A World Where You All Are The Villains - Chapter 49.2
Soon, with my hair tied back in a single braid, I put on a simple dark navy dress without any accessories.
It was more suited for indoors than going out, a little loose-fitting for comfort.
The maids who had come to help me dress exchanged puzzled looks.
“Miss, the weather is so lovely. Wouldn’t something a bit brighter suit the day better?”
“Maybe you should wear some accessories too…”
“I like this just fine.”
At my firm response, the maids fell respectfully silent and stepped back.
I’d heard from Nancy that rumors had been spreading among the staff that the young lady had changed somehow lately.
But I didn’t care much. Opinions of background extras weren’t my concern.
‘The Duke actually likes me better this way, though?’
Smirking slyly with a mischievous grin, I turned to Nancy and said,
“Let’s go, Nancy.”
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It was just as Nancy and I made our way down to the first floor.
“Edith.”
“Father?”
I widened my eyes in surprise at the sight of the Duke standing in the lobby with the butler.
“What brings you out here?”
“What brings me, ahem! I have to go out myself soon, so I thought I’d step out a bit.”
“O-Oh, I see…”
Despite claiming he had to go out, he was dressed in extremely casual indoor wear, but I didn’t bother to point it out.
After a few more awkward coughs, the Duke suddenly asked,
“…How are you feeling?”
I flinched.
I hadn’t expected him to still be thinking about yesterday.
And just like that, my emotions became strange.
“…I’m fine. I took the digestive tonic right away.”
“Really? Well, that’s a relief… Tch. But what are you wearing? Is that really what you’re going out in?”
“What about it?”
“Shouldn’t you wear something a bit more bright and cheerful, age-appropriate?! Are you already sick of frilly things?”
“I’m going out to buy new clothes anyway. If I wear something hard to take off, it’ll just be uncomfortable.”
Since it wasn’t the first time he nitpicked over nonsense, I responded casually.
And sure enough, he had nothing more to say and fell silent.
‘So what, he came down just to complain about my outfit?’
He’s practically a mother-in-law at this point.
Pouting a little, I bowed my head.
“Well then, I’ll be off—”
“Here. Take it.”
It was then that the Duke, who had his hands behind his back, suddenly pulled one forward and handed me something.
It was a rather hefty pouch.
“…What’s this?”
“If you don’t want it, forget it!”
He gave the pouch a little shake as if to snatch it back.
Clink, clink!
A clear, delicate sound rang from inside.
‘Money?!’
If nothing else, my ears were unnervingly good at picking up the sound of coins. I hurriedly took the pouch from him.
As soon as I untied the knot.
Gasp…!
I saw dozens of gold coins stuffed inside.
Even without knowing the exact value of money in this world, it was obviously an enormous amount.
My eyes grew wide as I looked back and forth between the pouch and the Duke.
“F-Father. This… why…?”
“It’s your first outing in a while. If you see something you want, buy it.”
“But… this is too much, isn’t it? You said you’d buy me a dress too…”
“Since when did you care about that kind of thing…”
The Duke muttered, then suddenly clamped his mouth shut.
He must’ve remembered that his daughter had lost her memories.
“A-Anyway… You’re still the daughter of House Blake. You shouldn’t be walking around looking shabby, got it? Don’t go shrinking back just because you’re an Unawakened, go all out and make yourself shine. You should aim to be the Flower of Equines too!”
He suddenly rattled off his words like a machine gun, then quickly lowered his voice.
“Don’t tell your brother. Keep your mouth shut.”
That affectionate tone made my heart sink for a moment.
‘I wonder… had he been treating Edith like this all along, from time to time?’
I looked at him with slightly trembling eyes, then slowly nodded.
“…Thank you.”
“Wherever you go, mind your manners at all times. Don’t go dropping things left and right, leave them with your maid in advance. Understood?”
“Yes.”
“If you run out of money, put it on credit. I’m sure you’ll manage just fine even without me saying it.”
“……”
“Go on. I’ll head back inside first.”
As if handing over the coin pouch had been the only reason for coming, the Duke turned around and left.
I watched him grow distant, and for some reason, my throat tightened.
I quietly looked down at the pouch he’d pressed into my hands.
And for some reason… a whirlwind of unnamable emotions surged within me.
Doubt, like should I really be accepting something like this.
Resentment, like why couldn’t he have done this for Edith before she died.
And the bitterness of realizing this is all I ever really wanted back then.
All of it stirred together and made me feel like crying.
But then.
“Sniff… Seeing how well you two get along now… This old man has no more regrets! Sob!”
…The sight of the butler already dabbing his eyes with a handkerchief instantly killed any tears I might’ve had.
“…Butler.”
“Yes, Miss?”
“You told Father yesterday that things seemed friendly between me and the Grand Duke, right? Has your eyesight gone bad already?!”
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