THE REPRESENTATIVE’S ONE WEEK (5)
Beth wanted to kill herself.
Why, why did I fall asleep? No, why did I lay in bed while reading my book? Only to display such an indecent scene.
Kedrick acted like nothing happened, but that didn’t mean it was true.
After Beth finished her breakfast, Kedrick naturally took away the tray and empty dishes and left. In that margin of time, her emotions went haywire again. Even then, she didn’t forget to change her pajamas to her normal everyday wear.
Different from what she felt inside, on the outside, she was a perfect woman who completed her chores without any hesitation.
In conclusion, she currently felt ashamed.
But what was quite fortunate, was that she did not show much expression on her face. Even when she was immersed in the waves of shame, her expression still remained calm and serene.
“You are so good at choosing books! All the books chosen by you were interesting. It’s amazing.” Kedrick said, who sat next to her for a while without her noticing. He handed her the set of three books.
“After you finish the rest of the three books, can you lend them to me?”
“Ah, I will finish them soon. Three more chapters left to go.”
“Then I will wait.”
Beth took the three books and placed them near her bed, on the top of the table near the sofa. Among them, Kedrick took the one that was finished by Beth and opened the book.
While Beth read the third volume, he immersed himself into the new book.
Beth asked him. “Among the three books you read before, which one was the worst?”
“…. Not the best one?”
“I want to read the worst one first. It’s better to experience the bad one in the beginning.”
Kedrick rolled his eyes. With an expression of ‘what if our tastes are different’ then pointed at the book with the a black cover.
“I liked this one the least.”
“Which part?”
Beth took the book with the black cover. <He Turned Back Time.> A novel with a very intuitive title. Beth was in awe, even in this world there were novels about time traveling. No matter where one went, people’s preferences did not change.
“The male protagonist is strong but his self-sacrificing spirit is too much that it became bland. Sacrificing oneself to save the woman he loves, what’s the use?”
“Who was it that said, ‘Whether it is sadness or happiness, all is meaningful because of the process’?”
“Yeah, but our opinion on the book is different because of how much our tastes deviate from each other.”
With a fit of laughter, he turned the next page of the book.
“…. Seems like I just prefer a perfect happy ending.”
“That’s also possible.”
“Anyways, I can’t understand a guy who would sacrifice himself. The woman he loves will be left all alone. So why do that? Does he think that by doing so the other person would really like it?”
Beth frowned upon hearing his words as she opened the book.
“You really got a lot of complaints. Now I know that you won’t do anything like sacrificing oneself, right?”
“That’s for sure.”
“Have you ever been in love?”
After roughly glancing at the table of contents, Beth closed the book. She thought that doing something else would now be more productive.
Kedrick mimicked her behavior and also closed his book. He glanced at her, then he suddenly chuckled.
“No.”
“I knew it.”
“Because I know you hate being lied to, I am being honest with you, especially.”
“Don’t act like you’re doing me favor.”
Beth thought spending her time only in her bedroom would be a waste of time. So, she figured she would read outside for today. When Beth stood up with her book, Kedrick followed her lead. He grabbed the set of three books and caught up with her. However, while Beth carefully read each book title and gingerly placed it into a leather bag, Kedrick just quickly glanced at the book’s cover.
The combination of Beth and Kedrick walking together was quite eye-catching. Though Beth was not an ‘out of this world beauty’, she was still considerably attractive. She had the kind of charm that would draw people’s attention leaving them with a good impression. As such, one glance at Beth and an extremely handsome Kedrick could bewitch any onlooker. It was inevitable to become the center of attention. Except, at the Gordon estate, such a scene happened quite often, so the employees did not abandon their work to stupidly gawk at the duo. Instead, they were more curious about how Beth would look in her casual wear, since she was normally in her maid uniform.
The time Beth and Kedrick spent together was longer than the time she spent with Claire. Of course, Beth didn’t realize this fact. It was mainly because after Claire accepted the status of the Earl, many more guards were recruited. After this change, Kedrick became more of an assistant to Beth than a knight to Claire. After two years, of them working side by side, rumors floated around that Beth and Kedrick were secret lovers. In fact, everyone knew of this rumor. All except Beth. Whenever the employees that had a crush on either one, caught sight of the rumored couple, their eyes would become misty. Tom was included in the brokenhearted group.
“Is today’s destination decided?”
“Yes, because now there is not much time left.”
“Today…..”
“It’s the fifth day.”
When the housekeeper saw Beth coming, she thought that Beth would go out again today. Being considerable, she asked whether to prepare a horse carriage for her. But Beth expressed her refusal.
For the past four days, she took the horse carriage and went out through the main gate. However, today, the fifth day, she went out through the back gate, which was mainly used by the employees.
Kedrick knew that she had been going to different places the past four days. He narrowed his eyes with a gleam of interest.
Beth’s destination for today was at the far end of the fief. It was near a building where entry was controlled and their identity was checked and recorded.
Instead of using a carriage from the Gordon estate, they used a carriage of their own expense. Kedrick escorted Beth inside then asked,
“If you were planning to take a ride, why not take a carriage from the mansion? Wouldn’t it be faster and more comfortable?”
“You’re right.”
The carriage they rented was not that great, in fact, it was rather rickety. Though Beth did not experience motion sickness, the ride was not enjoyable.
Who could enjoy such a ride? Even Beth’s face, who always remained expressionless, was stiff while inside the tottering carriage. Kedrick witnessed this as well.
“I felt that if I used the estate’s carriage, the young lady would find out about it. Then she would probably misunderstand, thinking I was working…”.
“Do you think that by going out like this, you won’t be discovered?”
Pointing at himself, Kedrick grinned. Her actions implied she never even considered him reporting her whereabouts.
“Anyways, aren’t you the only guard the young lady assigned to me?”
