If You're Going to Sell Yourself, Sell It to Me - Chapter 132

There was so much to talk about that the conversation with Sarah continued past midnight.

In the meantime, when Angus returned from his meeting and was introduced to Sarah, he too took a liking to her bright and cheerful demeanor.

By the time the tea—which had been refilled several times—finally ran out, dark shadows had formed beneath Sarah’s eyes.

Though it was regrettable, the long journey must have been tiring, so they decided to wrap up the conversation for the night.

Georgiana downed the last sip of tea and quietly set her teacup down.

“Sarah, it’s already late, and there are plenty of empty rooms here—how about staying the night and going to your lodging tomorrow? Or you could stay here during your time in Northwest.”

Georgiana wanted to be with her long-missed friend for as long as possible.

“Well… um… If I were alone, of course I’d stay with you, Leona, but I came with Anthony.”

Blushing, Sarah answered that she had to return to the lodging they had arranged.

Then, perhaps feeling sorry, she quickly added, “But let’s definitely have lunch together tomorrow. There are lots of great seafood places around here. After we eat, we can stroll through town together. I bet, knowing your personality, you haven’t been out much since arriving in Northwest, have you?”

“…No.”

At Sarah’s question, Georgiana gave a small nod, as if Sarah had hit the mark.

“See? You haven’t changed at all.”

Sarah burst into laughter.

If nothing else, her disinterest in going out seemed unlikely to ever change. There would likely be more gatherings once she married Locke.

She figured she ought to start going out more bit by bit, and blushed at the thought that she might be getting ahead of herself.

“Anthony came here partly for my sake, but also as a member of the electoral college, so we’ll be staying in Northwest until the election is over. I think it’s in about three weeks.”

“That’s right. The presidential election is then—so Anthony was selected as an elector too.”

It was said that a total of fifty electors had been selected, a few from each state.

Mostly senators, large plantation owners, businessmen, and high-ranking independence soldiers.

Anthony seemed to have been chosen for his status as a businessman.

“I do worry a little, since I left the teahouse behind, but I’m really happy I get to be with you for a long time like this, Leona. Actually, if business keeps doing well in the West, I’m thinking of opening a second branch here. That way, I’ll have an excuse to come more often.”

“I’ll pray that it happens. Of course, I’ll be visiting often too.”

“If Anthony gets the railway running, we’ll be able to see each other quickly.”

She’d heard that steamships and trains—those modern marvels—were beginning to appear even in the Empire, and now to think she might soon see trains here in the New World.

The thought amazed her, and at the same time reminded her of just how remarkable the people around her were.

Locke, who was on his way to becoming Vice President.

Sarah, who ran a teahouse.

Anthony, who was trying to usher in a new era.

And many others, each pursuing their dreams in their own places.

Georgiana suddenly found herself wondering—what was her dream?

To decorate and tend to a small, lovely house.

It might seem modest, but she had come to know just how difficult that dream really was. After all, it hadn’t even been two years since she’d survived on watery soup without even solid bits in it.

It wasn’t by her own efforts, but it felt as though she had achieved that dream now.

The house she had to look after had grown larger.

Still, she wasn’t as afraid as she had once been. She had also decided not to feel like she didn’t belong anymore.

Just as she had gradually found her place at Raymond’s grand estate, she would do the same here.

Just as happiness had come to her, Georgiana now wished to pass that happiness on to others.

As that thought passed through her mind, she suddenly envisioned herself teaching children.

She had always felt a unique sense of fulfillment when teaching.

She had read in the newspaper that there were quite a few children who had lost their parents due to the war of independence or the issue of slavery.

Even those who had parents likely wouldn’t be able to afford an education if they came from poor families.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if she could teach those children and help them gain better opportunities in life?

Georgiana decided to think more specifically about this idea in the future.

Just then, Anthony arrived at the estate to pick Sarah up himself. He, like Sarah, still looked as friendly and cheerful as ever.

Removing his red-tinged silk hat and holding it in one hand, Anthony greeted her warmly.

“It’s been a while, Lady Leona.”

He promptly addressed her by her new name. In a way, it felt sly, and at the same time revealed his strong business instincts.

“It’s good to see you, Mr. Tobias.”

Clear silver-gray eyes rested on Georgiana for a moment before flowing naturally toward Sarah.

