If You Wish to Have Me - Chapter 41-50

Chap 41

Hazel and Daniel

At that moment, I clearly saw a deep emotion that was hard to describe flashed across Hazel’s pale face.

It was a very momentary reaction, and she quickly erased her expression and regained her unique calmness, but she couldn’t deceive Kisa’s eyes.

Above all, Kisa already had conviction.

As Kisa, who had loved Daniel for more than ten years, she could instinctively recognize a woman who had affection for him like herself.

Hazel Turdy loves Daniel Lowens.

No matter how the two define their relationship, whether they have romantic attraction to each other or not, whether Hazel intends to break up with him for Daniel’s future, that was an undeniable fact.

In the first place, she, who was known as the decisive reason for the breakup, came to the Count Vansfelt family first?

Knowing what kind of humiliation she would suffer? It was easy for any noble family to ruin the life of a commoner if they set their mind to it.

But Hazel not only came here but even made bold remarks to Kisa.

Love was the driving force that led Hazel to this reckless and irrational behavior.

“No, Miss.”

However, the person involved did not admit her feelings.

“I don’t love Daniel. I just have respect and friendship for him as a friend.”

It was a lie that was so obvious.

‘What friendship.’

Kisa recalled Daniel, who confidently called their relationship a noble friendship without any desire.

It felt like just yesterday that she was angry at being deceived, but frankly, Kisa didn’t care whether Hazel loved Daniel, whether Daniel knew it or not, or what they called their relationship.

She just wanted them to free herself, a third party, from their annoying relationship.

Just as Hazel was an outsider to the conflict between Kisa and Daniel, Kisa was just another person in their relationship.

“Oh, is that so? Well, whether it’s love or friendship.”

Kisa spread her palm and pointed to Hazel.

“That’s a story for you two to figure out, and if you’re done, can I get up now?”

“Wait a minute. Then, if I break up with him, will you meet Daniel again?”

“I refuse. As you know, I have someone else I’m engaged to.”

“Yes? But if we continue like this, Daniel might really get hurt. I’ve never seen him like this since I’ve known him.”

“So? What about it?”

“Please, I beg you.”

Hazel’s eyes sparkled with tears.

“I can’t bear to see Daniel fall apart like this. I know it’s an absurd request. But this is all I can do. Miss, please.”

Kisa rose from her seat and looked down at the woman begging her so abjectly.

The woman, who already had a pitiful impression, became twice as miserable as she was.

“Hazel.”

“Yes.”

She met Kisa’s eyes with a hopeful look.

“If you want to feel like a devoted lover who sacrifices everything for the man you love, find another place. I have no intention of playing along with your emotional game.”

That hope was dashed in an instant.

Kisa left the reception room without looking back.

“The guest is leaving now.”

****

She had a lot to do back in her room.

Hazel left the Vansfelt’s townhouse with heavy steps.

“Don’t ever come back!”

A maid, who introduced herself as Marsha, who had guided her to the reception room and brought her out, glared at Hazel as she walked out the gate.

How ridiculous, really. The maid, who muttered to herself as if to be heard by everyone, urged the gatekeepers to close the gate quickly, and the Vansfelt’s gate was firmly closed.

I knew it was impossible. Hazel sighed and trudged away.

She thought there was some hope because Daniel always talked about his fiancée who was so devoted to him, but it was a pipe dream.

She thought she should go back to the store and see what Daniel was doing, when suddenly.

“Hazel.”

Someone put a hand on her shoulder. Hazel was so surprised that she almost fainted when she recognized him.

“Daniel…”

Daniel, with a stiff face, looked at Count Vansfelt’s residence and Hazel in turn.

“Why are you coming out of that place?”

In a secluded alley where there was no one around. Daniel’s expression worsened as he listened to Hazel’s story, and eventually, his lips trembled.

“Did I ask you to do that?”

“Daniel, calm down. I just-.”

“Why did you do that? Why!”

Hazel stiffened at the raised voice.

It was the first time Daniel had raised his voice at her.

He was silent for a while, holding his forehead as if trying to suppress the anger inside him.

A few minutes later, he barely opened his mouth.

“I’m already furious enough with those ignorant guys talking nonsense, but why are you doing this? Why are you making me a fool who sends his friend to his fiancée to ask her to come back and beg?”

