Chapter 7.4

Chapter 7 – Part 4

Upon hearing that, Olivia opened her eyes wide and said,

“…You mean my body is left?”

At her words, Marchioness Philistines burst into laughter.

“I didn’t say that, no matter how much I came from a prostitute.”

Not because of Marchioness Philistines’ origin, though because Olivia was pricked by her.

At that, Olivia’s cheeks reddened in embarrassment.

“It’s just something I’ve always been thinking about. It’s not because of the Marchioness’ origin.”

“Are you saying that the Duke is good to you because of Miss Claudel’s body?”

The words startled her.

Because her excuses sounded more like that, Olivia blamed herself for her words without thinking, stuttering and making excuses.

“No, that’s not what it means. His Excellency the Duke is not such a person… My body, I thought it was just my body. His Excellency the Duke is a straightforward person, and he takes good care of me as a family member, though he is so good that it means that it is too much.”

“His Excellency Duke Deorc, straightforward?”

Marchioness Philistines burst out laughing at her. At that, when Olivia glanced at her as if she was wondering why.

Marchioness Philistines said, with a strange smile on her face.

“Do you know how wild beasts hunt?”

“Yes?”

“Take the lion as an example. It is said that when a lion hunts, they watch its prey holding its breath for a few days.”

“….”

“And, when the herbivores let their guard down, they bite the prey’s throat in one breath.”

Marchioness Philistines made a mouth shape with her hand and mimicked a biting.

“The Duke I know is not a straightforward man, but such a lion. He waits for someone to put their guard down, then grabs their neck and bites them off. He values discipline and morality, although once he has a goal, he simply ignores it and rushes to their prey.”

“How do you know that?”

At Olivia’s question, Marchioness Philistines laughed.

“I was on the battlefield for five years. Even though I hated seeing it, I saw it a lot. More details than this will be kept as our secret. To Miss Claudel, he must remain a straightforward Duke.”

“….”

“Do you know? Maybe, that person is starting the hunt now.”

Her words left a strange lasting impression.

Marchioness Philistines was still a storyteller. The time flew by as she talked to her, and Olivia was able to put a smile on her mind with ease. Her candor was the Marchioness’ greatest charm.

“Oh, my gosh! Did that woman say that?!”

Olivia, unwittingly, recounted the words that Henrietta had said to her. She knew she shouldn’t speak, though because she wanted to confide in what she had piled up. She had no friends of hers, and the Marchioness’ presence set her free.

“Tell the Duke quickly! Oh, my!”

“I can’t do that. She’s his fiancée. I don’t want to make a big deal out of it.”

Hearing her answer, Marchioness Philistines frowned and nodded her head.

“Well, to say the least, His Excellency the Duke cannot move. First of all, she is his fiancée.”

“That’s right.”

Marchioness Philistines understood Olivia’s heart best.

“Still, isn’t that too much? No, how can he leave you in one house with that woman! Come out right away! I will take care of it.”

“But, I can’t be indebted…”

“Then, I will introduce you to a job. That’s it!”

“A job?”

Olivia opened her eyes wide, and asked. As Marchioness Philistines spoke, she suddenly smiled.

“I think so, a job!”

“Yes?”

“Miss Claudel is not angry and is withdrawn because she is not able to stand on her own and is entrusting herself to this house.”

“Yes…that’s right.”

It’s not wrong, but objectively speaking, Olivia felt that she herself was a burden.

“This might make him angry, but because he has to be fair…”

“Excuse me? It was so soft I couldn’t hear it.”

“No, nothing. So, if you feel uncomfortable being in the Duke’s house, you come out. And, to get a job to be self-reliant.”

“That…”

“You’re not selling your body, I’m telling you in advance in case it causes any more misunderstandings.”

“….”

“Actually, nobles are surprisingly talented. First of all, you learn basic knowledge and culture.”

“….”

