Chapter 115

Late at night, the cool breeze slipping through the window frame stood in stark contrast to the heavy air in the study.

“Are you really going to leave?”

Having heard her say she would leave, Raymond, who had shot up from his seat and paced in circles, collapsed into the chair across from her.

His brow was furrowed in a way that didn’t suit him.

“I want to stay here longer too. But I don’t know how my family will act, so I think it’s better to keep my distance for now. I don’t want to endanger this place because of me.”

Georgiana was sure that if anyone wanted to stay here the most, it was her.

Though it had only been just over a year, she was more attached to this place than anywhere she had lived before.

That’s why she had made the decision to leave—for the sake of this place.

If she had liked it a little less, she might have endured somehow.

But she never wanted to drag in those two people who were like walking disasters.

Especially when there was already the risk of needing help from the constables due to the slave revolts, she couldn’t create a conflict that would alienate them.

“Leo—no, Georgiana. What if, instead of you leaving, we quietly send them back to the Empire? Bill has already found out where they are.”

“Willow, maybe—but I can’t send my father away like that.”

True, she had denied knowing her father on the spot, unwilling to be taken back. But she couldn’t expel him along with Willow without a clear crime.

The suspicion that they weren’t her real family was just that—a suspicion—and there was nothing she could do about it.

“Then how about I try negotiating with them? If I give them what they want, they might not try to take you.”

“Absolutely not!”

Georgiana flatly refused.

Their lives had already been stained beyond saving by gambling—there was no way they would give her up for a single payoff.

If she gave them anything, be it money or otherwise, they’d just keep demanding more, and in the end, it would all return to them trying to sell her again.

As she kept refusing, Raymond, after some deliberation, cautiously proposed, “Then how about we marry until they give up?”

“We’ve already talked about this…”

“If you wish, Georgiana, I’ll annul the marriage anytime. It would just be temporary, and during that time, I’ll do everything I can.”

“But what would you gain from doing all that, Raymond? I don’t want to burden you like that.”

“Burden? I’d be gaining something enormous.”

His golden eyes reflected only her.

She could feel in him the same intensity she had once seen in Locke.

It was clear this wasn’t just a proposal born from kindness.

When he first said he saw her as a woman, it hadn’t felt real. But now, his heart was evident.

Which made it even more clear that she could not accept his offer.

“Raymond, you’re a truly good person. The kindest and most considerate man I’ve ever met. And needless to say, your looks too. You could meet someone far better than me.”

At her words, Raymond shook his head with a wounded look.

“What if there is no such person?”

“That can’t be true.”

“No. There’s no one like Georgiana.”

“He’s right.”

The one who responded wasn’t her—it was Locke, leaning casually against the doorway, surveying the atmosphere in the room.

“What are you doing here at this hour, brother?”

Raymond’s tone was sharper than usual, clearly irritated by the interruption.

“I came because I have something to say. You two seemed so deep in conversation you didn’t even hear my knocking.”

“It’s nothing you need to know. If it’s not urgent, let’s talk tomorrow.”

Raymond tried to deflect, not having mentioned her departure yet.

“Ah, so you haven’t told him. Georgiana is—”

“I’ll explain.”

Thinking it was only right to say it herself, Georgiana cut Locke off and calmly spoke to Raymond, who looked at her with a puzzled expression.

“The place I’ll be going to is Count Locke Rivern’s estate.”

“What? Is that true?” Raymond’s eyes widened in shock.

“Yes. Hardly anyone knows that place, so I plan to stay there.”

“Still…”

“What’s the concern? Where could be safer than my estate? Actually, that’s why I came—to say I plan to leave as soon as I’m ready. Sooner is better.”

“I know where those two are. There’s no need to rush.”

“That’s just your opinion. If there’s even the chance of a surprise move, we have to avoid it first.”

“Are you sure this isn’t for some other reason?”

Raymond studied Locke’s expression with a hardened face.

“Whether you have an ulterior motive or not, now that Georgiana has made her decision, this isn’t something for you to interfere in.”

“Has anything good ever come from being involved with you?”

As Raymond looked to her, seemingly seeking agreement, Georgiana was at a loss for a proper response and wore a troubled expression.

“Only good things will happen from now on, so there’s nothing to worry about. Anyway, that’s all you need to know. Shall we go?”

Locke stepped forward and extended his hand to escort her.

Because Raymond was watching, Georgiana couldn’t refuse him and took Locke’s hand to stand.

“I’ll also speak to the butler. I’m truly sorry for leaving like this.”

“Not at all. Since it’s come to this, go safely and rest well before coming back. There will always be a place for you here.”

Raymond wiped the disappointed look from his face and smiled.

“I will.”

That’s what she said, but she wasn’t confident.

The issue with her family was one thing, but staying beside Raymond—who now saw her as a woman—didn’t seem like the right choice either.

Georgiana quietly resolved to think over that problem again once she reached Locke’s estate.

The next morning, after swiftly finishing her duties around the mansion, she knocked on the door of the most difficult room to face.

“May I come in?”

“Yes.”

Angela, who had been playing the piano, kicked her legs and welcomed her.

Seeing the child’s bright face, Georgiana found it even harder to speak.

She walked over to Angela, knelt down, and met the girl’s gaze with caution.

Her apologetic expression was fully reflected in those gold eyes that blinked like stars.

“Angela.”

“Yes.”

“…Something came up, so I’ll be leaving the mansion for a while.”

“Really?”

At the mention of her departure, Angela’s eyes instantly welled with tears.

Georgiana, who nodded, felt a lump in her throat. She hadn’t wanted to leave like this…

“Can’t I come with you?”

“I’m going for work, so I can’t take you with me. But if I ever go somewhere nice in the future, I’ll definitely take you.”

Once everything was resolved, even if she couldn’t stay here like before, she could still take Angela out for outings now and then.

“Are you going with Uncle Locke?”

“What?”

Surprised that Angela knew, Georgiana’s eyes widened.

“Uncle came to say goodbye a little while ago.”

“Oh… I see.”

“If you’re going with Uncle, then I’m all for it.”

“You are?”

“Because Uncle will protect you well. And also—”

Angela cupped her hand around Georgiana’s ear and whispered softly, “I think Uncle likes you.”

“W-what?”

Her face turned bright red.

“There’s no one Uncle smiles at except you, Leona. And during meals, he only watches you eat. He used to only look at me before.”

Despite this, the child didn’t look sad at all and added cheerfully, “I like Uncle Locke and you both, so I hope you get married. That way, we can always be together like now. Besides, my dad has me, but Uncle doesn’t have anyone. He must be lonely. If you’re with him, he won’t be lonely anymore.”

At Angela’s sweet words, Georgiana hugged her tightly.

Then, as if making a promise, she replied, “I’ll make sure he’s not lonely. And when I can, I’ll come visit you often.”

“Really?”

Angela held out her finger.

Linking her pinky with the small hand, Georgiana once again reaffirmed her decision to leave.

For a sweet child like Angela, she wanted to only show her good things—not those heartless people.

The next day, two carriages departed separately.

The first carried a maid who had errands in town. The second carriage held Locke and Georgiana.

To avoid any leaks, their departure was kept quiet, and very few people knew they were leaving by carriage.

Bill, in disguise, sat on the driver’s seat.

“They drank until dawn and passed out. There shouldn’t be any problems. Still, with escaped rebels around, I’ll drive as fast as I can.”

It was obvious who he meant.

Hearing that they still lived like that even here made her all the more certain she didn’t want to see them.

Locke quietly watched as Georgiana carefully shut the inner window.