I Ran Away And The Reverse Harem Started

Chapter 69 “Why are you saying that? Do you think everything I say is a lie?”“I’m not saying everything is a lie…”Still held by my hands, Lucas lowered his gaze. His red lips parted slightly as he murmured in a quiet voice.“Rosie has always said that everything is okay since we were kids.”“…….”“Even when you were being bullied by the maids behind my back and my brothers’ backs, I felt like you wouldn’t tell us.”His words hit me hard, and I bit the inside of my cheek lightly. Luckily, Lucas didn’t seem to notice and continued mumbling in a downcast tone.“We brought you here against your will, and you’ve had to work as a maid. If you’ve been getting bullied by the other maids on top of that…”“…….”“Then how are we supposed to look at Rosie’s face?”I almost sighed deeply at those words.I nearly sighed deeply at his words.For a moment, I recalled what Colin had said on that night—that bringing me here had left him and Daniel feeling incredibly guilty and anxious.And probably Lucas too…I looked down at Lucas, who had grown unusually sullen.His thick brows, sharper facial features, and prominent nose were nothing like the child he used to be. But the expression on his face and the look in his eyes when he was upset? Those were exactly the same.And even now, Lucas making that face softened my heart.‘That’s exactly why I don’t want to tell you guys.’If I admitted that the maids bullied me, they’d just feel even more guilty about bringing me here.‘I’ve tried to brush it off as insignificant most of the time.’After all, I figured I wouldn’t have to see them again once I left for the inn.But now that Angela had been caught harassing me, I couldn’t stay silent about it.Gently, I moved my hands from Lucas’s cheeks to pull him into an embrace. I buried my face in his soft, golden hair.“If someone bothers me again, I’ll tell you. I promise I won’t hide it.”“Really…?”Lucas squirmed slightly in my arms, trying to lift his head to meet my gaze. Laughing, I loosened my hold on him just a bit.“Really. If something like today happens again, I’ll tell Lucas right away.”“Promise?”“Yes, promise.”With one arm around Lucas, I extended my pinky finger with the other.“…You still treat me like a kid.”Grumbling, Lucas eventually hooked his pinky with mine. But he couldn’t hide the subtle relief softening his expression. The familiar scent of him filled the air as we sealed the promise with a pinky lock and a thumb press.Even though his body and face had matured, Lucas still acted like a child around me.After sealing the promise, Lucas clung to my waist slightly and murmured,“I wish things could stay like this forever.”“What? You want me to be your family’s maid forever?”“You know I don’t mean that…”When I said mischievously, Lucas pouts and pulls away from me. I playfully pinched his cheek.“I mean, I want the four of us—Rosie and us three brothers—to live peacefully together. I don’t want us to ever split up!”“Alright, alright, I get it. No need to yell or get worked up.”When I patted his shoulder, Lucas snorted like a sulky cat.“I was even looking into nearby festivals so I could hang out with Rosie…”“Festival?”“There’s a summer festival happening in the nearby village. They’ll have lots of street food, fireworks… Oh, right!”Suddenly remembering something, Lucas stood up and rummaged through his wardrobe. He pulled out two pairs of glasses.I picked up one with rounded frames from his hands.“What is this?”“Daniel told me to give it to you.”“To me?”Daniel giving me glasses? That was unusual.“In two days, it’ll be Colin’s birthday party, right? He said there might be a noble from the royal charity party attending. He suggested you wear these, just in case.”“Oh, I see.”“Try them on.”Lucas urged me, and I reluctantly put on the round glasses and stood in front of the mirror.The glasses didn’t have any prescription, but the way they reflected light was blinding. Standing in front of the mirror, I squinted as the dazzling reflections from the lenses hurt my eyes.“What’s with these? They’re too bright.”“They’re supposed to make your eye color less noticeable. Even though you dressed up thoroughly for the party last time, just to be safe…”Ah, so the glasses were meant to hide my violet eyes.Even though I spent over two hours disguising myself at that party, my violet eyes must still be too distinct.I stared at my reflection in the glasses, my eyes now appearing a bluish-green due to the reflection. Just then, Lucas put on another pair of glasses and stood beside me.“Let’s wear these and go to the village festival!”“Sure, but you’ll have to dress like a commoner.”