Chapter 113 …
The reasoning was as follows.
The late baron, whose life was in danger, was desperately searching for his lost daughter. Simone happened to resemble her when seen during a wandering troupe performance.
The idea was that if she spent even a little time with him, he could rest peacefully and pass away without worry.
The troupe leader refused.
Unless she was a child like Lucien in her early years, with no use at all, Simone was an essential member of the troupe. Any performance without her would be impossible.
Then the noble family made an offer the leader could not refuse.
In other words, they offered a large red gemstone. At the sight of the expensive ruby, the leader, without realizing it, nodded.
“Are you insane?”
Jun, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, shouted angrily.
“No, listen. Look at this. The income is on a completely different scale than performing a few shows. Besides, performances are hard in winter anyway, right?”
The leader, wearing a pained expression, discreetly handed a silver coin to Jun.
“You take Simone to the baron’s family.”
“…Even so, if sister refuses, there’s nothing I can do.”
Jun thought Simone would never accept such an offer.
Yet when he met her outside the leader’s carriage, she had already packed her things and was ready to leave.
“Sis, have you lost your mind?”
Jun asked, his face twisted, and Simone smiled slyly.
“So what? I might as well try a little adventure.”
“Adventure?”
“The world has changed. Don’t the nobles seem to be treating us a bit more favorably now?”
Jun was speechless.
Surely, compared to before, their treatment might have improved. But that was likely because the troupe now carried letters of recommendation from nobles.
“Look at Miss Sutcliffe and her fiancé. Even though they come from different social classes, they get along so well. They’re destined to be a wonderful couple.”
“No matter how different, he’s going to be a doctor!”
Even among commoners, Henry was an educated man learning medicine, not a wandering performer selling skills.
“To the nobles, a doctor or a traveling troupe is basically the same.”
“That may be true, but—”
“Besides, look at Lucien.”
“….”
“We worried so much, yet the Duke of Winfield recognized his diligence. He was appreciated for his efforts.”
Simone smiled brightly.
“…Sister.”
“Of course I know. Lucien earned the Duke’s recognition through his hard work.”
In other words, Simone meant she would follow that example and do her best in whatever task was entrusted to her. She seemed fully determined.
Yet Jun could not shake his doubts.
“…Do you really think they called you because you resemble their lost daughter?”
The plausible explanation might just be a convenient cover.
Not that—but for some other, perverse reason.
“How can you be so naive?”
“I’m just stating the facts!”
It was natural for Jun to think so.
They were nobles, skilled at disguising their dirty intentions with polite words.
If his suspicion were correct, it was obvious how horribly Simone could be treated. Even with the hefty payment, she would become the vulnerable one.
“Jun. The baron was very polite and genuinely concerned for the late baron.”
“But, sister—”
“Who in this world would use a story about their parents to hide filthy intentions? Even people like us, raised on the streets, wouldn’t do that.”
With firm resolve, she left a message for the troupe saying, “I’ll bring back a gift,” and truly headed to the baron’s estate.
Following the leader’s request, Jun escorted Simone to the Milburn baron’s residence.
The baron greeted them in a beautifully decorated green reception room. As Simone had said, he was dignified and handsome.
“Thank you for accepting this difficult request. Simone’s presence will be a great gift for her father in his final days.”
He even bowed to the two wandering troupe members.
At that moment, Simone winked at Jun as if to say, “See, I told you so.”
Jun had nothing to argue with.
In any case, he felt relieved that the baron seemed decent, much like Benedict.
On the dawn when Lucien fully recovered from his cold,
Alfie brought a neatly ironed newspaper to Benedict, who was eating a soft stair-step dish sprinkled with pepper in the dining room.
“Thanks, brother.”
“My pleasure.”
“But…”
Benedict took the newspaper and set it on the table.
“Did Grandmother say anything?”
Just yesterday, Emma Winfield had left a note saying, “I’ll visit the Lockridge family,” and departed the estate, even before Benedict had gotten up in the morning.
Benedict was far from pleased at the news.
