Partially corrected MTL Novel
C33
Zachary muttered to himself, disregarding the feelings of such subordinates.
"He said thank you very much."
Zachary's gaze drifted away. His black eyes softened like blackberries soaked in water. He repeated quietly what he had said over and over, as if he were pondering the events of yesterday, and then even laughed.
The vassals, who watched Zachary burst into laughter, thought they were hallucinating. Or was he possessed by a demon?
Zachary's behavior was so strange. The vassals couldn't easily hide their astonishment and simply kept their mouths open.
It was Robert who had the courage to speak first. With a still confused look, he asked, unable to erase the suspicion from his eyes.
"Count... Excuse me, but did she really respond that way?"
"Does it seem like I'm lying?"
"I'm sorry. I was presumptuous."
Robert quickly bowed to Zachary's seemingly uncomfortable response. Seeing Zachary like that, it seemed to be real.
After all, their master is not even the type of person who jokes with lies. So it means that the lady really agreed to go to the capital...
Zachary, who clearly had read the feelings of his subordinates, clicked his tongue in annoyance. Is it so unbelievable? Zachary firmly confirmed, leaving no room for further discussion.
"That's all you need to know. Next spring, she will travel with me to the capital."
Zachary's words were resolute. Realizing that the outcome couldn't be reversed, the subordinates nodded vigorously. It is said that you can catch a lark even if the sky is falling, but that was the story when the lark was visible. How did this happen? They sighed deeply at the desperate reality.
Only Vincent, who isn't going to the capital and will stay to protect Arno Castle, smiled and added, "Then I'll stay alone at the castle."
Robert and Sauveur looked at Vincent unjustly, but Vincent didn't wipe off his smile and fueled the fire, saying, "Have a good trip."
The smile was so natural that the two knights had no choice but to turn around without saying a word.
Although he laughed in front of Robert and Sauveur, a ray of doubt continued to arise within Vincent's mind. It was because there were more than one or two things that intrigued him.
The strange behavior that has been observed since Zachary's return. Obviously, before that, she was the same as always...
The same goes for the maid named Yvonne. Yvonne seems to have caught Bianca's attention regarding the Ante matter, but she has never had anyone by her side no matter what, did she become a dedicated maid just for that? And just as soon as Zachary returned.
There was no doubt at first glance. No matter how he thinks about it, it seemed to be to show it to the Count. Vincent clicked his tongue. However, even an experienced Vincent couldn't easily guess what it meant to show that he had a maid by his side.
"Anyway, there's something he's plotting."
Vincent squinted his eyes. His thin lips twisted, and the mustache beneath his nose twitched.
There was something suspicious, but the Count didn't seem to suspect his behavior. Far from being startled by his sudden action, he simply nodded with a grave expression that Vincent couldn't comprehend. Such an act from the Count placed an additional burden on Vincent's heart.
They had been the same for the past ten years, but suddenly one day, they both turned their palms upside down at the same time. As a vassal, his head was dizzy, and his stomach was frustrated.
He didn't know why the lady had changed, but it was clear that the Count had been deceived by her. He didn't know with what nonsense she deceived the Count, but that doesn't mean she can deceive Vincent. Vincent thought that and stood in front of Bianca.
He suddenly received a call this morning. The reason Bianca usually calls him is to buy something luxurious, so Vincent clicked his tongue.
"For the Arno family or whatever."
That was a lie too. At first glance, it may seem like she has changed, but her essence remains the same..., Vincent said without hesitation. However, as if laughing at Vincent's thoughts, the words he received from Bianca were something he had never thought of.
Vincent doubted his ears at Bianca's words. He thought he was still fine, but it seems he can't ignore his age. Vincent involuntarily asked.
"... What?"
"I said that now that I'm older, I think I need to learn one by one what I have to do as the hostess of the Arno family."
"......"
Bianca calmly repeated the same words.
It's the second time he's hearing it, but he's still confused. Did Vincent hear correctly, or maybe he misheard? He looked at Bianca with a look of disbelief as he thought this and that.
Bianca's expression, sitting on a padded chair, while looking at Vincent, seemed very natural.
Without understanding Vincent's confusion, she tilted her head with a gloomy look.
It was something he should have welcomed, but he couldn't easily say he would because he couldn't trust Bianca at all.
Vincent felt overwhelmed by the urgency of hearing the truth even if he had to shake Bianca's slender shoulders. It was blasphemous, but still, he wanted to know what the hell was going on in that tiny little head.
But what could he do? Vincent didn't have the position to do so. He observed Bianca for a long time, as if measuring Bianca's sincerity, and finally clicked his tongue.
He reflected for a moment, then chose each of the duties Bianca had neglected until now.
"... You know nothing about hiring workers, agriculture, or market prices... I think it would be best to start with managing the workers. I will provide you with the documents I have written about the territory's budget, including employee salaries. After looking at the documents and understanding the atmosphere on-site, you can take real power. After all, the castle will be empty next year. You can take care of the serious work after returning from the capital."
"I believe in you, as my husband does. So I will leave all of that to you, please."
Bianca nodded meekly. The obedient attitude wasn't nitpicky, but on the contrary, it made him even more anxious.
Rather, it was easier for him to respond when he was dissatisfied with Vincent's work. Vincent asked with a perplexed face as if he were possessed by a ghost.
"So, would you like to review the castle right now?"
"Yes. I will organize my clothes, so give me a moment, Yvonne."
"Yes, Madam. I will prepare it immediately."
Yvonne, who was in the corner of the room, hurried over as soon as she heard Bianca's call. While preparing her clothes, including her coat, she looked at Vincent who was still there. Vincent was always cold and resolute, so the servants revered him as an object of fear, but today Yvonne tilted her head at his unusually distracted appearance.
Carefully speaking, she said,
"Excuse me, butler. Madam needs to change..."
"I apologize. I was distracted for a moment. Then I will wait outside."
Vincent regained his senses only then and hastily left the room with a delay. No matter how confused he is, he can't be so distracted! He didn't seem like a butler in charge of the Arno Castle at all. Vincent sighed softly, reproaching himself.
He still couldn't believe it. "That" lady wants to learn how to work as a hostess!
In front of Bianca's door, Gaspard stood silently like a pillar. Vincent looked at Gaspard.
Now that he thinks about it, after being selected as her escort, Gaspard was always by Bianca's side. Maybe Gaspard knows something. Vincent asked cunningly.
"Sir Gaspard, has there been anything that could have made her change her mind recently?"
"There was nothing."
Gaspard's response was as hard as a stone. Vincent asked the question without much expectation, but Gaspard's answer was so determined that it extinguished even the slightest hope.
That's right. There's no way he can get a meaningful answer from Sir Gaspard. Vincent sighed once again.
His sigh was deeper than before.
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TWB (Novel)