Chapter: 30
Too Much Karma for a Confession
“What do you mean by that?”
It was something she had never once considered.
To Rose, Dorothy was simply a friend she always wanted to protect. A girl who always tried to see the positive side in people. She was so pure it was worrisome, and Rose had often secretly fretted over how to look after her.
“What do you mean, things Dorothy has done for me?”
Hill hesitated, as if the topic was difficult to bring up.
“Tell me quickly, Hill. What did Dorothy do?”
“Miss Dorothy asked me to keep it a secret, but considering your friendship, I believe it’s right to tell you.”
“Tell me. It’s alright.”
“The truth is… lately, Miss Dorothy has been clarifying the rumors about you, my lady.”
“What?”
But Dorothy had been moving in places where she couldn’t be seen.
“The nonsensical rumors about you breaking off your engagement or killing someone.”
“……”
“The reason it’s been quiet in front of the house lately is thanks to Dorothy.”
After the rumors spread, there were many people who would purposely pass by Rose’s house to add their own comments. She had thought it had become quiet recently, but it was all because of Dorothy.
“Furthermore, she even caught the main culprit who spread the rumors! Lady Kedrid!”
Hill’s expression brightened as she relayed the story, seemingly excited.
“Not only did she go around spreading baseless lies, but she also manipulated people with her falsehoods all this time. And Dorothy uncovered the truth about that too!”
“……”
“I heard Lady Kedrid can barely show her face on the street anymore. My word, it’s so satisfying.”
Noticing Rose’s shocked expression, Hill smiled gently.
“I thought it best to tell you before any unnecessary misunderstandings arise between the two of you.”
“Really… Dorothy did…”
“Yes. Dorothy did. Given her unexpectedly stubborn nature, I thought she might never end up telling you herself.”
Rose had never had a friend who fought for her before.
Because she’d never had a friend at all.
Thinking there were no such things as real friends in this world, the time she’d resolved to live her whole life alone felt like a distant memory.
“When Dorothy returns, why don’t you treat her to a nice dinner? It’s been a while, but I’ll try to muster some energy. You see, I… I am truly happy that you, my lady, have gained such a friend.”
“Me too… I’m… really happy too.”
If she let her guard down for even a moment, it felt like tears would spill over.
Flutter-
Just then, the sound of a carrier pigeon’s wings came from the veranda.
A pigeon cooing right in the middle of being swept up in such a touching moment.
At first, she tried to ignore it.
This wasn’t about some pigeon; this was a moment to be moved by friendship.
But she simply couldn’t ignore it.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The pigeon’s fluttering was annoying enough, but it seemed determined to peck at the veranda door until she opened it.
“That damned pigeon! Why do they keep sending useless letters?”
I should just fry this one up soon.
Grumbling, Rose opened the veranda door and received the letter. Only then did the pigeon fly off, as if its job was done.
“Is it from His Grace the Duke, my lady?”
“Who else would send me a letter other that that man?”
She knew without looking that Hill was probably wondering if Dorothy had sent it.
Ripping open the envelope with rough hands, Rose tried to skim the letter as usual.
“My lady?”
“Apparently, the Count of Allot has come to Salbrums.”
“Pardon?”
“He says he might be near our house, so I should be careful until he arrives?”
“Count Allot? The Count who supposedly makes even crying children wail in fear?”
Rose set the letter down.
“It’ll be… fine. Why would he come after me? It’s not like that man will try to drag me outside. Anyway, tell him I can’t go out because I’m a coward.”
Hurrying downstairs to the first floor, Rose checked the lock on the front door.
The lock was sturdy. Everything was perfect.
Then she paused.
Dorothy.
Was Dorothy alright?
Would the Count of Allot know that Dorothy visited her house?
“Ah, no way…”
Even if she stood on her head and looked, Dorothy was just an ordinary young lady. There wasn’t a single suspicious bone in her body.
She tried hard to believe that.
But her heart still pounded with an inexplicable unease.
She felt sick to her stomach.
“What if Dorothy runs into the Count of Allot alone?”
She was a smart girl.
But that didn’t guarantee she’d always be safe from every danger.
“What if… What if the Count of Allot takes Dorothy and questions her? Huh? What if he tortures her?”
I have to save Dorothy.
The thought crossed her mind, and Rose unconsciously placed her hand on the front door lock.
