Chapter 66
66. The Words I Couldn’t Say
2022.04.17.
After delivering the report, Kay had something to say to Arthur.
In a nonchalant tone, Kay planned to state the truth coldly.
Because he knew the truth sometimes held the greatest persuasive power.
「There seems to have been a misunderstanding. Taylor Lorenson is not her lover. I learned that during our meeting last night.」
And then, after observing Arthur’s reaction, he planned to continue.
「……When Your Excellency opened the door and entered, I thought for a moment that I might have made a mistake. You seemed angry.」
「Was I oblivious?」
And then he planned to speak calmly.
「The lady’s circumstances are exactly as written in the report.」
「As you saw, the only thing she asked for was one: to persuade Taylor Lorenson to join Sir Arthur’s side for her grandmother’s sake. She said she’d do anything for Sir Arthur in return.」
「Even if she asks for Taylor Lorenson, it’s not because he’s her lover, so there’s no need to worry about it.」
Even if it came across as a bit of sarcasm, it didn’t matter.
Kay’s goal was to cool his head.
“…….”
The report stated that she had no other desires besides her grandmother’s health
and simply wanted to live with her grandmother, having given up even on dreams of an ordinary marriage or building her own family.
It even noted that she thought she might never be able to marry.
It was a tense, harsh, dry life without dreams or a future.
And she couldn’t live forever with her grandmother, who was over seventy.
She had no plans after that.
「When I met Taylor Lorenson, he seemed like a person worth recruiting.」
「He’s cooperative on our side, quick-witted, and quite intelligent. He’s competent as a physician, and not blindly devoted to Marquis Julius. Seeing his sincerity toward the lady, our interests seem to align as well.」
「The lady also saw him as someone she could trust to care for her grandmother, and he was worthy of that.」
And it included the details of his meeting with Taylor,
as well as what he had attempted in front of the knights for Reina beforehand,
the log he had kept for her grandmother all this time,
and Reina’s moved reaction upon seeing it.
It also provided evidence that he wasn’t bound to the marquis’s household.
All to convey that she could be quite happy if she ended up with him.
So that anyone could see it was the best option for her.
After that, Kay planned to say,
「But if Your Excellency doesn’t want it, I’ll cut him out.」
“…….”
「Finding another physician is simple if we say we’ll provide one,」
「and she’ll accept it if we let her continue staying by her grandmother’s side.」
「Shall we do that?」
Shall you do that?
Since they’re not lovers.
You could do that.
「What will you do?」
You can have her if you want.
Since she’s not his lover.
Honestly, don’t you want to nip it in the bud?
Kay planned to say it nonchalantly.
「Will you take that woman as your mistress?」
“…….”
「Shall we refuse her request to persuade Taylor Lorenson?」
“…….”
Kay was convinced Arthur wouldn’t say it.
If it was the Arthur who had been suppressing his own feelings and protecting her until now.
Absolutely.
He wouldn’t reach out for her.
* * *
“…….”
But after learning that Arthur was blind.
Kay found himself unable to utter a single word.
Had he overestimated his own cool-headedness?
Or had the sudden revelation of his true condition been more shocking than expected?
Or was the gap between what he had imagined—’I just need to speak dryly while he reads the report I submitted’—
and the reality—’reading the report he wrote with his own mouth, watching in real time as Arthur’s expression slowly changes while he listens attentively, and then lips that refuse to part’—greater than he thought?
“…….”
After reading it all,
Kay set the report back down on the desk
and ended up keeping his mouth shut.
“…….”
Arthur, realizing from the outset that ‘Reina’ had no lover, sat quietly without a word.
For quite a long time.
Then, after a little time passed, he slowly propped his arms on the desk and rubbed his dry face.
“…….”
From Arthur’s expression, Kay could tell.
Even without me saying anything, Arthur already knows.
What he should do with his feelings.
So Kay could only manage one sentence.
“……Would you like to see the lady?”
* * *
Reina was asleep.
She had waited up all night for Arthur yesterday and only managed to sleep a little,
and the long-held tension had eased because Kay had readily accepted her request.
A breeze entered through the open window along with the ruddy evening sunlight.
It was cool and warm.
Kay stepped outside.
Arthur sat by her side for a long time.
“…….”
The sunset illuminated her sleeping face.
* * *
Do you know she’s not Miss Christina?
Yes.
……What do you plan to do with Reina?
An impatient question slipped out.
I couldn’t afford to act leisurely with someone who could provide clues right in front of me.
Sir Arthur said not to touch her, claiming she’s his wife.
Then what does that mean?
Does Sir Arthur intend to take Reina as his mistress?
If I may be so bold, aren’t you the son-in-law of House Julius?
Kay answered calmly.
Sir Arthur’s intentions aren’t something I can answer.
What is clear is that Sir Arthur must eventually take Miss Christina.
And that he plans to send the lady back safely.
I’m just keeping an eye out to ensure there’s no disruption there.
……Send her…… back?
Yes.
Right now, we’re temporarily borrowing her due to our needs and treating her with respect.
Well, it might not have looked that way to you.
Once everything is resolved smoothly, we plan to provide ample compensation and send her off as she wishes.
……Where to?
To her grandmother’s side, of course.
Reflecting her own hopes.
And additionally, I don’t think it would be bad if that were by your side.
…….
You might feel a bit displeased at the prospect of her with you.
But he won’t try to steal away a bright future for the lady.
He’s not that shameless.
“…….”
So in the meantime, is Reina…… standing in as Sir Arthur’s wife?
To what extent…… is she standing in for her?
That doesn’t seem like something I can answer either.
However, I do want to add that Sir Arthur isn’t so shameless as to go too far.
He won’t do anything that would harm her honor or future.
But since assuming the worst is part of my job, if there’s even the slightest chance of something unfavorable, I have to prepare for it,
and that’s why I’m meeting you now.
How about it? Our interests seem to align.
……What do you mean by wanting to negotiate?
What do you want me to do?
Pretend to be her devoted lover with Reina or something?
Kay chuckled lowly.
No. The lady doesn’t seem to have any talent for fake acting.
“…….”
I will tell Your Excellency everything exactly as it is.
You just act naturally as you are.
If you come across as a good man,
he will eventually step back.
And she can return to her place sooner and find some peace.
……I understand what you want.
But what do I gain from it?
I’ll give a generous wedding gift.
Cough.
“……Yes?”
I’ve never said anything about marrying Reina.
She’s my friend.
I know.
But you like her so much—don’t you want to marry her someday?
Don’t give up.
……So when did I ever say I like Reina as a woman……
It wasn’t hidden.
Kay said it bluntly, without a smile.
Just like Sir Arthur.
“…….”
And you yourself—aren’t you staying here because of the lady?
You’ve gotten quite a few scouting offers.
Some were surprisingly attractive, to the point it was unexpected you’d turn them down.
In the imperial capital……
……Hold on.
Did you investigate me?
You’re surprised now? You’d do the same if you were in my shoes, wouldn’t you? It wasn’t exactly a background check; more like a front check.
Anyway, staying on quietly at Julius Mansion without a word—isn’t it because of the lady?
“…….”
I’ll give a wedding gift. A big one.
I’ll even buy you two a mansion to live together in.
Yes? A mansion?
With Sir Arthur’s money?
No. Of course with my own money.
Surprisingly, I have personal funds.
You’re going to buy a mansion with your own money?
Why?
“Just because.”
Kay said it shamelessly.
“Isn’t it up to me?”
