"Well, it's not because I'm afraid that the young lady will hurt her, but because I'm afraid that my grandmother will be shocked. My grandmother doesn't know anything about the outside news yet."
"...I see."
"In the 10 years I've been with her, she's been talking more about the young lady than my name, but now, when she hears that the old lady is ruined and the young lady has broken up, she'll faint from a fever. She's still insane, but it's a moment to pay for a very good portrait."
"..."
"Are you laughing now?"
When she stays in this house, she wonders if everyone is crazy.
Charles, who had been continuing to speak cautiously in his own way, suddenly became angry when he saw her face buried in both hands. It would be better than crying, but she didn't expect to laugh at this situation.
Even though it was a sad laugh that didn't make her cry.
"...It's because I'm happy."
"..."
"There are still people who genuinely grieve for our family's misfortune."
Evangeline raised her head in a small voice as if in a whisper, and belatedly picked up her teacup. The strange taste that was difficult to get used to was no longer so bad.
"After going through all kinds of things, I am now grateful for these things. Oh, of course, it's not that I want the nanny to cry or collapse so much, I mean."
"Would you like more?"
"...Yes?"
Before the sad smile on Evangeline's face had faded, Charles had already picked up the kettle and filled the teacup. Evangeline, who was looking at the tea that was being followed so much, woke up in anger.
"Thank you, but I'll refuse. I should go too."
"...Are you going?"
"I suddenly came to you without contacting you and apologized. You must have had a hard time taking care of the nanny, but I was really sorry for coming to you."
"I'm sorry, but what are you talking about now?"
"...Yes?"
Her hands, which had been scrambling to pick up her luggage belatedly, were relieved. She didn't think he was particularly rude, but Charles' expression was too disappointing. The corners of his mouth that smiled sounded ridiculous.
"What should I do if you go like this?"
What am I?
"Didn't you hear my grandmother? If that pampered young lady leaves as soon as she comes like this, don't you have to see and listen to all her complaints? People don't see it that way, but they are very fond of it."
"No. I really don't think so."
"Or... Just have tea."
Tuk, his long fingers pushed the cup in front of her. Evangeline swallowed a dry saliva on Charles' face, who was only then looking at him properly. His intense red hair and dark green eyes did not resemble a nanny at all. He was a very handsome man that anyone could admire at first sight, but he felt strangely rough, probably because of his way of speaking and acting.
"You can sleep on the second floor.
Even the more clumsy hands that carry her bag for her.
***
#6
The Duke returned home.
It is natural that the landlord came to his house, but it was his first return in ten days. Since it was the first time he had returned since the news of the Duke's breakup was published in the newspaper, there was a heavy tension in the Duke of Theses.
"Sir, what do you want to eat?"
"I came."
He doesn't know if those words are true, but at least the Duke was as good as it looked. The way he turned over his coat and took off his gloves, and the way he searched for the backlog of documents as soon as he arrived, was no different from usual. The butler, who had been only watching him in his heart, finally felt relieved.
'What if you bring up the Young lady's work?'
If she gave up the southern coastline at the auction house, no one in Loark would know. If the master were to ask why he didn't know about it in advance while being in the same house, it would be difficult for him to escape responsibility as a butler. How could it be his fault, at least if the Duke believed so, it was the law of this family that it would flow that way.
"..."
Fortunately or unfortunately, the Duke did not even show any signs of curiosity, let alone pursue. From the moment he got out of the carriage, he just walked quietly to the main building. There was no way to turn his eyes anywhere in that wide area. His steps slowed down for a while at the fork leading to the greenhouse in the annex, but that was all.
'It's a very confusing place, so it's understandable.'
Whew, the butler swallowed a sigh of relief. Only then, as if responding to the Duke's calmness, he put down the letters he had brought as usual as much as possible.
"Even so, it was a letter that was going to wait for Your Excellency to come at any time and send a message. Is there something that needs to be replied to by asking about Your Excellency's intentions?"
