Chapter 63
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Ambush 3 (1)
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People had already changed their attitudes just from seeing Rose's outfit. So the showy acting to make a point wasn't really necessary.
This was on the level of shouting in front of everyone not to lay a finger on Rose.
'Acting... right? That's what it was, wasn't it?'
Even Rose was starting to get confused now.
How far did they need to take this act of a loving couple? Was she just misinterpreting things on her own because she wanted to believe it?
Were those eyes, frozen like the winter sky, really gazing at her like a hot summer sea? Was that truly just her imagination?
"Madam?"
Rose snapped back to reality at the sound of Dane calling her.
'What... did he say? Oh, right. Did I miss you...'
She barely got her fever-muddled brain working.
"I... me too."
"What was that?"
Dane tilted his head as if he hadn't heard.
There was no way he couldn't hear from this close. His smooth face was a little infuriating.
"...Me too,"
Rose bit her lip hard once, then raised her voice a bit.
"I missed you."
It wasn't a lie. Just moments ago, she'd been thinking how much she wanted to see him.
A faint smile seemed to brush Dane's lips. It was a lazy, satisfied smile, like a well-fed beast.
"I see."
Those short words somehow felt like praise. She was certain this was the reaction he'd wanted.
Whether it was for the audience or because he wanted to hear it himself, she wasn't sure.
"Haa..."
"Oh my..."
Sighs rose from the noble ladies here and there.
A massive man like a tiger leaned toward a petite woman who barely reached his shoulder. He whispered something only for her ears.
The sight ignited everyone's imaginations.
Married noblewomen and unmarried young ladies alike began twisting in their seats.
"I can't believe His Excellency Schmichael came all this way."
"Did you see? It's the first time I've ever seen him smile..."
People finally came to their senses and began whispering furtively.
"He can't even bear to be apart for a moment. So romantic."
"How can he be so affectionate! I wish my husband were like that."
"Honey's dripping from His Excellency's eyes? I'd have fainted on the spot."
Casual touches, intimate contact, a gentle voice.
All words that had never fit Dane Schmichael. That's how everyone had seen him until now.
But not anymore.
Rumors would sweep high society:
Dane Schmichael had fallen madly in love and come to fetch his wife from tea himself.
"Your Excellency, you've arrived."
Countess Holland hurried over. Her resigned expression said she'd known this was coming.
"It's been a while."
"Yes. Not since I graduated from the Academy."
They clearly knew each other already. From the conversation, the countess seemed the senior.
"What brings you all the way here?"
"Seems the tea party's over."
Dane gave a cold glance at Daisy, who was trembling beside them, then
"May I take my wife?"
never looked at her again.
He gave her no chance to defend herself, no time to burst into tears.
With that attitude alone, he'd completely isolated Daisy. It was a dignified, refined, and utterly ruthless response.
Rose intuited that Daisy wouldn't be seen in society much anymore.
'Did he... do that for me?'
Dane's gaze toward Daisy had been excessively vicious.
For a split second, it felt just like when he'd dispatched those assassins before—a chill ran down her spine.
'Just my imagination, right?'
Even as she thought that,
"......"
the moment she saw Daisy's face, utterly defeated, an unfamiliar thrill washed over Rose.
Fierce elation, overwhelming superiority. Her heart pounded so hard she could barely breathe.
She felt total victory.
"Of course, Your Excellency."
Countess Holland bowed politely.
"I hope there were no shortcomings while hosting the Duchess."
"Thank you for your thoughtful care."
With that, Dane led Rose straight out of the room. His hand never left her shoulder until they exited.
People were too stunned to even gape—they just exchanged wide-eyed glances.
Step, step.
He escorted her all the way to the carriage at a pace perfectly matched to hers—not too fast, not too slow.
Walking in step with him, Rose gazed endlessly at Dane's profile.
Recalling the moment that chiseled, firm face had softened toward her.
"Are you all right?"
Dane's lips moved, sensing her stare.
For a moment, Rose felt a sudden urge to ask.
'What was that earlier? Really just acting? Or...'
Her instincts as a woman pointed to a tantalizing possibility. A sweet, soft one.
Maybe, just maybe, Dane actually—
'...No way.'
But memories from her past life, etched deep in her bones, and her habitual self-doubt sealed her lips.
