Chapter 84

Liv’s eyes widened as she reflexively turned toward the source of the sound. Her hurried legs came to a halt. This was because she had spotted a black carriage that was hard to see in the dark.

The coachman, who made eye contact with Liv, raised his hat, greeting her.

… So, that coachman was the same one whom Liv knew, the one who usually took her to the Marquis.

“How…?”

How could I happen to run into him in a place like this?

Liv stared at the coachman in disbelief, and he gestured for her to come over. Liv glanced around to make sure no one was watching, then cautiously approached the carriage.

“What brings you here…”

The coachman gestured toward the carriage instead of answering.

Liv looked around once more. There were a few passersby, but they didn’t seem to pay much attention to Liv.

It was basically a plain black carriage with no special features, so anyone who saw it would assume that Liv had called the carriage.

Liv, who had been hesitant, carefully grabbed the carriage door handle.

Click.

Did the Marquis insist on bringing me over at this late hour? If so, isn’t it better to call me…

“…!”

Out of habit, Liv sat down and stopped herself before she could finish closing the door. There was someone sitting inside the carriage, which she assumed would be empty.

“… My Lord the Marquis.”

The man sitting cross-legged was definitely the Marquis. Seeing Liv’s bewildered face, he gestured toward the carriage door.

“Let’s close the door first. There is a small lamp on the ceiling to light up.”

“Ah, yes.”

Liv hastily closed the door and turned on the lamp. As the carriage turned bright, she could see the Marquis’ face more clearly.

He pulled a pocket watch from his pocket and frowned slightly as he checked it.

“You finished later than expected.”

He made it sound as if he was intentionally waiting for Liv.

“My Lord, why are you here…”

“I heard you were out by invitation of Baron Vendons.”

He had probably sent a carriage home to call on Liv today. Still, that didn’t explain why the Marquis was in this black carriage near the Vendons estate.

“Did you need to do something urgent?”

She couldn’t think of anything urgent he needed to see her for, unless it was for extra work. The Marquis glanced at Liv, who had a puzzled expression on her face, and said with a blank expression.

“The coachman said you were afraid of the dark streets, so he always dropped you off in front of your house after work.”

Liv’s puzzled expression changed subtly. She realized that he was referring to the way home after the extra work.

“How did you plan to go home today?”

“By a shared carriage…”

“A shared carriage won’t take you to your doorstep.”

That was true. Even if she took a shared carriage, she would have to walk home from the carriage stop. The distance couldn’t be defined as long, but it was true that she worried about it.

However, such a situation was Liv’s to handle; there was no need for the Marquis to meddle in.

The Marquis drew a faint smile as he saw the confusion on Liv’s face. He picked up the cane he’d kept by his side and tapped the window on the coachman’s side. The Marquis then spoke in an aloof voice.

“Do you still see me as someone who doesn’t even know what escort means?”

“… So you’re here to escort me?”

“Why else would I be wasting my time?”

Liv’s jaw dropped open involuntarily. She couldn’t believe it, but it was happening right in front of her, so there was no way she could deny it.

Meanwhile, the carriage, which was cued by the Marquis, began to move slowly. The destination was Liv’s house.

“I can’t believe you accepted a dinner invitation when you’re afraid of dark streets. You are more reckless than I thought.”

Liv, who had been sitting absentmindedly, snapped out of her reverie at that.

“Occasional meetings with parents are part of my job. I casually assumed you’d understand because it’s my job at the Vendons barony. If you don’t mind, I’ll make up for the extra work I missed today tomorrow.”

“That depends on my mood.”

Liv’s shoulders drooped unconsciously at the flat rejection.

In hindsight, from the first time, the condition of that extra work was when the Marquis wanted it.

She was concerned that she might have caused trouble for her extra work by trying to avoid the Marquis out of emotion.

In the midst of her concern, Liv was reminded of what had caused her to want to avoid the Marquis in the first place.

The kiss with the Marquis.

Her face heated up as she thought about it. The surprise at the sudden arrival of the Marquis gradually faded away, and it was replaced by a rush of excitement.

Worried that her emotions might show in her face, Liv ducked her head and fixed her gaze on her lap. The Marquis seemed to have no intention of speaking to her anymore.