Hazel tried to be as calm as possible and replied.

“I did it for you. I couldn’t bear to see you ruin yourself anymore.”

“Is drinking a little ruining myself? Can’t I soothe my depressed mood with alcohol?”

“It’s not just a little. You’ve been living in the bar almost every day lately.”

“Then why do you go to Kisa?”

“Because you need her-.”

“I don’t need her! I refuse to have anything to do with a woman who betrayed me and left me!”

At that, Hazel looked a little sad.

“Then why did you come here? Didn’t you come to see Lady Vansfelt?”

Daniel, who was momentarily lost for words, avoided her gaze.

“I was drunk and just walking down the street when I ended up here.”

It was a clumsy lie.

It was quite a distance from the downtown area where the bar he frequented was located to this area full of noble townhouses. It was definitely not a place he could have come to by chance.

Knowing that, Daniel, who was proud, did not correct what he had said.

“……”

“……”

In the awkward silence, Hazel was the first to speak.

“I’m sorry.”

No matter what the reason, she had no excuse for getting involved in Daniel’s problem without saying a word.

“I thought it was for you, but I moved on my own because I thought you would never allow it. Daniel has every right to be angry.”

He pursed his lips and frowned.

He had received an apology, so it was hard to blame her any further, but he still seemed to be in a bad mood.

“It’s okay. It’s already spilled water.”

Daniel strode out to the main street, and Hazel hurriedly followed him.

“Wait a minute, Daniel! Where are you going?”

He was trying to go in the opposite direction from his original destination, the Vansfelt’s townhouse.

“You don’t have to worry about it.”

“Are you going to the bar again? Don’t drink today. You’ve been drinking too much lately.”

“I’ll take care of it.”

Daniel said that and shook off Hazel’s hand, which was holding his sleeve, with a rather rough gesture.

“Daniel…”

Hazel, who was holding the hand that had been shaken off with her other hand, looked at the man’s back as he walked away.

But he didn’t even take a few steps before he turned around to look at Hazel.

Just when she thought that her concern for his health had finally reached him, Daniel opened his mouth.

“By the way, what did Kisa say?”

“Yes?”

“What exactly did she say when she refused Hazel’s request to meet me?”

“Ah…”

Hazel, seeing the anxiety on Daniel’s face, hesitated to tell him the truth.

But Daniel was not going to let it go without an answer, so she tried to refine her expression as much as possible and told him what she had heard in the reception room a little while ago.

Daniel, who heard Kisa’s words through Hazel’s mouth, bit his lip.

“Did Kisa really say that…?”

“Yes.”

“Damn it.”

Daniel muttered a low curse and hurriedly turned away from Hazel.

“Wait a minute!”

Hazel belatedly called out to him, but he didn’t stop walking.

“At least tell me when you’ll be back!”

She simply shouted at the cold, retreating figure.

****

The next day, in the morning. As always, the nanny appeared in Kisa’s room with a pile of letters.

“You have a pile of letters again today, Miss.”

“Oh, put them on the desk.”

Kisa, sitting in a chair by the window, answered vaguely without even checking properly.

After putting the letters on the desk as requested, the nanny looked at Kisa, who was concentrating on some work.

“You’ve been working on the embroidery frame a lot lately, haven’t you?”

“Oh, I’m just trying to practice a little.”

“You’re already good at embroidery, why are you practicing so hard? Are you trying to challenge a more complex embroidery?”

“No, not that… I’m just trying to put some initials on the corner of a handkerchief.”

“You don’t even need to practice for that, do you? How fancy are you trying to make it?”

“It’s better to be pretty if possible.”

“If you want, I can bring you a maid who is good at embroidery.”

“No, it doesn’t mean anything if I don’t do it myself.”

Suddenly, the nanny gave a knowing, sly smile.

“It’s a handkerchief for Duke Hillan.”

“……”

“Are you so excited for your first date?”

Date. The embarrassing nuance of the word made her grip on the embroidery frame tighten.

That’s right. The day after tomorrow, Seyard will visit Count Vansfelt’s residence for the first time, revealing his identity.

To go on a date with Kisa.

