NOVEL NEXT Chapter 60
That day, I hurriedly escaped from the party, taking Hisch with me, as if running away, and returned to the mansion. Hisch, with a pale expression, nodded obediently at my words to go back now, despite his concern for me.
He did ask me what had happened, what made me so upset. But I couldn’t tell him the truth about Violet’s story…
So, instead…
“What made my husband upset…”
“……”
“Is it because he’s been prohibited from going out for a while? It must have been quite frustrating.”
“……”
“Or perhaps because the utensils were changed to blunt knives? The meat isn’t being cut properly. Or perhaps because he is prohibited from doing the garden work that requires pruning?”
“Liddell…”
I had simply made up my mind to be overprotective.
Hearing my self-reflective words, Hisch called my name with a sigh-like tone.
“I… I don’t know why, but I appreciate your concern.”
“Well, I’m glad you understand that.”
Hisch looked at me with sharp eyes in response to my words. I furtively averted my gaze.
Days had passed since that day. I had to admit to myself that my actions had been excessive.
“Sorry…”
“No, it’s not that I… want an apology.”
“……”
“……”
“……”
“…Little Duke Levitea.”
“
Hmm
?”
This time, Hisch swiftly turned his head and gazed out the window. The carriage, which was passing through the downtown of the capital, maintained a steady speed, allowing the scenery outside to flow leisurely.
“He appeared very reliable and strong.”
“
Hmm
…”
“And he’s handsome too…”
“But actually, I think you’re more handsome…”
“……”
“Oh… sorry.”
Why did I receive such a resentful gaze from Hisch, as if saying,’Don’t tease me,’ just for stating what I felt? I felt incredibly unjust.
“But why did you bring up that guy all of a sudden?”
“If I were to be compared to someone like him, I might seem a bit inadequate…”
“What?”
What on earth is he saying?
As I suddenly lifted my head, Hisch awkwardly avoided my gaze with a slightly embarrassed expression.
Judging by the atmosphere, it seemed like he had inadvertently let slip a thought he had been contemplating.
Could it be that the reason he thought why I overprotected him was because I felt he was inadequate compared to the Little Duke of Levitea?
I subtly curled my lips.
Really… I shouldn’t be saying these things. Even though I know I shouldn’t say such things in this atmosphere.
As I pondered the reasons behind my useless work, the man in front of me, despite knowing otherwise, ended up reaching that conclusion.
“You… You’re kind of cute.”
The man’s eyes widened at my words. At that moment, the carriage arrived at its destination and came to a stop, and Hisch abruptly stood up. Then, he accidentally hit his head on the ceiling, let out a grunt, and quickly got off the carriage.
I thought he would run away like that, but instead, he escorted me off the carriage and walked briskly alongside me as if he were marching.
Watching his retreating figure, I felt the urge to hold my stomach and laugh. The surrounding servants glanced at me with strange expressions and quickly passed by.
At that moment, a breeze blew, and I tucked my disheveled hair behind my ear, straightened my posture, and… slowly erased my smile.
If…
If parallel worlds truly exist.
If the world truly contains various realms with different futures as I imagine, could it be that the dream Violet saw has become a reality somewhere else?
‘They often meet their demise at the hands of someone else or choose to end their own lives. They depart from this world at a young age, seemingly without attachments to life, without starting a family, living alone.’
If that’s the case, Hisch, could you also be one of those who met such a meaningless death in a different world, like those who are merely left behind in the pages of Evertail’s diary?
“……”
In truth, I wanted to ask Violet as if I were a mad person.
How did my husband die? Why did he die? How exactly was his life taken away? Was I by his side? Why couldn’t I prevent his death…
Although I couldn’t utter those questions out of shock, Violet comforted me and said:
‘Your husband passed away before Alan and I got married.’
So, in the end, what she saw was an unfulfilled prophecy.
However, the human heart cannot simply dismiss it as just one of the vanished futures.
I sighed lightly and looked up at the clear blue sky, devoid of a single cloud. After a moment, I made up my mind.
Today was the day for the royal court to report on Hisch’s abilities, the so-called ‘hearing.’
Hisch and I may be a couple, but since this was primarily a hearing about Hisch, I couldn’t join him on the dais.
