“Come to think of it… you’ll be going to the Reynes estate soon!”

In Rihanel’s office. Flan, who had stood up for a brief rest and was stretching, spoke as if he had just remembered. Rihanel, who had his eyes closed and was leaning back fully in his chair, responded casually.

“…Yeah.”

“The duchess must be looking forward to it. It’s her first time going to Elbareo, after all.”

Elbareo was the nickname for the duke’s country house in the Reynes territory. Rihanel answered in a drawling voice.

“What is there to look forward to?”

“Come on, don’t be like that. Take a good rest together for a month or two. I’m sure she’ll like it.”

“As if. She’ll probably be angry about being taken to such a place when she needs to work. I’ll just stay for about a week and then return.”

“The duchess would be angry?”

Flan tilted his head. It made sense, because from Flan’s perspective, Janet was always accommodating Rihanel! He thought it was only possible because her personality was so gentle.

“She’s stubborn. Only says what she wants.”

“You’re lying, right? I can’t imagine it.”

Flan didn’t say that Rihanel was the more stubborn one. Nor did he say that Rihanel should treat Janet better, that it made him anxious to watch.

Rihanel was always sensitive, picky, and excessive when it came to matters related to Janet.

So he didn’t dare add any words. Expressing personal opinions about Janet was considered crossing a line.

Instead, Flan asked in a somewhat mischievous voice.

“But isn’t resting at the estate better than grumbling about the idiotic parliament?”

“……”

Rihanel didn’t deny it. That meant yes.

The Bendar parliament usually adjourns from around mid-June to the end of the month, when the heat begins to subtly numb one’s reason. The parliament, which reconvenes around September, would again rest for a couple of months during winter.

And most nobles, when the session ends, head to their country houses.

This year was no different. Now, at the end of June, parliament was about to adjourn. Rihanel would head to the Reynes territory as he always did.

There were two differences.

One was that he would depart with a companion.

And the second was that he would go without holding a birthday banquet.

Rihanel usually held a birthday banquet at the end of June in the capital before going to Elbareo. But this time, he decided to skip that process.

He said he wanted to celebrate this birthday comfortably at the estate, but Flan knew that this was largely an action he made with Janet in mind.

The duchess was still the focus of attention in many ways. She would receive even more attention at official events, so he was probably trying to avoid that.

The Reynes territory with its good air, clear water, and scenery that looks like a painting. How wonderful. May this visit be an opportunity to mend the relationship between the two.

That was what Flan hoped for, again and again.

***

‘It’s a bit hot. But I like how quiet it is.’

In the season when the heat intensifies, there weren’t many people in the park at midday.

Theo Randipel, who had been exhausted from accepting invitations here and there for the past few days, sought out this suburban park for the same reason.

Yet with the person he actually needed to meet… he hadn’t been able to catch a proper opportunity.

He sighed as he walked along the path between the flower beds. And that’s when it happened.

“Bastard.”

He heard a woman’s low cursing. Theo looked around in surprise. It made sense, because although it seemed unlikely, it was a voice he knew.

“Idiot……”

It seemed right. In the direction of the sound, he could see the back of a woman sitting on a provided bench.

After hesitating for a moment, Theo carefully opened his mouth.

“Janet?”

The woman froze without moving. Just as Theo was considering calling out again, she turned around. The wariness in her eyes soon turned to a welcoming light.

“Oh, it’s you, Theo.”

Theo’s steps quickened toward where she was. Standing in front of the bench, he asked Janet.

“Are you feeling better? You collapsed on the boat that day.”

“Ah… yes. I think I was just tired. Thank you for then. I’m fine now.”

Janet rose from her seat.

The two began to walk together, keeping a slight distance.

“So who’s annoying you?”

Theo asked playfully, lowering one eyebrow.

“…You heard.”

“It’s the first time I’ve seen you curse.”

“It’s the first time outside.”

“Outside?”

“I learned it in prison. I used it a lot in there, but after coming out here, I can’t bring myself to use it.”

“Why?”

“Because it would make stereotypes even more solid.”

Theo seemed to understand what Janet was worried about. He wanted to tell her not to think that way if possible, but seeing people’s reactions since coming here, her concerns were justified.

Even when she was just standing still, people were desperate to gossip about her, so who knows how they would condemn her if they heard her cursing.

So instead of discussing why Janet hadn’t cursed until now, Theo decided to talk about what he had just witnessed.

