"There are very important circumstances involved."
His words trailed off as if he were about to begin a long story. Ah... so it was nothing special after all. Esperanza smiled with the tip of her nose.
"First, the ward setting won't work here."
Then why did you set up the ward arrangement in the first place?
Of course, at that time, Count Avondale would have had no reason to take the risk of providing such strong identity guarantee to a future person who had suddenly dropped out of nowhere. The situation was different from now. What was different? Well, Esperanza decided to reserve her answer.
"Riton is a conservative region. The social circles here are closed off, and they're more particular about status and manners than even Nine Holder. A ward of the same age? The people of Riton wouldn't even pretend to be fooled."
It made sense. Even if the people of Nine Holder would accept it, how this narrow and conservative local society would view them was another matter. The fact that they were living together was already a foregone conclusion, and all that remained was how to package it plausibly. It would have been more or less a foregone conclusion in Nine Holder as well...
"Will you be alright?"
Cider shrugged his shoulders as he answered.
"You know who gets hurt more by this kind of rumor."
It went without saying who was hurt more between Duke Dunbarton, who sent a unilateral and rude letter breaking the engagement, and Cordelia, who had her engagement broken for ridiculous reasons.
Cider gently held Esperanza's chin with both hands and lifted it up. It was surprising that such a touch didn't feel uncomfortable anymore. When their eyes met, he smiled broadly.
"And I worry about your reputation."
While Esperanza hesitated, Cider added reproachfully.
"Unlike someone who has no interest in their own reputation."
"I'm not uninterested..."
"You are."
"I am, but."
Even if she built a good reputation here, it would all become useless when she returned, so there was no need to take the difficult route. Of course, Esperanza also preferred favorable reactions from others, but such desires were something she could boldly abandon depending on the circumstances.
Therefore, despite the vastly different positions of gentlemen and ladies, in this matter, it was Cider, not Esperanza, whose reputation was more problematic. Though it was said half-jokingly, he had once mentioned with his own mouth that his reputation would suffer and marriage would become difficult.
'In a few years, everyone will forget it as a momentary transgression.'
Still, there wouldn't be no impact.
"How about just having a chaperone? All we need is a witness that we weren't alone behind closed doors."
"That's cumbersome. I need a reputation for being proper, but I have no intention of actually behaving properly."
"Even though you'll just be sitting there fitting gears together..."
As if he would behave particularly scandalously. Cider pretended not to hear those words. The wind blew fiercely. Esperanza adjusted her grip on her skirt and asked.
"But even if we're engaged, wouldn't that still be problematic for your reputation?"
"That's right. We're a big problem in ourselves."
Esperanza narrowed her eyes. As if to say, so what are you going to do about it?
"No matter how much everyone obviously exploits the system, it's better than being a ward. If we're in an engagement relationship, even if it looks dishonorable, it won't even be a joke in a few years, so it's somewhat less problematic."
It seemed reasonable. Just as she was about to be convinced, Cider added in a peculiar tone.
"I won't say I have no ulterior motives."
"Ah..."
She really couldn't let her guard down.
She was about to say something, but when she faced his pleasantly smiling face, she was at a loss for words. She couldn't help but feel good too. Esperanza ended up bursting into laughter.
"What can we do about what's already been done? It's not like this house has frequent visitors anyway."
It was truly fortunate that he was someone whose lifestyle matched hers well. If Cider had been the type to host balls every other day, Esperanza might have found her own place and moved out long ago.
"There's not enough research time as it is, where would I find time to invite guests?"
Cider looked toward the mansion with displeasure, having had his precious research time stolen by uninvited guests.
"But why did you specifically contact that house? Couldn't you just lend us your carriage?"
"I've added functions that wouldn't be good if discovered, so it's problematic."
Since everyone knew that Count Avondale was a magical engineer, people seemed to understand on their own why he wouldn't lend out his carriage, without needing an explanation.
"Still, they don't live far away, so if the carriage comes quickly, we might be able to visit the laboratory in the evening. I still haven't been able to use that training ground!"
"I wonder about that."
Cider spoke in a lukewarm voice. When asked why, he gathered Esperanza's disheveled hair and swept it back behind her, adding with regret.
"I don't think the carriage will come that early."
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The window of the smoking room attached to the dining room had a ventilation pipe attached to it. It was the kind of machinery most necessary for a smoking room, but something that couldn't be easily seen even in Nine Holder.
"Truly Avondale."
James Boyle admired it as he took a long drag of his Paoran. The smoking room was equipped with simple games that gentlemen could play while smoking cigarettes and today's published newspapers, but what James Boyle and Darwin Egerton were actually looking at was the window containing the scenery of the wide lake.
James Boyle gazed enviously at the scene outside the window, where the Count and his fiancée were lost in their own world.
"I want to get engaged to Miss Wilcott and spend time like that too..."
"Isn't she enjoying a pleasant time with your cousin right about now?"
"How kind of you to say that. Simon would have rushed to the Wilcotts gladly. Since his most formidable rival is absent. He's probably there badmouthing me."
Darwin Egerton knew that the two Boyles weren't particularly high-ranking suitors for Lavinia Wilcott, but he kept his mouth shut for the sake of friendship.
"But isn't Miss Wilcott too popular? How about looking for someone else? It doesn't seem easy to win Riton's greatest beauty."
Riton's greatest beauty. That might become somewhat ambiguous in the future too. Darwin Egerton's gaze turned toward the window. But since that lady would either become a countess or have no business being seen in Riton, Lavinia Wilcott's status in the marriage market would be maintained.
