Chapter 08…
Elizabeth Bailey…
At Tession’s question, Cynthia recalled the heroine of the original novel. She truly was beautiful.
‘That must be why, despite her filthy personality, there were countless men desperate for just a touch of her hand—and in the end, she even built herself a reverse harem….’
“…Elizabeth is beautiful.”
“More than you?”
“Mm… well, it’s a matter of personal preference, but to me, Your Grace looks more beautiful.”
At her earnest answer, Tession, who had been teasing, quietly smiled.
He didn’t understand why he couldn’t stop these silly smiles whenever he was with this woman.
Without hiding his lifted lips, he spoke again.
“Describe your appearance, my lady.”
“…My appearance?”
“I’m curious.”
Cynthia blinked slowly.
Even in her drunken state, she understood that she had to describe Elizabeth’s appearance, not her own.
And she thought this must be thanks to Dale’s harsh training.
“I… have light green eyes. It’s the symbol of the Bailey family. My father, as well as all my relatives, have the same color eyes. The shade and sparkle differ slightly, though.”
At that moment, Tession’s large, warm hand touched the corner of her eye.
Startled by the touch, Cynthia stopped mid-sentence, one eye closing reflexively.
He slowly traced her eyelashes with careful fingers.
“Please continue.”
“…Ah, um, my nose is… on the small side…”
His fingers moved again, gliding down to her nose.
They trailed gently along the bridge before stopping at the tip. Cynthia found herself unable to breathe freely.
“And?”
The duke’s voice rumbled low.
At the same time, his fingers shifted further down to her lips.
He traced her lower lip very slowly. The soft, delicate warmth beneath his fingertips reminded him of a flower petal.
That thought stirred something strange and deep within him—an unfamiliar desire.
Part of him wanted to pull his hand away immediately, but another part wanted to stay just like this.
“…You’re beautiful too, Lady Elizabeth.”
Tession murmured softly.
Then, the lips still touching his fingers parted slightly in protest.
“…I’m not Elizabeth.”
“What?”
“I’m not Elizabeth Bailey.”
Cynthia looked nervously at the duke sitting before her.
Finally, with a calm face, he curved both corners of his mouth upward.
“You didn’t make any serious mistakes.”
Phew…
Cynthia exhaled in relief, pressing a hand to her chest. Fortunately, this body seemed capable of avoiding fatal blunders in front of others. She began preparing to stand.
‘Then I should hurry back to the Bailey estate…’
But just then, his lips, which hadn’t quite closed, uttered a single word.
“Cynthia.”
What…?
A chill ran down her spine.
She lifted her wavering light-green eyes toward Tession.
“…Pardon?”
Had she heard wrong? Surely she must have.
But his expression remained calm, unchanged from yesterday, as he spoke.
“Cynthia. Is that the name you were called as a child? Last night, you told me your name wasn’t Elizabeth, but Cynthia.”
Ha… ha…
Cynthia realized she hadn’t misheard.
She forced an awkward laugh while her mind raced frantically.
“Haha… C-Cynthia? Who’s that? Perhaps Your Grace misheard?”
“I couldn’t have. You grabbed me and repeated it so clearly.”
Cynthia swallowed dryly, gripping the armrest of the chair as if it were her lifeline.
“R-right… then who could that be?”
“I haven’t heard anything about Lady Bailey changing her name.”
“Neither have I… ever heard such a thing.”
Ugh… what a stupid answer!
Cynthia winced, despairing at herself.
This was all because of that damn alcohol.
In her mind, she saw Dale’s smirking face—and the five million mints that had vanished from her hands…
“But that’s not really important.”
At that moment, Duke Lumanov spoke quietly. Cynthia slowly lifted her head at his words.
Not important…?
“In any case, you are here as my fiancée, correct?”
“Ah… o-of course! I’m Elizabeth Bailey…!”
“Indeed.”
His answer came with an oddly pleased expression—he looked almost delighted, satisfied.
“Then that’s all that matters.”
The duke nodded slowly once more. Cynthia, puzzled by his unreadable attitude, couldn’t find words to respond.
“You must be tired. I’ll have you escorted back to the Bailey estate.”
“That’s not necessary—!”
“Ruth.”
Ignoring her, Tession called someone in.
At his summons, a man entered and stood neatly beside him.
“Prepare a carriage to escort the lady. Also, get ready to accompany her.”
“Ah, but, Your Grace…”
Ruth, his aide, spoke hesitantly.
“Count Adrian is scheduled to visit this afternoon. He should be arriving soon…”
“Count Adrian?”
“Oh! If you already have an appointment, that’s fine! I can return on my own.”
Cynthia quickly jumped in, eager to escape.
She didn’t care what was going on—she just needed to get out of here.
Besides, someone was coming to visit!
If that person knew Elizabeth Bailey, she absolutely could not run into them.
“In that case, there’s no helping it. I’ll at least see you to the door.”
“Thank you!”
Tession’s brows twitched briefly in regret before his expression smoothed over again.
Unaware, Cynthia hurried to her feet.
As they stepped outside, a large carriage stood waiting with its doors wide open.
Her steps quickened unconsciously—she just wanted to leave.
Noticing the tension in her grip on his arm, Tession stopped walking.
“My lady.”
“Yes?”
Cynthia jumped at his voice. The longer she stayed with him, the greater the risk that he’d realize she wasn’t Elizabeth Bailey.
She gazed longingly at the open carriage door ahead. She needed to get back to Dale and report this disaster.
I made a huge mistake!
“Wh-what is it?”
“Did something make you uncomfortable? The way you’re rushing off—it feels as though I did something wrong.”
“Huh? You, Your Grace?”
What could he have done wrong! It was all her fault!
Though he couldn’t see it, Cynthia shook her head quickly.
“Nothing like that! I just feel bad for troubling you so much last night, so I thought I’d head back quickly. The Baileys must be terribly worried about me.”
“Then… will you come again next time?”
Tession asked with a slightly sulky look.
Wait—why did he look so cute like that…?
Cynthia stared blankly at his gentle, handsome face, then nodded vigorously—though he couldn’t see it.
“Of course! I had a wonderful time. Please invite me again!”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
A soft smile curved his lips. Cynthia couldn’t help feeling relieved as she turned her head away.
“The carriage was prepared ahead of time, I see. Thank you so mu—”
Just then, another carriage arrived noisily at the entrance to Lumanov Manor.
Oh no, not now! He’s already here!
Cynthia pulled her hat down tightly.
“Your Grace! It seems your expected guest has arrived. I’ll take my leave now.”
“I’ll see you again, then, my lady.”
“Yes…!”
For a brief moment, Cynthia wondered if there would be a next time—but she quickly pushed that thought away.
After a polite bow, she turned to leave.
Time to go!
Just as she was about to climb into her carriage with the servant’s help, a white carriage rolled to a stop beside hers.
“Count Adrian has arrived.”
Ruth, standing a step behind, spoke softly to Tession.
All right then—have fun with Count Adrian. I’m leaving!
“…Huh?”
…Wait.
Her tired eyes widened.
Adrian? Count Adrian? Could it be…?
She failed miserably at a job that she was literally paid a shit load of money to do. She got drunk at a place where she was supposed to pretend to be someone else. She literally had one job.
She’s taking this way to lightly. As a commoner, she’s practically participating in a identity fraud. If she gets caught, the noble family wouldn’t take as much a hit as she would. And why isn’t she considering the danger she might get into if this noble family decide to get rid of her??? This is very pathetic.
This level of clumsiness isn’t cute. It’s just dumb.