Chapter 24

꒦︶꒷‧₊★₊‧꒷︶꒷‧₊ଓ₊‧꒷︶꒷‧₊★₊‧꒷︶꒦

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Why Do I Feel So Guilty?

(Hildea’s POV)

‘Why are you doing this to me?’

I rub my throbbing fingertips which he touched and slowly put my hand on my pounding heart.

‘My heart, why are you going crazy?’

‘Why is my face so hot?’

‘There’s really nothing new about him. He’s still the same.’

Gabriel was a dazzlingly handsome boy when he was young, so it’s only natural that he would still be handsome even as an adult.

‘Isn’t praise for Gabriel’s appearance, who was the male lead, repeated several times in the novel?’

At the same time, I let out a hollow laugh.

“The first time we met, it was a mess, and this time again…’

And the war hero, who just returned back after winning a twelve year war, almost died due to a horse’s hoof all because of me.

It was a tragedy that even I couldn’t laugh about.

“As expected, we’re really not good for each other.”

‘But still….’

“Okay, everything is a mess right now, so I need to run away first and compose myself. Once I’m okay, I’ll say thank you properly the next time that we meet.”

It was when I let go of the unknown emotion, slowly got off the carriage and stood still in front of our mansion.

“Huh?”

As soon as I got off, I couldn’t help but open my eyes wide at the sight.

I saw a carriage that had stopped ahead of me with a slight rustling sound, but that wasn’t the problem.

The problem was that the person who got off the carriage was none other than Gabriel himself!

“Wait, why is the Duke Of Belfius getting off here?”

‘That’s weird. Didn’t I pay extra money to have my coachmen run at a crazy speed, so that I would be able to arrive at the mansion ahead of him?’

‘But how did he manage to arrive in front of the carriage that I am in?’

“…….”

Gabriel, who was a bit startled when he saw me bewilderedly looking at him, slightly tugged at the back of his neck collar as if he was nervous.

A button loosened with a popping sound and his deeply curved muscles became visible.

Suddenly, I feel dizzy from what I’m seeing.

‘Wait, why are you taking off your clothes?’

I immediately turn my head to the side from embarrassment. He seems to have been in a hurry. Finally, he said,

“Why did you just leave?”

“What?”

‘I wish that could have been the case.’

“I was going to ask earlier if you’d like to accompany me since we were going in the same direction.”

‘This is so unbelievable.’

‘How could he and I be going the same way?

Then I realized something very shocking.

I open my eyes wide.

‘Why is this guy here in our region in the first place? Moreover, the Imperial Army hasn’t returned yet, right?’

‘There is no way that the commander-in-charge would return back alone.’

‘But that doesn’t make sense.’ I was dumbfounded and laughed to myself. Gabriel looked at me and said,

“You moved very fast, Hill.”

My breathing suddenly stopped for a moment.

‘Did Gabriel just call me Hill?’

Thinking about it, he seems to have been calling me that name since he saved me from the unstable carriage earlier.

My mood dropped quickly. ‘Why is he calling me Hill? Did he make a mistake thinking that we are in a friendly relationship now?’

‘And that’s the name he used to call me on the letters.’

‘But my guts failed me, refusing to say “please don’t call me that.”’

It’s a strange feeling, as if I had just swallowed an (*)unripe persimmon.

(TN: (*)Astringent is the word used to describe the bitter taste of the tannins in the unripe fruit which causes a mouth-puckering sensation. Astringent persimmons produce this taste until they are completely ripe.)

“I’m sorry to ask you this, but why are you here, Duke of Belfius? We haven’t heard that the Imperial Army has returned yet.”

“…….”

‘And he’s here in front of our house too.’

After I came to my senses and asked him, Gabriel kept his mouth shut.

Gabriel followed me as I took a step forward.

‘What is he trying to do? And what’s wrong with him today?’

Gabriel’s face hardened and he frowned slightly.

‘Well yeah, that expression is really familiar to me. As expected, all those friendly feelings were just an illusion.’

My unstable mind is a little more at ease.

“You couldn’t have come alone, right?”

“Why not?”

‘What did he just say now?’

‘Just hurry up and say no!’

“…….”

“My lady?”

I’m stunned.

‘Don’t tell me that you ran here on your own, ignoring all of the customs and rules, just so that you can see Rosé?’

‘That would definitely cause Rosé to be involved in a huge scandal.’

‘Would people insult Gabriel for his hasty actions?’

‘No, they will surely curse at Rosé!

My eyes turned sharp suddenly.

“When did you come back?”

“…Just now, no, what I mean is not long ago. I didn’t come running like crazy.”

‘What did he just say? Did he come straight to our house?’

I shake my head. ‘I must have heard it wrong. There is no way that he went straight to our mansion first, without even greeting His Majesty the Emperor, right? Haha.’

‘He couldn’t be that crazy, right?’

“That’s a shame. Rosé isn’t in the mansion right now.”

‘But why?’

He looked back at me with sharp eyes and muttered.

“…I came here to meet…Lady Rosériel…”

(PR/N: Notice that he addresses Rosé by title and her full name while he calls her Hill.)

It was just when he was trying to say something.

“Bang! Thud!” We heard a loud crashing noise.

“!”

I was stunned while looking around the empty duchy and turned my gaze to the entrance beyond the gate, which was in front of the Hillington Mansion in the capital.

Then I realized it was the sound of something that was being moved.

‘That was supposed to be an empty lot, right?

It may seem a bit strange that there is an empty mansion in front of the Duke’s capital mansion, but it was built by the head of Hillington a few generations ago to serve the head’s beloved wife’s adoptive parents.

It’s a beautifully decorated place, but hasn’t been used for a very long time now. That’s why it has remained a headache for the current Hillington family.

