Guiding the Male Lead out of His Trauma - Chapter 37.2
“I know you care about Miss Ortis, but to protect her, it’s best that she knows as well.”
“I understand. You may have brought Senior in first, Mother, but I was planning to tell you soon myself.”
Ah.
So the duchess brought me in first, then just notified him after?
Acteon maintained his usual calm and elegant demeanor, but for some reason, it felt like he was suppressing his anger.
‘…This is uncomfortable, just in a different way.’
Even though I was an invited guest, the atmosphere wasn’t exactly cheerful.
The duchess, now somewhat dispirited, kept glancing at me for my reaction, while Acteon sat lost in thought.
The only thing I could do was drink the tea they’d given me.
At least the fragrance of the tea was pleasant, drawing my attention.
Rather than sweetness, it had a slight bitterness and the freshness of herbs, leaving my mouth refreshed.
“The aroma is wonderful. Maybe it’s because you chose it so carefully, but it really suits my taste.”
“Oh my.”
“Hmm, then please try this as well.”
As the awkward mood broke, both of them turned their attention to me almost at the same time.
Seriously? Even though they’re not related by blood, the way they both pushed the prepared treats toward me, they seemed truly like mother and son.
“If you like the tea, try the madeleines too. Olga makes them even better than the head chef.”
“Hmm hmm, you flatter me.”
“I enjoy them from time to time myself. I’m sure Senior will like them too.”
“Uh, thank you.”
If a little praise could thaw the mood, then I was more than happy to offer it.
So, suddenly indulging in all the desserts that both the duchess and Acteon offered me, I enjoyed a bit of luxury.
That was when the person I’d been so suspicious of suddenly appeared.
“Sorry to interrupt your pleasant time. May I have a moment, Madam?”
“Belled? Of course. What is it?”
He always teases me with that sly smile, but in front of the duchess, he’s rather meek.
Where had he been at dawn? I glared at him with narrowed eyes, but it turned out he was here to see me, not the duchess.
“I have something I’d like to entrust to Miss Ortis. Since I’ll be leaving early tomorrow morning, I thought I should give it to you now.”
“Something to entrust…?”
From the white coat, Belled took out a small vial.
“Please give this to the first young master. I gave it to him before you went to school, but he’ll probably say it’s not enough.”
“Ah, right. It would be troublesome to send someone to deliver it.”
A white label, probably written by Belled himself, was attached to the vial, with ‘sedative’ written in elegant script.
The duchess probably couldn’t see the small letters, but her face darkened for a moment.
I was about to take the vial when I suddenly had to suppress the urge to question Belled, ‘Where did you go last night?’
He always kept that same smile, which only made it harder to guess what kind of person he was or what he was thinking.
How did he become the Brondearn family’s exclusive pharmacist? Where does he go when he’s not at the mansion?
It was a relief no one could read my mind. Otherwise, they’d think I was a stalker.
Once suspicion arises, it doesn’t go away easily.
And then, as if he could see right through me, Belled made a meaningful comment.
“I heard you caused quite a stir yesterday.”
In a house where news traveled fast, what Acteon and I had done must have already reached every corner.
But to mention it in front of me—and especially in front of the duchess—was bold.
“You’re well-informed. It wasn’t exactly a pleasant event, though.”
“Really? We actually found it quite entertaining. Isn’t that right, Madam?”
At Belled’s loaded remark, the duchess gave a troubled smile.
It seemed the two of them had shared some kind of conversation.
‘It must be related to the duchess’s plans, but what kind of person is he, really?’
The questions that started at dawn weren’t resolved, even after tea time, and left me feeling unsettled.
That night, dressed once again for sneaking around, I was about to head out when I hesitated.
I couldn’t help but wonder if Belled might be the one pushing the duchess.
And just as I was thinking about this—right after the duchess had summoned me following the talk about Acteon and me—there was a good chance Belled already knew about her plans.
‘Maybe I’m being unfairly suspicious, but…’
But apparently, I wasn’t the only one.
As soon as I passed the back door of the mansion, someone grabbed my arm.
I gasped and turned around.
“…Senior?”
“Acteon?”
It was Acteon, his eyes wide with surprise, holding on to me.
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