Nightmare Came to The Place I Escaped - Chapter 74

“I was afraid that I might cause damage for no reason. His Majesty doesn’t like me leaving here. If he gets angry, he could cause some damage to brother and father.”

 

Although it wasn’t a complete truth.

 

It was more of a question. Ian’s pressure must have been on them to accept her as family. That was probably why she was brought into the Oates family, when she had no connections and was of an uncertain origin.

 

But she’d turned on Ian.

 

Having raised her voice and gotten angry with Ian, she might now be hated by him. Even if Ian came back to her after the humiliation, she didn’t want them to be dragged around by him again.

 

Maybe this was the end of her time with Ian.

 

But would the Duke and Mike accept her like this? When she was abandoned by Ian? Could she still be a family with them, when she had no relationship with Ian?

 

Could she still be an Oates?

 

Ian wouldn’t be interested in her anymore, so maybe the reason why the Duke and Mike were interested in her was gone too?

 

From the beginning, it was a relationship that was connected because of Ian.

 

To tell the truth, she thought Mike would be really angry, and she didn’t want to upset him. She had no desire to accuse him of being a cunning and calculating man.

 

Even if Mike and the Duke behaved like that, Rachel wouldn’t be able to blame them at all.

 

If it was her fault, it was her fault.

 

Rachel hurriedly made excuses, not wanting to offend Mike.

 

“You seem to know His Majesty better than I do, but it doesn’t matter. Even if you get a little angry, he won’t hold it against you.”

“I don’t like it. You’re losing money because of me for no reason.”

“Is His Majesty that bad? To the point where he would retaliate just because you left him?”

 

Mike tilted his head.

 

As for Ian, Rachel seemed to know him better than Mike did. He wasn’t sure, but it seemed like there were things he didn’t know and there was some history between them.

 

However, he didn’t think Ian was the worst.

 

“I don’t know either.”

 

After a while, Rachel opened her mouth and shook her head slightly.

 

Rachel couldn’t be sure of anything about Ian now. He’d changed so much, and he was no longer the Ian she knew.

 

Before, it seemed like he would act in a way that would benefit him, but that didn’t seem to be the case anymore.

 

Mike gently stroked Rachel’s cheek and smiled.

 

As if he was consoling her to not to be too hard on herself.

 

“I think the preparations are over. Let’s go. We have to hurry, and surprise our father. Hopefully he won’t collapse from the surprise.”

 

Mike jokingly changed the subject, as if he was trying to reassure a worried Rachel.

 

“Let’s go, Rachel Oates.”

 

At Mike’s words, Rachel nodded her head and pulled his hand tightly toward her.

 

If he was going to harm them, then they would have to leave first.

 

***

 

After a long two day journey, Rachel and Mike’s carriage finally arrived at the Oates estate.

 

As they traveled all the way up to the north of the territory, she could see a brightly lit castle.

 

Although the outskirts of the castle were not as visible since the sun had already set and it was dark, Rachel expressed her admiration at the well-lit castle.

 

Perhaps the Duke of Oates had turned on all the lights to welcome them.

 

The carriage slowed down as it entered the main gate. After a short while, the carriage finally stopped.

 

“Let’s get out, Rachel.”

 

Mike reached to open the carriage door, but before he could even touch the doorknob, the door swung open.

 

“Rachel!”

 

The Duke of Oates opened the carriage door, checked Mike’s face, then turned his head as he looked for Rachel.

 

Mike moved aside for the Duke, and showed Rachel.

 

“Father, Rachel has arrived safely.”

“You worked hard to come a long way. Did you have any discomfort?”

“If there was anything she wanted from her father, it would be for you to move out of our way so that we can get off. For now, that is all.”

 

Only then did the Duke take a step back at his son’s words.

 

With Mike’s help, Rachel was able to exit the carriage, but her shoulders flinched slightly because the servants of the castle were lined up with their heads bowed.

 

Before she could think about anything else, Rachel was in the arms of the Duke, who’d approached her again.

 

“I would have prepared more if I had been given word in advance.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You must be tired, so let’s go inside.”

 

The Duke released Rachel, and turned to his son.

 

“Mike, you did a great job.”

 

Mike only nodded his head slightly at the Duke’s praise.

 

“I see you, Butler Morris. I’m glad to be back home safely.”

 

When Duke Oates seemed to have finished welcoming his children, the Duke’s butler finally greeted them.

 

“It’s nice to meet you, my lady, I’m a butler Morris. I will serve you sincerely without any shortage.”

“This is Rachel.”

“My lady, you must be tired from coming all this way. So please relax today, I will guide you around the castle tomorrow.”