What if? What if she was imagining it alone? What if His Excellency actually fancied her?
Her self-defense kicked in—she didn't want to get hurt.
If she didn't confirm the truth, she could cling to her happy fantasies.
The moment he denied her feelings outright, she'd shatter completely. Beyond repair.
"...Yes."
Rose smiled faintly in reply. Dane narrowed his eyes briefly, but
"I see."
that was it. Still, Rose sensed it.
'Someday...'
This heart of hers, swollen like a huge loaf of bread, would eventually demand answers from him.
Even if it meant getting hurt—she knew she'd have to know his true feelings.
It was a prophetic intuition.
The two of them, followed by Helena, arrived in the courtyard. The carriage Rose had ridden in earlier was gone.
Bow.
The coachman seated up front bowed his head.
'Casto, was it?'
The man who ran the Arsil Orphanage. She realized Dane had come with him.
"Shall we go?"
Dane extended his hand to Rose.
**
Inside the carriage heading back to Schmichael Castle.
Helena was up front with Casto, who was disguised as the coachman. It was just me and Rose inside.
"......"
Rose fiddled with her gloves, lost deep in thought. Her bangs swayed gently with every jolt of the carriage.
Smack.
I recalled the moment I'd pressed my lips there.
'Hmm.'
For a second, even I got confused.
Was it because everyone was watching? Or because Rose standing there was just so beautiful?
Good thing it was a public place. If we'd been alone, I might have kissed somewhere else.
Like right here in the carriage...
'...No.'
Helena and Casto were right behind the partition. What was I thinking?
Get a grip. This wasn't the time for that.
Instead, I focused on Rose's pale face.
"How was it?"
"...Oh. The tea party?"
Rose snapped out of her reverie and answered.
"The tea party... was fun."
"So everything else wasn't?"
At my sharp question, Rose stared at me for a moment, as if I were the reason.
She took a short breath and replied.
"That's not what I meant, Your Excellency. Everything was really fine."
No way it was.
I knew what had happened to past-life Rose when she'd gone to a tea party alone. Her answer seemed highly suspect.
With me as her shield now, it was probably milder, but idiots like those villainesses lacked even the brains to notice.
"Tell me everything honestly. Not everyone there was friendly toward you."
"Nothing worth Your Excellency worrying over."
Rose shrugged with a relaxed tone.
"They all saw it right away. How much I'm loved by you."
"Hm."
"The dress was gorgeous, and I walked tall. I gave anyone who tried sniping at me a proper scolding."
"You?"
This tiny squirrel scolding ferocious vixens?
I looked at her skeptically.
"Really?"
"Of course. You should see how well I handled it."
Rose clenched her fist triumphantly. Her plump little fist was kinda cute.
"Do you know how terrifying noble ladies' verbal warfare is? Even Your Excellency couldn't handle it."
"Doubt that."
"Anyway, I elegantly and nobly pummeled them with words this way and that."
Rose mimed pummeling something with her fist and laughed.
"I didn't lose a bit. I fought like one of Your Excellency's knights."
A clumsy boast, nothing more than trivial chit-chat.
"...I see."
A chuckle escaped me.
Maybe because her proud victory declaration was endearing, or that determined fist was cute, or her smile toward me was lovable.
I didn't know which.
Clunk!
The coachman's window slid open, and Helena poked her head in.
"Haa, really."
Her face was all scrunched up in exasperation.
"Master, you don't need to worry about Madam anymore. She turned that tea party upside down."
"Did she?"
"Yeah! She went totally wild!"
That piqued my curiosity.
"Tell me the details."
Helena launched into the story like she'd been waiting.
"...but Madam shut them down with a few words. They scattered like they'd grown a thousand tails."
"Hoo."
In Helena's tale, Rose was the perfect duchess. I almost thought it was someone else's story.
The original Rose had attended tea parties confidently after her contract marriage too. But she'd struggled quite a bit against attacks from my ex-wives and sisters.
Her handling it this flawlessly came much later.
"...Amazing."
I didn't know why Helena was more excited telling it, but she beamed proudly.
"For real. Our Madam was a total beast in there!"
"Beast? More like a squirrel."
...Oops.
By the time I realized I'd slipped,
"Huh?"
"Squirrel?"
Helena and Rose had both widened their eyes.