Chapter – 14

After a while, Jacob changed his clothes and stepped out of his room, only to find Otto waiting outside.

“Otto, what is it?” he asked.

Otto extended a small folded paper toward him. “Viscount Caldwell left this for you, my lord.”

Jacob took the paper and unfolded it. It read:

“Don’t be shy in asking for help from me. I’m rooting for you, man.”

Without hesitation, Jacob tore the note into pieces and tossed them aside.

“Next time, just use it for the fireplace instead of giving it to me,” he said with an annoyed sigh.

Soon after, Jacob left his estate alone, his robe draped neatly over him. He wandered through the village streets, the thought of secretly visiting Plumette lingering in his mind.

Yet, he held himself back.

He did not want to impose his feelings on her.

After some time, he climbed up a nearby clock tower, gazing at the night sky above and the lively streets below.

That was when his eyes caught a familiar figure.

Looking closer, he recognized her—Lady Dorothy Ashcroft, Plumette’s friend.

Standing beside her was Ronan Crowyn, the second son of Viscount Crowyn.

The pairing felt… unusual.

Intrigued, Jacob decided to follow them from a distance.

After a short while, Ronan stepped away, leaving Dorothy seated alone on a bench, as if waiting for him to return.

Jacob took the opportunity and approached Ronan, startling him.

“Gosh—! Lord Jacob… it is you,” Ronan said, clearly taken aback.

“Indeed,” Jacob replied calmly, studying him.

“Good evening, Lord Jacob,” Ronan greeted, quickly regaining his composure.

Jacob acknowledged him with a nod before glancing around.

“Are you here alone, Lord Ronan?”

Ronan stiffened slightly at the question but recovered just as quickly.

“Yes… Why do you ask, Lord Jacob?”

Though Jacob wanted to probe further, he decided against it—for now.

“Nothing. I simply heard you recently entered a relationship, so I was curious.”

At that, Ronan let out a quiet breath and offered a small smile.

“Yes, I am currently in a relationship. We are trying not to draw too much attention to it… she is rather shy.”

Jacob studied him for a brief moment before nodding.

“I see. Congratulations, Lord Ronan.”

With that, they parted ways.

Yet, as Jacob walked away, a faint unease settled in his mind.

Something about Ronan’s behavior felt… guarded.

“My Lady, you have a letter from Lady Grace.”

Kate’s voice came with a soft knock on the door.

Plumette opened it reluctantly, took the letter, and returned to her bed.

What could it be? she wondered as she broke the seal.

As she read through it, her expression shifted—and then she suddenly sat upright.

“Grace wants me to accompany her on a date… or is it just a meeting with Lord Chester?”

“And one of his friends will be there as well…”

She paused, her thoughts racing.

“What are the chances that Lord Jacob will be there too?”

“If he does come… should I take this chance to answer him?”

“Should I confess as well?”

“Ugh—think, Plumette!”

In frustration, she kicked aside the pillows and hurried out of her room, muttering under her breath.

“I need a reasonable person…”

Without hesitation, she pushed open the door to her brother’s office.

“Brother, should I meet with my friend Grace?” she asked abruptly.

“Sure. Why not?” Zachary replied casually, still focused on his work. “Go if you want, or don’t if you’re busy.”

Plumette hesitated before adding,

“…Even if it involves accompanying her on a date with Lord Chester?”

Zachary paused briefly before responding,

“Hmm… Yes. It will probably just be a normal outing if she asked for your company.”

He finally looked up at her.

“Stop stressing. Sit down and have some tea.”

Plumette quietly obeyed, letting out a frustrated sigh as she sat.

She couldn’t explain her situation clearly, nor could she decide on her own without fear of making a mess of things.

Zachary poured her a cup of tea and leaned back in his chair.

“Isn’t it nice to meet your friend after a while? Why overthink it so much?”

“You’re right… I’ll just go,” Plumette said, finally settling on a decision.

Zachary chuckled softly, amused by how her mind worked.

“Eat these cookies before you leave. The chef made them.”

Plumette nodded, quietly nibbling on them as she gradually calmed down.

The next day, Jacob sat in his office, reclining in his chair with a heavy sigh.

Seeing Lady Plumette’s friend yesterday only made me miss her more…

“My lord, Will is here,” Otto announced as he opened the door.

Will, a member of the White Doves, stepped in and bowed slightly.

“My lord, Marquess Crowe has made contact with Count Crudnick. It appears they will be meeting soon.”

Jacob straightened slightly, his expression sharpening.

“I can already guess what they intend to discuss,” he said thoughtfully. “The real question is whether the Count will agree to join hands with him.”

“Shall we follow them to the meeting location?” Will asked.

“That would be ideal,” Jacob replied, “but we cannot risk exposing ourselves. Instead, observe the Count after the meeting.”

Will nodded.

“And find out what Viscount Crowyn and his sons are up to as well,” Jacob added.

With another nod, Will left to carry out his orders.

Jacob turned his gaze toward the window.

“I suppose… we’ll be meeting soon,” he murmured.

“My Lady, you must wear a blanket while walking outside. Winter is approaching—what if you catch a cold?”

Kate gently draped a blanket over Plumette’s shoulders as they walked through the garden.

“I’ll remember next time,” Plumette replied—

just before sneezing as the cold air brushed against her face.