Chapter 42
“How long do I have to play the role of a vicious mother-in-law?”
“Is there really a need to change it? I don’t think the prejudice would change if you were nice to me anyway.”
“I haven’t yet been able to erase the prejudice against persecuting young master Edwin…”
Raynan, who was watching Roman crying bitterly, made a puzzled face.
“Have you ever cared about what other people think? I thought you didn’t matter what people said. No, didn’t you rather enjoy that prejudice?”
“Yes, but… Still, no matter how much I feel about young master Edwin, I still feel unfair.”
“Hmm.”
“I have been pouring my whole heart into him since he was a baby who couldn’t even walk.”
“I see. You took good care of Edwin. Then what about Renee?”
“Yes?”
“I know you don’t want to be prejudiced against Edwin, but you don’t mind being prejudiced against Renee, do you? Isn’t Renee really a good person to you?”
“Renee, she knows how much I cared about her from the beginning…”
Roman’s voice cut off in the middle as he noticed Raynan’s face gradually becoming colder.
“Of course, compared to the devotion I put into young master Edwin, it is very small and insignificant.”
“It’s small and insignificant….”
I quickly tried to catch myself, but it seemed to offend Raynan.
The corners of his mouth began to rise slightly, but the air around him began to cool.
That doesn’t mean Renee’s existence is like that.
Roman, who was about to add another word, ended up closing his mouth. Because he knew that at times like this, it was better to say nothing.
Instead of refuting, Roman showed a bright smile with sincerity.
I had to hold on until Raynan said something, but maybe it was because I was particularly tired today.
After a while, the corners of my mouth began to tremble. But Roman held on desperately.
Raynan just stared at Roman without wavering.
The corners of Roman’s mouth and eyes, which had been holding on, trembled at the same time, and only then did he stop smiling.
‘He’s expression is better.’
Roman was relieved to see Raynan returning with an expressionless expression.
“What about Renee?”
“She’s in her new room by now. We had it all set up beforehand, she went in suddenly, but there won’t be any inconvenience.”
“Thanks to the Schneider family, I can now move naturally.”
Raynan got up from his seat and headed toward the door. Roman asked with an ecstatic look on his face.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going to make sure everything’s in order, and then I’m going to start getting ready for my vacation.”
Unlike Raynan, who left the office feeling refreshed, Roman was left in the office with a dark expression on his face.
“Why are you in such a good mood today?”
It was rare for Raynan to be in such a good mood. But usually, when Raynan is in a good mood, Roman also has a good day…
“I don’t know how things will turn out with Renee, I don’t know.”
Roman muttered sadly and returned to Raynan’s desk.
*****
“This is…?”
I already know that it was the room next to where Raynan lived, but when I went in, it was beyond my imagination.
It was bigger than Edwin’s bedroom and I was daunted by the extravagant atmosphere.
You don’t expect me to have this place by myself, do you?
“This room was originally supposed to be used by the Duchess, but given the current situation, Miss Renee will be using it for the time being.”
Catherine, who led me here, spoke in her usual low-pitched voice. But it contained an unprecedented politeness.
“Excuse me… Catherine?”
“Yes. Please speak.”
“Why are you treating me with such respect?”
“I thought you would ask why you were using this room, but I’m surprised.”
“I’m curious about that too, but… I’m much more concerned about polite words.”
“Isn’t there a single empty room in this large Ducal residence?”
“There must be a lot.”
“But the fact that the Duke gave you this room means that Miss Renee’s position is different from before.”
“Still….”
“You’ll have to stop using formal words to me sooner or later. In any case, it will be after the Duke’s official words.”
I was clearly being treated with polite respect, but somehow I felt like I was being scolded.
Moreover, I had been working under Catherine until now, but I felt uncomfortable because my position seemed to have changed in an instant.
“You must have been hectic this morning, so please get some rest first.”
Catherine left the room only after bowing politely.
“Ha…”
I felt much more at ease just because she left. But my exhausted feeling did not recover quickly.
First of all, I wanted to lie down for a bit, so I moved my weakened body with difficulty, but I hesitated for a long time before getting to the bed.
It was a room that truly resembled the atmosphere of a mansion. The gorgeous and old-fashioned atmosphere harmonized.
It was an atmosphere I had become accustomed to while staying at Loerian. But when I thought of it as the room I had to stay in, it felt completely different.
It was unfamiliar and awkward. I was scared and out of my mind as I had been struggling to escape from death, and it seemed like this was the first time I had felt this way since I became Renee.
Well, maybe I still hadn’t escaped the threat of death.
However, unlike before, I didn’t fall into a panic…
“No, let’s rest for now.”
Unlike my hesitation a moment ago, this time I buried myself in bed. The feeling was so comfortable that my body melted, and I regretted having hesitated for no reason.
But that time didn’t last long.
It was because the time I was left alone felt unfamiliar and lonely.
