Everyone Realized the Saint Was a Fake, but She Still Thought She Was Fooling Them - Chapter 18

Wallace and Lianna accompanied me to the stables. Bartlett followed as well.

At Wallace’s request to prepare a horse for Lianna, the stable hands quickly got busy, hurrying about.

As all this happened, Bartlett put on his gloves and drifted into reminiscence.

He thought back to that day a year ago.

Celeste had invited him for tea at her mansion. Since it was just the two of them, Bartlett couldn’t help but feel a little excited.

However,

“Bartlett, I’ve gotten engaged to Brode Stokely, the Earl’s son.”

When Celeste said that, Bartlett’s hands trembled, and he dropped his teacup.

“Engaged? You never mentioned anything about that!”

Bartlett’s voice came out accusatory, causing Celeste to be taken aback.

“Well, it’s embarrassing to bring up… but I did talk to Lianna about it a little.”

Her tone softened as she spoke.

Seeing Celeste’s downcast expression, Bartlett regretted his outburst. Forcing himself to calm down, he asked,

“So? Is this engagement with Brode final?”

“Yes…”

Celeste’s response was quiet.

“Has it been put in writing yet?”

“Not yet, but we’ve set a date for the paperwork.”

Hearing that, Bartlett felt a bit relieved and unconsciously muttered,

“Then… it can still be canceled.”

Celeste looked at him in surprise.

“Wait, what? Why would I cancel my engagement?”

Bartlett was caught off guard.

“Huh? Oh… right…”

As he lowered his gaze in silence, Celeste spoke softly.

“He seems like a good person.”

“Is that so…”

Even hearing that didn’t ease the sinking feeling in Bartlett’s chest. It felt as if something was crushing him, making it hard to breathe. He had no words left.

“Are you okay?”

Celeste noticed something was off and asked with concern.

Feeling pathetic for being worried about, Bartlett tried to say something.

“So, I’m not good enough? No, never mind. I see… an engagement.”

“How many times are you going to say that?”

“It’s just… I never imagined you getting engaged.”

Bartlett muttered, feeling utterly defeated.

Celeste lowered her gaze as if deep in thought.

“…Yeah. You never said anything. Not even once.”

“What?”

Bartlett instinctively looked up.

But Celeste shook her head.

“It’s nothing. A close friendship and marriage are different things.”

She sounded as if she was convincing herself.

Hearing that, Bartlett had nothing left to say.

“Different… Yeah, I guess so.”

“…Right.”

A heavy silence fell between them.

After a while, Bartlett finally spoke.

“What do you like about Brode?”

“Huh? Oh, you mean his qualifications?”

Celeste seemed to snap back to reality.

“He’s from an Earl’s family, right? I haven’t heard much about them.”

Bartlett asked, concerned.

Celeste shrugged slightly.

“Yes, they’re a powerful noble family from the countryside. They were only recently allowed into the royal court, so the central nobles don’t know them well yet.”

“Then why would a Duke’s daughter choose a provincial noble?”

Bartlett asked, unsatisfied.

Celeste replied with a hint of sadness.

“Because if I chose someone from the central nobility, I’d end up comparing them.”

“Comparing? To who?”

“…”

“Celeste?”

Bartlett thought he saw her eyes glisten for a moment, so he gently called her name.

But Celeste quickly composed herself and met his gaze.

“…It’s nothing.”

“Nothing? Come on… And you’re marrying someone you barely know?”

Bartlett grew frustrated with the vague conversation. Strangely, Celeste seemed more at peace.

“It’s not like I don’t know him. We’ve met a few times.”

“Is he a good guy?”

“Well, he seems like he’ll treat me well.”

Her tone became firmer.

But that response irritated Bartlett even more.

“That’s just because Brode’s family wants to establish a connection with your Duke’s house! They’re only looking at your status!”

“Maybe. But that’s just how noble marriages work. As long as he doesn’t betray me and treats me well, I won’t make a big fuss about it.”

Celeste said, almost as if resigning herself to it.

Bartlett swallowed his words—I would have treated you better! He was overwhelmed with regret. Why had he never brought up engagement? He had known Celeste’s age and circumstances. Why hadn’t he taken things seriously? How had he let things drag on for so long? Before someone else could take her, he should have…

Bartlett felt his heart being torn apart. He didn’t even remember how he left Celeste’s mansion that day.

As he recalled those emotions from a year ago, he noticed he had put on his gloves wrong. Frustrated, he yanked them off. He was angry at himself from back then. Then, he looked up firmly.

Bartlett glanced at Wallace, who was helping prepare a horse for Lianna in the stable.

And he also looked at Lianna, watching the preparations.

“Lianna, is this saddle okay?”

Wallace asked gently, his gaze filled with affection.

Lianna smiled. “Yes.”

Yes, this kind of relationship was the ideal.

Surely, he and Celeste could have this too.

He should ask Lianna about Celeste’s current state. He already knew a little—Celeste had gotten angry at Brode. Brode was aligned with Lucilda’s faction, and their values didn’t match.

Then, from now on, he would be the one to support Celeste.

That was what Bartlett decided.

“Bartlett? Shall we go?”

Lianna, already seated on her carefully prepared horse, called out to him nervously. Wallace stood at her side, holding the reins with a responsible expression despite wearing riding clothes.

“Ah, yeah. Are you ready?”

As Bartlett returned to reality, Lianna smiled.

“Of course. Hurry up and get on your horse.”

Then, she spoke with a hint of concern.

“This is about Celeste, right? I support you… Bartlett.”

“Wha—? Huh? What are you talking about?”

Bartlett’s ears turned red.

Lianna, ignoring his flustered reaction, thought to herself.

Celeste’s engagement was broken off because of me… I don’t know if this is the right way, but I want her to be happy. Brode didn’t seem right for her…

Then, in a slightly teasing tone, she added,

“Besides, consider this payback, Bartlett. Who do you think is responsible for my engagement? Now, let’s discuss how you’re going to support Celeste while we ride.”

Bartlett looked down, a little embarrassed, and chuckled.