CATBP~59

Chapter 59

“It’s a dress shop I frequent. They’re very knowledgeable about the latest trends and have many sophisticated clothes.”

Peridot led me to a dress shop on Roden Street.

As if her ‘frequent’ comment was no exaggeration, the shop owner recognized Peridot and treated her with deference.

After Peridot gave a few instructions, the shop owner brought out some clothes and hung them on a rack.

“These are the recently popular styles and new arrivals.”

Peridot carefully examined the clothes hanging on the rack.

She pulled out a dress resembling the color of a faded rose. There were rose decorations on the sleeves, and roses were embroidered on the hem of the dress.

“How about this? Doesn’t it suit the Madam? You’d look really pretty if you wore it on a date.”

I had been swept along without much thought, but I finally understood the situation.

“…Did Faye ask you to do this?”

Peridot’s bright eyes narrowed slightly.

“Faye was upset, saying that because of him, the two of you never get to go out and have fun alone.”

She held the dress up against me.

“I thought that if you had pretty clothes, you might eventually want to go on a date, so I brought you here. Would you kindly try it on for me?”

…We’re really not in that kind of relationship.

And if it weren’t for situations like last time where a plan for three turns into a date for two, there wouldn’t be any date-like occasions either.

‘Going on a date with Lucas… I can’t really imagine it.’

<Shall we give it a try?>

I shook my head vigorously. My head is full of nonsense.

Since Peridot brought me here after thinking about the worries Faye had expressed, I decided to gladly help choose clothes with her.

It wouldn’t be bad to buy a few pretty dresses while I’m at it.

After trying on several outfits, I finally settled on a beige dress.

Although the hem had multiple layers of lace, it was designed for good mobility and the fabric itself was light. A thin red ribbon that cinched the waist was the highlight.

Just as Peridot and I were about to leave the dress shop side by side, we ran into Madame Baalje, her red hair styled up.

“Peridot?”

“…Mother.”

Madame Baalje stopped in her tracks, looking shocked. The fan she was holding trembled.

“Yes, you’ve lost your mind, Peridot.”

Her face flushed as red as her vivid hair.

‘That expression while looking at her own daughter…’

The gaze she fixed on Peridot was icy, a stark contrast to the honey-dripping, doting look she had when looking at her son, Viscount Withero, as if she’d gladly give her all for him.

I knew from the information I had that she favored Withero more specially.

But I never imagined the look in her eyes could be so different, even towards her own children.

I even thought it would be easier to believe they were different people.

“Come with me at once.”

She strode over and grabbed Peridot’s wrist. A faint frown appeared between Peridot’s brows.

Since I was close, I could hear her soft groan near my ear.

I got caught between the two of them.

“Madame Viscountess, stop this.”

“This is a family matter. It’s not something for the Madam Duchess to concern herself with.”

“Aren’t you concerned about the watching eyes?”

Madame Baalje bit her lip and then let go of Peridot, as if becoming conscious of our surroundings.

“Peridot, I’ll see you at the estate.”

After issuing the warning through gritted teeth, she entered the dress shop. I glanced at her walking with her back straight and then turned to look at Peridot.

“Miss Peridot.”

Worried, I called out to her, and Peridot gave me a faint smile.

“It’s alright, Madam. I’m used to it.”

Deep resignation was embedded within that smile.

***

I parted ways with Peridot and returned to the estate, but I couldn’t forget the sound of her voice.

‘Should I not have let her go back to that estate?’

I ruffled my hair and shook my head.

For now, let’s focus on what I can do now.

I had left the search for Bell to Michael, but I couldn’t just sit idle.

I instructed Sally to call Dion, and shortly after, he entered.

“I heard you were looking for me.”

“Yes. I was wondering if you had any ideas about who might hold a grudge against the previous Duke to this day.”

“So you are still searching for the person who told Faye the truth.”

“Correct.”

“Let me think for a moment.”

Dion took off his glasses, lowered his head, and wiped them as he thought.

Since I couldn’t see his face, I couldn’t tell if he had finished thinking.

Then, Dion put his glasses back on and raised his head.

“To be honest, it’s difficult to pinpoint anyone specific who held a grudge against the previous Duke, Lady Cordelia. There would likely be too many.”

…That many?

‘So it wasn’t just Lucas who felt that way?’

I frowned slightly.

“Bell used to describe the previous Duke as a perfect Duchess who was good to her subordinates. Although I don’t believe all of that now. What kind of person was she really?”

“Bell described her like that?”

Dion’s face twisted grimly.

The veins on his hands resting on his knees became pronounced.

“…Well, she was good to close aides and servants like Bell, that’s true. But if you made a mistake or upset her even slightly, it was easy to fall out of favor. And for those servants who fell out of favor even a little, she was a nightmare. It’s not for no reason that I said it’s hard to specify.”

His voice trembled with passionate anger.

“Some lost their sight after falling out of her favor. Others, while pregnant, were made to tumble down the stairs. Some died from excessive whipping.”

The stories were so horrific I found myself holding my breath.

“With a woman like this, how could there be no one who resents her? I sometimes feel sorry for the Duke. Having to return to the family he detested and raise the offspring of the person who tormented him his whole life. Having to endure that horror.”

“……”

“Even if you find the culprit, it won’t end there. Just think of how much that woman sowed.”

I raised my gaze from his anger-filled hands and met Dion’s eyes.

Dion composed his expression, belatedly regaining control of his anger.

“I let my emotions get the better of me…”

“Yes. I understand.”

It was a topic that could understandably provoke strong emotions.

“But Dion, Lucas doesn’t find Faye detestable. Faye isn’t the embodiment of the previous Duke; he’s just Faye, isn’t he?”

