Chapter 6 – At the Crossroads of Choice (1) (Part 13)

Lorraine was the first to speak.

As she closed the door, she cautiously asked.

“Did you have to say that now?”

He loosened his tie and replied with a calm face.

“If not now, then when?”

Lorraine’s gaze was momentarily drawn to the series of actions as he casually hung his jacket on the hanger. The vest clung snugly to his broad back muscles.

‘Why is that catching my eye all of a sudden….’

Ahem, Lorraine cleared her throat unnecessarily, trying to rein in her wandering thoughts. She turned her gaze elsewhere and said.

“You could have said it after the trial started… or even after Asiel was caught.”

At that, Edwin in his vest turned sharply to look at her with fierce eyes. Lorraine instinctively froze, staring blankly at him.

“If you consider everything, when will you ever do anything, Wiig?”

His sharp rebuke brought her back to reality quickly.

“Even so, do we need to bring up something that could be smoothed over, especially when we need to work together?”

That didn’t mean his rebuke was right.

“I’m not saying to consider everything.”

Her clear voice sharply sliced through the silence in the room. Edwin stood with his arms crossed, listening to what she had to say.

As if challenging her to try.

Lorraine bit her lip hard.

‘Does he think I can’t do it?’

Lorraine’s fighting spirit surged rapidly.

***

Lorraine straightened herself. Like a beast preparing to fight.

“There will be moments when consideration is needed. A moment’s peace can act as a key at a decisive moment.”

“Sounds like the words of a romantic.”

Despite Edwin’s sarcasm, Lorraine gritted her teeth and continued.

“Such an attitude creates enemies and ultimately brings disadvantage to you, Your Grace.”

“And now you’re cursing me.”

“Yes, thanks to me, you’ll live long.”

With that, she nodded perfunctorily and left the room. Her face showed no regret or anger, but the door slammed shut.

Edwin, who had been staring at the roughly closed door, casually messed up his neatly groomed hair.

“…What a temper.”

He slumped into a chair, stretched out, and let out a deep sigh.

***

This is awkward.

Lorraine had been peacefully enjoying the greenhouse until five minutes ago.

「I wish lightning would strike. Kill Dunant and Roben both!」

If it weren’t for the sudden, unwelcome guest, she would have found peace of mind and returned to her room. Fortunately, the dense foliage allowed her to sit without crouching. Lorraine glanced to the side.

Not far away, a figure sat with legs folded in a rocking chair, gray hair disheveled.

Juliet Roben was still sitting with her head buried in her knees. Despite looking as if she would grow up perfectly no matter what, her hair was a mess, and the hem of her skirt was covered in dirt.

“She’s lucky not to have run into anyone like that….”

The whole house would be in an uproar. Of course, the first to flip out would be the Marquis.

Lorraine, tapping her aching thighs from squatting, muttered. If she went out now, it would be like announcing she had heard everything.

“Why did I hide and make things this complicated…?”

She briefly resented Edwin, who was probably relaxing in comfortable clothes in a comfortable room.

“By the way.”

Is she crying? Or sleeping?

Juliet had been sitting with her head between her knees for quite some time. Her shoulders moved rhythmically, so she was definitely alive, but it was hard to tell beyond that.

Then it happened.

“Come out…. I’ve seen it all.”

‘I thought she was busy cursing her father and her formal fiancé….’

Did she really see? 

The mumbling voice made it hard to discern the intent behind the words.

Droll, Lorraine rolled her eyes in discomfort. But standing up obediently would be foolish.

‘If I stay put, she might think she was mistaken.’

Just as she thought that.

“Come out. Before we both get embarrassed.”

Her tone was firm, as if accustomed to threats, without a hint of hesitation.

Guess she really saw me. 

Lorraine, who had been sitting behind the screen of dense foliage, stood up hesitantly. Then she saw Juliet sitting insolently, legs down.

She seemed to know how to intimidate with atmosphere, as a noble lady should. Arguments were often won by atmosphere.

Juliet, scanning Lorraine’s appearance with a crooked gaze, suddenly spoke.

“You heard everything, right?”

Her first question was a direct pitch. Her tone was confident, with no room for denial.

Lorraine subtly averted her gaze and nodded slightly.

“Yes, well….”

“You saw what happened on the island too?”

Oh, I didn’t expect her to notice that too.

Unexpectedly, she was a perceptive lady. Lorraine thought as she swallowed a sigh. That alone seemed to be an answer, as Juliet’s demeanor became even more arrogant. Crossing her legs and folding her arms, she spoke.

“Hmm, sneaky. Eavesdropping on other people’s conversations.”

Her tone was full of provocation. The situation was disadvantageous, but she had no intention of playing along.

“From the start, it was obvious….”

As Lorraine murmured, Juliet’s brow furrowed instantly.

“What did you say?”

A sharp gaze pierced her. Lorraine shrugged and nodded readily.

“Yes. I was sneaky.”

Despite the straightforward admission, Juliet’s face was sulky. Lorraine knew she wasn’t looking for an apology.

‘She just wanted to vent her temper.’

She avoided Edwin Duncan because he was bothersome, only to meet a more troublesome opponent.

Caught in the act, it’s a crime.

“…Annoying!”

“…Oh.”

Oh, I was talking, wasn’t I? 

As Lorraine blinked slowly to grasp the situation, Juliet’s face crumpled further.

“No manners… annoying woman… what does the Duke see in….”

It must be meant for her to hear. It seemed she had decided to abandon the demure lady act. Despite Juliet’s insults right in front of her, Lorraine spoke with a disinterested face.

“Could you speak up a bit?”

It seemed to have struck a nerve, as Juliet burst out in anger.

“I said it’s annoying!”

“Does getting annoyed change the situation?”

It was a genuine question.

“I don’t know what you want, but the wedding won’t happen.”

“What… did you say?”

Her blue eyes mixed with violet were filled with questions. She seemed to want an explanation, but that didn’t mean Lorraine wanted to kindly explain.

“Your father will also be on trial for a while. No, he will be.”

Lorraine suddenly remembered Edwin telling her to skip the elaboration.

「Your Grace! Please take a look at this….」

「Skip the explanation, just get to the point.」

He told her to speak while maintaining his pace.

Lorraine was used to his inconsiderate actions, but sometimes she wanted to throw a document at his cleanly groomed back of the head.

「This is, well….」

She was out of breath from following him, and if she hesitated even a bit, the distance between her and Edwin quickly widened.

Hold it in, hold it in. You have to.

With a light exhale to awaken her brain cells, she spoke.

「This is about the capital maintenance on the 8th street….」

「I said just get to the point.」

Edwin, who seemed like he wouldn’t stop walking, suddenly halted.

Fortunately, Lorraine managed to stop before her face hit his solid back. After spending several years like that, somehow-.

“Even if you become the head temporarily… if there’s something you want, try to seize it yourself. At this opportunity….”

Step by step-.

Lorraine, who emerged from the bushes, began to walk slowly.

She stopped.

Her steps halted right in front of the rocking chair where Juliet was sitting. Leaving just one step between them, she stood still, looking down at Juliet with an expressionless face.

With a crooked smile, Lorraine leaned down and whispered into Juliet’s ear.

“Some self-reflection would be nice too.”

– It seemed she had picked up some bad habits.