ITTRAETML 43

~Chapter 43~

This place wasn’t so different from the world I used to live in. But I had to admit the persistence of those “Do you believe in the Way?” types was impressive.
To think they came all the way to such a remote valley.

Lovelace fully understood the man’s annoyance.

“I am Countess Lovelace Harmelda. I came to meet Scholar Sirius Johan.”

There was a sound from inside. Someone opened a small window and observed Lovelace and Judith. Soon, a flimsy lock clicked, and the door opened.

“Welcome, Countess Harmelda.”

A woman appeared, dressed in a cheap, patched-up dress with short sleeves. She bent her knees politely. Judith flinched and tugged at the hem of Lovelace’s dress.

Why?

She’s famous. She used to be a governess for noble ladies.

No wonder there was dignity in her greeting. But why was such a woman living in this shabby place, wearing a dress she wouldn’t touch even if someone paid her? Clearly, there was a story.

“An honor to meet you. How are you related to the scholar?”

“I am his wife.”

“Ah, then may I call you Madam Johan?”

“Yes, please do. But what brings you here?”

“It will be a long story…”

Lovelace glanced inside. She couldn’t just say she wanted to go in, so she tried hinting instead.

But the words “please come in” didn’t follow. Madam Johan only looked at her awkwardly, silently refusing. Since Lovelace ignored the silent rejection and kept waiting, the woman finally gave in.

“…Come in.”

“Thank you, Madam Johan. Judith, bring what we prepared.”

Judith ran to the carriage and brought what they had prepared—tea, bread, and even wine.

“It didn’t feel right to come empty-handed.”

There were nearly ten baskets in all.

“We’ll eat them ourselves before leaving.”

Lovelace quickly explained, worried Madam Johan might refuse. Judging from her past and manner, she was a woman who valued courtesy and honor. She wouldn’t easily accept gifts from strangers.

Hearing that, Madam Johan didn’t refuse further. On the old table, they laid out what Lovelace had brought.

“I’ll handle this, Madam,” Judith offered. Left with nothing to do, Madam Johan sat before Lovelace.

“My husband wrote all night and just fell asleep. If you leave a message, I’ll pass it on.”

That couldn’t be right. The irritated voice earlier at the door had definitely belonged to a man. Did she mishear? Or was there someone else inside?

Lovelace studied Madam Johan, but the woman avoided her eyes, staring at the carpet pattern.

Judith set teacups before them. The fragrant tea seemed to revive Madam Johan. After waiting for her to sip, Lovelace spoke.

“Will it be a long wait? If it doesn’t disturb him, I’d like to stay until he wakes.”

The thought of traveling here again gave her a headache. Since they already brought plenty to eat, even staying until dinner was fine.

“There’s no need for that—”

“Are those heaven-preachers still here? Damn pests! What, you even let them inside? Have you lost your mind?!”

The rickety stairs groaned as a man stomped down. His hair was messy, tied back roughly, and his unkempt beard made him unpleasant to look at.

“What’s this? Now you bring food too? You cult scammers, get out before I report you to the temple!”

The man grabbed a teacup from before Madam Johan and downed it in one gulp, then wiped his beard with his palm.

“Sirius, enough! They’re not from that sort of group.”

“Then who are they? Who brings this much food? Ha! Don’t tell me you secretly went back to work at a noble house? Is this the payment you got, waving that ragged skirt of yours?”

Madam Johan’s face turned pale.

That man was Sirius?

Lovelace couldn’t believe it. This rude, foul-mouthed man had written about nobles’ duty and responsibility?

“Sirius!” Madam Johan called firmly, glancing at Lovelace and Judith. His lips twisted, and he smirked as he approached.

“Don’t think you can learn anything from this woman. She’ll ruin your life.”

The stench of his breath made Lovelace frown. Sirius laughed and deliberately breathed right into her face.

Judith clenched her fists, ready to strike, but Lovelace was faster. She lifted her teacup and poured the tea straight into Sirius’s open mouth.

“Ugh, cough!” He choked and swallowed desperately.

“Your breath smelled,” Lovelace said with a bright smile.

Then she stood.

“Looks like I came to the wrong place. The Sirius Johan who wrote On the Responsibility of Nobles must already be dead. Thank you for the tea, Madam Johan.”

“You crazy—!” Sirius began shouting, but Madam Johan struck his arm sharply.

“Are you insane? Raising your hand now? Ah, so the noble act is over—you’ve shown your true colors.”

His abusive voice rang so loud that even when Lovelace and Judith stepped outside, they could hear every word clearly.

“He must be crazy. No wonder he published books then vanished…”

“Who knows.”

Lovelace stopped and looked back at the collapsing house.

“Better to give up, Countess.”

Too soon to give up. She remembered the pile of papers Madam Johan had been tidying—pages filled with writing, resembling the same arguments from On the Responsibility of Nobles.

“Judith. Is there any record of why he became a recluse?”

Judith shook her head. Sirius’s public activity was too brief, and after hiding away, he had no contact with others.

“No information? Then fine. We’ll just come again.”

“You want to return here?” Judith hated the idea. The house looked ready to collapse any moment, and she doubted she could hold back from punching that man’s face a second time.

‘I’d shock the Countess if I hit him.’

“Yes, I’ll come again. There must be some interesting story behind all this.”

With that, Lovelace turned toward the carriage.

“Wait!”

Madam Johan came running, holding the baskets. She was out of breath, unused to running. Judith quickly took the load from her hands before she collapsed.

“Please accept this as my apology for my husband’s rudeness.”

Lovelace shook her head.

“I can’t. If anything, I was the rude one barging in. I should be the one apologizing.”

“No… it’s my husband—Scholar Sirius—who should apologize.”

Praise me, I didn’t call him a bastard out loud.

“My husband only acted that way because he’d been drinking. When he’s sober, he’s fine. If you leave your purpose with me, I’ll have him contact you once he comes to his senses, Countess.”

Madam Johan found herself strangely drawn to Lovelace. Her actions were rough, but not unpleasant. Her blunt words felt refreshing rather than offensive.

And she had spoken of On the Responsibility of Nobles. That meant she had read it.

For a Countess—such a young one at that—to have read such a book…

“In that case, please pass this on.”

Lovelace handed her a sealed envelope containing the revised law proposal.

“I’ll be sure to deliver it, Countess. Thank you for visiting today.”

Madam Johan placed a hand over her chest and bowed gracefully, like a swan. Lovelace tried to mimic her but gave up halfway, settling for a simple nod.

“Do you think they’ll contact us?”

Back in the carriage, Judith stuffed cushions at Lovelace’s sides to protect her from the rough ride. She even gave her a strap to hold.

“Let’s go.”

Lovelace closed her eyes, bracing for the motion sickness. Judith opened the window to the driver’s seat.

“Move—”

Knock, knock, knock.

The carriage door was rapped urgently. When they opened it, Madam Johan stood there, flushed and excited. In her hand was the revised law proposal.

“Did you write this proposal yourself, Countess?”

Her voice trembled like an eager child.

“Yes, I did.”

Her face flushed red, filled with excitement. Seeing Lovelace tilt her head in wonder, she spoke quickly:

“Would you spare some time to talk with me further?”

“Of course,” Lovelace answered with a bright smile.

She stepped down from the carriage at once. Madam Johan walked ahead with calm, graceful steps.