Nightmare Came to The Place I Escaped - Chapter 93

「Dear Lady Rachel Oates,

 

This is Lady Hally Noisen.

 

I was very worried because the lady went to the manor without saying anything. I worried that something happened. I wanted to send you a letter, but I was afraid that my letter might annoy the busy lady more.

 

However, I am writing this letter carefully because I think the lady should be aware of this fact.

 

As you may already know, Lady Avery talks about the relationship between the lady and Young Master Oates. I heard that the relationship between the young lady and the young master is not like that of a brother and sister.

 

How could she say such insulting things? I think the young lady and young master wouldn’t do that, but scandals will undermine a person’s reputation regardless of whether they are true or not. Master Oates reputation will not be the same because of this.

 

It’s a ridiculous rumor, but I’m writing to you because I think you should know. I’m not comfortable with this because I’ve received aid from Master Oates. If you need my help, I will definitely help you.

 

I hope to see you again soon.

 

Hally Noisen.」

 

Rachel’s face hardened as she read the letter.

 

“How can this…”

 

Rachel’s hand began to tremble slightly as she held the letter.

 

Rachel went back and read the letter again and again, as if she couldn’t believe what was written in the letter.

 

“…With my brother.”

 

Rachel, who had been holding on to the letter for a long time, burst into tears.

 

Rachel knew better than anyone how good Mike was. He was always warm and friendly, and above all, he really cared about her.

 

But those kinds of things were being said about him, Mike shouldn’t have to hear that just because of her.

 

“Because of me…”

 

Mike returned to the territory because she wanted to leave the capital without any hesitation, and he was always sincere towards her.

 

Rachel felt sorry for Mike, who was being troubled because of her, and she was angry at Diana for trying to bother him with this nonsense.

 

“Because of me, my brother…”

 

She wouldn’t have been so angry if she’d been the only one who was touched.

 

Rachel bit her lip.

 

Rachel was well aware of the importance of reputation in the social world. What was Mike and the Duke’s reputation?

 

They were brave, warm, and were respected by many. They’d never done anything to get caught up in trouble, and their reputation has never been tarnished.

 

Mike, whom many people respected and liked, was caught up in a scandal that he shouldn’t have to go through because of her.

 

Not like siblings.

 

It was impossible to tell just by reading this letter from Lady Noisen how much this scandalous rumor had spread in the social world, or how much the young ladies would believe this story.

 

“Sigh…”

 

Rachel got up from her seat, and picked up her pen.

 

She couldn’t just sit still like this. It was because of her that this damage was caused to Mike, so she had to solve it properly.

 

That was the minimum courtesy she should show towards him. She couldn’t leave him to suffer from this damage that happened because of her.

 

It was ridiculous, and the rumor would eventually calm down one day. But the young ladies wouldn’t stay still since they wouldn’t believe the rumor.

 

‘I hope to see you again as soon as possible.’

 

The words in the letter from Lady Noisen said, Rachel understood what the noblewoman wanted to say to her.

 

She meant that this rumor wouldn’t end if she didn’t go back to high society.

 

***

 

Knock Knock

 

“Father, it’s Rachel.”

 

The maids were turning on the lights in the hallway as the sky darkened. She watched the movements of the maids as she waited for the Duke’s permission when the door suddenly opened.

 

“Rachel, come in.”

 

She wished that he’d just called her in. Rachel bowed her head to the Duke, who’d opened the door with such a bright smile.

 

Such kind people, because of her they were engulfed in unnecessary scandals.

 

Because she left society irresponsibly. In the end, they were harmed.

 

“Well, would you like some tea?”

“Yes.”

 

At Rachel’s words, the Duke ordered some refreshments, and closed the door.

 

“We don’t have much time left until dinner.”

 

The Duke looked into her eyes as if he was trying to guess why Rachel had come to him.

 

“Do you have something to tell me?”

“Yes, I have one thing to tell you.”

 

Rachel nodded softly, and soon opened her mouth.

 

“I want to throw a party, and invite some young ladies. Is that okay?”

“What?”

“I promised to hold a tea party and invite the other noblewomen, but I couldn’t keep it because I came down to the manor. If Father allows it, I’d like to hold a party at the duchy.”

“Haha, what else can I say?”

 

The Duke let out a small laugh, then he immediately nodded.

 

“If you want to do that, do it. But what date are you thinking of? Shouldn’t it be done before your wedding ceremony?”

“Yes, I would like to have it as early as possible.”

“Okay, I’ll tell my butler and get his help.”

“Thank you.”

“In a week, set a date for whatever day you want.”

