RALMH 61

Chapter 61

Although she had invited him in without hesitation, Ian could feel that Betty’s aunt was keeping a sharp eye on him.

“Please, sit here. You too, sir.”

As she served the tea and set it on the table, she gestured for them to sit, but the wary look in her eyes was understandable.

“I’m fine, thank you.”

So Ian politely refused, partly so as not to make her uncomfortable, and partly to remain vigilant outside like a guard should.

“Will you really keep standing there?”

Betty, looking uneasy, half-sat before turning back to him.

Ian quietly folded his arms and leaned against the wall.

“I don’t think this is a conversation I should be part of.”

Unlike usual, his voice trailed off vaguely at the end.

Betty fidgeted with her skirt at the unexpectedly warm tone, then turned back again.

Even though he gave her space to speak comfortably, she didn’t feel right simply rejecting his consideration.

“You must have known each other for a while.”

“Oh, yes, Aunt. He’s… a knight serving under His Grace the Grand Duke, the one who sent a physician to examine you. I’m also staying at the Grand Duke’s residence for the time being.”

In the end, Betty could only disguise Ian as if he were Cain. It was easier to think of him that way.

Thankfully, she had already told her aunt that the Grand Duke was a very kind and good noble.

“You’re staying at the Grand Duke’s estate?”

“Just for a short while. I suddenly had nowhere else to go.”

“Then you could have come here.”

“He offered me a place to stay first… it felt wrong to refuse.”

In truth, she hadn’t had a choice but to follow the Duke.

Unconsciously, Betty raised her hand to the faint bruises still on her neck. Though hidden by the high collar of her dress, she couldn’t help but feel conscious of them.

Her aunt, Mirin, who had known Betty for a long time, immediately grew suspicious of her awkward behavior.

“Don’t tell me you’ve gotten caught up in something dangerous?”

“It’s nothing like that.”

Mirin didn’t look convinced, but surprisingly, she didn’t press further.

“I see. You’re old enough to make your own choices. You must have your reasons.”

Still, she kept glancing between Betty—sitting nervously—and Ian—standing firmly behind her like a guardian. It was as if she were weighing something.

A long, heavy silence stretched until it was uncomfortable.

At last, her aunt sighed faintly.

“…I’m relieved His Grace the Grand Duke is far more considerate and good than I imagined. I’ve also received his help before. Please, make sure to pass on my thanks.”

“Yes, I’ll be sure to.”

Ian, caught off guard by the sudden gratitude directed at him, responded automatically.

The way she looked him straight in the eye made it feel like she was truly speaking to the man himself.

“So… you said you found work? Serving the young lady? You can simply quit like that?”

“It’s not exactly work. While serving at the Duke’s household, I sometimes visited another noble house…”

Betty faltered.

Her aunt knew nothing of the incidents Betty had been dragged into at the Duke’s, the Marquis of Prowell’s, or even the imperial palace.

So many things had happened beyond her control. Betty didn’t want to make her aunt worry more than necessary.

So she kept her explanation simple.

“…I was sometimes asked to keep the Marchioness company. But then, the Duke’s household dismissed me, saying I was no longer needed.”

“Dismissed? Did something happen?”

“No, nothing like that. I just wasn’t the lady’s personal maid anymore, so there was no place for me. That’s all…”

The lies were piling up. Betty bit her lip, unable to tell the truth about what had really happened in the Duke’s household.

If her aunt learned the truth, she’d regret ever allowing Betty to work as a maid for nobles, no matter the good pay.

“His Grace said that until I find another position, I could stay at his estate.”

Ian stepped in smoothly to finish the explanation for her.

She had always used him as a shield, deflecting with half-truths, but now she couldn’t bring herself to do it anymore.

“That was when the Marquis’ family, who had grown fond of Betty, suggested she be adopted as their foster daughter. They said they wished to continue their close relationship.”

His words flowed all the more naturally because they contained only the truth.

Betty quickly nodded along to bring the conversation to an end.

“…So that’s how it is now.”

She skipped over the entire process, rearranged the order of events, and jumped straight to the conclusion.

Only the good parts—leaving out the causes that had led to them.

Her aunt looked back and forth between her and Ian, startled.

“To be adopted into a noble family? Betty, that’s…”

“An incredible thing, I know.”

Betty was shocked when her aunt suddenly stood, her chair scraping loudly.

Mirin began pacing anxiously.

“It’s more than incredible. It will change your life completely.”

“…I know that.”

Ian watched her reaction closely. After staring at Betty for a long while, Mirin sighed and let her shoulders droop.

“So, you’ve already made up your mind. They’re treating you well there? You trust them that much? No… of course you do. You wouldn’t accept such an offer without careful thought.”

“Yes. At the very least, I believe they’re making this offer with my well-being in mind.”

This, Betty could say with firm conviction.

Even after hearing her answer, Mirin continued to study her.

Gripping the back of her chair tightly, she finally spoke in a calm, steady voice.

“Then, could you bring me something from the attic? Under the bed—wrapped in cloth. A long object.”

“Huh? Why so suddenly…?”

“I think it’s time to give it to you. Your mother opposed it strongly, but I always thought differently. And now… I’m sure of it.”

“What do you mean? Did Mother leave something behind for me?”

Betty had planned to ask about her mother after this talk, but now her aunt had brought her up first.

Why suddenly speak of her late mother’s wishes?

“…Just bring it here. I’ll explain.”

Ian sensed from her sideways glance that she wanted to speak to him alone.

That was why she had sent Betty, instead of fetching it herself.

“Ian… sir. I’ll be back then…”

Betty used an awkward honorific as she sought his approval.

“I’ll be fine. Go on.”

“…Alright.”

Relaxing at his answer, she left. Ian deliberately crossed his arms again and leaned casually against the wall, making her feel at ease.

When her footsteps faded upstairs and silence fell—

“…I know you’re not simply a knight.”

Betty’s aunt began, still staring at the wall, avoiding his gaze.

“If you were, Betty would have at least called you ‘sir knight,’ and she wouldn’t have been flustered every time you spoke since the introduction.”

Her perception was sharp. Ian slowly replied.

“Does it matter who I am?”

At last, she turned and met his eyes. Then she shook her head quietly.

“No. Not really. But it does matter that anyone can see how close and familiar you and Betty seem.”

She didn’t ask outright who he was—because they both knew she already had a strong suspicion.

Her hands gripped the chair tighter.

“No matter what happens, I don’t want Betty hurt. That poor girl has suffered enough.”

Ian understood where this was going. Her voice grew clearer and firmer.

“I only hope you don’t keep her by your side out of some fleeting whim.”

Even while suspecting he was a noble of very high rank—perhaps the Grand Duke himself—she did not waver.

It was impossible not to think of Betty in this moment.

“I never helped Betty with such a light heart. Even less so now.”

“And now?”

“…Now I am resolved to protect her, no matter what happens.”

For a long time, she stared deeply into his eyes, searching.

Perhaps she found something even she didn’t expect, for at last she seemed a little relieved.