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Chapter 11
Brandon also realized that she was joking.
It was ridiculous to be swayed by such words.
“Act like usual.”
His lips trembled slightly.
Normally, he would have flirtatiously teased, saying he liked it.
But for some reason, the words “I like you” didn’t come out easily.
Instead, a firm denial slipped from his mouth.
“Haha, it’s impossible for me to like someone.”
It was an unnecessary remark that didn’t need to be said.
“That’s more of a fleeting feeling, Dorothy.”
“Is that so?”
“More precisely, it’s close to an illusion. One wouldn’t act irrationally or inefficiently.”
Brandon’s usual way of speaking was very precise.
He carefully built up each step to hear the words he wanted from the other person.
But right now, it felt like he was only moving his lips while his brain had checked out.
“Hmph, if we’re nitpicking, I tend to distrust people.”
The words kept spilling out uncontrollably.
“So, I hope we can at least be good friends, Dorothy.”
The more he spoke, the more he felt like he was sinking into an invisible quicksand.
Unlike Brandon, who was breaking out in a cold sweat, Dorothy was very calm.
“Distrust of people…”
It was a blunt phrase that drew a clear line.
Would she get angry, or disappointed, hearing this?
Brandon cautiously swallowed dryly.
“That’s understandable!”
“…….”
“There are so many different types of people in the world.”
Dorothy smiled brightly.
“Yes! I’ve heard that true friendship only blossoms when you accept that someone is different from you!”
Her reaction was completely opposite to Brandon, whose insides felt like they were burning.
“This is the moment our beautiful friendship blooms!”
At this point, he didn’t look ridiculous; it was almost like the knot had been tied.
But…
Seeing Dorothy’s clear, bright smile made his stomach churn in an inexplicable way.
“Yes, let’s be friends, Dorothy.”
He raised the corners of his mouth out of habit, but his teeth were grinding.
“What’s going on? Where did Dorothy go just now? She didn’t go home, did she?”
After Dorothy had left, Rose came down to the first floor, probably having overheard their conversation.
“Did you do something to Dorothy? Did you say something weird to her?”
“I didn’t really. We just became friends.”
“Wha… friends?”
Rose let out a shocked exclamation.
“I finally have a friend for the first time in my life! Isn’t it wonderful? A friend for life. Our friendship is eternal.”
“……But why does your face look so angry?”
“It’s not! I’m really happy.”
“Look at her. Her eyes are even rolling.”
His emotions were in turmoil and impossible to calm.
Brandon took a deep breath, gathering himself.
Right. She’s someone he needs to get along with anyway, so there’s no harm.
Friend.
A man and a woman… being friends…
But the more he thought about it…
“This is really frustrating……”
“See? You’re angry!”
Rose pointed at him dramatically.
“Why did you do something so unnecessary! I left it alone, and now you’re digging your own grave. It’s ridiculous.”
“So I can’t just leave it alone, huh? I can’t stay idle either, sister.”
Brandon roughly brushed his bangs away from his eyes.
Caught off guard by his unexpected determination, Rose stammered.
“W-What exactly are you planning to do with Dorothy!”
“I’m going to try to get closer to Dorothy, far away from me.”
Brandon declared.
“This feeling of trash-like disgust must be because I’ve grown distant from a friend, right? That’s why I’m going to go and become close with Dorothy.”
“…Are you an idiot?”
Rose muttered, dumbfounded.
The Next Day
“Oh my, miss! This is terrible!”
Mrs. Horton returned from the market early in the morning, making a fuss.
Dorothy, just waking up, carefully asked, trying to calm her.
“Did something happen?”
“Well! There’s been a thief in the area!”
The timid Mrs. Horton trembled pathetically.
“Someone saw a person wandering around in a black robe during the time everyone was asleep—so, very late at night!”
Salbrums, the largest city in the vicinity, was known as a good place to live, but it was taboo to go out in the dead of night.
“Why were they out at such an hour? I asked the guards, and apparently, they weren’t patrolling then.”
“Did any house get robbed?”
“No, not yet. But who else would be wandering around in the dead of night if not guards or thieves?”
“From tonight, we should make sure the doors are securely locked.”