At the brief moment of their eyes meeting—brimming with affection for one another—Georgiana’s lips curved into a satisfied smile.

“My fiancé has been gone for so long, I wondered what had happened. Turns out, you look much happier than when you’re with me. I’m getting jealous.”

Anthony, with a sullen expression, pouted his lips.

“Anthony, it’s been a long time since I last saw Leona. You should understand at least that much. Did you really come to fetch me because you couldn’t wait a little longer?”

Sarah deliberately rolled her eyes, though she was clearly pleased.

“My mind understands, but my feet refused to obey. And so I defied my master’s orders and came all the way here.”

“Be sure to scold those disobedient feet later.”

“I will.”

Watching the two exchange such cheerful banter, Georgiana felt a longing to spend time like that with Locke, too. To talk about little things, to end the day together.

If she saw him this weekend, maybe she would try to bring it up gently.

But what if he got flustered because she brought it up first?

As she debated this, she saw Sarah naturally reach out to link arms with Anthony—and she realized how meaningless her own hesitation had been.

What mattered was the heart, not who said the words first.

So far, he had shown her more than enough of his feelings.

As she watched Sarah wave goodbye and say they should all meet together next time, Georgiana quietly made up her mind.

***

The carriage, galloping down the wide road, came to a stop in front of the most famous restaurant in Northwest.

With its white walls and sharply pointed blue roof said to be inspired by a Mediterranean castle, the place looked like a palace where princesses might live.

“How did you manage to get a reservation here?”

Georgiana looked up at Locke as he took her hand and led her up the steps.

Among all the famous restaurants in Northwest, Montmichel was said to be nearly impossible to book.

Even senators had to make reservations a month in advance. She wondered how Locke, who hadn’t been in town for long, could’ve made a reservation here.

“If you wanted it, I could’ve bought the whole place instead of just reserving a table.”

His calm reply held not a hint of exaggeration.

That made sense—his family was said to have left behind great wealth not only here but also in the Empire.

Compared to that, he had little interest in money.

Even Raymond, despite running a vast plantation, wasn’t greedy, and though the brothers were different in many ways, this trait they shared.

“I only wanted to eat good food. That doesn’t mean I wanted this place specifically.”

Since Locke sometimes did strange things, Georgiana met his eyes and firmly stated that he shouldn’t do anything unnecessary.

Though the moment she tasted the food, she was briefly tempted by the idea of owning the restaurant. The dish melted on her tongue, so delicious it drew a gasp.

On top of that, the dining area was divided in such a way that kept them from others’ eyes, letting them enjoy a peaceful meal with a view of the sea.

“I think I really will have to buy this whole restaurant.”

Locke’s eyes gleamed as he watched Georgiana eat nearly everything on her plate.

“If I keep eating meals this delicious, I’ll gain weight fast.”

“Whether you gain weight or lose it, you’ll always be beautiful in my eyes. So please, eat as much as you like.”

“No. Don’t you try to take over this place using sweet words.”

Georgiana shook her head firmly at him as he seriously inspected the restaurant.

Seeing her like that, Locke’s face turned rather somber.

“I might get a little busier from now on. It may be hard to even make time for meals for a while.”

“It’s because of the election, right?”

“Yes. I’ll try my best to make time, but I wanted to tell you in advance so you wouldn’t misunderstand.”

As he said this, his expression looked even more regretful than hers.

With the sudden preparations for the election, it was obvious things would get hectic.

Even her grandfather was rushing through his schedule, carving out just enough time in the morning to be with her.

Because Georgiana understood, she wasn’t upset.

Instead, she wanted to hear one thing clearly from him before things got too busy.

“If you’re going to be busy, it can’t be helped. I’m okay.”

“I’m absolutely not okay.”

At her words, Locke immediately looked upset.

“I’ll make it okay.”

As he reached for his water, Georgiana replied casually.

“What? What do you mean…”

He looked confused, eyes darting around—and then she smiled.

“Locke, let’s get married.”

“……?”

“After the election, with Grandfather’s permission, of course.”

“……!”

“You’re not going to answer?”

Locke, frozen stiff, slowly nodded like a rusty farm tool.

Then his nodding sped up.

“Yes, yes… yes! Yes!”

Like a broken wind-up toy, Locke repeated “yes” over and over.