C44
-… Mrs?!
“Oh, sorry to be noisy, ma'am. Please forgive us.
As soon as Bianca called out to them, the maids stood up in contemplation. So, they bowed down to apologize to Bianca and then ran away. As if Bianca would scold them if she showed even a small gap.
She knew they wouldn't welcome her, but still, Bianca, who was struck by the unexpected reaction, watched the maids disappear with a puzzled expression.
Bianca quickly pushed her embarrassment aside. She straightened her expression and sighed.
Yvonne, who was next to Bianca, panicked and looked at Bianca anxiously. She couldn't say anything because she was contemplating if she should offer comfort or if it was the right thing to do.
Bianca tried to smile casually and spoke to Yvonne to hide her discomfort.
“It's a big problem because I had something to ask you.
"W-what is it?" I will answer everything I know.
Yvonne also smiled awkwardly. The atmosphere, which had been stiff for a while, seemed to disappear in an instant, from the sharp voice.
“About the black-haired maid from earlier…
—Bianca.
As soon as Bianca started to speak, her name was called from behind.
Bianca's body stiffened at the sudden call. There is only one person in this castle who can call Bianca by her first name. Bianca's efforts to pretend to be calm were shattered in an instant.
You must have seen it. She probably saw it.
Thinking that Zachary had just seen the maids dodge her, Bianca's face darkened. It was shameful that the lord's wife could not guide the maids.
Bianca groaned in dismay, as she never wanted to be caught like this. At the very least, she felt the need to bury her burning face in the snow piled in the garden.
But instead of bowing her head, Bianca raised it even stiffer. Breathing and pretending to be calm, she slowly looked back as she thought she had calmed down.
As she turned her body, her face became as smooth and cold as porcelain again. It was hard to believe that she was trembling with embarrassment until just now.
Bianca's eyes met Zachary, who was standing at the end of the hall. He, who was blocking his way like the guardian of the gates of hell, approached Bianca as soon as she turned around.
As Zachary approached, Bianca stiffened with the tension she felt. It seemed as if a huge beast was swarming towards her.
His escort Gaspard was the biggest man in the castle of Arno. He was taller than Zachary, and no one could stand up to the thick muscles of his shoulders and forearms.
Dragging Gaspard out of the corner of her eyes every day, she thought she had gotten used to big guys, but when she saw Zachary in front of her, she realized her thinking was wrong.
He had a sense of intimidation that was enough to fill the gap in size with Gaspard.
Dignity as lord and earl flowed over him, so that anyone could tell how hard he had fought to rise to such a position.
Bianca tried to remember the first time she and Zachary met. It's been a long time, so she doesn't remember it well, but the way she dressed was awkward and unattractive, so the feelings of dissatisfaction were clear.
She still remembers crying in the arms of her nanny Jean, saying that her father had sold her to someone poor.
Zachary walked over to Bianca. Bianca had to crane her neck to the limit to make eye contact with him, who was over a head and a half tall. Bianca was upset because she felt like she was missing out on nothing.
Zachary wore a black doublet lined with dark red fabric over a silk shirt, covered in shiny black fur. He wore gray-brown leather boots, and his white pants were thickly decorated with black buttons made from the teeth of animals.
It was a sense of fashion that could not even be expected from old Zachary, who wore a coarse linen shirt and an old-fashioned brown doublet. As he climbed the title, the fashion sense seemed to have grown. That was quite positive.
Whatever happens, Bianca has to be with him, and the fact that the husband at her side is wearing tattered clothes like a farmer in the field was a loss of prestige for her.
Zachary's silver-gray hair, which was neatly arranged, swayed in the winter wind that permeated the halls, but the direct gaze that looked at Bianca was still the same. Okay. He always stared at Bianca, as if they were mortal enemies of hers, as if he was going to devour her….
However, the sharp disgust in his eyes was clearly evident. His face was as rigid as ever, as if a needle couldn't pierce it, but the subtly twisted corners of his mouth and his eyes revealed the thoughts he couldn't hide.
Bianca's heart pounded once more as she saw his clearly unhappy face. She really just wants to make a good impression on him, but why does she cross paths with him when she's in a bad mood? Also, to make matters worse, she just showed how she was rejected by the maids.
They say it takes two to tango*. Maybe it's because we're not meant to connect? Bianca smiled bitterly.
(T/N: The original phrase used is "You have to clap your hands to make a sound." Both have the same meaning.
For example, if there is a conflict or a problem between two people, it is often said "it takes two to tango" to refer to the fact that both are to blame. Regardless of the circumstances, normally, we cannot blame only one.)
Zachary, who walked up to Bianca, asked.
-What are you doing here?
-Any.
Bianca raised her chin and answered firmly. An attitude that exudes high self-esteem. With a shield of equanimity on her face as if she wasn't going to show her weakness easily.
However, his heart, which had enlarged from the strain, was pounding. Mouth dry, Bianca swallowed hard to keep her voice from cracking.
Not wanting to tell what had happened, she changed the topic of conversation.
"What happened to what you said then?"
The first day she visited the barn, Bianca went straight to Zachary. Hearing Bianca's desire to learn to ride a horse, he stared at Bianca with her dark eyes.
“I think it would be difficult for you to ride a horse.
“It will be hard, but not impossible.
Zachary did not like that Bianca will ride a horse. But Bianca did not back down, unlike with Sauveur. Because she knew nothing would happen if she didn't convince Zachary. And she hoped to break Zachary's stubbornness. In fact, Zachary has never stopped a decision from Bianca.
Zachary and Bianca went through several battles. Zachary made the excuse that Bianca's health and stamina were not good. Bianca, who didn't think Zachary was worried about her, thought that she had another reason, but Zachary didn't easily reveal her reason.
But in the end, it was Bianca's guess. Zachary, who had expressed an unfamiliar reluctance, had no choice but to give the reply that he would consider it positively. He would take care of that himself, so he didn't have to worry and put an end to the matter.
It's the first time they met after that. At Bianca's question, Zachary answered bluntly without loosening his rigid face.
“Even if you don't remind me, I won't forget. I ordered Vincent to find a pony that suits you. There aren't many for sale on the market because it's winter, but he's good at it, so we'll find him soon.
Zachary frowned and looked Bianca up and down. It was as if Bianca was greedy even though she was not in a good physical condition. The disapproval hanging from her mouth grew stronger.
“Now it's winter, it's snowing, it's cold and it's dangerous, so you can learn to ride a horse when the buds start to sprout in early spring. Hopefully, you'll be able to ride in the capital.
-That's good news.
He said that was good news, but Bianca's face didn't look bright.
As soon as the conversation was interrupted for a moment, Zachary gestured towards Yvonne and Gaspard, who were standing behind Bianca. It was an order for them to stay away.
Gaspard, who immediately read his master's order, bowed his head and stepped back.
Yvonne hesitated, looking worriedly at Bianca, whose complexion seemed strangely tired. But she couldn't disobey her master's orders. Yvonne had no choice but to back away.
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