CH 10

Back at the main house, Ashley is eating her meal under Rosalie’s concerned eyes. Then, she dragged her tired body back to her bedroom.

‘I must have blurted out “miasma” without realizing it…’

She made such a blunder, but she’s so glad that the black wolf was still alive. Even though it had been asleep for a long time, she still wondered if it was okay.

“Uhm, Miss Ashley?”

As she placed her hand on the railing to go upstairs, she happened to meet Jeanne. Jeanne reflexively smiled down at her, but Ashley just lowered her head. She thought she was going to pursue her regarding the black wolf.

“I’m a little tired right now. Can we talk about the demon some other time?” She did say that she was going to cooperate with them, but she was sorry for saying this.

Jeanne’s eyes widened and bitterly said, “I was not going to ask since Master Clyde firmly told us not to pursue the matter until Miss Ashley speaks up on her own.”

‘Really?’

“Jump…?” 

This was probably an answer beyond her imagination. Jeanne gaped at her.

Ashley nodded, “Yes, jump.”

“…is that something that’s any way useful to Master Clyde?

“No,” she shook her head, “I don’t think it will.” Because it’s a jump.

“……I see.” Jeanne looked confused, but once she got a hold of herself, a smile appeared on her lips. She smiled strangely as she deliberately stared at Ashley. However―

‘I’m tired…’ She was so exhausted as she jumped away with all her might and was also mentally tired since Clyde was so close to her as well as the revelation of her secret.

‘I can’t wait to go back to my bedroom.’ This is what only fills her brain.

Jeanne said, “I was looking forward to seeing how beautiful the lady is, since she was the lady chosen by Master Clyde. I was disappointed though. Oh, how rude of me.. I am not saying that Miss Ashley is not beautiful or anything like that. Please don’t misunderstand me―” 

Ashley did not hear her merry voice.

“―Then, I’ll see you later, Miss Ashley.” She then came back into her senses. She was too exhausted that she hadn’t heard a thing Jeanne said.

It seems that she had misunderstood Ashley’s look as someone who had her ego damaged.  She then passed by her with a triumphant face. However—

‘Huh?’

Ashley saw something as she passed. She saw a gold earring hidden behind Jeanne’s rich blonde hair. She thought it was just a simple round shape, but it was not. It was round overall, but there appeared to be something like two long ears protruding upwards. It was in the shape of a rabbit.

‘Does she happen to like rabbits by any chance?’

Normally, she’d be happy and pleased, but she just wanted to go to sleep.

‘I’ll ask her later.’

When Ashley arrived at her bedroom, she curled up in bed and quickly fell asleep.

After three hours of good sleep, her energy was restored. She left the bedroom again and headed back to the stables.

‘I want to see Mister Black Wolf again.’

After all, he was a warrior that she admired. She lifted the hem of her dress as she trotted down the corridor. She saw Clyde’s figure at the end. He saw the agitated and stiff Ashley and smiled,  “Did you have a good rest?”

“…yes.”

“Well then, let’s go.”

Ashley felt that he had been waiting for her to come down. Why? Did he go there to catch her so that she wouldn’t run away? She felt fear creep up from under her feet.

Clyde chuckled as if he had read Ashley’s face, “There’s a barrier in the stables. You won’t be able to enter without me.”

‘That’s right…’

It was a misunderstanding! She felt embarrassed. Clyde smiled at the remorseful Ashley, “I’m your fiancée, after all. It would be better for us to spend a little more time together.”

His amused tone filled her with dread. She followed Clyde down the first floor corridor slowly. As they passed by the living room, she suddenly remembered what Jeanne had told her.

“I was not going to ask since Master Clyde firmly told us not to pursue the matter until Miss Ashley speaks up on her own.”

‘Ah, that’s right. He’s a good person, isn’t he? Even when we first met at the palace, he helped me.’

It’s really only on Ashley’s side of the situation wherein she’s afraid. She really felt sorry since it has nothing to do with Clyde. She even remembered what she had said during dinner, the day before, that she will try to get used to him. He’s right. He’s her fiancée. It’s different from her previous life and she’s now a count’s daughter.

‘Alrighty. I’ll get used to him as promised.’ She made up her mind.

But suddenly, it felt impossible. She couldn’t stop breaking out in cold sweat when he was close to her back at the stables. She shudders even when she thinks of it.

‘One step at a time. I just have to practice and get used to it little by little.’

She’ll start by getting closer to him. She held her palpitating chest and looked up. With all her strength, she took a big step towards him, who was walking about two meters ahead of her.