Chapter 63
Harold was reading a book. But the cover of that book looked way too familiar to me.
“Super Easy! Learn Prolang in One Month for Beginners!”
‘W-Wait… I put that in the drawer! How did he find it?’
It felt like the whole world turned yellow before my eyes.
My heart repeatedly sank to the floor before rising to the top of my head.
I was completely speechless, just staring at Harold when he asked,
“Are you interested in Prolang?”
“Huh? Oh, yes! I’ve recently become interested! Prolang is famous for tourism, right? I thought I’d like to travel there someday, so I wanted to learn it in advance!”
“Ah, they do say many newlyweds go there.”
“Right! Families and friends go there too! It’s a popular spot!”
Did he believe me? Could I get away with this?
In those few seconds, I prayed to every god I could think of—both from this world and Earth.
“But if you travel there, a translator would go with you. You wouldn’t really need to learn the language.”
“Well…! I want to communicate directly! It’s… my little dream!”
“Hm.”
My palms were sweaty from making up excuses so desperately.
Please, just let this slide… I can’t come up with anything else.
Harold closed the book and placed it on the desk.
With the thud, it felt heavier than usual.
“How about we go on that trip in three months?”
“What?”
His words bounced around in my head before I finally understood.
Wait…
“You want to go on the trip with me?”
“Of course. You were planning to ask me anyway, weren’t you?”
“…Well, yes, but I didn’t think you’d agree so easily.”
Why was he so sure I would ask him?
I couldn’t argue, though, so I just nodded slowly.
Harold smirked, leaning on the desk.
“If we adjust the schedule, we could stay there for up to a month.”
“Wow… really?”
“Would you like to stay longer?”
“No, two weeks sounds perfect.”
Okay… did I just dodge that whole mess?
With a wave of relief, I felt as weak as if I had just run a marathon.
Still, I couldn’t help but smile at how things had turned out.
“You look happy.”
His playful smile made my heart flutter.
I quickly turned back to the book, asking the question I had been wondering.
“…Harold, how did you find that book?”
“The drawer was slightly open.”
“It was?”
Oh no… I must have closed it too quickly, and it bounced back open.
Well, what’s done is done. At least everything was sorted out now.
I tucked the book back into the drawer, making a mental note to double-check next time.
Now I don’t have to study in secret anymore.
I could practice without worrying, and the thought made the whole incident feel… not so bad.
“But… have you been secretly studying all this time? You didn’t need to hide it.”
Harold tilted his head, his navy-blue eyes sharp like a hawk eyeing its prey.
“I wanted to surprise you later—show off my skills on the trip.”
That seemed to satisfy him, and he nodded.
“Looks like I ruined your surprise.”
“A little…”
“But I hate to say it to you… learning enough to impress me in three months is almost impossible.”
He spoke like someone who knew what he was talking about.
Wait…
“Do you speak Prolang?”
“I learned it as a hobby long ago.”
“Long ago…?”
“Before I got sick. Back then, I loved learning all kinds of things.”
“Oh…”
A glimpse of Harold’s childhood slipped into the conversation.
I couldn’t stop myself from wondering.
What kind of boy had Harold been?
What else had he learned?
Had his cheeks been round and chubby back then?
He must have been so cute.
I vaguely remembered seeing a portrait of him as a child. Maybe there was one somewhere in the mansion…
Just as the thought crossed my mind, Harold’s voice cut through.
“Do you want something?”
“Huh? N-No! Nothing!”
He narrowed his eyes and gripped the arm of my chair, spinning me to face him.
The chair scraped against the floor with a loud drag.
Now his face filled my entire vision.
“Your face says otherwise.”
“It’s really nothing!”
“Hm.”
“Really!”
“Is that so?”
“Yes!”
“I think you’re lying. Tell me. I’ll grant your wish.”
“……”
How could I possibly tell him I wanted to see his baby pictures?!
In the end, he teased me for another thirty minutes before finally letting me go.
“Did you hear? The Duke of Baisen’s family is hosting a party. Is everyone going?”
In a popular café in the capital, a young lady in a green dress asked her friends.
“Of course! I must find a fiancé this year.”
“I’m going too! I heard someone I admire will be there.”
“Even if you’re not looking for a match, it’s a great chance to meet influential families.”
“You’re right. Making good connections is important.”
They giggled excitedly, imagining the luxurious event.
Nearby, Countess Audrey Russell sipped her tea with a sneer.
How annoying.
Diana’s rising popularity made her skin crawl.
After the Eclipse Hunting Tournament, everything had changed.
Audrey had hoped Diana would remain an outcast, isolated after Harold’s death. Then, she could seize control of the Baisen family’s heir by pretending to be protecting him.
Now that plan was crumbling.
Just as Audrey left the café, a sweet voice called out.
“Countess Russell, what a pleasure to see you.”
Audrey turned, frowning before smoothing her expression.
Standing there was Ella—her flawless golden hair shining like sunlight.
Why is she talking to me?
They had never crossed paths before. As Harold’s distant relative, Audrey saw Ella as a future rival.
Now, the two women faced each other for the first time—like predators circling before the hunt.
“Ella, it’s nice to see you. But this is unusual. Why are you calling me?”
“I have something important to tell you. Could you spare me a moment?”
“Oh my, I’m so sorry. But I’m quite busy. I’ll be going now.”
Russell Countess apologized in a tone that didn’t sound sorry at all and walked past Ella.
At that moment, Ella whispered softly,
“It’s about Duchess Diana.”
Russell Countess suddenly stopped.
Ella watched her back and slowly curled her lips into a smile.
“If you don’t listen, you will regret it. You are being deceived by the Duchess.”
“……”
In the end, Russell Countess turned to face Ella.
Ella quickly changed her expression to one of sorrow.
“Please, for your own sake, won’t you listen to me just once?”
Russell Countess felt irritated that she was falling for a young lady’s words. But the topic was too intriguing to ignore.
“……Alright. I’ll listen.”
Her pride was already wounded, so she figured she might as well hear it out and judge for herself.
“Thank you, Countess.”
Ella smiled gently, as if truly grateful, and made a suggestion.
“Let’s go to my estate.”
🎤I hate this biatch🎤