If You're Going to Sell Yourself, Sell It to Me - Chapter 102

“What brings you here?”

After folding the dress neatly and putting it back in the box, Georgiana opened the door. Locke held something in both hands and extended it toward her.

“I bought this on the island to give as a gift, and now it has finally reached its rightful owner.”

What he held out was a pair of porcelain cats.

At the sight of the delicately crafted black and gold cats, Georgiana could immediately guess why he had chosen them.

One had blue eyes and the other green. Despite being cat figurines, they reminded her of herself and Locke.

But… she couldn’t help but wonder how he had managed to keep these safe in the chaos of the battlefield, where even taking care of oneself was difficult.

“You carried this all the way from the ship?”

“Yes. Even in the unit, whenever I packed my things, this was the first thing I put in. Every time I saw it, it reminded me of you, and it helped me endure that place. It’s more precious to me than anything, and that’s why I think it’s all the more important to give it to its rightful owner.”

According to Henry, Locke had fought off enemies single-handedly like a one-man army.

Georgiana imagined him carrying around cat figurines in the middle of a war zone filled with bullets and cannon fire. It was ridiculous—and somehow endearing. She couldn’t help but laugh.

What was this man, really?

From the outside, he still looked like a cold-hearted person, but based on how he acted around her lately, he resembled a giant puppy. Not that she could let her guard down.

“You wouldn’t turn it down just because it’s not new, would you?”

“Give it here.”

Knowing that resisting would only delay the inevitable—that the figurines would end up in her room anyway—Georgiana extended her hand without fuss.

There was no way he had bought them for himself, after all.

Even after handing over the figurines, Locke didn’t seem to have any intention of leaving.

Seeing his hesitation, Georgiana asked with a puzzled look, “Do you have something more to say?”

“My leg hurts, and my throat is dry. Would you mind if I came in just for a bit?”

“Do you really think that makes sense?”

The house was big, but it wasn’t so vast that the hallway stretched on like a palace. Shaking her head at his strange excuse, Georgiana flatly refused.

“If it’s uncomfortable being alone together, how about calling Angela to play with us? Like last time, we could play house.”

“At this hour? Angela’s already asleep.”

It was already past ten o’clock.

Well, time aside, what kind of grown man suggested playing house?

“If not that… how about a card game?”

“A card game?”

“Didn’t you beat Henry last time? You seemed to have a knack for it. If not cards, we could try something else…”

Worried he might continue suggesting more, she decided to cut him off.

“Um, Mr. Locke Rivern?”

“Yes.”

“Are you having trouble sleeping?”

At her question, Locke’s face went blank with surprise.

His cheeks flushed red, as if she had struck a nerve.

Angela sometimes acted like this too, asking her to play when she couldn’t sleep after a bad dream or when something was bothering her. That must’ve been why Georgiana had instinctively spoken to him the same way.

“I’m not a child.”

Realizing the implication of her gaze, Locke hurried to explain.

“Even adults can have trouble sleeping.”

Though he had improved recently, on the day he first arrived here, his face had looked like he hadn’t slept in months.

After pondering her words for a moment, Locke’s eyes lit up.

“If I say I can’t sleep, will you stay with me?”

“No.”

His shoulders slumped at her firm response.

“You’ve become even colder than before.”

“And you’ve become more childish.”

Pfft. Both of them laughed.

“I can’t play with you, but I’ll give you some tea that’s good for sleep.”

When she first arrived here, Georgiana would wake at the slightest noise. Only after drinking the tea that the butler, Austin, had recommended did the quality of her sleep begin to improve.

“Wait here for a moment—”

Before she could finish speaking, voices came from the hallway.

“…so I went and came back.”

Startled by Evan’s voice, Georgiana grabbed Locke by the arm and yanked him into the room.

Thud.

The door closed, and it was only after some time that the voices faded.

She strained her ears, then peeked her head out to check the hallway. Seeing no one there, she finally let out a sigh of relief.

“Whew, thank goodness.”

“What’s a relief?”

