About Your Pride and My Prejudice

Chapter 84:

It was a drowsy afternoon.

Sandra.

Yes, Lady.

Will that woman come tomorrow too?

.

As expected, Sandra was silent. Just a while ago, she was constantly babbling about the difference between Sourne and Lunoa, or that she would teach me Lunoa little by little in the future.

Considering how chatty she isat this point I feel like Ive become her buddyits noticeably eccentric.

Three times a day, Sandra takes me to the dining hall, and while I eat, she simply takes a meal from the servants cafeteria. Strangely enough, when she sees Monica Elwood sitting in the dining hall, she disappears in a flash, as if her feet are on fire. She did not even say goodbye before heading off to the servants cafeteria. 

At first I thought it might be just a whim, but recently Monica has been having lunch with me almost every day, week after week. And on the day Monica is here, Sandra hides herself. This cant be a coincidence.

You know, Sandra.

I didnt mention it at first because I thought Sandra wanted me to pretend I didnt know, but its weird no matter how much I think about it.

Is the person Sandra was talking about Monica Elwood?

What? Thats. Well.

I cant believe shes so flustered. This is like a yes.

Then the person who Mr. Maurice was in love with.

I, I didnt say anything, miss!

But Monica is Elwood, not Leopold, so why does Leopolds servant serve her?

I asked the question again, but Sandra closed her mouth tightly, with her shoulders hunched up.

If they promised marriage since childhood, I dont think it can be summed up in one word that she is not a lover.  So is she a distant relative?

.

A secret illegitimate child who cannot be given the last name Leopold?  Has this gone too far?

Now Sandras hands were trembling pitifully.

I dont get it. Sandra wont tell me.

Ah, ah, my lady!

Then Sandra jumped up and stopped talking.

I, as I said before, Im not ready yet. Im sorry. But Ill tell you soon.

.

As I looked at her fingers trembling nervously, it was only then that I realized that I was pushing too hard.  Maybe shes traumatised.

As soon as I recalled that I too had a traumatic position that I should never touchin my case, things like hospitals, medicine smells, and needles, but fortunately I rarely come across themI felt a belated sense of guilt.

Oh, what did I. Im sorry.

Theres nothing to apologize for, miss.

But still.

I dont know how long she will need to prepare her state of mind or if it will ever be prepared, , but if the level of trauma is serious, I can wait for as long as she needs. Sandra isnt the one who has to tell me everything, and Monica isnt the one I need to focus on.

The only opponent I have to face is Alan Leopold. Alan is also the one who will teach me how to face the future when I have to live with a heart that doesnt embrace him in the end.

Its ironic at first glance to learn how to stand alone from Alan, but hes the only key to liberating Melissa Collins. It will make me a free and mature adult who is now still immature and sick as a girl.

But why isnt Alan Leopold coming back? Its already been more than 10 days since he last came home.

Goodness.

Youre here? Sit down.

And why does this woman come to me without getting tired.

I sat helplessly looking at Monica, who was cutting croissants in a red dress like her beautiful hair.

Is your nickname rose?

Rose?

Monica moved her red petal-like lips and somehow she was distraught. Are all Lunoa people this beautiful?

I hear that sometimes, but it was actually a nickname for Baby.

Baby.

I didnt intend to be obedient to Monicas wishes. So I didnt want to have a private chat with Monica Elwood, who didnt know anything 

You mean Alan?

Yes, its about babys old days.

I couldnt get enough of Alans nickname, Rose, without asking in detail.

Why, Why is it rose?

His lips are as pretty as petals. Its red.

What?

For a moment, I thought of the touch of the lips without realizing it, and I almost spit the soup that I was drinking.

It seemed as if Monicas blue eyes were slowly thinning, but my hand, more urgent to quench the heat on my face, hurriedly grabbed the glass of cold water.

What are you thinking? Of course it was a joke.

.

Then I was stunned as if I had been hit in the head when she scolded me with pathetic eyes.

Alan is a bit sensitive, like a thorn. So hes a bit of a perfectionist.. Well, you wouldnt know it, though.

.

He was also called a rose master. Thats why I gave him a rose perfume when he entered the academy.

