***
Because she's a woman. Because she's a lady.
These were the words I heard the most from people while going from the capital to Hutton.
It felt like I had heard it more than I had in my entire life without adding a single lie.
When I ate or rested.
Even when I was sleeping, the words because she's a woman' followed.
Please dont treat like a woman.
When I said that because I couldn't stand it anymore, they responded with bizarre expressions.
The Lady is not a man, right?
I was taken aback, but there's nothing I could say because it was true.
Still, they grumbled when I couldn't erase the dissatisfied expression on my face.
We're so considerate of you. I dont know what you're dissatisfied with.
The Lady is so fussy.
Did the aning of considerate change without my knowledge?
The behavior they showed was outright contempt and they treated like an outcast, not considerate.
Should I say this was what you call bullying?
They seed to want to get hurt, but unfortunately, I was fine.
Because I was used to this kind of situation.
When I was at the Count of Thebesa, I was treated even more than this.
So, I was fine.
am I really okay?
Huu.
At the sudden question, I sighed deeply and closed the book I was reading.
It's a book I had always liked, but I couldn't concentrate on it because of the situation.
And I also felt like I was getting a little motion sickness.
I looked out the window to change my mood.
"Wow."
The blue drawing paper could be seen over the thick forest. It was the sea I had only heard of.
The sea I saw for the first ti in my life was very beautiful.
As I looked at the vast open sea, my deep sorrow seed to disappear.
It looked so pretty from a distance. How much prettier would it be from up close?
I was really looking forward to it. I couldn't wait to get closer and see it.
Falling in love with the charm of the sea, I stared at the sea endlessly.
About 4 hours later.
We finally arrived at our destination, Hutton.
As a port city, Hutton's symbol was the anchor.
The carriage continued to run diligently until it reached the mansion in the north of Hutton.
This was where Armand Hutton, Lord of Hutton, lived.
The Marquis of Hutton was a family that produced outstanding naval officers from generation to generation.
Even Armand Hutton, the current Lord of the Marquis of Hutton, was the number one person in the Empire who had no one to follow in terms of chart navigation skill.
As a result, no one could say anything about a marquis ruling over such a large city, over a duke.
The reason Hutton had grown this much was also because of the efforts of Marquis Hutton.
Welco, everyone. Welco to the Marquis of Hutton.
It was a young man, not Marquis Hutton, who ca to greet us.
It was my first ti seeing him, but Marquis Valdir smiled brightly and called out the man's na as if he knew him.
Its been a while, Aldor.
Its been a while since Ive seen you too, Marquis.
Aldor Hutton. Armand Hutton's second son.
Aldor Hutton, who had greeted Marquis Valdir, looked at and exclaid briefly.
Oh, who is this beautiful lady?
It wasn't a face that didn't know .
He must have already received the list of diplomatic mission, so he couldn't possibly not know.
My na is Leila Thebesa.
Even so, I reached out my hand to shake his hand because it was essential to introduce myself at the first eting.
I'm Aldor Hutton. It is an honor to et a beautiful lady.
But instead of shaking my hand, he held the back of my hand and kissed it.
His behavior was disciplined and polite like a gentleman, but not in the way he looked at .
Eyes that glead darkly looked like they would eat up at any mont.
You have fine skin.
it was the sa eyes as when Andante looked at in the past.
I was startled and bit my tongue.
You are truly a beautiful lady.
His words and gaze made feel like I was standing on a single feather. I got goosebumps all over my body.
If I had known such a beautiful lady would co, I would have paid more attention.
I smiled, trying to straighten my distorted face. Fortunately, I was used to forcing myself to smile.
It's still great.
I said sothing I didn't an and naturally pulled out my hand.
Aldor looked at his hand that had held as if it was a pity, then raised the corner of his mouth, smiling.
Ive heard so many rumors that Ive always wondered what kind of person you are, that's why Im delighted to et you like this.
I bet he was of the sa class as Andante.
Now his target was ?
It was terrifying just thinking about it. Cold sweat flowed down my spine.
I wanted to run away right away, but I couldn't.
On the surface, Aldor Hutton was perfectly normal.
If I did that, I would be the only one who beca a fool.
Aldor.
I was thinking about what to do, but unexpectedly, Marquis Valdir saved .
Where is Marquis Hutton?
Of course, it wasn't to save , but it's purely had sothing to do with Aldor.
Father went out to the port for a while. He wanted to greet you personally, but an important trading ship ca in today. I ask for your understanding.
Still, thanks to this, I was able to escape Aldor's spiderweb-like gaze.
