Dear Contract Husband, I Didn't Know You Were Like This? - Chapter 85
Maya didn’t expect herself to say something like that.
“Just because I’ve become a Grand Duchess doesn’t mean my past disappears. But that isn’t to say I’m ashamed of it.”
Tristan had also asked her why she would say such self-deprecating things at first.
But these were Maya’s true feelings.
She believed it was more important to accept and acknowledge her life as it was, even if it wasn’t perfect.
However, she could sense that Serene’s demeanor had softened considerably compared to earlier.
Of course, Maya thought, when had she ever been a noble who fit in with the capital’s high society?
Thinking that she could continue the conversation now, Maya quickly spoke up.
“Lady Serene, I’m not good with noble speech. So please don’t misunderstand what I’m about to say.”
Maya took a deep breath and looked Serene straight in the eye. Serene’s golden hair shimmered brilliantly in the evening sky.
Standing before her was the perfect lady Maya had admired when she was young.
“I’ve approached you because I sincerely want to become friends with you.”
The moment she said it, she realized something.
‘I really do want to be friends with Serene.’
Although they hadn’t met often, Maya wanted to get to know the beautiful and confident Serene Baker better.
Though Serene had shown hostility toward her first, Maya hadn’t even dared to approach her afterward.
Serene looked at Maya intently. Unable to read her intentions, Maya began to elaborate to prevent any misunderstanding.
“Of course, I know you might not like me, but I really like you, Lady Serene.”
“Your Highness seems quite accustomed to lowering yourself. But there’s no need to do so when addressing me.”
Serene spoke with a calm expression.
“I’m honored that you wish to maintain a friendship with me. However, may I ask why you are favoring me as such?”
For a moment, Maya saw loneliness in Serene’s eyes.
What could possibly make the Serene Baker show such emotion?
She couldn’t quite understand.
Maya thought carefully about what she liked about Serene.
In the past and now, she felt the same whenever she saw Serene Baker.
“I admire your elegant manner of speech and the way you assert your will, even knowing that I am the Grand Duchess.”
In the past, after Maya became the emperor’s close aide, people didn’t dare speak carelessly to her.
Many trembled in fear, wondering when they might lose their heads.
But Serene had always been confident.
Just as she was now.
“Haha…”
Serene’s eyes widened, and she finally burst into laughter.
“Apologies, I was so pleased by the compliment that I couldn’t help but laugh.”
Serene quickly regained her composure and bowed to Maya again.
When Serene lifted her head, her eyes sparkled with a lively energy.
“Your Highness, I don’t know what misunderstanding led you to think so, but I’d like to correct it.”
For the first time, Serene continued speaking at length.
“I have no feelings whatsoever toward you, Your Highness.”
It was a firm statement.
“The only reason I was upset earlier was because someone who clearly knew I was on this terrace entered anyway. It wasn’t specifically because it was you, Your Highness.”
Maya finally understood.
…The nobles hadn’t gasped because she was piling macarons onto her plate.
It was because they were shocked that she had boldly intruded into Serene’s private space.
“And right now, what I feel toward you is closer to fondness. Since you appreciate honesty, I’m telling you this directly.”
…Wait. This was an unexpected response for Maya.
Serene’s attitude was completely different from her previous life, where she had disliked Maya because of her bloodline.
It didn’t seem to be because of Maya’s position as Grand Duchess.
If that were the case, Serene would have been kind from the beginning.
“You seem curious.”
“Yes, may I ask?”
“Of course. I said it because I wanted you to ask.”
…What could she mean by this?
“I was deeply impressed by the way you firmly distanced yourself from the Pendragon family, no, from your former family.”
Not only did it not make her dislike Maya, but it also impressed her?
‘Is this some kind of roundabout way of speaking?’
But didn’t Serene say she was being honest because Maya liked straightforwardness?
‘Isn’t Serene Baker close to the Count? How could she be impressed by the way I distanced myself from my family?’
