What did I just hear?
“At this point, aren’t you just waiting to break up with His Highness?”
It felt like something hit my head. A wave of heat rushed to the back of my head. I was speechless and could only stare as Noah crumpled the love letter and threw it on the floor.
“Are you using your body too recklessly on the subject of not being its real owner?”
“What?”
“Because Windsor is not your family, you’re recklessly tarnishing its name.”
What’s happening right now? I couldn’t understand a single word Noah was saying. But one thing was clear. I was being profoundly insulted.
“On what basis do you have for saying such things?”
“Why? Did you think nobody knew what you were doing?” Noah looked at the newspaper and sneered. “Everyone knows how you’re disgracing the Windsor family.”
“What do you mean I’m crazy about men? Me?”
Suddenly emotional, I swallowed hard.
“What do you mean by saying I misuse this body that’s not mine?”
“Your secretary.”
“Lethe? Why?”
“Isn’t he your lover?”
What? Lethe?
“I knew it. When you brought in a handsome man as your secretary.”
“On what basis are you saying this?”
“Sister Allice told me everything.”
Ah… Allice. I sighed heavily.
Allice. Right, Allice mentioned something like that recently. Saying that I shouldn’t do that with my secretary…
I already told her it was a misunderstanding. But she’s been spreading it around as if it were true?
“It’s Allice’s misunderstanding.”
“Don’t joke. Sister Allice said she saw you two behaving indecently in a room.”
Allice said that? Indecently, in a room, me, with Lethe? And she told Noah so explicitly?
Rage boiled up from within me.
Because of Allice. And. Noah.
“We just talked a bit at a slightly close distance.”
“Oh, is that what you tell everyone?”
“I’m only stating the facts, Noah Windsor.”
“Really? I didn’t know. I’ve only heard your lies.” Noah’s eyes sparkled with flames as if looking at a nemesis…
I suddenly felt deflated.
Whether he believes it or not, what does it matter? Why am I excusing myself like this? When I thought like that, I felt deflated.
Right, what does it matter what he thinks? It really doesn’t matter at all.
“And Justin Lancaster is my classmate. When did you give him any encouragement?” Noah pointed to the love letter and spat it out harshly. “I bet Justin wouldn’t have sent this letter if he knew you were a promiscuous woman with a lover!”
Promiscuous woman.
“Noah. About that word.” I smiled slyly at Noah’s glaring. “Do you even understand what you’re saying?”
“What do you mean?”
“You keep calling me promiscuous, but do you even know what it means?”
Noah clenched his fist. “Are you mocking me? Do you think I’m a child?”
“Yes. That’s how you seem to me.”
“I know enough! Don’t treat me like a fool!”
“If you really knew, you wouldn’t say such things carelessly. Noah. Promiscuous.”
Noah stepped back, but I grabbed his shoulder.
“That word means…”
I whispered in his ear. That very dirty word and its meaning.
“!”
As expected, Noah’s face turned bright red. He shook off my hand and stepped back hastily.
“Are you crazy? How can you say such filthy things!”
“You’re the one saying I did those filthy things.” I shrugged indifferently. “I didn’t slap you because I thought you didn’t understand the meaning. Because, Noah, you’re still.”
I looked him up and down and smiled brightly. “A child, right?”
“A-A child? Me?”
“Yes. Just a child who turns red at such words.”
Now Noah’s neck was red, and he was trembling. But I continued emotionlessly.
“And Noah. I.” I bent down and picked up the newspaper. “I never thought of the Windsor family as someone else’s.”
Until recently, I have really thought of this place as my home. I thought of you as my family. No, I wanted to be part of your family. I’m sorry for thinking that way. You must have found it disgusting…
Swallowing all those words, I smiled. “If you’re done, you can leave.”
* * *
Shortly after, Lethe came in. He sighed and immediately applied ointment to my cheek. It seemed I had a slight cut from the newspaper Noah threw.
“I’m sorry, Milady. Because of me.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You’re suffering from unnecessary rumors because of me… I’m ashamed.”
I chuckled. “What are you saying? Don’t talk with such a casual face.”
Lethe looked at my face and spoke. “Milady.”
“Yes?”
“Shall I make a burn mark on my face?”
“…”
“Maybe then the rumors will disappear.”
“…”
He’s serious.
“Lethe.”
“Yes, Milady.”
“Don’t say such stupid things.”
“Yes?”
“You were born with a handsome face. Why ruin it?”
“But…”
“Never say that again.”
I wanted to comfort him by stroking his face.
No.
My hand stopped near his shoulder.
Lethe is an adult now.
How old is Lethe this year? He’s twenty, right? He’s an adult now, grown up. So I can’t treat him like a boy as when we first met.
I placed my hand on his shoulder instead. “Don’t worry about what others say behind your back.”
“I don’t care. But Milady…” He paused, then took a deep breath. “I hate hearing Milady hearing bullsh*t like that.”
“…”
He must have been angry. It’s so uncharacteristic of him to use harsh words. But strangely, I was moved by his swearing.
Lethe really cares about me.
Yes. Lethe is my person. Not ‘Danae Windsor’s’ person, but my own, whom I found and discovered.
What will happen to Lethe when I get the sacred object and return to my world? …Well. Of course, he’ll live well. He’s not a child…
It’s arrogant of me to think that he can’t live without me. At the same time, it’s also underestimating Lethe.
Lethe is smart. He’ll live his life well. He’s truly capable. I knew Lethe was good at everything.
I should leave him a generous severance pay.
I smiled reassuringly. “It’s okay. Let’s not talk about it anymore.” Then, I got up briskly. “It’s going to be a busy day today, Lethe. So, get ready.”
* * *
Liten Bank’s Branch Manager’s POV
<Heiress Danae Windsor becomes a major client of Liten Bank!>
<The historic Liten Bank turns even competitors’ immediate family members into customers!>
I smiled proudly. The front page of the newspaper was covered with Liten Bank. In specific, articles about Danae Windsor becoming a client of Liten Bank!
Thank goodness the bank had plenty of gold that day.
Was it thanks to that article? The bank was bustling from early morning. Customers from other banks—even those who mainly used Windsor Bank—came!
That’s when it happened.
“Branch Manager!”
A bank executive came running.
“Danae Windsor, that lady is here again!”
“Oh! She’s here early in the morning!”
A pushover has arrived!
“Hurry, take her to the VIP room. No, no. I’ll go myself. Tell her to wait in the lobby!”
It’s better to serve her at the public counter for publicity!
I rushed out excitedly. And then,
“Good to see you again.”
“Yes! Welcome, Lady Danae! What can I help you with today?”
“The same as yesterday.”
Eh? My face stiffened. What did she just say?
Danae gestured, and the men in black suits entered the bank again.
Those are the same guys from yesterday!
Thud, thud, thud. Several black bags were placed on the desk.
This can’t be…
“It’s 100 billion Fran.” Danae smiled brightly. “Please exchange it for gold coins now.”
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