For the Lady's Wise Regression - Chapter 17

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 17
“It’s not that it’s useless, exactly. It’s more—why bother? There’s no reason for you to try to impress me. No need at all. And besides…… there’s no guarantee something like last time won’t happen again.”
When it came to revenge, I wanted to avoid situations that might rake up old wounds for no reason.
So I’d said it partly to lighten the weight on my own conscience, but why…….
Every word was becoming a dagger, each one finding its mark in that wounded expression.
“If you’re talking about when I ran into Callaire Leonard, back then I……”
“No. From your position, it makes perfect sense. If anything, I’m the one who should apologize—I lost control of my emotions and acted recklessly.”
Ian’s eyes widened in surprise at the apology, then settled into something bitter.
“So…… we just go back the way we were?”
Part of me wanted to tell him yes…….
‘God, really.’
I should be giving him that usual look—bored to death with everything.
Why does he look hurt instead?
‘Did he never once think this marriage was just a transaction?’
No, it was a contract, wasn’t it? Loaded with conditions.
That’s what a deal is. What, do people in love suddenly have to follow rules like these?
……I’d only stated facts, but seeing him slouch in a way that wasn’t like him at all, I felt like a criminal without meaning to be.
If we parted like this, the aftertaste would linger bitter all the way until the wedding…….
Vanessa swallowed a sigh.
Fine. A date, then. After all, I had some responsibility for ruining that one too.
“……Since we’re here anyway, why don’t we go to the place we didn’t make it to last time.”
“All right.”
His answer came without hesitation, and somehow it was I who felt thrown off.
I’d thought he’d refuse. But he’s accepting this?
……He really is impossible to read.
Fine, let’s go. Honestly, it feels like a waste of time, but what can I do.
There’s no one watching from around here, so just as I was about to climb into the carriage——
“……Ahem.”
Ian’s hand appeared before my eyes, extended.
Reddened ears.
A hand taut with tension.
Eyes that looked away, embarrassed.
It was perfectly, utterly unbearable.
For Ian Ruscliff’s image to shatter like this inside me——!
Please, just keep up the dignity of a bachelor duke…….
Just do what you always do…….
***
“……Is this where you wanted to come?”
Vanessa had arrived at Artisan’s Workshop Street, tucked away in the heart of Pommelde.
This was a place where one could experience all manner of crafts, and whether it was rings or bracelets, once you’d done the initial work, a craftsman would finish the piece—which made it a popular date spot among lovers.
You could have it made for half the price of something bought in a shop, and imbue it with meaning while creating memories besides.
Moreover, if you brought your own materials, they’d work those in too, making it all the more meaningful.
‘I’m glad I brought it along.’
Vanessa fingered the pouch and moved forward without hesitation.
“……I’ve been curious since before—that thing in your hand, you’ve had it since the Mansion entrance, haven’t you?”
“This? Yeah, that’s right. Why?”
“How did you know we’d come here…….”
“You predicted it?”
Ian nodded silently at my question.
“From the moment you got down with Dia.”
“…….”
“Why?”
“A betrothal gift, even…… isn’t the transaction being a bit too kind to the other party…….”
Ian met my expression—as if to say what an odd thing to say—and pressed his lips shut.
‘Did the word transaction bother him?’
When I’d brought up the word contract, he’d seemed angry, saying we couldn’t draw a line like that, so I’d tried to soften the language as much as possible, but today he’s really strange.
It would be easier to deal with him if he’d act the way he did when listing conditions without hesitation.
Now it feels more like facing a ball bouncing in an unpredictable direction, which only makes it harder to manage.
“Ian.”
My call drew his silent gaze toward me.
“I was just preparing things we’d need for the date.”
“…….”
“You’ll understand what it’s for once we get there.”
Only then did Ian’s expression soften somewhat.
Though “softened” only meant it shifted from dull to less dull.
Having coaxed Ian along this way, they arrived at the Ring-Making Workshop.
I’d chosen this place because the Craftsman here was apparently the only one who’d also learned the Engraving Technique.
