I Proposed to My Childhood Friend After Regressing - Chapter 74

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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
Episode 74
“Right now, you…….”
Beatrice didn’t miss the rare moment when Clyde stumbled over his words.
Like a meticulous butler trimming a cat’s claws the instant it loses focus, she seized the opening and launched into a full account of everything that had happened.
‘I’ve been practicing how to summarize this at home for just this moment!’
This was what it meant to be prepared.
Beatrice explained the situation with fluent precision, then quoted something he’d said to her long ago at a cafe.
“You said it yourself back then, didn’t you? That even with regression happening, couldn’t a ghost possess someone? Who would’ve thought that was actually real.”
…….
Clyde, who hadn’t uttered a single word while she recounted the details, finally spoke in a quiet voice.
“……And you believed it?”
“Yes.”
“So that’s why you agreed to join hands with Valois.”
“Yes.”
At her clean affirmation without a shred of hesitation, Clyde closed his eyes briefly and swallowed his words.
Seeing his reaction, Beatrice added something with a slightly aggrieved expression.
“I mean, of course I didn’t believe it at first. But the more details matched up, the more everything I’d been questioning fell into place.”
…….
“More than anything…….”
Beatrice paused slightly, then spoke again in a serious voice.
“That person truly, genuinely wanted to go home.”
…….
“I believe Valois could never pull off that expression, that look in his eyes, that tone of voice. He wouldn’t even understand a heart like that.”
At Beatrice’s conviction, Clyde let out a low sigh.
Not one tinged with contempt or exasperation, but the sigh of someone facing a troublesome situation.
“……So what did you agree to exchange?”
“Hm?”
“You wouldn’t have just agreed to join hands without any terms. Not with someone who’s been hiding their identity all this time.”
“Ah. That.”
Beatrice relayed both the initial proposal she’d heard and the final agreement they’d reached.
Including, with a touch of her own bias, her thoughts on Valois.
“At first, she wanted to just hold hands through this wedding ceremony. In return, she asked for the Empress’s Disguise Glasses.”
…….
“But her real wish is to go home. So if I can find her a way, she agreed to keep helping me until then.”
…….
“I don’t know what you’ll think, but from talking with her, I got the sense she’s not a bad person.”
She particularly liked how Valois spoke of Valois.
Clyde rubbed his temples as if his head ached, his voice noticeably softer than before.
“You wouldn’t speak that way without good reason. But I still can’t bring myself to trust that person.”
Beatrice quickly nodded. She hadn’t expected him to fully believe her right now anyway.
‘This is an absurd enough situation as it is.’
Clyde had never even properly seen the changed Valois—how could he believe everything just from her account?
Beatrice pushed some food across to him with a perfectly satisfied expression.
“That’s enough. Either way, I promised to give you an answer at the Marquis’s dinner invitation. You’ll be there too, so judge for yourself then.”
“……What if I still object at that point?”
“I trust my eyes, so I don’t think that will happen. But if you see Valois and still object, then there’s nothing to be done about it.”
Beatrice shrugged and held Clyde’s gaze.
“I told you, didn’t I? I don’t make decisions without you. It’ll be unfortunate, but if that’s what you decide, then I’ll have to refuse. Can’t help it.”
“You’d back down so cleanly? You, Beatrice?”
“Because I’m confident it won’t come to that. And besides, you agreed to do what I asked, so what’s all this fussing about? You’re being difficult.”
Perhaps because the relief of reconciliation had loosened her guard, the childish feelings she’d been holding back began to bubble up again.
Seeing Beatrice’s eyebrow twitch, Clyde quickly raised both hands in surrender.
Seeing that, Beatrice let out a light snort through her nose and flicked her fork with a huff.
“Right? You should’ve just listened to me from the start instead of being stubborn. Then you wouldn’t have skipped meals.”
“That’s……. Wait, how did you know I didn’t eat? Did Anna tell you?”
“I can tell just by looking at your face.”
She scanned him up and down, then stretched languidly before continuing.
“Still, I’m glad I didn’t have to use my last resort.”
“Your last resort?”
Instead of answering, Beatrice pulled a document from her sleeve.
She waved the thick bundle of papers in front of him with a nod.
“Something like a notarized agreement I received from the Empress today. Her opinion is that my contribution to resolving this Marquis Territory incident was 51 to 49—slightly higher than yours.”
“What?”
“Did you forget? Our wager? The loser becomes the winner’s attendant, remember? But because we handled the details differently yet resolved a single incident together, it was… ahem! …difficult to judge, so I asked the Empress for help.”
She was the Emperor’s closest political partner, after all.
The Empress, initially bewildered by the request, listened to the full story and made her judgment with a delighted laugh.
She told them to come find her whenever they wanted to lodge a protest.
It seemed she thought the two of them were endearingly looking out for each other throughout all the turmoil in the Marquis Territory.
“Anyway, if you’d kept arguing to the end, I was planning to present this and tell you that as my attendant, you have no say—just follow me around and do as I judge.”
…….
Clyde regarded her with an expression of utter disbelief, gave a light shake of his head, and took the papers from her hand.
“Hey, what are you doing?”
“Once you leave, I’ll look this over carefully and file an objection if needed.”
“Are you serious?”
Nimbly dodging Beatrice’s outstretched arm, he did exactly what she’d done—placed a finger food into her mouth.
“You must be hungry too. Eat this.”
…….
It was true. Beatrice had barely eaten properly either, too preoccupied with reconciling with Clyde and her promise with the Empress.
The savory, salty flavor spreading across her tongue gradually restored her appetite.
‘Mm, this really is delicious.’
The Dalton Duchy’s chef was truly exceptional.
Her eyes captured by the food, she reached out again for another dish.
And because she was so absorbed in eating…….
……Hmm.
She didn’t notice Clyde scanning the document with a peculiar expression.
It was the next morning when Beatrice realized something strange was unfolding.
The moment she opened her eyes in the familiar guest room where she always slept when staying at the mansion.
* * *
“Miss, it’s time to wake up.”
“……Um, Joan, just five more minutes… five more minutes…….”
“I’m afraid I’m not Joan.”
“……Huh? Oh, right……. I slept at the mansion yesterday……. Then Anna, can I sleep a little longer…….”
“I’m afraid not, Miss. The sun is already high in the sky.”
“No……. It’s not…….”
Pressing her face into her pillow with drowsy protests, she heard a soft laugh from beside her bed.
The laughter was far too deep to be Anna’s, so Beatrice slowly lifted her heavy eyelids.
Something felt oddly out of place even through her sleep-hazed mind.
As her eyes opened gradually, she felt herself snap awake the moment she saw who had called her.
“Are you awake now?”
“……Clyde?”
“Yes, Miss. That’s correct.”
It was none other than Clyde standing beside her bed in a perfectly tailored butler’s uniform.

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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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