Don’t Tame It [Novel]

20.

It wasn’t as if Baron and Baroness Rios had kept Irene locked inside the house her whole life. She had occasionally taken walks around the neighborhood, sometimes even venturing to the market and back alone.

However, she had never formed an intimate relationship with anyone. Her neighbors pretended not to see her; others remained indifferent.

Irene was a deserted island wherever she went, a ghost. So, she sat in the attic and read books. It was a space where only she existed.

Therefore, the person’s words were likely correct: that saying “meet at 2 o’clock” meant “meet at 3 o’clock.”

Even so, Irene still preferred precise appointments. Ambiguity breeds anxiety, and anxiety leads to fear.

In that sense, the coachman sent by Duke Diego Cassis was perfectly to Irene’s liking.

“Good.”

After surveying the room one last time, Irene picked up her bags. Perhaps the coachman also liked people who kept to their schedules as well as she did.

She didn’t want to make him wait. She didn’t want to leave the impression that she was a person who was late for appointments.

Irene left the dormitory with a bag in each hand. Just then, a large shadow blocked her path.

“Ah, excuse me… Wait, it’s the Wall of Iron. Where are you going?”

It was the Hairy Jellyfish. He hadn’t shaved for a few days, and his hair was even thicker than usual today. It seemed like he might soon start moving by waving his hair instead of limbs.

What was he doing at the women’s dormitory?

The dormitory was a forbidden zone for men, and the manager watched over it with hawk eyes. If a man were caught sneaking in, he would be expelled immediately.

Guessing Irene’s confusion, On lightly waved the paper in his hand.

“I have some documents to deliver to the dormitory manager.”

Nodding, Irene realized she hadn’t yet answered the Jellyfish’s question. Reminding herself that such behavior was quite rude, she spoke indifferently.

“We have to leave the dormitory by this week, anyway.”

“That’s true, but I thought you’d be the very last to leave. Since you don’t go home even during breaks.”

Only after speaking did On make a regretful expression, rubbing the tip of his nose. Irene frowned faintly and took a step back.

She was afraid he might try to shake her hand with the same one he’d just used to wipe his nose. Of course, she would have politely declined, but she was glad she had worn gloves.

“Anyway, where are you going? Ah, you said your house was here in Therapia, right?”

On, who had been looking into empty space while racking his memory, asked in a casual tone. The Jellyfish was just as talkative as he was hairy, and he was full of curiosity.

If he had channeled that curiosity into his studies, he would have been the valedictorian. It was a pity.

Irene glanced over the Jellyfish’s shoulder. The coachman standing in front of the carriage was looking in their direction.

Irene did not want to make him wait any longer; she wanted to end this conversation quickly.

“I’m going to Norte.”

“What? Norte?”

On’s eyes went wide as if he had heard something completely unexpected. Irene quickly added an explanation.

“Although Norte is a region in the northernmost part of the Kingdom of Divoa, I heard it is warmer than Therapia. Well, of course, that is the Duke’s subjective opinion.”

“That’s not what I meant… You’re going to Norte? Why?”

“I’ve become the personal physician to Grand Duke Cassis.”

With those final words, Irene stepped forward. The coachman, who had been watching them, quickly approached and took the luggage from Irene.

“Please, let me.”

“It’s alr—”

The luggage was taken before the words could leave her mouth. Irene’s shoulders stiffened.

But the coachman was skillful. It seemed it wasn’t his first time handling luggage for high-ranking individuals; he moved the bags without touching so much as a stray hair on Irene.

After loading the luggage onto the carriage, the coachman stood holding the door with one hand. Irene, who had been fidgeting with her gloved hand, gave a small nod.

“Thank you.”

“You are welcome, Milady.”

The coachman smiled pleasantly. On the other hand, Irene froze into a statue at the unfamiliar title of ‘Milady.’

She had never been called that once in her life. Not even by the servants employed at the house.

They didn’t use any titles for Irene. ‘Hey, you, wait a moment’ was enough. The title ‘Milady’ was always reserved for Leticia.

So, Irene couldn’t offer any response. Regaining her senses belatedly, she hesitantly boarded the carriage.

“We are departing, Milady.”

The coachman closed the door with a respectful gesture.

At that moment, she heard hurried footsteps. When she turned her head, she saw the back of the Jellyfish running off somewhere.

Irene’s brow furrowed slightly.

Hadn’t he said he had documents to deliver to the manager? Why was he running off without them?

