If You Wish to Have Me - Chapter 21-30

Chap 21

Daniel’s Misunderstanding

“Thanks to that, even the regular meetings that were held there had to stop. Do you know how discouraged Hazel is because of that? How could you do such a thing knowing how precious those meetings are to her?”

Daniel continued in a contemptuous tone.

“Not only that, but that article also subtly dug up Hazel’s past. About the painful fact that she had lost her husband before! Damn it!”

Bang! His fist, unable to contain his anger, struck the adjacent wall.

Kisa’s body flinched at that violent act. An instinctive fear threatened to overwhelm her again.

“When I went to confront that damn magazine company, they told me the journalist who wrote the article had already left. They were quite quick to act, weren’t they? They put up a scapegoat, threw some bait, and quickly erased their traces.”

Fortunately, or perhaps not, Daniel, blinded by rage, hadn’t yet noticed her state.

“A young master who’s gone mad for a commoner widow while having the most beautiful fiancée in high society! Yes, that’s quite the matter for people to swarm around like a pack of dogs! How amusing and entertaining must it be?”

Daniel’s voice grew louder, and proportionally, the fear in Kisa’s heart also swelled.

“Fine, let’s say that’s how it is about me. The more they make me out to be an unprecedented fool, the more justification Vansfelt gets for unilaterally announcing the broken engagement.”

“……”

“But what does Hazel have to do with any of this! How could they target such a delicate and pitiful person!”

She was struggling with the urge to flee this place immediately. She wanted to rush back to her room and lock herself away. To go somewhere safe, somewhere Daniel couldn’t follow.

“Hey, Kisa?”

Daniel spoke with confusion at the other person who kept her head bowed.

“If you have a mouth, say something.”

“If you have a mouth, say something.”

When there was still no response, he grabbed Kisa’s shoulder with his right hand and shook her. Her body trembled violently at that somewhat rough touch.

“Kisa?”

Nausea rose. A strong urge to get away from Daniel surged in Kisa’s heart. Yes, rather than showing weakness in front of this man again, it would be better to retreat.

The broken engagement was already a decided matter, and nothing Daniel said could stop it. Then what was the point of dealing with him here? So this wasn’t running away.

Having reached this conclusion, Kisa knocked Daniel’s hand away with a sharp movement and quickly walked toward the reception room’s exit.

Daniel shouted her name from behind, but she intended to ignore it. However, at that moment, a doubt crossed her mind.

‘Am I really not running away?’

Why did she come here to meet Daniel in the first place? Because she wanted to give him a piece of her mind, even if just once.

But what use was it to become scared and avoid him just because he glared and raised his voice?

If she could only say what she wanted to say when Daniel was beyond the door, when they weren’t face to face, could that really be considered giving him a piece of her mind?

The door that would allow her to escape this place was just a few steps ahead, but Kisa didn’t grab the doorknob. No, she chose not to grab it.

[Kisa, don’t worry. Everything will work out.]

She remembered Seyard’s gentle encouragement from their last meeting. Come to think of it, the broken engagement was an achievement obtained through his help.

Without Seyard, Kisa wouldn’t have been able to convince her father, nor would she have been able to break ties with Daniel.

Then shouldn’t she at least handle confronting her former fiancé on her own?

If she left now, the Count would take care of removing Daniel from this mansion, but she couldn’t hide in his shadow forever.

Having changed her mind, Kisa turned around and met Daniel’s gaze directly.

Daniel had moved a few steps from where he had been earlier, presumably intending to chase after Kisa. With a strange look in his eyes, he asked,

“What’s wrong with you suddenly? You don’t look well.”

Kisa slowly opened her mouth.

“It’s nothing.”

Now that she was facing him head-on, it wasn’t much. It wasn’t as scary as she had thought.

“Daniel, I have one thing to tell you. Don’t touch my body carelessly anymore.”

“What?”

“Since the engagement is broken, we’re nothing to each other now, right? And actually, even if we were engaged, touching someone’s body without permission isn’t proper etiquette.”

Daniel’s anger, which had momentarily subsided, awakened at those words. His face contorted.

“I wondered what you were going to say, and this is it?”

“Yes.”

“You talk about etiquette after thoroughly exposing Hazel’s weaknesses and throwing her to the wolves who were drooling for it. Impressive, truly impressive.”

“I never did such a thing.”

“Of course you’d deny it.”

It wasn’t denial – Kisa really had never been involved with Daniel’s article.

When the Count showed her the article, it was already after the magazine had been published. Kisa only properly read the article after returning to her room from the Count’s office.

[I saw your fiancé courting a widow.]

She realized then that what Mrs. Oshuana had said at Melissa’s tea party long ago was right once again.

But so what? What did they expect her to do about it?

Of course, Hazel’s past was personal history unrelated to this matter. From her perspective, it might seem unfair that her past was being dragged out because of Kisa and Daniel’s broken engagement.

Someone might feel sympathy for Hazel. They might ask why she had to endure such humiliation just for being close to a man who had a fiancée.

However, at least that person wouldn’t be Kisa Vansfelt. Kisa wasn’t that overflowing with sympathy, nor was she that comfortable. She was barely managing to deal with her own immediate problems.

It took considerable courage just to say what she wanted to say to her fiancé who was acting so brazen.

“Daniel, you said it yourself before. That I only obey my father’s will.”

He raised one eyebrow as if wondering why this topic suddenly came up.

“If I’m really just my father’s puppet doll as you say, then it doesn’t make sense.”

“What doesn’t?”

“Finding out about that woman you love’s past and exposing it in an article.”

For a moment, Daniel’s lips twitched.

“You, how dare you-“

“Or what? Do you really think I personally hired someone to investigate her past and then recruited a journalist to expose it? Really?”

Daniel couldn’t answer immediately. He knew it too.

That the Lady Vansfelt, who merely inherited good bloodline and decent looks, didn’t have such skill or ability. He had been the one who had most sarcastically pointed that out.

“I don’t understand. Let’s say that article came from our family, as you suspect. Shouldn’t you be confronting someone else?”

“……”

“But why are you only intimidating me? Are you scared? Scared to confront my father?”

“Shut up.”

Daniel muttered ominously, but he couldn’t stop Kisa’s words.

“Right, that can’t be it. How could the great Daniel Lowens be too scared to confront the person he thinks is the real culprit and instead take it out on an innocent person?”

A sigh escaped from his lips.

“You speak well. As if you bear no responsibility.”

“What about you? Don’t you bear any responsibility for your precious friend’s pain? Mr. Daniel Lowens, who fooled around with another woman while having a fiancée.”

“I told you! Hazel and I are just friends!”

Daniel raised his voice again, but this time it wasn’t frightening.

“Oh, really? Then that’s unfortunate. It seems the world doesn’t call a woman who spends more time with you than your fiancée just a friend.”

“Kisa!”

“If the world’s perception is wrong, don’t shout at me – shout at the people of the world.”

Though he had been acting like he would lash out just moments ago, now he was just breathing heavily without a word. It seems he hadn’t expected his foolish fiancée to respond like this.

Kisa looked at the panting Daniel with cold eyes before turning away.

“I’ve said what I needed to say. It’s time for dinner now, so go home.”

Of course, Daniel didn’t budge. Since there was no reason to seek his permission, Kisa tried to leave the reception room first.

“Why so proud? When you’re about to be sold to an old man.”

Until she heard this from behind her.

“What did you say?”

Turning around at this incomprehensible statement, Kisa saw Daniel wearing an expression that seemed both angry and mocking.

“I never knew you were such a frightening woman.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You’re siding with your father who’s trying to sell his own daughter to an old lecher because you’re blinded by jealousy.”

What? Though they were surely speaking the same language, she couldn’t understand a word Daniel was saying.

“I’ll give you credit for your acting skills. That innocent face like you really don’t know anything.”

The man lowered himself to meet Kisa’s eye level and stroked her chin with his finger.

“But did you think I’d never find out? The fact that your father broke off our engagement to make you the queen of the Chamal Kingdom.”

Kisa forgot even that she should remove Daniel’s hand that was touching her at will again. What she had just heard was too absurd.

But Daniel seemed to interpret her silence, caused by absurdity, differently.

“Were you that jealous of Hazel, Kisa?”

His face was colored with a smile full of certainty.

 

Chap 22

You’re Not in a Position to Act That Way

Jealousy? Queen of the Chamal Kingdom? These words were all making Kisa’s head spin.

“You fool! You should at least be able to tell right from wrong. Don’t you know how serious this is?”

Even while Kisa was in confusion, the culprit who had thrown her into this state was now scolding her.

“Being a queen isn’t all good. Do you think a foreign-born queen would be treated well? Even Vansfelt won’t be able to help you there. You’ll obviously just end up being a plaything for some old lecher who’s after young women!”

The insults just kept coming. Why should she have to endure such degrading words from her former fiancé, who was now practically a stranger?

“Shut up, Daniel.”

Though he fell silent for a moment at those words, it wasn’t long before he started spouting nonsense again.

“What? Now that you’ve heard the unvarnished truth, are you finally starting to realize how ridiculous your actions are?”

Kisa was too dumbfounded to speak.

“You… Do you actually think I’m going to become the queen of Chamal?”

“There’s no use denying it, Kisa. The situation makes it obvious.”

“What’s so obvious about it?”

“What wind must have blown for your father to suddenly announce the broken engagement? Isn’t it clear?”

Daniel explained his hypothesis with a confident smile.

“You don’t think he suddenly developed fatherly love and granted your wish? That’s nonsense.”

“…Is that so?”

“You’d have better luck fooling a ghost. How many years have I been coming and going from your house?”

Even Kisa wouldn’t have believed it herself.

“Besides, your father isn’t the type to act without specific certainty. I’ve been thinking while waiting for you here, and there’s only one answer.”

Their gazes met in mid-air, and Daniel continued with a challenging expression.

“He found another marriage prospect for you. At least, someone your father considers better than me.”

“……”

It was correct, but she decided to hold her tongue for now. Though it was just a gut feeling, she sensed it would be more beneficial here to neither confirm nor deny.

Taking Kisa’s response as confirmation, Daniel continued without hesitation.

“And that better prospect is the King of Chamal, who’s looking for a new wife. Well? Am I right?”

Completely wrong. Yet why did he speak with such confidence?

“You can’t fool me. Think about it. Is it even possible to find a better match than me, the legitimate heir of the House of Lowens, within this country?”

They had found one. Though it was a contract marriage with a time limit, they had found one nonetheless.

“Everyone I can think of already has a wife or fiancée. It’s nonsense to think they’d give up those relationships to marry you.”

