As If I've Never Loved - Chapter 58

Just then, Mr. Osborne suddenly popped his head out.

“Well. Do you think you can do it?”

Eloise lifted her head at the abrupt question. Her reaction speed was fast enough to enlist in military training right away.

“Yes, of course!”

“You’re not going to disappear tomorrow after this, are you? Your expression looks quite gloomy.”

Although she felt like he had hit the nail on the head, Eloise calmly replied.

“…No. I won’t do such an irresponsible thing. It’s a specially introduced position after all.”

“It’s not desirable to take on a job out of a sense of obligation, young lady.”

Eloise had vaguely expected him to praise her answer, but contrary to expectations, Mr. Osborne’s expression hardened.

His impression was already quite grim, and with shadows filling his rugged face, it felt like her legs were going numb.

But Eloise hadn’t come here to back down.

“That’s… not entirely true, Mr. Osborne. I’ve decided to stop running away.”

Responding with a determined gaze, Eloise reminded herself once again.

Of the mindset with which she had left home.

Eloise knew that if she was only focused on running away, she would simply live being chased, unable to set anything back in its place.

Only she would be left endlessly rationalizing her feelings of falling in love with that man.

Eventually, the day she could proudly return to her family’s embrace and her life as the Bailey’s youngest daughter, though humble but warm, would gradually drift away like this.

She didn’t want that to happen.

“Oh, is that so? Are you really confident?”

“I can’t say… that I’m confident, but…”

“What, you’re not confident?”

“I will work hard… so that you won’t regret accepting me.”

“Hmm. That’s not very satisfying.”

The man, who clearly sensed that the woman before him was hiding an unusual story, slowly stroked his bushy beard.

“Shall I share with you a secret to adapting quickly? My daughter is also in her teens, so I’ll make an exception.”

“…Pardon? I’m twenty-two years old this year, though?”

“Don’t fuss over trivial details!”

“Ah, I understand! What’s the secret?”

As Eloise straightened her back in tension, Mr. Osborne grinned again, revealing his teeth.

Just as she thought she had definitely met an eccentric person, he opened his mouth.

“Listen carefully, Miss Bailey. The secret is to take pride in the work you’re assigned to do.”

“But how can I when I haven’t even done the job yet-”

“Imagine you’re eating chicken soup and the meat still has a thick layer of feathers on it. How does that sound? Terrible, right?”

“…It certainly does.”

“You’re the one who prevents that, Miss Bailey. So that only laughter, not screams, will fill the family’s dinner table.”

It was a truly absurd statement that she couldn’t refute.

As Eloise reluctantly nodded, the man asked in a serious voice, devoid of humor.

“Are you in good health? No ailments anywhere? I’ll tell you in advance, the work you’ll be taking on won’t be very easy.”

“Oh…”

At that moment, for some reason, she felt that this was what he really wanted to say. Eloise finally answered energetically without hesitation.

“Yes! I’m very healthy. That’s one thing I’m confident about.”

“Good! Then that’s settled. It’s worth giving you a chance.”

Seemingly very pleased with her answer, he stretched his large mouth into a smile. Eloise smiled back, filled with tension.

Plucking chicken feathers. In reality, she wasn’t even confident about touching a dead chicken. But she couldn’t back down after coming this far.

So for now, she had no choice but to face it head-on.

“Don’t forget that fighting spirit from now on. Once you start working, crying is absolutely forbidden, Royal Arch young lady.”

…In any case, it would be better than slaughtering cows or pigs.

“Yes! I look forward to working with you!”

“What brings you here today?”

The extremely businesslike voice was close to treating her as an intruder.

Viscount Talbot’s daughter, Bianca, who was always perfectly dressed up, made a sullen face.

With a pout that didn’t suit her elegant posture and attire, she glared at him cutely.

That was because Bianca had just returned from a short trip to the suburbs with her parents.

She had visited this place several times before, wanting to see his face, but each time, Ansel was absent.

Naturally, their reunion only took place after her journey had ended.

Without even being able to mention that she was going on a trip or ask what kind of gift he would like.

She thought he would at least say something like her skin looked a bit tanned…

“Is it okay to look a little happy to see me?”

“What kind of reaction do you expect after showing up uninvited?”

Even while speaking coldly, Ansel didn’t seem angry or upset.

‘Hmm.’

No, to be honest, he looked quite pleased.

It was very rare for him to have such a relaxed atmosphere around him. Nevertheless, Bianca was not in a good mood.

