Chapter 19
“Run away? How dare you? It can’t be possible.”
“Haha. sure, run away. Isn’t Loerianzer a place where you can’t enter or leave as you please?”
Raynan let out a small laugh as he saw Roman suddenly speaking awkwardly and exaggeratedly.
His nervousness was evident in the fact that he’d spent more time than he’d anticipated not correcting his mistake
If it were anyone else standing in front of Roman, this would have been an acceptable mistake.
However, since Raynan is a person who can detect even the slightest hesitation or awkwardness, Roman’s mistake could be said to be very fatal.
Raynan leaned back in his chair and stared at Roman. As if he could see all of his busy, hectic mind.
“It would be better for you to take care of things first and then talk about it, you know?”
“… Yes.”
‘I got caught.’
Roman felt cold sweat running down his back.
The only consolation was that he still didn’t know what it was.
“Do you mind if I continue with the story?”
“Of course.”
“I can see that the Duke is fond of Renee, but since Renee is so scared, I don’t think it would be a good idea to push her too much.”
“Scared? Didn’t we already talk about this before? No girl could be more fearless than she is.”
Ah, Raynan had said that before. Roman quickly racked his brain for a replacement.
“She seems to be shy….”
“Shy.”
Raynan seemed to like the hastily chosen substitute word.
“Yes. She hasn’t been visiting you lately, so I guess it’s because she’s shy.”
I liked it for some reason. If Renee was truly cornered and thought of running away, everyone at Loerianzer would be in trouble.
There was no doubt that Roman was the one who would be in the most difficult situation.
Even though he doesn’t know the exact details yet, it wouldn’t take long for Raynan to realize Roman’s mistake.
Roman desperately tried to persuade Raynan, who had a huge misunderstanding about Renee. It would be a big deal if she even thought about running away.
“Why don’t you be a little kinder and gentler with her?”
“Me?”
“Yes. Because Renee is shy.”
When I emphasized once again what Raynan liked, Raynan laughed. But, completely different from his smile, his cold words came back.
“Sometimes I don’t trust you at all.”
“I’m glad it happens sometimes. If I were the Duke, I wouldn’t always trust me at all.”
Rainan’s face relaxed at Roman’s shameless words. It was clearly the second favorite thing to come out of Roman’s mouth since entering the office.
The first was that Renee was shy.
“What about what I just said? Would you do that if you were me?”
“No.”
Roman even threw up his hands and denied it. This was true.
If he were Raynan, he would definitely have suspected that there was an intention in recommending something like this.
If so, Raynan would also feel the same way.
Roman actually felt relieved. He was like this, he had to use a certain method.
‘As expected, let’s cling to Edwin.’
It seemed that Raynan was not swayed by Roman’s advice from the beginning. Only after changing his position did he understand Raynan’s feelings.
When he was satisfied that Roman had made up his mind, he motioned for him to leave.
Roman walked away, wondering how he could most effectively cling to Edwin.
*****
“Gentle and kind?”
As Roman left the office, Raynan repeated in a low voice.
I didn’t know how to treat her kindly and gently. The reason he didn’t ask Roman was because it was obvious that he didn’t know either.
‘Who should I ask about this?’
Raynan remained motionless, like a statue, for quite some time. He concentrated that much and thought over and over again to find the answer.
“You can’t run away.”
I couldn’t find an appropriate answer, but I was able to come to a conclusion.
I’m not sure what it means to be kind and gentle to someone, but I know the meaning of the word, so I think I’ll try something similar.
*****
Didn’t Raynan say that he hates people who bother him? I’m sure she said that to Edwin, Roman, and Erin too…
When I look at Raynan these days, it seems like the opposite of what they said. Rather, it seems like he enjoys it when people bother him.
Are you saying that bothering yourself and bothering others are two different things?
“Is the tea bad?”
He seems to think so, because he doesn’t look down at his teacup. But I hadn’t taken a sip yet, so there was no way I could tell.
“No. It’s Delicious.”
“Is that because it’s cold, then?”
“No, it’s just right.”
“Then you don’t like the place?”
The place. The place itself was very nice. It was a rose garden, one of the most beautiful in all of Loerianzer.
This garden, located deep inside the mansion, was known to be a place that was especially loved by the Loerianzer family.
How could a mere nanny not love it when she was having tea here?
Thanks to the beautifully placed roses of all colors, it was a delight to the eyes no matter where I looked.
It’s just that it’s too luxurious.
