Chapter 50
50. I Want to Keep You From Meeting2022.02.20.
“…….”
She really had no talent as a spy. Reina looked like she might faint any second, so Arthur pretended not to notice and just slipped it into his pocket. Then, as if nothing had happened, he extended his hand to her. Without even seeing what it was, she flinched and took a step back.
“…….”
Good grief. Even if he wanted to cover for her, her guilty demeanor made it impossible to do anything in front of Tristan. Arthur gave a wry smile.
“……Never mind. I already knew.”
From behind, Tristan furrowed his brows oddly as he looked at Arthur. Arthur couldn’t see the expression on his face since it was behind him, but Reina could clearly see Tristan’s cold look that seemed to say, ‘……What did you say?’ In front of the flustered Reina, Arthur wiggled his fingers to urge her on.
“Your hand.”
“……?”
Only then did Reina dazedly look at his hand. Arthur was holding the wedding ring. Ah. Her face flushed red, and without thinking, she politely held out both her overlapped hands to receive it.
“…….”
Instead of handing it over, Arthur let out a small sigh, grabbed her hand, flipped it over, and slipped the ring onto the ring finger of her left hand. * * * When word came that Tristan had called for a maid from the bridal chamber, an attending maid soon arrived. After checking what had happened, Brody tidied up the messy vanity and brought a new earring stand to replace the one with the broken corner. She carefully rehung all of Miss’s jewelry on it, click, click. Seeing the pearl earrings scattered messily on the floor, she flinched, but soon calmly put on gloves, wrapped them gently in a dry cloth, polished them carefully, confirmed there were no scratches, and sighed in relief as she hung them prettily in the most visible spot. All the while, Reina sat on the bed with a face full of bewilderment.
“…….”
Brody subtly checked Reina’s complexion without making it obvious. Her expression wasn’t good at all—something must have happened—but when Brody saw the wedding ring on Reina’s hand, which she usually didn’t wear, fidgeting anxiously over the folds of her skirt, she felt relieved that there was no need to worry. There’s no way she put that on herself. Sir Arthur must have done it for her? Hehe. And Reina was so overwhelmed by it that she didn’t know what to do? Hehe. In any case, this was outwardly Miss’s room, and Reina was ‘Miss Christina,’ so both the wedding ring and the famous ‘Pilgrim’s Pearl Earrings’ were all right by Reina’s side. Though Reina hadn’t so much as glanced at them since the day of the triumphal procession, just leaving them enshrined on the vanity. Just in case, Brody asked.
“Miss, shall I put the earrings on for you too?”
But Reina replied,
“No, it’s fine. Thank you…….”
in a completely deflated tone. As expected. Brody managed her expression so she wouldn’t look too pleased and quickly finished up before withdrawing. She already knew from experience that Sir Arthur hated any interruptions when he was alone with Reina. * * * After the oddly excited Brody and the somewhat stiff-faced Tristan withdrew, leaving just the two of them, Arthur undid his cufflinks and changed the subject as if asking when she’d slipped that note into his pocket.
“Did you meet the doctor well?”
Reina couldn’t bring herself to lift her head.
“……Yes.”
Pretending not to notice her guilt-ridden reaction, Arthur took off his outer coat.
“The wound on your forehead has healed. Does the doctor really need to come every day?”
After a brief pause, Reina said,
“……Because of the herbal tea he prescribes every day.”
I see. Recalling in passing that it was supposed to be good for the body, Arthur was reminded that she wasn’t exactly in robust health. He pulled up a chair and sat down in front of her.
“What did Doctor Lorenson say?”
“…….”
Arthur had already received a report from Lionel. Lionel had been present that day when Doctor Lorenson met with Reina. But rather than letting on that he’d heard, it seemed better to hear it directly from her.
“…….”
She seemed to have an idea of what he was asking. Reina shifted the position of her folded hands, clasped her fingers together, and after a short pause, answered with her gaze resignedly lowered.
“He said…… you’re going on a business trip tomorrow. And he’ll send his son in his place.”
She said it quietly, like a sinner confessing. That Taylor Lorenson would be coming tomorrow. Arthur gazed at her steadily. Reina stared down at her own fingertips, unable to meet his eyes.
“…….”
He’d said he already knew, thinking it might calm her quickest since she was so flustered, but it didn’t seem to help much. She’d even asked Rembrandt something like, ‘How long have you known?’ But she doesn’t ask me that. Arthur rubbed the back of his neck and quietly leaned back in the chair.
“…….”
