I Proposed to My Childhood Friend After Regressing - Chapter 76

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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 the Regression, I Proposed to My Childhood Friend
Episode 76
Beatrice had confidently declared “Let’s go!” and swept toward the door, but she’d barely taken a few steps before she spun sharply on her heel.
“Wait.”
“Is something the matter, miss?”
“There is. I just realized we can’t go out like this.”
Beatrice murmured with a serious expression, her eyes traveling up and down Clyde’s frame.
Yes, that exterior was the problem.
It wasn’t uncommon for a noble lady to stroll through the city with a male attendant in tow—in fact, it was so common that it scarcely drew notice at all.
‘After all, the lady might acquire additional purchases while sightseeing, and one must take precautions for her safety.’
But that reasoning only held if the accompanying attendant was ‘ordinarily unremarkable.’
‘But what if the butler she’s walking around with looks like this?’
Beatrice was certain that everyone they encountered would stare.
Much as she hated to admit it, Clyde possessed not only a handsome face but also an aura that captivated people’s attention.
‘And once people catch glimpses of him like that, studying his features here and there, they’ll eventually think: wait a moment.’
That man… doesn’t he resemble Clyde Dalton?
And the moment that thought took hold, the entire social circle would erupt in gossip.
At home, one could do as one pleased as long as the servants kept quiet, but a noble appearing in attendant’s dress while serving his own wife in public…
‘That would be rather difficult.’
It would be precisely the sort of scandal that dragged a noble family’s reputation through the mud.
‘If I’d known this would happen, I could’ve brought the Empress’s glasses—or failing that, Father’s perception-obscuring spectacles. Wait, no… hold on.’
Beatrice’s eyes narrowed as she fixed her gaze on Clyde.
“Clyde, stop playing games and hand it over.”
“I’m not sure I follow, miss.”
“No, don’t give it to me—put it on yourself.”
Beatrice tilted her chin with absolute certainty in her eyes.
“You said you were sorry, but the fact that you volunteered to play an attendant and made this request now—that means you wanted to try something while looking like this. And you made that request right after I brought up the wedding, no less.”
“…….”
“You wouldn’t have suggested we go out just like that. You’ve prepared disguises, haven’t you? You’ve already had my house send over the glasses?”
At Beatrice’s deduction, Clyde broke into a playful smile and clapped his hands lightly.
“Magnificent, miss. Your skill at discerning intent has improved considerably, hasn’t it?”
“Someone’s been making secret plans and trying to manipulate people, so that’s what happens.”
“Oh, that’s slander, miss.”
“And you know exactly who I mean, so don’t call it slander.”
At Beatrice’s counterattack, Clyde finally broke into genuine laughter.
He picked up the glasses from the tea tray and, as if obeying her command, put them on before speaking.
“It seems Princess Elodie hasn’t revealed her ambitions to my brother yet. Even he knows nothing beyond the reason she’s been stating publicly.”
“That thing about seeing our wedding?”
“That’s right.”
Beatrice didn’t miss the bitter expression that flickered across Clyde’s face.
The reason was painfully obvious without being said.
‘He tried not to show it, but he must have seen how genuinely happy your brother was.’
Because he was treating Princess Elodie with genuine affection.
Just as her heart began to grow heavy, Clyde continued.
“But I did glean one clue about the princess’s psychology. Apparently, Her Highness’s preferences regarding the wedding ceremony have changed.”
“Her wedding preferences?”
“Yes. Previously, she said her dream was a sacred ceremony, and she wanted everything—the venue, the officiant—to follow the Church Ceremony. But now, it seems, she’s suddenly changed her mind and wants to proceed according to Imperial Traditional Method instead.”
“Hmm…….”
“Since the wedding was arranged sooner than scheduled, this approach would be faster to execute. And she did say that as a princess, she wanted to bid herself farewell…….”
“I see…….”
Neither spoke, yet both wore the same expression.
Beatrice was certain they were thinking the same thing.
‘The crown prince must want to keep his head down now that the Downer Territory’s problem is resolved.’
Reducing any connection to the Religious Order, erasing any lingering suspicion through marriage.
The thought sent a chill down her spine.
If she didn’t have her memories from before the regression, she too would have accepted it like Kaerun did.
When examined individually, each event had its own plausible explanation, and none seemed particularly connected.
In fact, before the regression, hadn’t she only suspected later that the princess had made a pact with the Religious Order?
‘But fortunately, this time is different.’
Just as magic appears differently once you know the trick, Beatrice now had an inkling of the princess’s true intentions.
“You don’t think that’s all of it, do you, Clyde?”
“Using it merely to reduce risk factors seems wasteful of the Dalton Duchy’s name and reputation.”
“Then what else could she be doing…….”
“If I were the princess, I’d hide in the shadows while everyone believed I’d withdrawn, cover my mistakes, and prepare for what comes next.”
Because the station of princess was, in certain respects, an exceedingly cumbersome shackle.
Combining his suggestion to go sightseeing, everything that had transpired so far, and her conversation with the princess, her eyes widened.
The conclusion formed: the princess might be moving far more dangerously and boldly than anyone realized.
Realizing that Beatrice had reached the same conclusion, Clyde placed the remaining glasses on her face and spoke.
“So then, miss, I would appreciate it if you’d accompany me on today’s outing not as Beatrice Hartwell, but as Lia Kruger. I shall be your attendant and butler, Ben.”
“…….”
Watching Clyde—or rather, Ben—smile with cool amusement, Beatrice reluctantly extended her hand.
Perhaps because they’d held hands so often lately due to others’ stares, she reflexively moved to grasp his, then pulled back and spoke instead.
“No, not your hand—the wig. Lia Kruger doesn’t have this hair color.”
“……Oh.”
“And Ben. Don’t rely on magic alone—apply more makeup. Going on such a dangerous investigation while underestimating your own face is reckless.”
Beatrice left Clyde standing there, staring blankly at the hand she’d offered, and briskly called for Anna instead.
It was finally time to show Clyde Dalton what an experienced operative looked like.
* * *
“Ben! Come on, let’s go into that shop too.”
“Miss, you made a similar remark just moments ago.”
“We don’t have time! Hurry!”
Seizing the lapel of Clyde’s coat, weighed down with parcels, Beatrice hurried into the shop.
The scenario the two had concocted today was simple.
A noble lady eager to savor the capital before returning to her estate, and a butler too dutiful to refuse, being dragged along.
“Miss, at this rate you’ll exceed your budget.”
“It’s fine! The Marquis said he’d help anytime.”
Beatrice closed her eyes and sampled a perfume, casually fabricating Downer’s words.
Of course, she was really just taking a brief rest under the guise of appreciating the scent!
‘I’m absolutely dying.’
Shoe shops, accessory boutiques, pastry shops, bookstores, perfumeries—they’d already visited more than a dozen establishments today.
Her legs were growing heavy, and her eyes felt glazed.
‘If I had my way, I’d just stop by the places Elodie visited and be done with it…….’
But the route would be far too obvious.
‘Still, we’ve found something worthwhile.’
Princess Elodie had purchased jewels not only at the craftsman’s workshop she’d mentioned to Beatrice, but also at separate jewelers. She’d claimed she was doing so in case something went wrong with her initial order.
‘For the same reason, she bought jewels with high liquidity.’
But this could also mean the princess had secretly secured assets she could convert to cash at any moment.
The ways to spirit jewels away were infinite.
‘After all, jewelry doesn’t require the exact amount of gems that were originally purchased.’
As Beatrice entertained the sinister possibility, her brow furrowed.
It was then that a cool voice called to her, along with a drink.
“Miss, are you quite all right?”

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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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