 

Butler Morris spoke in a soft tone.

 

However, the Duke of Oates shook his head and opened his mouth.

 

“You don’t have to do that, Morris. I’ll introduce Rachel to the Oates name myself.”

“What?”

“I don’t want you to lose any time with Rachel.”

“Yes, My Lord, I understand.”

 

The butler nodded, and stepped back in understanding.

 

Rachel was able to enter the front door only after she finished greeting the servants, including the head chamberlain and head chambermaid, the head cook and the head servant, who stood behind the butler.

 

“Rachel, Mike, go change your clothes, then come down. The chef has prepared dinner for you.”

“Okay, I’ll show Rachel to her room.”

 

Mike said this, then led Rachel away while a short maid followed them.

 

“Rachel, if you need anything while you are here, tell Hana. Hana is your personal maid.”

“I see the young lady, my name is Hana.”

 

A maid named Hana slowly bowed her head when their attention was drawn to her and she greeted Rachel.

 

“I will do my best without fail.”

“Nice to meet you, I’m Rachel.”

 

Rachel gave a simple greeting.

 

Mike lightly grabbed Rachel’s arm, and pulled her away.

 

“This is your room. At the end of the hallway is our father’s room and next to it is my room. Father and I worked hard to decorate it, so I hope you like it.”

 

Mike shrugged his shoulders slightly as if he was a little nervous.

 

“Change your clothes, then come out. Let’s go down together, I’ll be waiting here after I get ready.”

“Yes. Thank you, brother.”

 

Mike didn’t know what Rachel was thanking him for, but he smiled lightly and patted Rachel’s head.

 

The moment Rachel opened the door, she let out a small sigh of admiration.

 

A white bed with lace duvets and curtains. A big sofa, and a long table. The bookshelf was filled and ran along one wall of the room. The small fire in the fireplace that seemed to have been well-maintained at first glance.

 

“My Lady, if you choose your clothes, I will help you get dressed.”

 

Hana pointed to a small room connected to the bedchamber.

 

Rachel walked in the direction that the maid’s hand was pointing to, and saw a closet tightly packed with clothing.

 

From fancy, ornate dresses to plain dresses.

 

Rachel looked blankly at the clothes, then she remembered that the Duke and Mike were waiting for her, so she hurriedly picked out a dress that wasn’t too flashy.

 

It was a white dress with a light purple cloth that was added as an accent.

 

Rachel was still uncomfortable with someone helping her dress, but this time she didn’t refuse the help.

 

If she accepted her touch and looked outside, she would eventually not feel uncomfortable and awkward someday. She would wait for the day when it didn’t feel unbearable, as if she was being forced to wear someone else’s clothing.

 

She didn’t know if she would be able to stay with them a little longer if she became a person who was more suitable to this place.

 

Hana finally smoothed out the wrinkles, and stepped back.

 

“My lady, I’m done.”

“Thank you, Hana.”

 

She still found it difficult to talk to strangers. Rachel turned her gaze away awkwardly and shyly, while she spoke to her maid.

 

“There will be a lot of wind near the water, so I’ll organize your hair together. My Lady, is there a pin you want?”

 

Rachel nodded at Hana’s words, and left her hair to her.

 

Hana skillfully pulled Rachel’s hair back, and organized it neatly. Then, she looked at Rachel for a while and opened the box to show Rachel something she was missing.

 

Rachel looked inside the box as she agonized for a moment, then she picked out a pin with little blue jewels embedded in it and handed it over to Hana.

 

“This goes well with the outfit you’re wearing today.”

 

Hana gave a small smile, and put in the pin she received from Rachel.

 

“My Lady, the wind may be cold when the sun sets, do you want me to pack your coat?”

“Yes, Hana. Please do so.”

 

Rachel, who was ready with Hana’s help, looked at her outfit once more.

 

“Thank you, Hana. Let’s go downstairs.”

 

Rachel glanced at the time to see if her father had been waiting.

 

Rachel knew roughly how busy the Duke was, and that the Duke of Oates had deliberately changed his working hours this evening just to have dinner with her.

 

She didn’t mind if she had to make an appointment for when he had time, or if she had a servant introduce her to the duchy. No one would have taken issue with that.

 

But Rachel was very grateful to the Duke, who was willing to spare time for her.

 

Rachel, who came down the stairs with Hana, stepped a little faster at the sight of the Duke waiting for her in the front hall.

 

“Dad, have you been waiting long?”

“No, I came out quickly, too. You look pretty today, Rachel.”

 

The Duke smiled quietly, and put his hand on Rachel’s shoulder.

 

***