Translator: Nox

Chapter 35

“So, it’s actually better to ruin my reputation. It would be even more perfect if people said I’m pregnant but don’t even know who the father is. I was going to keep this a secret, but I’m planning on starting rumors with a few other men besides you.”

“…What?”

“I told you I’d try to make sure your name doesn’t come up. I’ve been thinking about the most effective way to do that.”

Vanessa’s eyes widened, as if asking if he had forgotten their conversation. Of course, he hadn’t taken it seriously. Realistically, it was near impossible. He had simply thought it was a means of persuasion and hadn’t given it much thought since.

After all, keeping a name like ‘River Ross’ out of a scandal was hardly a difficult task for the Duke Battenberg.

“At the upcoming picnic, I’m going to disappear to ‘get some fresh air’ with as many men as possible. I won’t actually do anything, but I’ll stay away just long enough for people to misunderstand.”

“…….”

“Men treat being involved with a pretty woman like a trophy. As long as I keep my mouth shut, they’ll talk nonsense on their own, and people will believe them at face value. Since my body actually shows I’ve known a man, I won’t have to worry about being caught later.”

He let out a stunned laugh. He had never heard a woman call herself pretty with such shamelessness, but since it was the truth, he couldn’t even bring himself to mock her.

“Once the rumor starts that I’m pregnant, your name will probably be mentioned as one of the candidates. But the more people I drag into it, the shorter their interest will last. After that, I’ll claim I had a miscarriage, and then….”

Vanessa started to add something else but swallowed her words. A gust of wind blew by, filling the silence between them.

“…If the plan goes well, I’ll probably be free. Or at the very least, I’ll be able to marry a man who isn’t obsessed with purity.”

Vanessa’s profile as she gazed at the stars looked fragile enough to crumble. Having released the words she had been holding inside until they were nearly overflowing, she seemed strangely relieved. Only then did he see the burden resting upon those slender shoulders.

Her stubbornness not to drag others into her misfortune. Her twisted, radical convictions. And the fact that all of this was a struggle just so she could be the only one who ended up ruined.

“Is that your new plan? Approaching as many men as possible?”

“Hm?”

“What if something actually happens when you approach them like that?”

“Oh, that’s fine. I’m going to ask Blair to stay nearby and come find me after a certain amount of time.”

Theodore ran a hand through his hair in frustration. An inexplicable sense of suffocation surged up to his throat. He couldn’t tell if the source of this dull unpleasantness was that unfamiliar name or this reckless woman. She was thoroughly calculating, yet at the same time, completely lacking a plan. She had to be out of her mind.

If not, a person couldn’t possibly be this cruel to themselves….

“Anyway, I really enjoyed myself today. Thank you for making such a good memory for me, River.”

Vanessa stretched once more and looked back at him with a grin. Her face was as clear as sunshine on a bright day, as if she had completely forgotten her complicated circumstances.

“I probably won’t forget today for as long as I live.”

Theodore remained still, unable to clear the breath caught in his chest, before breaking into a laugh out of habit. It was a bit hollow, bitter in his mouth, but sweet at the end. Like the clean scent of soap drifting from her body.

“Liar.”

“It’s true. You call everything I say a lie.”

“You’ll forget even my face in a few years.”

“…How could I?”

“You forgot the face of the ‘River Ross’ you met as a child.”

At that, Vanessa’s face fell, and she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, tentatively watching his reaction.

“Since when… did you know?”

“From the beginning.”

“It might be hard to believe, but, well, I do remember the basics….”

“Let’s hear it.”

“Your hair was black.”

“I’ll give you that.”

“And your eyes were blue.”

“Liar.”

“Your eyes are blue right now, so how is that a lie?”

The woman’s face was so brazen and innocent that he finally burst into laughter. He felt as if he might even shed a tear or two.

---

During the walk back over the iron fence and into the garden, River Ross remained silent. Vanessa glanced at the man walking beside her. His atmosphere seemed to have changed at some point. She couldn’t explain it, but it was very subtle.

