Thank you… It really makes me happy when you say that.”

He said it with a truly happy expression, and I couldn’t help but feel a flutter in my chest. Above all, I was able to make him look like this.

I want to be of use to Jeremiah, even if it’s just a little.

I felt happy.

“I still want to get married soon.”

However, the destructive power of the next line and his slightly troubled expression blew away what I had been thinking of saying in gratitude.

I ended up choking on my drink while trying to calm myself down with a white head and a red face.

◇

The next day, I was still feeling vague about everything that had happened yesterday, so I declined breakfast and thought about staying holed up again.

Jeremiah apologized, but he still wouldn’t reduce the number of guards because he was worried. He also said that Dennis didn’t want to reduce them no matter what.

In the end, it was decided that we would continue like this, and I had no choice but to accept it without objection.

So today, I’m accompanied by three or so servants, feeling like a bit of a villainous Ojo-sama.

By the way, according to Dennis, if we go out, the number of accompanying servants will increase. In that case, it will be male servants instead of maids. 

I wonder what people who saw that would think, but I decided to understand that if I didn’t want to go against the two who were worried about me and avoid that delicate situation, all I had to do was to stay inside.

So, for today, I’m in the library as usual.

I can’t help but come here because it’s especially calming.

Maybe I should study scams and crimes that I promised Jeremiah yesterday. As I climb a ladder to search for books on that topic in high places, the library door suddenly opens with tremendous force.

I was surprised and accidentally dropped the book, letting out a mournful cry.

“Ah!”

I lamented the damage to the book, which was expensive and Duke-sama’s possession, but Dennis quickly took the book from me. Then she looked at the door with a stern expression. I also felt relieved and followed her gaze to confirm the person on the other side of the door, my mouth twitching.

“Lu-Lucia…”

A voice that was almost a groan came out of my throat.

Well, I was prepared for it because I thought Lucia would realize soon that Paolo wasn’t here and come to ask about it, but it’s quite nerve-wracking when it actually happens.

“Lorraine-oneesama, did Onee-sama do something?”

“W-What do you mean?” 

It’s difficult to understand when you say something vague like “something.”

Then, Lucia walked up to me and said while clinging to a stepladder.

“It’s obviously about Paolo! Why isn’t he in this mansion? I thought he was out for some delivery or something… but when I asked, I heard that he quit!”

“Oh~, yeah, it seems so.”

There’s no way I can say that the cause is me. And especially after such a confession.

I have no idea what to do.

However, Lucia raised her eyebrows at my response.

“You think it’s okay to say ‘it seems so’? Onee-sama, aren’t you worried? You seemed so close, but now you don’t care about him anymore? I didn’t think you were that kind of person.”

“Wait, Lucia. I didn’t say I don’t care. I’m sure he had his reasons.”

“What reasons? Quitting such a good job… there must have been something serious. Aren’t you worried, Onee-sama?”

Feeling pressured by Lucia’s expression as she climbed up the stepladder, I quickly said without hesitation.

“Oh, um, actually, I’ve already seen where he works. He seems to be doing very well there, so it’s okay.” 

After I said it, I knew it was a mistake, but it was too late to take it back. Lucia stopped moving for a moment after my words, then her face lit up.

“Is that so! Oh, that’s good. I thought something had happened to him. Then, could you please tell me the location?”

“Uh, um…”

What should I do? I’m scared of what might happen if I don’t tell her.

However, I can’t let Lucia go alone, and above all, going out now seems dangerous.

“Um, sorry. Denny took me there, so I don’t know it well. I think there was a paper with the address written on it, but I forgot where I put it…”

“I see.”

Lucia seemed to believe my words and quickly got off the ladder and went straight to Dennis to ask her to tell her. However, Dennis was indifferent.

“I’m sorry, but my master is Jeremiah-sama. I cannot guide you without permission.”

“It’s okay, just tell me the location.”

“I cannot agree to that. The capital is currently dangerous, so it would be better for you not to go out alone, milady. If something happens, it will be His Grace Duke Astorga’s responsibility.” 

Even Lucia, who was usually quick with words, couldn’t respond to this. She glared at Dennis with a look of great dissatisfaction and made an unbecoming act of snorting and saying, “Fine, I’ll find it myself. Excuse me.”

Lucia turned her dress and left the library with her footsteps echoing. I looked at the door for a moment, but there was nothing I could do, so I got off the stepladder and muttered, “I have a feeling she’s going to do something reckless.”

“I think so too. She is like a collection of the worst parts of Lorraine-sama.”

“…Uh, wait, what do you mean?”

I was surprised by Dennis’ words and reflexively asked her again.

“I mean it exactly as I said. Both Lorraine-sama and Lucia-sama tend to rush headlong once they have made up their minds.”

I couldn’t say anything to Dennis, who said it plainly with a serious expression.