I Ran Away And The Reverse Harem Started Chapter 105

I was on my way back after strolling through the temple garden with Lucas.

As Lucas had said, the central temple boasted an incredibly grand and serene appearance.

The uniquely cool and refreshing air that filled the garden made it a perfect place for a summer outing.

Although I didn’t get to meet Daniel or Deborah, I still felt good about discovering a nice spot in the capital, a city I barely knew.

After taking a lap around the temple garden, Lucas and I entered a nearby dessert shop.

Lucas walked in naturally and placed an order, while I stayed outside, gazing up at the sky.

“By the way, does she really have that much to talk about with Deborah?”

Since we were at the temple, I had hoped to at least catch a glimpse of one of them, but I didn’t even get that chance.

Word had it that Deborah wasn’t in good health and was limiting the number of people she met.

I noticed some frustrated believers grumbling about their wasted trip, having come all this way only to be turned away.

And yet, the fact that Deborah had specifically called Daniel to meet her—it must have been for something quite important. Just the two of them.

“When did those two get so close?”

It wasn’t jealousy exactly… more of a strange feeling.

Before they got engaged, they had only misunderstood and misjudged each other. So the idea of them meeting alone for such a long time, as if they were conspiring about something, was puzzling.

‘Yeah, this isn’t jealousy. It’s a reasonable question. Besides, Daniel said some odd things before he left. That’s why I’m bothered by it. That’s all. Nothing more.’

Just a few hours ago, Daniel had confidently declared that he was going to see Deborah about their engagement, insisting that the king’s matchmaking efforts meant nothing.

And that smirk of his, as if he had something up his sleeve—what was that about?

Come to think of it, there was something else that had been on my mind.

“…What exactly was that dream?”

I sat down on a chair outside the dessert shop, lost in thought. It was a question I had been quietly pondering since I left Rewybourn.

An issue I had temporarily set aside while dealing with Angela.

The first time I experienced sleepwalking in Rewybourn, I could have sworn that in my dream, someone had called me Irene.

Was that my name before I was abandoned at the orphanage? But could such a coincidence really happen repeatedly?

‘The second daughter of the Bullosen family is also named Irene, and I supposedly look similar to her? And we even share the same name?’

I wasn’t sure… Could coincidences really overlap that much?

It seemed more reasonable to think that Yvette’s voice, mistaking me for her sister when I was stumbling, had simply seeped into my dream.

Honestly, maybe I was still coveting Yvette’s place as the second daughter of her family.

Could my subconscious desire be manifesting itself in dreams, over and over again?

As I mulled over these thoughts, gripping my parasol tightly, a small carriage rolled up in front of the dessert shop.

The modest yet sturdy dark brown carriage looked strangely familiar.

Before I could even react, the carriage door swung open, and a noblewoman stepped out.

My mouth fell open at the unexpected sight.

She was an older noblewoman with dark blonde hair elegantly pinned up—a face I knew well.

The Viscountess of Bullosen.

I first learned of her at the royal palace party with Daniel.

It seemed she had business at the dessert shop, as she stepped down from the carriage and walked toward the entrance.

Seeing her again after so long, I felt a slight sense of familiarity, even though I knew she wouldn’t recognize me.

We weren’t acquaintances, after all. Someone like her wouldn’t know a commoner like me.

‘Besides, I once accused Yvette of being my lost family…’

I had practically demanded that Yvette confirm whether this woman was my mother.

Because of that, just meeting her gaze felt awkward and uncomfortable.

I decided to just ignore her.

I quietly averted my eyes, hoping she would pass by and enter the shop.

But then, she suddenly stopped in front of me.

“Do you happen to know what’s best on the menu here?”

“…Pardon?”

I was so startled I nearly hiccupped.

I had expected her to just walk past me, but instead, she smiled kindly and looked directly at me.

Did I look like a regular here?

My heart was pounding so hard I thought it might burst out of my chest, but I tried to appear calm, casually brushing my hair back to buy time.

“…Well, my friend says the macarons are the best. But I’m not too familiar with this place myself.”

“Oh, is that so? This is my first time at a place like this.”

“Aah, I see.”

Looking at her closely, she seemed different from how she appeared at the royal palace party.

Back then, under the dazzling chandeliers, she had looked pale and drained. But now, she carried a soft smile, as if she had regained her strength. Almost like a different person.

