CHAPTER 30

How The Male Lead Cures The Young Lady Who Has A Limited Time

“By the way, who is the person next to you? I think it's a face I don't know well."

A female student who had previously introduced herself as Anna Lerolian pointed her eyes at Yvette.

Then the other girls whispered in small voices.

“That person is the Duke’s fiancée. It was in the newspaper last time.”

"Oh right. Did it say she was coming too?”

“I was shocked that the Duke was engaged. Doesn't she look better than I thought?"

“Well, I don’t know about that.”

Guys. I can hear all of your gossip over here.

Yvette looked around the female students with blurred eyes.

'This is a scene we see a lot in novels.'

I thought something like this would happen at least once, but I didn't expect it to be with a bunch of young schoolgirls.

'Well, I can understand roughly how you feel.'

They really don't mean to harm me, so I decided to forgive them with a generous heart. However, things turned out differently than what I expected.

“You guys, even knowing who Countess Blanche is, you still dare to say something like this?”

Syavel, who had been watching her comrades gossip, opened her mouth. The female students did not answer readily and only exchanged glances with each other.

As if she knew they would do that, Syavel, who clicked her tongue, continued her speech confidently.

"Countess Blanche is a legend in our department. She's been at the top three years in a row and graduated from a paid undergraduate as the youngest in the entire Academy!"

......Wait a minute. This is the first time I've heard of this.

Yvette, who suddenly found out about her past, looked at Syavel in bewilderment.

‘Did Yvette graduate as the youngest person who even took top places three years in a row?’

For an extra character that does not have a lot of coverage, isn't this setting too much?

* * * *

Inside the wagon to Whitley, Yvette stared out the window, clenching her fists. The new facts she learned today made her mind confused.

'I was a greater person than I thought.'

Up to now, she has lived her life without paying much attention to the past. It was because even if she did not know the past, it did not interfere with her daily life.

But now, it seems that I shouldn't have left my mind so laidback.

'I almost asked, 'Is that true?'

The moment I ask such a question, everyone around will certainly find it strange. After all, it doesn't make sense that you don't remember your past.

'I'm glad no one noticed.'

As soon as Syavel started her sudden remarks, the female students slowly dispersed. Most of them looked more tired of her passionate fangirling than Yvette's own past.

Thanks to this, I was able to return to the party with Noel without much fuss.

‘…By the way, I was so embarrassed that I forgot to ask about what faculty they were talking about.’

Syavel only said that Yvette was a legend in her own faculty, but did not give the exact name. Because of that, Yvette did not know yet which faculty she graduated from.

'I don't think it's the magic department... All that's left is the swordsmanship class and the general faculty.'

If she had been in the Faculty of Swordsmanship, she should have been much more muscular than she is now.

'That means that there is a high possibility that it was a general undergraduate.'

The academy had three faculties.

The Faculty of Magic and the Faculty of Swordsmanship mainly teach practical skills, and the general faculty mainly teaches theory.

The general faculty had the highest percentage of nobility. This is because they learn most of the virtues that nobles need to know, such as management, economy, politics, and history.

'... She was the youngest to graduate because it wasn't enough that she had been in the top for three years in a row?'

Yvette let out a sigh as if the floor was about to cave in.

'I don't think I could perform as a top graduate right now, but it would be a good save if I at least get out of last place.'

She was fine when she didn't know, but it was painful when she found out. Like Syavel, I thought other people would have expectations of me.

'Did Noel know about this?'

Noel was also a graduate of the Luchen Academy. Even if they didn't go to the academy together, there's a good chance he'd heard my story.

'Should I start to study secretly?'

Until now, I had no time to look back on the past because I was only thinking about the future. However, in order to live safely as Yvette Blanche in the future, it seems that I have to somehow know the past.

‘……Now, shall we go down to the Estate once?’

In the Blanche estate, there may be data about Yvette’s past. I had to go down at least once anyway, so it wouldn't be a bad idea to take this opportunity to investigate.

‘While I’m at it, I should also check out the atmosphere of the fief.’

Since becoming 'Yvette Blanche', she has never been down to the estate.' This was because the aide of the predecessor Count was carrying out the duties of the deputy lord on her behalf, who was staying in the capital.

'As soon as we get home, I will write a letter to Sir Robert.'

Yvette thought so and stared down at her hand. Today, the hand felt strange as if it were someone else's.

"...Yvette."

Noel, who was silent all the time since they got inside the carriage, called Yvette.

"...Yes?"

When Yvette flinched and raised her head, Noel continued in a low voice.

