When The Moon Tilts West - Chapter 7 – Part 2

“I knew you would be so angry with yourself, so I’m here to tell you before the misunderstanding builds up. That’s a relief.”

Thankfully, the misunderstanding was cleared up. However, Olivia was somehow bothered by Leon’s face. She soon realized why. Because there was a small smile on his lips.

“…Why are you smiling? Is it fun for me to get angry?”

As she spoke sharply, he shook his head.

“I have never seen Miss Claudel get angry.”

“….”

“Because I thought you were someone who couldn’t be angry.”

Olivia didn’t understand what Leon was talking about. She doesn’t seem to be angry, so he was glad that she’s angry now…?

“When you are angry, you can be angry.”

“….”

“Just because you get angry, it won’t really put you at a disadvantage.”

That was exactly what Olivia had always been worried about.

So far, Olivia hasn’t been angry. Well, she couldn’t exactly. It was because it returned to her as a disadvantage. When she raised her voice to Kevin, he would starve her for three days. Because of that, she realized she shouldn’t be angry.

However, Leon said he was okay with it. She was choked by it.

“Well, I’m not fully relieved.”

Leon took her hand as Olivia whispered quietly and bowed her head to hide her red eyes. He gazed down at the back of her white hand that her blue veins reflected through it, then gave strength and pressed his lips over it.

It reminded her of the caresses he poured into her mouth when she had sex with him.

“I’m sorry, Miss Claudel. I apologize.”

The action made her heart forget about the situation and let her beat freely. This time her face turned red and she couldn’t raise her head. In fact, it was enough for him to find her in her room to clear up the misunderstanding.

He wiped the back of her hand where his lips had touched with his thumb softly.

At that action, her body seemed to heat up at that strange feeling.

“And, I apologize again.”

“….”

“The mansion will be noisy for a while. I’m sorry I didn’t ask for your consent in advance.”

“….”

“And, I’m sorry that I smiled when you got angry. It wasn’t because your anger was funny. It’s just a little…”

“A little?”

“…Nothing.”

Olivia wanted to question him, though Leon released her hand and quickly left the room. It was just outrageous. What was he trying to talk about?

Looking at the closed door, she glanced at the back of her hand, where Leon’s lips had touched. She knew that kissing her on the back of her hand meant an apology. Even so, it seemed to relieve her gloomy mood with that apology alone.

Why is Leon so sweet now? Shouldn’t he be farther away from her for fear of his fiance guessing their relationship? But, why does he have this attitude?

She was confused. Nevertheless, since she couldn’t guess anything, Olivia gave up, rolling her head and raised the back of her hand. She then wiped her finger, blushing and kissing the back of her hand.

She couldn’t quite shake her mind out of it.

*** 

It wasn’t pleasant to see the quiet mansion filled with Henrietta’s laughter.

Leon gave permission to go to most places in the mansion, as she heard. She knew even if she didn’t want to know because the maid was sarcastic in a gentle tone, as though it felt good to tell her that.

Henrietta acted as if everything was hers. It was plausible that the employees of this mansion treated her with respect as if she had already become the Duchess for two days.

Even more arduous was Henrietta’s behavior.

She was sociable and understanding, but she sometimes used a strangely sarcastic nuance, which got worse in Leon’s absence.

When Leon left for the Palace, Henrietta begged to have her over for tea time, and Olivia couldn’t refuse her request, so she was forced to have a conversation with her.

It was still like that now. She was forced to sit in the tea room, drinking tea with Henrietta.

“I think the predecessor Duke loved Miss Claudel very much.”

“Yes, he cared for me like a daughter.”

Olivia remembered the predecessor Duke. The predecessor Duke was very kind to her. She knew that her life would have been a little better if he hadn’t died from a sudden illness.

“How did the former Duke bring Miss Claudel?”

“My father was said to have saved the life of the predecessor Duke while he was alive. He says they’ve been friends ever since.”

