Chapter 46

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 46

Chapter Title: Please Leave

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A terrified man crawled out from behind the tree, stammering as he prostrated himself on the ground.

"H-House Lord."

"Go tell your master exactly what you saw. No exceptions."

As he turned away, Esther, who had sunk to the floor, grabbed at him.

"L-Lord Enoch!"

"No exceptions. So you'd better think wisely, Esther."

Enoch turned and left. And now here they were.

Snapping out of the memory, he let out a ragged breath.

It felt like he'd finally shaken off the suffocating weight of the past that had always pressed down on him.

At the same time, an intense longing for Agatha washed over him.

'I wonder if the salon is over.'

No, it was a problem he could solve himself without her even coming.

He just needed to go to her, apologize, and explain.

He wanted to turn back the clock on their relationship if it wasn't too late. No—he wanted to move forward if she'd allow it.

"My lord!"

His anxious aide, John, his adjutant Ched, and the knights who had been pacing restlessly in front of the tent spotted Enoch and rushed over.

"Are you all right? Did something happen again?"

"Nothing happened. It seems the relatives tried their hand at it again."

"The nerve of them! I knew it. There've been so many meetings lately—I figured those fools hadn't given up yet...!"

Enoch reined in his agitated retainers and ordered an investigation into Baron Thatcher, Esther, and the relatives.

"The newly appointed Baron Thatcher made contact with Esther as their representative. I've already ordered the underling to drag in the ringleader, so keep an eye on their movements. We'll also petition His Majesty soon to revoke the title, so prepare for that."

"Understood, my lord!"

As Enoch caught his breath and was about to order his horse prepared...

"Oh, my lord. Madam came by."

Enoch froze mid-motion, his hand at his collar.

"When."

"Not long ago. She said she'd take a short walk while waiting for you, came back after, and left right away."

"Where did she walk to?"

"Roughly that way..., my lord?"

Confirming the direction, Enoch swallowed a groan. There had been exactly one time, aside from Esther's underlings, when he'd sensed multiple presences.

Was it too much of a leap to think that had been Agatha?

"Where did she say she was going."

"Back to the mansion, it seemed."

"Back to the mansion. Bring my horse now."

The knights, sensing the ominous tension, snapped to attention and moved swiftly.

Leaving his aide John and two knights to handle the aftermath, Enoch mounted up and headed straight for the Noblesse second mansion.

By the time he passed through the gates and reached the mansion...

A vague sense of foreboding had hardened Enoch's face into a rigid mask.

Allen, the Noblesse family head steward who had moved from the first to the second mansion, came out to greet him.

"Marquess, you've arrived."

"Where is she."

"Madam is in her study. May I ask what this is—"

Enoch dismounted and headed straight for the study on the fourth floor.

The space of Agatha's that he hadn't entered in so long was surrounded outside the door by her close maid, the first knight vice-captain Leon Takran assigned as her guard, and the other knights—all of them.

"My lord..."

The moment his eyes met Leon's.

Enoch knew his dread had come true.

Knock knock.

"...Agatha."

He knocked on the door. After waiting a long while with no response from inside.

"There's a misunderstanding. Can't you give me just one more chance?"

Now, finally, he was ready.

As he raised his hand to knock again, a faint voice leaked from within.

"Please leave."

An icy cold tone.

"I don't want to see you right now."

The small but frigid voice pierced the man's chest deeply.

Enoch stood before the study door for hours but finally retreated at the sight of the meal the close maid had brought. He could sense she'd skip meals entirely if he stayed.

Let's talk tomorrow.

With that, Enoch withdrew—and after that, he couldn't properly face Agatha again.

This time, she was the one avoiding him.

Agatha rose in the morning, did her light makeup, when her close maid Marie entered carrying a jewelry box lined with velvet carpet.

"Madam, the brooch you ordered is complete."

Another close maid, Jessie, opened the box to reveal a flower woven from pearls and diamonds.

The elegant luster of the pearls made for a satisfyingly beautiful brooch.

"Shall I attach it right away for today?"

"It'll go perfectly with the dress you're wearing."