 

The Duke smiled lightly.

 

“Thank you, Father.”

“Okay, let’s open the manor in a splendid and grand manner, to the extent that other young ladies would envy you.”

 

As if the Duke was asking for something important, he lowered his upper body a little. Rachel hesitated for a moment and nodded because the Duke’s eyes looked quite serious even though it was the corners of her mouth that went up playfully.

 

Now that the rumors in society had reached her ears, she couldn’t let the Duke know.

 

Even so, it was clear that he trusted Rachel enough to allow her to host a tea party without intervening.

 

Rachel didn’t want to disappoint the Duke no matter what, and she didn’t want to hurt Mike.

 

“Thank you, Father.”

 

Rachel nodded once again.

 

***

 

“My Lady, the drawing room preparations are complete.”

“Good job.”

 

Rachel nodded at the butler’s report. The preparation went smoothly since the Duke attached his butler to help with her first tea party.

 

“The refreshments are being prepared without a hitch. It’s almost time for the young ladies to arrive, so I think you can double check everything one last time.”

“Alright, I’ll go down as soon as I’m ready.”

“Okay, then I’ll check the kitchen. If you need anything, please call me.”

 

The butler closed the door after giving his report.

 

Seeing the busy butler, Rachel’s heart gradually accelerated.

 

The situation was very different from the tea parties Rachel attended when she was in the capital.

 

At the tea parties in the capital, all of them were strangers to her, but thanks to Mike, most of them approached her favorably.

 

In addition, there was nothing she had to worry about, all she needed to do was to act in a suitable manner.

 

Today, Rachel didn’t know how much other young ladies might be against her, but it was important for her to turn their minds away from the rumors and calm the scandal.

 

To do that, she had to be smart.

 

In strict secrecy.

 

She had to act skillfully.

 

“Whoo…”

“My Lady, what necklace would you like?”

 

Rachel, who took a deep breath because she wanted to regain her composure because she was nervous. She shook her head lightly at the maid, who held out a necklace box.

 

“My Lady, would you like to skip the necklace?”

“Yes, that’s enough.”

 

The maid nodded slowly at Rachel’s firm words. However, the maid looked at the necklace once again, as if she was disappointed.

 

“My Lady, I think it’ll look better if you wear one since you’ve pulled your hair up and made your exposed neck a focal point. Are you really sure you don’t need it?”

“It’s fine as it is today.”

 

Rachel brushed lightly under her collarbone.

 

It was a pity that the dress was deeply cut like her maid said, but that’s why she liked it even more.

 

After finishing her preparations, Rachel got up from her seat.

 

“There is something I need to check beforehand. Let’s go.”

 

Rachel glanced at her watch, then followed the maid.

 

“Whoo.”

 

Rachel took a deep breath, and clenched her fists.

 

Today, everything had to be perfect.

 

She’d prepared perfectly, so that nothing she did could be faulted.

 

Could she do it well? Anxiety would often come over her, but she had to do this.

 

Because this was for Mike and the Duke.

 

Rachel took another deep breath, and bit her lip.

 

***

 

“Lady Oates, thank you for inviting me.”

“Thank you for coming to the Oates estate.”

 

Rachel glanced over the noblewomen at the party, and soon pulled up the corners of her mouth. It was a smile that hid her heart, and she made it look natural.

 

“It’s a specialty of our territory, I hope you like it.”

“Oh, the grapes and figs of the Oates estate are already famous in the Empire.”

 

Lady Hally Noisen quickly helped Rachel.

 

At the same time, Lady Noisen tried to make eye contact with Rachel to the point where it was burdensome, and Rachel held up her teacup.

 

“Oops, it looks like Lady Avery isn’t coming.”

“Oh my gosh, Lady Oates. Did you invite Lady Avery as well?”

“Yes, but I don’t think she intends to come.”

 

When Rachel put Diana in her mouth, the young ladies looked at each other as if they were uncomfortable.

 

She was sure Diana had said that she was Ian’s lover.

 

However, Ian was going to have a wedding ceremony with Rachel Oates.

 

No one here knew what the heck happened between the three or how things were going now.

 

They just came here to be seen by her eyes because they thought Rachel would be the Empress.

 

However, the young ladies were uncomfortable around Rachel, who casually brought up Diana.

 

“Ah, more than that, I heard that there are talks of marriage going back and forth between His Majesty and the Oates family.”

“Yes, congratulations.”

“When do you think the ceremony will be?”

 

The young ladies smiled and said congratulations, but they exchanged secret glances with each other as they clearly looked at Rachel.

 

***