C56
Ah, handsome. A handsome man remains handsome even if you look at him upside down.
I replied without understanding, harboring a somewhat unexpected feeling within me.
"Yes, I was surprised that Tay seemed cold."
Maybe it's because the situation is so unexpected that I can't even find an excuse.
...
Tay's face disappeared as suddenly as it had appeared. He hid again among the leaves and let out a muffled voice.
"If you respond so obediently, there won't be anything else to say, right?" I complained like a child.
The tone was as if he were embarrassed.
"That was complaining."
Thinking about it that way, it's cute. In the novel, the dark character emitting a dangerous atmosphere complained like a child.
Feeling satisfied, I asked honestly.
"Does it matter that it was for Tay?"
"I was a little surprised. I thought you would stay out no matter what others did."
"Me? Hmm, I think I've shown a lot of both sides until now."
In Sharon's old office, I even cried once while talking about my marriage.
"You didn't hesitate at all in front of your ex-husband and ended your relationship with the Wallace family without hesitation."
"That's because those people weren't that important to me."
"Then me..."
When I was about to speak, I looked up and saw Terence falling to the ground with a dull noise.
"It's not good to express it out loud."
What? He's smiling happily. A person whose voice was sunk a moment ago.
"Huh? You changed clothes. Is this for camouflage?"
"Oh yes. Vinetta is wearing my original outfit."
"Ah. It was an exchange."
"That's right. Vinetta, wearing a robe over my clothes, should already be boarding Ambassador Leok's carriage."
As she was probably escorted by soldiers, there was little chance of her identity being discovered. Journalists would flock to the fake Ethel Wallace, who wouldn't give a single answer and would barrage her with questions.
Terence looked closely at my outfit.
"But just in case, it would be better for Ethel to wear my robe."
He took off his cape, put it over my shoulders, and carefully placed the hood on me.
"Can I use this instead?"
Before I knew it, Terence was holding the straw hat I was wearing.
Although I was still stunned by his sudden change of attitude, I told him with a smile.
"Sure. It looks good."
We crossed the garden and headed to the back door of the Central Courtyard.
"Fortunately, it seems that everyone has gone to the main door to take a look."
"Let's go quickly!"
"At that moment, I called a carriage to arrive at the back door."
"What about the horse you came riding?"
"It's so tired that it can't walk anymore."
"Now that I think about it, you rode together. I'm sorry for the horse."
"I'll give it a special meal and let it rest well, so you don't have to feel sorry for it."
"..."
"Why do you look so blank?"
"You're embarrassed right now, aren't you?"
"No."
"Then why are you still avoiding my gaze, Marquess?"
"Anyway, no."
"It's okay. When people are tired, they can complain a little."
"You're making fun of me."
"Oh, did I catch you?"
As we chatted, we walked towards the carriage, which was in a dark alley near the back door.
To my dismay, Terence soon reverted to his original cunning behavior. Even when I teased him more, he didn't even blink.
Later, I heard that he was worried because his presence seemed quite weak.
Do you not seem as self-aware as you think?
After hearing that, I couldn't help but have a question mark on my face.
In "Return and Walk on a Path of Flowers," who was the character with a stronger presence next to Liena, or in some aspects even more powerful than Liena?
It was surprising and pleasant to think that Terence of all people was also thinking about this. I got to know a new side of him.
-----------------------------
The next day, at the Cassius residence.
Liena tapped the surface of the desk with her nails. Worries didn't last long.
The Golden Jade Lady of Duke Cassius ordered her maid, Tara, in a low voice.
"Bring Elliot immediately."
"But Elliot Rudd is currently on a business trip abroad for important guild matters..."
"This is more important than that."
Elliot Rudd, an uncommon genius whose ability is said to be given by the Goddess. I couldn't say he had a good personality, but his ability was undeniable. Meanwhile, Elliot had been helping Liena come up with ingenious plans that no one else would have thought of.
Liena had no doubt. This time, too, she would definitely make what she wanted a reality.
"If Elliot steps forward, the current unfavorable situation will not be a problem."
At that point, Tara agreed.
"I suppose so. In particular, the law is his specialty."