CHAPTER 31

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

A few days before meeting Liliana, Yvette went out to town to get some rest and buy a present for her. Now that I had decided to buy Liliana's favor, I was going to do anything I could. “Countess, how about this? It’s a perfume that is popular among young girls these days!” Excited after a long awaited outing, Philia walked around the store and recommended a present for Liliana. Yvette followed the maid like that and carefully examined the products. “I don’t know Lady Liliana’s tastes well yet, so I think it would be good if it was a gift that didn’t go against her style.” “A gift that she might not like…Then, how about giving her something she can use a lot on a daily basis?” “Something she uses a lot?” "Yes! For example, the Countess writes a lot, so people can give you a quill-like gift!" At Philia's words, Yvette nodded her head slightly. “That would be fine. Lady Liliana likes to draw, so I can give her mainly painting tools as a gift.” “As far as I know, the painting store is over here! Just follow me!” Philia exclaimed confidently and tapped her own chest. Yvette smirked and followed the cheerful maid. 'It's nice to have Philia. Otherwise, I would have been lost.’ The maid who was born and raised in the capital knew the city so well, it was like the front yard where she made a house. Thanks to this, Yvette only had to follow her.

* * * *

After a while, the two arrived in front of the painting store. After pondering for a long time, Yvette purchased a high-quality brush set made from marten hair. In addition, at an additional cost, Liliana’s name was engraved on the brush stand. ‘I hope the gift is to her liking.’ Yvette left the store with half anxiety and half anticipation for the meeting. I bought everything. Now is about time to go home. But Yvette couldn’t even take a few steps before stopping. It was because an unwelcome person was blocking the way. “It is a coincidence that I met you in a place like this.” The man, who suddenly approached her, smiled while his eyes shone in a creepy light. “…Viscount Magnus.” Yvette instinctively took a step back from him. As she met his golden gaze, she felt the hair all over her body stand up. 'Even if I accidentally bump into him by chance, I can’t feel he’s human at all.' Viscount Magnus was someone she didn't want to associate with, no matter what. But contrary to Yvette's wishes that the Viscount would not take interest in her, he seemed strangely curious. "It's fate to meet you like this. How about having a cup of tea?"  “…I’m sorry, but I don’t think it will happen today. I have an appointment right now.” Yvette smiled brightly and blinked at Philia, who was next to her. “Philia, it is time for the Duke to arrive soon, right?” At first, the maid made a strange face, but Philia quickly recognized Yvette's intention. She nodded her head quickly. “Yes! If we don’t leave soon, we may be late.” “I must hurry, then. Because I can’t keep my fiancée alone and waiting.” Yvette discreetly emphasized the word "fiancée" and replied to Magnus himself.  “Then, as you can see, I’m a little busy. Excuse me first.” It was the moment she was about to take Philia and pass him by. "Wait a moment." Viscount Magnus grabbed her arm and muttered secretly. “Aren’t you curious about where Baron Larish is?” As soon as Yvette heard those words, she stooped in her tracks. In an instant, a warning sound rang in her head.  "…What do you mean?" “Follow me if you are curious. I'll tell you what you want." Viscount Magnus, whose tone had changed in an instant, smiled fishily. Yvette lightly clenched her fists and turned to Philia. “Philia. Go back first, will you tell the Duke that I'm going to be a little late?" “What? But….” Philia looked at Yvette and Viscount Magnus alternately with worried eyes. She seemed to have noticed that something was unusual. “Don’t worry about me, go and tell the Duke. I miss you a lot, so please wait.” Yvette smiled to reassure her. "Okay. I'll go and pass your message right away." After hesitating, Philia eventually nodded her head and left her seat. Yvette bit the tip of her tongue so that her face would not collapse while seeing her move away, and then she let go. 'Noel should understand this.' In truth today was not the day I met Noel, but, just in case, I thought I should contact him. 'Philia is quick-witted, so I'll be able to convey it well.' Yvette took a deep breath and looked again at Viscount Magnus. 'First of all, we need to find out what this person is up to.' In any case, I didn't want to be associated with Viscount Magnus either, but if he knew anything about Baron Larish, it was a different story. 'Maybe he's manipulating the Baron, as I suspected.' I was actually concerned about the relationship of these two, this was my chance to turn my doubts and certainties.