The competition wouldn't be dispersed, and James's greedy cousin would constantly bother him to aim for the position of fiancé to a wealthy heiress. However, James Boyle was firm.
"I'm not after Miss Wilcott's fortune. Unlike someone else."
The young man spoke with a flushed face and grumbled as he enviously watched the Count, who still hadn't disappeared from the window.
"I want to play such shameless games with Miss Wilcott too."
"I wish the carriage would come quickly..."
It was annoying to watch other people's romantic antics, and it was no fun listening to his friend's complaints when he couldn't read the situation. At this point, he'd rather go home even if it meant getting hit with an ashtray by his friend's father instead of his friend.
"The carriage? It won't come until evening."
"Why?"
"Would you let this kind of opportunity slip by if you were in their position?"
Ah. Darwin Egerton's eyes wavered. That's right. His mother, Mrs. Egerton, even if she heard the same news, would delay as much as possible and only send the carriage when evening was almost upon them. It would be fortunate if she only sent the carriage.
"The whole family won't come rushing over, will they?"
He had an ominous feeling.
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As everyone expected, the Boyle family didn't send their carriage until evening was nearly upon them.
Count Avondale abandoned his morning breakfast table petulance and entertained his guests with impeccably refined manners. James Boyle and Darwin Egerton toured the mansion following the Count and his fiancée, drank tea from teacups chosen by the Count's fiancée, and played card games with the two of them.
Cider Claiborne won seven out of ten games in a row, then withdrew from the game, unable to withstand his fiancée's gaze.
"Why don't you just blindfold yourself?"
"Should I really play blindfolded?"
"Never mind. I'll withdraw."
For an ordinary engaged couple, their conversation was too casual. When they looked at this curiously, Miss Esperanza Hunter said:
"It's because I'm from Paolun."
They didn't understand what relationship there was between the two people's attitude and Esperanza's origin, but they interpreted it to mean that ladies from the colonies were more free-spirited. The person who said it didn't really know what she meant either.
"Oh, that's unimaginable in Riton, isn't it? Still, having a fiancée who's like a friend makes me quite envious."
The Count, who had been watching the conversation with his arm resting on the armrest and his chin propped up, looked up with displeasure. James Boyle, who hadn't noticed this, chattered on.
"Actually, there's a young lady I'm courting..."
The Count's gaze became peaceful. James Boyle, regardless, went on to tell his detailed courtship story. Meanwhile, Esperanza put down her cards and dusted off her hands.
"It's over."
"Ah, Miss Hunter, that's cheating!"
"It was my turn."
If that was the case, then there was nothing to say. James Boyle, who had lost eight games in a row, reluctantly nodded.
"The carriage is really late though. We should send another message."
"I'll tell them."
The Count rose from his seat. He lifted his fiancée's chin and lightly pressed his cheeks against both of hers in greeting, then closed the door and left.
Esperanza belatedly let out an "Ah!" of exclamation. A lingering scent remained at the tip of her nose.
"Shall we play another round? ...Miss Hunter?"
"Ah, yes."
Esperanza, who had pushed the cards in front of her, belatedly exhaled. She thought it would be good if the carriage came quickly.
However, the carriage arrived at exactly 6:40. It was dinner time, as if timed perfectly. When a steam carriage entered through the massive main gate, the two young men who had been drinking tea and watching for signs quickly rushed outside.
"I knew this would happen."
Cider, pointing to the window, spoke leisurely.
"Will this be alright? There won't be enough for dinner."
"Would a butler who's worked in the mansion for over 50 years lack such awareness? He'll have prepared everything already. There might even be leftovers."
Leftovers weren't a problem. The employees could have a small party among themselves. Count Avondale might be demanding about his own affairs, but he was unusually generous in such matters.
"Still, just to be sure, I'll go check."
"Do as you please."
Esperanza headed to the kitchen, and Cider clicked his tongue lightly and looked down at the farce in front of the entrance.
"Mother!"
A lady who looked exactly like James Boyle got out of the carriage. The carriage chimney puffed out the remaining steam. Even after Mrs. Boyle got out, the carriage door didn't close. James Boyle's jaw dropped.
"Louise? Mother, you only needed to send the carriage, there was no need to bring Louise too!"
"Quiet! One son goes missing in the forest when he says he's going hunting, then says he's at Glailly House! You don't think about your family even as much as a fingernail! Darwin, you're the same. You should have stopped him!"
However, there was excitement mixed in the lady's voice. While it was regrettable that her son had caused trouble, the opportunity to meet Count Avondale, who rarely left his mansion, was more beneficial than harmful. It would also be something to boast about at the next gathering.
The lady who spotted the Count walking out leisurely brightened and ran over to curtsy.
"Lord Avondale, we've truly caused such trouble. I hope our children didn't make any mistakes?"
"You must be Mrs. Boyle. It's a pleasure to meet you. Both gentlemen were very gentlemanly, so you needn't worry."
Mrs. Boyle, who didn't yet know about the bill that would arrive at the Boyle mansion within a few days, smiled brightly.
"I see, that's a relief. Oh, look at me. This child is my daughter. Her name is Louise. Louise!"
A lady in her late teens greeted them with a flushed face. There was no sign that she had dressed hastily. It didn't deviate one bit from expectations. His precious research time and their leisurely afternoon alone had all been stolen by this unexpected nuisance. But sometimes there are things you must pretend to believe even when you know better.
"Since it's dinner time, I hope the ladies will also join us and grace the occasion."
"Oh my, I'm sorry for coming without notice and being a bother."
At those shameless words, the expressions of the three people pushed behind Mrs. Boyle all showed looks that said 'as if that were really the case.'