Chapter 15

 

“I want my lady to be happy. I think she is the one who should be happy.”

 

“… …At least I can tell you that she is a very good master to you.”

 

There was a little admiration in Jonas's voice.

 

Marsha wondered why, but no time was given to continue the conversation because the figures of Iona and Leroy were getting closer from afar.

 

'It hasn't been long since they left for a walk, so why did they come back already?'

 

Thinking that Marsha left Jonas behind and hurriedly approached Iona.

 

“My lady, the hat…”

 

“It was blown into the lake by the wind.”

 

“I think I need to rearrange your hair. Come on, get inside the carriage. Gentlemen, please wait outside for a while.”

 

The wind was strong, and her hair, which Marsha had put so much effort into, was already disheveled.

 

Marsha hurriedly led Iona to the carriage, and she obediently followed Marsha.

 

Jonas, who was watching them, soon turned his eyes to his master.

 

Leroy was staring at the spot where Iona disappeared with a serious expression from a little distance away.

 

Jonas asked, sneaking closer to him.

 

“What did she talk about that makes you look so frightened?”

 

“Jonas.”

 

"Yes?"

 

“If a woman proposes to marry you and offers to give you all her possessions in return, how should a man react to this?”

 

Jonas was a little taken aback by the absurd assumption.

 

Of course, he had enough brains to read the context, so he could easily guess that what Leroy just said was a real situation. Aside from the fact that that doesn't make any sense at all.

 

“… …Did Dame Iona say that?”

 

Jonas asked in a bewildered voice.

 

Leroy only nodded briefly.

 

Jonas' reaction was not much different from what Leroy had shown earlier. 

 

Jonas continued as if Iona was being ridiculous.

 

“Why?”

 

“I don’t know either.”

 

Leroy did not bother to explain that she had declared that she would become the head of the household, because it was already strange enough that she offered to hand over all of her personal property to him.

 

It was also a fact that only he knew that Iona was in a relationship with the crown prince, so he didn't expect a proper answer in the first place.

 

"Actually, isn't it a bit crazy?"

 

Jonas, who had been suffering for a long time, suddenly asked.

 

He shook his head roughly, adding evidence to his question.

 

“Why, weren’t we both taken aback by the sudden act of kindness last time? Come to think of it, it was a bit strange from then on. From the outside, she looks fine, but she's the prince's henchman, You both just met twice. What the hell is she thinking? Is she out of her mind?”

 

"No."

 

"Yes?"

 

Jonas asked with a puzzled face at Leroy's denial.

 

Leroy spoke again, fixing his eyes on the figure beyond the small window.

 

“It’s not like we only met twice.”

 

“Ah, you said you’d already met her before…?”

 

Jonas blurted out his words as if he had just remembered.

 

The topic naturally moved to the past.

 

“But when was that? Dame Iona doesn't seem to remember anything.”

 

“It was a long time ago. It's only natural that she has forgotten since we haven't been in a relationship in particular."

 

“… …By the way, does the Duke remember?”

 

Jonas narrowed his eyes as if something was suspicious.

 

It was time for him to question his master more earnestly.

 

But before he could get any answer, the carriage door opened and Iona walked out.

 

Perhaps thanks to the help of an expert, she had a much more tidy appearance.

 

Iona said in a polite speech suitable for her appearance.

 

"Thank you for waiting."

 

“I guess it wasn’t a good place to have a conversation. If it's okay with you, I'd like to move indoors."

 

“No, I think it would be best to leave for today. You will need some time to think about the offer I made.”

 

It was a humble attitude. As if she had done her part for today in persuading him.

 

Leroy, who was openly misled by her, grabbed Iona's hand and said.

 

“There are also ways to get to know each other better by talking. Besides I already told the Count that we would come back by evening.”

 

“If you're worried about being frowned upon for a brief encounter, don't worry. I will be home in time for dinner.”

 

“There is no case of a lady returning alone who went out with me. Do you intend to turn me into a man who doesn't even know basic manners?"

 

At Leroy's question, Iona gave a slightly puzzled expression.

 

It seemed unexpected that he would hold onto her this far.

 

However, Leroy thought that she was being too stubborn. She told him that when it became known that she was not being treated right, it was she who would be in trouble, not him.

 

“No, not like that, but… …I thought you just would not want to be with me for now. Because I made an unpleasant offer.”

 

As soon as Iona finished speaking, she felt a curious gaze stab her in the back of her head.

 

Leroy didn't look back and ordered Jonas to go to the carriage.

 

Perhaps because Iona was also there, Jonas silently obeyed Leroy's order instead of grumbling.

 

Iona, who was watching Jonas getting away from them, suggested a compromise after a while.

 

“Then let’s head back to town. But first you go, I will reach there in no time.”

 

“Is there a need to move separately in such a cumbersome way?”

 

'Why is she reluctant to be with me when she even offered to give all her money to this marriage?'

 

"I'm going to visit a place that wouldn't be appropriate for the Duke to accompany me."

 

Iona's explanation did not make Leroy feel any better. This was because she had been saying from the beginning that she was going to end the meeting with him early and that she was going somewhere else.

 

Leroy looked at her blankly and said.

 

“Okay, I guess my distrust of you is deepening.”

 

“I don't mean to do anything that will harm the duke.”

 

“If you don’t intend to make a secret out of it, tell me the truth. Where is your destination?”

 

In the end, it was Iona who took a step back. Iona answered, swallowing her troubled sigh.

 

“I’m thinking of going to Pasha Street.”

 

'Did I just hear correctly? Is there any possibility that it could have been another word with a similar pronunciation?'

 

Pasha Street, it was a street of pleasure and entertainment that everyone knew.

 

It was an overly unconventional location to head to right after the meeting with your soon-to-be husband.

 

Thanks to her earlier suggestions, Leroy thought there would be no more surprises to her, but he was completely mistaken.

 

Leroy asked with a hint of hope.

 

“… …Are there any wholesome places I don't know about?”

 

It was only then that Iona realized that it was a misleading remark and spat out a small exclamation.

 

 "Ah."

 

Perhaps she wanted to give the impression of being as sound as possible, so she straightened her back and stood upright. She said as if to reassure him.

 

“Don't worry. I'm not going to meet a man. There is a woman I want to meet there.”

 

Of course, her answer did not reassure Leroy in the slightest.

 

 ***

 

Iona's father, Hayden Modrov, was a man who had no corner to an objectively positive evaluation. Selfishness and opportunism were also problems, but above all, he had a poor view of marriage.

 

Even before marriage, he sowed many intrigues, and even after becoming married, he did not stop living a dissolute life.

 

He still met a lot of women and, perhaps understandably, had many out-of-wedlocks.

 

Iona could bet her all that she wasn't the only Modrov family's hidden illegitimate child.

 

This was Hayden, who continued to make mistresses even when the Countess was alive. After his wife's death, it was only natural that his behavior became more outspoken.

 

Even now, Hayden had a lover that everyone knew.

 

Iona was on her way to meet her.

 

“If you are uncomfortable, you can wait outside.”