“……”

Well, it was perfectly natural that Daniel couldn’t think of Seyard’s existence. He had just arrived in the capital and had no apparent connection with either Kisa or Vansfelt. At least not publicly.

Moreover, the late Duke’s fiancée had been none other than the precious princess. Most people expected the new Duke of Hillan would naturally inherit his brother’s engagement.

Therefore, it was natural that Daniel couldn’t get close to the truth…

“So if he found someone, it must be a foreigner. Someone like the King of Chamal.”

It wasn’t pleasant to be misunderstood as a potential bride for such a womanizing trash.

“Come to think of it, my father mentioned a few days ago that your father has been too busy meeting with people from Chamal to spend time with friends. If those conversations were about your marriage, it all adds up.”

What an imaginative madman. Kisa finally couldn’t hold back and threw in a comment.

“Yes, Father did meet with people from Chamal, but that was to export our estate’s specialty wine. They were wine merchants.”

“Did your father tell you that?”

“What if he did?”

“You fool, you actually believe that? Don’t you know what your father is up to?”

Kisa rubbed her forehead, feeling a headache coming on.

“You’re the fool. How dare you say such nonsense…”

Her flowing speech suddenly stopped. A question had occurred to her.

Would it really be beneficial to clear up Daniel’s misunderstanding?

It was uncertain whether he would readily believe Kisa’s words, but even if he did, that would create its own problems. Knowing him, he would definitely try his hardest to find out who the real marriage prospect was.

‘The relationship between Seyard and me needs to be revealed to the world carefully.’

If Daniel somehow caught wind of it before the announcement and started causing trouble, it would be extremely problematic. After all, Seyard also had the engagement issue with the princess to deal with.

On the other hand, if Daniel misunderstood it to be the King of Chamal, it wouldn’t cause major problems.

Even though Daniel was reckless, he probably wouldn’t openly spread rumors about a friendly nation’s king, and even if he did, such news wouldn’t reach as far as Chamal.

“Never mind. You wouldn’t believe anything I say anyway.”

Having finished her calculations, Kisa shook her head and gave Daniel a look of contempt.

“Why did you stop talking? I get it. Something I said struck a nerve, didn’t it?”

“Say whatever you want. You’re not going to listen to me anyway.”

Since Daniel was only saying what he wanted to say, she wasn’t wrong.

“Let me give you some advice. You should sneak into your father’s study right now and check the letters exchanged with those Chamal people. I bet there will be letters discussing your marriage.”

“You’re insane.”

“Do as I say. Later, crying and making a fuss about not wanting to get married won’t change anything. Ah, are you still so carefree because you don’t know what kind of man the King of Chamal is? He’s the type who’s trying to remarry less than two weeks after his wife’s death…”

How ignorant did he think Kisa was? As if she wouldn’t know one of the biggest topics in recent high society. Even before reading the detailed circumstances in gossip magazines, she had known the general information.

Knowing it would be pointless to say more, Kisa tried to leave the reception room.

“Hey, where are you going? I’m not finished.”

Just as Daniel tried to stop her, having apparently more to say, there was a knock at the door.

Finally. Kisa responded to the knock.

“Come in, Nanny.”

Soon, her nanny entered hesitantly, carrying a fairly large bundle. She looked between Kisa and Daniel nervously before speaking.

“It’s been a while, Young Master Daniel. Um, I brought what you asked for, Miss.”

“Well done. Give it here.”

Kisa quickly took the bundle from her nanny. Her thin arms trembled under its weight.

“What’s that?”

Still somewhat of a gentleman, Daniel reflexively moved closer, apparently intending to help carry it. Kisa gladly threw the bundle at his chest.

“Ugh!”

Caught off guard by the unexpected attack, he dropped the bundle. Various items spilled out onto the floor with a clatter – dolls, hats, music boxes, and more. The items were quite diverse.

“What’s the meaning of this?”

As Daniel glared at her, Kisa pointed at the scattered items on the floor with her index finger.

“I’m returning them to you.”

“What?”

“Why, don’t you remember? These are all gifts you gave me.”

His gaze turned downward.

“Well, I suppose you didn’t personally pick them out.”

Probably the Marchioness Lowens, his mother, or the servants had chosen them appropriately. They were too much to Kisa’s taste to have been selected by Daniel, who had always been indifferent to his fiancée.

Nevertheless, Kisa had always treasured them.

She had kept the doll by her bedside, only wore the hat on perfectly sunny days, and wound the music box just a countable number of times for fear of breaking it. Even if Daniel hadn’t chosen them himself, they were still gifts from him.

The nanny, having witnessed how preciously Kisa had kept these items, had perfectly fulfilled the errand to gather all of Daniel’s gifts. Except for the dresses and accessories she had thrown away a few days ago.

“Since we’re neither engaged nor anything else anymore, there’s no reason for me to keep your gifts. Take them.”

“Kisa…”

Daniel gaped blankly. He couldn’t hide the astonishment on his face. However, this lasted only briefly before he revealed his wounded pride.

“Now I see you have a talent for getting under people’s skin. Did you think I’d tremble in fear if you told me to take these back?”

His booted foot unhesitatingly stomped on the teddy bear that had spent many nights with Kisa.

“I kindly gave you advice because I felt sorry that you’re being sold off to some perverted old man, but you’re treating me like a complete fool.”

“…Are you done talking?”

“Yes, I’m done. I’m leaving.”

After coldly glancing at his gifts, he tilted his head.

“I don’t need them, so throw all that away. I’ll throw away all your gifts too. There, satisfied?”

Sneering, Daniel strode angrily toward the door as if he couldn’t stand to stay any longer. Before opening the door, he glanced back at Kisa.

“Kisa, don’t try to maintain useless pride. You’re not in a position to act that way.”

“……”

“Only people who can afford to have pride should maintain it. Otherwise, you’ll end up walking into hell on your own feet.”

Just like you are now. With those final words, Daniel left Vansfelt’s reception room.

“Miss, what exactly happened?”

Sensing the unusual atmosphere, the nanny asked very cautiously. Not wanting to answer, Kisa pointed at the items scattered on the floor.

“Nanny, I’m sorry, but please throw these away.”

“Yes, yes! But about why Young Master Daniel was so angry…”

“What do you want to know?”

“It’s not because of the dresses I threw away, is it?”

“No.”

Relief spread across the nanny’s face.

 

Chap 23

Depression I Don’t Want to Acknowledge

Although the nanny wanted to know what had happened between Kisa and Daniel, Kisa only kept repeating that she would tell her soon.

Anyway, perhaps because her big worry was gone, the nanny organized the items that came out of the bundle with a much brighter attitude.

“Oh my, this is such a waste. It’s practically new, just received recently. Should we really throw it away?”

“……”

“Miss?”

Kisa responded a bit late because she had been staring down at the teddy bear that had been crushed under Daniel’s kick. The nanny’s gaze turned to the teddy bear.

“This was a doll you really cherished, Miss. When you were young, you used to talk to it every day. Come to think of it, didn’t you give it a name? Let me see, what was it-“

“That’s all in the past. Just throw it away.”

“Ah, yes.”

After picking up the cotton stuffing from the floor and handing it to the nanny, she accepted it with a bewildered expression.

Kisa glanced at it one more time before leaving the reception room.

She bit her lip trying to forget the inexplicable pain she felt in her chest. But the dull ache lingered for a long time, tormenting her.

The next day, as if taking turns with his son, Marquis Lowens personally visited the Vansfelt townhouse. However, he was a guest of the Count, and since he didn’t particularly try to see Kisa, she didn’t have to face him.

According to information from the servants, Marquis Lowens stayed for quite a while, having a conversation with the Count before leaving.

He probably tried to change his friend’s mind through words but ultimately failed. Still, unlike his son, he seemed to maintain his dignity, as no shouting could be heard from outside the room.

The broken engagement was a difficult situation for the Lowens family as well. It would be troublesome to find another suitable match for Daniel now, and above all, the responsibility for the broken engagement lay with Daniel, who had been involved with another woman.

Although Marquis Lowens, knowing his friend’s calculating nature, probably wouldn’t believe the reason given by this side at face value, that was how it appeared on the surface.

Therefore, while Lowens refused to accept the engagement cancellation notice until the end, regardless of his objection, news of the broken engagement spread throughout society from the next day.

The method the Count used was simple. He just quietly tipped off some well-connected socialites who were close to the Vansfelt family, and within less than four days, the story of Kisa and Daniel was on everyone’s lips.

The two of them instantly became the kingdom’s hottest topic, surpassing even the new Duke of Hillan or the King of Chamal.

Whenever society people gathered, they whispered about the reason for the broken engagement. The reason given by the Vansfelt side was Daniel’s improper conduct, and there was no other apparent cause.

However, for those who knew what kind of person the Count was, this was a difficult reason to accept. Since when had he become such a humanitarian?

Countless curious people offered various speculations, and some even sent letters directly to the parties involved to find out.

This was how mountains of letters arrived for Kisa, who was now confined to her residence after completely cutting off her already reduced social activities. Kisa sighed weakly after checking the contents of several letters.

Not long ago, right after Daniel’s article appeared in the gossip magazine, there had been a flood of letters, but now it was about three times that amount.

Even then, she had struggled to reply to everyone except Melissa, but how long would it take this time…

“Hmm, never mind.”

After pondering briefly, Kisa put down her pen. Since she was currently supposed to be deeply heartbroken over the broken engagement, she probably didn’t need to reply to everyone. She would only send brief replies to those who couldn’t be ignored, like Princess Arta.

Indeed, last time she had pretended not to know about Daniel’s gossip, like someone who hadn’t yet heard about it.

It would have been strange for someone living under a strict father’s control to know the contents of a gossip magazine published just days ago.

However now, it would be extremely awkward to continue pretending not to know after the engagement cancellation had been officially revealed to the world.

She should act like someone trying to appear composed but unable to hide signs of being shocked. Let’s play the role of a pitiful woman struggling with her fiancé’s betrayal and its public exposure.

Having reached that thought, Kisa got up from her desk and headed to her vanity.

Beyond letters, it seemed better to act properly even within the house.

Her hand opened the drawer searching for powder she had received as a gift from an acquaintance long ago. She remembered storing it away here because it made her look sickly pale when applied.

“It should be around here somewhere…”

But then, an object caught her eye. It was a flat metal container with an elegant floral label.

The label bore the logo of a famous foreign cosmetics brand, and when opened, it was filled with fine particles of light pink.

“……”

Kisa held it blankly in her hand. The blusher that Daniel had brought back from his studies abroad. The gift he had personally given her when they met again after several years.