And thanks to that Engraving Technique, this workshop alone received fewer customers than the others in Pommelde.
Because what they made here cost more than what you could buy ready-made on the market.
“Let’s go in.”
Ian nodded and, after glancing at the shop sign, followed Vanessa inside.
“The design is…… Yes, that should work. The jewels go here…… and on the inside of the ring…… Ian! Are you going to have names engraved?”
“Just the first name. No surname.”
“I’ll ask for the name to be engraved.”
After verifying the entire explanation visually, the Craftsman sketched the ring design I’d described onto paper, then scribbled something beside it.
Looking at the figure written down, I finally understood why ready-made rings sold in shops were cheaper.
Two rings cost more than the single large Diamond Ring Callaire had given me in my previous life.
“What if we add the Same-Day Fabrication fee?”
A single question doubled the price.
“Cancel the same-day fabrication. I’ll come back and pick them up when they’re done.”
At Ian’s quiet words, the amount returned to its original figure.
The Craftsman tapped the sum written on the paper with his index finger.
“We’ll do it that way.”
At Vanessa’s agreement, the Craftsman pointed deeper into the workshop with his index finger.
“Come on, Ian. Looks like we can watch them make it inside.”
Following the Craftsman’s gesture, the interior of the workshop lay far from the entrance.
Vanessa surveyed the neatly arranged workshop table.
This was why the workshop had earned such a distinctive reputation in Pommelde.
First: the cost of fabrication exceeded that of jewelry owned by most nobility.
Second: the Craftsman’s ears were open, but he couldn’t speak.
Third: no matter how clumsy one’s hands might be, the finished product always turned out remarkably well.
Because of these three reasons, this place was known as a noble’s date destination.
Whatever was made here, the rings would surely come out exactly as I’d first described them.
For two rings, the sum was considerable, but compared to the money I’d need to spend to bring down the Marquis Leonard Family, it was pocket change.
“How is it? Quiet enough?”
“It is.”
“Further inside, they say there are books and refreshments for tea time.”
“Is that from experience?”
Though I’d phrased it indirectly, it was essentially asking whether I’d been here before with Callaire.
Vanessa shook her head.
“Hardly. I just heard about it. You know Ernasilla, the young lady who’s marrying the second son of the Earl Gidion Family in the South?”
“The Gidion line…… they’re a distant branch of the Duke Cheliago Family, aren’t they.”
“Yes. Apparently Ernasilla’s wish was to make her own wedding rings here, so that’s what she did.”
More precisely, I’d seen an article that read: ‘I had my wedding ring custom-made at a workshop on Artisan’s Workshop Street in Pommelde. That’s right—the place called a noble’s date destination. It was my wish. To wear rings that no one else in the world possesses, rings that hold the effort of us both together.’ That’s what was written.
In my previous life.
“……Surely the Earl Gidion would have had a set budget for the wedding?”
At Ian’s blunt question, Vanessa paused.
This is when it really hits home—that I’ve returned to the past.
I know what tragedy eventually befalls them, but I never learned the details.
Back then, I was too busy hurriedly preparing my own wedding with Callaire to pay attention.
So it was just something I vaguely recalled happening…… but from his reaction, it seems there’s more to their marriage than that?
‘……This is probably just my imagination, but possibly.’
Vanessa swallowed dryly, careful not to let it show, and began to speak.
“The Duke Cheliago apparently gave the wedding gift to the second son of the Earl Gidion Family in advance. I think they used that money.”
“The Duke Cheliago? ……Even if they’re a distant branch, they are family, so perhaps.”
“But would the second son of an earl really choose to become a son-in-law and move into his wife’s household?”
“If there’s no heir to inherit the title, that could be the marriage condition.”
“But I don’t think the Earl Gidion Family would have accepted such a condition without some compensation…… there must be something more, don’t you think?”
The flow of their conversation came to an abrupt halt.
In that silence, Vanessa became certain.
You know.
What sort of dealings have passed between them.
She glanced sideways and found Ian’s eyes already on hers.
‘Is he thinking the same thing? Or….’

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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