If You're Going to Sell Yourself, Sell It to Me - Chapter 116

The location of Locke’s estate was in the exact opposite direction from the road leading to town.

If Raymond’s plantation lay entirely in the southern part of the South, Locke’s estate was a bit further in, nestled along a forest path.

The fairly vast forest seemed to connect with the one where she had once taken refuge with Locke.

As she watched the increasingly unpopulated, dense forest, Georgiana fully opened the shutter she had left slightly ajar.

The cool wind of the forest, now entering autumn, felt refreshing all the way to her mind.

As the stifled feeling in her chest slowly eased, her tense lips gradually relaxed.

“Are you feeling a little better?” Locke, watching her quietly from across, asked with a soft smile.

Wearing a dark gray outfit for the outing, he looked so magnificent that any artist would want to capture him in a painting. His face, slightly fuller in recent days, looked radiant with vitality.

Perhaps because she had only seen him as a patient until now, she was struck anew by how striking this man really was.

Does he really like me?

Of course, his behavior and changed speech indicated he had affection for her, but even so, she still doubted it—until she remembered what Angela had said, and her cheeks flushed.

He even watched her throughout meals…

Was it with that same gaze?

As she watched his gentle, curved eyes directed at her, she belatedly answered his question.

“…There’s nothing to feel bad about.”

“I thought you might feel sad, having to leave so suddenly. You seemed to really like Raymond’s plantation. And Angela and Becky, too.”

Except for the times she went into town for supplies, she had stayed at the plantation like Becky. So when she said farewell to the farmhands before leaving, they had all looked surprised.

“That’s true. But I couldn’t keep imposing forever. I always knew I would have to leave eventually,” Georgiana replied calmly.

She had always expected that a moment to leave would come, even if she didn’t know when. Whether it was when she became a wanted fugitive or when the authorities came after her identity, she had prepared herself.

Perhaps she could remain this composed because she had long accepted that settling down somewhere might never be an option for her.

Still, perhaps sensing the bitter expression on her face, he offered comforting words. “It’s not like you’re leaving forever, so it’ll be okay. News about your family will come soon, and then you’ll be able to visit Angela and Becky whenever you’d like. Don’t worry.”

“Family?”

“Yes. I hadn’t said anything in case it turned out to be nothing and you’d be disappointed, but I’ve already contacted someone who appears to be your family. We should hear back soon. Just wait a little longer.”

At Locke’s words, Georgiana’s eyes widened. “Really? I actually have real family?”

“Yes. I’ve been certain for a while now. There’s no way garbage like that could be your real family. I’m sure everyone in that Humblem house, except you, wasn’t a real daughter.”

“W-what if it’s not true?”

It had been so long ago that even if her real family appeared, they might not recognize her. It was natural—they hadn’t seen her since she was a very small child.

She also wasn’t sure she could confidently identify them as her family if they stood before her.

Her heart was pounding even though she hadn’t met them yet.

“That won’t happen. But even if it did… then you’ll just have to make a new family.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’ll be your real family whenever you want.”

“W-what are you saying?”

“It’s not like Raymond was the only one who thought about it. I’ve always wanted to be with you more than anyone. But I held back because I thought saying it might become a burden to you.”

At Locke’s sudden honesty, her heart tightened.

They had once been married, but it felt so different now.

Still, she had no intention of accepting such words under these circumstances.

“T-that won’t happen.”

Blushing, Georgiana turned her head sharply.

“I’ll wait as long as it takes. Even if we both become grandparents.”

Despite Locke’s lighthearted reply, Georgiana steadfastly kept her back turned to the window.

The road was narrow, but well-maintained, so the carriage moved smoothly. Beyond the dense forest path, a clear blue lake stretched out.

And on that blue lake, a quaint white mansion appeared. Georgiana’s mouth dropped open.

“Wow… It’s truly beautiful.”

His claim that the place was desolate turned out to be completely untrue.

Though he said the house wasn’t lavishly decorated, even the path connecting the mansion to the lake was so lovely that it needed no further embellishment. The pale gray structure matched exactly the dream home she had envisioned.

Even the tall, red brick chimney was perfect.

When she imagined smoke curling from that chimney as bread baked inside, a smile naturally crept across her lips.

As if they had noticed the carriage’s arrival, a mustached middle-aged butler, a man who appeared to be the cook, a kind-faced older woman, two cute-looking maids, and Henry all appeared at the front entrance of the mansion.

It seemed Henry had already arrived the day before, explaining why she hadn’t seen him around.

The relatively modest entrance was bustling with people.

“I thought I’d live alone my whole life. So… I didn’t pay much attention. I thought it was a bit small, but looking at it again, it’s too cramped. It’s also too far from town.”

Before getting off the carriage, Locke glanced at her with uncertainty.

“Locke, I’m not exaggerating—this is absolutely perfect. A lakeside home? And it doesn’t feel empty at all. That’s what I love most.”

“Do you really think so? I’ve been considering finding a larger house soon since this one seems small.”

“No, I really like it. If I had the money, I’d want to buy it myself.”

“Then I’m relieved.”

At her heartfelt praise, Locke’s expression softened bit by bit.

As the carriage came to a stop, Bill opened the door and extended a hand, but Locke jumped down first and pulled her by the hand to help her out.

As always, the embarrassment was hers alone.

“Thank you, Bill. Thanks to you, it was a comfortable trip.”

Georgiana expressed her gratitude to him for the long journey. Unable to stop that, Locke stood by with a look of discontent.

“I simply did my duty. I’ll ensure those men can’t harm you. Please don’t worry, and rest here until things are resolved. Here are extra bullets.”

Bill rummaged by the driver’s seat, took out a container, and handed her bullets. Receiving the unexpected gift, Georgiana bowed her head in guilt.

“I didn’t prepare anything…”

“It’s not a gift. As your only mentor, I’m just looking after you. Don’t feel burdened—if you ever run out, contact me.”

After drinking from his canteen, Bill began to make preparations to leave.

“Leaving already?”

“Yes. There’s not much for me to do here, and it’s better if the Count can rest comfortably.”

Following his gaze, she spotted Locke watching them with narrowed eyes.

“I’ll be in touch soon.”

Bill gave a quick nod to Locke and Henry and returned to the plantation.

“That’s the most I’ve ever heard Bill talk.”

Watching the departing carriage, Henry muttered in surprise.

“His student, huh. So you learned to shoot from that guy—Bill?”

Locke asked, and Georgiana nodded without giving it much thought.

“Anything else?”

“He also taught me self-defense. Thanks to him, I’ve been able to escape danger a few times. Bill is truly the best teacher.”

“I see… he’s quite the teacher.”

At Locke’s grim murmur, Henry, looking appalled, signaled her with his eyes. But Georgiana didn’t catch on and added nonchalantly, genuinely believing her relationship with Bill was purely that of student and teacher.

“Yes. No one can match Bill when it comes to shooting.”

***

Georgiana wished she could go back to the moment she stepped out of the carriage.

If she could, she’d stop her own mouth from calling Bill the best teacher.

Since that day, Locke had become obsessed with showing her all sorts of weapons and started personally instructing her.

Even military strategy books.

He didn’t assign her physical labor, but his obsessive training resembled a knight raising a squire—everyone eventually surrendered.

The more shocking part was that Georgiana performed better than expected.

What kind of people were her biological parents, anyway?

She handled every weapon with such ease that even Henry was left speechless.