Chapter 40
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 40
“That’s why it’s better if my reputation is ruined. It would be perfect if I claimed I was pregnant and didn’t even know who the father was. I wasn’t going to tell you this, but I plan to spread rumors of affairs with several other men, not just you.”
“…What?”
“I told you I’d make sure you weren’t dragged into this.”
Vanessa shrugged, as if to ask whether he’d forgotten. He had heard her, of course. But he’d dismissed it as an empty threat—a mere tactic to persuade him—since the idea seemed so impossible in practice. He hadn’t given it a second thought since.
After all, keeping the name ‘River Ross’ out of a scandal was hardly a difficult task for the Duke of Battenberg.
“At the upcoming picnic, I’m going to slip away with as many men as possible to ‘get some fresh air.’ I won’t actually do anything, of course, but I’ll stay away just long enough for people to assume we did.”
“……”
“Men treat a dalliance with a pretty woman like some grand conquest. As long as I keep my mouth shut, they’ll boast and babble on their own, and people will believe them. Besides, since I’m no longer a virgin, I don’t have to worry about being exposed later.”
A dumbfounded laugh escaped him. He had never met a woman who so shamelessly called herself pretty, but since it was the undeniable truth, he couldn’t bring himself to scoff.
“If rumors spread that I’m pregnant, you’ll probably be mentioned as one of the candidates. Of course, the more men I drag into it, the less time they’ll spend focused on any one of them. After that, I’ll claim I had a miscarriage, and then…”
Vanessa trailed off, swallowing her next words. A timely gust of wind swept through the silence between them.
“…If the plan goes well, I’ll probably be free. Or at least, I’ll end up with a husband who doesn’t obsess over my purity.”
Gazing up at the stars, Vanessa’s profile looked fragile enough to crumble. Having finally poured out the words she had kept bottled up inside, she seemed strangely relieved. Only then did he truly see the heavy burden resting on her slender shoulders.
He saw her stubborn refusal to drag anyone else into her misery, her twisted and radical convictions. He realized it was all just a desperate struggle to destroy herself, and herself alone.
“Is that your new plan? To approach as many men as possible?”
“Huh?”
“What if something actually happens when you approach them so defenselessly?”
“Oh, that’s fine. I’m going to ask Blair to stay nearby and come get me after a while.”
Theodore swept a hand through his disheveled hair in irritation. An inexplicable tightness gripped his throat. He couldn’t tell if the source of his displeasure was the unfamiliar name or the reckless woman herself. She was so calculating, yet so utterly thoughtless. She had to be out of her mind.
Otherwise, how could a person be so cruel to themselves?
“Anyway, I had a truly wonderful time today. Thank you for giving me such a good memory, River.”
Stretching once more, Vanessa turned to him and grinned. Her expression was as bright as a sunny day, as if she had forgotten her complicated circumstances entirely.
“I’ll probably never forget today for the rest of my life.”
Theodore, unable to release the breath he was holding, let out a laugh that felt like a habit. It was hollow and left a bitter taste in his mouth, yet it had a sweet finish—much like the clean, soapy scent wafting from her.
“Liar.”
“It’s true. You call everything I say a lie.”
“You’ll forget my face in a few years.”
“…How could I?”
“You forgot the face of the River Ross you met when you were a child.”
At that, Vanessa looked utterly startled. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and shot him a hesitant glance, gauging his reaction.
“Since when… did you know?”
“From the beginning.”
“It might be hard to believe, but I do remember… vaguely.”
“Describe him, then.”
“His hair was black.”
“I’ll give you that.”
“And his eyes were blue.”
“Liar.”
“How is that a lie? I’m looking right at your eyes.”
The sheer, shameless innocence on her face as she spoke so brazenly made him burst into laughter, so hard he felt he might even shed a tear.
* * *
River Ross remained silent the entire walk back over the iron fence and into the garden. Vanessa stole a glance at the man beside her. At some point, the atmosphere around him had changed. It was an incredibly subtle shift, one she couldn’t quite explain.
His eyes, which had always seemed indifferent to the world, had settled into a calm focus, and he now exuded the aura of a mature man firmly grounded in reality. It was as if he had suddenly grown up in that short span of time.
“Go on in.”
At the steps of the back door, Vanessa reluctantly let go of his hand. The spot where their hands had touched grew cold, the warmth that had felt so permanent just moments before now fading.
“Well then, River. See you tomorrow.”
“I have some work tomorrow. Let’s meet in four days.”
“Four days? You’re very busy…”
When she grumbled in discontent, River Ross chuckled.
“I’m going to Linden. If you need anything, let me know. I’ll buy you a souvenir.”
“I don’t need anything. But next time a theater troupe comes, we have to go see it together.”
“That won’t be until after summer ends.”
“I’m fine with that.”
She had blurted it out, her intentions transparently clear. Vanessa bit her lip and added, her confidence faltering, “Even after this summer ends… as friends. If… you’re okay with it.”
River Ross’s eyes widened slightly. Vanessa wanted to bang her head against the wall. Trying to salvage the moment by pretending it was a casual promise had only made it worse.
Now it was obvious she was thinking about their relationship after the summer—even after she had so confidently declared they should go their separate ways.
As his silence stretched on, Vanessa’s head began to droop. She was dying of embarrassment, but she had a feeling he was probably smiling. Why on earth did she have to say something so foolish?
“Sure.”
Vanessa’s head snapped up.
“Let’s go see it someday.”
A large hand stroked her head. It wasn’t the affectionate touch one gives a lover, but a careless gesture, like patting a troublesome puppy. Even so, her breath caught in her throat. Vanessa nodded like a child.
“Then I’ll go.”
She looked back several times before stepping through the door. Every time, River Ross was still standing there. It made her happy. It felt as if he would always be standing there whenever she looked back, just as he was now.
Even if it was an illusion, it had been a wonderful night. The dark, narrow stairs leading up to her room and the empty hallway no longer felt scary. She unlocked the wooden door with her key and slipped inside.
“……”
The room should have been pitch-black, but a faint light emanated from within. The oil lamp on her desk was still lit. She had adjusted the wick so it would go out on its own after a while…
She crossed the dimly lit room, past familiar furniture, and lifted the oil lamp from her desk.
“Are you only just getting back?”
The sudden voice from behind shattered her caution. Startled, she gripped the hot oil lamp. She whipped around before the pain even registered, gasping when she saw the familiar face.
“My goodness, Blair! You scared me…”
As her tension dissolved, a wave of relief washed over her. She had imagined the worst—that her uncle or Mary would be waiting for her. Only then did the burn on her hand begin to sting. Examining the blister that was already forming, Vanessa slowly raised her head as a strange sense of unease washed over her.
How could Blair be in her room? The door had been locked. She had just unlocked it with her own key, so there was no mistake.
“But… how long have you been here?”
“About two hours.”
“I thought Mary said you weren’t coming back today…”
“She told me you haven’t been feeling well lately. That you couldn’t seem to shake your fatigue.”
“I was… but I felt better today.”
She clenched her hands, realizing they had broken out in a cold sweat.
“Did you climb through the window?”
“I’m the one who should be asking questions.”
Blair’s calm, sunken eyes slowly swept over her from head to toe. Her disheveled hair, her flushed cheeks, the light muslin dress that left her shoulders and collarbone exposed.
She looked every bit the part of someone who had been out for more than just a brief stroll. After taking it all in with eyes of unfathomable depth, Blair’s lips curled into a picture-perfect smile.
“Where are you just coming back from, Vanessa?”