AWWEWNR Chapter 13

‘A noble of a higher rank than himself, with whom he is not even acquainted, to call him by name? Is he out of his mind? Is this an act of seduction…? If so, you’re mistaken, Tharrott. For I am not the same innocent Hanaella who blushed at your amiable demeanor.’ 

 

“I didn’t expect to see you here during the day, but it seems the Count’s duties are quite extensive.”

 

Although I didn’t mean to pick a fight, my words came out combative. I wanted to be as rational as possible, but for some reason, seeing Tharrott’s face made it impossible. 

 

Perhaps it was the face of someone I once loved who betrayed me.

 

“My Lady Hanaella, I’m afraid you don’t like me.”

 

Tharrott said, gesturing for Hanaella to take a seat on the couch. She sat down on the couch and looked up at him with a sour expression as he ordered a maid to clean her skirt.

 

“…Do you have anything to say to me, I only met you at the coming-of-age ceremony.”

 

“That is to say. Even at the coming-of-age ceremony, I could tell you were uncomfortable around me. I will prepare some tea for you to drink while the maid cleans your clothes. Methor, please bring the tea.”

 

“Yes, master.”

 

While the butler went to fetch the tea and the maid cleaned Hanaella’s skirts, she and Tharrott sat wordlessly opposite each other on the couch. 

 

Deciding that it would be difficult to avoid this situation for much longer, Hanaella called out to Tharrott, hoping to find out what they were up to.

 

“Count Thearine.”

 

“Why don’t you call me by my first name?”

 

‘Tharrott.’

 

‘Tharo…’ 

 

Hanaella remembered how she had called him in the past. She giggled to herself as she remembered the way he and Rosaryn had looked when she called him that. 

 

Throughout their marriage, he had hated being called by his first name. 

 

No, rather, he loathed to see her face, for the man who had sung so much of his love had grown cold as soon as he had taken the Knights from her.

 

‘No wonder it was a deceitful love. A despicable man.’ 

 

“…Is Count Thearine interested in me?”

 

Hanaella’s bluntness caught Tharrott off guard. He hadn’t expected a mere innocent maiden, barely out of her teens, to be so blatantly dismissive of a man, let alone a Duke, especially one who had just come of age.

 

‘This is indeed the Darkness of Hayden. She may look innocent, but she’s a cunning one underneath. Well, that would be easier, and much less guilty.’ 

 

The corner of Tharrott’s lips twitched upward.

 

“You have a knack for embarrassing people.”

 

“Are you saying you don’t?”

 

“…No. Yes, I do.”

 

“…”

 

“I’m… interested, Lady Hanaella.”

 

If I didn’t know any better, I would have let it slide. 

 

Who could resist a man with that chiseled face, looking straight at you, telling you he was interested in you?

 

‘Yes, I admit it, I was one of those who fell for it, and even with all my hatred, it’s still a face to fall for.’ 

 

Pfft—

 

Hanaella laughed. 

 

Tharrott’s eyes widened in surprise at the unexpectedness of her laughter, then quickly stiffened at the cold words she spoke with a smile.

 

“You don’t have one, that interest.”

 

💫

 

Rosaryn glanced nervously around the mansion. 

 

By now, Tharrott should have taken Hanaella to the dressing room, but I don’t know why the maid hasn’t shown up.

 

Being alone with a man in the dressing room, the place where a woman dresses, even if it’s just to spill tea on her clothes and change, was not something a couple or lover would do. 

 

So, if I were to enter the mansion now with the Princess and the young ladies and find Tharrott and Hanaella in the room, they would naturally be suspicious of their relationship. 

 

Then, with a little lie of her own, she would be able to settle the matter.

 

‘Love of the Imperial Paladin Tharrott Vileon Thearine and the Darkness of the Empire Hanaella Liv Ariel.’ 

 

And with the presence of the Princess, what better opportunity? 

 

Rosaryn continued to glance around the mansion.

 

“Is it because you’re worried about Lady Hanaella?”

 

One of the young ladies asked, and Rosaryn was taken aback, but then she smiled and motioned for the Princess and the young ladies to enter the mansion.

 

“Actually, we were only planning to have a simple tea party, but yesterday we received some fine meat from the East, so we’ve prepared a feast. If you don’t mind, I’d like you all to dine.”

 

“Oh, my! The East?”

 

“If it’s eastern meat, isn’t it a Schroeder cow-like, edible domesticated animal found only in the eastern part of the world?!”

 

“Oh- you’ve managed to secure yourself a Schroeder.”

 

“It’s Her Highness’ favorite delicacy, isn’t it?”

 

“Yes, it’s her favorite.”

 

Hearing the conversation between the young ladies and the Princess, Rosaryn rose from her seat.

 

“I’m glad to hear it. I wasn’t sure it would be polite to offer a meal at a tea party. If you’ll excuse me, I’d like to present you with some of the finest sourdough made by the best cooks in House Thearine.”

 

💫

 

Looking out the window, Hanaella spotted the young ladies coming toward the manor from the garden where the tea party had been held and realized exactly what Rosaryn and Tharrott were planning.

 

When she told Tharrott not to be interested in her, he looked momentarily flustered and embarrassed, but then he managed to control his expression and chuckled, saying that he couldn’t help but be interested. 

 

Unwilling to play along with the charade any longer, Hanaella turned red and said that she was genuinely offended, and her seemingly unbreakable wall made Tharrott take a step back. 

 

Then, glancing at the maid who had been cleaning Hanaella’s skirt, he asked Hanaella to go to the dressing room and change her dress, and he promised he’d try to be less interested.

 

Hanaella thought it was odd that Tharrott was so eager to get her into the dressing room, but then she realized it was a bit of a ploy. 

 

He was obviously trying to create a situation where they could be alone, to mislead the young ladies outside. 

 

With the Princess present, word of what she saw and heard here would spread faster than ever.

 

But Hanaella had no intention of being the center of that rumor. 

 

She had no intention of letting Tharrott in, and as soon as the maid had entered, she entered herself and closed the door immediately afterward.

 

“La, Lady Hanaella?!”