Her treasure that she had placed here because it was too precious to use, fearing her hand might unconsciously reach for it if she saw it.

“So this was still here.”

Since it was recently received and barely used, it seems the nanny hadn’t managed to collect it. It should be disposed of quickly like the other gifts that were thrown away in bundles. Though thinking this, Kisa picked up the makeup brush as if entranced.

Tap tap, the brush that had picked up and pressed the pink particles brushed against her porcelain-like cheeks. A woman with flushed cheeks appeared in the mirror.

She stared at the woman endlessly for a while before suddenly coming to her senses.

“What am I doing right now?”

What was she planning to do by dressing up cheerfully? And using makeup he had given her, no less.

This was when she needed to quickly act out her immersion in sorrow. Kisa quickly tried to put down the brush but stopped abruptly.

‘…Acting out sorrow, huh.’

Is it really acting? She asked herself as she looked at her reflection in the mirror. Isn’t she truly sad? Is she really savoring the relief from the broken engagement?

Frustratingly, the answer is ‘no.’ It’s incomprehensible. Even though she had achieved the broken engagement she so desired and had thoroughly seen Daniel’s distorted expression of resentment, her heart remained remarkably subdued.

It’s not as joyful as expected. For some reason, she feels empty, and somehow one corner of her heart feels blocked up as if congested. Even though letters asking about the reason for the broken engagement are flooding in, it oddly doesn’t feel real.

“No, I’m happy. I’m happy.”

Kisa, consciously muttering, glared at herself in the mirror. She needed to quickly wipe away the unsettling pink tinge from her cheeks.

“Miss! The Count wants to see you!”

However, at that moment, the nanny burst into the room without warning. And urged with an urgent voice.

“It seems urgent, you should go right away!”

“What? Now?”

“Yes, right now!”

“Why?”

“Well, I’m not sure, but according to Marsha, there’s a guest…?”

An important guest? At such a sensitive time, there was only one person who would visit the Vansfelt townhouse and specifically need to meet Kisa.

Kisa went to the window as if jumping and looked toward the direction of the main gate far away. As expected, there was a familiar carriage. A black carriage with no family crest painted on it.

It was Seyard. Why? No, surely it must be to discuss their engagement.

However, Kisa hadn’t heard that he would visit today. Unless asked first, the Count rarely informed about such detailed schedules.

“Nanny! Could you bring some water to wash my face?”

“What? What are you saying?”

“I need to redo my makeup! Right now the condition is a bit-“

“Where’s the time for that? Don’t worry, you’re pretty enough as is. Come on, let’s go. They’re currently in the pavilion in the back garden.”

Forced out of the room by the nanny’s persistence, Kisa had no choice but to head to the back garden. Oh well, never mind. Since she felt bad about keeping Seyard waiting too long, she reluctantly headed to the back garden.

But it was hard to forget the uncomfortable feeling on her face.

****

“Father.”

Upon reaching the back garden, she met Count Vansfelt who was approaching from the mansion. He glanced at his daughter and pointed to the pavilion with his eyes.

“He particularly wanted to hear your opinion. What an unusual person.”

After leaving those words, he continued on his way, and Kisa approached the pavilion with slightly slower steps. Seyard, who had already stood up early, pulled out Kisa’s chair.

“It’s good to see you, Kisa.”

“Those are my words, Your Grace.”

“Seyard.”

“Ah, yes. Seyard.”

Kisa felt shy at his consistently informal attitude as she sat down. On the table under the pavilion, a teacup was already prepared for her.

“Ah, let me do that!”

But wasn’t Seyard personally pouring tea into that cup? He smiled gently at Kisa, who didn’t know what to do.

“It’s fine.”

“But how can I let Your Grace-“

“The person who’s standing just pours, that’s all.”

How should I put it? As I’ve felt before, Seyard Hillan was radical in many ways. Perhaps it was because he spent more than half his life in a monastery that he wasn’t bound by formalities.

“Have you been well?”

When Seyard, now seated in his place, asked, Kisa answered with an embarrassed expression.

“Well, nothing special except for the broken engagement.”

“Ah, come to think of it, I forgot. I should have said this first.”

“Yes?”

“Congratulations on your broken engagement.”

Kisa just blinked for a moment. It was her first time being congratulated on a broken engagement. To begin with, a broken engagement wasn’t something to be congratulated on by others.

But he congratulated her. As if it were the most natural thing.

“…Yes, thank you.”

After answering in an awkward voice, she couldn’t continue speaking for quite a while. For some reason, her throat felt constricted and words wouldn’t come out.

“Kisa.”

Seyard quietly called her name.

“Is something wrong?”

It was a gaze as if seeing through everything.

 

Chap 24

Ominous Twins

“No, no. Nothing happened.”

When Kisa reflexively shook her head, Seyard quickly accepted it.

“I see. Perhaps it was my imagination. You just seemed somewhat uncomfortable.”

“No way. I’m just feeling great because I’m finally breaking off the engagement. I feel so refreshed and satisfied……”

“Kisa?”

She couldn’t do it. She didn’t want to lie to someone who was genuinely concerned about her. “Actually…” Kisa began weakly.

“Actually, I’m not feeling very good. Though nothing special happened! We just broke off the engagement as you know, but somehow I feel depressed.”

Her anxious hands fidgeted with the teacup handle.

“Why am I like this? I don’t even understand my own feelings. Could it be, could it be……”

Do I still have lingering feelings for Daniel? She couldn’t voice that question. It wasn’t something she could say to someone who had actively helped her break off the engagement.

Still, this intelligent man surely understood what words she had swallowed. Kisa stared intently at the innocent table.

Before him, she was a sinner, and the pink tinge coloring her cheeks was like a brand. Even if Seyard were to reproach her now for showing weakness, she would have nothing to say.

“Raise your head, Kisa.”

However, the voice that penetrated her eardrums was as gentle as ever. When she lifted her head, his face showed no sign of reproach.

“If you’re willing, could you tell me specifically what has happened to you, and when this melancholy began? Unfortunately, I find it difficult to understand your feelings just from what you said earlier.”

“Is it really okay?”

“Obviously, you can decline if you don’t want to. Forcing someone to talk would be wrong.”

“No! That’s not the issue – I’m just worried about troubling you too much.”

“That kind of trouble is perfectly fine. After all, we’re going to be husband and wife soon.”

“What?”

“Even though it’s a contract, if we’re going to be together for a certain period, wouldn’t it be better to know each other well?”

Ah, so that’s what he meant. She had overreacted to the word “husband and wife.”

“Since we’ve spent so little time together, we should have plenty of conversations from now on.”

In contrast to the casual Seyard, Kisa, whose throat felt strangely dry, took a sip of the slightly cooled tea. Though her face was still burning, perhaps because of the warmth that went down her throat, she felt somewhat more stable.

‘No, is it because of him?’

He had a strange power that made her want to open up. What was the reason? His seemingly trustworthy nature? His kind heart? His intelligence that seemed capable of providing any answer? All were correct answers, yet all were insufficient.

“So please, Kisa.”

He made Kisa speak with one unique characteristic in addition to all of those.

“Tell me.”

This pressure. It was clearly a force that made others follow his will. It was so subtle that only Kisa, who had become sensitive to pressure due to her father’s method of discipline, could detect it.

When she had felt a similar sensation before, she hadn’t known why, but now that she knew his identity, it made sense. It was a characteristic he possessed as a member of the proud Hillan ducal family.

“A few days ago… Daniel came to visit.”

That pressure pushed her forward, so Kisa willingly unlocked the padlock on her mouth.

“The day we sent the engagement cancellation notice to Lowens. I met Daniel in the reception room. I wanted to see his face in person and give him a piece of my mind.”

Taking occasional sips of tea to moisten her throat, she revealed everything that had happened that day in as much detail as possible. Perhaps because of this, by the time she finished her story, she felt somewhat relieved.

“So that’s what happened.”

Seyard, who had listened without interrupting Kisa’s words once, spoke in a thoughtful tone.

“Haven’t you been pushing yourself too hard?”

“Pushing myself?”

“Yes, it’s not unusual for someone who has been running while looking at only one goal to feel empty after achieving that goal.”

“Goal……”

“In Kisa’s case, breaking off the engagement was the goal.”

Indeed, as he said, she had been entirely focused on breaking off the engagement for the past few days.

“Moreover, you had emotional issues with your former fiancé. This is just my speculation, but it seems you haven’t taken proper care of your feelings while pursuing the goal of breaking off the engagement.”

“……”

She thought he might be right. Kisa reflected on her past self. It wasn’t that she hadn’t been hurt by Daniel’s betrayal.

However, the moment she decided to break off the engagement, she deliberately pushed aside anything that wasn’t necessary for achieving her goal. Until now, she thought she had overcome the pain of heartbreak by doing so, but was that really true?

No, it wasn’t overcoming but avoidance. She had buried the pain of losing Daniel, harbored only resentment in her heart, and devoted herself to breaking off the engagement.

She didn’t want to admit the fact that she was suffering from the loss of a man who had called her stupid. Therefore, once the goal was achieved and her desire to get back at Daniel was somewhat satisfied, it was inevitable that the buried pain would resurface.

After all, Daniel had occupied an important part of Kisa’s life for more than ten years.

Cutting him out was no different from cutting out a significant portion of her life.

Perhaps what troubled Kisa more than losing Daniel was the fact that the time and memories associated with him had turned to dust and scattered.

She thought of Sam the Bear. It was simply a teddy bear that Daniel had given her, but at the same time, it had been a friend responsible for young Kisa’s every night.

When Sam was trampled under merciless feet, it had also disturbed the grave in her heart. The pain had been freed.

“I think you’re right. No, you are right.”

Kisa met Seyard’s gaze with eyes full of conviction.

“Thanks to you, I truly feel lighter now.”

Strangely enough, she felt comfortable once she acknowledged the truth that she couldn’t simply be happy about the broken engagement. It seemed that the inward disappointment was also one of the culprits that had been troubling Kisa lately.

To think she only realized this now. For many years, emotions had been something she had to endlessly suppress, cut, and control, rather than accept as the voice of her heart.

That’s how the Count had taught her, and his teachings were everything to Kisa, but Seyard brought a fresh breeze. It was already the third fresh breeze.

First, he had told her that she wasn’t unintelligent; second, he had helped her achieve the broken engagement; and finally, he had given her a great realization.

“It’s nothing. I’m glad I could help.”

Yet Seyard responded humbly, and Kisa, amazed by this, showered him with more praise.

“How did you gain such insight?”

“It’s not really worthy of being called insight.”

“Come on, you read my heart perfectly.”

