Chapter 68
In a remote corner of the countryside, the Maywood baron's estate stood among tranquil rolling hills.
On the broad, unobstructed hills, sheep and cows grazed freely: the sheep bleated as they munched grass, the cows mooed as they munched grass, while Lana Collett stress-ate scones in the baron's tearoom, sobbing, "Oh, no, oh, no."
"Ugh, Cliff, you idiot! You really are an idiot! Ugh, ugh!"
Across from Lana, who was angrily stuffing herself with scones, Mrs. Claudia Maywood, wife of Neil, the eldest son and heir of the Maywood family, sipped herbal tea while radiating a gloomy air.
"So, in other words, a new merchant-company president got carried away and accidentally let something slip in front of his secretary, prompting someone who was oblivious to her own feelings to realize that she was in love..."
Claudia set her teacup back on its saucer, then said with an expression that practically screamed how utterly ridiculous she found it:
"It's practically a farce."
Lana, who had ended up being the cause of that farce, dabbed at her mouth with a napkin and hung her head dejectedly.
"I really, really do feel terrible about what happened to Monica... Ah, I never imagined Cliff would say something like that..."
After the unveiling of the new robes, Monica, who had realized her feelings because of Clifford, had been completely out of it, no matter what Lana said.
Lana had wanted to return to Southdoll with Monica and reassure her, but she had other business negotiations and couldn't go back with Monica.
After finishing her negotiations, Lana ordered Clifford to return to Southdoll ahead of her and went to the Maywood estate to see Claudia.
Lana had wanted to consult someone about Monica. That said, Monica—and everyone around her—had highly unusual backgrounds and circumstances, so this wasn't something she could discuss with just anyone.
Claudia knew the circumstances and could keep a secret, making her the ideal person to consult.
"I did want Monica to realize her feelings eventually, you know? But not like this... Aaaaah... Hey, has your brother shown any signs of, well... being aware of Monica that way?"
"How would I know? I married into another family."
Claudia wore an expression that suggested she couldn't care less.
That couldn't-care-less attitude didn't sit well with Lana, who puffed out her cheeks.
"What do you mean? Aren't you rooting for Monica?"
"...I don't care about other people's love lives. It's just that I'd rather see my brother marry some certain someone with a difficult personality than a stupid woman who'd bleed the Highorn marquisate dry."
In that sense, the proposed match with Lady Aurelia Harvey of the Belsting marquisate probably hadn't been a bad one for Claudia.
Lady Aurelia was known as a reserved and talented young woman.
Since the match with Lady Aurelia had fallen through, Lana couldn't help thinking that Cyril must be aware of Monica in that way after all.
Lana knew that Monica's self-appointed apprentice had feelings for her.
She had no intention of dismissing him, but as Monica's friend, Lana still wanted to put Monica's feelings first.
"The match with Lady Aurelia was called off, right?"
"...Technically, it's on hold, leaning toward being called off. The reason's been kept vague, and all sorts of rumors are flying around, though."
Neither Lady Aurelia nor Cyril would say anything more about the match beyond, "The other person is too good for me."
That only made the people around them speculate even more that something must have happened between the two of them.
Lana folded her arms and thought for a while.
She wouldn't get any useful information from aimlessly chatting with Claudia.
Then she needed to focus on the specific information she wanted.
"What kind of people has your brother dated so far?"
If she could figure out Cyril's type, she could give Monica some discreet advice.
If she could find out his preferences in hairstyles, makeup, and clothing, that would be perfect. Those were Lana's specialties.
But Claudia looked even more bored by the topic than by the weather and muttered,
"...How would I know? Ever since he was adopted, all he did was study, study, study."
"B-but your brother is perfect at escorting women!"
In response to Lana's protest, Claudia lifted one corner of her lips and gave her a sinister grin like an evil witch.
"Only the escorting part. He can only follow the textbook, so he's the type who can't make witty conversation and leaves women disappointed... Neil is wonderful, always so effortlessly thoughtful."
"You segued smoothly into bragging about your husband. Come to think of it, isn't your husband away today?"
Claudia's husband, Neil Clay Maywood, had been helping his father, a mediator, with his work since graduating from Serendia Academy.
Lana's guess seemed to be right: since he hadn't been seen around the estate today, he was probably out on mediation work.
Claudia let her back sink against the chair and slumped forward like a puppet with its strings cut.
"Neil is out on mediation work... and what's more, that woman—the diplomatic secretary Bridget Graham—is at his assignment. A reunion between former student council officers, lively conversation... Ah, it's ominous."
"Your imagination is what's ominous. If you're that worried about him cheating, you should've gone with him."
Lana knew that Claudia accompanied Neil whenever he left the estate on business.
Though she had come to visit, Lana had assumed Claudia might be away this time as well.
Claudia fingered a lock of black hair falling against her cheek and muttered,
"...It's not like I had a choice. Neil said, 'I can't take my pregnant wife with me.'"
"Oh, you're pregnant... Wait, what?!"
Lana stared at Claudia in shock.
Though she was as tall and slender as ever, Lana realized that Claudia's clothes today were cut loosely around the abdomen.
As Lana gaped, Claudia stroked her belly and murmured quietly.
"The Highorn marquisate is a far more unusual family line than you think. Anyone who inherits its blood is followed by troublesome entanglements... So, yes. Being almost too strong is just about right."