Chapter 75
Should I say embarrassed or ashamed?
‘Ah, I should have made the first move before Estelle said anything…’
I had tried to act like I wasn’t paying attention to Claude, but now it seemed pointless. I felt mortified.
At that moment, Estelle turned her body toward me.
I had been staring blankly at the floor, but sensing her gaze, I quietly turned my head.
“By the way, Reina.”
“Hm?”
“Let’s continue the conversation we started earlier.”
The conversation from earlier?
What was that again?
I tilted my head in confusion.
“What were you going to say?”
“About why I fainted.”
Ah, right. That’s what it was.
Earlier, after washing up, we had agreed to talk. I had been nervous that Estelle might ask about the birthmark, and with Claude’s arrival, I had completely forgotten.
“And there’s one more thing I’m curious about.”
“O-Oh? One more thing? What is it?”
I hadn’t even thought about the cause of her fainting, and now there was another question…!
What if this new question is also hard to answer?
I swallowed nervously.
“I’m curious why I’m here at the Genopescia Duke’s mansion instead of my home. And why I’m here with you, Reina.”
Estelle took my hand and then slightly turned her head to look at Claude.
It seemed she wanted to hear the answer from him, not from me.
“Shall we answer the second question first, then?”
At Claude’s words, Estelle nodded as if that was fine.
“You remember fainting at the academy, right?”
“Yes.”
“At that time, Aris happened to be nearby.”
“Aris?”
“Yes.”
Hearing Claude’s answer, Estelle slightly furrowed her brows.
Although I didn’t know why, it seemed something he said didn’t fully satisfy her.
But Claude ignored her reaction and continued.
“Aris took you to the infirmary and contacted me. I also immediately contacted Reina.”
Estelle frowned again.
Unlike the slight irritation from earlier, this time her expression clearly showed dissatisfaction.
At the same time, I felt her grip tighten on my hand.
It seemed she unconsciously applied more strength as her emotions shifted.
“Why would you just casually… Ha. No, never mind.”
Muttering the words, Estelle looked at my hand holding hers and suddenly stopped speaking.
She realized she had gotten worked up from the odd feeling in her hand.
Aware that her emotions had escalated, she exhaled deeply and relaxed her body, including her hand.
Calmer now, Estelle looked up at Claude.
Her hand was still holding mine.
“So then, couldn’t we have just gone home? It would be more comfortable for both me and Reina.”
“Ah, that was my decision.”
I raised my other hand, the one Estelle wasn’t holding, as I answered.
Estelle turned her head, giving me a look of confusion.
I felt awkward under her gaze.
I gently scratched my cheek with my index finger and spoke.
“Claude first offered, and I was worried that your condition might suddenly get worse.”
“Claude offered first?”
“Yes. He said it would be hard for you to handle alone if you suddenly got sick, and offered to help.”
I nodded.
Then, with my eyebrows slightly furrowed, I continued.
“I thought being home would be fine, but after hearing that from Claude, I suddenly felt scared. I was afraid there’d be nothing I could do to help.”
“……”
“So I came to the mansion. Considering that, I thought it would be easier to get help here, where there’s always a doctor.”
I wanted to appear competent like a capable adult. But now I had to show Estelle this unsure side of me.
I felt a bit apologetic and frustrated with myself.
Then it happened.
“I see. Thank you.”
Press-.
I felt a small pressure from Estelle’s hand holding mine, as if telling me there was no need to feel that way.
“So, what caused me to faint? I want to prevent it from happening again.”
Estelle asked Claude, still holding my hand tightly.
Claude crossed his arms and replied.
“Sorry, but I can’t give a clear answer to that question.”
“Why not? The doctors here at Genopescia must have figured it out.”
“Embarrassingly, even the doctors couldn’t find the exact cause.”
Claude said he didn’t know, boldly shrugging his shoulders.
His attitude looked brazen, and Estelle’s expression turned incredulous.
But I was grateful to Claude.
He was protecting the secret of my birthmark, as I had asked.
Estelle didn’t seem overly curious about the birthmark on my shoulder.
But she was curious enough to keep asking about the cause of my fainting.
If we made up a clumsy excuse or lied, we might get through this situation, but later it could all fall apart. Estelle would notice the inconsistency.
‘Better to just say we don’t know.’
What can we do if we say we don’t know? Until we find out, there’s nothing more to ask.
Claude avoided creating future gaps while simultaneously stopping Estelle’s line of questioning.
‘I… made a weird excuse anyway.’
As expected. That’s the difference experience makes.
“But there’s no need to worry. I can assure you that there’s no health problem. You won’t faint like this again.”
Estelle made a displeased sound, but soon nodded, accepting it.
“Rest well at the mansion this week. I’ve informed the academy, so there’s no need to go.”
“It’s fine! I’ll go back.”
I waved my hand frantically, startled.
I was grateful he contacted the academy. But staying at the mansion longer… I had already stayed here long enough and received help.
I couldn’t justify staying without reason.
“You’re awake too, Estelle. You look fine. Since we’ve already been helped, we can go home.”
“…I see.”
Claude paused, then nodded.
Strangely, his voice seemed to carry a subtle feeling of regret.
“Then, I’ll have the carriage prepared for tomorrow.”
But his next words dispelled that thought.
His voice sounded just as usual.
Claude moved toward the door as if ready to leave.
I bowed slightly toward him.
“Thank you. You’ve helped us a lot.”
“As I said before, no need to thank me.”
He turned the doorknob, then looked back at me.
“Then, let’s go.”
With that, he left the room.
Once Claude was gone, only Estelle and I remained.
“Haa…”
Ah, after worrying for days about when Estelle would wake up, my tension suddenly released.
I felt an overwhelming fatigue.
“Ugh. Tears…”
After yawning widely, tears welled up.
I raised my hand and wiped them from the corner of my eye.
“Reina, you look really tired. It’s late, so why don’t you sleep a bit?”
“Hm? No, I’m fine.”
“But you just yawned.”
“…I always yawn when I hold hands.”
“Ha ha, what’s that about?”
I felt embarrassed thinking I was talking nonsense because I was sleepy. Estelle must have thought the same, judging by her laughter.
‘Heh, but Estelle’s smile makes it less embarrassing.’
No, actually, it felt good.
It had been a long time since I saw Estelle’s face light up like this.
