To exaggerate a bit, it was the size of a house.
It was so large and sturdy that it felt awkward to even compare it to the narrow and shabby carriage that Erica had been riding in from the Marquis of Blanche.
‘I didn’t look inside, but it looks like you could lie down if it’s that big.’
It occurred to me that perhaps the cushion of the carriage chair might be softer than the old, hard bed I had been using in the marquis’ attic.
anyway. Sebastian said only that and closed his mouth.
It seemed like saying more felt like an excuse and was lame.
Then this time, Sebastian’s aide, Milod, who had been left behind the whole time, came forward.
“Isn’t it the carriage that will take the bride? “We are trained knights, so it’s okay for us to spend days on horseback, but it’s not for a young lady who grew up beautifully.”
Milod’s eyes fell on Erica.
When their eyes met in the air, Erica was so startled that she trembled and looked away, even though she had done nothing wrong.
Seeing that sight, Milod widened his mouth in an awkward manner, but unfortunately, Erica couldn’t see his face.
Milod glanced at his subordinate for no reason, then cleared his throat and continued his explanation.
“As you can see, because of its size, it was too heavy for two horses to pull it. “The wheel came off in the middle, so we had to fix it, so the arrival time was delayed.”
After speaking, Milod glanced towards his master and examined Sebastian.
In any case, it was clear that they had arrived late.
So it was appropriate to apologize for being late, but the highest person here was Sebastian.
I couldn’t dare say I was sorry for putting aside the owner.
However, there was no sign of Sebastian wanting to apologize.
‘Originally, you would have done it, but the head maid made a point of criticizing me and I got really upset… … oh my.’
Milod sighed inwardly.
After that, there was an awkward silence for a moment.
At that time, the old priest received Milod’s words.
“aha. As expected, I knew there would be circumstances.”
The old priest nodded, and Erica also lowered her gaze and nodded with a small, barely visible motion.
In the end, to tell the story, I wasn’t late on purpose to disappoint Erica.
I just had a hard time pulling a large carriage to take Erica ‘comfortably’.
“I was going to explain after we exchanged greetings, but somehow the situation ended up like this.”
Milod trailed off.
This time, Erika also glanced in the direction where Bonpiju was.
‘The head maid was impatient… … .’
A small resentment crept into me as I thought that the atmosphere of their first meeting might not have turned so harsh if Bonpige had not hastily stepped forward.
‘Of course, I can’t express my feelings like that.’
That was when Erica secretly sighed.
Bonpiju, who had barely stopped coughing, stood up with difficulty. He was so angry that he clenched his teeth and his lower lip turned white.
Erica saw that expression and her face hardened.
‘What if the head maid gets angry again?’
I was very worried for a moment.
I finally saved her life by praying to Sebastian.
But what if BonPiju, out of spite and without notice, raised his voice to formally protest that he had insulted him, who was present as the Marquis’ representative?
‘What should I do then?’
If that happens, the situation will become very difficult, despite Acliffe’s generosity.
Erica looked at Bonpiju with trembling eyes.
My heart was anxious.
The head maid’s face was still red, with blood pooling, perhaps from strangulation or shame.
But fortunately, her attitude had changed considerably from before.
Perhaps it was because she had been pregnant once, but she was constantly swallowing dry saliva with a nervous face as she was pressured by Sebastian’s force.
At that time, the old priest opened his mouth again.
I could see an effort to somehow loosen the current frozen atmosphere even a little.
“Well, I thought it was somehow strange to be this late. I wouldn’t know if I didn’t know the Archduke… … . “I thought there was no way you, who treated time like gold, would unilaterally be late like this.”
Words of praise for the Archduke continued from the old priest’s mouth.
Sebastian, who had been silent, suddenly spoke.
“I would have explained it a long time ago. “If only someone hadn’t been so arrogant and added unnecessary words.”
It was a slow voice, but there was a clear warning in the words.
“I don’t like Marquise Blanche, but how I treat her is another matter.”
Bongpiju made an annoyed expression.
She put more pressure on her hands that were holding each other politely and opened her trembling lips.
“sorry. I just… … . I’m angry because you’re having such a hard time… … .”
Perhaps because she didn’t want to grab the book, she glanced in the direction where Erica was standing and trailed off as she excused herself in a low voice.
“sorry. It was presumptuous. “Please consider that I did it out of loyalty, and please show me generosity one more time.”
It’s not. Erica gently bit her lip.
However, in that short period of time, Bonpiju completely blamed Erica for his rudeness.
‘I’ve never done that.’
Erica was extremely mortified because she had never uttered a single complaint while waiting for Sebastian.
But there was no one here to listen to me. So I have no choice but to keep my lips shut.
Erica, who had barely suppressed her emotions, soon came to her senses and awkwardly folded her hands.
“Yes, that’s right. It’s my fault… … . sorry.”
She bowed her head deeply towards Sebastian.
Then Sebastian’s brow furrowed slightly. There was a look of disapproval on his face.
After a while, he took a deep breath and spoke gruffly.
“Raise your head.”
Only then did Erica lift her lowered face. However, she kept her eyes down, as if it was still difficult to make eye contact with Sebastian.
Sebastian just looked at Erica blankly.
The girl stood still, holding her breath, as if she was ready to hear any beating or criticism.
However, unlike when dealing with BonPiju, Sebastian did not grab any books from Erica.
I just threw out one word.
“My daughter is very different from my father.”
Erica’s shoulders trembled at those words.
I felt as if my heart had been stabbed by a crowbar and I fell at my feet.
‘What should I answer in times like this?’
Erica quietly held her breath.
‘Could it be that you noticed?’
That you are fake.
My mouth became dry as I thought about that.
My spine felt so cold that I could feel a cold sweat running down my spine.
‘If you noticed… … . If so, shouldn’t we cover it somehow?’
Erica’s mind quickly turned to mud, making it difficult to think calmly.
The girl’s face turned pale. Perhaps because of that, I started stuttering even more.
“… … ! Ah, me. Well, that… … .”
However, it seemed like Sebastian wasn’t really expecting an answer from Erica.
Seeing as he immediately asked her another question.
“How old are you?”
“My age… … “Are you talking about this?”
Erica’s golden eyes trembled as if she was embarrassed.
Still, I felt a little relieved that the topic had changed so quickly.
“Yes, the young lady’s age.”
Sebastian nodded and Erica took a breath and answered.
“I turn ten this year.”
At that moment, Sebastian’s face frowned severely.
Erica felt scared again.
‘Did I make a mistake?’
Was the etiquette wrong?
Should the ending have been ‘–is’ instead of ‘–eo’?
Since she was not a true noblewoman, it was difficult to judge what was right and what was wrong in this situation.
At that time, Sebastian asked a question again.
“Ten years old?”
Erica, who was very intimidated by the cold voice, answered in fear.
“… … yes? yes.”
“under.”
Sebastian twitched the corner of his lips with a shocked look on his face.
Then, he looked Erica up and down with his cold red eyes.
‘Are you trying to find fault?’
