Chapter 42

“I will believe in Viscount Grant’s words for now.”

Nevertheless, he didn’t feel inclined to comment on Ver’s heart

Ver calmly accepted Jack’s reaction.

His response was what he had expected. The mere fact that he didn’t reproach Ver’s heart towards his daughter was already a good thing.

“If that’s the case,”

Jack, deep in thought, spoke out.

“Why don’t we catch the culprit together?”

They say you should keep your enemies closer. Moreover, if Ver was sincerely looking out for Prillance and looking to catch the perpetrator, then Jack would have a very strong ally.

As someone who bested all the knights, he would be a reliable support for Jack.

“I am also looking to apprehend the people who dared touch my family and my daughter. Would you like to do it together?”

***

Prillance felt as if it had been a while since she got ready to go out. At best, she usually only left her room.

The original Prillance herself was a threat, but the book never mentioned Prillance’s life being threatened. Yet a few days ago, she had almost died.

Now she was forced to admit that the story was completely different from the original. Moreover, it was Ver who had saved her.

“Mindy, how is Viscount Grant doing?”

Mindy, who had been styling Prillance’s hair, momentarily paused. But soon she finished up Prillance’s hair.

“He is doing very well.”

“I see.”

Looking at Prillance’s noticeable relief reflected in the mirror, Mindy gave a tiny smile.

“He is quite popular among the maids lately.”

“Why?”

“Everybody knows how much he took care of milady. Now everyone in the mansion adores him.”

Even Mindy held Ver in a favorable light. It was true. Although she was a vocal supporter of Duke Tonz, she had no choice but to admit so.

“I…I see.”

Every time she woke up, she remembered his hand. As if his hand was stuck to hers, he was always holding her hand. Throughout her multiple nightmares, it was the warmth that held her.

She had told herself she would draw farther from him, but instead, she had gotten closer again. Her heart kept thrumming because of him.

***

It had been a while since she had come to the hall. A familiar back greeted her. Ver, instead of her usual teacher, was waiting for her.

“I’m glad to see you, Lady.”

He greeted her.

“Viscount.”

Prillance couldn’t hide her joy of seeing him after a long time.

“How come you are here?”

“I was asked by the Marquis.”

Jack had reduced the number of people entering and leaving the mansion to a minimum. Even Ver, who held certain status, Jack could barely trust, so even her well-established noble tutor was held as a potential threat in his eyes.

Perhaps it was only natural that Jack had asked Ver, whom he had come to trust, to become her new teacher.

“Then will you allow me to escort you?”

Ver had asked for more work for himself. Jack’s bewildered face at the time was memorable. Jack had asked if it wouldn’t be difficult for him.

“It is not difficult.”

He had responded like so. Her safety mattered more to him than the state of his own body.

“But don’t you already do morning training as well as group training with the knights?”

Prillance was unwittingly revealing that she had been stealing glances at his morning training, but Ver did not realize it. Instead, he realized she was the first to worry about his wellbeing.

“Moreover,”

She pulled up his sleeve. The wound that she saw as they rode on the horse suddenly came to mind. Fortunately, his arms were clean.

“You have been treated properly. That’s a relief.”

Only then did she sigh with relief.

“Sorry. And thank you.”

After a sense of relief, she felt apologetic and grateful. He couldn’t have been able to rest properly for a few days because of her and she hadn’t even realized it.

“Whenever I practice, I get cuts and bruises all the time. This much is nothing.”

Rather, he was trying to soothe her. As she carefully raised her head, her eyes met Ver’s, who was also looking at her.

“The Lady’s safety is more important to me.”

As always, Ver replied with a gentle smile. There was no hesitation in his answer.

“Why…why are you smiling?”

At that, Prillance felt like crying. Strangely, his smiling face made her heart ache.

“Did I do something wrong?”

Ver became flustered at the sight. He immediately wiped the tears that began to flow with a handkerchief.

“You’re more injured than I am, why don’t you take care of yourself?”

She was upset. No one cared nor tended to his wounds, and even she didn’t realize it. How could she not be worried about him?

In contrast to the tearful Prillance, the corners of Ver’s mouth rose immensely and his eyes closed entirely.

What should he do with this lovely lady in front of him?

Ver tried his best not to extend his hand that wanted to stroke her head at the moment.

“I apologize. But I am really fine. Can I prove that I’m alright by teaching the lady how to dance?”

Just like the garden party, Ver politely reached out his hand.

“If you sprain yourself for even a little bit, I will call the physician right away.”

Prillance declared in a serious tone, but it only sounded like a lovely threat to Ver.

With slightly red eyes, she took his hand.

Ver had no choice but to say yes to her cute grumbles.