Her outing didn’t need his permission, but couldn’t she at least have faced him and said something properly before leaving? Leaving suddenly only caused worry for those remaining.
For Emma, the Lockridge estate was filled with painful memories—a place etched with the scars of a difficult childhood.
What could she possibly be thinking, going there alone?
Benedict found someone who might have the answer.
“Juliet said she saw you coming out of Grandmother’s room last night. Did you talk about anything?”
“Hmm… we talked, yes.”
Alfie looked puzzled as Benedict raised his eyebrows. He replied lightly, as if it were nothing.
“She asked me to bring back some dried apricots when I return.”
Apricots were a specialty of Lockridge. Benedict could only stare at him with a disappointed look, without replying.
Alfie, unaware, turned his head and squeezed his eyes shut before responding.
“No! The apricots from Lockridge are really delicious!”
“….”
Benedict returned his attention to the newspaper.
As he skimmed the main content and turned the pages, he spotted a familiar name in the obituary section.
“…The late Baron of Milburn.”
Hearing his low murmur, Alfie cautiously spoke.
“That’s unfortunate. If you plan to attend the funeral, I can adjust your schedule.”
“We’ll see.”
Benedict furrowed his brows lightly.
He didn’t want to get personally involved with the Milburn baron. Though the late baron was considered benevolent, his son was surely an irredeemable scoundrel.
He pretended to be a gentleman in front of noble ladies but had been committing vile acts on helpless young women behind the scenes.
The rumors were hushed in high society, so few knew the full truth.
“Since you’re already involved, it’ll be hard to act like you don’t know now.”
“…Ugh, Father.”
For the first time in a while, Benedict called out his father with some resentment.
The late Baron of Milburn had wanted to expand his textile industry in the estate. The money needed was lent by Benedict’s father, the late Duke of Winfield.
The debt had yet to be resolved. Since the money was lent with no rush to recover, Benedict didn’t want to change his father’s decision.
But with the contract still in place, it was only proper to acknowledge the matter at the funeral.
“I’ll attend, but I won’t stay a day. I must return before the year-end banquet starts.”
“Understood. I’ll prepare so you can leave tomorrow. But will Miss Lucien accompany you?”
Since last autumn, after a newspaper article about Lucien, they hadn’t appeared at any official events.
The Sutcliffe engagement might have been a chance to show their standing, but the engagement had been canceled.
If Benedict appeared alone at this funeral, gossipers might spread malicious rumors.
“Lucien…”
Before Benedict could answer,
“I’m coming too.”
Lucien descended to the dining room, meeting him in person for the first time since their conversation across the wall.
“Lu-Lucien!”
Benedict stood, checking her complexion.
“How’s your body? Are you okay walking?”
“I’ve been fine for a while. I can go anywhere.”
“No, uh… sit first.”
Benedict pulled out a chair and sat across from her, awkwardly fidgeting.
“Thanks. So where are we going?”
“Just a funeral. I’ll go alone.”
“Alone? But…”
Lucien looked at him with deep concern, likely worried people would notice their relationship was a façade.
“It’s fine. Later, if we go see a performance in the capital, everyone will forget such rumors.”
“No, it’s not that.”
Lucien placed a napkin on her lap and spoke carefully.
“I’m worried you’ll get curious glances. I know you hate that.”
“…Ah.”
Benedict was deeply moved. Perhaps Lucien was an angel, worrying even about the attention her friend might receive.
“It’s fine. Let’s go together.”
Her gentle smile carried the deepest temptation, and Benedict’s resolve wavered instantly.
He had been thinking seriously about their distance not long ago.
“Besides, it’s a funeral. I want to offer comfort to someone who lost someone precious.”
“…!”
But as Lucien mentioned someone who lost a precious person, Benedict snapped back to reality.
No matter what, Milburn… no, the Milburn baron and Lucien must not interact!
“Sorry, I’ll go alone after all!”
Benedict shouted, pale as death.
Lucien tilted her head suspiciously, but quickly changed the topic, ending the conversation.