And if the fact that the person who gives such luxury is Raynan is another problem, wouldn’t it be a problem?
“It seems like you didn’t like the place as expected.”
“No! It was such a beautiful place that I just got distracted.”
It was strange that I came to him every day to talk about Edwin…
It was the next day that I realized that it was even more strange that I had been told to come during tea time.
The next day I went to see Raynan and he was waiting for me. With refreshments that seemed to have been prepared with too much effort.
It almost seemed like he was the one who told me to tell a story about Edwin for tea time.
The splendid tea time that began in the corner of his office gradually expanded its scope as the days passed.
It was burdensome to have such a grand tea time with him when all I had to say was a few simple words.
So, I tried several times to just finish Edwin’s story and stand up without touching the refreshments at all.
But every time that happened, Raynan would let me go only after tasting all the refreshments that were served. It was less burdensome if I ate first, even if only a little.
Is this a new way of bullying? and it was far too luxurious for that.
It was also a hassle.
“Yeah. What a beautiful place. I was worried that it would be uncomfortable because it was such a fancy place, but I’m glad you liked it.”
I smiled awkwardly at his kind smile.
It was full of things that I couldn’t get used to in many ways. Why on earth does he put so much effort into tea time?
“You must really enjoy your tee time.”
“No. I don’t really like it, it seems like a waste of time.”
Hypothesis 1 is presented, and it fails miserably.
“So, is there anything that’s been on your mind lately?”
“I don’t know. Is there such a thing?”
Hypothesis 2 was presented. He looked quite serious as he pondered whether such a thing existed, but nothing seemed to immediately come to mind, so this hypothesis was also a failure.
I couldn’t bear to ask Hypothesis 3.
Have I been bothering you so much that you’re teaching me the same way?
Again. Hypothesis 3 seemed to be the most likely one that my brain could come up with.
I found it ironic that the tea and refreshments were so delicious, despite my discomfort. I have time to relax that I wouldn’t otherwise have.
Of course, no matter what you do, the people you do it with are the most important thing.
“Ah, will Edwin come with us tomorrow too? I think it would be great if we could have fun together…”
My voice gradually quieted as an uncomfortable look flashed across his face.
No, I thought their relationship wasn’t as bad as I thought, but that’s also true.
Seeing as he calls me every day and asks me to talk about Edwin, I don’t think he’s completely indifferent.
However, there was still no chance of the two meeting.
“If Edwin wants to join too, that’s fine.”
An unexpected permission came back.
I’d always felt uncomfortable eating all this delicious food, especially when there were so many things I knew Edwin would enjoy, and I was the only one eating.
Moreover, wasn’t the reason I started acting awkwardly in front of Raynan from the beginning because I wanted to create an opportunity for the two of them to become a little closer?
It felt like the results of my hard work and holding on to my heart were finally paying off.
Of course, this position was uncomfortable for Edwin, but he didn’t hate Raynan.
It was just a little scary and unfamiliar.
When I thought of Edwin happily eating various snacks, I couldn’t help but smile.
It was clear that the atmosphere would be much more cheerful and bright than now.
“You seem most at ease when you talk about Edwin.”
“Oh, is that so?”
“Once a month instead.”
“Pardon?”
“Edwin always learns at this time, once he starts, don’t let him slack off.”
I thought it would be a good idea to tell Edwin later.
Because I have to find a way to breathe.
“All right.”
Now Edwin can spend time with Raynan once a month. The expectation that it would gradually increase in this way also grew.
Watching from the side, Raynan was more interested in Edwin than expected. Now she knew that he was listening, even if it seemed like he wasn’t listening properly.
Raynan would remember even fleeting details and ask questions later if he felt something didn’t make sense.
Although it felt a little lonely that no one else knew that.
Everyone in Ducal still seemed to think that Edwin was an unappreciated son.
“So what are you doing these days?”
“Edwin is absorbed in books these days. He reads well, so he reads to me during the day.”
“Edwin to you?”
“Yes. He enjoys reading them. But he always asks me to read them before he goes to bed.”
“So you read it before going to bed?”
“Yes.”
“You read a book before going to bed.”
Raynan mumbled something in thought, even though there was no particular story.
That was the end of Edwin’s story for today. Compared to tea time, there was only a very small amount of talk about Edwin.
I wished he would tell me how much longer I would have to continue with these strange teatimes
Contrary to my wishes, it seemed like tea time was not enough for him and he decided to waste a little more time. And in a new and unimaginable way.
