Chapter 5:
The Cowardly Young Master (2)
Of course, I knew that too.
But right now, I needed time alone to sort out my thoughts.
What on earth had I been thinking earlier… calling out the Duke of Vallière’s name—and trying to stop him?
No matter what I said, he wouldn’t have welcomed it.
Perhaps… he even despised me.
“Alright, that’s enough, dear. Rosalie understands well enough.”
“…I suppose. Angela, stay here with Rosalie. I’ll go speak with the Countess.”
After scolding me coldly, Gérard left. Angela sat down beside me and, after quickly glancing around at the nearby nobles, lowered her voice.
“The Duke of Vallière is here tonight. Did you know?”
“Yes, of course.”
“…I’m only asking out of concern, but—you didn’t run into him, did you?”
“…The hall is large. I haven’t seen him yet.”
It was a lie—one that might easily be discovered.
But I didn’t want to worry Angela.
The purpose of this ball was to meet Jeremy—not to reunite with the Duke.
After seeing me almost chase after him at the boutique, Angela would surely hope we wouldn’t cross paths again.
My reputation had long since fallen, but even a ruined reputation had to be protected.
“I see… that’s a relief. Hmm, let’s talk about something else. How was Jeremy Alua?”
“Since it’s you, I’ll be honest. I didn’t like him at all.”
“…I thought so.”
“Having a conversation with him was nearly impossible. He’s very… sigh… fragile, I guess.”
“Fragile” was a kind way to put it.
In truth, it was strange.
He had panicked at nothing more than the sound of the wind and run away, leaving me behind.
The Countess was likely already anticipating another meeting, but honestly, I wasn’t looking forward to it at all.
“Oh my! What is this? Lady Rosalie, you injured your ankle?”
As Angela and I exchanged a bitter smile, the door burst open and Countess Alua hurried in, escorted by Gérard.
She checked my ankle with concern.
“What a pity. I so wanted to see Jeremy dance with you at least once…”
“I’m disappointed as well, Countess. But I can’t even stand on my own.”
As I showed her my swollen ankle, she sighed and made a suggestion.
“It can’t be helped. While the Count and Countess Malev enjoy the ball, Lady Rosalie should go upstairs and rest. This isn’t the only day, after all.”
So it had come to this.
I wanted nothing more than to bury myself in the pillows of my own bed and cry.
But refusing her kindness would be rude.
After expressing my gratitude, I was helped to a guest room by Angela and Gérard.
“I’ll come back soon. Get some rest.”
Gérard playfully pinched my cheek before leaving with Angela.
I dismissed the maid who offered to bring me medicinal tea and collapsed onto the bed.
The room the Countess had provided was part of the villa, so it was smaller than my bedroom back at the Malev estate.
Still, it was cozy—and clearly lavishly furnished.
The curtains and porcelain were of a quality our family could no longer afford.
A mix of admiration and bitterness escaped my lips.
Careful not to ruin my carefully applied makeup, I wiped away my tears.
Somewhere in this villa… His is here.
The man who once loved me—but now hates me.
The man who wants nothing to do with me.
As I fanned my flushed face—
Knock, knock.
Someone tapped on the door, followed by a hesitant, trembling voice.
“E-excuse me…”
Even from the timid tone, I could tell who it was.
“…Jeremy?”
“Y-yes… um… L-Lady Rosalie… I—I have something to say…”
His voice already trembled as if on the verge of tears.
Honestly, I didn’t want to face him—not in my current miserable state.
“…Does it have to be now?”
“Huh? Ah… n-no… not necessarily…”
His voice faded, as if he were already backing away.
I almost let him leave.
But then Gérard’s troubled expression came to mind.
“…Come in.”
After quickly checking for tear stains, I allowed him in.
Jeremy opened the door slightly and cautiously looked around before spotting me—and flinching.
“If… if you don’t want to see me, I can just leave…”
“I don’t mind. If anything, aren’t you the one who dislikes me?”
“N-no! That’s not it at all!”
Raising his voice awkwardly, he mustered the courage to step inside.
He closed the door with hesitation, then slowly approached—still unable to meet my eyes.
“Earlier… I think I… did something wrong.”
“Well, I’m glad you know that. I injured my ankle because of you.”
“Ah… I-I’m sorry…”
Perhaps because of my encounter with the Duke, my tone came out sharper than intended.
This wasn’t good.
I needed to make him like me.
Taking a short breath to calm myself, I looked at him.
Jeremy blinked his teary blue eyes, watching me nervously.
“…It’s fine. It’s not a serious injury. So—what did you want to say?”
“I… I haven’t really talked to women before… so earlier… I think I was very rude…”
Oh.
So he came to apologize.
My stiff expression softened into a small smile.
Encouraged, Jeremy stepped closer—his gaze fixed not on me, but on a picture frame behind me.
Still unable to face me directly.
“Um… this…”
“A rose?”
He nodded like a child.
“…Why are your hands dirty? There’s soil on them.”
His ears turned red as he avoided looking at me.
He held out a single rose—clearly picked from somewhere in the villa garden.
“H-here.”
“…The thorns are still on it.”
“Ah—s-sorry…”
“You’ve pricked your finger. Let me see.”
Before he could pull away, I grabbed his wrist.
It seemed he had snapped the rose barehanded—there was a small bead of dried blood on his fingertip.
“…Let go.”
“Why? Are you still afraid of me?”
“…N-no…”
He was clearly trembling all over.
Anyone watching might think he was having a fit.
How could someone his age be this clumsy—this childlike?
Giving me a flower to make up for his mistake was one thing… but the way he did it was painfully awkward.
“Alright, I’ll let go. Go get it treated. If the Countess finds out, she’ll be worried.”
“…Should I… come back after?”
“No… that’s not necessary.”
I meant he could leave now.
But somehow, this conversation felt completely off.
If I were to marry him… it would require immense patience.
As I fell silent and sighed, Jeremy’s eyes filled with tears again.
“P-please… take the flower…”
“…Fine.”
“Sh-should I go now?”
“Do as you like. Stay if you want, or leave if you’re uncomfortable.”
As the Countess said, this wasn’t the only day.
I just wanted to stop playing the role of a caretaker.
But Jeremy lingered, glancing around—careful to avoid looking directly at me.
Then suddenly, he pointed beside me and widened his eyes.
“Oh! So it was here!”
Startled by his sudden shout, I flinched—only to feel pain in my ankle again.
Meanwhile, Jeremy exclaimed without even checking on me:
“The Ranva Continent—Two Thousand Years of History and Fallen Dynasties!”
“Y-you startled me… what is—oh, this?”
I reached out and picked up the book from the small table.
…Wait.
Didn’t he just speak without stuttering for the first time?