It was because it was so clear that it wasn’t because of her.

‘Hmmm…’

Bianca recalled what the clerk who had guided her here had told her.

Of course, it was more like he had answered her fiery questions rather than taking the initiative to speak.

‘Yes, he has definitely been going out less these days. But he still frequently leaves his seat. He often runs to the training ground.’

That was the reason why she had to wait for a long time in the empty reception room today to see Ansel, and why the beautiful man sitting in front of her now had the fresh scent of soap wafting from him.

Truly, it was a scent so refreshing that she couldn’t resist taking a bite.

‘Anything else… I think he has started keeping something like a stray cat.’

‘If it’s a cat, it’s a cat. What do you mean by something like a cat?’

‘Haha, it’s probably a cat. He must have said it that way out of embarrassment.’

Did Ansel like animals? Well, that wouldn’t be the case. Wasn’t he the one who had no interest in animals, let alone people?

He might have enough compassion to feed a poor stray animal that blocks his path, but how could he bring such a yellowed and filthy thing into the house?

In any case, Bianca disliked him having a hobby she didn’t know about.

Ansel already rarely gave her opportunities to get close to him, and while she couldn’t narrow the distance between them, she didn’t want it to grow any further than this.

“Your parents are wondering how you’re doing. Would you like to visit and greet them? It’s been a while.”

“Is that what you came to say? I told you. I don’t want to invite misunderstandings from the public.”

“But it’s been too long…”

“I don’t want any words to be associated with me other than that I’m devoted to my work. As you know, I’m under house arrest.”

Just then, he raised his hand to dismiss the clerk approaching with a tray of tea. Then he recited truly heartless words in a gentle tone.

“It seems your business here is done, so you can go back now. My subordinate will escort you to the carriage. Goodbye.”

“…”

Even just a few years ago, when she mentioned his parents, he would reluctantly visit home…

She wondered if he knew that people outside were not only speculating but even taking their marriage for granted, but Ansel was simply resolute and dry.

It felt like there was nothing left to hold on to him now.

Feeling as if she was being driven out, Bianca hurriedly opened her lips.

“Is there a need to push me away like this? I’m only coming to see you like this because you never make time for me after work. Don’t you pity me for suddenly losing a close friend?”

Defining him as a close friend herself was not a pleasant thing to do, but there was no other way.

“I’m not asking for anything grand. I just came to have a little conversation…”

“…”

“I understand your position. But can’t you also consider my position? I don’t have anyone else to talk to as comfortably as you.”

Her delicate voice trembled.

In any case, it was true that due to being a noble lady from a prestigious family, she couldn’t easily mingle with people.

However, Ansel didn’t particularly feel sympathy.

It was because he knew that the woman before him could become as weak or fierce as she wanted in order to get what she desired.

Nevertheless, the time and effort she had put in to come all the way here, even if she had barged in on her own, was not entirely worthless.

Regardless of his wish for her to use it elsewhere.

“…If all you want is to talk, I’ll keep you company for a bit. Not for long, though. I’m busy with work.”

“Sigh.”

It was frustrating how Ansel, who could easily pass on his work to his subordinates, was flawlessly making excuses.

But having no way to refuse him, Bianca scattered a wet sigh into the air.

“What do you want to talk about?”

“Let me ask you one thing. Why have you been absent so often lately?”

“Ah.”

Ansel, who laughed softly as if sighing, lowered his gaze.

His eyes lingered on the hem of the light pink dress Bianca was wearing.

It reminded him of rose petals layered over stamens and pistils. Realizing that there was still a long time left until evening, he suddenly felt a deep thirst.

“I was searching for something. I won’t have much reason to leave the office anymore.”

“…Did you find it?”

“Yes.”

Could it be that he was talking about the cat right now? In such a low and gentle voice?

Thinking it was absurd, Bianca asked again with a face that didn’t hide her doubts.

“What is it, Ansel?”

“Well. A reason to live?”

“…What’s that supposed to mean?”

“There is such a thing. Are we done now?”

With a bland answer, Ansel abruptly stood up, and a drop of water that hadn’t dried yet fell from the ends of his hair.

Ridiculously, it caused a passionate ripple in Bianca’s heart.

“I can’t understand any of this! Why are you running to the training ground? If work is so boring that you can’t stand it, take a vacation and spend time with me-”

“No.”

When she raised her head with a somewhat resentful face, Ansel gave an obedient but strange answer.

“It’s because if I don’t use my body like this, it’s hard for me to fall asleep.”