The Black-haired Noblewoman, Who Disguised Herself, Seems To Have Been Doted On While Serving As The Caretaker For The Duke Who Dislikes Women - Episode 61

Michelle accepted my feelings.

Since that day, I have been utterly elated by that fact.

When those women conspired at the tea party and began to maliciously accuse Michelle, I was utterly astonished, wondering what on earth was going on.

However, I found it strangely easy to believe Michelle, who was desperately explaining herself while shedding uncontrollable tears. On the other hand, I could never trust the stories of those who were desperately trying to push her down, their eyes glaring with malice. These were the same people who went out of their way to visit my mother’s villa, meticulously flattered her, held tea parties, and even brought in women to provide cover for them.

To listen to Michelle’s story without being disturbed by anyone, I invited her into my room.

The life story that Michelle shared there tightened my chest painfully.

Poor thing. How painful and lonely those days must have been. If only we had met earlier. If only we could have saved Michelle sooner.

Unable to suppress the affection overflowing from the depths of my heart, I embraced Michelle’s delicate body as my feelings dictated. She did not resist. And finally, I conveyed it. From now on, I want to protect you. Of course, this was a once-in-a-lifetime confession of love for me, and also a proposal.

Michelle broke into a radiant smile, letting a beautiful tear fall as she replied, “It’s my pleasure as well.” Joy that made me want to scream filled my entire being, and I hugged Michelle tightly again, as if to convey that feeling────

To be honest, at that moment, I wanted to press my lips against her adorable pink ones… but that would have been too forward. Because of those women, Michelle had just gone through a terrible ordeal and was hurt. To suddenly be accused of baseless claims and belittled in front of everyone like that.

Right now, I just want to hold her gently. I have to reassure Michelle.

I restrained myself and somehow managed to endure the intense impulse.

After that, I distanced myself and listened to Michelle’s story again.

It seems you were suddenly kicked out of the Count Avery’s residence, but did you leave any personal belongings behind? You didn’t bring anything when you came here, did you?

When I asked her that, Michelle’s face suddenly looked as if she remembered something, and then she lowered her long eyelashes sadly.

“I didn’t have many personal belongings. I was never given anything to buy. I only had a few keepsakes from my father and mother. I still regret not being able to bring them with me. None of them had any monetary value, but to me, they were precious treasures. But I’m sure they’ve all been thrown away by now.”

Michelle’s expression, which was a self-deprecating smile, looked so lonely that it seemed she might start crying at any moment, and my heart was disturbed.

I’ll get it back. If they have disposed of it, they won’t get away with it.

At the tea party, I recalled the wicked faces of the Countess and her daughter from the Everly family, who had been condemning Michelle with arrogant and cold expressions, and I made that decision.

I need to inform my mother about my decision to take Michelle as my wife. Right after the commotion at that tea party, my mother returned to the villa as originally planned, so we haven’t been able to discuss the matter of Michelle at all…

My mother, who had plans to visit another household, left the mansion with a worried expression, as if she had something to say. The tea party, which was intended to choose my marriage partner, ended in failure, and then there was that commotion. She must be dissatisfied. I suppose I must take Michelle there soon.

But, before that…

“Curtis”

After pondering for a while, I called out to Curtis, who was in the same office. Curtis, who had been sorting the documents, looked up and gave a dazed response.

“Yes? What is it, Lord?”

“Tomorrow, I’m going to the Everly estate. I’ll finish as much work as possible today.”

“Huh? What’s going on all of a sudden? Is something wrong? Why are you suddenly going to the neighboring territory?”

◇　◇　◇

“Heh. So, this is the Everly mansion, huh? It’s kind of desolate, isn’t it? It doesn’t even compare to our place. Haha.”

The next day. After leaving the mansion early in the morning, we arrived at our destination a few hours later. As the carriage stopped in front of the gate of the Earl of Everly’s residence, Curtis said this while looking out the small window.

I briefly explained the situation to Curtis yesterday. When I told him that I intended to take Michelle as my wife, this man opened his bright green eyes wide and stood there with his mouth agape.

“By the way, why is Michelle still working as a maid? I only saw her from a distance, but she was cleaning early this morning too, right? If she’s going to be Lord Lloyd’s wife, she shouldn’t have to work anymore, right?”

“It seems like the serious and humble Michelle. When I met her in the morning, I told her it would be fine to take it easy. But she looked at me with a puzzled expression. She said she was already working at this hour. Probably, since we haven’t properly exchanged contracts yet, she thinks she should continue working as a maid as usual. We need to quickly finalize the termination of the servant contract and the engagement contract.”

“Yeah, I guess so. Ah, from now on, I’ll have to call her ‘madam’ or something. Feels weird, huh? Hahaha.”

“That’s right. Don’t call him Michelle or that guy so casually anymore. It concerns the dignity of the Harrington dukedom.”

“Understood!”

Curtis replied lightly and then got off the carriage.

I could see the faces of the guards standing in front of the gate tense with anxiety.