“Of course.”If you dress up like a noble and go to the festival, you’ll stand out. Lucas nodded vigorously at my words. Then, as if he remembered something, he opened his mouth and said, “Ah.”“Oh, by the way, that village is called Jensen.”“The village name?”“When I first heard it, I thought it was odd that it matched your last name, Rosie.”“That’s true. How strange.”I widened my eyes. It wasn’t uncommon for someone to have a surname matching a town or city name, but…Honestly, I didn’t even know why my name was Rosieta Jensen. I’d only heard that when I was first brought to the orphanage, there was a note in my pocket with the name “Rosieta Jensen” written on it.After all, the body I possessed was just an extra.It’s not like someone put much thought into naming an extra character.Could I have been born in that village and abandoned there?Maybe. But it could just as easily be a coincidence. I decided not to dwell on it too much.  * * *  The next two days flew by as I adjusted to the new villa. I spent the time cleaning, serving tea, and helping out wherever I could. There was plenty to do, especially with Colin’s birthday party coming up.Even Angela seemed too busy to bother me anymore.I was ready to report her if she tried to harass me again…If she ever dared to insult or threaten me again, I wouldn’t hesitate to stand up for myself. Perhaps Lucas’s scolding had made her more cautious. In any case, it was a welcome change.“It’s hard work, but it’ll get easier once the young master’s birthday party is over. Hang in there.”“Yes, ma’am.”We all answered the head maid in unison.Before I knew it, the day of Colin’s birthday party had arrived. Due to the summer heat, the party was set to start in the early evening. Until then, the villa was a flurry of activity as we prepared for the event.And yet… Daniel still hadn’t arrived.As I carried a load of laundry, I found myself pouting.What could he be doing that’s keeping him this long?No matter how busy he is, it’s Colin’s birthday, who he have been with for almost his entire life, so why can’t he take care of some of the business at the villa? It’s like seeing a father who’s too busy with work to participate in the housework.After moving all the laundry, I pushed up my round glasses that fell to the tip of my nose. My hair, which was all wavy from sweat, was tied up.“I can’t believe the male lead is this dense. What a letdown.”When I read it in a book, I thought a male protagonist who was a businessman was pretty cool, but now I think it’s such a bleak setting.“Rosieta, can you help me with this?”While I was muttering to myself, Angie called out to me from a distance. I quickly looked up.“Yes, I’m coming!”There was no time to dwell on Daniel, who was likely managing his business in the count’s estate. Colin’s birthday party was the first official social event of the season in Riewybourne.I busied myself helping Angie in the kitchen until the night arrived.  * * *  As the pale yellow villa lit up with gas lamps one by one, the heat of the summer evening began to fade. Nobles from Rewybourne started arriving for Colin’s birthday party, the sky behind them painted in the hues of sunset.By the time the sun had fully set, the air had cooled, and the villa was alive with a warm and lively atmosphere.Holden Trading Company’s reputation—and that of the three brothers—was truly impressive. Almost every noble in Rewybourne had come to the villa.Of course, this meant the servants were exhausted.I rolled up my sleeves and, with Marie, carried the southern wines one by one to the party hall.The party was held in the hall of the mansion. Under the magnificent chandelier, the nobles dressed in fancy clothes enjoyed the party.Among them, Colin, wearing a beige vest, stood tall with his hair neatly combed back. Colin, the main character of the party, was the only one pinning a yellow rose to his chest.‘Wow, he’s a worthy candidate for the male lead.’Colin, with his glossy almond-colored hair swept back, was a strikingly handsome man. The women around him were clearly captivated, some even swallowing nervously.Glancing at Colin surrounded by party guests, I absently touched the pocket of my apron.When am I supposed to give him his gift?Inside my pocket was a silk handkerchief, neatly ironed and wrapped in a small box.It had taken a lot of courage to buy it, so I didn’t want to hand it over casually.Maybe I’ll wait until the party is over or until we’re alone.“What’s with those ridiculous glasses?”Mika, who was organizing Colin’s mountain of gifts, suddenly spoke up, eyeing the glasses that had slipped to the tip of my nose.“Why? Do they look weird?”“You already know the answer. Every time I try to look you in the eye, those glasses reflect every bit of light in the room. It’s blinding.”