For the Lady's Wise Regression - Chapter 51

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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 51
Well…… they say there’s always a proper time for marriage, so perhaps sparks flew in this brief window.
I’d worried what would happen if this were a marriage his friend pushed him toward.
But there’s no need for that concern.
If it’s Ian I know, he would never let Vanessa go.
For Kirious, the longer the two of them spent together, the better.
The more time Ian Ruscliff devoted to Vanessa Sharoze, the less likely he’d find reason to come north.
The problem was simply that she possessed too much understanding.
Look at her now.
Her husband casually mentions bringing his friend along on their honeymoon, and rather than feeling hurt, she’s actually curious about the medicinal herbs for his business ventures.
There was someone else he’d needed to target all along.
Vanessa Sharoze.
She needed to tell Ian that the two of them should spend time alone together—friend or no friend.
That fool would naturally agree.
He was putty in Vanessa’s hands.
Once that was arranged, regaining his freedom would be simple.
Right then. All I need to do is change her mind?
Kirious smiled to himself, as if assuring himself not to worry.
“When you return after your travels, I’ll show you our Herb Garden.”
“Are the medicinal herbs cultivated there?”
“More precisely, it’s closer to the entire forest…… but the plants I tend to grow have their own section, which I manage periodically.”
“Ah, I see. I’m not very knowledgeable about medicinal herbs, I’m afraid.”
“Not to worry. But showing you only that wouldn’t qualify as a wedding gift, so…….”
Kirious met her gaze, his eyes narrowing deliberately.
“I’d like to give you some of those herbs. Your father would benefit greatly if he brewed them. Ian is terribly insensitive about such things.”
“Is it a medicinal herb that helps restore vital energy?”
“It’s more effective than you might imagine.”
At his words, Vanessa offered a faint smile in return.
Wasn’t it a friend’s duty to fill in what the other lacked?
Kirious had brought up Ian’s father-in-law—someone Ian himself had carelessly overlooked—and…….
The effect was unmistakable.
“I never knew you would think of my father…… then, I’ll gratefully accept. It may be presumptuous, but if there’s anything I can do to help you, please don’t hesitate to tell me.”
Look at that light in her eyes.
Suspicion had vanished entirely, leaving only genuine joy.
Yes. What else could this be if not touching?
Her husband’s friend—not even her husband himself—had thought of her father.
It seemed he’d scored considerable points indeed.
Kirious forcibly suppressed the corners of his mouth that threatened to rise.
Showing joy here would mark him as an amateur.
A true master always acted as though he’d never considered such a thing before hearing it.
“That…….”
Kirious blinked awkwardly.
“Then…… well, that crazy—I mean…… I wish your husband could spend more time with you.”
“Pardon? Ah…….”
Vanessa suddenly broke into laughter.
“I stayed quiet, worried I might be in the way, but it seems I’ve put you in an uncomfortable position. I understand now.”
Perhaps because it was a mutually beneficial arrangement?
‘Quick to pick up on things,’ she thought.
‘Quick to pick up on things,’ he thought.
Vanessa and Kirious faced each other, both wearing satisfied smiles.
***
He’d given her the Sedative Herb, and all he’d asked in return was that she help him control Ian.
It seemed that had caused him genuine difficulty.
For him to make such a request of her, no less.
“Ian.”
‘If we go together, that crazy—I mean, Ian might misunderstand.’
His five-minute display of decorum only lasted while asking favors or after training with Ian, and Kirious had soon reverted to his usual speech before adding, “I’ll arrive late, even if people talk about me. Why don’t you go on ahead, Duchess?”
‘I’ll arrive late, even if I take some criticism. Please go ahead first, Duchess.’
Vanessa left Kirious where he stood and stepped outside, calling to Ian, who waited motionless at the entrance to the Hot Spring.
“Ian, have you been waiting long? Sorry—I got excited since it was my first time at a hot spring.”
“Not particularly. But did you like it?”
His gaze settled on Vanessa’s hair, still damp from the water.
“Yeah. I’d want to come back again next time.”
……
“By the way, how is Kirious?”
……
“Ian?”
“…… Just a moment.”
Ian stepped slowly around behind Vanessa, who had tilted her head in confusion.
“…… What are you—”
“Your clothes might get wet.”