“But you cursed today.”

“Yes.”

Janet gave a bitter smile.

Moments when she felt like she would burst if she didn’t express herself somehow kept popping up unexpectedly.

When lying still in her room at the mansion, when walking down the corridor, when eating.

And today… at the company.

The shareholders pay no attention to Janet Wilton, let alone Janet Reynes. No matter what she tries to do, there’s no place for her to squeeze in.

⟨We must row when the tide is in. Next, we’ll lay railways toward Ramelo, Undon, and Tepia. The relevant bill will pass in parliament too. Everything has been arranged.⟩

Despite her uncle’s dissuasion, Janet stubbornly attended the shareholders’ meeting.

Her uncle was pushing ahead with new railway construction. But to Janet, the pace seemed threatening.

The first reason was that they didn’t have enough resources to push all of it.

⟨Where will you get the funds for that?⟩

⟨Easy. We’ll sell stocks. Railways are so popular these days. Gathering small investors will be quick. When the money comes in, won’t that be good for all of you too?⟩

As railways gained attention, there were quite a few people who wanted Wilton Company stocks. So the plan was to spread news about the new railway construction and sell stocks at high prices.

Other companies often raised funds by selling stocks in this way, so it wasn’t unusual.

But there was an important problem.

⟨How about proceeding more carefully? With this plan and pace… there won’t be enough time to allocate to the construction feasibility study. If the environment makes operation impossible, construction might be halted, or the route might not be economical…⟩

⟨Janet, my child. How can you do business being so timid?⟩

Tailey Wilton cut off Janet’s words. And with a hearty laugh, he appeased the shareholders.

Since it was already certain to pass in parliament, and the profits they would earn from the investment were quite high, there was hardly anyone who opposed it.

Is this really okay?

Once again, Janet had to quietly close her mouth, as if she wasn’t even there.

Instead of keeping those vulgar words bottled up inside, she had spat them out in this empty park.

“I don’t know what’s making you angry, but good job! I curse sometimes too.”

“You?”

At Janet’s question, Theo nodded.

“Of course! I think it’s good to express yourself that way. People aren’t going to suffer my emotions for me. I should at least express myself freely.”

“…Right.”

Everyone in Adif had said the same thing. What’s wrong with saying what I want to say with my own mouth? Even if people say I have a dirty mouth or I’m vulgar, I like the feeling of being cleared out.

The feeling she had received then brushed by faintly again. A slight sense of liberation felt amid everything that constricted her.

“By the way.”

Looking around at the flower bed where fancy flowers and small wildflowers were tangled together in bloom, Theo asked.

“Why are you walking in this park when you have the Reynes garden? I couldn’t look around properly, but it was truly beautiful. I heard the rear garden is impressive too.”

“Have you been there?”

“Oh, I was definitely asked to send regards… no, I went briefly before. Anyway, that garden is beautiful.”

“Yes. But I prefer this place.”

“Why?”

“Just… I like this better.”

Theo nodded broadly, saying that could be the case.

Janet looked around the flower bed again with a slightly bitter smile.

There had been attempts to properly create a flower bed in the field, as various flowers had been planted. However, due to lack of management, this place where everything was tangled without order certainly wasn’t aesthetically pleasing.

But still, this place was much more comfortable than the Reynes garden.

The Reynes garden was admirable even to someone who didn’t know much about flowers. Over 100 varieties of roses transplanted in spring were still blooming vividly.

But there…

Janet was recalling the yellow flowers that filled about half the garden when she turned to Theo and said.

“Let’s walk together only up to here. Being seen with me won’t do you any good.”

How many people hate Janet Reynes?

She wore ill-fitting clothes, and people not only dislike but hate the rolling stone.

Even her own husband.

Rihanel hates Janet again and again, yet he shakes her violently.

The waves are crashing, but there’s no breakwater to protect her body.

So, no matter how she thought about it, the best solution for everyone was this.

Returning to their places. Janet not becoming Rihanel’s weakness or object of ridicule, and Rihanel not becoming Janet’s wave.

“I’ll go that way.”

Indeed, to avoid becoming the subject of people’s gossip, it was better for Theo not to associate with her.

“……”

And watching Janet speak calmly, Theo felt a similar feeling to the one he had in Silonya.

According to the verdict, when she came to Silonya, it was after she had started the arson.

Could it be true? Even if it was true… couldn’t there have been some circumstances?