Looking for a Husband to Confine Me - Chapter 45.2
Chapter 45.2
The news of my broken engagement with Hector had already spread throughout society, so it wasn’t surprising that the butler knew. Recently, people had even started gossiping about when the official announcement would be made.
“It’s embarrassing, but yes, it’s true. It hasn’t been formally processed yet, though.”
“You must be heartbroken, my lady. I can’t understand why Duke Asid would make such a choice…”
I couldn’t very well tell the tsk-tsking butler, “It’s all because of the young master you serve! That cruel boy played a wicked trick!”
“I’m alright, butler. Thank you for your concern…” Up until this point, I had assumed his words were simply out of concern for me. However, what he said next…
“This might be sudden, but what are your thoughts on our young master?”
“…Excuse me?” He couldn’t possibly be asking me what I thought of Luke Randy as a person…
“I’m asking about the young master as a potential husband, Lady Amelia.” I never imagined he’d ask me what I thought of Luke Randy as a husband.
“You’ve known each other for a long time, so I believe you have a good understanding of one another.”
“But I…” When I hesitated, he chuckled lightly and added, “Just consider it the rambling of an old butler who has watched you both grow up. Think nothing of it, my lady.”
The Randy family butler dropped this bombshell on me and left the drawing-room. I couldn’t even properly see him out, just blinking in astonishment.
Even as I sat in the drawing-room afterward, reviewing the Count’s finances and planning the budget, the butler’s words kept echoing in my mind.
“…Well, of course, I did initially consider Luke as a potential contractual husband.” I muttered as if explaining myself to the butler. As he said, I had known Luke for a long time, so there was no need for pretense.
Besides, he enjoyed my misfortune, so he’d probably be eager to observe it up close. We would never fall for each other, which made him even more suitable. Luke was also under pressure from his grandfather to marry, so I thought it would be a mutually beneficial arrangement.
“But, butler, even so, I can’t join hands with the very cause of all this… can I?” If Luke hadn’t been the one to orchestrate Hector and Vivian’s meeting, he would have been a perfectly acceptable candidate.
I might have even chosen him for the sake of convenience.
“That boy, Luke, he must have done it without thinking.”
He probably hadn’t put much thought into it. What a brilliant plan—separating Hector and me, his two thorns, with a single move. But because of him, the likelihood of me marrying the madman, as in the original story, had increased.
“I just can’t see Luke in a positive light.” I muttered hopelessly to the now-absent butler. If Luke were here right now, I would grab him by the collar and shake him, demanding he take my place as the madman’s bride.
Just then, a knock echoed through the drawing-room, pulling me from my thoughts. Knock, knock, knock.
“My lady, it’s Tepine.”
“Come in, Tepine.”
At my reply, the door opened, and my maid, Tephene, entered.
“What is it?”
“I’ve brought the letters that arrived for you.” Tepine held several letters in her hand, all unopened.
“You managed to avoid Mother and Father again today?” Since the broken engagement with Hector, my parents had been scrutinizing my every move, even reading my letters. Lately, however, Tepine had been bringing them to me before they could be intercepted.
“Actually, I thought I’d been lucky in avoiding them, but I don’t think that’s the case.” Tepine placed the letters on the table.
“Then?”
“I just ran into Madam while bringing these letters. She saw your name on them, but she just let me go.”
“Mother did?”
“Yes. I think she might not be interested in monitoring you anymore.”
“…Thanks for letting me know, Tepine.”
“Of course, Lady Amelia.”
Contrary to Tepine’s belief, I doubted my parents had stopped watching me.
‘Come to think of it, things have been quiet since the incident with the Kishan princes.’
Not only had the letter-snatching stopped, but their interference in my affairs had decreased significantly. All of this started right after the incident with the Kishan princes. I had a hunch about why my parents had suddenly changed their behavior.
“Um, my lady. And…” Tepine fidgeted, trailing off. Her expression was troubled. Her hesitant demeanor suggested she had something to say. Luke wasn’t the only one who had been trying to see me this past week.
“He came again?”
“Yes. I told him you were unwell and couldn’t meet.”
“Thank you.”
“But he saw the Randy family butler leaving after meeting with you just now. So…”
“It’s alright. Hector probably already realized my illness was an excuse.” After Luke Randy, it was Hector Asid. He wanted to see me.
“Are you alright, my lady?” Tepine looked at me with concern. She probably assumed I was avoiding Hector because I still had feelings for him.
“Honestly, I don’t understand what Master Hector is thinking! He’s the one who asked for the broken engagement, so why does he keep coming…!”
“I’m fine, so please calm down, Tepine.” I soothed my agitated maid.
“Lady Amelia…”
“I don’t think I can see Hector yet. Could you continue to help me with this?”
“Of course! You can count on me!”
Contrary to Tepine’s assumption, I was avoiding Hector for a different reason. I knew why he was seeking me out.
‘I wonder if he finally brought the annulment papers this time.’ I wasn’t ready to give Hector what he wanted just yet.