 

Chap 42

First Date

A few days ago, someone from Duke Hillan’s household personally delivered a letter to Kisa.

Previously, Kisa had sent a letter to Seyard through her father, Count Vansfelt, congratulating him on his debut in high society.

Despite the sudden engagement announcement that followed, he hadn’t forgotten and properly replied to her letter.

The letter contained expressions of gratitude for her congratulations, his thoughts that high society wasn’t as easy as he had imagined, and what appeared to be a date request.

[Would you give me some of your time?]

Kisa gladly replied that she would.

And so, on the day of their first date, she was busy practicing her embroidery to gift Seyard a handkerchief with his initials.

In fact, this handkerchief, which she had bought quite some time ago from a handkerchief shop specifically to give to Seyard, still hadn’t reached its owner.

Though she had met Seyard twice since then, once she only learned of his visit after he had already arrived and didn’t even think of the handkerchief, and the other time, at the charity banquet, she hadn’t brought it because she didn’t expect to have a private moment with him.

This time, she was determined to give it to him. Preferably a handkerchief perfectly embroidered with his initials.

Seeing Kisa busily moving her hands again, her nanny teased:

“My, do you like the Duke that much?”

“…That’s not it.”

This wasn’t about love; she simply couldn’t, in good conscience, give him just an ordinary embroidery after all she had received from him.

But to her nanny’s ears, it sounded like the excuse of a woman smitten with her new fiancé.

“Ah, yes! Of course! Good luck with that!”

“It’s really not like that! Nanny! If you’re that free, could you organize that area?”

Somehow feeling flustered, Kisa pointed to her desk, which was occupied by numerous letters.

Letters from various people were jumbled together without any order.

“How could I refuse? I must follow orders.”

With her smile still intact, the nanny extended her hand over the desk.

Soon, under her deft touch, the piles of letters were being neatly organized.

Suddenly, the nanny exclaimed in surprise:

“My, why has Miss Melissa sent so many letters?”

“I know. Doesn’t her hand hurt?”

After their last meeting, Melissa had stopped sending letters and visiting for a while, as if she had no more business with Kisa.

However, once Seyard and Kisa’s engagement was announced, she changed her attitude dramatically and was trying persistently to contact Kisa. Despite Kisa not responding at all, she was quite tenacious.

It was truly characteristic of her.

In contrast, there was another person whose letters had completely stopped: Princess Arta.

She hadn’t contacted Kisa at all since the engagement announcement.

Even when Kisa sent a letter with casual greetings first, there was no reply.

The princess had always responded to letters, even when she had withdrawn from social activities in shock after her fiancé’s death…

Though she had been prepared for it, it was still disheartening to have grown distant from the princess with whom she had been quite close.

No, the situation had already occurred, so there was no use worrying about it.

Currently, she needed to focus most on the first date, which was now just two days away.

‘I’ll definitely embroider it perfectly.’

Kisa gripped her embroidery hoop and burned with determination.

****

Two days later, as Kisa greeted Seyard at the entrance of the mansion, she gulped.

“Um, Seyard…”

“What’s wrong?”

Behind Seyard, who tilted his head with a calm face, people were continuously moving large and small boxes.

“What is all this?”

“I prepared some modest gifts to commemorate our first date.”

Modest? Was that the right expression for this occasion?

Kisa bit her lip tightly.

There was no way she could give him her handkerchief now. Her truly modest handkerchief.

Kisa’s attention turned to the handkerchief neatly wrapped in her handbag.

Although she had done her best to complete the embroidery, it certainly wasn’t the work of a professional, and the value of the handkerchief wouldn’t change significantly just because the embroidery was well done.

In other words, the gift Kisa had prepared for him was just a slightly luxurious men’s handkerchief. Nothing more, nothing less.

‘Meanwhile, the gifts Seyard brought…’

Kisa looked with astonishment at the numerous boxes still being placed on the floor.

Seeing her expression, Seyard probably thought Kisa was anticipating the contents of the boxes, so he smiled gently and flicked his finger.

At that signal, Duke Hillan’s servants who had been carrying the boxes methodically opened some of the packages to show their contents.

From dresses and accessories to tea leaves, paintings, fans, music boxes, porcelain, clocks — the variety was truly impressive.

