I Ran Away And The Reverse Harem Started Chapter 96

Yvette thought of her father, Viscount Bullosen.

He was a man of strong presence and a gentle demeanor.

Despite the usual emotional distance between noble families, the Viscount deeply loved his two daughters.

Whenever he returned from long business trips, the first thing he did was seek them out.

He would hoist them onto his shoulders or carry them in his arms as he walked through the estate.

Yvette had genuinely loved and admired her father.

With such a kind and exemplary man as her father and a warm, loving mother, their family had been nothing short of perfect.

But the day they lost their youngest daughter, everything changed.

The once-healthy Viscount began to wither away, falling into a slow decline.

Years later, he had become completely bedridden.

“It’s a common illness of the heart. His grief has left his body frail and his mind exhausted. His insomnia over the years has only worsened his condition. Both his body and soul have suffered greatly.”

That was what the family physician had said.

The doctor knew how tirelessly the Viscount had searched for his lost daughter—traveling across the kingdom and even beyond its borders.

Skipping meals, forsaking sleep, devoting himself solely to the search.

It was no wonder his health had collapsed.

In her father’s stead, Yvette dedicated herself to her studies.

She was the only one left to take charge of the family and their trading company.

Her father’s greatest wish was to see his youngest daughter again before he passed.

“Even if she was adopted into another family, I just want to know she’s alive and well. If I could see that with my own eyes… I could finally rest in peace.”

He had endured all these years with that singular hope.

To him, his youngest daughter must have still been the little girl who toddled around the estate.

Yvette had wanted to grant his wish.

That was why, no matter how much time had passed, she remained determined to find her sister.

Father…

With a heavy expression, Yvette let out a sigh.

After reading her mother’s letter, she wasted no time packing her belongings, preparing to return to the capital.

 

 

****

 

 

A few days after Angela and Mrs. Rosa had left for the count’s estate, it was finally time for the young masters and their entourage to return as well.

Though summer was still in full swing, Daniel had pressing matters to attend to back home.

Colin’s birthday party had been a success, and the general sentiment was that they had enjoyed enough of a vacation.

‘Besides, the household had been tense lately because of the whole maid conflict that had been brewing under the surface.’

Even Anne, who had come with us, and the staff originally in charge of the villa, seemed subtly uncomfortable around us.

‘Or rather, me specifically.’

Despite being a friend of the count’s family, I had chosen to stay in the servants’ quarters and mingle with the maids.

That must have been awkward for them.

Of course, they wouldn’t dare show it openly in front of their masters.

‘Honestly, it’s for the best. If we leave quickly, we can prevent any strange rumors from spreading around Rewybourne.’

And so, after a few weeks at the summer villa, we packed up and headed to the train station.

This time, Daniel was with us as well.

“So, can I acknowledge you in public now?”

Daniel asked dryly.

Ever since we had stepped onto the platform, he had naturally fallen into step beside me.

I had asked him to be discreet around the maids, but now it seemed like the leash had been completely let loose.

I gave him a sideways glare.

“You’re going to make things awkward between me and my maid friends again.”

“Because of me?”

He blinked, looking completely oblivious as he casually shrugged.

All while clearly pretending not to notice the group of maids walking a distance away from us.

I had spent days trying to make sure things weren’t awkward with them, and here he was, ruining all my efforts!

Noticing my expression, Daniel folded his arms, smirking.

“Be honest, aren’t we enough friends for you? Did you really need to make more here of all places? We should be enough, don’t you think? Are they really that important?”

I immediately frowned.

At my reaction, Daniel quickly backed down, feigning innocence.

“Kidding. Relax your face already.”

“Oh, it didn’t sound like a joke.”

I tried to smooth out my expression.

Hearing him say something even slightly obsessive made me instinctively wary.

Daniel scoffed, unimpressed.

“You know, sometimes you act like I’m some kind of arrogant tyrant.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you.”

He lifted an eyebrow in dissatisfaction.

“What, do you think I’d actually control your social life and relationships? Sometimes, I have no idea what you take me for. A rich brute, maybe?”

I was caught off guard.

I couldn’t exactly refute that.

Avoiding his gaze, I pretended to fan myself under the sweltering sun.

Daniel’s eyes narrowed suspiciously.

“…Still, I am your friend, just like those maids. So it’s only natural for me to be next to you.”

