I Proposed to My Childhood Friend After Regressing - Chapter 103

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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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After Regression, I Proposed to My Childhood Friend
Chapter 103
The propriety she always emphasized had vanished without a trace.
Embarrassed by her family’s behavior, Beatrice shook her head rapidly as she answered.
“No, it’s really not like that!”
“You wouldn’t come home for something so trivial—that’s why we’re surprised!”
“That is…….”
Unable to find her words, Beatrice let out a snort of exasperation, and Carlyle opened his mouth.
“From the look on your face, it doesn’t seem like nothing. You just ran away because you were dying of embarrassment, didn’t you?”
“And another thing—our house isn’t the backyard of the Mansion, so how does it make sense for you to run all the way here?”
…….
That was exactly right.
While Beatrice was struggling with what to do, Ian, who had been observing her carefully, handed her a glass of milk and spoke gently.
It seemed he’d concluded from his close inspection that there was nothing to worry about.
“It’s alright, Beatrice. They’re just surprised because you seem so different from usual.”
“Mm……. I suppose that must be it…….”
“At least it doesn’t seem like anything serious. But why did you suddenly come out? You’re not planning to go somewhere, are you?”
“No, nothing like that. Just… I was looking for Joanna……. I thought it might be good to do some skincare before bed.”
Hearing Beatrice’s voice grow smaller, the Earl, who still wore a skeptical expression, regarded her with bewilderment.
“Skincare? You’ve never cared about that before……. What, did Clyde say something critical? Not that he would, but……!”
This wouldn’t do.
Fearing the same words would keep repeating, Beatrice raised both hands and volunteered the truth—with a touch of embellishment.
She couldn’t very well tell her family that the two of them had been in something like a Contract Marriage, and had only just begun to care for each other!
“……I thought it was too soon for us to be alone together yet. It seems neither Clyde nor I are ready.”
…….
“The skincare is just… because Clyde asked me to go on a date with him tomorrow…….”
“……Ah?”
At the peculiar expressions blooming on her family’s faces, she drew a deep breath and quickly ushered them out.
“That’s enough, isn’t it? Come on, disperse, disperse! I mean, there are things even more embarrassing to do in front of family, so what is this really!”
“Ahem! Well, I see. If you need anything, tell your mother…….”
“Stop being so interested in our affairs! Why are you all making such a fuss?”
“Ah, so as the youngest, you’re getting married before anyone?”
“It’s because your brother doesn’t show any signs of romance!”
Pushing her family out while chiding them, Beatrice found herself smiling without quite meaning to.
Was it because she’d remembered something from before the Regression?
She didn’t entirely dislike her family making a fuss over such small things.
Beatrice quietly took in the sight of her family, being pushed out while making excuses.
Carlyle grumbling that his logic had been sound, Ian soothing him by saying there was nothing to worry about.
Her mother looking faintly embarrassed, her father’s complexion noticeably brighter than before.
‘Before the Regression, there was truly nothing left.’
This household itself had been their grand tombstone. They hadn’t even been able to find common heirlooms or remains.
As Beatrice recalled the memory of wandering here in search of her family, she called out to them without thinking.
“Mother, Father. And brother.”
“Hmm?”
Familiar eyes turned toward her all at once.
Only then did she realize she’d called them back, and she blinked rapidly before changing her mind.
This was actually a good opportunity.
If she spoke to them now about anything at all, they would simply regard it as ‘the youngest’s love troubles.’
‘Of course, after investigating since the Regression, I’ve found that the Princess hasn’t yet reached out to our household… but you never know.’
Besides, this matter was related to her safety in any case.
Since Kaelyun had advised her to reveal everything once he found evidence, it seemed she could drop some hints now.
Especially now that word of Princess Elodie’s ‘Kidnapping’ had swept through High Society.
“Beatrice, what is it?”
“Ah, well…….”
Faced with her silence, the Earl’s Household members exchanged bewildered looks.
Beatrice took a moment to choose her words, then gathered her family closer. Lowering her voice, she spoke.
“……It’s a bit awkward to bring this up suddenly while we’re talking about me and Clyde, but…….”
“What is it?”
“Just… if the Duke or the Duchess suddenly request a meeting soon, don’t be too startled. And please don’t worry about me.”
“What are you talking about? Why would we worry about you?”
“There’s so much holding me back from telling you everything right now. The place isn’t right, and the story is far too long. Hmm…….”
Beatrice exhaled sharply as she considered what explanation would sound most plausible, then nodded.
“Basically, it was Clyde and Kaelyun who spread the word about the Princess’s Kidnapping throughout High Society. And that kidnapping is all an act.”
“……What? Then it’s something someone orchestrated? How do you know that?”
“That’s an incredibly complicated story! Just know that much for now. Kaelyun said he would explain everything to the Duke and Duchess, so you might be hearing from them soon. I hadn’t meant to tell you now……. I was worried you might be shocked if you heard suddenly.”
There had been the matter with Valois recently, after all.
The Earl, his wife, and Ian didn’t miss the words Beatrice had uttered under her breath.
Beatrice quickly caught their reaction, watching as the three of them seemed to grow more troubled, then turned her head toward Carlyle, who stood there tilting his head in confusion.
“Wait, I’m the only one who doesn’t understand? What does the kidnapping have to do with your safety, and why do the Duchy people want to meet with us? You didn’t kidnap the Princess, did you?”
“……I really love how innocent you are, brother!”
She tapped Carlyle’s shoulder affectionately, then smiled as she addressed him.
“You go with me and Joanna and get some skincare! A man’s skin is everything.”
“Don’t embarrass me with sudden praise. Well, alright. When I saw Clyde today, I thought he was doing that sort of thing.”
Watching Carlyle trail after her, Beatrice slightly revised the thought she’d had in the room.
Compared to Carlyle, Clyde was truly a dependable fellow Regressor to have by her side.
* * *
“Joanna, what time is it?”
“It’s five fifty.”
“……Joanna, what time is it now?”
“It’s five fifty.”
Listening to Joanna’s answer, Beatrice anxiously studied herself in the mirror.
Her hair was braided elegantly and adorned with flowers, and the Sky Blue Dress she’d chosen with care looked quite good even to her own eye.
After glancing in the mirror once more and blinking rapidly, Beatrice turned her head sharply toward Joanna in her anxiety.
“Joanna.”
“No, absolutely not!”
“……I haven’t even said anything yet.”
“You’re about to ask me the time again, aren’t you! Miss, do you know how many times you’ve asked since five o’clock? Sixteen times!”
Joanna shook her head firmly, brooking no argument, but seeing Beatrice’s pouty expression, she let out a small sigh and told her the time anyway.
“……Five fifty-three. I’m really not answering anymore.”
“Understood.”
Joanna’s voice was thick with exhaustion.
In all her years of service, she’d never had a day quite so demanding, and Beatrice laughed softly at her pouting before biting her lower lip playfully.
Then, in a teasing voice, she called out to Joanna again.
“Joanna.”
“Five fifty-four.”
This time, the answer came before Beatrice had even finished asking. The only difference was that the voice delivering it was far too deep to belong to Joanna.
At the sound of that achingly familiar voice, she turned her head quickly and found Clyde standing there, dressed with greater care than ever before, holding flowers.
The flowers made him luminous and radiant as he looked at Beatrice and smiled softly.
“I’ve come to pick you up, Beatrice.”

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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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