The smooth silk dress had no other adornments. Agatha readily decided to wear the new brooch.

"Pin it on the left."

With the brooch on her chest, she braided her hair up and secured it with a gold leaf-shaped pin.

Completing the look of an elegant marchioness, Agatha nodded.

"That's good."

As the maids withdrew all at once, Agatha muttered to herself.

Should I skip going down today?

She had still been taking breakfast with Enoch up to now.

He was clearly desperate to say something, but Agatha kept ignoring it.

Now, no words of his could possibly lift her mood.

Was this marriage turning out just like the others?

Up until the honeymoon, she'd been certain it wouldn't. But now, she couldn't say that anymore.

The new jewel and makeup changed nothing—yesterday was like today, and the day before like yesterday.

"Jessie."

At times like this, a change of mood was best.

Agatha decided to visit Crown Prince Antoni Roxiba after a long while.

"After breakfast, we're heading to the palace. Send word to His Highness."

"Yes, Madam."

Descending to the dining room, she found Enoch already there.

"Did you sleep well?"

As Agatha took her seat in response to Enoch's greeting, the chef arrived with a tray.

"Today's main is freshly baked bread topped with grilled oysters. I've added a tangy sauce made from oranges that came in at dawn."

"Oysters. A fine choice."

"The oranges have such great flavor, I even baked them into a dessert pie. Enjoy your meal."

The grilled oysters paired wonderfully with the sweet-tangy orange sauce. Agatha savored them slowly with her wine.

"Agatha, could you spare me even a little time today?"

Once again, Enoch pleaded for a chance to explain. Agatha blinked as if hearing it for the first time.

"I have an appointment with His Highness the Crown Prince. I need to head to the palace soon, so not today."

"Agatha."

"You must have a busy day too. We can talk later— that'll be plenty."

Being a short breakfast, the plates were already empty. Agatha dabbed her lips with her napkin and rose from the table.

"Have a good day."

She felt Enoch's eyes following her as she turned and walked away.

"Madam..."

Jessie trailed off, as if urging her to at least hear him out.

"For the palace, I need to dress properly."

Agatha cut off her close maid.

"Pick something with a full skirt hem. Red tones."

Jessie glanced back at the dining room with pity but soon followed her lady's order.

"I'll prepare it right away."

No outfit suited bold primary colors like gold did. Agatha layered on thin gold bracelets and hung a diamond necklace.

"Small earrings."

After selecting shoes and finishing makeup, it was time to depart.

Descending to the entrance, First Knight Vice-Captain Leon Takran, in charge of her escort, waited by the carriage.

"Is everything ready?"

"We can leave immediately."

"Take good care of me today too, Sir Leon."

The young vice-captain, looking slightly worn, escorted Agatha and formed the guard formation.

He carried out his duties silently and diligently, but his eyes spoke volumes.

'Good thing it's not Sir Huber on guard duty.'

If it had been the tactless Second Vice-Captain Huber Carwen, who blurted out whatever he thought, he'd have brought up Enoch ages ago.

As always, the carriage tightly surrounded by knights left the newlywed mansion for the palace.

Agatha's face served as well as any palace pass, allowing them to enter without inspections or checks.

"Marchioness, you've arrived."

The chief chamberlain waiting at the palace entrance greeted her.

"Where is His Highness?"

"In the rear garden."

"Worth sending word ahead, then."

"Shall we serve a meal first?"

"No, just tea."

"Understood."

Following the chamberlain's guidance to the rear garden, she found Antoni seated at a table.

He was enjoying a late brunch in the cool breeze.

"Having lunch?"

"I woke up late."

Thanks to her prior notice, he was at least properly dressed. Agatha sat across from him, grumbling.

"Try waking up earlier."

"Even I need a lazy day now and then."

Not that it was rare, but Antoni grinned shamelessly and sliced into his well-grilled sausage.

"What brings you here today, anyway?"

"Nothing special."

"Just here for tea time?"

Ignoring Antoni's suspicion, Agatha picked up her sandwich. The thoughtful chamberlain had brought simple snacks, considering she hadn't eaten much.