Chapter 70

The contract clearly stated: ‘Aside from Leon Wale’s reading lessons, Diane Lina shall provide assistance related to Edward Wale’s reading in whatever manner Edward Wale desires. However, this assistance shall not exceed twice a week and may be irregular.’

It had been a clause that Diane Lina might not sign, but she had made no objections or requests for amendment.

At first, and even until just now, Edward hadn’t intended to use that clause in this way. He’d just wanted to be thorough, especially about important matters, so he’d included it as insurance.

Insurance was always important.

Now that he thought about it, he needed to check if James had handled the insurance contract for the Agris Diana. Suddenly, the cruise ship came to mind.

Ever since he’d met her again, Diane had followed him in every aspect of his life. He’d even named the ship after her.

And yet…

Diane Lina glared at him as if she could pierce his face just by looking.

Hmph, she was so ridiculous it was almost cute.

“You didn’t throw away the contract, did you? Contracts are very important, you know. Read it carefully sometime. And since it’s you, I’ll tell you this: next time you sign something, read every line before you do. Or if you’re not sure, just bring it to me. Don’t get swayed by sweet talk from people like James Wharton. Got it?”

Now Diane Lina was breathing roughly, almost hissing.

Good, get angry!

No matter how angry she was, she couldn’t be as angry as he was after learning she thought he saw her as a professional beauty.

Just then, the carriage slowed down.

They must have arrived at the bookstore.

It was time to pick out the books she would read to him twice a week.

* * *

Diane wandered between the bookshelves, watching Edward, who seemed to be wasting time rather than choosing a book.

It was hard to tell if he’d come to the bookstore to buy books or just to stroll.

He stood for a long time at the politics section, reading a book, then put it back on the shelf.

He spent even longer at the economics section, but just before turning away, he put that book back too.

‘This isn’t a library, Edward Wale!’

At this rate, they’d spend all night picking books.

He was wealthy enough to buy the whole basket if he wanted.

“President, should I pick one for you? You seem to be having trouble deciding.”

She finally couldn’t hold back.

“Sorry. My taste is a bit different from you, Miss Diane. How could I trust your taste?”

More than the content, the way he called her ‘Miss Diane’ was baffling.

Why was he suddenly using that title?

<Should I treat you politely?>

She remembered what he’d said in the carriage.

Was that why?

He was certainly more polite, but ‘Miss Diane’ felt oddly formal and distant.

Maybe she should call him Mr. Edward.

But she couldn’t. He was a Marquis, her employer, and as she’d learned yesterday, her salary came from his own pocket, plus he was at least three years older.

She was no longer a little girl who could speak informally to her older brother.

No! Why was she thinking this?

What did it matter what she used to do?

If she’d known he’d turn out so rotten, she’d have forgotten those memories.

Ever since she found out the prince was this man, pointless thoughts kept popping up.

“Is there something so interesting about my face? Why are you staring?”

Edward spoke without even looking up from his book.

There’s nothing interesting except your mean streak.

She didn’t say it aloud, just looked away.

“I think this book will do.”

“Ah!”

She couldn’t help but exclaim in relief.

He’d finally chosen a book.

It had been over an hour since they entered the bookstore, and he’d picked just one: ‘History of the Roman Wars’.

She’d heard of it, but never read it.

Was it a war story?

“It’s about war.”

“Oh, yes.”

“After seeing you last time, I thought war stories suited you much better than love stories. This is perfect for you to read.”

“Yes, yes.”

He really was going to make her his reading helper.

Diane barely swallowed her rising irritation.

“It’s a book I like.”

“…?”

“I threw away the one that was in Brooks’s library.”

So he’d already read it. Why buy it again? Had he spent all this time just to buy a book he already owned?

She felt a surge of annoyance.

If he liked it, why throw it away!

She didn’t want to talk to him any longer, so she kept her mouth shut.

“Someone liked romance and mystery novels, so I ordered all the books on one shelf to be thrown out. That’s how this one disappeared.”

Edward, as if reading her mind, answered questions she hadn’t even asked.

He seemed to be talking a lot more than usual.

Wait… what did he just say?

He’d bought romance and mystery novels?

“……!”

Diane looked up at Edward with wide eyes.

“What?”

He asked blankly, as if he’d said nothing strange.

“Those books… Did you buy them?”

“What?”

“The romance and mystery novels.”

“You didn’t know?”

“Why?”

Diane’s heart thudded, but she tried to sound casual.

“Why? Are you really asking because you don’t know? Well, with your silly little brain, I guess that’s how it is…”

Edward stopped, closed his eyes, and twisted his neck. He seemed to be holding back anger.

As if she’d done something wrong.

How was she supposed to know he’d bought those books when he hadn’t told her?

Was it wrong not to know?

“I didn’t buy them myself—James bought them with my money. New ones keep coming out, and since I pay him seven times the average salary, he has to keep working. But there’s no more room in the library, so James got comfortable. When you get paid, you should work for it, right? So, Miss Diane, you’ll start reading today.”

Diane could only sigh.

“If you have so much free time because you don’t do enough work, you end up going to the opera with a child’s father, or touring someone else’s child’s school, right?”

“Please stop. Do you enjoy talking like that?”

“No, not really.”

Edward’s eyes were now focused not on her face, but past her shoulder. His gaze was sharp.

Diane turned to look where he was staring.

“Lord Jude.”

She muttered the name of the man walking toward them.

He was the big man who had helped her in front of the opera house.

He was about as tall as Edward, maybe even taller, with a more muscular build.

“Hello, Marquis Edward Wale. Long time no see.”

He greeted Edward.

“Yes. Hello, Lord Jude.”

Even though it was just a greeting, Edward’s voice sounded strangely curt.

“Are you here to buy books?”

Lord Jude looked at the book in Edward’s hand, then finally saw Diane standing beside him.

“Hello, Lord Jude.”

Diane greeted him warmly as soon as she caught his eye.

It had been a while, but this was only their second meeting. She didn’t know why she felt so glad to see him.

“Ah… hello.”

But Lord Jude’s face darkened as soon as their eyes met.

He clearly wasn’t happy to see her, nor had he expected to.

He gave only a short greeting, then turned his attention back to Edward.

Diane felt a little lonely, realizing he wasn’t pleased to see her at all.

Did he remember her? Or maybe not?

“I saw you in front of the opera house last time. Do you remember? I was really grateful. I wanted to thank you again.”

Diane brought up the previous incident.

She’d been too flustered then and wanted to let him know who she was.

It was a strange feeling, but even though he wasn’t friendly, she wanted to get closer to him.

“Ah, yes.”

But Lord Jude’s face remained stiff.

Her thanks seemed to have no effect.

“I didn’t know you had company.”

And Lord Jude quickly turned his attention back to Edward.

To Diane, it sounded like he regretted that she was his companion.

“Yes, I do.”

But Edward’s short reply was oddly sharp, as if there was some hostility.