“I just read books endlessly at the monastery instead of doing the prayers I was supposed to do, so I became well-versed in miscellaneous knowledge. You could call me a sage of the reading room, perhaps.”

Even the nickname he used to humble himself sounded like an impressive title to Kisa’s ears.

“Then at that place……”

She closed her mouth just as she was about to ask about his monastery life without thinking.

“What’s wrong?”

“Well, I was curious about what kinds of books you read there.”

“Ah, I read quite a lot, whatever I could get my hands on, without discriminating by type.”

He mentioned several book titles that Kisa might know, but she was too busy swallowing a sigh of relief to fully concentrate on his words.

‘I guess talking about the monastery would be a bit…’

Though he spent half his life there, strictly speaking, wasn’t he driven out by his family?

It was quite common for a lord’s sons other than the heir to devote themselves to religion, but usually, they left the family by their own choice when they were fully grown.

Unfortunately, in the Sorbi Kingdom, there had long been a custom of considering the younger of twins to be ominous.

A certain legend that had been passed down in this land even before the kingdom was established was the fundamental cause of this long-standing evil practice.

According to the legend, the younger of twins was said to be a demon. It was quite a creepy story about how a demon enters a pregnant woman’s womb to mimic the fetus identically in order to bring humans to ruin.

The demon born this way lives ordinarily until one day revealing its true nature and driving the humans who were until recently its family into a pit of misfortune. Then it laughs watching their misery before returning to the demon world.

Anyway, because of this unpleasant legend, twins born and raised in the regions where the legend was passed down, including Sorbi, had suffered severe persecution.

Long ago, there were even terrible incidents of killing newborn babies, but fortunately, these days, such barbaric events were rare due to advances in medical technology and people’s general level of knowledge being higher.

Still, once rooted, perceptions are frightening things, and there were still views that didn’t look favorably upon twins.

In particular, the tradition-minded Hillan ducal family had sent away the twin brother of their long-awaited heir to a monastery before he could even come of age. That was Seyard Hillan, soon to be Kisa’s new fiancé.

‘I feel indignant just thinking about it. It wasn’t Seyard’s fault that he was born a twin.’

While Kisa was looking at Seyard sitting across from her with such thoughts.

“Kisa.”

He suddenly grabbed her wrist. Truly startled by this sudden, probably first physical contact with him, Kisa tried to pull her wrist away, but his entwined hand wouldn’t let her go.

“You haven’t been listening to me for a while, have you?”

“I-I was listening!”

“You’re lying.”

His well-shaped lips curved crookedly.

“Your pulse has quickened.”

 

Chap 25

The Story He Tells

As he said, her heart was beating rapidly, but it was hard to discern the cause.

Was it really because of the lie, or…

“Um, well…”

Kisa awkwardly lowered her head and avoided his gaze. She wanted to pull her wrist away, but it wasn’t easy.

If she were to shake off his hand here and now, it might look like she was getting angry despite being the one who lied, and things might become awkward between them.

“……”

“……”

Since both remained silent, stillness settled over the spring-filled garden. She swallowed dryly. She needed to say something quickly, but once she missed the timing to respond, it became difficult to open her mouth.

Ah, even Seyard’s nail shapes are so neat, Kisa thought irrelevantly while looking at his thumb resting on the vein running along the inside of her wrist. As if escaping from reality.

How much time had passed? Seyard withdrew his hand first.

“I’m sorry.”

He apologized with a somewhat embarrassed expression.

“I was trying to lighten the mood with a joke, but it seems it wasn’t funny.”

“…Oh, it was a joke?”

“Yes, because you looked quite bored.”

“No! I wasn’t bored at all!”

Kisa unconsciously pressed against the table and stood up abruptly.

“I should be the one apologizing. Just now, it’s true that I wasn’t focusing on Seyard’s story. But it definitely wasn’t because I was bored. Rather, it was quite interesting.”

Her voice gradually grew quieter.

“It’s just that I…I didn’t sleep well last night, so my concentration is a bit… Please believe me. Anyway, I’m sorry for getting lost in thought after asking you to tell me.”

Seyard consoled Kisa as she rambled before ending with an apology.

“It’s really alright, Kisa. This is usually when spring fever is at its worst, isn’t it?”

“…Thank you for saying that.”

He was truly someone who knew how to be considerate of others. A calmer Kisa sat back down, and Seyard took a sip of his portion of black tea.

“I shouldn’t have made such a strange joke in the first place. I should have known better, but only realized it after seeing your expression earlier.”

“What was my expression like?”

“Like a pitiful person enduring questioning from an inquisitor of heresy, I’d say.”

“Aren’t you exaggerating?”

“It’s true. You wouldn’t even make eye contact.”

“That’s, how should I put it…”

“I understand. You must have been afraid of me.”

“……”

Her heart dropped and she looked at him. Afraid? Could it be that he thought Kisa had recalled the legend of the ominous twins and avoided him because of that?

“It’s understandable when an adult man suddenly grabs your wrist. Embarrassingly, I misjudged our closeness thinking we had become quite friendly.”

However, fortunately, there was no such indication on his face as he continued speaking calmly.

It seems she had jumped to conclusions, feeling guilty about her wandering thoughts from earlier. Somehow, when with Seyard, there were oddly tense moments that would come just when she thought she’d forgotten about them.

In any case, it was fortunate. Inwardly relieved, Kisa shook her head.

“Not at all. I wasn’t afraid of Seyard.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, I was just caught off guard by the unexpected situation, and I felt embarrassed about being caught with my mind elsewhere.”

“That’s a relief then.”

“But, um. More than that.”

She asked about something that had been bothering her for a while.

“What did you mean when you said it was a joke? Don’t tell me about my pulse racing…”

“That was a lie.”

He smiled gently and placed his index finger on his own wrist.

“Unfortunately, I don’t have such an ability. Even doing this, I can’t feel anything.”

Momentarily at a loss for words at this sight, Kisa listened as Seyard shared his experience.

“One of the monks I knew would often detect people’s lies this way. Whether it was really because their hearts beat faster when they lied, or if he had some other method, I don’t know, but he was someone who could see through people’s hearts. Once, a young monk who had recently joined the monastery, harboring resentment after being scolded by him…”

His life at the monastery? Apart from being interesting, she wondered if it was alright to hear about it.

Worried that he might be forcing himself to recall painful memories, she watched him, and Seyard stopped his story and gave her a meaningful look.

“You’re probably worried about me.”

“…You really are like Seyard after all.”

“Me?”

“The person who accurately sees through others’ hearts.”

No matter how she thought about it, it wasn’t the monk in his story but this uncannily perceptive man.

“Well, when you hesitate and watch my reaction every time the topic of the monastery comes up, it’s hard not to notice.”

“I-I guess it was quite obvious.”

“You’re just too considerate.”

A moment later, he removed the smile from his face and assumed a serious expression.

“I appreciate your concern, but you don’t need to be so mindful. Actually, I’m more comfortable when you treat me normally.”

His gaze swept across the beautiful garden scenery as if swimming through the streams of memory.

“The time I spent at the monastery certainly wasn’t entirely pleasant. Though I can talk about it casually now, I was once a rebel full of discontent with the world. Despite being just another mouth to feed, I frequently caused trouble.”

It was impossible to imagine given who he was now. To think that Seyard had been a troublemaking rebel.

Yet somehow, it was also reassuring in a way. Even he, who seemed perfect, was human after all.

“But that’s all in the past now. I’m trying my best to shake off old grudges and focus only on the present and future.”

His right hand on the table formed a fist.

“…Besides, my parents, whom I resented so much, passed away several years ago, and now even my sibling is gone from this world. What good would it do to keep harboring resentment?”

Suddenly, this thought occurred to her: Perhaps he too was taking time to let go of old emotions. Just like Kisa, who hadn’t yet been able to make Daniel completely a person of the past.

The reason Seyard could read her concerns at a glance wasn’t because he possessed some ability to see through people’s hearts like that monk, nor was it simply because he had read many books as he claimed.

It was simply because it was his own story.

For some reason, thinking this way caused a warm feeling to spread through Kisa’s chest. It made him feel even more human, just like herself.

In truth, up until now, she had several times gotten the impression that Seyard was so perfect he hardly seemed human.

A superhuman who was intelligent and kind, bold and of excellent lineage, yet never looked down on others carelessly, and could empathize even with the feelings of the flawed while being flawless himself.

But that wasn’t it. While Seyard Hillan was certainly an extraordinary person, he was someone who had pain, had things he couldn’t do, sometimes made awkward jokes, and even told perfect lies.

And there was likely much more to his human side that Kisa didn’t know about. She wanted to know. For some reason, she found herself harboring such a wish.

“Um, Seyard.”

“Yes.”

“If it’s not too presumptuous, and if it won’t be painful for you, could you tell me more? About how you spent your time at the monastery.”

His reddish-brown eyes widened slightly.

“And… though it’s shameless of me, I’d also like to hear the story I missed earlier because I was lost in thought. I’ll listen properly this time.”

He was silent for a moment before speaking.

“Well… Except for a few anecdotes, it probably won’t be interesting to you.”

For a moment, when a shadow crossed his face, she thought he was refusing, but Seyard’s words weren’t finished.

“If those few anecdotes would suffice, I’d be happy to tell you.”

“Thank you! That’s more than enough!”

“In that case, shall we start with the story I couldn’t finish earlier… is what I’d like to say.”

After checking the time on his pocket watch from his coat pocket, he made a troubled face.

“Unfortunately, it’s already gotten this late. I have other appointments today, so I’m afraid I’ll have to leave now.”

Come to think of it, the sun had already moved considerably westward. Kisa hurriedly apologized.

“I-I’m so sorry. You took the time to visit, and all you did was listen to my troubles. What should I-“

“No, no. It’s fine. I actually came today with the purpose of talking with you.”

“With me? But I thought you had matters to discuss with Father…”

“That was merely secondary. My main purpose was to see how my fiancée was doing and briefly confirm your opinion on something.”

“Opinion about what?”

“About when to announce our engagement to the public. We’re planning to hold a banquet at the Hillan duchy in about a month to commemorate my succession to the title. Would it be alright to announce it then?”

I nodded readily.

“Of course that’s fine with me.”

“Excellent. I look forward to standing beside you in public for the first time.”

…How should one respond to such a romantic statement?

Honestly, if it were anyone but Seyard, she would have thought they either had ulterior motives or were simply being courteous as gentlemen typically are with ladies.

However, this man’s attitude was too straightforward to be ulterior motives, too weighty to be mere courtesy, and that confused Kisa.

“It’s just… politeness.”