“Sorry for speaking to you so suddenly. My daughter is around your age, and… I can never quite tell what young girls like. I just wanted to hear your thoughts.”

She was talking about Yvette.

It was clear that she had no idea I personally knew Yvette Bullosen.

That only made me feel more self-conscious.

I didn’t find the Viscountess uncomfortable, though. If anything, her effort to personally buy a treat for her daughter made her seem like a good person in my eyes.

It reminded me of Lynne’s family.

‘She seems like a better person than I expected.’

Now that I looked at her up close, I could see the resemblance to Yvette.

Yvette had a sharp and somewhat haughty demeanor, but her features were clearly inherited from the Viscountess.

I found myself staring blankly at the noblewoman’s face.

Just then, Lucas stepped out of the shop.

He was about to say something to me but froze when he saw her. His eyes widened in surprise.

“Oh? Lady Bullosen?”

“Oh, Lucas. Fancy seeing you here in the capital. It’s been a while.”

“It really has. What a surprise to meet you here.”

The two of them exchanged greetings as if they were well acquainted.

‘Ah, that’s right. Holden has been working with the Bullosen trading company for a long time.’

The Viscountess, despite being nobility, treated Lucas, a mere commoner, with courtesy.

And Lucas, who disliked arrogant aristocrats, seemed genuinely pleased to see her.

“Did you come to buy some desserts yourself?”

“Oh, yes. My daughter just returned from her vacation, so I wanted to get her something sweet. Oh, by the way, she said she enjoyed Colin’s birthday party.”

“I see. My brother told me he was disappointed not to see her in Rewybourn after that.”

“Sir Colin?”

“Yes. He figured she must be working hard somewhere, just like Daniel.”

Lucas shrugged as he joked, and the Viscountess chuckled softly.

As they caught up, she glanced between Lucas and me.

I had been secretly observing her, but when our eyes met, my heart felt like it dropped.

Her blue eyes lingered on my face.

“…Are the two of you together?”

“Oh… Yes. Hello. I’m Lucas’s friend, Rosieta.”

I felt slightly nervous as I introduced myself.

The Viscountess studied me for a moment, then brought her hand to her lips.

“Ah, no wonder you seemed so familiar…”

Her gaze sharpened slightly as she looked at me again.

Meeting her clear blue eyes and that warm expression made my shoulders tense up.

Would she, like Yvette, be reminded of her lost daughter when she saw me?

I felt an odd mix of anticipation and anxiety.

My lips went dry under her gaze.

Then, she gave me a knowing smile.

“I remember you from the charity ball. You were with the Holdens.”

“Oh… Yes. You recognized me.”

I suddenly felt deflated.

“The Count of Drunia brought you as a partner in place of Saint Deborah. There was quite a bit of gossip about it, so I saw you from afar. I didn’t expect to meet you here. I suppose the friend you mentioned must be Lucas.”

Her blue eyes softened with warmth.

At the royal ball, she had seemed deeply melancholic, but now she appeared kind and gentle.

Did she look at all young men and women this way? Or was it simply because Lucas and I were around Yvette’s age?

 

 

 

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After some time had passed, that evening at the Bullosen family estate.

The Viscountess Bullosen, having returned from a rare outing, put away her outerwear before entering her husband’s room.

Inside, Yvette was already seated by the bedside, having placed a chair there. It seemed she had taken a short break from working in the study.

“You’re back?”

Yvette asked as her mother stepped into the room.

The Viscountess nodded and smiled gently for a moment. She was holding something in her hand, catching Yvette’s attention.

“You must have bought something from the dessert shop.”

“Yes, I thought it would be nice for our family to enjoy together.”

“You could have sent Sophie. It’s hot outside.”

“I wanted to go out and buy it myself. Get some fresh air.”

When Yvette mentioned the name of one of their maids, the Viscountess shook her head in response.

She then began carefully placing the desserts on an empty plate that had been sitting on the bedside table. They were confections that had recently become popular among young nobles in the capital.

Yvette gazed at the glossy, coated sweets for a moment before shifting her eyes to her mother, who had stepped back after arranging them.

“…I thought you didn’t like going to crowded places.”

“…”

“You told me before… that even when you stay still, it feels like people are pointing fingers at you.”