THE REBORN LADY IS LOVED BY HER FOSTER BROTHER: THE SCARIEST VILLAIN

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196. You Have No Need for Such Things

Stepping out from the Special Conservatory back into the public area, Ortansia felt as though she had been yanked abruptly back into reality.

“It truly felt like an entirely different world...”

When Ortansia let slip those soft words, Gérard turned his gaze towards her.

“If you ever wish to visit again, you need only tell me.”

“Hehe, I will.”

As Ortansia offered a soft chuckle, Gérard narrowed his eyes with an air of quiet satisfaction. It seemed he had successfully accomplished his objective for visiting the botanical gardens today.

‘It really was such a beautiful, tranquil place. I wonder if Brother wanted to refresh himself somewhere like that for a change…’

If he were ever able to take a long holiday, perhaps they could visit the ducal territory together once more. Having spent several years living in those lands, Ortansia possessed a modest confidence in her knowledge of the region. Next time, she might even be able to act as his guide.

Musing over such thoughts as they strolled towards the exit of the botanical gardens, a scene caught her eye, causing her to stop dead in her tracks.

‘Is that...?’

Her gaze had fallen upon the souvenir shop of the Royal Botanical Gardens.

...It was the very place where, in the alternate world created by the demon, Gérard had bought and presented her with that brooch.

Recalling that moment—and the Gérard of that world—a sharp, suffocating wave of bittersweet sorrow surged through her chest.

Gérard, walking beside her, must have noticed her sudden halt.

“Why is your gaze fixed on that shop? Is there something you want?”

“No, well...”

Ortansia found herself utterly tongue-tied. Gérard never seemed particularly pleased whenever she brought up the events of that other world.

‘Would it be all right if I only mention that he bought me a brooch...?’

If she attempted to conceal it awkwardly now, Gérard might suspect she was keeping something far more grave from him. Thinking it best to put his mind at ease... Ortansia opened her mouth tentatively.

“...When I came here with Lord Gérard in that other world, he bought a Shangri-La flower brooch from that shop over there and presented it to me.”

The instant the words left Ortansia’s lips, Gérard’s eyes widened in sudden surprise.

“...Why would he do such a thing?”

“Since there was no Shangri-La flowerbed at the estate in that world, I suppose he wanted to show me what the flower looked like, if only in spirit.”

At the time, she had been thoroughly bewildered, but now she understood just how deeply he had been trying to show her care and consideration.

“...I see.”

Gérard offered his response in a flat, emotionless tone. He stared towards the gift shop as if lost in thought... yet in the end, he made no move to approach it, instead resting a hand firmly upon Ortansia’s shoulder.

“Let us go.”

With those words, Gérard somewhat forcefully guided Ortansia’s gaze away from the shop and towards the exit. It was an uncharacteristically rough gesture, lacking the gentle touch he usually reserved for her, and it left Ortansia startled.

‘Brother... did I put him in a foul mood just now?’

Even if he was technically a stranger, hearing that an alternate version of himself had gone out of his way to buy his sister a present might well have rankled him.

Noticing how her spirits had perceptibly dropped, Gérard broke the silence with a low murmur.

“You have no need for such things now.”

“...Yes, I suppose so.”

“You can gaze upon the genuine flowers here, or at the estate. There is no sense in wearing a cheap imitation.”

“Umm, well, that may be true, but...”

“...I shall give you something far finer than that cheap trinket. Just wait.”

“Pardon...?”

Before she could even begin to ask what he meant by those words, Gérard gently nudged her back, ushering her forward into a stride.

‘What... did he mean by that just now?’

Did he mean that, as a young lady of the House of Vérité, it was improper for her to adorn herself with such inexpensive accessories?

Feeling somewhat unsatisfied and unsettled, Ortansia set off walking beside him.

T/N: Hello guys! A very big thanks to everyone who is still here. The novel release is slow because the author has not finished writing or release the chapters. right now, i have translated up to the last page she posted and will keep you guys updated. Shalom💜

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