His gaze, which had been indifferent to everything, had settled into a calm stillness, and he carried the air of a mature man standing firmly on reality. It was as if he had suddenly grown up on his own in that short span of time.

“Go on in.”

In front of the back door stairs, Vanessa reluctantly let go of his hand, which she had been holding unilaterally. The spot where their warmth had met cooled in an instant. Just as the heat from earlier, which felt like it would never fade, had subsided.

“Well then, River. See you tomorrow.”

“I have some business tomorrow. Let’s meet in four days.”

“Four days? You’re quite busy….”

When she grumbled discontentedly, River Ross let out a soft chuckle.

“I have to go to Linden. If there’s anything you need, let me know. I’ll buy you a souvenir on my way back.”

“I don’t need anything. More than that, next time a theater troupe comes, let’s make sure to go see them together.”

“That won’t be until after summer ends.”

“I’m fine with that.”

The words came out in such a rush that her intentions were transparent. Vanessa bit her lip and added tentatively.

“Even if this summer ends, as friends. If… you’re okay with it.”

River Ross’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. Vanessa felt like banging her head against the wall. It would have been better if she hadn’t tried to fix it and just let it sound like a casual promise.

This made it obvious that she was thinking about a relationship beyond the summer. Even after she had so confidently declared that they shouldn’t get involved further and should go their separate ways once summer was over.

As River Ross’s silence stretched on, Vanessa’s stiffly held head began to droop. She was on the verge of dying from embarrassment, yet she had a feeling he was smiling. Why on earth did she make that useless bet….

“Alright.”

Vanessa’s head snapped up.

“Let’s go see them someday.”

A large hand stroked her hair. It wasn’t exactly the affection one gives a lover, but rather a somewhat careless gesture, like one would use with a bothersome puppy. Nevertheless, her breath turned hot. Vanessa nodded like a young child.

“I’ll be going then.”

She looked back several times before stepping through the door. Each time, River Ross was still standing there. That made her a little happy. It felt as though he would always be there, just like now, whenever she looked back.

Even if it was all an illusion, it was simply a wonderful night. Neither the dark, narrow stairs leading to her room nor the empty, silent hallway were scary anymore. She opened the wooden door with her key and carefully stepped inside.

“…….”

The room, which should have been pitch black, was subtly bright. The oil lamp on the desk was still lit. She had adjusted the oil so it would go out on its own after a certain amount of time….

She crossed the room through the familiar furniture in the dim light and lifted the oil lamp from the desk.

“Are you back now?”

At the sudden voice behind her, Vanessa forgot her caution and, startled, grabbed the oil lamp that was heated from the flame. Before she could even feel the pain, she spun around and let out a cry of surprise upon seeing a familiar face.

“My goodness, Blair! You scared me….”

Tension drained away, replaced by a wave of relief. She had imagined the worst—that her uncle or Mary would be there. Only then did the skin burned by the lamp begin to sting. While checking the blister that had already formed, Vanessa felt a strange sense of dissonance and slowly raised her head.

How could Blair be in this room? She had locked the door so no one could enter from the outside. Since she had just entered by opening it with her key herself, she couldn’t be mistaken.

“But… since when have you been here?”

“About two hours.”

“I thought I heard from Mary that you weren’t coming back today….”

“She said you’ve been feeling unwell lately. Mary told me your fever just wasn’t breaking.”

“I was… but I felt better quickly today.”

She reflexively clenched her sweaty hands.

“Did you come through the window?”

“I’m the one who wants to ask the questions.”

Blair’s calm, settled eyes slowly scanned her from head to toe. Her disheveled hair, flushed cheeks, and light attire.

Her outfit bore clear signs of having gone out rather than just taking a short stroll, and she happened to be wearing her new muslin dress. The one that left her shoulders and neck exposed…. After inspecting everything with unreadable eyes, Blair finally curled her lips into a smile.

“Where are you coming back from, Vanessa?”