The Reincarnated Noble Lady is the Infamous Viscount's Heir - I've Accepted a Contract Marriage for Estate Management. - Chapter 1.21

“Um, Lord Rockwell… was the part about managing the new territory just an excuse to propose marriage?”

His kind and sweet demeanor was making me overthink things, so I wanted to confirm it once and for all. Even if everything seemed fine on paper, any misunderstandings in conversation could cause trouble.

“You said you saw me at my debut ball three years ago, but are you sure it wasn’t a case of mistaken identity?”

At my question, Lord Rockwell gave me a look that seemed to say, What a troublesome girl, but his expression remained gentle.

“So, you still think I proposed just because I needed help managing the territory? Grace, the truth is, anyone could handle that. If you want to take on the task, I won’t stop you, but I’d prefer you do it under my supervision. Honestly, I fell in love with you at first sight during your debut three years ago. Back then, I wanted to propose to you right away.”

Hmm. Is this one of those noble customs, where they say the “right” things to their fiancées to follow protocol? I don’t need that kind of flattery.

People often say I’m hard to read because my face is expressionless, but honestly, I’m not great at playing these subtle noble games. Even Percival teased me, saying, “You’ve got to be kidding.”

“When I saw you at your debut, I thought, What a beautiful girl.”

Wow. This face of mine really is something, isn’t it? Should I be thanking God for giving me this face? Oh, wait—it’s my mother I should thank. Still, overwhelming gratitude!

“It wasn’t just your beauty. You were also kind and dependable. Even though you were making your debut, you stepped in to help another young lady who was being pestered by a married nobleman.”

His words brought back memories of that time. Yes, something like that did happen during my debut. But honestly, it was just a coincidence.

Debutantes are often naïve, especially about the darker side of society. A good-looking man with a title only needs to say a few sweet words to make their heads spin.

In my case, since I had already been handling estate matters and attending trade meetings, I had more experience than most debutantes. I was more aware of the world and less likely to fall for sweet-talking scoundrels.

That being said, some nobles who knew me from estate-related dealings did make comments like:

“Lady Wilcox, is this really your debut year? Oh, my apologies…”

Rude, right? Though, I suppose this face played a role.

Anyway, back to the man I confronted during my debut. He was trying to lead a young lady out onto the terrace, and I approached them, saying:

“Oh, isn’t that Baron Kimble? Are you escorting a debutante? But isn’t your daughter, Lady Cynthia, only thirteen? And this young lady is…?”

That baron had quite the reputation for being unfaithful and making advances toward women. I had no doubt he planned to take her out to the garden and do something inappropriate.

The young lady, upon hearing my words, turned pale. Of course, she did—finding out in that moment that the man she was enchanted by was a married baron must have been a shock.

“Oh, Sarah! You’re from the class next to mine at the academy, aren’t you?” I added, pretending to recognize her.

Her name wasn’t Sarah, of course—it was Julia—but she played along. I suggested we go talk to some “old classmates,” and she eagerly agreed. Julia and I still write letters occasionally, and she married safely two years ago.

“That moment really stuck with me,” Lord Rockwell continued. “Among all the debutantes, you stood out. You were confident, stunning, strong, and radiant—like a diamond. I wanted to approach you, but when I heard you were engaged, I was disappointed.”

This is… a bit much. I appreciate the compliments, but his preferences are clearly unique.

“So, when I heard about your engagement being broken off, I wanted to propose right away,” he admitted.

That’s… ambitious. Our social standings—him being an earl and me from a viscount family—are quite different.

“But I had a lot of difficult work and family issues to deal with, and I couldn’t act right away. I finally managed to settle things earlier this year.”

Work-related issues, huh?

“I prayed for a chance to meet you this year. When I saw you at the ball, I was determined to propose.”

“Didn’t you think I might have already married by then?” I asked.

Lord Rockwell fixed his gaze on me, his expression serious.

“I have a friend in the Gendarmerie.”

Huh? The military police? Why?

With a sigh, he continued, “They told me there was a noblewoman who rode between the capital and her estate alone on horseback.”

Oh no. That’s definitely me. Who else would do something like that? Sure, I did it when I didn’t have much to carry, but still!

“I could tell you were dedicated to your work, but it made my heart stop. Please don’t do anything so reckless again.”

I’d thought of it as exercise and a way to lose weight, but… apparently, that was a bad idea. Being reported to the Gendarmerie? That’s… embarrassing. Is this why I couldn’t get married until now?

“Didn’t your parents or relatives oppose you proposing to someone with a reputation like that?” I asked nervously.

“My family didn’t mind. Honestly, the rumors about you traveling alone probably scared off any unwanted suitors. Even my guards were worried. When I heard about it, I was shocked too.”

“Guards?”

“Yes. The guards you hired—they’re from my family’s security network. Even though I couldn’t propose back then, I wanted to ensure the woman I loved was safe.”

He looked at me with an expression that was both fond and exasperated, as if thinking, What am I going to do with you?