* * * *

Meanwhile, at the same time. Herbert, who was cleaning the house as usual, lifted his head at the sound of a knock. 'Was there any guest who is scheduled to come at this hour?' He thought with a puzzled expression and headed for the front door. But before he could grab the doorknob, the front door opened by itself, and at the same time, a familiar face appeared. “It’s been a long time since I’ve come to this house.” His eyes widened as a familiar voice resounded, then a faint smile appeared on his lips. “Young Master Kerbel.” “I think the age of being addressed as a young master is long gone. How long are you going to call me by that name?" Kerbel grumbled as he took off his hood, which he was wearing deeply. Naturally, Herbert, who took his coat, answered with a smile. “Then, should I call you Master?” "...no. Just keep doing what you were doing.” Kerbel waved his hand as if annoyed and entered the mansion. Hearing urgent footsteps from the side of the stairs, Eden appeared very excited. “Hubert! Hurbert! I just smelled the master's scent...!” As soon as Eden, who was rushing towards Herbert, saw Kerbel, he flinched and stopped, and at the same time, he shouted out loud. “Master!” “This fox has grown quite a bit while I haven’t seen it.” Kerbel crookedly tilted his head and stared at Eden. As he stretched out his arms, the child jumped in his arms as if he was waiting. “I missed you, Master!” “Eden, you have to be polite in front of the master.” Although Hurbert scolded Eden lightly, there was a smile on his lips. He, too, was very excited about the meeting. “I’ll bring you some tea, so please wait in the parlor for a moment.” “Do you remember my taste?” “You’re asking the obvious.” While Herbert went to pick up the tea, Kerbel took Eden to the parlor. It was nice to meet the master after a long time, and Eden was so glued to his side that it seemed like the child would never let him go. “Master, how have you been? Have you been eating well?" “If anyone hears it, they’ll think you’re my parent.” Kerbel replied sternly, but she didn't dare push Eden away. A bright red gaze rested on his head. “It looks like you can control the ears and tail now?” "Yes! I never took it out in front of Yvette!” Eden, who was proud of himself, stopped for a moment and looked up at Kerbel. “…Master, you didn’t come here to drive Yvette out, did you?” When he asked carefully, Kerbel let out a smirk. "Why. Did you get attached to that girl?” "She's not 'that girl', it's Yvette."    Eden, who had suddenly moved away from Kerbel, said with a frown on his face. Kerbel smiled bitterly at his more intense reaction than he had expected. “I don’t plan on kicking her out yet, so you don’t have to react like that already.” “Then, are you going to kick her out later?” "Well. It depends on how she’s going to behave." Just then, Herbert returned to the drawing room with his tea. “I added a lot of sugar, just like the master used to eat.” “Even if you are old, you don’t seem to have any problems with your memory.” “It’s all thanks to the master.” Hubert smiled and set the teacup in front of Kerbel, who took a sip straight away and continued his words. “Is the Blanche’s child out?” “…Didn’t you come here because you knew that?” "I knew it. But I wanted to check it out."  Kerbel put down the teacup and leaned back comfortably in the chair. “Not long ago, she came to see me.” “You mean the young master?” When Herbert asked in a surprised voice, Kerbel gave him a small nod. “She seemed to know who I was. You didn't tell her about me, did you?" In an instant, Kerbel's eyes changed sharply. Hubert, who had made eye contact with him calmly, shook his head. “I never once said anything to anyone about the young master.” "That’s true, you won’t do that." Kerbel, who shed a laugh like the wind, turned to Eden this time, it wasn’t long before he opened his mouth. "Fox, you didn't say anything, did you?"

-to be continued

Translated by I.

Proofread by

Mary J & Yochinana

Not 100% correct

Credit to the Author

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