“I can teach ordinary children to read, and I can teach other knowledge to those who can read. However, the truth is, nobles don’t like to do this. That means you’re down. I’m going to introduce you to something like this. Do you not like it?”

“No, not at all. When I was young, our family fell apart.”

“I heard that someone I know wants to build a school like that, but they need a teacher. Miss Claudel would be a really good teacher. Don’t tell me you can’t read?”

“Of course not.”

She was startled by the sudden opportunity. Finding a job, she can choose for herself… Just as she rebelled against Henrietta and took in Marchioness Philistines. But, she will leave this mansion, if she does…

“Miss Claudel?”

“Yes?”

“You’re shaking, are you okay?”

“It’s okay, it’s okay…”

Saying so, Olivia struggled to calm her tremors and smiled. Meanwhile, Marchioness Philistines gazed at her meaningfully, although she asked no further questions.

So, the conversation continued. After a long conversation, Olivia was finally able to call Marchioness Philistines ‘Jane,’ and Jane also called her ‘Olivia.’

As she chatted with Jane, she realized that it’s quite enjoyable to chat with her peers—Jane, of course, was an older sister by three years.

“Job…”

After sending Jane, she mumbled to herself. Even when she got out of this mansion, she could do something. Wouldn’t it be nice to have courage? It might be okay.

Her heart was pounding, and fear came over.

At the sudden memory, Olivia closed her eyes tightly and tried to erase it.

 

Henrietta, of course, as soon as Leon returned, told Leon everything that had happened today.

Olivia made no excuses as she kept her head down.

“Your Excellency, please comfort me. Miss Claudel must be on the sensitive side, seeing that she was offended even though I didn’t mean it with bad intentions.”

As Leon was taking off his coat, he did not respond to any of Henrietta’s words.

Only when she finished her words, he opened his mouth.

“So, she brought the Marchioness into the mansion, is that what you mean?”

“Yes. I obviously…”

Olivia thought Leon would scold her. It was time for her to think of the scoldings that would soon follow.

“Isn’t it against the law to drive out those who have already come?”

At that, she lifted her head and saw him, and he was glancing at Henrietta with a curious expression. Leon had a fresh attitude that overshadowed what Olivia had been worried about.

“Bu, but…!”

“If you were so dissatisfied, I wouldn’t have bothered if the Princess had sent her out yourself. Didn’t I give you most of the authority to operate the mansion? Why didn’t you have the maids do it?”

“That…”

Come to think of it, it was like that.

Henrietta had the right to expel Jane if she wanted to. Though why did she try to make Olivia do it? It was obvious. Because she didn’t want to have Jane as an enemy. So, she handed it over to Olivia. When she realized it, her head went blank.

Henrietta gave a speechless expression. Did Leon know that and asked so?

However, Leon had an expression of pure curiosity.

There was no way he was acting, and it was clear he hadn’t noticed. When she couldn’t answer him, Leon looked at Olivia this time.

“Miss Claudel, I hope you will be very careful next time you bring your friends. And, if you and the Princess don’t have the same tendency, don’t get angry that way. It’s probably better to avoid meeting the Princess in moderation while she is in. I don’t like it being noisy in the house either.”

Obviously he was scolding Olivia. Although his face, looking at Olivia with his back to Henrietta, didn’t look so angry. He said not to meet Henrietta, does he care for her?

Olivia said with a puzzled expression.

“I’m sor—No, I understand.”

She tried to say she was sorry, but realized that she had done nothing wrong and corrected herself.

Seeing that, the corners of Leon’s lips rose very slightly.

“Go in.”

With that said, Olivia went up to her own room. She was not scolded, and she was stunned by it. Should she be happy that she’s lucky? Rather, Leon seemed to have taken her side.

So, what has changed?

Henrietta was his fiancée, and she would be by his side and spend the rest of her life with him.

Excited that he only sided a little with her…

She felt really pathetic about herself.

Olivia let out a heavy sigh as she covered her face with her hands.

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