However, this hearing was being presided over by the laughable ‘World Peace Committee.’
‘Although you weren’t formally encouraged to join, considering that you, too, are a high-ranking noble who wields a special ability, it is almost like being an implicit member, if not an official one.’
As Lewis had said before we came here, I was able to attend the hearing relatively easily with Hisch.
Lewis, who had arrived before me, noticed me as I entered and nodded his head, interrupting his conversation with another noble.
Well, they may have given it a grand name like a hearing, but it’s just a prearranged show. None of these impressive aspects gathered here are solely because of Hisch.
We’ve already submitted a well-crafted false report, and Hisch was already instructed on how to answer the expected questions.
Still, he must be quite nervous. Thinking about him waiting in a separate room as the person involved, I let out a sigh.
While lost in those thoughts, my eyes met with a man.
Miller Firenze. The man was seated across from me, and as I looked at him, I suddenly remembered that we hadn’t had any contact whatsoever since our formal business transaction.
However, as soon as the man and I made eye contact, his body instinctively jerked and he quickly turned his head.
What’s wrong? Why did it bother me for no reason? Does he think I want to pretend to be close to him or something? It may be awkward, but we were business partners, and as people in positions where we couldn’t go our whole lives without seeing each other, isn’t a simple nod of acknowledgement common courtesy?
Feeling irritated, I continued to gaze at the man, and Miller glanced back at me briefly.
Hmm
, this time he doesn’t avoid eye contact.
Suddenly, the man stood up abruptly. Then, with firm steps, he began to approach, and it seemed like he was coming towards me.
Did I provoke him for no reason? I should have just pretended not to see him. Regretting inwardly, I found Miller standing in front of me before I knew it.
“… It’s been a while, Baron.”
He opened his mouth with a gruff voice. As I glanced around, I noticed Count Valencia, who’s eyes sparkled with excitement as if he noticed a topic of gossip in high society.
Grandfather, please keep your dignity.
“It has been a while, young master Firenze. I believe the last time we contacted each other was regarding that business deal. How has your business been in the meantime?”
“Thanks for your concern…”
However, Miller’s attitude seemed peculiar. He didn’t boast as usual, nor did he show any signs of enthusiasm. In fact, it felt like he was sizing me up.
He clearly seemed to have something to say, but he didn’t get to the point, and as a result, the conversation continued with meaningless small talk.
What a waste of time. As my growing impatience became evident, Miller forced himself to continue speaking, but then he stopped and wore a slightly crestfallen expression.
It was like the face of a dog waiting for its owner’s scolding. It didn’t suit him, so I averted my gaze…
“Well, and… About today’s matter… Well, it’s not something grand, but I have something to tell you.”
“Today’s matter?”
In response to my question, the man nodded his head and opened his mouth as if he were making excuses.
“It would be very troublesome if, by any chance, you blame me. I thought it would be a waste to worry about such matters…”
” … Young master Firenze, could you please get straight to the point?”
As he tried to veer off track again, I made an effort to hold him back. He tightly shut his mouth for a moment, then looked at me with a determined gaze.
“It’s about the incident that led the Baron and your husband here. So, I don’t know what the Baron thinks, but this was not my intention, but Es…”
“Ah, that?”
Once again, I interjected. Miller’s eyes widened in surprise as if I had unexpectedly cut through his words.
Why was he being so naive? Rather, I didn’t even know I had to look suspiciously at the man in front of me.
“No, young master. Instead, I should be thanking you for keeping the secret until now. I may have said otherwise back then, but deep down, I was prepared for this.”
“… What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about Hisch’s abilities being reported to the royal family.”
I shrugged my shoulders.
“Even from your perspective, young master, I know it must have been difficult to fulfill the request of someone you have a friendly relationship with. Still, thank you for keeping the secret for so long. I actually expected to receive the summoning decree much earlier.”
“……”
“So, don’t worry about it.”
“… Well, what I mean is.”
Suddenly, the man who had been quietly listening to my words blurted out his response.
“Did you think I wouldn’t fulfill your request anyway? Are you thanking me for simply keeping my mouth shut?”
“Well… No, I think you’re interpreting my words too negatively…”
But how else could I have expressed my gratitude?
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