"You don't look good. Do you have any concerns?

When asked by him, Yvette bit her tongue and soon let it go.

'As always, he’s quick as a ghost.’

Or is it that I can't hide my expression?

She swallowed a sigh and tried hard to smile.

"I'm just a little tired."

"If you're tired, close your eyes for a second. I'll wake you up when we arrive."

"It's a little uncomfortable to sleep here. It's okay because it's still bearable."

She shook her head as if telling him that there was no need to pay close attention, but Noel stood up from his seat while still looking at her figure.

"Of course, I can always do it like this."

With a 'rattling' sound, he moved right to the side of Yvette. It happened in an instant, so she couldn't stop it.

"...What is it?"

Embarrassed, Yvette looked up at Noel. He smiled slightly at her round and surprised eyes.

"I was thinking of lending my shoulders to my tired fiancée."

Saying so, Noel slightly pressed Yvette's head to make her lean on his shoulder.

"You don't have to do this..."

Yvette hesitated but followed Noel's instructions. When she leaned on him, she felt tired.

"It's not a difficult thing to do."

Noel replied lightly, covering Yvette's eyes with his hands.

"So don't worry about that and sleep comfortably."

As Yvette pondered thinking about what to do, she eventually closed her eyes. Whether he was really thinking of putting her to sleep, Noel quietly shut his mouth after that.

Only the rattling sound of the wheels filled the wagon.

'...How did someone grow up to be like this?'

Yvette made a groaning sound with her eyes closed. As she leaned on his shoulder, Noel felt too close, and as a result, Yvette even paid attention to the sound of her breathing.

'Is this person doing this on purpose? Or is he just born with it?’

No matter how much I think about it, it doesn't make sense that Noel has never held a woman's hand. He makes people’s hearts flutter as if he was breathing, so this can't be the first time.

'It's not good if he keeps coming out like this.'

No matter how much they signed a contract, she was also a person. How can I not be shaken when he keeps making my heart flutter with that face?

What’s more, she’s the only one who gets in trouble if this situation repeatedly continues.

'I don't want to be awkward with Noel.'

Until the curse was lifted, I had no choice but to rely on him. But what if I end up liking Noel? Will we be able to maintain the same relationship as now?

She doesn’t know about other people, but Yvette was not confident in herself.

'...I should keep a moderate distance from now on.'

In a year, the engagement contract was over anyway. All she had to do was somehow release the curse in the meantime.

'Don't think about anything else now, just focus on the curse.'

Unfortunately, I didn't see Lilliana again today, but that didn't mean the opportunity was over. Lilliana expressed her favor for me first, so there were many ways to approach her.

'Modeling is definitely a little... I need to think about it...'

Yvette, who had made plans in her head, fell asleep at some point. She seemed to have accumulated fatigue from being on her toes all day long.

"...Did you finally fall asleep?" (Noel)

Hu-….hu-….

Noel smiled at Yvette, who breathed out regularly. He turned to the window, careful not to wake her up.

It was the first time he felt the weight of his shoulders down.

A few days after that, a letter from Lilliana arrived at Whitley. It was a reply to Yvette’s invitation sent not long ago.

[To the beautiful Countess Blanche]

Thank you for contacting me first. I was just waiting for the day to meet you again, and this is just spectacular.

I have classes on weekdays, so I'd like to visit you on weekends if possible. Will it be okay?

You can set the time however you want. I'm happy just to be able to meet the Countess.

Oh, by the way!

I'm not putting pressure on you, but have you thought of being my model?

If you want to do it, please tell me anytime.

Then, I will be waiting for your reply.

- Countess Blanche's big fan, Liliana]

"... What do you mean big fan?'’

Yvette, who was slowly reading the letter, looked awkward. Lilliana's words, which she said Yvette was her ideal type, was not a joke.

"I should set a date as soon as possible."

Yvette took out the letter paper and quickly wrote back. To sum the contents roughly, it didn’t matter what time she comes on weekends, so come to see me at your convenience.

"I need to think about modeling a bit more."

Maybe it's because I've never done such a thing, I was hesitant to accept Lilliana's offer.

Yvette left the letter to Hubert after finishing her last signature, and shortly thereafter, Lilliana replied back, saying that If Yvette is okay with it, she will come next weekend.

TL note: When comparing the person to a ghost, it means the person always: arrives, sees something, perceives something or talks in key moments, just as if the person appeared in the right moment from thin air, ‘’just like a ghost’’.

-to be continued Translated by I. Proofread by Mary J Not 100% correct Credit to the Author

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