I slipped back in fear of being caught by Aldor again.
Aldor, who had been talking to Marquis Valdir for a long ti, looked around the people as if he had suddenly rembered.
His gaze finally reached .
I blatantly avoided his gaze.
Aldor then smiled and looked back at Marquis Valdir.
Everyone must be tired from the long journey, but I've made you all wait too long. The servants will guide you to your room. And I'll guide you personally, Marquis.
Marquis Valdir smiled happily.
"Oh my. I'm grateful, but I'm sorry that I've been bothering you for nothing."
"No. Of course, it's sothing I should do. Co this way.
Marquis Valdir entered the mansion with Aldor.
Imdiately after that, a maid approached and politely greeted .
The maid, full of freckles on her face, appeared to be like Sarah's age.
My na is Eria. I will be serving you from today. It is a great honor to serve you, My Lady.
"Okay."
Then, I'll guide you to your room.
As I was about to follow Eria, a nobleman approached .
I looked back after giving Eria a blink, asking her to wait for a mont.
Whats wrong?
I would like to inform you about the upcoming schedule.
I already knew the schedule, but there might be so changes, so I listened to the nobleman.
You are free to do whatever you want until this evening, but please join us for dinner.
They always outcasted , telling to eat alone. What's wrong with them?
Do we have any special plans for the evening?
We have an appointnt for dinner with Marquis Armand Hutton.
Ah, that's why you want to join you, huh?
Because it'll be difficult for them to turn away from in that kind of position.
"I understand. Is there any other schedule that changes other than that?
The nobleman was silent for a mont before answering.
"There isn't."
The silence bothered , but I didn't ask what it was.
If I asked him, I was sure he wouldn't tell .
I also didn't want to argue for no reason.
Then, Ill see you at dinner, My Lady. Until then, rest well.
May the Lord rest well too.
We exchanged bows casually, and then I followed Eria to the annex.
Except for Marquis Valdir, all guests were staying in the annex, and I was no exception.
Like a marquis's annex, the annex was large, splendid, and beautiful.
It's very obvious that they cared about welcoming guests from everywhere.
An envoy from Natsha Kingdom would be coming soon, so of course, he paid a lot of attention.
I was following Eria while looking around the mansion, but when I suddenly felt soone's gaze, I stopped walking and looked back.
But there's nothing there.
What? Am I mistaken again?
If it was the first ti, I wouldn't have minded it, but I had felt the sa feeling before.
That's why I couldn't simply pass it, so I kept looking around.
What's wrong, My Lady?
it's nothing."
In the end, I couldn't find anything, so I followed Eria again.
I kept glancing back, but I still couldn't find anything.
Here it is, My Lady.
The room Eria guided to was on the third floor of the annex, at the eastern end of the building.
I didn't like rooms with large windows, but I liked this one.
Because I could see the blue sea clearly through the large window.
I approached the window and opened it. The wind slled like salty seaweed. I guessed it was the sll of the sea.
The sea sparkling under the sunlight was so pretty. I stood by the window for a while and looked at the sea.
In the anti, Eria, who had finished organizing my luggage, approached and said.
You seem to like the sea.
"I like it. It's my first ti seeing it.
Oh, really? Well, you must have not had a chance to see the sea because you've been inland all the ti."
Yeah.
Then, would you like to take a closer look?
Take a closer look?
Is there a beach in the mansion?
No way. Of course, you have to go outside.
Do you an I should leave the mansion?
Youve co all the way to Hutton, so it must be frustrating to just stay in your room, right?!
That's right, but
You dont have any other plans until dinner anyway.
Eria's words shook my heart.
I also wanted to go outside, so it made more tempted to do it.
Although I was the emperor's agent, as a mber of the delegation, I had to get Marquis Valdir's permission as he's the representative of the delegation.
It was only in the mansion that I was able to move freely. Outside was excluded.
After contemplating, I eventually went to Marquis Valdir and asked if I could go outside for a while.
You can go.
Not only did Marquis Valdir gladly give his permission, but he also gave a carriage and an escort knight.
why is he so kind to ?
If Marquis Valdir was originally a friendly person to , I would have happily accepted it, but it was suspicious because he's not.
Can I really go out?
When I asked for confirmation, Marquis Valdir replied with a chuckle.
Why are you asking that? If the Lady wants to go out, she can go out, and if she doesnt want to, she doesnt need to.
His answer was that he didn't care whether I went out or not.
Ironically, I was relieved by his words and went out imdiately.
***
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