Almeida opened her mouth to Jared, who was searching for words.
“Please call the young lady who was eavesdropping in front of the door. It’s not good to keep her standing in the hallway forever. Besides, it looks like she brought tea, so here.”
“Um, yes. — Huh? Olivier-sama?”
When the door opened, Olivier stood there with a tray, her face looking awkward. Seeing the pot and teacups that carried the scent of black tea, he realized she had prepared the tea.
“That, well, I couldn’t quite calm down earlier, so I thought if you’d like…”
“It was the kind of conversation that made me eavesdrop. Honestly, Jared, you should have noticed too.”
“I’m sorry. I was too focused on my conversation with Almeida. Please, come in, Olivier-sama.”
“Thank you.”
Carrying the tray, I invited her into the room.
It wasn’t that I had said anything particularly problematic to be overheard, but it was true that it was content I had never told Olivier.
Jared didn’t say much. He didn’t try to. Olivier, having learned this through living together, had prepared herself not to be surprised by anything now. However, the Dragon Girl Rio, who was targeting Jared, appeared, and she learned that he had fought dragons from her mouth. Furthermore, Almeida, his teacher who had taught him his fighting skills, appeared.
Needless to say, contrary to her preparedness, it was a succession of surprises.
The reason Olivier appeared with tea was also from her desire to know more about Jared.
Yeny would have felt the same way, but she was different from Olivier. While Olivier wanted to know everything about Jared, Yeny loved him as he was and didn’t mind if he had secrets. Of course, she would be happy if he confided in her, and she wanted to know about Jared, but she could love him even without knowing, that was Yeny.
“Sit here, Olivier-chan.”
“Yes… excuse me.”
“Don’t be nervous. Think of me as Jared’s older sister or mother.”
“I think that would make me even more nervous.”
Jared, who watched their interaction without comment, unsure if it was a joke or not, didn’t understand. He just knew that just by watching their exchange, his stomach started to hurt, and it wasn’t his imagination.
“Before that—Jared. You go out.”
“Why?”
“You’re such a pervert for wanting to hear a conversation between girls.”
“…Girls?”
He let out a small doubt and was glared at sharply not only by Almeida but also by Olivier, and he shrunk back.
“Here, get out!”
Almeida snatched the tray and kicked Jared out into the hallway.
Without giving him time to protest, she closed the door and sat down in a chair prepared in the room.
“You sit down too. The tea you so kindly brought will get cold.”
“Yes. Then…”
Olivier and Almeida faced each other across the table.
Almeida seemed to be enjoying watching Olivier, who was at a loss for how to start the conversation, especially since she knew she had been eavesdropping.
However, perhaps feeling a little sorry for her, she smiled wryly and opened her mouth.
“I’m sure you have many questions for me. I wanted to talk to you too. We’re not in-laws—but let’s talk.”
“Of course. Please, let’s talk.”
Almeida, who had deliberately uttered the word “in-laws,” was met with Olivier’s challenging reply. Then, with a bright smile, Almeida nodded.
“That’s good. I like you. Actually, since I came to this country, I’ve investigated Jared and you a little. To be honest, the rumors about Olivier Alway aren’t very good. I’ve made many assumptions, such as whether Jared has a bad eye for women, or if he couldn’t refuse because of her aristocratic title.”
“If you hear rumors about me, I think it’s natural to think that way.”
The catalyst was the bad rumor spread by her younger sister, Emilia Alway, but it was undoubtedly Olivier herself who joined in on the rumor to relieve her stress.
The bad rumors were quite useful for keeping untrustworthy people away, as well as for not involving anyone in a situation where her mother and she were both targeted.
“But when I saw Olivier Alway with my own eyes, I was relieved to know that she was different from the rumors. She seems a little selfish and stubborn, but no one is perfect. Oh, I’m sorry if that offended you. I say what I think. I don’t care about titles either. Whether the other person is a Duke or even a King, I’ll say what I want without changing.”
“I don’t mind. It hasn’t offended me, so please don’t worry about it. Besides, it’s easier for me if you speak your mind without reservation.”
“You really are a good girl. If it were a young lady who grew up spoiled, she would either get angry or cry. After all, those who have gone through hardships and tried to move forward are different.”
Olivier felt that Almeida’s admiring words were not entirely a compliment.
“The bad rumors weren’t true, and I somehow understand the circumstances behind Jared’s engagement to you. Although the initial reason was that he couldn’t refuse due to his position, if you’re going to live in this country, I think marrying you is fine.”
“The way you say that, it sounds like there’s a possibility of living outside this country?”
“That’s right.”
“—!”
Olivier’s heart pounded like a drum.
She didn’t want to think about Jared leaving this country.
She didn’t want to imagine him, her benefactor who saved her family, the first man she ever fell in love with, disappearing.
Olivier realized she was becoming weak. When she lived with her mother and Trane, she had pretended to be strong, but she might not be able to do so anymore.
Jared was here, and Yeny was here. She was getting along well even with the assassin Pfeil. Her current life was enjoyable, happy, and fulfilling. That’s why she didn’t want to let go.
“I know you and your mother were in danger from the consort and had a difficult time. It might be common among nobility, but it must have been tough. I’m impressed that you’ve continued to protect your mother for so long. But—isn’t it time?”
“What, what do you mean?”
Her throat was dry with tension.
She didn’t want to hear any more of Almeida’s words.
However, Almeida, without mercy, uttered the words Olivier most didn’t want to hear.
“Although the consort has not been apprehended, you and your mother were saved by Jared. So, it’s about time—release my dear disciple.”