But it wasn’t a matter for Irene to worry about. Perhaps he was in a rush to use the bathroom.

In the meantime, the carriage gathered speed and crossed the wooded campus. Irene set her eyes on the scenery passing by the window. The familiar landscape she had traveled for four years receded, one by one.

Would there ever be a reason to return?

Who knows.

Irene’s gaze settled calmly. At the same time, the carriage slowed down. Through the driver’s window, the coachman poked his head in and called to Irene.

“Milady Rios.”

Irene, who had been looking indifferently at the campus, turned her head slowly.

“Someone is following us. Is it perhaps an acquaintance of yours?”

Irene turned her body halfway with a puzzled expression. Looking through the rear window, her eyes widened slightly.

It was the conceited Sea Anemone.

As the carriage slowed, the distance between them and Maxy gradually closed. She could see his expression more clearly now.

Maxy had his brow furrowed and his teeth clenched tightly. He looked angry.

…No. It didn’t look like anger; it looked like someone who was anxious.

Did he have an urgent matter?

Suddenly, the image of On running off in a rush flashed through her mind. She hurriedly looked around, but she didn’t feel any particular sense of commotion.

Tilting her head, Irene said to the coachman:

“He probably isn’t coming for me. Maybe there’s a fire somewhere. You may proceed.”

“Yes, Milady.”

The coachman turned and skillfully drove the horses. The two horses quickly picked up speed. Irene looked back at the passing scenery with indifferent eyes.

At that moment.

“Irene…………!”

She felt as if she had heard her name in the breeze. But it must have been an illusion. There was no one here who would call her by her name.

* * *

“What did you just say?”

The person who snapped back sharply was not Baron Rios or the Baroness, but Leticia. She jumped up from her seat and glared at Irene.

Irene, who had returned home to pack her luggage, was currently unable to even step into her own room.

Standing in the middle of the living room, Irene looked at Leticia with emotionless eyes.

“I said I came to pack my luggage.”

“That’s not what I mean…!”

Leticia, who had been about to scream, took a deep breath. Barely calming herself down, she sneered in an icy voice.

“Well, I suppose if you understood things the first time, you wouldn’t be a hopeless case.”

Breaking off for a moment, Leticia lifted her chin and glared again.

“So why did you come to pack your luggage?”

“Because I am leaving Therapia.”

“……”

Leticia trembled, her fists clenched tightly. It was always like this. Irene would only give one answer to one question.

It tested Leticia’s patience. Clenching her teeth, Leticia asked again. Her voice was thin and sinister.

“I asked, why are you leaving Therapia?”

On the other hand, Irene could not understand Leticia, who got angry every time they spoke. In her own way, she was diligently answering the questions asked, but for some reason, Leticia became increasingly furious.

Perhaps there was something wrong with her. Leticia always screamed that she was a hopeless case who couldn’t communicate.

“I am going to Norte.”

“I asked why you are going to Norte.”

“I got a job.”

“I asked where you got a job.”

“I became the personal physician to Grand Duke Cassis.”

After four inquiries, she finally got the answer she wanted. At the same time, Leticia’s patience hit rock bottom. She shrieked, her voice full of malice.

“Then why would a wretch like you become the Duke’s personal physician! Have you forgotten what I told you, never to even dream of such a thing?”

That wasn’t a question. It was a condemnation, a reproach directed at Irene. However, this level of criticism couldn’t leave a single scratch on her. It was as familiar to her as the air she breathed.

Irene spoke indifferently.

“The Grand Duke offered terms comparable to Mr. Flich, the current physician. I accepted those terms. He even faithfully reflected the special provisions. The Grand Duke is a generous employer.”

“……”

Leticia’s lips parted, but no sound escaped.

She hated this about Irene. Her insensitive demeanor, as if she were completely unhurt by her harsh words.

The arrows that didn’t hit their mark always seemed to return to her, and she felt like a fool, flailing about alone.

“Leti.”

The Baroness called her daughter’s name in a pitiful voice.

However, Leticia did not turn. Her lips moved on their own. Vicious, unbidden words flowed out smoothly.

“A woman as ugly and unkempt as you, the Grand Duke’s personal physician? That’s absurd. Do you know how important that position is? And yet, a wretch like you accepted it? Ha, ‘accepted’? You graduated from medical school and now you think you’re someone special, but no. You haven’t changed one bit since you were in this house. You’re just a nuisance and a hopeless case.”