Kisa muttered as she watched the departing carriage. Regardless of him being a good person, there was no room in her heart to accept someone new.

 

Chap 26

Lady Dos

While people outside were gossiping about Kisa and Daniel’s broken engagement, Kisa spent a peaceful time secluded at home.

Still, memories of Daniel would resurface without warning from time to time, and her heart would ache realizing those innocent days would never return.

However, as Seyard had advised, once she honestly acknowledged her feelings, she didn’t become as listless as when the engagement was first broken off.

If she felt angry at Daniel, she let herself be angry. If she missed the past, she let herself miss it. If she felt pathetic about having naively given all her love, she let herself feel pathetic…

Kisa tried to let her emotions flow freely like a stream.

When she did this, even when negative thoughts came, she would only feel down for an hour or two before returning to normal.

After that, she deliberately did things that made her feel good. She ate delicious desserts, strolled through the spring garden, and enjoyed leisure time she had never really appreciated before.

Whether because he was busy with his own affairs or simply uninterested, Count Vansfelt left his daughter alone. This was incredibly fortunate for Kisa.

However, not everyone acted like the Count.

“Oh, how pitiful! Our young lady! Such a flawless and proper lady getting her engagement broken off! I really don’t understand what the Count is thinking! Where will he find another good match like Young Master Daniel…”

Upon hearing news of the broken engagement, her nanny hugged Kisa and caused quite a scene with her crying and wailing. Kisa thought she had received a terminal diagnosis.

However, despite the excessive dramatics, since her nanny’s concern for Kisa was sincere, she spent quite a while that day comforting her.

Telling her it was nothing, that she was fine. The nanny was simply an old-fashioned person who thought a woman’s life was over if an ongoing marriage arrangement fell through.

Other servants, also unaware of the circumstances, had been treating Kisa very carefully lately.

Though the unfamiliar atmosphere felt awkward, she couldn’t tell everyone about the new engagement plans, so she had no choice but to keep quiet.

Outside the mansion, many people were still desperately sending letters trying to dig up information. Thanks to them voluntarily delivering social circle information even without being asked, she could clearly see what was happening.

The name most frequently mentioned in the letters was undoubtedly her former fiancé, Daniel.

They say he suddenly started actively attending social events shortly after breaking off the engagement with Kisa.

It was an unexpected move for someone who had previously maintained distance from social circles, only showing his face occasionally.

What wind had blown his way, when he used to look down on people who were too invested in social activities? To Kisa, the reason was clear.

It was to show Kisa. That no matter what she did, he was doing fine. That her struggles hadn’t left a single scratch on him.

So give up your useless stubbornness and come back to me, put on your leash like before.

Daniel’s words and actions described in the letters supported this. They say he was openly telling people that the magazine article was false reporting and that the Vansfelt family had made a hasty decision.

Therefore, he said he would be willing to take her back if Vansfelt changed their mind even now.

He was still the same shameless person who didn’t know how to show any remorse. But there was no need to keep thinking about such a person and eat away at herself.

While Kisa didn’t forcefully suppress her anger and hatred toward Daniel, she didn’t dwell on it either.

And in the letters, there was also a welcome name that didn’t just provoke anger like Daniel did.

It was Seyard. They say he finally made his first appearance at an official event.

Actually, Kisa had heard directly from him when they met last time.

[I think I need to start participating in social activities before people’s gazes get any stranger. Hmm, I’m not sure if I can do well.]

Perhaps because he had spent a long time in the monastery, he seemed quite uncomfortable with social circles. Or maybe it was in his nature, as his brother Vischer Hillan also kept his distance from society.

Anyway, despite his earlier hesitation, Seyard’s late social debut seemed to be a great success.

Even though it wasn’t particularly news related to Kisa, his name was mentioned in several letters sent to her.

-The handsome Duke Hillan. He seems gentler than the previous duke. He doesn’t seem as frivolous as rumored. His smile was so beautiful it made my heart flutter.

These were all expressions written alongside Seyard’s name. It was enough to make even Kisa, who enjoyed her reclusive life, feel a pointless regret that she should have attended the party of some family that he had chosen as his debut venue.

If she had attended, she could have congratulated him…

Still, she felt naturally proud that Seyard was receiving positive evaluations from many people. What nonsense about superstitions regarding twins.

For Kisa, Seyard Hillan was someone who brought luck rather than misfortune. Without him, she would never have been able to break free from Daniel.

“Ah.”

Why did she only think of it now?

While reading the letters, Kisa suddenly thought of him and opened her desk drawer to take out some writing paper.

She was going to write a letter to Seyard. A letter congratulating him, albeit belatedly, on his successful social debut.

Though contact with Seyard needed to be handled carefully, if she asked Count Vansfelt, he would probably have a way to safely deliver a letter or two.

“Miss, are you there?”

Knock knock knock. 

But at that moment, someone called for Kisa from outside the door.

She knew the owner of this voice. It was the young man who worked as Count Vansfelt’s secretary.

“Is father looking for me?”

When Kisa opened the door and went out, he scratched his head as if embarrassed.

“No, that’s not it. A guest has arrived at the mansion, and I think you need to come out to see them.”

“Me?”

Usually, visitors to Vansfelt’s town house were the Count’s guests, and if there were guests Kisa needed to receive, she would have been informed in advance.

But today she hadn’t received any notice.

“Did you forget to tell me?”

“No, it’s just that the guest arrived suddenly…”

“They came without an appointment? Who could it be?”

She wondered if it might be Daniel again, but the name that came from the secretary’s mouth was someone entirely different.

“It’s Lady Melissa Dos.”

When Kisa entered the reception room, Melissa was sitting calmly in her seat, drinking tea that had been served by the maid.

“Kisa!”

Upon seeing Kisa, Melissa hurriedly stood up and approached her.

“It’s been so long! How have you been? I-“

“That’s far enough, Lady Dos.”

Kisa raised her right arm to prevent her from coming any closer.

“Please, have a seat. As you are a guest visiting the Vansfelt house, I should at least offer you that much hospitality.”

“You really…”

Melissa frowned and sat back down on the sofa. Kisa sat across from her and took a formal sip of the tea that had been prepared in advance.

“Are you still angry with me? How long are you going to keep ignoring me like this?”

A sigh escaped at her childish attitude of complaining.

“Lady Dos, what do you want from me?”

“Why are you calling me that? And since when did we start using formal speech?”

“Aren’t you visiting this mansion in your capacity as Lady Dos? You came as the daughter of Count Dos, not as my friend Melissa, didn’t you?”

“…”

Melissa bit her lip hard. After all, she was the one who had committed the rudeness of visiting someone’s house without notice under the pretext of accompanying her father.

The guest who was supposed to visit today to discuss matters with the Count was clearly Count Dos, and there had been no mention of Melissa at all.

Well, from their perspective, it was understandable. If they had mentioned it and this side had refused, they would have had even less reason to visit.

Moreover, if Kisa had known about Melissa’s visit in advance and happened to go out, everything would have been in vain. Most likely, her main purpose was to meet Kisa.

By showing up unannounced like this, Kisa had to deal with her out of courtesy. The Count, who needed to discuss business with Count Dos, couldn’t handle it himself.

“…Tch, how cruel. How can friends treat each other like this? Aren’t you holding onto your anger for too long?”

If this had been the old Kisa, she would have given in to Melissa’s childish pouting, finding it cute, but not anymore.

“I see. So you’re saying you came as my friend. Then we’re done here.”

“What?”

“I have nothing to say to you. Since I don’t have a friend like you, you’re not a guest of this house.”

Therefore, there was no reason to deal with Melissa, who wasn’t even a guest.

“Just drink your tea and wait for your father to come out, then leave with him. I’ll give you as many cups of tea as you want.”

“Wait, Kisa!”

Melissa panicked and grabbed Kisa’s hand as she was heading toward the door.

“Please calm down and listen to what I have to say. I came all the way here to apologize to you.”

“Apologize?”

“Yes, if I sincerely apologize, you’ll accept it, right? Your anger will be gone and we can be good friends like before, right?”

“Well. That depends on hearing your sincere apology first.”

“What? What do you mean?”

“Whether to accept your apology or not depends on my feelings.”

“But, I came all the way here…”

“More importantly, are you really here to apologize?”

Kisa looked straight at the trembling Melissa.

“Aren’t you here because you’re curious about my broken engagement?”

At that moment, her eyes widened.

 

Chap 27

Hello My Friend

Despite showing a clearly disturbed reaction, Melissa suddenly pretended to just remember.

“Bre-Breakup? Ah, right. That’s right. You said you broke off your engagement with Daniel.”

Her behavior seemed even more suspicious. Even for someone who wasn’t as fond of gossip as Melissa, the broken engagement between Kisa and Daniel had caused quite a stir, so it seemed odd to have forgotten about it. Moreover, hadn’t it happened just a few days ago?

“Of course, I’m curious about the broken engagement too. How you two ended up breaking it off. But… isn’t this a natural question as your friend?”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes, I’m serious! I can even swear to it!”

“Never mind your oath. If what you said earlier was sincere, there’s something I’d like to ask.”

Sensing the conversation might get lengthy, Kisa sat back down on the sofa. Seeing this as a sign of reconciliation, Melissa’s eyes lit up.

“What is it? Ask me anything.”

“It’s nothing much, but I’m curious why you only came now.”

“What do you mean ‘only now’?”

“Didn’t you say earlier you came to apologize?”

“Ah, yes. Today I came to apologize.”

“I want to know why you only now felt compelled to visit my house in person to apologize.”

“…Are you blaming me for coming too late?”

“Late, huh. Yes, it was late.”

Melissa narrowed her beautifully made-up eyes.

“Kisa, speak plainly. I’ve been holding back since you’ve been angry, but I need to make this clear.”

“Fine. Make it clear.”

“I’ve been apologizing all along. You’re the one who’s been ignoring it!”

“You apologized?”

“Yes, through letters. Do you know how many I sent? And you never replied once!”

“Ah, those.”

For a moment, Kisa felt deflated, wondering if she needed to explain such basic things, but she didn’t hold back what needed to be said.

“Melissa, no one in this world would accept a letter as a sincere apology when more than 80% of its content consists of self-justification.”

Melissa just blinked blankly.

“…Self-justification?”

“Things like how hiding Daniel’s betrayal was ultimately for my sake, or how you had to tell the princess because she asked…”

“B-but that’s the truth!”

“Here’s the real truth. You didn’t want to get involved in troublesome matters. You wanted to curry favor with the princess by selling my story. And…”

Though unintended, her next words came out somewhat bitter.

