Chapter 09
Elisa was shocked again before she could calm down from being surprised that the woman knew her identity so well.
Her blue eyes widened and trembled.
“Why would Sir Grenville…?”
“Well, maybe for the same reason as you?”
No way.
Elisa was sure that, although she didn’t know the exact reason, it was not that.
Still, thanks to that silly guess, Elisa recovered from the shock and asked another question.
“Are you allowed to share information about your clients so easily?”
“It’s usually not allowed, but this case is different.”
“What do you mean?”
“Hehe, that reason is a secret.”
Elisa was suspicious, but since the woman refused to tell the reason, she had no choice but to back off.
After leaving the Information Guild, Elisa rode the carriage back to the Leslie Count’s mansion, thinking about why Derek Grenville was investigating Ethan.
Was it just simple curiosity, like everyone else?
There was no other reason she could think of, and she hoped with all her heart that this was true.
That way, the interest would fade quickly.
She didn’t want the fire to grow any bigger.
“Oh, God, please.”
While earnestly praying to a god she usually didn’t believe in, Elisa soon arrived at the mansion.
As she got off the carriage, the butler approached her with unexpected news.
“About an hour ago, the young lady asked for you.”
“…My aunt?”
Tania Leslie, the sister of the Leslie count, lost her husband and child in an accident ten years ago.
She returned to the Leslie family home after giving up her husband’s surname.
However, she didn’t live at the count’s mansion but alone in a nearby estate owned by the Leslie family.
Elisa immediately guessed the reason for the visit.
She had been planning to visit soon anyway, so she got back into the carriage.
It took about an hour by carriage to reach the estate where Tania Leslie lived.
Just before arriving, Elisa stopped, noticing her messy hair and shabby appearance, which were unbefitting of a noble lady.
This had been brought on by her decision to dress simply when attending the Information Guild to conceal her noble status.
She regretted not changing before meeting her aunt.
But it was too late to turn back.
If her aunt saw her like this, she’d scold her.
Just imagining it made Elisa sigh deeply.
Tania Leslie was known as a strict lady who valued manners and proper etiquette.
Because of that, Elisa felt very uncomfortable and awkward meeting her aunt.
She tried her best to avoid meeting her aunt, and even when they did meet, she tried not to do anything to catch her attention or annoy her, but she always seemed to fail, which made her sigh.
Now that she had acted like this, it was impossible not to irritate her aunt’s eyes.
Realizing this made her smile bitterly.
Her head was already aching because of Ethan and Derick Grenville, and now her aunt was making things worse. l
Even the clattering sound of the horse’s hooves irritated her.
Holding her throbbing head, she soon arrived at her destination.
The estate, filled with the scent of roses carefully tended by Tania Leslie, was very beautiful, but it gave Elisa no feeling at all.
She only thought about finishing quickly and going back.
“Welcome, Miss Elisa.”
When Elisa entered the mansion, an elderly butler greeted her.
“I heard your aunt was looking for you.”
“Yes. She was quite worried when she heard you were out.”
Was she worried?
Elisa thought her aunt would have been angry for not visiting sooner, now that she was well enough to go around.
“Your lady is in the sitting room.”
“Sitting room? Is there a guest?”
“Sir Derek Grenville is here.”
Hearing her fiancé’s name in an unexpected place made Elisa pause.
That was already the second time today.
And now he was here? Why?
More questions came with the mention of Derek Grenville’s name.
But unlike before, this time Elisa could guess the reason.
“Why is Sir Grenville here?”
“He came to see young Master Noah. Moreover, to welcome your lady.
Just like Elisa thought.
But rather than feeling relieved, her face turned pale as she looked down and her chest constricted.
“Are you alright, Miss?”
“I’m fine. Could you please show me to the sitting room?”
If it were someone else, Elisa might have waited for the guest to leave or asked if she should come back later.
But since it was her fiancé, that wasn’t necessary.
The butler seemed to think the same and silently led her to the sitting room.
At the door, Elisa took a deep breath and fixed her disheveled clothes.
She gave the butler a look to say she was ready.
He knocked lightly and announced Elisa Leslie’s arrival.
“…Let her in.”
After a short silence, permission was given.
Elisa took another deep breath and entered through the door the butler opened.
The sitting room, reflecting Tania Leslie’s taste, was antique and elegant.
The old furniture showed signs of age but didn’t look worn out.
Beyond the wide terrace, Tania’s famous rose garden was visible.
The smell of roses filled the room as the terrace doors were thrown open.
As Elisa breathed in the scent deeply while looking toward the terrace, she suddenly felt something grab her leg.
Looking down, she saw a child with almost black hair tightly holding her leg.
“Noah.”
When Elisa called his name, the child smiled brightly, showing dimples.
The bright smile seemed to melt all worries, and Elisa’s pale face regained color.
Her stiff lips relaxed into a gentle smile.
“Aren’t you going to greet me anymore?”
Just as she opened her arms to hug the child, a sharp voice interrupted.
Oops, a mistake.
Elisa sighed silently and closed her eyes briefly, then looked toward the sofa.
A noblewoman in her mid-to-late forties sat on a sofa embroidered with golden thread.
“Long time no see, Aunt.”
That was Tania Leslie.
Sitting next to her on the right was Derek Grenville.
Elisa returned Derek’s smile with a faint one and nodded at him with her eyes.
“If you see your fiancé, you should greet him properly. What’s that? Your manners are terrible.”
Tania Leslie didn’t seem pleased with Elisa’s attitude and pointed it out.
Elisa could only bite her lips tightly and say nothing.
But Derek smiled kindly and said,
“If she acts too formally, it makes things feel distant. I prefer her to treat me comfortably, just as she does now.”
“Well, since you’re going to be married soon, being too formal doesn’t look good either.”
Tania Leslie, known for being strict even with her younger brother, the Leslie Count, spoke more gently to Derek Grenville.
Ah, there was one more person.
Elisa looked down at Noah, who was still holding tightly to her leg.
Although Tania usually didn’t like children, she was strangely kind to Noah.
You could tell because she brought him along, probably worried Elisa’s cold might spread.
“Elisa, I have something to say. Come sit here.”
Without a word, Elisa sat where her aunt pointed.
When the child who had followed closely tried to sit beside her, Tania said,
“Derek, the child looks restless. Could you take him out to play for a while?”
It sounded like a suggestion, but it was an order.
Derek didn’t answer immediately but looked at Elisa.
When he asked if it was okay, Elisa silently nodded.
“All right. Come here, Noah.”
Even when Derek called, the child clung to Elisa and wouldn’t let go.
His grey eyes, which always reminded her of someone every time she saw them, looked at her pitifully.
“It’s okay. Go out and play, then come back.”
When Elisa gently spoke and stroked his head, the child finally took Derek’s hand.
“What are you wearing?”
As soon as Derek and Noah left, a voice filled with irritation hit Elisa’s ears.
“I’ve told you many times. Wherever you go, you must dress elegantly and beautifully. That’s how you uphold the family name.”
“I’m sorry.”
Elisa kept quiet because explaining her reasons would probably be ignored or only lead to more nagging.
“You always just say sorry but never change.”
Tania clicked her tongue, not even impressed by Elisa’s submissive demeanor.
Watching her niece bow her head like a criminal, she put down her teacup and continued,
“About Noah. He’s three years old this year, but he still can’t talk.”