Whether it was a thief or not was uncertain, but being careful wouldn’t hurt.
“Oh, and miss, I received mail this morning when I went to the market.”
Mrs. Horton brought the mail she had been keeping aside.
“Mail?”
Dorothy thought hard. There was no one she could think of who would send her mail.
Inside was a letter resembling an invitation.
“Wow! It’s from a famous bakery in the area. Apparently, we won a free dessert and tea leaves! And today, they’re giving a special dessert only available today.”
Mrs. Horton, who had been gloomy moments ago, brightened instantly.
“If you don’t line up early in the morning, you won’t even get a taste. What luck!”
“But, Mrs. Horton,”
Dorothy’s expression was slightly hesitant.
“Yes?”
“Did we even enter any event?”
“…No?”
“…….”
Mrs. Horton excitedly urged Dorothy to go get the free desserts.
But perhaps because of the recent rumors of a thief, Dorothy couldn’t shake a feeling of unease.
Of course, winning the event was good news.
“But it has to be picked up tonight?”
In the end, she went next door to ask for advice.
“Good morning, Dorothy.”
“Uh… good morning, Duke. Good morning.”
Before she could even knock, Brandon opened the door.
“You’re sleeping in again today.”
“I see.”
“Hmph. You look troubled. Something wrong? If you need help, I can assist in any way.”
Brandon asked kindly, hands behind his back.
“…Duke.”
Dorothy showed him the mail she had received this morning, never imagining the sender would be standing before her.
“You received mail this morning?”
“Yes. It seemed strange since we didn’t even participate in the event. And requesting it be picked up tonight is odd.”
“You felt suspicious? Isn’t this good news for you?”
“Of course it’s good! I also know this bakery. But the restrictions seemed a bit strange.”
“Hahaha.”
Brandon’s face flushed red as he tried to hold back a laugh.
“Duke?”
“Nothing. So… do you not want to go to the bakery?”
“Hmm…”
She did want to go. Not because she liked desserts that much, but because there was someone who really loved them.
Rose.
Rose was only truly happy when eating desserts. Knowing this, Dorothy had brought the dessert to her next door.
So if she took it to Rose, she would enjoy it, right?
“They said there’s a dessert only available tonight.”
“You want to give it to your sister?”
“Yes.”
“But you feel suspicious about just going? You think it’s strange they asked you to come at night?”
“That’s exactly it!”
How sharp Brandon’s intuition was amazed Dorothy, and she was moved once again.
“What’s the worry? I’ll go with you.”
“With the Duke?”
“Yes! If I go with you, nothing will go wrong. The streets at night will be safe.”
“Are you really okay? Won’t you be tired?”
Dorothy asked carefully, not wanting to be rude.
“I also heard you’re returning to the capital tomorrow. I don’t want to waste your time.”
“It’s half a day to the capital by carriage. I usually catch up on sleep then.”
Brandon spoke without giving her a chance to interrupt.
“So we meet tonight, just the two of us?”
“…If it’s alright with you.”
She accepted the plan but still hesitated.
Noticing this, Brandon asked plainly:
“Did you forget, Dorothy?”
“Forget what?”
“We’re friends.”
Hearing the word “friend,” Dorothy’s inner conflict vanished immediately.
“It’s fine among friends.”
It wouldn’t be polite to refuse after such a kind offer.
“Oh, yes, then I’ll go with you!”
Dorothy smiled brightly.
“Then… shall we keep it a secret, since I want to see your surprised face?”
“A secret?”
“Yes. Wouldn’t it be nicer to see your reaction to receiving a delicious dessert? How about it?”
“Uh, yes……”
“Good. And to keep it a secret, it’s better to avoid contact with your sister today. I’ll come to your house at five this evening.”
Was there really a reason to avoid Rose? Strange, but he had offered help willingly.
Dorothy nodded, accepting his proposal.
“Yes, then I’ll see you later.”
She bowed and turned to return home.
Then, unconsciously, she glanced back.
“…?”
Brandon was wearing a strangely dangerous, triumphant smile.
Had she imagined it?
When she blinked, the smile was gone.
“See you later, Dorothy.”
Brandon greeted her kindly.
She must have imagined it.
