Chapter 6 (Part 1)

Reina’s expression had changed.

Recently, Richelle had been noticing this while looking at Reina. Until not long ago, she seemed to be deeply troubled, but now she wasn’t.

She looked like someone who had fallen in love and was basking in happiness.

It was fortunate that things seemed to be going well with the one she loved, but it also made Richelle feel a bit uneasy.

Hadn’t she said that the color of the necklace hadn’t changed? So why couldn’t she stop smiling so brightly?

Even when Richelle asked if something had happened or if things were going well with the man she liked, Reina firmly denied it, saying nothing was going on, so she couldn’t ask further.

Could it be related to the lingerie I had gifted?

Reina’s change had started after receiving the risqué lingerie as a gift.

Richelle had given it to her on a whim. The bold lingerie, which even Richelle herself had never worn, was gifted because there was a possibility that Reina’s partner might have peculiar tastes.

She had even forced Reina to wear it by lying, just to observe her reaction and indirectly guess what kind of person her partner was.

Since the gift wasn’t given with good intentions, Richelle was now just bewildered by the current situation.

Could it be that she likes a perverted man who enjoys such risqué lingerie?

The thought that her gift might have advanced Reina’s relationship with the man made Richelle feel uneasy.

Should I congratulate her or not?

Richelle, pondering over this, decided to subtly probe Reina. If innocent Reina had fallen for a strange man, it would be a big problem.

“You seem different these days.”

Richelle asked with a puzzled look.

“What do you mean?”

“You seem to have suddenly become more reserved.”

“I-I became an adult this year. So, I can’t keep acting like a child forever, right?”

Reina stammered, flustered.

“Really?”

Richelle tilted her head, unable to believe it. But she didn’t ask further. Instead, she muttered loudly, as if wanting Reina to hear.

“Did she mature because she fell in love?”

“What are you talking about?”

Suspicious as expected.

Though Reina answered curtly, her face looked like someone indulging in a forbidden love.

This made Richelle feel that Reina was hiding something important. Given her personality, it seemed unlikely, but one could never be sure about people.

There was no guarantee that someone who didn’t know love wouldn’t suddenly lose their senses when they fell in love.

Having failed to attach a tracking device, she needed to come up with another plan. She had to find out who Reina’s love interest was to relieve her frustration.

The problem was that Reina rarely went out.

Considering Reina had been kidnapped before, it was understandable that she reduced her outings, so Ritchelle wondered how she was meeting a man while staying at home all the time.

Richelle didn’t consider the possibility that the man Reina liked might be among those who frequented the mansion.

Seeing how she got along like family with the knights who were always around, there seemed to be no man in the mansion who could fall in love with her.

But from Reina’s behavior, it was clear she was meeting the man. 

Could it be someone she doesn’t meet during the day? Who could it be?

Given that Reina wouldn’t reveal who he was, it was clear it was a relationship she needed to hide from others, an improper relationship.

He can’t be a decent man!

That was the conclusion Richelle reached after talking with Reina. Thus, her suspicious gaze only grew stronger.

* * *

“Have you not been attending training lately? I didn’t see you at dawn today. You don’t seem to be sick….”

Duke Lennox, scrutinizing Reina’s face, narrowed his eyes.

“I plan to attend only 2-3 days a week for a while.”

Though she liked seeing Patrick’s face often, she couldn’t bear seeing him every day as it felt like her heart wouldn’t survive. So, she had to reduce her training days.

Also, since their last secret rendezvous, they hadn’t made love. She planned to enjoy it freely once the engagement was completely broken off.

Of course, occasionally when they met at the mansion, they exchanged kisses away from prying eyes. But it was only kisses, nothing more.

“Suddenly?”

Seeing her do something she hadn’t done before, Duke Lennox looked at Reina in surprise.

He was worried about Reina, who had a different personality from typical young ladies. She was diligent but also stubborn.

Seeing her train with the knights was proof of that. He had allowed her to train with the knights, thinking she would soon tire of it, but he hadn’t imagined she would keep it up for five years.

Thanks to that, Reina had become healthier, but he thought it was time for her to stop. Five years of training was enough.

Since she showed no talent for swordsmanship, there really wasn’t any need to keep pursuing it.

Since she wasn’t going to become a knight, there was no reason to train every day, so he was about to tell her to stop, but who would have thought she would reduce her training days on her own?

She even reduced her participation by claiming to be sick lately, which naturally made him suspicious.

Something’s off…. There’s something I don’t know about.

Duke Lennox thought something was happening with Reina that he wasn’t aware of. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have changed so suddenly.

* * *

While Reina was staying inside, avoiding going out, Lady Berkshire suddenly sent her a letter. It contained a request to meet.

Come to think of it, Patrick had recently informed her that Bill had received a new title. He had also mentioned that the engagement would soon be broken off.

Judging by the situation, Patrick must have brought up the engagement breakup and revealed his relationship with Reina. That’s probably why Lady Berkshire wanted to meet.

The next day, Reina met Lady Berkshire at a café in a less crowded area on the outskirts. She had deliberately chosen a distant location to avoid being seen by knights who might recognize her face.

“I heard about your relationship with Commander Marionus. I’m sorry.”

As soon as they sat down at the table and exchanged greetings, Lady Berkshire apologized. Reina had expected a thank-you note first, but instead, an apology came, which was surprising.

“It’s okay, you don’t need to apologize.”

“No, I do. Because I have no intention of breaking off my engagement with Commander Marionus.”

“What? What do you mean? You have Sir Bill, don’t you?”

Reina had thought she was apologizing because she felt sorry for not being able to break off the engagement with Patrick yet due to her, but that wasn’t the case. Reina was taken aback by the unexpected words.

“I broke up with Bill.”

“How can you say that when Commander Patrick sacrificed himself for the two of you? Didn’t you love him enough to wait for five years…?”

“I also feel sorry for Commander Marionus. I’m so sorry that I intend to marry him. I think that’s the way to repay the debt for all the consideration he’s shown me.”

“…”

What was Commander Patrick’s kindness all about then? How could she betray him like this after he had shown so much goodwill?