There were even desserts from a popular bakery in the capital that were so limited in number that they were said to be impossible to buy.

At a glance, it was evident that these weren’t just expensive items but gifts carefully selected with consideration.

However, the more she examined them, the heavier Kisa’s heart became.

Especially when she discovered that handkerchiefs were included among them, her feelings reached their peak.

On the white cloth, a golden-feathered canary sitting on a branch was intricately embroidered, stitch by stitch.

The depiction of the leaves on the branch and the bird’s fine feathers clearly showed a master’s skill.

Without question, it was far superior to Kisa’s work, to the point where comparison would be embarrassing.

Compared to this golden canary, the initials she had embroidered were no better than a child’s scribble.

“Kisa?”

At that moment, Seyard, noticing that something was off with Kisa, carefully addressed her.

“Do you not like them?”

“Ah, no!”

Hearing his voice that somehow sounded a bit dejected, Kisa hurriedly waved her hands.

“I like them, of course. They’re all wonderful gifts.”

“But your expression doesn’t look good.”

“Ah, that’s because I feel sorry.”

“Sorry?”

“I’ve already received so much, I’m not sure if I should accept more. And I…”

Kisa hesitated for a moment before continuing.

“Unlike Seyard, I couldn’t prepare anything. I’m sorry.”

No matter how many times she reconsidered, she couldn’t present her plain handkerchief as a gift right after receiving such magnificent presents, so Kisa unknowingly told a lie.

Unaware of Kisa’s true feelings, Seyard cleared his previously clouded expression and smiled gently.

“There’s no need to be sorry. I prepared these because I wanted to, without even telling you.”

“Still…”

“If it truly bothers you, why not consider it as a token of gratitude for accommodating my unreasonable request before?”

“What unreasonable request?”

“The sudden engagement announcement I made at the charity banquet. You graciously agreed.”

“Ah, that’s fine. I was surprised, but… actually, my heart was racing. Like I was playing a mischievous prank.”

For Kisa, who had always lived by following strict rules under her father’s guidance, it was one of the biggest deviations in her life.

Even now, if she closed her eyes, she felt like she could still feel her rapidly beating heart from that moment.

“I’m fine with it too. So, please don’t worry about the gifts.”

After saying this, Seyard, with a mischievous face, winked with just his left eye.

“Moreover, having advertised to everyone that I’m so blindly in love, wouldn’t it be strange to visit my fiancée empty-handed on our first date?”

It meant that to some extent, there was also a purpose of showing off to others.

It wasn’t exactly a lie, but feeling Seyard’s intention to alleviate her burden, Kisa nodded.

“Then I’ll gladly accept. Thank you sincerely for the gifts, Seyard.”

“You’re welcome. I couldn’t ask for more if they bring you even a little joy.”

“But there’s so much that if we examined each one in detail, the sun would set.”

“That would be inconvenient. Let’s postpone the detailed examination and head out for now, shall we?”

Looking at him extending his arm to escort her, Kisa inwardly vowed.

For Seyard, who was doing so much for her, she would do her best to make today’s date the best time possible.

Even though her heart was heavy because of the gift in her handbag that she couldn’t deliver in the end…

She couldn’t disappoint someone who had given her far more than she had received from Daniel over the past decade, and most importantly, gifts that were prepared with genuine care.

The large carriage with Duke Hillan’s emblem naturally attracted attention.

Even passers-by hurriedly walking along the street lined with upscale shops slowed their steps to look at the parked carriage once they recognized the ducal emblem.

Under their intense interest, the couple who alighted from the carriage were the very individuals who had been the talk of various newspapers in the Kingdom of Sorbi recently.

The new Duke of Hillan and his fiancée, Kisa Vansfelt.

A man who had to be exiled to the monastery due to his ominous birth, and a woman who took another man’s hand just days after breaking off her engagement with her former fiancé.

It was only natural that the gazes directed at the two weren’t entirely kind.

However, there was a truth that even those who gossiped about them couldn’t deny: the two made an incredibly well-matched pair.

While bystanders momentarily lost themselves admiring their figures, which seemed to have stepped out of a masterpiece painting, the couple gracefully entered a building.

It was a restaurant famous for its breathtaking views from above.