‘There’s no way that my father would allow anyone to stay there…’

‘Then who?’

At that moment, one of the people moving luggage saw me and flashed a friendly smile.

Just then, it dawned me as I looked at the tall man standing next to me.

A cold sweat ran down my back.

‘No way.’

As I turn my head along the end of my gaze, I see Gabriel with a rigid expression on his face. He answered slowly, in a lower voice than before,

“Do you not like it?”

“What?”

‘What does he mean by that?’

His brow furrowed deeply, and his expression looks like he wants to step back.

‘I feel kind of weird for some reason. Are you making that face because of me?’

“I will be staying at this mansion for a while.”

‘So he’s going to be staying in that mansion.’

But I can’t hide my confused look and ask him right away,

“You aren’t going back to your estate?”

“Yes, because this place is closer to the capital.”

“That’s probably not it.”

‘He was definitely good at lying. Isn’t it better to say that it’s because you wanted to see Rosé that badly?’

I unconsciously said those words out loud and Immediately cover my mouth, but Gabriel must have already heard me.

“My lady?!”

He opens his eyes wide, and raises his eyebrows, as if he had listened to something that he wasn’t supposed to.

“What do you mean by that? By any chance… Did you already know…?

I suddenly feel bitter.

‘What do I know? I have no idea what he’s talking about?’

“So that’s the reason why you’re angry…?”

(T/N: My gosh you both are just the same.)

(PR/N: They really should have some kind of socializing 101 class for these 2.)

‘I’m surprised by what he said. When did I get mad at him? Isn’t he the one who’s angry all the time?’

I really didn’t know what he meant, so I quickly shook my head.

“No, it doesn’t matter to me.”

But my words sounded very indifferent when I said it.

Gabriel’s face then grew even colder, possibly because of what I said to him.

“So it doesn’t matter, does it?”

There is an icy atmosphere lingering between us, as cold as a freezer.

Not only that.

Somehow, I feel even worse, because I’m aware that I just ruined our conversation.

“Yes, It doesn’t.”

‘But I was just telling the truth. His moving to the mansion has nothing to do with me. So why is he making that kind of face?’

‘Anyways.’

I sighed.

‘Rosé is very lucky.’

‘Because looking at Gabriel’s behavior, I can see just how much he loves Rosé’

‘All of his actions were directed at one person. It wouldn’t matter if he isn’t recognized by the Emperor and loses his reputation, nor if he secretly returned without a proper victory ceremony to address his hard work.’

‘All of that is proof that there is nothing that cannot be done for Rosé.’

‘Ah.’

‘But why?’

‘His affection towards my younger twin sister, which I should be looking upon with joy, instead sends a twinge of pain to my heart.’

-ˏˋ ━━━━━━ ʚ🌸ɞ ━━━━━━ ˊˎ-

(Hildea’s POV)

“My lady did a perfect job again today.”

“It’s a level where there is nothing for me to teach you.”

“I bet the Duke would be proud too.”

Teachers who are more enthusiastic about education ahead of the debutant pour out praises like that.

But these are all unfamiliar words to me.

‘They’re proud of me?’

‘But it’s the most obvious thing that I should be doing right?’

My mind is so confused.

Being a debutante is not just a simple introduction to the public. It’s also very important to me personally.

Because before my debut, I may find out my congratulatory remarks.

When a noble child is born, the majority of the child’s remarks are conveyed to their parents.

However, the exact contents of the remarks will be known to everyone once the aristocrats make their debut or officially receive a noble title.

‘Like what happened to Gabriel.’

When I think about my remarks, a cold sweat runs down my back.

‘An ominous congratulatory remark.’

The words from that servant have not been forgotten. And until now, no one has talked about or mentioned anything about it.

“Sister, are you awake?”

With a slight knock on the door, Rosé with cute braided hair on each of her shoulders, comes inside my room.

If there is an existence that makes you smile just by looking at it, it would be my twin sister.

“Can’t you sleep?”

“Yes, you aren’t sleeping yet?”

“As you can see. Come in, Rosé.”

It would have been better if I could smile kindly, but it’s a shame. It is still difficult for me to smile brightly due to the memories of my past life.

Rosé, who ran quickly, laughed like a child and jumped onto the bed.

And she immediately becomes clingy. Later, if I ever leave this mansion, this child will definitely be sad.

“We are going to hear the congratulatory remarks soon. What if it’s just a scary saying? That’s why I couldn’t sleep.”

I’m very shocked and look at Rosé who keeps muttering words. I have no idea that my younger twin sister, who always seemed strong and bright, would have these worries as well.

And I know very well that it’s just a ridiculous worry. I smile internally.

“No way.”

“Huh?”

“Rosé, your remarks will be ‘the prettiest and warmest person in the world.’ So you don’t have to worry about it.”

Since I spoke confidently, Rosé pouted her lips, as she used to whenever she was dissatisfied.

“There’s no such thing as that?”

“What are you saying? It is because Rosé is such a lovable person. You definitely have good remarks. Everyone loves you.”

“Hehe. Then that goes for you too, Sister!”

“Huh?”

“You must have a beautiful remark as well, Sister, since we are twins who were born together.”

It’s a very pleasant feeling to see her smile so shyly.

‘I don’t know about Rosé, but she’s definitely a very positive kid.’

“I hope so…”

“Of course, I’m right! Sister’s congratulatory remarks will be several times better than mine. Since you’re smarter than me and you always work hard at everything you do.”

‘Well it’s not like that.’ Anyway, when Rosé’s passionate consolation was about to warmed my heart, she then suddenly opened her eyes wide and said:

“But sister. I have something that I want to ask you.”

“What is it?”

Rosé blinks her eyes.

“Sister, have you already met Gabriel?”

TO BE CONTINUED….