I Ran Away And The Reverse Harem Started

Chapter 51 The woman, with her back to the sunlight, stood upright with perfect posture, showing not a single hint of disarray. Her long blonde hair, cascading down to her waist, shimmered white under the sun’s rays. Deborah gasped in surprise when she saw the woman. “Lady Yvette?” My eyes widened at those words. Deborah called the woman Yvette. The woman’s pale blonde hair fluttered in the breeze blowing through the alley. Clean, manicured fingertips and the stubborn red of her lips, and the composed look on her face as she alternated her gaze between Deborah and me—all gave her an air of dignity. Anyone can see that she’s a nobleman. She was overflowing with elegance, as if to say she was a very proud nobleman, reminiscent of rippling water, only reinforced the impression. While I was momentarily distracted by the woman’s eyes, a woman named Yvette asked with an expressionless face. “Why are you here, Saintess, instead of in front of the bookstore?” Yvette’s piercing gaze locked onto Deborah. She didn’t seem to pay me much attention, does she seem like a woman who is used to looking down on someone? Deborah put her hands together with a happy face. “I happened to meet someone I knew and we were chatting for a while. Did I keep you waiting long?” “No. I only just arrived myself… but after choosing my books, you still hadn’t appeared. I began to wonder if something had happened and decided to look around.” As she said herself, Yvette was holding As if to affirm her statement, Yvette held three books in her arms. They were thick, specialized books on management and trade. ‘Are you a student at the academy? Or the merchant owner?’ At first glance, I saw her light blue striped dress and a ruby ring on the hand holding the book. After looking through the book she was holding, I looked up and made eye contact with a woman named Yvette. She had the same blonde hair and pretty blue eyes as Lucas, but her aura was very different from Lucas’s, which felt as gentle as the sunlight. Her eyes were like the cold winter sea, where your bones would freeze if you dipped them in for a moment. And… It felt familiar somehow. Yvette opened her mouth, pretending to have finally noticed my presence. “And who might this be?” Her head tilted slightly toward Deborah, silently requesting an introduction. Deborah happily introduced me. “This is someone I know from church. She currently works as a maid for Count Drunia’s household. Her name is Rosietta.” “I see.” Yvette nodded mechanically, showing no real interest. It was probably just a polite inquiry. Feeling awkward, I scratched my head. It seems that the person Deborah had agreed to meet at the square was a woman named Yvette. Unlike Deborah, this upright woman doesn’t seem to be shy at all. ‘It seems like it’s time for me to get out.’ I had to tell Deborah that I had to go, but the atmosphere was somehow awkward and I couldn’t say it easily. I looked at the timing of when to speak. The two people continued their conversation. “Yvette, have you purchased all the books you need?” “I’ve bought three so far, but there are still a few more I’m looking for. However…” Her voice trailed off. More books? There are other books to buy other than that thick book. She seems to be an even bigger nerd than Colin. I secretly made a face behind her back, impressed by her diligence. “… Sophie has gone on an errand and hasn’t returned yet. It seems it’ll be difficult to buy any more for now, so I’ve been waiting.” “Ah, I see.” In short, it meant that the maid who was supposed to carry the luggage was away, so they only bought it there. In short, her maid was away, so she’d only bought what she could carry. The three books already in her arms looked so heavy and thick that it would’ve taken both arms to hold them. Although it was said to be difficult, the woman’s tone of voice did not seem difficult at all, which was surprising. I seized the opportunity to step forward. “Well then, perhaps…” “……?” “May I help carry them to your carriage? I was just about to leave anyway, now that my conversation with the Saintess is over.” It was a time when I thought I could help carry the book and parted up with Deborah right away. We were going to part ways now anyway, but it could have been a good opportunity. A few books wouldn’t be a problem. When I stepped forward, the woman named Yvette looked back at me without any expression. For a brief moment, our eyes met. The woman asked me back in a pitchless voice. “Why should you carry them?” “… Pardon?” Yvette’s blue eyes slowly looked at me. Deborah and I were also surprised by the explicit gaze. She asked me without any emotion. “Just because you are the Count’s maid doesn’t mean you are my maid. I don’t want to cause trouble to someone who isn’t even a maid in my mansion.” I knew that meant she didn’t want to be indebted to me, but it just felt weird. Is it because of the stiff tone of voice? Or perhaps the way her body leaned slightly toward Deborah, as if still cautious of me? Although the gap between nobles and commoners was obvious, Yvette seemed determined to draw an even firmer line with me. When I put down my hand in embarrassment, Yvette, noticing this, gave a flat, insincere response. “Thank you for the offer.” It didn’t look like she was very grateful… As I narrowed my eyes and made a small pout, Deborah quickly whispered to me. “Lady Yvette probably felt bad about troubling you, Rosietta. Don’t take it personally.” Is that really the case? I had doubts about Deborah’s words, but I didn’t bother to say them out loud. ‘This is the first time I’ve disliked someone this quickly after meeting them for the first time.’ In the end, when the maid named Sophie came to visit, Yvette went back to the bookstore. There are more books to buy than what she already had. As I stood there looking a little upset, Deborah spoke to me in a friendly way. “Lady Yvette is naturally hard on others. I’m sure Lady Yvette is also grateful for Rosieta’s kindness.” ‘Well. If you are truly grateful, you should express it externally.’ But what do the high-ranking nobles care whether I am displeased or not? I just smiled on purpose because I was afraid Deborah would feel bad. “But that person, Lady Yvette, seemed to be kind to Deborah. I guess you two are close.” “Ah, Viscount Büllosen often stops by the temple.” “Huh? The Büllosen family?” Deborah nodded. “They visit the temple more frequently than most nobles. They attend worship and make annual donations. Over the years, I’ve grown close to Lady Yvette.” “Ah, I see. They must be a devout family.” “The reason Lady Yvette was kind to me was also related to that.” I raised my eyebrows because I couldn’t guess what she meant. “You must have heard about the lost daughter of the Viscount family. Lady Yvette often says I look like her lost younger sister, and she takes care of me because of that.” It seems Yvette Büllosen was the one who helped Deborah when she struggled to adjust to life at the temple. It is said that at that time, Yvette was particularly weak towards younger girls. Even though she seems indifferent, she is the person who takes care of Deborah better than anyone else behind the scenes or something. Although it might not be fair to judge her solely on first impressions, I found it hard to believe. I suddenly remembered the story I heard from Daniel and the Viscountess Büllosen I had seen at the party. Come to think of it, Yvette had blonde hair that resembled the Viscountess. It must run in the family. I’d also heard that Viscount had dark blonde hair… ‘It’s their daughter who they lost when she was young.’ It seems that Yvette and Büllosen couple can’t forget their daughter, so they visit the temple, make large donations, and pray. In the process, Yvette Büllosen relied on Deborah a lot. “As the period has passed for several years, the time I have spent meeting with Yvette in private has increased, like today.” It was a story that had nothing to do with me. I nodded politely and chatted a bit longer before deciding to part ways with Deborah. “See you again, Rosieta.” “Yes, Saintess. Until next time.” Deborah returned to the bookstore where Yvette was. * * * We chatted while sharing our newly purchased dessert in the carriage on the way back. Mika and Angie also knew the story of the lost daughter of the Büllosen family. Is that such a famous story? Mika said harshly. “Ah, Büllosen. I know. That story about their second daughter is pretty well-known. Back then, there was a lot of kidnapping of noble girls for ransom. Most of the attempts failed, though.” “Really?” “Yes, It was a time when the temple was busy determining the birthdate of the Saintess, and the temple was busy checking whether they’re a real saintess or not, and the royal family was preoccupied keeping an eye on the temple. They couldn’t spare any attention for a missing girl from a Viscount’s family.” Mika, who was a few years older than me, spoke as if the incident was still vivid in her mind. She said that even in her own estate, the daughter of a minor baron narrowly escaped being kidnapped by a desperate criminal. Angie trembled as she listened to the story. “No matter how much money you want, how can you kidnap someone else’s family? Just to feed your own?” “It’s ironic. All the people who did that were doing it to feed their families.” I also crossed my arms and narrowed my eyes. “No matter how desperate someone is, not everyone resorts to such crimes. Not everyone who is poor commits crime.” Mika nodded in agreement and continued sharing what she knew about the Büllosen Viscount family. “The saddest part is that the Büllosen family only has daughters. Other nobles pretended to help look for the missing girl but eventually suggested they should just adopt an heir.” “Oh my god!” Angie’s face turned pale as she exclaimed in disbelief, raising her voice in anger. “As if daughters aren’t people too!” “Anyway, because of that incident, the Viscount has been bedridden ever since, and Lady Yvette, their only remaining daughter, now manages the Büllosen construction business.” “Mika, have you seen Lady Yvette?” “Of course. She also comes to the Count’s residence a couple of times a year. Because of her business with Holden.” I briefly shared the story of meeting Yvette while with Deborah earlier. Mika nodded knowingly. “That’s just her personality. She doesn’t talk much and comes off as cold. But isn’t that better than being difficult and hard to please? At least she’s not harsh to the maids.” Being blunt is cute, and it’s a good thing if you don’t do cruel things to your employees. In that sense, the quiet and cold Yvette is a pretty good owner. Even after arriving at the Count’s residence, Mika continued talking. “Sometimes, I imagine this wild scenario—that maybe I, a daughter from a noble family, may have accidentally fallen in front of my parents’ house.”