I was always busy working, and after meeting Edwin, I had him chatting with me every day, and the days continued to be hectic in many ways.
Then, suddenly encountering such a quiet and secluded time felt rather strange.
Let’s go to Edwin. He might have been doing origami by now.
Chase’s origami skills were not as expected. However, it seemed like it would be a good idea to take a look, as the result might be beyond imagination.
Unlike slowly lying down in bed, getting up was quick.
As I left the room and was about to briskly walk, I heard a familiar voice calling me.
“Renee?”
I only heard voices behind me, but I reflexively turned back with joy.
“Amelia?”
“They said they moved your room, so it looks like it’s here.”
Amelia said, pointing to the room I had just left.
“Yes. That’s how it happened.”
“But where are you going now?”
“I was thinking of going to see Edwin.”
“Is that so? I happened to have some delicious cookies so I came to eat them together…”
Amelia looked a little disappointed.
“With me?”
“Yes. I thought it would be a good idea to talk a little bit because I thought you would be bored.”
It’s true that I was bored, but how did Amelia know?
While I was making a puzzled face, Amelia gave me an answer as if she had read my thoughts.
“Everyone is very busy and hectic today. People who don’t work on days like this are very bored.”
“That is correct. By the way, what is Amelia doing at the Duke’s residence?”
Amelia blinked for a moment at my question, then burst into laughter.
“You are just asking that now?”
“Yeah.”
In fact, I had never thought deeply about what Amelia did. She naturally regarded her as a stable keeper or her riding teacher.
But as I was listening to what was being said, it suddenly occurred to me that it might not be the case.
Moreover, the clothes she was wearing now were different from those worn by the maids. At first glance, it was clear that it was made of quite luxurious fabric.
“I’ve only seen you in riding clothes, but you look very good in this outfit. It’s very pretty.”
Amelia smiled happily after hearing my sincere praise.
“Thank you. Then will you play with me?”
“I’d love to.”
The steps I was taking to get to Edwin ended up going back to the room I had just left.
Amelia naturally took out cookies and started making tea.
“Wow, the room is really nice.”
“Yes.”
Amelia, who heard my sullen answer, laughed, then said something funny.
“Renee is the one using this nice room, so why are you talking like it’s someone else?”
“It feels like someone else’s job.”
“Well, it would be embarrassing if they suddenly gave me such a fancy room and asked me to use it.”
“Yes, It is. If I say this, everyone will probably ask what I’m talking about.”
Was it because she had Amelia in front of her, who always made people feel comfortable?
Or maybe it was because she pinpointed an uneasy part in my heart and told me about it.
Without realizing it, I was lamenting to Amelia as if I was complaining.
Amelia’s eyes looking at me somehow felt similar to how I looked at Edwin.
“It’s because there are a lot of people who want more than they can have.”
“Isn’t that more unsettling?”
“Renee, maybe it’s because you’re a person who pursues comfort rather than greed.”
Amelia’s words struck me for a moment. Amelia, who could see my insides, added her words.
“I’m not saying it’s bad. Everyone’s pursuit is different.”
“I see.”
“Still, Renee.”
“Yes.”
“It’s not a good habit to keep trying to run away like that.”
“Yes?”
I tilted my head at her seemingly incomprehensible words.
Until now, she was amazing at explaining things that I didn’t understand, but not this time.
A knock on the door interrupted my complicated thought.
“Yes.”
It was a small answer, but as if the voice was heard, the door opened immediately.
“Duke.”
“Have you looked around?”
“Yes.”
“Amelia was here too.”
“Yes. Bored people were chatting with each other.”
Raynan took a look around the room and then sat down next to me. It was a natural movement as if it were his own room.
“If you are lacking or need anything, please let me know at any time.”
“Yes.”
There was no way there was anything lacking. Rather, it was to the point where it was full and overflowing.
“I’m thinking of going on vacation soon.”
“Vacation?”
“Yes. Even if we go simply, there is quite a lot to prepare, so it may not be possible right away.”
“Vacation… That happened not too long ago, is that okay?”
“It’s okay because they are checking to see if the rumors about you were true. So, we should go on vacation. This would be a good opportunity to confirm the rumors.”
I can’t believe I’m leaving the Duke’s residence and going somewhere. I can’t believe I can do that with confidence.
Little by little, I started to feel excited. Whatever it was, it was quite frustrating to stay inside the mansion all the time.
Raynan’s next words raised my excitement to the maximum.
“Edwin will go with you, so you can tell him.”
“Young master Edwin going with me too?”
Isn’t this the most welcome news? I turned towards him.
As I thought of Edwin being so happy, my heart began to get so excited that I couldn’t control it.
A happy smile appeared on Raynan’s face as he looked at me.
Is he also happy because he thinks Edwin will like it?
“Do you like it that much?”
It was unclear to whom Amelia’s question was directed. Because she was looking at me and Raynan alternately.
