I Caught the Villain’s Attention - ✿ dusk blossoms ✿

When I shouted in delight, Miss Veronica smiled with twinkling eyes.

“Have you been well, Claire?”

Miss Veronica slowly descended the stairs.

I let go of Alex’s hand and approached Miss Veronica.

Miss Veronica extended both hands to me as if she had expected this.

I grabbed her hands and jumped lightly. Though it had been only a few days since we parted, I was as happy as if we had been separated for years.

“Why did you come all the way here?”

“I came to see you.”

“Because of me?”

I opened my eyes wide at Miss Veronica’s unexpected words.

“Yes. How could I let you go alone? You’re like family to me.”

My heart swelled with the affection I felt in Miss Veronica’s words.

“Miss…”

My eyes burned hot. I felt like I was going to cry from emotion.

Meanwhile, Miss Veronica lightly patted my hand and turned around.

“So, I have something to say to you, Duke Berzel.”

Miss said, looking directly at Alex.

It seems I’ve been discovering many unexpected sides to Miss lately.

Alex remained silent for a moment, looking at Miss. Then, taking a breath, he folded his arms.

“Let’s go inside, Lady Maynard. This doesn’t seem like a matter to discuss in a place like this.”

“Alright.”

“I’ll show you the way.”

Alex moved first. I, and Miss Veronica too, began to climb the stairs.

“By the way, Miss, you’re not planning to go to the Berzel duchy, are you?”

I asked Miss Veronica to confirm the doubt that had been on my mind all the way up.

Miss Veronica’s words about not being able to let me go alone because I was like family kept lingering in my mind.

No matter how I thought about it, it didn’t seem like she could persuade Alex.

Moreover, by signing the contract, I had no choice but to stay at the Berzel duchy with Alex for at least three months.

Considering this situation comprehensively, if I were to interpret Miss Veronica’s words, there was only one answer.

Miss Veronica looked at me and smiled softly. However, she didn’t answer.

What if Alex falls for Miss in this situation?

Miss’s gaze towards Alex was already not very friendly.

It seemed their relationship had soured even more than in the original story.

In this situation, there was no way Alex could win Miss Veronica’s heart.

Although Miss had a kind and gentle personality, she was also someone who absolutely wouldn’t accept what she didn’t like.

I wonder if this might lead to an even bigger catastrophe…

“Um, Alex.”

“What is it, Claire?”

I shrank my neck, looking at Alex who seemed to have become a bit sharper with Miss’s appearance. But I felt I had to say this.

“Can we rest for a bit before going up? I’m tired…”

With my poor stamina, climbing the stairs was quite difficult. Probably not just for me, but for Miss Veronica as well.

Alex paused and checked on me.

Having already seen me struggling to climb the stairs once before, Alex nodded in understanding.

“Let’s take a short break.”

Alex suggested to Miss Veronica.

“Alright, then.”

Miss Veronica seemed to be in better shape than me.

Goodness, I must have the worst stamina in the world. I thought I had some stamina from doing maid work to some extent… Was it all my imagination?

I drooped my shoulders at this newfound realization.

I stood for a moment, catching my breath. Unlike her usual kind self, Miss Veronica was warily watching Alex with a noble and elegant expression.

“I’m okay now. We can go up.”

“Alright. I could carry you if you need, what do you think?”

“No! I’ll go on my own feet!”

I waved my hands at Alex, who asked in an unusually gentle voice.

“That’s a shame.”

Alex finished speaking and held out his hand to me. It meant to go together.

But I couldn’t readily take his hand.

While I hesitated, someone grabbed my hand firmly.

Checking, I found it was Miss Veronica.

“Let’s go. If you get tired, just say so. We can rest as much as you need.”

“Huh? O-okay…”

Somehow, Alex’s gaze towards Miss Veronica seemed to have become a bit sharper.

Feeling like a shrimp caught between two whales, I carefully climbed the stairs.

No, I shouldn’t think like that.

Miss Veronica had made a big decision out of concern for me. Knowing her courage, I shouldn’t have such disrespectful thoughts.

Finally, we climbed the stairs and arrived at Alex’s room.

“Come over here and sit down.”

Alex said, pointing to the sofa.

Miss Veronica sat down across from Alex with familiarity.

I stood a few steps away from the sofa so that the two could have a conversation.

But strangely, both Alex and Miss Veronica’s gazes were fixed on me.

Puzzled, I looked back and forth between the two. Then, realizing what those gazes meant, I hesitantly opened my mouth.

“Should I sit down too?”