Monica looked triumphant, showing off that she knew Alans story that I didnt know. The arrogant smile matched the gorgeous features perfectly.

But I wasnt particularly jealous. Im not naive enough to believe that Alan will one day be mine. I was just thankful that she told me a story that I didnt know.

Its a bit daunting to say that Monica Elwood was the first person to gift the perfume, but its true that it suits him really well..

And Rose Master. Thats probably the cutest word Ive heard recently. I told him not to buy roses without knowing that. I laughed for no reason.

Listening to Alans childhood story, I somehow relaxed, so I decided to ask what I was curious about.

Well, Alan hasnt been home for more than ten days. Do you know anything? I dont even know what hes doing.

Why dont you know that he isnt didnt come home, he just didnt look for you?

Ah.

The answer made me pale. As she said, theres no reason for Alan to come home and look for me, so why did I think so? In an instant, everything collapsed.

Then Monica, who regained her bright smile, said.

Im kidding. Alan has travelled to Hwa.

Hwa?

The Hwa Empire, Far East.

Oh.

Her words quickly put me into a trifling thought.

He probably went by ship, right? Theres no plane here. By boat to the Empire of the East. Then, right now he must be on a  journey.

In the meantime, there was inevitable relief that he did not come home without me knowing. As soon as the frozen heart slowly began to melt, Monica continued.

He didnt tell you, did he? I understand what you think.

.

Those words pierced my heart like a dagger. My heart became cold.

In a fit of anger, I had the urge to tell her that we kissed, but I managed to use my superhuman mentality and held it in.

Its true that Alan Leopold and I kissed, and it was as sweet and warm as lovers kisses. But Alan doesnt love me.

So it doesnt mean anything.

Alan is a beautiful person that anyone can look up to, and he is surrounded by great and wonderful people around him. If he can share a kiss like that with me, who is nothing, there may be quite a few women who actually know the texture of those lips. Even Monica in front of me right now.

But this useless disinformation is always the problem.

But Alan said he wasnt in a relationship with you.

What?

Monicas smooth forehead was crumpled at once. It was fascinating and scary how a person could change so quickly.

Ha, so? Do you think Im the same as you?

She seemed unwilling to hide her agitation. It was just transparent, fiery anger.

The relationship between him and me cannot be defined only by the word lover. We are both family and one and only friends. Were each others only allies in this rough world, and at the same time, its our secret, okay?

.

Monica Elwood spoke those  grandiose words without catching her breath. When I just opened and closed my mouth, and didnt know what to answer, she spoke again.

Dont be proud that he has you by his side for a while. He has put you in a separate house because youre too embarrassing for him to take you outside. Thats your position.

Didnt you say you wanted to be friends with me?

How can I be friends with someone like you? I was just wondering why Alan was interested in you.

Ha.

She didnt scratch me or rip my clothes like before, but she was staring at me like an angry leopard. Why is she making that face with those pretty eyes and lips?

It was strange that I suddenly felt close to her, whom I had been afraid of not so long ago.

So, youre observing me to get Alans interest.

Stop. Dont tell me youre thinking that Im your rival

But in the end you and I

Weve been together for nearly a lifetime! We had each others first kiss, and were destined to get married soon. Dad wants it too.

.

First kiss, marriage.

The dreamy words left me speechless. Alan and I are still a long way off, even if we have narrowed the physical distance. Her words forced me to reflect on the fact.

At that moment, a strange question arose in the consciousness that had stopped as if it had tripped over a beautiful reality.

Is Monica Elwood the daughter of a Duke of Lunoa?

I dont think so, but what the hell is her fathers status, that shes saying its a simple thing to marry Leopolds successor?

It is true that she looks as splendid and noble as the daughter of a prestigious family. I just dont know what a great family Elwood is because I dont know any information about the social circles here.

I was a little embarrassed, but I couldnt resist my curiosity, so I asked.

Whos your father?

But to my surprise, Monicas face suddenly changed from anger to relaxation. Like shes not mad at me. Why? Is it really that great of a family?

Her answer that followed made me even more suspicious.

Ha, did I worry for nothing?

What?

I didnt expect Alan to really tell you nothing.