As his hand brushed the nape of her neck, Vanessa flinched, her body trembling.
‘That startled me……’
While Vanessa steadied her breathing, caught off guard by the unexpected contact, Ian carefully gathered her hair strand by strand in his hands.
“…… Ian?”
Why was he suddenly touching her hair?
As that thought crossed her mind, she heard a soft click near her ear.
Vanessa brought her hand to the back of her head and blinked.
Was that…… a hair pin?
Once her hair, which had fallen past her chest, was gathered neatly, the line from her neck down to her shoulders became starkly visible.
The moment Ian took in the sight, he let out a small cough, and simultaneously Vanessa turned around.
“I saw one nearby while waiting.”
“Oh, thanks……?”
“It’s nothing much.”
Despite his casual reply, Ian’s ears were gradually turning red.
He seemed embarrassed now that he’d actually done it.
But even so, how could this be?
That Ian Ruscliffe had tied her hair with his own hands……
Was it because the sudden gesture had caught her off guard?
Vanessa touched the hair pin with her fingers, the awkward atmosphere settling between them.
To be honest, given how strictly he’d laid down the no-contact rule, she’d assumed he had no romantic experience whatsoever, let alone any affection for her—— but he seemed surprisingly skilled at tying hair?
…… His hands were quite deft, weren’t they? She hadn’t known he had this side to him.
Looking down at Vanessa, who was examining the hair pin with an intent gaze, Ian released an inward sigh of relief.
‘Good. The practice paid off.’
He’d had his eye on the piece from the start.
The way it gleamed white seemed perfect for Vanessa Sharoze.
The problem was, Ian hadn’t known how to present it to her.
Simply handing it over seemed like she’d refuse, and doing it himself was fraught with pitfalls.
But the thought of being rejected was worse.
The certainty of disappointment if he offered it only to have her decline, or accept it and never wear it, was unbearable.
So in the end, he’d asked the merchant for advice.
‘…… I want to do it myself. It’s my first time.’
At that magical word—first time—the merchant had explained with enthusiasm and care, and Ian had tipped her generously in gold coins.
‘Why not practice on my hair instead? I don’t know how long the lady’s hair is, but if you practice on mine, you’ll look quite skilled by the time you do it for her.’
The offer tempted him slightly, but he’d declined.
Even for practice, he couldn’t bear to touch another woman’s hair.
After that, practice alone had been his only path forward, waiting without promise.
Truthfully, he’d harbored a secret wish that Vanessa would emerge a little later.
He didn’t want to do it clumsily.
“…… By the time his imagined skill level had become decent, he’d wanted her to appear soon.”
Still, he was satisfied.
He couldn’t speak for Vanessa, but at least to his own eye, it looked quite presentable for a first attempt.
After carefully touching the back of her head for some time, Vanessa lowered her hand.
“Thank you. My hair’s still damp, so I was thinking I should hurry back to the manor.”
The moment Ian saw her gentle smile, he’d almost thought, ‘If you’re all right with it, I’d like to tie it for you from now on——’ before he clamped his mouth shut.
‘Have you lost your mind, Ian Ruscliffe?’
If he kept this up, he’d need to inhale Sedative Herb constantly just to compose himself in front of her.
As it stood, he couldn’t even calm himself now, and his desires were overflowing.
His heart wanted to say yes a hundred times, a thousand times—that he would do it for her.
Biting down hard, Ian turned his self-reproach inward.
“It was only that I didn’t want to be seen wet in front of others. If I’m to become a Duchess and my clothes get soaked because my hair isn’t dry…….”
She’d spoken without thinking, and only then realized her eyes had shifted from their earlier softness.
“I see.”
His voice dropped in an instant, sliding past Ian like a cold wind.
“Your Highness, you look weary. Shall we return?”
Kirious appeared at just that moment, taking in the two of them standing amid the crisp evening air, and offered an awkward smile.
“Pardon? What about seeing the festival…….”
“Her hair isn’t dry yet. It seems someone’s worried that if a Duchess like her gets her clothes wet, it might look unseemly.”
“……I beg your pardon?”
Kirious looked between them—at Ian, who stood with a face full of regret, and then at Vanessa, whose mouth smiled while her eyes remained utterly cold—before nodding in resignation.
“To the manor, then.”

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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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