Chapter : 19
Dayna looked down at her now-soaked dress.
“Was that really worth freaking out over?”
Jade, still coughing, finally stopped and shouted at her with a flushed face. “You’re the one saying weird stuff!”
“It might sound weird to you, but it’s my only backup plan! If I don’t do this, I can’t protect my lady.”
She knew full well how absurd this plan was.
But she also knew it was her only option right now.
Jade sighed, brushing back the hair falling over his forehead. “I don’t even know what’s going on anymore. Didn’t you say pretending to be your lady was supposed to be simple?”
“It got complicated.”
“What’s the problem now?”
“The Duke… he’s not divorcing me and wants to take me to the capital.”
Explaining the situation, Dayna saw Jade’s eyes widen.
He looked stunned for a moment before speaking quickly. “Take you to the capital?”
“Yeah! He came just to deliver divorce papers, but I don’t know why he suddenly changed his mind. I thought once I got the papers, it’d all be over quickly!”
“Huh…”
Jade let out a sound like a sigh, tilting his head.
“So, you’re asking me to play your secret lover to give him a reason to divorce you?”
“Exactly.”
Dayna answered firmly.
But the “secret lover” bit was just Plan C.
Her first move was to argue that since Stella’s father, the former Count, had passed away, the marriage contract’s conditions weren’t met.
If that didn’t work, she’d tearfully insist she couldn’t leave the mansion her father left her. And if that failed…
Then I’ll have to drop hints about an improper relationship with Jade to get myself divorced…!
“If we do that, won’t your lady’s reputation go down the drain?”
“She doesn’t have much left to lose anyway.”
“Sometimes I really wonder if you’re actually looking out for her.”
She couldn’t tell Jade, but this was still far better than the original novel’s tragic ending.
Besides, since I messed everything up, I have to fix it.
Finishing her thoughts, Dayna spoke. “So, will you help or not?”
“If I don’t, you might end up going to the capital, right?”
Nodding, Dayna added a pitiful tone. “Yeah. And if my identity gets exposed later, I could be punished for impersonating a noble…”
“Ugh, fine.”
Jade sighed, rubbing his forehead. “What do I have to do?”
“Not much! Just back me up if the Duke ever asks you. I’ll handle the talking.”
“You’ll handle it?”
“Yeah. The Duke… seems pretty reasonable and easy to talk to. Since he came with divorce papers in the first place, if I give him a good reason, I think he’ll agree to the divorce!”
Having met a noble who wasn’t short-tempered, mean, or quick to throw punches, Dayna held Knox in high regard.
Plus, in the original story, he was a pretty decent character…
And since she’d treated him well so far, he’d probably at least hear her out.
“Alright, then.”
Jade stepped closer with his long legs, looking down at her. “This kind of relationship, right?”
Dayna grinned with satisfaction. “Exactly!”
“Not even that hard.”
“Do your best! And get back safely.”
Jade nodded, slinging his bag over his shoulder.
* * *
“My lady, where are you off to?”
“Oh.”
Dayna, standing by Jade, turned to Clian. She held up her basket with a smile. “Since the path’s clear, I’m heading to the village to do some shopping. I’ll be back before dinner!”
She’d meant to just see Jade off, but realized the mansion was out of food after feeding three grown men. With more snow possible, she figured she should go while she could.
Clian approached with his usual friendly smile. “If you’ve got a lot to carry, I can help. I’m heading to the village anyway.”
“Really? That’d be great—”
“Stella, I’ll help you.”
Just as she was about to accept Clian’s offer, Jade put a hand on her shoulder, cutting in. Caught off guard, Dayna looked up at him.
What are you doing…?
“Huh? Weren’t you heading back to the village, Sheriff?” Clian asked.
“I can at least help carry her things.”
Jade’s face was dead serious, fully immersed in his fake-lover role.
Helping’s fine, but aren’t you overdoing it? You’re being super awkward…
Dayna briefly regretted choosing him as her accomplice.
“No worries! I’m heading to the village for business too, so it’s no trouble,” Clian said.
“What business?” Dayna asked.
Beaming, Clian replied, “Oh! I’m arranging a carriage! Since we’re going to the capital with you, my lady, we’ll need one for your luggage too.”
“…”
Argh!
Dayna screamed internally.
Knox and Clian were really planning to take her to the capital.
“Well, we’ll see about that,” Jade said coldly from beside her.
Clian’s smile faded at the clear hostility.
Jade tightened his grip on Dayna’s shoulder, pulling her along. As she was dragged, she quickly turned to Clian. “H-Hertus! We’ll see you later. We’ll manage on our own.”
“…Alright.”
Clian turned away with an unreadable expression.
“You’re a good actor, huh?”
As they left the mansion and hit the snowy path, Dayna looked up at Jade.
“I was a bit stiff at first, but that last line was good, right? Pretty ominous? Think Clian will mention something to the Duke?”
“…”
But Jade’s face remained stiff, still deep in his role. After a few more steps, he sighed and spoke. “Should I restrict all carriage movement in Wizberry under the guise of security?”
“You can do that?”
“Of course not.”
What…
As they descended the snowy slope, Dayna glanced at him again.
Helping with her ridiculous act was already kind, but his extra effort was touching. She patted his shoulder, forcing a cheerful tone. “It’s fine! I’ll handle the rest. Just make sure to back me up if you run into the Duke later.”
“Got it. What else can I do?”
Jade’s voice sounded oddly drained.
Thinking he was just tired from the thought of returning to work, Dayna kept walking.
* * *
“All done!”
Tucking the last ingredient into Jade’s basket, Dayna looked at her now-much-thinner wallet.
How long will this last?
She’d thought she could stretch it for months, but recent unexpected expenses had hit hard.
Until now, she’d stayed in the mansion waiting for Stella, but she was starting to think she’d need to find a way to earn money.
“Jade, does your guard unit need any help?”
“Help?”
“No, never mind…”
She couldn’t ask him for that too. Shaking her head, Dayna reached for the basket.
But Jade dodged slightly and said, “I’ll carry it back to the mansion.”
“It’s fine! It’s not that heavy.”
“Just let me help while I’m offering. I won’t next time.”
“Really, it’s okay—”
“Give it to me.”
A familiar voice cut in with quick footsteps, and someone snatched the basket.
Jade, caught off guard, turned to see who it was.
