I Feel This Way About You

“Anna!?”

Startled by Anna’s sudden tears, Marguerite cried out and hurried over.

Not caring that her dress got wet, she hugged Anna tightly and asked with concern, “What’s wrong?”

‘This is the kind of person she is.’

Simply because it was not about herself, Marguerite was incredibly kind.

Yet she was careless when it came to herself.

When Lady Yumila had flown into a rage, Marguerite had used her own body as a shield to protect Anna from Yumila’s fan.

In other words, Marguerite had lived in an environment where being hurt herself was simply taken for granted.

Back when she had just married in, Marguerite had smiled no matter what happened—a strong Marguerite who could confidently say she was happy then.

And now, she was afraid that everything was finally becoming a happy environment for her.

“Marguerite-sama. You’re allowed to be happy.”

Sniffling through her tears, Anna pleaded desperately.

“No matter what anyone else says. That’s what Lucien-sama wants.”

At the mention of Lucien’s name, Marguerite’s eyes wavered.

What passed through her tawny gaze was fear.

‘Ah—…!’

Anna bowed her head.

There was nothing she herself could do.

Just as Marguerite’s heart had changed Lucien, only Lucien could change Marguerite.

‘Lucien-sama, please… give her a love so great that Marguerite-sama will no longer feel afraid.’

Lucien did not know of Marguerite’s suffering.

He was simply about to act, driven by the feelings surging up within him.

“Marguerite!”

Lucien’s voice reached Marguerite’s back as she hurried down the corridor.

At being called by name, Marguerite’s face flushed red.

Turning away after noticing Lucien approaching would have been terribly rude. More than that, her recent behavior was hardly praiseworthy.

‘I’ve gone and made Lucien-sama angry again.’

He had called out to her directly. She could not pretend she had not heard, and of course she could not run away.

“Lucien-sama—”

“There’s something I want to talk to you about.”

As Marguerite turned around, Lucien grabbed her arm as if to say he would not let her escape.

She thought she was about to be scolded. And yet, at the strength of Lucien’s grip, her heart leapt about like a ship caught in a storm.

‘Please forgive me. I’ve been strange lately. I’m sure I’ll return to normal before long.’

She prepared the words she would say in her heart.

She would avoid details and push through with that explanation. Then she would quickly return to her usual manner—

“—……”

When Marguerite lifted her face, she could not speak the words she had prepared.

Lucien’s deep-sea-colored eyes threatened to draw her in with their complex hues.

The smile that had been troubling Marguerite lately was gone, and Lucien wore the stern, furrowed-brow expression he had shown before.

For some reason, that brought her relief.

If he looked at her with a gentle gaze, she would be too embarrassed to bear it. She might even start wishing for more.

But contrary to her expectations, what Lucien tried to say was not a word of reproach.

“Marguerite. I feel this way about you—”

Abruptly, the words cut off there.

As Lucien lifted his face, Marguerite turned as well.

From the opposite end of the corridor, a pale-faced butler came running toward them with an uncharacteristic lack of decorum.

Lucien and Marguerite hurried toward Richard as well.

His expression alone told them it was an urgent matter.

“—Third Prince Noel Filienne has arrived. Lady Isabella Clavel is with him.”

“!”

Nearly letting out a scream, Marguerite covered her mouth with her hand.

—It’s fine if I take it home, right? You always gave me the things I liked.

Isabella’s voice echoed in her ears.

Lucien supported Marguerite as she nearly collapsed, his own brows knitting as he sensed the coming turmoil.