But she couldn’t bring herself to open the door.
Her hand, resting on the lock, trembled violently.
Still… she didn’t want to run away today, of all days.
She couldn’t leave Dorothy alone.
“It’s alright. Come out slowly. You don’t have to force yourself.”
Dorothy’s gentle voice, patting her back.
The girl who always fought for her from the shadows.
“If it really comes down to it, I can protect you.”
Going outside was scary.
But losing Dorothy was even scarier.
“My lady!”
Her mind went blank. Rose urgently flung the front door open.
She heard Hill’s voice behind her but didn’t answer.
Bursting through the front door, Rose frantically ran towards the house next door.
She had to find Dorothy.
She had to make sure she was safe.
“Mrs. Horton! Ma’am!”
Bang, bang!Ā As she pounded on the door, Mrs. Horton’s surprised face appeared.
“Miss? What are you doing here?”
“Is Dorothy home?”
“No. She said she was going to your house earlier, but…”
Before Mrs. Horton could even finish her sentence, Rose dashed off.
She didn’t care if people stared at her strangely.
“I really don’t want her to get hurt because she’s involved with us. More than I want to die myself.”
My friend Dorothy.
The Dorothy I truly care about.
While running frantically like that, an obstacle appeared.
“Hey there, Rose! Is it true you broke off your engagement or not?”
It was Lady Kedrid.
Though Dorothy had apparently dealt with her, her face was still full of complaints and dissatisfaction.
In the past, facing Lady Kedrid would have been terrifying.
But now, she wasn’t scared one bit, not even a fingernail’s worth.
“No matter how hard I dig, how can your rumors just disappear…”
To Rose, who was completely focused, Lady Kedrid was none of her concern.
“Shut up!”
“Gasp!”
“Have you seen Dorothy?”
“Pardon?”
“I asked if you’ve seen her?!”
“Uh, no?”
“Then get lost!”
Intimidated by Rose’s ferocious energy, Lady Kedrid fell silent.
Leaving her behind, Rose ran again to find Dorothy.
It felt like standing before a great mountain.
His gaze was calm, but within it lurked a storm.
Though she was the one who had questioned the mysterious man, Dorothy was inwardly tense.
‘I can’t read what he’s thinking at all.’
Whether he was angry. Or wary.
She couldn’t read a single emotion.
“Well, how should I put this?”
Though polite, there was an indescribable pressure.
‘It’s not murderous intent.’
Simply put, this man’s presence was overwhelming.
“I don’t live in Salbrums.”
The Count of Allot explained slowly.
“I simply learned that the Duke of Kaishner and the young lady are here, so I came to investigate.”
So he came because of Brandon or Rose.
Her shoulders stiffened slightly, but she didn’t show it.
“Furthermore, I happened to see you, young lady, visiting that house…”
“……”
“I came to ask your opinion, wondering if you’d noticed anything suspicious while dealing with them.”
Scary.
Forcing her trembling hands into fists.
Both the middle-aged man and the man assisting him carried swords.
Judging by their clothes and manner of speech, they were certainly not ordinary people.
But Dorothy spoke without wavering.
“They are my friends.”
“Oh-ho.”
Friends?
The middle-aged man seemed amused by her answer.
“Yes. They have been until now, and they will continue to be precious friends to me.”
Her legs trembled as if she were standing on a shaking bridge.
Her breath became short.
“Therefore, whatever I may have seen or felt from them, I will not tell you.”
“Because they are friends, you must keep their secrets?”
“Yes. Because I cannot reveal my friends’ private lives to someone I don’t know. I believe I have no reason to explain.”
She had never fainted once in her life.
But for the first time, Dorothy felt like she might collapse.
The man standing before her was the type of person who, by his very existence, made others feel that way.
‘Still, I cannot speak about their private lives.’
Perhaps the man would get angry at her for not cooperating.
But she didn’t care.
Even if I’m taken away, I won’t open my mouth.
She was prepared, but imagining it was still frightening.
Just as Dorothy let out a small, resigned laugh without realizing it.
“Hey, you bastard!”
A thunderous woman’s voice, accompanied by the sound of running, came from afar.
“Get away from her!”
A familiar voice.
The moment she thought it, the running woman pulled Dorothy into her arms.
“…My lady?”
It was Rose.