"..."
The butler put down the colorful envelopes one by one. He knew it was a letter that was not suitable for this situation, but it was something he couldn't dispose of at will.
"This is an invitation to a banquet. I really want you to come."
"Hah."
Looking at the pile of letters, the Duke let out a laugh for the first time. The invitation that came in as soon as they broke off the engagement was so obvious that he laughed. The butler, who knew the meaning of that laughter, felt sorry for his master, as if it were his fault.
"It's the full-fledged social season, and there are many invitations from families that have been related to the previous Duchess, so it's hard to refuse them all."
"When did my mother die?"
As expected, the butler smiled embarrassedly at the Duke's sullen reaction. The hesitant look seems that he has something more to say, but he didn't want to ask about it. When the Duke raised his eyes, the butler quietly pushed the golden flash letter to him.
"But you have to answer the invitation from the Imperial palace. They only sent back that they would get a reply in person..."
"..."
At the very least, as long as the coat of arms of the Imperial Family is stamped, it cannot be ignored like other letters. Seeing that the Duke had no answer, it was safe to say that he also reluctantly accepted it. The butler who achieved the purpose of the small ball moved on to the next one.
"And these are the letters left by your relatives."
"Yes. What else do you need this time?"
The butler's smile became awkward for the Duke, who always hit the nail on the head. The letters he is holding now are also understandable, even if his master doesn't read them. It wasn't even a day or two that the Duke of Theses' family begged for investment.
"After hearing about the situation, it seems that the day will soon be cleared up and trade ships will come and go, so they are trying to do something. I want to do anything to help the public writer."
"I don't think I'm helping if I don't do it."
"..."
Even if he only had that much brainpower to think.
The Duke cynically pushed away the letters that were placed in front of him. This is something that Michael can handle without going through his hands. The Duke, who was indifferently looking at the butler's hand as he was repacking the correspondence, suddenly found another envelope.
"Is that also asking for money?"
"...Yes?"
"That's what I'm holding now."
The Duke's sharp jaw pointed to the white letter in the butler's arms. Like other letters, he did not print the family coat of arms in a particularly colorful or colorful manner. If the purpose was to emphasize the need, it was quite well written, but it didn't give much inspiration.
It's just refreshing that it wasn't applied on the outside.
"That's Interesting. What the hell are you asking for like that?"
"Oh, this is... This is a letter from the Duchess, no, Lady O'Hara."
"..."
The Duke's quiet breathing stopped, and the butler's hand became more careful. It was a letter that a Young lady had left on her dressing table on the day she left.
"Why didn't you tell me about it earlier?"
"It's not important, so please don't bother those who are busy delivering this. The lady left a separate note. If I see you someday, please tell me then."
"..."
The Duke, with his throat furrowed beneath his frowning eyebrows, picked it up. As the butler said, there was nothing special about it. There was no way that there was such a great deal in a thin letter that was only one page.
[ Sir Duke of Theses
I'm sorry to say goodbye to you like this.
It would have been nice if we could have seen each other face-to-face and said goodbye, but I think it is also our destiny to part like this.
I am very sorry for the recent incident that has caused a lot of trouble to His Excellency and the Theses.
If I had known it would be like this from the beginning, I wouldn't have had an engagement ceremony, but I don't think anyone can know what will happen in the future.
Although there were many difficult things, I don't regret the past. I don't have any hatred or resentment toward you. From the moment we first met, you did the best you could in your position. Please think it's just that I've become too greedy.
However, I am sad that I could not keep my promise to the previous Duchess and left. I would like to repay you even a little with an apology, but everything will be useless for Your Excellency, who is not lacking in anything.
The only thing I can do now is to forget you as soon as possible.
I am now about to start a new life in a place where I am not connected to any of the Theses. Rest assured that you won't have to put my name on your family anymore or tarnish it.
May your family have greater glory and prosperity.
Evangeline O'Hara]
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