“Well, sure.”

If we were talking about just friendship, then Daniel and my maid friends were equal in status.

But…

I eyed him skeptically.

Was that really all he saw us as? Just friends?

The image of him confessing to me under the fruit tree flashed through my mind.

‘For a friend, he sure seemed way too interested in me.’

Still, at least he wasn’t trying to control my personal relationships.

Compared to how he had been in the original novel—obsessively clinging to Deborah—this was surprisingly reasonable.

“Anyway, the maids probably feel uncomfortable because you’re their master.”

“If you say so.”

Daniel relented, finally putting some distance between us.

He walked ahead, joining Colin and Lucas.

At that moment, the train bound for the capital pulled into the platform.

Passengers began disembarking, making way for the station workers to check the train before we boarded.

Those preparing to board moved to the right side of the platform, carrying their luggage.

And then, among the crowd, I spotted a familiar figure.

“Ah, Miss Jenny?”

I blinked in surprise and called out to her.

The woman in a neat dress suit, with her signature short brown bob, turned toward me.

Jenny, Yvette Bullosen’s secretary.

“Oh my, Miss Maid?”

She recognized me immediately.

Well, I had left quite the impression the last time we met.

That time, Yvette, Jenny, and I had shared a carriage ride, and I had been utterly drained from the sheer presence of those two women.

“It’s nice to see you here. I didn’t see you at the count’s villa.”

“Oh, at Sir Colin’s birthday party? I had business in another town at the time.”

We weren’t particularly close, but seeing a familiar face in this distant vacation city was still a pleasant surprise.

Jenny also smiled warmly.

But then…

‘Wait. If she’s here…’

“Is Lady Yvette expecting a guest? Why are you here alone on the platform?”

“Oh, no, I’m actually about to leave.”

“What? Already? Lady Yvette as well?”

Jenny gestured toward the luggage at her feet.

It seemed that, like the count’s household, Yvette had no intention of staying in Rewybourne for the summer.

With a sigh, Jenny shrugged.

“There’s been an issue at the viscount’s estate, so we have to return immediately. Lady Yvette will be here soon.”

“An issue? What happened?”

Jenny hesitated for a moment, then let out a small sigh.

“Well… Lord Viscount’s condition has worsened. The Viscountess sent for Lady Yvette right away—oh.”

Mid-sentence, Jenny abruptly cut herself off, eyes widening.

I followed her gaze and saw Yvette emerging through the crowd.

“Oh dear, I shouldn’t have said that. Please forget I mentioned the viscount. I must be exhausted, rambling on like this… and it’s not exactly good news either.”

“…Ah, I understand.”

Jenny quickly whispered to me before hurrying off to greet Yvette and take her luggage.

I stood there, watching them with a dazed expression.

‘Right… This is the first time I’ve seen her since that day.’

Seeing Yvette approach, I was reminded of our last encounter outside the Bullosen villa.

The past few days had been so chaotic dealing with Angela that the memory felt strangely distant.

Back then, I had been overwhelmed by a whirlwind of shame, embarrassment, and envy.

But now… those emotions had somewhat settled.

“Hello, Lady Yvette.”

Yvette, who had been walking toward the train, stopped at the sound of my voice.

She held a stack of documents and newspapers in one hand.

Her face looked even more drawn than before.

Was she really working that much?

She might be just as much of a workaholic as Daniel.

For a moment, her tired, expressionless face wavered slightly at the sight of me.

But, being as composed as ever, she quickly masked it.

“…It seems Count Drunia’s household has finished their vacation and is returning home.”

With just one glance at my luggage and attire, Yvette immediately grasped the situation.

I nodded.

“Yes, the Count has a lot of work to attend to.”

“I see.”

Yvette gave a brief, indifferent nod before quietly studying me.

“Did you have something to say to me?”

She spoke as if our private conversation from that night had never happened.

Well, I supposed it was natural.

She had shared a deeply personal family matter with me, and I hadn’t exactly left a great impression either.

Maybe pretending it never happened was best for both of us.

I hesitated for a moment.

Should I just greet her and leave?

Or…

After a brief pause, I smiled—albeit a little awkwardly.

“Yes. I wanted to thank you, Lady Yvette.”

Yvette’s eyebrow twitched ever so slightly.

“…You want to thank me?”