CHAPTER 94……………………………
“Did you see that woman’s face just now?”
As soon as they returned to the hotel, Chloe burst out laughing.
Even as she checked through the few telegrams that had arrived for her, her mind was still back at that moment when she had come face to face with Adèle.
“Trying so hard to pretend she was fine… pathetic.”
“Well, still— they say she’s the most beautiful woman in the South. I was honestly shocked. I didn’t think someone could look that dazzling.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Typical.
Chloe shot Pirel a glare for ruining her good mood.
Judging by his dazed expression, it seemed the image of that woman was still haunting him.
Seeing Chloe’s growing irritation, Pirel hastily waved his hands.
“O-of course, she’s nothing compared to you, my lady!”
“Hmph… comparing me to some country girl from the South?”
“Of course not! Not at all!”
“Watch yourself. I won’t let it slide a second time.”
Chloe flicked a letter with her nail, warning him. In truth, though, she couldn’t get Adèle out of her head either.
She doesn’t look anything like her sister.
Unlike Noella, the golden-haired girl who practically had ‘I’m a good person’ written on her forehead, Adèle was entirely different.
Black hair, crimson eyes, and skin so pale it made the contrast impossible to ignore— any man with eyes would’ve been captivated at once.
Especially those striking red eyes, like diamonds set in blood— they lingered in the memory.
…Have I seen her somewhere before?
Chloe bit her lip. Adèle’s deep, knowing gaze had curved as if she understood Chloe completely, and that had irritated her to no end.
But of course, Chloe had never left the capital region, so there was no way she could’ve crossed paths with a woman from the South.
“Anyway, it’s surprising. That he fell for someone like her.”
“…Pardon? What do you mean by that, my lady?”
“Nothing. Bring me what’s left of the checkbook.”
When Chloe reached out her hand, Pirel quickly produced the checkbook that remained after their payments at the courthouse.
They had received five billion rubles, and spent three and a half— there was hardly any need to calculate what was left.
“So, we’ll use the rest for the second auction in three days, then?”
“Second auction?”
“The road surrounding the marquis’s estate we purchased today, my lady. We’ll need it to make the property perfect— and the main entrance should be rebuilt from that side.”
“Oh, please. How much could that possibly cost— a few thousand rubles?”
Scoffing at his needless attention to detail, she tucked the remaining checkbook into her bag. Pirel, who had been expecting her to hand it back, looked stricken.
“Ah, I was going to return that to His Grace…”
“What are you talking about? What’s there to ‘return’?”
“…Pardon?”
“Think about it. Thanks to me, our ducal house has gained a foothold in the South’s most strategic region. Naturally, there should be a commission fee, don’t you think?”
“You have to keep proper accounts.” She flicked his empty hand with her pen.
“If it weren’t for me, the duke wouldn’t even know such land existed. And I’m the one who made those connections, too.”
“O-of course, my lady.”
“There’ll be all sorts of incidental expenses, so I doubt there’ll be much left anyway. But if you’re suspicious, feel free to tell my father. Let’s see whose word he believes.”
Half-joking, half-serious, Chloe opened the letter from the prince. The contents were predictable, but it was about time she sent the reply he wanted.
After writing the response with care, Chloe set down her quill, and Pirel accepted it reverently.
“Um… then, what about Lady Noella?”
“Noella?”
“She was a great help to you, wasn’t she? I imagine she’s waiting to hear from you…”
Not knowing Noella’s true identity, his concern for her— bandaged and weary as she was— was understandable.
But, as always, his thoughts and the lady’s were very different.
“As for Miss Noella… her sister can deal with her.”
“…Pardon?”
“I can’t interfere in another family’s affairs while her own sister’s still around, can I?”
That wouldn’t be proper.
Chloe raised her brows slightly, as if chiding a naïve child. Her face brightened with the same thrill she’d worn in court against Adèle, a faint smile blooming on her lips.
“…Though I do admit, it’s a shame her sister didn’t look very pleased.”