Georgiana stepped back, startled, as she looked up at Locke standing so close.

“If someone saw us talking in front of my room this late at night, how much would they misunderstand?”

“So what if they do? It’s not like we’re in an inappropriate relationship.”

“We could become the subject of strange rumors.”

“Would it be so bad if that happened? Didn’t I already say I wish I could take you away from here?”

“Yes, and that’s nonsense. Don’t say such things. No one’s around—just go back quickly.”

Georgiana pulled a tea tin off the shelf and handed it to him.

“This one works well. Just one spoonful in hot water, let it steep and drink it.”

“……”

“Locke?”

When she looked up at the silent man, she saw that his gaze wasn’t on her but on the bed.

Following his eyes, Georgiana turned her head and saw the dress in the box, fully visible since the lid hadn’t been closed.

Locke stood frozen, stroking his chin, and asked, “Were you short on clothes?”

“No.”

“Then what’s that dress? It doesn’t look like something from that boutique.”

He scrutinized it with narrowed eyes as though trying to uncover some crime.

“Ah… it was a gift.”

“A gift? Who gives a gift like that? Bill? Raymond? Ah, Evan’s still here, too. Whoever it was, they must have too much free time.”

Seeing his growing irritation, Georgiana shook her head. “That’s just one dress. You gave me far more clothes. Who are you to judge?”

“So who gave it to you?”

“Why should I tell you that? Just go already.”

Georgiana barely managed to push him out of the room, since he had no intention of moving.

Even as she turned away, the gift still felt excessive.

She considered returning it, but Raymond didn’t seem likely to accept it back… Unable to find a good solution, Georgiana eventually tucked the dress away in the wardrobe after much deliberation.

Locke’s curiosity was answered the very next morning.

“Dad, you said you’d be late today, right? I really wanted to go to the birthday party too…”

During breakfast, Angela asked Raymond with a hint of disappointment.

“It’s an adults-only event this time. But they said they’ll definitely invite you to the Thanksgiving party. If you really want to have a party, we could throw one ourselves.”

“No, it’s fine. I just wanted to see Clara again… it’s been a while.”

“Then I’ll invite her over sometime soon.”

“Okay. Then please take good care of Miss Leona for me.”

“Of course, don’t worry.”

Locke, who had been slicing his fish topped with cream sauce, stopped mid-motion.

Only Georgiana, glancing sideways, noticed that he had stopped eating.

“You’re going to a party?”

“Yes. She’s the daughter of a nearby plantation owner. Clara Lodge—you’ve seen her before. She was the one sitting with me at the restaurant last time. It’s her birthday, and she’s hosting a gathering for local landowners. I’m attending today,” Raymond responded cheerfully to Locke’s question.

Even though Locke’s mood had clearly taken a hit, Raymond, who had been excited since the day before, didn’t seem to notice at all.

“And you’re taking Angela’s tutor with you?”

“It’s a partner-only event, and I had no one else to go with. But honestly, even without that excuse, I would’ve asked her.”

“Is that so?”

Locke’s sharply raised eyes turned toward his brother, then shifted to Georgiana sitting across from him.

Though she hadn’t done anything wrong, Georgiana felt a strange jolt of guilt.

“But… why are you so curious?”

“It’s nothing. Just wondering—will it be only local plantation owners attending?” he asked, slicing his food again, in a probing tone.

“Well, I’m sure there’ll be some nobles too.”

“I see. Got it.”

“If you’re free, you should come too. Though you don’t usually enjoy those kinds of events.”

Raymond spoke with confidence, certain Locke wouldn’t attend.

“That’s true.”

The conversation ended vaguely, but judging from Locke’s expression, something was clearly unresolved.

Georgiana had a feeling he might show up at her room later to interrogate her about whether Raymond was the one who gave her the dress—but by the time she finished preparing for the outing in the late afternoon, Locke still hadn’t appeared.

Wearing the dress Raymond had given her, Georgiana stepped into the carriage with him.

Just before boarding, she glanced up at Locke’s room. The curtain fluttered in the wind, but there was no sign of him.