The moment she entered the restaurant, Kisa involuntarily drew in a breath.

For an instant, she felt as if the atmosphere inside had changed.

‘It was like this outside too, but here as well…’

Guests who recognized their presence all turned their attention to the couple, their eyes gleaming.

These were the gazes they would have to endure countless times in the future.

 

Chap 43

What Kisa Can Do

In truth, attention from others wasn’t something unfamiliar to Kisa.

Though she considered it an excessive description, she was often called the premier flower of high society, and since the Vansfelt family was quite well-known, there were many who approached her first.

‘However…….’

This was different. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that everyone in the restaurant was watching them.

“I’ll guide you to your seats.”

At that moment, as if he had been waiting, one of the waiters promptly approached them and politely informed them.

Seyard turned to Kisa and asked.

“Shall we go?”

“Ah, yes.”

The two followed the waiter to the seats he had apparently reserved in advance.

Every small movement they made was followed by people’s gazes.

The many pairs of eyes contained various emotions.

Curiosity, interest, envy, jealousy, and hostility.

Just as her body instinctively shrank from the sensation of her chest tightening, a gentle touch wrapped around Kisa’s shoulder.

“There seem to be a lot of customers today.”

Seyard said this while naturally guiding Kisa closer to himself.

Indeed, some people who had just finished their meal were getting up from their tables some distance away and coming in this direction, but not close enough to make physical contact with Kisa.

She glanced down at his left hand positioned just below her face. Strangely, it made her feel a bit calmer.

Seyard was an extraordinary person. Thinking that someone as remarkable as Seyard was supporting her from behind made her heart feel much lighter.

Yes, there was no need to be intimidated by mere stares from others.

With him by her side, she would be able to overcome any difficult situation.

The seats Seyard had reserved were the premium seats that enjoyed the highest popularity in this restaurant.

A river flowed alongside, and as rumored, the view from the window inspired exclamations of admiration.

The food was also flawlessly delicious, allowing them to enjoy their meal twice as much.

Particularly, she liked that the premium seats were somewhat separated by screens and pillars, freeing them from the gazes of others.

However, because there might be ears listening, the two avoided sensitive topics like their marriage contract and only engaged in casual conversation.

“Is it to your liking?”

“Yes, it’s excellent.”

“I’m glad. It seems I chose the restaurant well.”

“Oh, did Seyard choose it personally?”

“Why, is that strange?”

“No, not strange, but I thought you’d be too busy with other matters to have such leisure.”

“I did ask someone else to gather information, but I was the one who selected from among several candidates.”

“Ah, I see.”

“But I’m a bit hurt.”

“Pardon?”

“That you would think me so insensitive as to follow someone else’s plans for our first date.”

“N-no, that’s not true.”

“I’m joking.”

Looking at the chuckling man, Kisa thought that he seemed to enjoy joking more than she had expected.

After finishing their dessert, the two took in the vibrant streets of the capital once more before rising from their seats.

“Oh my!”

As Kisa headed toward the exit of the restaurant, a woman entered her field of vision.

Having apparently spilled some stew broth on her dress, she was hastily taking out a handkerchief to wipe her skirt.

While it seemed like an ordinary everyday sight, to Kisa it served as a reminder of a certain object she had momentarily forgotten.

Naturally, it was the very handkerchief still carefully stored in her handbag.

Come to think of it, she remembered hearing from Melissa that these premium seats at the restaurant were so popular that even with a reservation, one could at best secure them two months in advance.

Before their relationship soured, Melissa, who was well-connected and had many interests, would often share various information with Kisa.

While some of it was just rumors, she wasn’t likely to be wrong about this kind of information, so it was probably correct.

‘Seyard prepared not only all those gifts for me but also this wonderful lunch…’

And all she had done was waste time meticulously embroidering a handkerchief.

She should have used that time to spend all her allowance on a better gift.

Kisa left the restaurant with Seyard, her heart heavy once again.

Afterward, the two took a carriage to their next destination, a clothing boutique.

Though the distance was short enough to walk, they had to travel by carriage because of journalists who had appeared, having heard about the couple’s presence.

Nevertheless, whether because they were dealing with the great Duke of Hillan or because Seyard had made arrangements, they didn’t cross any boundaries.