“Yes. Come sit over here, Claire.”

“Come sit over here.”

Miss Veronica and Alex’s words overlapped.

I looked back and forth between the two with a troubled expression.

What should I do?

After contemplating, I finally sat down next to Miss Veronica. That seat seemed the most reasonable.

I was, after all, affiliated with the Maynard County, and I was in service to Miss Veronica.

This probably wouldn’t change even as time passed.

So, the seat next to Miss Veronica was my place.

As I sat down next to Miss, she smiled brightly and looked at Alex.

Alex looked alternately at me and Miss Veronica with a slightly displeased expression.

“So, what is it you wanted to say?”

Alex asked Miss, pretending not to know anything even though he must have already guessed everything.

“As you might have already anticipated, Your Grace, I’m here because of Claire.”

As Miss finished speaking, Alex’s gaze lingered on me for a moment.

“And the specifics of your business?”

“According to the contract, Claire was supposed to stay at Your Grace’s mansion. For three months.”

“…That’s right.”

“I would like to stay at the Berzel duchy as well. By Claire’s side.”

Miss, after catching her breath for a moment, quickly voiced her thoughts before Alex could speak.

“As I said downstairs earlier, I can’t send Claire to the Berzel duchy alone. If she were to make a mistake, it would be a big problem.”

Miss Veronica’s voice was as calm as could be. Alex frowned upon hearing her words. But Miss’s words weren’t over yet.

“Since the contract has already been signed, I can’t go against Your Grace’s decision, so I suppose this is correct.”

“But there’s no need for you to be there together.”

“Claire is my maid, and under my responsibility, so I think it’s right for me to be with her.”

Miss Veronica answered without backing down.

Alex seemed to fall into contemplation for a moment, looking back and forth between me and Miss Veronica.

Meanwhile, silence fell over the reception room.

I thought about adding a word, but gave up, thinking it might only make things worse.

I didn’t want to cause more problems because of me.

And as a result of waiting, Alex slowly opened his mouth.

“Well, fine. Do as you wish. But there’s one thing you should keep in mind.”

Unexpectedly, what came from Alex was an affirmative.

“If you feel like going back during the contract period, you go back alone. Claire has to fulfill all the promised time.”

Alex answered slowly but firmly.

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

Miss Veronica readily accepted Alex’s words.

For Miss, she had already achieved her goal just by joining.

“Then may I get up now? I’m a bit tired from rushing here.”

“Go ahead.”

Alex gave permission to Miss Veronica with a sour expression.

Miss took my hand and stood up.

Thanks to that, I also stood up.

“Then, we’ll be going.”

Miss Veronica gracefully bowed to Alex.

Then she immediately left Alex’s bedroom.

“Claire, where’s your bedroom? If it hasn’t been decided yet, you can come to my room.”

“It’s right next door.”

“What? Next door?”

She asked with wide eyes.

When I nodded and approached the door of the next room, Avina opened the door for me.

As I stepped inside, Miss followed with surprised eyes.

“So this is where you’re staying.”

“Yes, just for today.”

I scratched my cheek sheepishly, and Miss Veronica chuckled as if amused.

“But how did it happen? You sounded so natural calling him Alex.”

“Ah, that’s…”

I hesitated, not knowing how to explain.

“It’s a long story, but to put it simply, His Grace said he wanted to see me call him that.”

“It seems His Grace has already allowed you to use a nickname. That’s faster than I expected…”

Did Miss anticipate that Alex would do this to me? She sighed, seemingly worried.

“Well, never mind. That’s not the problem for now. But why are you still here? I thought I’d have to go to the Berzel duchy from the capital, having left a day later.”

“I fell asleep in the carriage, and they slowed down because of that. We even ended up camping.”

I felt my cheeks getting hot for no reason.

Miss Veronica nodded as if she understood.

“Even so, it’s surprising. It’s as if Duke Berzel really likes you. Ah! Of course, I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with you, Claire. It’s just… I heard he wasn’t interested in anyone, so it’s surprising to see him act like this.”

Miss Veronica hurriedly explained, worried I might have been hurt.

“It’s okay. I understand everything. You came running here in one breath because you were worried about me, right?”

I smiled brightly, and Miss also smiled softly.

“I’ll be with you for three months. If Duke Berzel ever bullies you or makes things difficult, tell me anytime. I might be a small help, but it’s better than nothing.”

Miss said she was a small help, but to me, it was truly touching.

It felt like I had gained someone who was completely on my side, thinking only of me.

“…Thank you so much, Miss.”