Chapter 268
“In any case, if he escorts her, it will only be a matter of time before Count Bernard’s daughter’s reputation is restored.”
House Taylor was merely keeping a low profile so as not to tarnish the reputation of the Chief Justice.
Because it was a great noble house that no one could approach lightly.
“…It will be. It has to be… achoo!”
As Nina answered in a determined voice and then sneezed, Ash wrapped his coat around her shoulders.
Although she was dressed quite warmly, even if not as much as when they went on inspections.
“Even if it’s a bit inconvenient, how about waiting in the foyer?”
“N-No. Let’s wait a little longer.”
It seemed she should be getting used to him putting an arm around her shoulders by now.
But when her body stiffened as if tense, Ash tilted his head slightly.
‘…She couldn’t possibly know, could she?’
A suspicion suddenly spread through his mind, and he furrowed his brows seriously before letting out a small laugh.
Every night, he waited until Nina was sound asleep before moving to the bathroom.
So it didn’t seem likely that his ‘private time’ had been discovered by his wife.
‘…Even if she did know, wouldn’t that be fine?’
His gaze slowly traced Nina’s face.
Her eyes trembling slightly, her ears faintly flushed with heat.
Seeing that she was conscious of him, wasn’t that more hopeful than before, when she would lie beside him and fall asleep without a care?
‘If that’s why she’s making that expression toward me…’
These days, as he spent nights of endurance with his reason barely holding at the edge.
For a moment, the thought crossed his mind that perhaps he should try tempting her with the face and body she liked.
“…Do you perhaps need someone to relieve your desires?”
The memory struck him like a bucket of cold water.
The desire to become one with the person he loved was only natural.
But Nina did not trust his feelings at all.
For the past two years, he had pushed her away coldly and driven countless blades into her heart, so if there was anyone to resent, it was himself.
Just as he pressed down his rising impatience with a bitter smile.
“It seems they’ve finally arrived.”
Neville, and Sophia, who had arrived at almost the same time, were lingering near the entrance.
With his arm still around Nina’s shoulders, Ash began walking.
“Sister!”
“Neville, it’s been a while.”
A handsome young man with delicate features resembling Nina approached with a bright expression.
“B…Brother-in-law, have you been well? It’s been a long time.”
When Neville greeted him somewhat awkwardly, Ash gave a small nod.
Even when they ran into each other, unless it was for official matters, they had never really talked, so the greeting was extremely awkward.
“Neville, you can exchange pleasantries later. You should greet the lady you’re meant to escort today first.”
Neville quickly wiped away his clumsy demeanor and introduced himself.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Neville of House Taylor. I’ve heard a lot about you from my sister.”
“…The pleasure is mine. I am Sophia of House Bernard.”
“Please grant me the honor of escorting you for today.”
The restless energy from before was gone. Acting like a proper young noble, Neville smiled gently and held out his hand.
Sophia shyly took the hand extended toward her.
For some reason, both of their cheeks were flushed.
* * *
Lambert residence, ballroom—
Nadia, the daughter of Count Coventry, was chatting excitedly with friends she hadn’t seen in a while.
“Really? She refused the match your mother arranged for her?”
When her friend widened her eyes in surprise, Nadia lowered the corners of her eyes as if in pity.
“That’s right. If she misses even this chance, she might end up marrying someone old enough to be her grandfather. I really don’t know what she’s thinking.”
“It’s not like she was married, just a broken engagement. Would it really get that bad? And you said the engagement was broken because of her fiancé. Or is there some other problem…?”
“It’s difficult for me to say myself…”
Nadia gave an awkward smile, as if it were hard to speak about.
Even if she only hinted at something with a meaningful expression, the rumors would grow on their own.
In this way, it was Nadia who had contributed more than anyone to destroying the reputation of her cousin Sophia.
This time, she would surely fall beyond recovery.
She was savoring her small, secret victory.
“Nadia, but… isn’t that person Lady Bernard?”
“Hm? What are you…”
Because of the broken engagement, Sophia should have been shut away quietly at home. There was no way she would appear here.
But the moment Nadia turned her head toward where her friends were looking.
‘That’s impossible…!’
Nadia’s dark brown eyes began to shake violently.
The person who should not have appeared here.
Sophia had entered, holding the hand of the heir of House Taylor.