“The reason you came here now is to find out why I broke off the engagement so you can bring more joy to the princess.”

Melissa’s eyes wavered for a moment. It was the clearest evidence that Kisa’s words were correct.

After a brief silence, Melissa raised her voice with a trembling tone.

“Wh-what nonsense are you talking about! Are you trying to slander me?”

A highly agitated response. If this had been a month ago, Kisa would have shrunk back, unsure how to handle such an angry Melissa.

But having dealt with Daniel by now, she had enough composure in a corner of her mind to assess the situation calmly.

“So it really was true. Now that I’ve confirmed it, I don’t feel particularly good about it.”

“It’s not true! Really, it’s not!”

“Don’t you think I know you, having been your closest friend for over ten years? Why did you suddenly visit my house in person when until just a few days ago you only sent letters?”

“That’s because my father happened to have business here!”

“If he hadn’t, you would never have come?”

“What? No, that’s…”

“If you sincerely wanted to apologize to me, why didn’t you come alone?”

“You wouldn’t have allowed my visit!”

“You came without permission today, didn’t you?”

That question left Melissa speechless.

“What mattered to you wasn’t my permission, but whether you could meet me or not, right? If you had come alone, you might have been turned away at the door, but if you came with your father, I would have had to let you in and deal with you.”

“…”

“Would someone who cared so little about my permission have truly cared about forgiveness?”

Kisa quietly watched Melissa, who was biting her lips nervously.

“If you were truly sorry, you shouldn’t have just sent letters – you should have come to apologize in person long ago.”

Even if it meant risking being denied entry or being told to leave to her face.

If she had done that, if Melissa had continued to come apologize despite that, Kisa would have eventually softened her anger.

But she didn’t. Letters were a convenient means that wouldn’t risk much embarrassment even if they went unanswered.

“Besides, you asked father for help, didn’t you? To help reconcile us.”

On the day he returned from visiting the Dos estate, Count Vansfelt had called Kisa and told her to accept Melissa first.

“You, who had been watching from the side, knew well enough. That I fear my father. To try to force me using my father’s power, I simply cannot accept your actions-“

“Don’t talk as you please!”

Melissa jumped to her feet and shouted impulsively.

“I just asked your father to help us reconcile, that’s all!”

Her sharp eyes glared at Kisa.

“You’ve completely changed. You’re not the kind Kisa I used to know.”

Looking at her former friend showing clear hostility, Kisa responded with utmost calmness.

“You’re right. I have changed.”

Not completely, just a little. She too felt that she had definitely changed compared to before encountering Daniel’s secret.

“But I don’t regret it. I like who I am now more than before.”

She became able to speak out a little more of what she wanted to say. She had reduced her tendency to yield her own intentions first out of fear of conflict with others.

“So Melissa, why don’t you change too?”

“What are you saying?”

“How long will you keep disguising your selfish actions as goodwill? Isn’t it about time you acknowledged your mistakes?”

“N-no! What do you know? I really did it for your sake!”

Some excuses could become beliefs. That was Melissa’s case.

The ‘kind Melissa’ who had first reached out to the shy young Kisa. Looking back, it was goodwill that was largely self-satisfying in nature.

As someone who had received considerable comfort from Melissa, Kisa had no intention of diminishing that value now, but ‘kind Melissa’ and ‘Kisa’s friend’ were no longer compatible concepts. She had roles far more important to her than being ‘Kisa’s friend.’

“Fine, let’s say I don’t know. What does it matter now anyway?”

Kisa stood up.

“Goodbye, Melissa. Though it ends like this, I had many happy moments being your friend.”

It was sincere without a trace of lie.

“I hope you’ll be happy.”

“Wait, wait a moment! Kisa! Are you going to leave after saying only what you wanted to say?”

Though Melissa was making a fuss, Kisa had decided not to look back. However, there were words that made her footsteps toward the door stop.

“Do you know how worried I was when I heard you were being sold off to that old pervert from Chamal!”

At this familiar content she’d heard somewhere before, when Kisa glanced back, Melissa was sneering with what seemed like a gleam of delight in her eyes.

“Now you finally listen to me.”

“Did Daniel say that?”

“Seeing how quickly you guessed, I suppose it must be true?”

She casually brushed her side hair with an apparently relaxed gesture.

“He came to me a few days ago and asked. He wanted to know if I knew anything about you possibly becoming the queen of Chamal soon.”

Come to think of it, Daniel, not knowing about the rift between Kisa and Melissa, might well have tried to confirm his questions about Kisa with her. Moreover, weren’t Daniel and Melissa’s younger sibling in the same social circle?

“Still, really. Your father is something else. How could he send his daughter to such a place…”

“So that’s why you came to hear it from me? To confirm if I’m really being sold abroad for money?”

“I said I was worried. Even though we fought, it’s natural to worry when hearing such things, isn’t it?”

“…You don’t need to worry. There’s no chance of me becoming the queen of Chamal.”

“Really? Then why did you break off the engagement? Your father isn’t the type to make you break an engagement without reason.”

“Melissa, are you really worried about me?”

At those words, her face flushed red.

“Why? Does it seem like I’m lying?”

“If it’s not a lie, then I’ve answered enough. I’ll be going now.”

Kisa left the reception room, and Melissa didn’t try to stop her further. As if she had already gotten the answer she wanted.

****

More than two weeks after Kisa had broken off her engagement with Daniel, Count Vansfelt called his daughter to his office after a long while.

Kisa went to see her father with some anticipation. She had previously entrusted him with a congratulatory letter to send to Seyard, and wondered if a reply had already come.

However, the Count’s business was something entirely different.

“Father… what is this?”

When he handed her an envelope, Kisa had picked it up with an eager heart, but a few seconds later, she asked with a voice clearly showing disappointment.

Naturally, the Count was not one to pay attention to his daughter’s disappointment.

“It’s an invitation.”

“Yes, that’s what it says here.”

She hadn’t asked him because she couldn’t read what was written on the envelope.

“I don’t understand why this person sent me an invitation.”

The sender was Countess Habertz, who was Daniel’s aunt and also the person in charge of hosting the upcoming charity gathering.

“Kisa, attend that charity gathering.”

“What?”

“I hear Duke Hillan will be attending. As Princess Arta’s partner.”

 

Chap 28

Time for Change

Kisa absently pondered the Count’s words. Seyard would be attending the Habertz family’s charity event?

Thinking about it, it wasn’t particularly strange. The new Duke of Hillan was the talk of the kingdom these days, so much that hosts of various events were desperate to invite him.

Though Kisa was also the subject of gossip due to her broken engagement, she couldn’t compare to Seyard’s prominence.

‘Right, it’s not strange. Countess Habertz would have wanted to invite him too.’

By the time Seyard had begun his formal social activities, invitations had already been distributed to attendees long ago, but there was nothing preventing a few additional ones from being sent.

But…

“He’s attending as the Princess’s partner?”

When Kisa asked numbly, Count Vansfelt simply nodded silently. She unconsciously gulped.

The Habertz family’s charity event required partners. And when an unmarried man and woman who weren’t relatives attended such an event together, it usually meant they were in a relationship.

Of course, she wasn’t doubting Seyard. Kisa knew better than most how trustworthy he was.

Although theirs was a contract marriage, he wasn’t the type to create a romantic relationship without telling Kisa, whom he had agreed to marry. After all, he had proposed their contract marriage to escape the pressure to marry the Princess. Such a person wouldn’t date the Princess.

‘If they’re really attending the charity event together, Seyard must have had some unavoidable reason.’

As if confirming her faith in him, the Count spoke with a somewhat awkward expression.

“In fact, the Duke probably had no choice. Refusing the Princess’s request in front of everyone would be improper for a subject.”

“The Princess asked him directly?”

“Yes, do you know about the reception at the palace the day before yesterday?”

“Yes, I heard about it. It was a reception celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Northern Main Railway’s opening, right?”

“That’s right. The Princess met the Duke there and made the request first. She asked him to take her as his partner to the Habertz charity event.”

Kisa inadvertently let out a gasp of “My goodness,” unable to find other words to express her surprise.

“…She’s very bold.”

While it wasn’t common for a woman to ask a man to be her partner, what was more surprising was that she had made this request in public, with many people watching. And she was a member of the royal family, no less.

“If she were rejected, it would be terribly humiliating. But that’s precisely why she won’t be rejected.”

How many people in this country would dare embarrass the youngest princess, who monopolized the affection of the King and Queen?

‘Princess…’

Kisa recalled the image of the Princess she had observed as a friend. Arta Derbon Sorbi. Though people didn’t show it, many secretly disapproved of her excessive free-spiritedness.

But Kisa never disliked Arta, even if she had been taken aback by her unexpected actions at times. To Kisa, who had grown up under her father’s suffocating discipline, Arta’s freedom appeared beautiful.

‘Even after Daniel’s affair was exposed, I didn’t come to dislike that aspect of her, but…’

She was now struck with the premonition that Arta’s freedom would become an obstacle to her marriage with Seyard.

Having lost her fiancé, Vischer Hillan, and having been in grief for a while, it seemed highly likely that she wouldn’t want to lose Seyard, who was said to look exactly like his brother.

“Have you met with Duke Hillan in the meantime? What did he say?”

“I haven’t met him, but yesterday the Duke sent a letter through a messenger. He must have been concerned about my reaction to the news.”

The Count leaned back loosely against the chair and continued.

“The letter said not to worry as it was nothing significant. The Princess’s request was unexpected, but his feelings remain unchanged from before.”

Though she had expected as much, hearing it brought a sense of relief.

“That’s good to hear. But, when you told me earlier to attend the charity event, what did you mean…?”

If Seyard had confirmed it, wasn’t the matter settled? No matter how unpredictable Arta was, she couldn’t secure a marriage proposal that way. There seemed to be no reason for the Count to worry.

“I meant exactly what I said. Attend the event and observe the two of them.”

However, the Count seemed to think differently. Detecting his subtle tone, Kisa carefully asked.

“Father, are you suspicious of the Duke?”

“You mean do I suspect he might back out now and abandon you to marry the Princess? Well. While I don’t completely trust him, I wouldn’t say I harbor enough doubt to call it suspicion.”

He explained his reasoning in a surprisingly calm voice, showing unexpected kindness.

“Actually, the Duke and I exchanged a written agreement regarding this marriage arrangement.”

Though this was new information, it wasn’t particularly surprising. There was no way the meticulous Count Vansfelt would have broken his daughter’s engagement without any guarantee.

“It’s legally perfect, and if he overturns the engagement with you without consent, he would have to pay enormous compensation to our side.”

