SONIA stepped onto the veranda of the private room assigned to her on the second floor and gazed upon the night sky alone. The moon shining clearly in the night sky gently enshrouded Sonia with soft golden light that was neither waxing nor waning. But not even this tender view of the moon could dispel the anxiety brewing in Sonia’s heart.
I should have noticed. The way the servants behaved should have caught her eye. Between going beyond the abbey grounds for the first time in ages and the nostalgia of seeing the Duke who had been close to her father, Sonia had been too overwhelmed to notice how others viewed her. She hadn’t realized anything was amiss.
Yet, there was only a bare minimum of staff here. Moreover, the maid assigned to her room would look at her and tremble, desperately trying to read Sonia’s expression to avoid displeasing her. As if she wanted to leave right away if Sonia didn’t need her. Like she was terrified of a fearsome being that she was forced to serve...
After seeing Brigitte’s breakdown, Sonia’s rose-colored view of the outside world gradually focused on an unsettling reality. She could tell something was amiss.
But why... The Duke hadn’t been afraid to hug her in an embrace when she lunged toward him.
Was he putting up a brave front despite his fear? At that thought, tears began to overflow from Sonia’s eyes. Why?
She was frightened by the changes slowly gnawing away at her since yesterday.
What is it about me that people find so terrible? she asked herself. As she reasserted the question with no answer, the sound of knocking at the door drew her attention. Thinking back, Sonia recalled she had already dismissed the maid since she seemed so eager to leave. As such, she had to answer the door personally.
“Who is it?”
“It’s me, Princess—Crisford. I wanted to wish you a good night.”
A black whirlpool stirred in Sonia’s chest. What was this sickening sense of unease? It didn’t make sense for her to grow ill simply from the sound of Chris’ voice.
And here in my mind, I was so happy he was courteous enough to come bid me good night.
“...Is all well? Were you about to turn in for the night?” Chris asked.
Sonia felt sorry for Chris as he called out to her across the door again. Pushing aside how crummy she felt, Sonia answered, “I’m coming,” and opened the door.
The moment her eyes landed on that mug covered in light brown facial hair and locked on his eyes, the world around Sonia began to spin. But she stood firm as her dress hid her wobbling legs. Somehow managing to avoid collapsing, she forced a smile.
“Sir Chris, thank you for coming just to bid me good night.”
“The honor is mine. We will be leaving early tomorrow morning. This was your first outing in so long, you must be exhausted after getting jostled about during the carriage ride. I hope you sleep—”
“Give it a rest. I’d get my shut-eye a whole lot quicker if you didn’t come waltzing into my room, damn pedo.”
Both were left speechless. That had been the low, grating voice of a man. After freezing for a moment, Sonia’s mind began racing wildly, convinced that voice had come from her own mouth. She flung her hands up to her mouth.
“Eh? Huh? What? What just happened? Was that me? Did I say that?” she asked, one question on top of the next.
Watching Sonia rapidly turn bright red, Chris burst out laughing heartily and said, “Ha ha ha! How inconsiderate of me to call upon a lady before bed. You have my apologies.”
“No! Nothing of the sort! Y-You made me happy! I was actually feeling somewhat down when you came!”
“Why is that? If you like, you’re welcome to talk to me about it. After all, I am your fiancé.”
Fiancé. For some odd reason, Sonia felt annoyed at Chris for emphasizing that. Why are you so annoyed, Sonia? Isn’t it only natural for your fiancé to worry? she thought to herself.
“You’re just after my land and money. Nothing’s left to the boys after the firstborn son, so you must be pretty damn desperate to nab a rich chick—Eek!”
Not again! This time Sonia turned pale as she snapped her mouth shut.
“I-I...! That’s not what I think! Wh-Why?!” Sonia cried out. Unable to understand what was happening to herself, Sonia shook her head as she covered her mouth with her hands.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she repeatedly took it back, insisting, “I didn’t mean it.” Chris firmly grabbed her slender shoulders with both hands and he gave her a toothy smile that covered his whole face.
“You must be exhausted, Princess. Be sure to get a good night’s rest. Oh, by the way, do you have a rosary with you?”
“Ah... Yes, I do. It’s the one I always used back at the abbey...” Sonia answered.
“I imagine you must be worked up between suddenly getting engaged and then leaving the abbey so quickly. If you hold the rosary like you did at the abbey, it’s bound to help you relax,” he suggested.
“G-Good idea! I’m sure it will!”
Sonia rushed over to her luggage, pulled the rosary out of a small case, and put it around her neck. The moment she did, she definitely felt calmer. Sonia heaved a sigh of relief, feeling as though a refreshing wind had embraced her body. Chris also seemed relieved.
“Princess, with this, I bid you good night. May you have pleasant dreams,” Chris said.
Having paid his courtesy call, Chris began to walk away until Sonia ran up to him.
“Sir Chris!” she cried. She tried to touch his hand but found herself hesitating at the sight of the bushy hair there. Not to mention, she was afraid the static electricity would give her another nasty zap like earlier that evening.
Chris laughed at Sonia’s hesitancy while shaking his head from side to side. “I don’t mind,” he said consolingly, aware of how she felt.
By no means did Sonia dislike his all-embracing kindness. Yet if that was the case, why did she find him scary?
“Thank you...and good night,” Sonia said as she gave Chris a smile filled with gratitude, hiding the guilt she felt over her fear toward him.