It Seems Like The Infamous Trash Can is Right Here! - Chapter 57
“It looks like we have guests.”
At my words, Lionel also turned his head to look out the window.
“Those pests again….”
His low murmur made me glance at him, only to find his brow furrowed deeply.
Noticing my gaze, he gave a wry smile.
“I’m aware that Vivian’s guests make things uncomfortable in many ways.”
I parted my lips, unsure of how to respond.
Dantère, Ardin, and Halid frequently coming and going from the Luanax estate in pursuit of Vivian was something I had expected—after all, I had read the novel.
It was like knowing that today it would rain and tomorrow it would snow. What could a person do to stop it? At best, they could prepare an umbrella.
But if I were to say that their presence was so unbearable that I couldn’t stand it—
What would Lionel say in response?
… I didn’t want to put him in an awkward position. It wasn’t as if he was letting them linger around because he particularly liked them either.
“You must have a reason for allowing their visits, don’t you?”
“That’s… true.”
“Then I don’t mind. I doubt I’ll be running into them very often anyway.”
He studied me for a long moment as I smiled at him, then let out a small sigh.
“Soon enough, you’ll understand why I leave them be. Right now, I don’t think you’d believe me even if I explained it.”
…Wait. What he just said—it was similar to what I had been thinking in the carriage earlier, wasn’t it? That there was no way to explain, that even if I did, it would be hard to believe.
I blinked at him, scrutinizing his expression. And then the carriage door suddenly flew open from the outside.
The culprit, of course, was none other than Dantère.
He had just been grabbing Ardin by the collar a moment ago, and now here he was, throwing open someone else’s carriage door without permission.
“What are you waiting for? Get out already.”
The quiet rage simmering beneath his composed exterior was palpable, as he turned to Dantère.
‘Why is he so reckless…?’
Hadn’t he already been scolded by Lionel twice?
What was he thinking, acting like this? If Lionel decided to ban him from the mansion altogether, what then? Though, knowing Dantère, he’d probably just climb over the walls to get in.
“Oh, the priestess is here too. Hey, Sasha.”
I forced an awkward smile and bowed my head slightly in greeting. At the same time, I discreetly tugged on Lionel’s sleeve from behind.
I had a bad feeling—if I left him unchecked, he might just take action immediately.
And sure enough, Lionel hesitated and turned to look at me.
“Your Grace, why don’t we step out of the carriage first?”
“…Very well.”
Lionel jerked his chin at Dantère, silently ordering him to step back, then descended from the carriage.
He took my hand to help me down and, the moment my feet touched the ground, smoothly drew my arm into his.
The motion was so fluid and natural that I didn’t even have the chance to pull away.
“Oh my, Sasha. You must have gone out somewhere.”
Vivian approached with a bright smile.
“Yes, I had some business at the temple and went to see the elder priest.”
“I see.”
Ardin also greeted Lionel and me in turn.
“I’ve been feeling uneasy about yesterday. Are you feeling better now?”
“Of course.”
I had no interest in his concern, but I kept a polite smile as I responded.
“We were just about to have tea in the garden.”
“I see. I hope you have a pleasant time.”
“Why don’t you join us, Sasha? Ardin brought an assortment of desserts from the most famous patisserie in the capital.”