In other words, if there was consent from this side, or rather Kisa’s side, terminating the marriage would be possible.

If not, the marriage contract between Kisa and Seyard wouldn’t have been established. But this was a secret agreement that the Count mustn’t discover.

“Duke Hillan will keep his promise. This incident is likely, as he said, the Princess acting on her own.”

“Then why do you want to send me there?”

“Kisa, are you satisfied with this?”

“Pardon?”

“I mean, are you content to simply not worry as the Duke instructed, obediently staying in place and waiting for him?”

He gave his daughter a meaningful look as she remained silent, unable to grasp the intention behind his question.

“Well, I’m not blaming you. I raised you that way, after all.”

“……”

“But now that you’re about to form your own family through marriage, you can’t persist in such an attitude. You’re going to become the mistress of the Hillan ducal house soon, aren’t you?”

“So you’re saying I need to adopt a more proactive attitude, is that it?”

“You could say that. Why that expression?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. It’s just that your words are a bit sudden for me…”

There had never been such advice before. The Count merely shrugged.

“Well, if your marriage partner had remained Daniel, I wouldn’t have bothered saying this. He’s quite strong-willed. Your marriage would have been smooth only if you had remained submissive.”

Kisa agreed with that opinion.

“But Duke Hillan is different. I felt it when I first met him here—he seems quite willing to respect your opinions.”

The Count’s eyes narrowed as he stroked his chin.

“He doesn’t particularly seem like someone with a weak will… Anyway, as long as he’s that kind of person, you need to adapt accordingly. He will probably leave the household management to your discretion.”

He looked at his daughter with a furrowed brow.

“Above all, the eyes on you, who pushed aside Princess Arta to take the place beside Duke Hillan, will not be kind.”

Kisa unconsciously bit her lip.

“Of course, they can’t openly attack you once you properly marry the Duke and become the mistress of the ducal house. But conflicts, big and small, with the Princess and her close associates will be difficult to avoid. The Duke won’t always be able to shield you.”

She had anticipated this to some extent, but hearing it from the Count made it more real—the hardships that lay on the path she had chosen to break off her engagement with Daniel.

The thought of standing against the confident and uninhibited Arta made her tremble. But she had no intention of backing down.

“Yes, I understand. I’ll try to change as you suggested, Father.”

Melissa had told Kisa she had changed beyond recognition, but she still had a long way to go.

“I’m not entirely sure, but is your instruction for me to attend the charity event also for this purpose?”

“Yes, since the Duke said he would handle it, there probably won’t be any issues, but Princess Arta is not to be taken lightly. There’s a good chance she’ll use this opportunity to advance her relationship with the Duke, or at least make it appear that way to others.”

In Kisa’s opinion, Arta was more than capable of such a thing. While she didn’t distrust Seyard, if the Princess took a forceful approach, it would be difficult for him to avoid an awkward situation.

“Father, please tell me.”

For some reason feeling urgent, she leaned toward her father with her hands on the desk.

“What should I do at the event? I’m sorry for asking so many questions. But this is my first time dealing with such matters, and I don’t know what to do…”

Honestly, she couldn’t imagine herself standing against the formidable Princess.

The Count opened his mouth without showing any displeasure at his daughter’s question.

“Kisa, what you need to do is simple. Though it might be a difficult task for you.”

“What is it? If you tell me, I’ll do my best!”

What could it be? Kisa waited for his next words, feeling her heart pounding with mild anxiety and tension.

“In the worst case, that is, if you feel you absolutely cannot stop the Princess…”

“Yes.”

“It would be good to go to Duke Hillan and the Princess and firmly imprint your presence.”

Imprint? That was a somewhat unclear term. What exactly did he mean?

“What do you mean by that, for example?”

“Well, if I had to give an example, why not try clinging to Duke Hillan first?”

“Cling to him? And then…?”

“Kiss him.”

Ah, a kiss. So that was a possible solution.

For a moment, Kisa accepted her father’s words without question, but in the next instant, her eyes widened.

“What?”

 

Chap 29

Meanwhile, Daniel..

Had something happened to her ears in the meantime? Kisa couldn’t help but doubt what she’d just heard.

“A kiss…?”

She tentatively repeated the problematic word, but Count Vansfelt’s expression remained unchanged.

She hadn’t misheard. He definitely said “kiss.”

Good heavens. She’d had many surprises lately, but this one nearly made her faint.

She never imagined her conservative father would suggest such a thing to Kisa.

Wasn’t he the one who always nagged her about proper behavior and kept a watchful eye to prevent her from becoming friendly with men other than Daniel?

He had even refused to let Kisa stay in a guest bedroom at the Lowens mansion before marriage with her fiancé Daniel, insisting they maintain boundaries.

Because of that, the most romantic thing Kisa had done with her beloved fiancé was sneaking a kiss on the boy’s cheek when she was young, away from the Count’s eyes.

Though she was secretly grateful for it now, during puberty, she had deeply resented her father for this.

Therefore, the fact that such an indecent word as “kiss” came from the Count’s mouth was enough to shock Kisa.

Moreover, he wasn’t suggesting they go somewhere private, but to kiss Seyard in front of the Princess. Kisa swallowed hard.

“I-isn’t that too much? Even so, between a man and woman…”

Her father furrowed his brows at his daughter’s stammering question, as if she were talking nonsense.

“Aren’t you and Duke Hillan scheduled to marry in a few months? You’ll have to kiss him in front of numerous guests at the wedding anyway, so what’s the problem?”

Come to think of it, that was true.

Even for a marriage based on contract, they couldn’t avoid the ceremonial kiss. It was the highlight of the wedding, and it would look suspicious without it.

‘How silly of me. When Seyard said that, I completely forgot about the ceremonial kiss.’

She recalled the day he first visited the Vansfelt townhouse, when they walked through the garden together. He had reassured her then:

[Don’t worry too much about marrying a stranger. This is merely a marriage to fulfill each other’s needs, so I will never force conjugal duties upon you.]

Surely Seyard wouldn’t go back on his word, but he probably didn’t mean they would skip the ceremonial kiss.

As Kisa tried to calm her inexplicably flushed face, the Count cleared his throat.

“Of course, remember this is only for the worst-case scenario. If the Princess doesn’t cross the line, you won’t need to go that far.”

“Ah, yes. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“My main purpose in sending you there is for you to learn how to stand your ground and not let others take what’s yours. Go and see for yourself how much the Princess wants the Duke. You’ll be clashing with such a Princess.”

“…Yes.”

Until now, Kisa had been in a position to earn the Princess’s goodwill as a friend, but that would no longer be the case. What kind of face would she show to the woman who took the man she wanted?

“Additionally, it’s time to resume your social activities. Continuing to stay hidden and only appearing for the engagement announcement wouldn’t look good.”

Kisa’s thoughts aligned with his. Though her reclusive life had been quite comfortable, the longer Daniel went about confidently while she remained holed up, the more unfavorable public opinion might become.

People generally assume those who don’t show themselves have something to hide. Given a little more time, everyone might start questioning the credibility of the gossip magazine articles.

Above all, she didn’t like that it appeared she was hiding while Daniel, who had betrayed her, was moving about freely.

“Yes, Father. I’ll attend the Habertz charity banquet.”

Kisa pointed to the invitation she was holding.

“Please send a reply accepting this invitation.”

“I will.”

But as she stared at the envelope with her name on it, she grew curious.

“Why did the invitation come addressed to me?”

She had always attended as Daniel’s partner without receiving a separate invitation, and it seemed strange to receive one after breaking off the engagement with Daniel.

It would only be awkward if she ran into her former fiancé. And there wasn’t any special connection between the Habertz and Vansfelt families.

“Without them clarifying, how could I know their exact intentions? But I can make an educated guess.”

The Count then explained his theory to satisfy his daughter’s curiosity.

“Countess Habertz probably intends to reconcile you two.”

“Me and Daniel?”

“Yes, it’s her way of showing kindness to her nephew.”

“Ah, so she’s providing an opportunity for Daniel to convince me on his own.”

But that was out of the question. Even if Daniel were to beg on his hands and knees and bring millions, she had no intention of taking him back.

The hand Kisa needed to hold was not Daniel’s but Seyard’s. The reason Kisa was going to the Habertz charity banquet was all to see him…

“Oh.”

The Count gave her a puzzled look at her unconscious exclamation.

“What’s wrong?”

“Father, there’s one small problem. Doesn’t this banquet require a partner? Who am I going with?”

Seyard was already the Princess’s partner, and Daniel wasn’t even worth discussing.

However, Kisa’s worry was unnecessary as the Count had already prepared for this.

“Your partner isn’t particularly important, so just bring anyone suitable. Come in!”

Had he kept this “suitable anyone” waiting outside? The Count called out toward the door leading to the hallway.

Soon the door opened and his secretary entered. But no one else was visible behind the secretary.

Kisa tilted her head, having expected him to bring a partner candidate for her.

“Where is my partner?”

“Right there.”

“I’m not sure where you’re pointing…”

“Right in front of you.”

Only after hearing the Count’s somewhat sharp voice did Kisa stop looking around the doorway and look at the only person who had just entered the room.

“You can’t mean…”

“Yes, that’s what I mean, Miss.”

The Count’s secretary muttered with an embarrassed face.

“Inadequate as I am, I’ll escort you.”

“…”

“I-I promise to escort you with utmost dedication!”

Well, thinking about it, there wasn’t anything particularly objectionable. The Habertz’s criteria for partners was someone of verified upper-class status.

Though of lower rank, he was still a nobleman and employed as the Count’s secretary, more than meeting the requirements. Moreover, the age difference between him and Kisa wasn’t too great. She was just surprised by the unexpected choice.

“All right. I’ll be counting on you, Richard.”

When Kisa responded with a sociable smile, Richard exhaled in relief.

“You may go.”

As if his role ended there, the Count dismissed him with the same concise instruction as when he called him.

After Richard left, he spoke.

“And I haven’t told Duke Hillan that you’ll be attending.”

“What? Why not?”

“Even if I told him, he’d just say he’d handle it himself. That man needs to learn that we won’t always act according to his wishes.”

It seemed to be the Count’s way of pushing back against how they had been pulled along by Seyard so far.

Kisa wondered if it was really okay not to inform Seyard, but truthfully, she wanted to keep this a secret just this once.

She wanted to surprise him, just as he had surprised her by hiding his identity as Duke Hillan.

Seyard’s surprised expression. That would be quite interesting to see.

****

Thud. As she opened the door and entered, the night’s accumulated chill greeted Hazel.

She momentarily shrank her shoulders from the cold before walking around the teahouse with familiar steps to light the lamps. Today was the day the employee came in late, so preparing for business was solely her responsibility.

