Chapter 46

Of course, such a miraculous coincidence couldn’t happen twice, and I understand that much.

"Are you hurt?"

"…………"

Though gently placed on the ground, I could only stare back at Lord Zain in a daze.

"There’s mud on your face too."

Lord Zain, taking out a clearly expensive handkerchief from his chest, wiped my face without hesitation.

I couldn’t hide my confusion at Lord Zain’s naturalness, as if we had just happened to meet on the streets of the capital.

Because he had held my mud-covered body, mud was now all over Lord Zain’s clothes. Finally coming to my senses, I hurriedly opened my mouth.

"I’m, I’m sorry! Lord Zain, you’re all... like this..."

"This much is nothing. You are more important."

"…………"

Saying such things so casually, Lord Zain softly narrowed his eyes. I clenched my hands tightly and looked up.

"Why are you in such a remote mountain?"

"You should know, right?"

As if seeing through my heart, Lord Zain raised the corners of his mouth in a beautiful smile.

"I came to fetch Grace."

"Why... why...?"

"Because I don’t want to part with you. Didn’t I say that the other day? I’ll take my time to make you understand my feelings."

I recalled being told that at the duke’s mansion the other day.

"First, I intend to make sure you never think of running away from me again."

And with that, Lord Zain said such an unbelievable line with a bright smile.

In other words, Lord Zain is now showing his affection for me while also making it clear that no matter how much I run, it’s futile.

– I had read countless novels and felt as if I knew everything, but I must not have understood the essence of Zain Winslett.

Lord Zain is far more troublesome and formidable than I imagined, and he might really like me.

I never would have understood that his words the other day had such a meaning.

"…………"

To begin with, how did he know where I was? It was hard to believe that someone of Lord Zain’s stature would go to such lengths just for me.

"Grace?"

Suddenly, his perfectly chiseled face drew near, making my heart leap. If I were my usual self, I would have been charmed right then and there.

But the other day, I had made a vow. I want Lord Zain to be happy, and for that, I need to try harder.

So, I must be resolute and hard-hearted here.

"To me, you’re nothing but a nuisance. I’m really serious about wanting to part ways."

"How much do you think this jacket costs?"

"Wh-what... Ah..."

"It’s a joke. I just said it because I thought you’d worry."

Seeing me panic at the thought of the price of his mud-covered clothes, Lord Zain laughed happily.

Although I was completely at his mercy, I couldn’t just send him away covered in mud after he had saved me.

"First, thank you for saving me. There’s a cabin we’re staying in further ahead. If Evan changes into a spare set of clothes, please go back."

"Sorry, but the carriage won’t arrive for three days."

"…………"

Of course, our carriage won’t come for a long time, and since we’re in such a remote area, carriages rarely pass by. Even if we called for the carriage now, it would take several days to arrive.

If we had to travel on foot, it wouldn’t be a distance we could cover in one or two days. I realized that Lord Zain was serious about staying with me in this remote mountain for the next few days.

This means I will really have to spend at least three days with him.

"……I see."

Feeling that this was no different from usual, I came up with a unique solution for this remote mountain.

I could use the next three days to make Lord Zain lose interest in me. That would solve everything.

So far, my attempts at infidelity and playing the villainess haven’t worked, but there’s still a method I haven’t tried.

That is, to act in a way that would make even a century-long love affair cool down, and to do things that are unthinkable for a noble lady.

Noble women are always beautiful, elegant, perfectly mannered, and exude confidence, which is the norm.

Born into a duke’s family and living a life of luxury, Lord Zain, who has only lived in a glamorous world, would surely be repelled by seeing a commoner’s serious poverty mode.

"……Alright."

Even now, I’m wearing simple, easy-to-move-in pants and have my hair in a braid, looking as unsophisticated as possible.

For the next three days, I decided to make Lord Zain experience the life of a poor commoner and taste the difference in values.

"Then, let’s go! If we don’t wash the clothes soon, the stains will set."

"Ah."

We walked down the mountain path together, heading for the cabin. I realized I had forgotten about Evan, but there was nothing I could do about it now.

"Miss, you’ve returned... –"

Yana, who had just come out of the dilapidated cabin holding Haniwa, looked at me and Lord Zain, covered in mud, with a face of disbelief.

What a déjà vu. Still, this was a natural reaction. I asked the dazed Yana to bring me a change of clothes and a bucket, and we moved to the back of the cabin.

Haniwa, who had followed us, was happily talking to Lord Zain, saying "pepi po!"

It seems Haniwa really likes Lord Zain.