The Isolated Marchioness Just Wants to Make a Living - Chapter 270

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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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Part 2, Episode 75
Silence fell.
Well, it couldn’t be helped. But the warmth of the dog’s body as it carefully rested its cheek against my arm was far more comforting than any words could be.
“This is my long-standing fear, Leopold—my greatest weakness. Honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever overcome it. Perhaps not in my whole life.”
To the raw sincerity I’d barely managed to voice, small paws gently patted my hand.
As the rain pattered steadily against the window, my frantic heartbeat gradually calmed to match that steady, soothing rhythm.
After some time had passed, I whispered carefully to Leopold.
“Um, Leopold. If there’s something you want to say, I could transform you into human form…”
The small dog looked up at me and shook his head.
Rather relieved, I spoke quickly.
“Is that so? Then let’s talk whenever you feel like it.”
But then he lifted a front paw to the foggy window and began writing something.
“…What?”
I knew long sentences would be difficult, but what Baekgu had written so briefly was shocking.
[Undress]
I stared blankly at the window before speaking.
“I understand. You don’t want to transform alone and naked inside the carriage. It’s rather sudden, but if you’re raising the matter of fairness like this, I’ll undress first and then—”
“Arr-arr-arr-arr!”
Suddenly the dog barked fiercely and tapped my shoulder with a front paw. At the same moment, Maximus’s coat fell away.
“Oh.”
It was the garment Maximus had draped over me after I’d mentioned being cold earlier, rather than Alpheus.
To be honest, it was true that I was cold, and then things kept happening afterward—I’d even forgotten I was wearing Maximus’s coat.
Baekgu picked up the shirt with his mouth and spat it far away. He must have found it quite irritating all this time.
After that, Baekgu sat back on my lap with a smug expression, resting his head on his front paws.
An awkward silence settled over us again.
I decided to defend myself.
“Um, Leopold? The Young Duke’s feelings for me aren’t my fault, are they? I didn’t even meet the Young Duke while you were gone. The same goes for Gillabrang—I paid them no mind.”
Though there was no particular response, I added a few more words to reassure him.
“You know. The Young Duke would never push his feelings on anyone. Just now he overreacted because of Silvia’s perfume, but going forward, he’ll hide his emotions very well.”
That was my genuine belief.
“He could have sided with Audrey and caused us serious trouble, but in the end, it was as though he eliminated our enemy for us. So you don’t need to worry. I’m sure he’ll never overstep, and I think he’ll show me consideration all the way through.”
Baekgu said nothing—or rather, couldn’t say anything—but I sighed and tried to comfort him.
“Of course, you might not want to talk right now. Then let’s discuss it after you’ve had time to sort yourself out.”
Baekgu glared at Maximus’s coat as if he wanted to spit, then quietly nestled into my arms.
Shortly after, we arrived at Duke Nogen’s Residence.
I hadn’t sent notice of a visit beforehand, but the gatekeepers let me through without hesitation.
“Leopold is away from home, right? I’ll just pop into his room for a moment and then leave. I’m heading back right after, so don’t mention it to anyone else.”
I spoke to the butler while holding Baekgu.
“It’ll only be a moment. I have something to leave behind. Please don’t bother mentioning it to the Grand Duke or to Valerie.”
I often came and went from Duke Nogen’s Residence even when Leopold was absent.
So I thought it would be fine, but the butler tilted his head—apparently it was odd that I was here with the clear intention of ‘delivering something myself.’
“Ah… If you’d permit me, I could take it to him.”
“No.”
I shook my head. There was only one way to handle this.
“It’s extremely personal. I simply cannot entrust it to someone else’s hands.”
“Pardon?”
“Leopold’s tastes are rather…”
“Pardon me?”
“Even for a lover, what he secretly asked me to do—I just can’t bring myself to speak of it aloud.”
“I… I beg your pardon?”
The butler’s face went pale and he gasped for breath. Then, filled with devotion, he bowed deeply.
“Please, I beg you, do see our Young Duke to the very end.”
At the same moment, Baekgu’s face also went pale.
I nodded and turned to enter Leopold’s room.
It wasn’t actually the first time I’d entered Leopold’s room. While he was away in Sebon, I’d come in several times and looked through his textbooks filled with neat handwriting.
But his room was very different now. Since the owner had returned, all the furniture had changed, the empty wardrobe was stuffed full, and his desk was covered with documents.
After glancing around the now-unfamiliar room, I set Baekgu down in front of the wardrobe.
“All right, then.”
This was the first time since the Imperial Banquet that I was transforming Baekgu back into Leopold—the first time since that day when Alpheus was gravely wounded.
Back then, I’d said ‘Leopold, come out.’ and immediately crumpled down and wept. To be honest, I’d had no mind to notice whether Leopold and I were alone or not. But now, strangely, I felt a little tense.
I rolled my eyes and spoke.
“After I call you, I’m leaving right away. I won’t look back, so don’t worry.”
Anyway, I’d already told the butler I’d leave immediately. So it was just a matter of heading straight back to the Sears Marquis Estate.
Right now, I didn’t especially want to talk. The sincerity I’d poured out earlier felt a bit heavy. Unlike Alpheus, I found it terribly burdensome to lay bare everything inside me.
I wanted to meet him lightly later, as if we’d had no conversation at all. But Leopold wouldn’t forget what I’d said anyway.
I patted Baekgu’s head once and whispered.
“Come out, Leopold.”
And just as I was turning to leave the room—
“What? Brisa came alone?”
Silvia’s voice came from outside.
“Carrying something suspicious to Leopold’s room?”
I froze in panic.
‘No, why is Silvia here?’
Shouldn’t she be at Baron Forman’s Estate? What on earth was she doing at the Grand Duke’s Residence?
At the same moment, her brisk footsteps drew nearer.
“I was hoping to see you anyway!”
In a moment of panic unlike myself, a large hand seized my waist.
“Quickly!”
With Leopold’s low whisper, my body was pulled into the wardrobe. The wardrobe door closed urgently at almost the exact moment his bedroom door opened.
“Hmm?”
Silvia’s voice came as she entered.
“Has she already left?”
The butler’s voice came from behind her as well.
“She… she said she would simply leave it and return immediately to the Sears Marquis Estate.”
“Good heavens.”
Silvia clicked her tongue.
“The things she hasn’t learned… They both must never have received proper instruction.”
Meanwhile, I was gasping in the pitch darkness.
A large hand covered my mouth. Leopold’s fringe tickled my forehead.
His other arm encircled my waist, and since I’d worn thin clothes due to my constant complaining about the cold, I could feel bare skin against bare skin.
As my eyes adjusted to the faint light filtering through the wardrobe’s gap, golden eyes came into focus mere inches away.
He had his brow furrowed, wearing a rather pained expression.
“Did she really leave? What a shame.”
Silvia made a dismissive sound and hurried out of the room.
I jolted, and Leopold whispered.
“I don’t hear the door closing.”
Indeed, only her footsteps fading away were audible—no bang of the door.
“She went right out without shutting it. We can’t leave yet.”

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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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