“Oh my.”

But when Hazel entered the inner part of the shop, she saw someone lying on the sofa.

“Daniel! Did you spend the night here again?”

He raised himself with a groggy face.

“Ah, Hazel. You’re here?”

“It was chilly last night. What if you get sick doing this?”

“Such cold is nothing to me.”

Despite Daniel’s confident answer, Hazel headed to the kitchen to prepare a warm tea for him.

“Daniel, please go home today.”

A moment later, as he received the tea Hazel handed him, he thanked her but sullenly replied.

“I don’t want to. I’m sick of the old man’s nagging.”

He seemed to be getting pressured about the broken engagement issue from his father, Marquis Lowens.

If only he would humble himself and apologize. Because both father and son were stubborn, Daniel rarely stayed at the Lowens mansion these days.

“But you can’t go on like this forever. Just apologize to your father.”

“Why should I apologize? Hazel, are you saying it’s my fault too?”

“No, that’s not it. I’m just worried about you…”

As Hazel was trying to comfort him, it happened.

“Young master! Daniel, young master!”

Someone pounded on the teahouse door vigorously, looking for Daniel.

Perhaps because Daniel frequented this place so often, the Lowens household now sent people here when they had business with him.

With an annoyed click of his tongue, Daniel headed to the door.

“What now?”

He roughly opened the door and glared at his household servant. Hazel followed, concerned he might lose his temper again.

“A letter from Countess Habertz.”

“From my aunt?”

But as he unfolded and read the letter, his eyes sparkled. Daniel read the short lines for quite some time before suddenly starting to giggle.

“I knew you would.”

It was a genuinely joyful expression, different from the prickly demeanor he’d shown over the past few days.

“After all this, you’re finally giving in, Kisa.”

 

Chap 30

Freedom to Misunderstand

Hazel’s eyes widened momentarily at the name of Daniel’s ex-fiancée that came from his mouth.

Whether he noticed Hazel’s reaction or not, Daniel, who had been smiling slyly, suddenly furrowed his brow. He glared at the letter in his hand.

“……Richard Atson? Who is this guy?”

After narrowing his eyes for a few seconds as if searching his memory, he let out an “Ah.”

“I wondered who it was, but it’s Count Vansfelt’s secretary.”

“What kind of letter is it that makes you react like that?”

In response to Hazel’s question that she couldn’t hold back, Daniel first dismissed the servant and then plopped down on the sofa he had been occupying until a moment ago.

“It seems the haughty and dull Miss Vansfelt has finally realized her situation.”

He summarized the contents of the letter from Countess Habertz.

“It’s not even funny. How dare she look for me now when she had no problem humiliating me before without knowing her place.”

Though he said this, a smile of assured victory played on Daniel’s lips.

“If she had just rushed to me directly, sincerely apologized, and begged me to take her back, I would have generously given her a chance……”

He tossed his aunt’s letter, which had come to him via the Marquis Lowens family, onto the low table.

“Being a lady raised in comfort all her life, I suppose her pride won’t allow that. Does she think I’ll reach out first, blinded by jealousy, if she shows up at the banquet with another man?”

Though he didn’t particularly expect an answer, Hazel chose her words carefully.

“Well, I don’t know what kind of person that lady is.”

“She seems to be using her brain these days, but she’s quite predictable. She doesn’t know how to go against her father’s wishes. Queen of Chamal, really? She doesn’t even realize she’s dancing to her father’s tune while jumping into a fire pit of her own accord.”

“……So what are you going to do now?”

“I should take her back, if only for old times’ sake. But I won’t forgive her easily.”

“Then what do you plan to do?”

“That’s something I need to think about from now on.”

With those words, Daniel picked up his outer coat that was messily strewn near the sofa.

“Hazel, I’m sorry for imposing on you without notice.”

“It’s fine. Between us. Are you thinking of going home now?”

“I dislike the old man’s nagging, but what can I do? Kisa is bringing another man as her partner out of pride, so I have no choice but to find a woman to accompany me to the banquet. Partner accompaniment is such a hassle.”

Hazel responded a beat late to his grumbling about the inconvenience.

“Yes, it is.”

“By the way, have there been any suspicious characters lurking around your house like last time?”

“Not recently. Thanks to your various interventions. Thank you.”

“It’s nothing. Since you were troubled because of me in the first place, that much is only natural.”

After standing in place for a moment and exchanging affectionate glances with Hazel, Daniel headed for the doorway.

“Let’s resume our gatherings soon. Well then, I’ll be off.”

“Um, Daniel.”

“What is it?”

Looking at Daniel who had turned around, Hazel moved her lips. Then, instead of what she had originally intended to say, she said something else.

“It’s nothing. Just take care on your way.”

“Yes, I’ll be going then.”

After Daniel opened the door and left, only Hazel remained alone in the quiet tea shop.

“…….”

She stared blankly at the sofa that her dear friend had occupied before suddenly coming to her senses.

“What am I doing? I should hurry and prepare.”

It was almost time to open the shop.

****

Inside the swaying carriage.

“Um, are you really alright?”

“I’m fine, I tell you. How many times do I have to say it?”

Kisa gave the same answer to Richard’s question from the opposite seat. Nevertheless, his complexion still didn’t look good, as if he was still anxious.

“I’m sorry. I’ve rarely attended such a grand banquet as a guest, only as Count’s attendant, so I can’t calm myself down.”

It was already the day of Countess Habertz’s charity banquet, so the two were currently riding in the Vansfelt carriage heading to the Habertz townhouse, where the banquet was being held.

“There’s no need to be afraid, Richard. I’ve been to this banquet a few times, and it’s relatively relaxed – only those who want to dance do so.”

“I-I see.”

“If you’re that nervous, just stay by my side. If someone approaches us, I’ll respond appropriately. Would that be alright?”

“……No, that’s the main problem.”

“Why?”

He clutched his stomach as if he had abdominal pain.

“For an ordinary fellow like me to be the partner of someone as beautiful and noble as you, Miss – everyone who sees us will surely gossip. Just imagining it makes me uneasy.”

“Come now, you flatter me.”

Though she said this, Kisa actually understood Richard’s feelings to some extent. She had overdone her preparation.

She glanced down at the dress newly purchased for today. The lavender dress, made full and voluminous with several layers of chiffon, was probably the most expensive among her dresses.

An expensive dress from a renowned atelier using high-end materials. Additionally, due to the time constraints, she had paid extra for custom tailoring.

Count Vansfelt had spared no expense, probably thinking his daughter would soon be married off anyway.

The makeup was excessive as well. The most skilled maid in the Vansfelt mansion had been attending to Kisa almost all day.

Looking at the finished appearance, even she had to admit she looked prettier than usual. Perhaps it was because her skin had become glossy after being confined at home for several days following the broken engagement, causing the makeup to set well. Kisa’s face truly sparkled with vitality.

However, that splendor seemed to be poison to the somewhat timid Richard. Despite being a fairly handsome young man who had dressed up nicely for today, standing next to the elaborately dressed Kisa made him look more like an attendant than a partner.

He had been working as the Count’s secretary since he had just come of age, making him and Kisa acquaintances of nearly ten years, but this was the first time seeing her like this.

“Take it easy. Nothing will happen.”

At Kisa’s consolation, Richard nodded weakly.

“Indeed, the role Count expected of me is simply to fill the seat beside you.”

That wasn’t wrong. To be frank, even if the two entered the banquet hall together like this, no one would think of Richard as Kisa’s new match.

Among those who knew the Count, quite a few knew that Richard was his secretary, and even if they didn’t, they could tell at a glance that he wouldn’t be the kind of son-in-law that would please the Count.

There was no way that Count Vansfelt would give his carefully raised daughter to a man from a family whose name wasn’t well-known.

Most likely, everyone would think that Kisa had brought along a suitable companion to comply with the banquet’s rules. In fact, Kisa herself had never seen Richard in that light, except perhaps as a brotherly figure like a cousin.

“Alright. I’ll just focus on my duty.”

Richard, who knew this fact well, finally calmed his anxiety and spoke in a composed voice.

At any rate, it was fortunate that he seemed to have calmed down. While Kisa was feeling relieved, the carriage reached its destination.

“Here, Miss.”

“Thank you.”

Richard, who had alighted first, extended his hand, and Kisa got off the carriage with his escort.

Looking around, despite there still being quite some time before the banquet began, several carriages had already arrived. Kisa joined the procession of guests heading to the banquet hall with Richard.

“Hey, look over there.”

“What is it?”

“Isn’t that Lady Vansfelt?”

“What? The one who recently broke off her engagement?”

Though she wanted to enter quietly, Kisa’s presence drew attention even before entering the banquet hall.

“Didn’t they say she had suspended her social activities?”

“I guess she decided to resume them.”

People immediately began to gossip while glancing at Kisa. They scrutinized her and Richard beside her with eyes tinted with interest.

“Who is that man?”

“Could it be Daniel Lowens?”

“No, it’s someone else.”

Upon learning that Kisa’s partner wasn’t Daniel, their gazes took on an even more intrigued light.

Yes, this would be interesting. A topic of conversation who had been in seclusion for a while brings a new man to a banquet where her former fiancé would surely attend. It was no different from a third-rate romance novel.

Kisa had intended to ignore whatever people said about her, but some comments crossed the line.

“Even so, that’s too much.”

“Right, it’s disrespectful to Young Master Lowens.”

“And how soon after breaking off the engagement to bring a new man already……”

Why should she have to hear such things when that bastard Daniel had been attending various banquets and flirting with all sorts of women since the day after their broken engagement?

With rising indignation, her mouth moved before her head.

“Gentlemen over there.”

The group that had been criticizing her until a moment ago turned to look at her.

“Do you have something you wish to say to me?”

When she asked while looking them straight in the eyes, they awkwardly said it was nothing and averted their gaze. Some even blushed.

‘All talk behind my back but can’t say anything to my face.’

As she reached the entrance of the banquet hall, Countess Habertz, who had been outside with her husband greeting guests, spotted Kisa.

“Miss Kisa?”

She rushed over with short steps and brightened.

“Oh my, how beautiful. It’s been so long!”

“How have you been?”

She was acquainted with Countess Habertz, Daniel’s aunt. But they weren’t close enough to receive such a warm welcome.

“I’m fine, of course. Kisa has come all this way with our Daniela, after all.”

Before Kisa could respond to that absurd remark, he appeared.

“Welcome, Kisa.”

Daniel, standing behind the Countess, smiled intensely at Kisa.

“Did you dress up like this to see me?”