Chapter 29 

“Alright, sorry. But what do we do if there’s no handkerchief?”

“Why a handkerchief… Ugh, that’s not necessary. Let’s just stand and talk.”

Realizing Rosalie’s intention, Jeremy looked troubled but quickly changed his expression. What a situation, when they were about to have a serious conversation.

Rosalie straightened her posture and clasped her hands together to prepare herself.

“I’ll finish what I was saying earlier.”

“…What was there left to say?”

Suddenly, Jeremy changed the subject. Rosalie called his name in warning.

“Jeremy.”

“I’ve already said everything I wanted to say. No matter what you tell me, Miss Rosalie, we won’t break up.”

For a moment, Rosalie wondered if this man before her was truly Jeremy. His attitude and expression were so determined.

Was it because he’d already agreed with the Countess? Or had Jeremy made up his own mind?

Rosalie was so confused she couldn’t speak. No matter what she said, their relationship wouldn’t end?

Would he really feel that way even after learning she’d been with Hystein?

She wasn’t trying to test Jeremy. She just felt guilty at the thought of deceiving him, especially since she was already lacking as a bride.

Suppressing the feeling of her heart being crushed, Rosalie forced a smile.

“…I see. Alright, Jeremy. You really are a good man.”

“That’s the first time anyone’s said that to me.”

“Really? I think you’ll hear it often from now on.”

Rosalie relaxed her tense body and turned away from Jeremy, wandering around the small backyard. She could feel his blank stare.

She walked for a while, pretending not to notice, then turned back. Jeremy was startled and looked away. Somehow, that was cute, and also a little sad.

To think he would marry someone like her… Jeremy was much better than the world knew.

“Shall we go back in now?”

“…Yes.”

Feeling enough time had passed, Rosalie suggested it. Jeremy quietly followed her into the kitchen.

“There you are. I was just about to call you in.”

Back in the living room, Gérard greeted Rosalie with a broad smile. He rose from the sofa to help the Countess with her coat.

“Then, as for future plans, we’ll discuss them next time.”

The Countess, adjusting her expensive handbag, spoke to Gérard and then looked at Rosalie. Her perfectly painted red lips and blue eyes formed a graceful curve.

“I hope to see you again soon. I’d like to bring Miss Rosalie to the Aloua mansion as soon as possible.”

“…Goodbye, Countess. Goodbye, Jeremy.”

Rosalie responded with an awkward smile and said her farewells. The Countess asked Gérard to see them out.

The Countess, Jeremy, and Gérard soon left the living room, and as soon as they disappeared, Rosalie collapsed onto the sofa, covering her heavy eyes and catching her breath.

But only for a moment—Angela, who had been smiling since Rosalie entered the living room, grabbed her hand.

“Rosalie, ah! Rosalie! We’ll have to thank the Aloua family for the rest of our lives!”

“Sister, let go of my hand so you can talk.”

“Do you know what the Countess said? She wants to hurry the marriage now, since you’ve overcome such a hardship.”

“Really? I was kind of expecting that.”

“Oh my, what kind of reaction is that? Don’t act that way in front of Gérard.”

Angela’s smile faded. She shook her head, pointing out how Rosalie wasn’t happy at all.

“I imagined the worst, but things turned out so well. Forget about the Duke of Vallière. That’s the wise thing to do.”

“I know that. I just… feel sorry for Jeremy. It feels like I’ve done something wrong.”

Rosalie bit her lip as she looked at their joined hands. Angela cradled Rosalie’s chin as if about to say something, but Gérard burst into the living room.

“You two weren’t celebrating this amazing news without me, were you? Rosalie, you’ve really gained a wonderful family-in-law!”

Gérard, obviously excited, sat on the sofa and placed the letters he’d retrieved from the mailbox on the table while seeing off the Aloua family.

“I’ve never met anyone as kind as the Countess. She noticed we’re short on help and said she’ll send two maids from her house tomorrow.”

“I’ve been so frustrated that we couldn’t keep up with laundry or cleaning. No amount of thanks is enough for the Countess.”

Unable to contain his joy, Gérard hugged Angela and showered her with kisses. Rosalie turned away and began sorting the letters on the table.

Most were overdue bills, requests for financial help from the estate, or a bit of living expenses sent from Angela’s family, but one letter was completely different.

“Uh…”

Out of dozens of letters, there was just one invitation addressed to Rosalie. An invitation to Princess Camille’s garden party, sealed with a golden crest.

It was already the second invitation this spring, from a distinguished person Rosalie had never encountered in her 29 years. Realizing her palms were sweating, she wiped them on her skirt.

“My goodness, Rosalie! Did the Princess invite you again?”

“…I don’t want to go.”

“Why would you say that? If it’s the dress, the Countess will help you.”

Angela, now practically glued to Gérard, came up behind Rosalie, unable to hide her excitement and shook her shoulders.

Rosalie pulled Angela’s hand away.

“It’s not so simple. Do you remember Princess Camille’s maid… what happened to Miss Inès at the last tea party?”

“Oh, right. That happened. Sorry, I’ve been so overwhelmed by our own troubles, I forgot.”

Angela frowned and bowed her head. Gérard wrapped his arm around her waist to comfort her.

“What happened to Miss Ancourt was terrible. But even so, you can’t refuse an invitation from the Princess.”

“I know. I just don’t feel good about it.”

“Everyone at the garden party will probably feel the same. Let’s see, did I get an invitation too?”

“Here. To Earl Malève and wife.”

Rosalie handed Gérard Princess Camille’s invitation she’d set aside. Angela sat next to her, hugging a cushion.

“The Princess must be heartbroken. And yet she’s holding a party—being the leader of society isn’t easy.”

“That’s true. Even if someone dies, there are still plenty of unmarried ladies and gentlemen, and people need a place to meet.”

Now that she thought about it, Rosalie wondered what Hystein thought of Inès’s death. She’d spent three days at his mansion but never asked about it.

Still, they’d exchanged gifts of jewelry at the auction and gone to the opera together. Rosalie touched her earlobe, remembering the last time she’d seen Inès.

Who could have imagined she’d never see Inès again after that day? Rosalie felt ashamed for having looked at Inès with petty jealousy and pretended not to see her.

Inès shouldn’t have died that way. If only it hadn’t been for that murderer.

“I’m going to get up.”

Rosalie took the invitation and left the living room. Even now, she found herself wondering if Hystein would come to the garden party. She hated herself for it.

She should stop this, for Jeremy’s sake—he was the one who would become her family, the gentle man who forgave her without knowing anything.

Rosalie shook her head fiercely, trying to erase Hystein from her mind. It wasn’t enough, so she even banged her head against the wall as she climbed the stairs.

“Ugh!”

It hurt enough to bring tears to her eyes. Maybe pretending to be sick to skip the party would be better.

No, that would only raise more suspicion. It was better to show up confidently and prove she was doing well. That was the right thing to do, especially for the Aloua family who had cared for her.

“…I don’t want to, but…”

Rosalie muttered to herself as she climbed the stairs. She thought she might get a bump on her head.