Beth asked while she began to move around in her seat.
What she meant was that she knew he had no intention of reporting her. Her evaluation of Kedrick was correct.
All he considered was Beth’s vacation must be reported. But he didn’t intend to act upon it because there was nothing worth reporting.
Of course, how Beth acted in the bookshop was strange, but they didn’t have clue as to what caused it. Due to this, Kedrick considered not telling Claire, since this would only flood her with never-ending worries. And if Beth discovered the reason for Claire’s worrying, Beth would skin him alive. In short, it was better to keep silent and avoid such a future.
Eventually they arrived at their destination, a restaurant for travelers. As such, their food service was quick and efficient. There was a large pot of stew boiling along with pre-sliced bread to facilitate faster service to the customers. Beth ordered each dish from the menu and mentioned to the staff to take their time with her order. Afterwards, she pulled out a book and began reading.
“Will you be able to finish everything?”
“If I can’t, just leave it.”
Her attitude was just like the previous day. Even if she knew she couldn’t finish it all she would still order a large quantity of food. Some employees had desperately looked at Kedrick with eyes that begged ‘please stop her from ordering more’ while they ate.
Kedrick would just ignore their looks and pleas.
“This time, you won’t bring it back to the mansion?”
Beth understood what he was trying to hint at. While still reading the book, she replied,
“Are you?”
“No, there is no need for that.”
“Then, that’s that.”
Kedrick nodded his head and took out the set of three books he carried on him and stacked them on the table. Then, he took the book placed on top. The one Beth enjoyed the most.
Meanwhile, Beth read the book Kedrick liked least. On the cover, there was only a title and a picture of two men. His calm eyes were fixated on the book. Though his posture was proper, he sat rather stiffly. The title was like any other typical romance novel.
When the food was served, both stopped reading. To read while eating… They both tacitly avoided an immature action that was against their standards. As both didn’t want to leave food stains on the books.
The quantity of food in each bowl was quite considerable. There were different varieties which were cooked for a long time, but in truth the taste was…..
“I ordered different dishes, but they all taste the same.”
“It seems so.”
They all tasted similar.
The stew was eaten the most. They tried the boiled meat with noodles but the taste wasn’t much different. Even then, Kedrick still ate pretty well.
Beth dipped the bread in the stew while looking around the interior and nodded.
“So, what are you really thinking?”
“What?”
“These days off. Can’t you just say it to me?”
Kedrick’s actions showed his desire to learn of Beth’s intention, rather than have Beth share it with him. Because Beth wasn’t someone who would rest when someone tells her to rest.
Beth understood the hidden meaning behind his words. Her eyes gazed at the bread becoming mushy by the stew. Drawing her attention away from the stew she said,
“Then I will only say it to you…”
“……”
Beth said looking directly at Kedrick.
“My hobby.”
It was different from the answer he had anticipated. Still, it was in the range of his expectation. He just shook his head while smiling and continued with his food.
The food was very bland unlike the food they had been eating the past few days.
Surprisingly… there was not much food left after they were done. And most of the credit goes to Kedrick.
Beth, like usual, didn’t eat much and had leftovers. But Kedrick steadily and gallantly finished everything.
Seeing that Kedrick didn’t waste any food, Beth watched with interest.
Then she asked,
“Is there any food that you hate?”
“I can eat almost everything.”
“Almost anything, means there’s something that you don’t like.”
“Um… Mushroom is a bit…”
He didn’t like mushrooms, which was quite unexpected.
Afterwards, they washed their hands and continued reading while drinking tea. It was only after they finished reading half of their book did they get up to leave.
Only then, did Beth realize why it was unexpected for Kedrick to hate mushrooms. Among the many delicacies brought by Beth or the food served in the mansion, mushroom had sometimes been included. During which Kedrick would also consume it without complaint. Either because he got used to it or because of his sense of duty. Anyways, Beth made the decision to not feed him mushrooms from now on. Of course, only if the circumstances allowed it,.
They left the mansion a little while after the sun had risen and the climate became warmer.
The streets became busy with carriages and merchants examining their wares.
Beth, turned her eyes away from the restaurant they just ate at, towards another restaurant nearby
In contrast to the traveler’s restaurant they just visited, this restaurant’s main customers were merchants.
“Hm.”
Beth thoroughly observed that restaurant for a while, before she headed towards another place.
She didn’t plan to eat anymore. Even if Kedrick almost ate everything clean just now.
Since it was a place with a lot of outsiders, Beth could see the city’s guards busily patrolling and roaming about in the area.
Among them, some guards’ eyes trembled upon recognizing Beth. With a chuckle, Kedrick greeted those guards with a wave.
Beth scanned the area and discovered a young boy begging to merchants who seemed wealthy. As if she found her target, Beth intently stared at the impoverished boy as he was kicked out by the merchants. He then disappeared into an alley. Beth was about to follow his path.
“Beth.”
Kedrick called out, while blocking her with his held-out arm.
“Don’t go in that direction.”
“……”
Those words held a lot of meaning. For now, it was certain that Kedrick knew what was beyond that alley.
“Because it is dangerous?”
“So you know.”
Though her clothing was not like those of a wealthy noble, the material was of good quality. It just screamed ‘I have money’. In addition, having Kedrick by her side only emphasized that point. If she were to enter the slums like this, one could only imagine what would happen. They must be prepared for the worst-case scenario.
Beth answered softly pushing away Kedrick’s hand.
“It’s okay.”
“……”
“Because you are here.”
There was a lot of meaning behind those words. What was certain, was that she trusted Kedrick would protect her.
It was clear that Beth trusted him more than before. With a bright smile Kedrick answered.
“That’s for sure.”
After that they headed away from the brightly sunlit street, and disappeared into the murky alley, to be swallowed by the darkness.
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