“There was such a thing. The predecessor Duke also had a great personality. He’s taken someone from a warring country. His Majesty the Emperor must have been uncomfortable with it.”

“Yes.”

Even though it was said that the predecessor Duke brought her to her simply to repay a favor, he gave Olivia a lot of affection, if she dared to think about it. He was very busy, even clumsy, but he tried to take care of her whenever he had time. He felt sorry for her, who was always withdrawn.

When the Duke died suddenly of illness, she couldn’t help but cry.

It was because she felt so sorry that she must have brought misfortune.

“Though isn’t it strange? If you really had been considered a daughter, he would have adopted you as an adopted daughter.”

“….”

At Henrietta’s words, Olivia’s chest stung as if something had pierced her. That was because it was what she couldn’t help but think as well sometimes.

“Actually, having a benefactor’s daughter like this is a great reward. This is how we can meet.”

She didn’t say anything and rolled her eyes.

Henrietta smiled brightly and continued.

“Don’t worry. When I come here, I intend to treat Miss Claudel like a friend, like a sister.”

“Thank you, Princess.”

Olivia thought Henrietta’s words were pretentious. However, she had no choice but to say thank you.

Henrietta smiled more at her.

“After hearing about Miss Claudel’s past, I couldn’t sleep all night. To be in such a dirty place with your mother, how…”

At that moment, she could hear a sneer behind her. The maids looked at her, observing her with a subtle expression.

Seeing the smirk in their eyes, Olivia clenched her fists. Her heart started pounding. Henrietta saw it and placed her hand on Olivia’s.

“I know that you are quiet and shy and don’t say anything. I like Miss Claudel’s personality. I don’t think you’ll ever collide with me, are you? Um, it’s weird to say that we collide. It’s good for harmony. We’ll be fine for a long time.”

That said, she meant, ‘don’t make a sound and follow me, so you don’t collide with me.’

As it was time for Olivia to nod her head with a bitter smile at the blatant remark…

“Miss…!”

The maids hurriedly ran. Henrietta asked calmly.

“What happened?”

“That is, Marchioness Philistines has visited.”

At that, Henrietta furrowed her eyebrows. Olivia saw the contempt in her eyes.

“That, this house…”

She sighed.

“What brought her here?”

The maid said to Henrietta’s question. “That’s, um, she said she would see… Miss Claudel.”

Saying that, the maid seemed reluctant to call her ‘Miss’ in front of Henrietta.

Henrietta looked at Olivia’s face and asked coldly.

“What happened?”

“I’m not certain…”

“There must have been a notice that she was coming.”

“No.”

“I guess you were friendly?”

“We only met once. However, she once said that she would visit the mansion later.”

Henrietta’s words were similar to an interrogation. She continued, confused.

“What kind of rudeness to visit without communication.”

As Henrietta’s pretty face frowned in displeasure, Olivia was also stunned. How did she make such a sudden visit?

Henrietta thought for a while, then she spoke with a smirk.

“Oh, right. Miss Claudel. So, let’s do this. Since it’s Miss Claudel’s guest, Miss Claudel, please tell Marchioness Philistines to return directly.”

“Yes…?”

“This was the first disrespect from Marchioness Philistines. You’re busy right now, so even if you ask her to come back, it’s not a big disrespect.”

“However…”

“His Excellency the Duke will be offended if he hears this. You know. Even though Marchioness Philistines is His Majesty’s mistress, she is from a lowly family. Wouldn’t the dignity of a Duchy be degraded when she enters a noble’s house privately?”

…How is she going to get rid of the person who came to her?

Still, Henrietta, who clasped her hand, said as if she had noticed the objection in Olivia’s face.

“This is something that Miss Claudel should be offended by. Why would she make such a rude visit, considering Miss Claudel? Besides, Miss Claudel doesn’t seem to think you’re very friendly with her.”

“….”

“Miss Claudel, unlike that woman, still has the blood of a ‘real noble.’ You should hang out with people like us. You shouldn’t hang out with women like that.”