She must feel too ashamed to look at me now that the note’s been found out. He knew that in his head and understood, but his petty heart jumped to wild conclusions anyway. Can’t even earn her trust more than Rembrandt, let alone Taylor Lorenson? Arthur gazed steadily at her face. Is getting caught with this note such a shock? Well, what grand thing could she have written anyway. He already knew, and it wasn’t a big deal.
“…….”
More than that, her resigned attitude grated on him. That Taylor Lorenson was coming tomorrow. That until just moments ago, she’d been quite excited and fidgety about it. That she’d been doing those cute things she’d never shown while waiting for him. And that afterward, she’d deflated like this. It felt like he’d mercilessly chained a frail little bird that had been secretly thrilled at the thought of flying away and locked it in a cage. Arthur quietly watched Reina.
“…….”
Thirty gold…… She seemed so conflicted. He’d thought she was at least mulling over his proposal. But it’s still Julius and Taylor Lorenson, huh.
“…….”
After Doctor Lorenson had left, Arthur had once asked her.
「You look comfortable around Doctor Lorenson. Do you get along well with your family physician?」
Unaware that she was doing it herself, she paused a little, then rubbed her neck with an awkward face.
「Just…… I’ve known him a long time. He’s always taken care of me.」
Arthur smiled at her.
「He says if I permit it, he’d serve for generations. Shall I consider it?」
「I’d like to hear the opinion of someone who’s watched you for a long time.」
At that, she hesitated a bit, thought it over deeply, then unconsciously gazed at the tray where the family physician always prepared the herbal tea and pills, fiddling with her fingertips.
「……He’s a respectable man, and he has a good reputation among the household staff. Not to mention he’s a capable doctor.」
「……If you entrust him with work, he’ll handle it well. I don’t think there’s anyone else like him.」
Arthur quietly watched her.
「You think well of him personally too?」
Reina made an awkward face as if to say who was she to evaluate him, but soon rubbed the back of her neck, giving an embarrassed yet soft smile.
「Yes, of course. I’m grateful to him in all sorts of ways……」
「He’s a reliable, good person.」
It wasn’t an uncomfortable or strained voice, but one that sounded like genuine, heartfelt thanks. If it were toward her lover’s father, it couldn’t be a more ideal sentiment.
“…….”
Arthur quietly watched Reina for a moment before lowering his head again and interlocking his empty hands.
「You’re not the type to easily let people close.」
「I heard Taylor Lorenson is an exception.」
「……I know you two are especially close……」
「……Doctor Lorenson knows a fair bit by now too……」
“…….”
Honestly, such petty thoughts crossed his mind too. Why wouldn’t Doctor Lorenson oppose ‘Reina’? She’s the match for his only son. For a family like that. A lineage of doctors. From what Tristan’s investigation showed, she was undeniably upper class, someone who could marry nobility anytime. Even though I never corrected his misconception that she attends me every night. Why? Why not oppose it? I know they haven’t married yet. Reina kept avoiding his gaze. Unconsciously, his aura probed her anxious hands, the back of her neck, her hunched shoulders. Even though it wasn’t visible to the eye, he found himself staring at her trembling eyelashes as if something might appear.
Is what you want money? Or his status? Or maybe a good family that gives you a sense of stability. Or do you really… Thud. Suddenly, Reina lifted her head. Arthur set down a small silk pouch next to her. Her gaze fell on it. With his eyes lowered, Arthur said.
“The Marchioness asked me to pass this to you. It’s your weekly allowance.”
“…….”
It contained five gold coins. Thud. Then Arthur set down another, heavier silk pouch beside it.
“This is just from me, for maintaining your dignity.”
“…….”
It contained thirty gold coins. Reina stared at it, speechless. Her eyes were trembling faintly.
“…….”
Conflicted eyes? Or eyes filled with guilt? Or disgust at someone trying to buy her with money? It’d be simpler if your goal was money. Arthur soon smiled calmly and spoke.
“I hope this money doesn’t feel like a great rudeness.”
“…….”
He continued quietly.
“It’d be best if you told me directly what you need. But until you do, I can’t know.”
“…….”
Silence flowed between them. Arthur sat before her with no expression, just interlocking his empty hands. The two pouches of gold coins placed in front of her. Reina chose neither, just staring at them. No one said anything more about it.
“…….”
Through the open window came the rustling of leaves in the wind and the peaceful chirping of birds. After waiting a long time for her to speak, Arthur opened his mouth.
“Do you have to meet him?”
Reina’s head snapped up.
“……Pardon?”
Arthur quietly said his name.
“Taylor Lorenson.”
Thump. Her heart dropped. Looking straight at her, Arthur said quietly.
“I want to keep you from meeting him.”
