I Proposed to My Childhood Friend After Regressing - Chapter 77

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

After Regression, I Proposed to My Childhood Friend
Chapter 77
“Oh? Well, then!”
Clyde pressed a cool drink into her hand, then leaned forward slightly to study her complexion.
“You look tired, if I may say so. Wouldn’t it be better to rest in the carriage for a while before we continue?”
“Oh, no—I’m fine.”
Beatrice waved her hand quickly. They were almost finished now. She had no desire to postpone things when all that remained was confirming the escort arrangements.
“I just got thirsty for a moment, but I feel better now that I’ve had something to drink. While I’m thinking of it, buy me one of these perfumes, would you?”
“Of course. However….”
Clyde picked up her thread with practiced ease.
“It might be good to move our luggage to the carriage in one go. If you don’t mind, perhaps this would be a good time for you to change into fresh shoes as well?”
……
“You’ve been putting less weight on your left foot for a while now. It seems to be bothering you. There are spare shoes in the carriage.”
Beatrice started slightly as he knelt to examine her feet.
In that moment, Clyde closed the distance between them naturally and soothed her with the gentleness of a true butler.
“Of course, I did suggest this outing partly to gather information, but I would be remiss as your servant if I let you exhaust yourself like this.”
……
“I’m not saying you shouldn’t make use of me, but now that we have the chance, I think you deserve to enjoy yourself a little. What do you think?”
“Ahem!”
Was he not working her hard enough, then?
Beatrice found herself clearing her throat at Clyde’s unexpectedly earnest manner.
“……All right, fine. Drinking in the street does look odd anyway. A short rest in the carriage won’t hurt.”
“An excellent decision. Shall I wait just a moment?”
It was just as Clyde turned to purchase the perfume Beatrice had chosen.
A noblewoman browsing nearby suddenly approached her.
“Good afternoon, Miss. I hope I’m not intruding, but do you have a moment?”
“Oh, yes, of course. Good afternoon.”
“I’m Charles of House Renea. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“I’m Lia Kruger. The pleasure is mine.”
“Actually, I’ve been watching you since the moment you entered this shop… and I must say, your butler’s training is quite exceptional.”
“Oh, is it?”
“It may be forward of me to ask on such short acquaintance, but might I inquire which house or institution provided his training? Someone of that caliber surely comes from a place where there are many talented servants to be found.”
Beatrice was momentarily caught off guard by the question from the fan-bearing woman. She had never imagined someone would admire his manner rather than her appearance.
‘Wait, how am I supposed to answer that?’
House Dalton, House Hartwell, and even the prestigious academy that had produced exceptional servants for generations—countless possibilities flickered through her mind and vanished.
In high society, even the smallest whisper could spiral into a tempest.
Beatrice’s mind worked quickly, and her eyes brightened as she composed a slightly rueful expression.
“I’m afraid I must disappoint you, Miss. The truth is… Ben has no formal institution behind him. I picked him up as a child.”
“My!”
The woman glanced at Clyde, who was conversing with the shopkeeper, clearly taken aback, and sighed with genuine regret.
“No wonder he seemed so devoted…. What a shame. As you surely know, finding decent help these days is like plucking a star from the sky. I’m quite envious.”
“You’re too kind.”
“I mean every word. Though I must admit, loyalty that intense can be a bit risky. Just yesterday I happened to encounter the princess Elodie, and she….”
……Who?
At the abrupt mention of a princess, Beatrice’s eyes widened—only for Charles to flutter her fan with an embarrassed smile.
“Oh dear, I seem to have misspoken….”
“Miss!”
“Ah, my servant has come to collect me. Well then, Miss, thank you ever so much for the conversation. I do hope the rest of your day is pleasant!”
Before Beatrice could even react, the noblewoman had already departed.
‘What on earth….’
Did something happen yesterday?
‘I haven’t heard anything unusual… Damn it, if I’d known, I would have checked whether Caelunn was at the Ducal House before we left!’
As her thoughts grew tangled, Beatrice found herself staring into empty air.
“Miss? Shall we go?”
Clyde approached with the wrapped perfume and naturally offered her his arm.
His gesture made it clear she should lean on him for difficulty walking, and several noblewoman in the shop turned their eyes toward them once more.
‘Oh no.’
If this continued, someone else would surely try to strike up conversation.
Beatrice cut short her thoughts and quickly placed her hand on his arm.
Whether Clyde knew her mind or not, he fixed her hand more firmly with his other hand and spoke tenderly.
“Miss, it would be better if you leaned on me properly. I’m worried you might stumble and hurt yourself.”
……
Beatrice noticed the slight upward curve of his lips and the slight squint of his eyes, and narrowed her own in irritation.
“……You’re clearly enjoying this.”
“I’m not sure what you mean, Miss.”
“This is so irritating.”
He was the one who’d lost the wager and become her servant, so why did she feel like she was the one being tossed about?
Chuckling softly, he escorted her to the carriage and climbed in after her.
The moment Beatrice saw Clyde close the carriage door and draw the curtains shut….
“Uhhh….”
She kicked off her shoes carelessly and collapsed onto the sofa like a rag doll. At the sight of her completely drained state, Clyde shook his head and spoke.
“And yet you said you didn’t want to rest in the carriage?”
“Quiet. And stop being so terse, butler.”
“Of course. If that’s what you wish, I shall adjust my manner of speech accordingly.”
“Ugh…. Why do you recover so quickly and shift gears so smoothly? It’s aggravating.”
Clyde let out another laugh at the dissatisfaction written all over Beatrice’s face.
After a moment, he removed his glasses to adjust his hair and makeup, then set her scattered shoes neatly in place before speaking.
“All that’s left is arranging additional mercenaries and Knight Order personnel, so you should rest here.”
“Huh? You’re going alone?”
“Servants usually go to such places alone anyway. So rest. Dane and Anna are in the driver’s seat, so call if you need anything.”
“……Then at least let’s travel together as far as that location.”
“As you wish.”
Even at his practiced response this time, a slight frown crossed Beatrice’s face.
‘This isn’t what I wanted at all!’
The wager itself had been made precisely because she wanted to see Clyde awkward and flustered as a servant.
What could she call it—wanting to see him in an embarrassing position? Wanting to trip him up a little?
‘I want to crack that composed demeanor of his!’
Yes, that was it exactly.
But Clyde’s current behavior was the complete opposite of what she wanted.
Once this outing ended, this ridiculous role-play would be over anyway….
Beatrice’s eyes took on a steely look.
Somehow, she wanted to shatter his composure at least once.
‘……Is there anything I can use?’
As she racked her brain, she suddenly lifted her head as if struck by inspiration.
“Say, servant Clyde?”
“Yes, Miss?”
“My leg hurts.”
……
Swinging her leg ostentatiously, Beatrice offered a sly smile.
She thought this might finally make Clyde Dalton a bit flustered.
But as if he had already read her transparent intentions, Clyde sighed softly, moved to sit beside her, and boldly patted his own thigh as he spoke.
“Very well. Let me have your leg up on my lap.”
“W-what, what, what?”
“You said your leg hurts. I shall massage it for you.”

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