I Was Confessed to by the Person I Was Admiring

Chapter 97: Going downtown again

“Oh, please don’t worry about it, Lorraine-sama. Even if I have a heart condition, as long as I don’t engage in intense exercise, I’ll be fine. My pulse is just a little off, and my hips and knees may not be in good condition, but I’ll manage somehow. So let’s go quickly.”

“But…”

Still, when Dennis tried to refuse, Mrs. Morena glared at hER from behind her heavy eyelids and asked, 

“Are you saying that you won’t take me with you? It’s not right to refuse the request of someone who doesn’t have much time left. Are you telling me to die with regret?”

“…Uh.”

I felt like I saw the power of middle-aged and elderly people in her weakened state. Even Dennis was at a loss for words.

Seeing her rare state of weakness, I thought to myself that maybe…

“So, I’ll go. I don’t want you to push yourself when your body is in pain. Mrs. Morena, I will definitely bring Lucia back. So, could you wait here for me?”

“Lorraine-sama, but this is my problem.”

“It’s my problem too. I don’t want to regret it. If something happens while you’re waiting here alone, I’ll have to carry that burden with me forever.” 

Upon hearing this, both of them fell silent.

I waited anyway. There was nothing else I could do. It was a shame to waste this time, but there was no helping it.

“…Understood. Then, we will take Lorraine-sama with us. Mrs. cannot risk her health, so please stay here. We cannot accept any objections to this.”

“Oh, I told you it’s going to be okay. But I don’t want to be a burden on you guys, so I guess I’ll just have to do what you say.”

“Yes, I’m sorry.”

As I bowed my head, Mrs. Morena waved her hand as if to say it was unnecessary and frowned.

“Don’t say that. Baron Valcourt’s lady does not do such things.”

“Yes. Well then, shall we go, Dennis?”

“Yes.”

Although Dennis nodded reluctantly, she seemed to have made up her mind and quickly gathered the escort servants and prepared the carriage. After declaring once again to Mrs. Morena that I would definitely bring her back, I left the room and immediately got into the carriage. 

◇

As I got off, thinking that walking and riding in a carriage were different in speed, I headed towards the store while being looked at strangely by the people around me.

It’s like feeling like a rare animal.

After all, my appearance is incomplete, with my hair not properly tied and no makeup, but only a dress and a coat on top. Moreover, considering the place and time.

I think it’s really strange for a young noblewoman to be wandering around with her servant.

“Please be within my reach. Honestly, I don’t have complete confidence in protecting you… Besides, I can’t trust him.”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s from the working class and he has memories. There’s a possibility that he’s acquainted with the culprit of that incident… Even if he himself isn’t involved.”

Seeing my expression become stern, Dennis added.

“If a lady like you goes to such a place in that appearance, do you know what will happen?”

“I trust Paolo.”

That was the only true feeling I had.

It’s true that he was born in a low class, but I don’t think he would do something like that. I want to believe that. Because even though I don’t really know much about him, he confessed to me.

We just talked about our past lives and ate the food he made…

Thinking about it, I started to feel uneasy. I stiffened slightly and approached the entrance of the store. 

As the street gradually became darker, the streetlights lit up.

Walking carefully on the road that still had snow to avoid slipping, I tilted my head as I listened to the sounds leaking from the shops. I thought I might hear Lucia’s voice, but there was no sign of it.

Rather, despite the lights being on, it was quiet and even eerie.

Today isn’t a holiday or anything, right? But there are no customers, and I hope nothing happened.

“It looks like someone’s here, but they’re not open.”

Dennis said, pointing to the sign.

“Maybe that newspaper article has something to do with it.”

“What do you mean?”

“I remember they also had memories. If such an article were published, there is a possibility that they would be driven out of here. There could be many other reasons why they can’t stay here.”

It was only then that I realized the possibility.

That’s right, I never thought that Paolo and the others were involved. However, for those who don’t know them, they could be suspects. If that happens…

I hurriedly knocked on the dirty wooden door.

“Is anyone there? Is anyone there?”

“Lorraine-sama, your voice is too loud. You’re drawing attention to yourself.” 

“But…”

Maybe she’s not here. If that’s the case, what happened to Lucia? Only bad thoughts come to mind.

I reach out to the knocker to knock on the door again and open my mouth, but Dennis♀ places a hand on my shoulder and pulls me back.

“Step back, someone’s coming.”

I stare at the door involuntarily at Dennis’s voice.

I also wonder how good her hearing is. I couldn’t hear anything, and there was a reasonable amount of foot traffic around, making noise.

But anyway, I know someone is there.

I hold my breath and wait as the door opens cautiously. The face that appeared from there was someone I knew.

“Lorraine…”

“Paolo, thank goodness. I was wondering what happened since the store wasn’t open.”

“Well, you see…”

He answered awkwardly and looked at me with a subtle expression that seemed somewhat frightened yet slightly happy.