Dion slowly nodded his head.

“…Yes. You’re right. I just spoke out of turn due to excitement. I know that.”

“Thank you for answering me sincerely, even though it must have been an uncomfortable topic.”

“Not at all.”

Dion bowed politely and left the room.

Left alone, I let out a heavy sigh without realizing it.

‘The previous Duke… was a much more cruel and merciless person than I thought.’

I had thought Bell’s story wouldn’t be entirely accurate, but this was worse.

Truly, like a villainess or tyrant from some history book or novel.

I could keenly feel how she must have been a scar that would last a lifetime in the memories of so many people.

‘Seeing Faye must be painful for some people, as it reminds them of the previous Duke.’

Seeing the child of the person who tormented you your whole life could be painful, even resentful.

Even if you don’t want it, you can’t help the feelings that prickly emerge.

But that doesn’t mean it’s okay to actually act on them.

‘What crime did Faye even commit?’

Did Faye want to be born from Cordelia? He was just born.

At an age when he should only see, hear, and receive the best things, why should Faye have to feel a sense of guilt that he shouldn’t have to bear?

I pressed my eyelids down firmly.

Just then, I heard a sound, and Lucas knocked and entered.

“Is something the matter?”

I was still having a hard time looking directly at the Duke, so I subtly averted my gaze.

“Are you free two weeks from now?”

***

Two weeks later, evening.

During this time, I had subtly hinted to Faye about going to the festival together.

Each time, the image of the child trying to sneak away was clear in my mind.

In the end, I told Faye, who came to see us off, that we would have fun and left. When I got into the carriage, I saw something unbelievable.

‘Is his tail… drawing a heart shape?… It must be my imagination, right?’

I shook my head, thinking of Faye’s clear eyes.

Maybe if it was my favorite character from <Secret Night>, but my good Faye wouldn’t do that.

‘Now that I think about it, in the novel, the male and female leads enjoyed this festival together.’

Since my favorite character wasn’t in that part, I don’t remember it well. I vaguely recalled a legend that if you watch the fireworks from a high place, you’ll be happy forever.

Remembering that such a legend existed made it feel more like a real date.

Wearing the dress Peridot had picked out for me to wear on a date also added to that feeling.

I only accepted because I thought Faye might have suggested it, so what kind of date is this?

I pulled myself together.

“It would be a real headache if we got separated by accident.”

There were indeed a lot of people; if we got separated, it would be hard to find each other.

Just then, Lucas held out his hand to me.

“Helen. Your hand.”

“…Woof?”

“What nonsense is that all of a sudden.”

“Just because. You keep saying ‘give me your hand’ like you’re talking to a dog, so I tried it once.”

I said it to lighten the mood, as strange thoughts kept popping into my head.

Swallowing my true feelings, I grabbed his hand with a playful expression.

“Shall I pat your head as a form of praise?”

“No.”

As I put on a stern face, the Duke’s lips twisted wryly.

Looking around, I spotted a dart throwing game.

“How about we try that?”

“Sure.”

After paying, Lucas threw first. He missed the first two but seemed to get the hang of it, not missing a single one after that.

Now it was my turn.

It was a hobby I had enjoyed in my original world, so I took a familiar stance. I hit all ten.

“You’ve done this before.”

“I don’t remember because of my memory loss, but my body seems to remember.”

I lied without blinking and subtly avoided his gaze. Just then, I saw a vendor selling skewers.

“How about that next?”

We listened to street music while eating, and looked at the various items on display.

“The fireworks will start soon.”

Several couples were already heading up to the tops of tall buildings.

The fireworks, the highlight of the festival, were described as truly beautiful in the novel, and I still remember that.

Will they be similar to the ones I saw in my original world? Or prettier?

Feeling excited, I lifted my head, but Lucas gently pulled my hand.

“Lucas?”

“Shouldn’t we get moving too?”

“Can’t we just watch from here?”

They should be visible just fine from here.

“Isn’t it too crowded here? Let’s go somewhere higher for a better view.”

Holding my hand, he moved through the crowd.

…Doing this really makes us look like a couple.

I screamed internally at the thought that suddenly popped into my head.

***

Faye blew on his hot chocolate, hoo-hoo, and wiggled his feet.

His tail, standing straight up, unable to be hidden, revealed that his happiness was at its peak.

“Aren’t you really sorry you’re not going with them, Young Master?”

“Yep!”

Faye drank his hot chocolate, his eyes curved into crescent moons.

“Nanny Annie.”

“Yes, what is it, Young Master?”

“When Auntie and Uncle come back, will I get a little sibling?”

So our Young Master wanted a sibling. Annie gave a small smile at Faye’s adorable, expectant face.

“Well, I’m not sure. For that to happen, the two of them would need to spend a long time outside.”

“How long?”

“Hmm… this is a secret, but the stork that brings babies is active at dawn. It would be best if you went to sleep tonight without waiting for them.”

“I should do that!”

Faye, who downed his hot chocolate in one go, exclaimed energetically.

Just then, a knock was heard, and a servant entered.

“Young Master, an errand boy has come from outside. He says the Duke and Madam have ordered him to fetch you and bring you to them.”

Faye’s ears drooped.

Perhaps remembering the time he was disappointed on his birthday when he tried to ask for a sibling, Faye pouted.

He had made his beastly ears disappear and maintained his human ears.

“Nanny Annie, I guess it’s not time for my sibling yet.”

“I suppose so. But who knows, it might happen soon?”

“Ookay. I hope it’s not too late.”

Faye quietly stared at the moonlit window for a moment and then stood up.

Annie, who was nearby, also stood up to help Faye get ready to go out.