The clothing boutique they arrived at shortly was acclaimed as the finest in the kingdom, famous for being patronized even by the queen and princesses.

To be honest, like other young ladies of her age, Kisa had secretly admired the dresses from this place but never had the appropriate opportunity.

The quantity of dresses made was limited to maintain quality, and after the royal family took priority, there were hardly any spots left.

She wasn’t passionate enough about dresses to engage in fierce competition with other women for the remaining spots, and given Count Vansfelt’s frugal nature, there were limits to the money she could spend.

So, half involuntarily and half voluntarily, she had given up on wearing dresses from this place.

Indeed, Hillan. The head of the family second only to the royal family in this country was extraordinary.

“Kisa, this outfit looks good. What do you think?”

“Yes, it’s truly beautiful.”

Kisa nodded as she looked at the sample piece his finger pointed to.

Currently, the two were browsing through the clothes worn by the mannequins lined up in the boutique.

Seyard made a slightly troubled expression.

“You’ve been saying everything looks good since earlier.”

“What? Well, they truly all look good…”

“Is that so?”

At his gesture, an attendant standing a few steps away approached and handed over a catalog.

“Besides these, we have dresses of these designs. Please take a look.”

Kisa carefully turned the pages of the catalog filled with various dress designs.

All were excellent dresses and appealed to her.

She looked up from the catalog to Seyard.

“Which of these suits Seyard’s taste?”

“Unfortunately, I didn’t come today to choose a dress for myself.”

Seeing him make that same troubled expression from earlier, Kisa hastily replied.

“No, I really think they’re all fine.”

“Still, you’re the one who will be wearing the dress at the engagement ceremony. Even if you like them all, you should wear the one that appeals to you the most.”

“I appreciate your words, but for something like an engagement ceremony, isn’t it more important to coordinate with Seyard?”

“If that’s the issue, then I can match with Kisa’s dress. Does that solve the problem?”

“Match with me? Is that allowed?”

“There’s no reason why not.”

“But the Hillan family traditions and such…”

Typically, families with long histories like Hillan would have rules about what the head of the family wears at important events.

However, Seyard gestured for her to come closer, as if to whisper something, and when Kisa hesitantly complied, he whispered in a playful voice.

“I don’t care for Hillan, so it doesn’t matter. I’ll spend the family fortune extravagantly.”

…He was truly someone who consistently tried to ease Kisa’s burden.

“So, Kisa, choose what you like. As many as you want.”

No, that would be too much. There wasn’t much time left until the engagement ceremony.

But Seyard’s words had the power to make even the impossible seem possible.

Was it due to the prestige of Hillan that he carried, or because he himself was such an extraordinary person?

“Yes, in that case, thank you.”

Either way, with Seyard insisting this much, it would be impolite to keep refusing, so Kisa looked through the samples and catalog and chose about three dresses.

“Please come this way, and I’ll help you try them on.”

As she followed the attendant to the changing room to try on one of the sample dresses, a thought suddenly struck her.

‘I see. I was allowed to choose.’

It might be natural for others, but Kisa had always adjusted to Daniel for important events unless there was a special reason not to.

Even recently, before a charity banquet, hadn’t Daniel sent her a dress without her input?

So this time too, she thought without much reflection that she should match with Seyard.

Moreover, the fact that she could wear a dress from this high-end boutique without any prior reservation was all thanks to him bearing the Hillan name, so she thought it was only natural.

After all, what Kisa could do for him was at most something like that.

‘But if I can’t even do that much…’

How should she handle this apologetic feeling?

Swoosh. The curtain of the changing room was drawn back, revealing Kisa in her changed outfit.

Seyard, who had been sitting in a chair, stood up.

“…It suits you perfectly.”

After a moment of staring blankly, he soon smiled.

“You’re beautiful, Kisa.”

For some reason, it was a smile as sweet yet somewhat bitter as dark chocolate.

****

“If it’s alright, may I walk with you in the garden?”

When the carriage returned to the Vansfelt townhouse after completing all the planned activities, this was Seyard’s proposal.

Shortly afterward, the two strolled through the garden where spring flowers were gradually fading, their shoulders aligned like before.

The only difference from last time was the silence between them, which had begun inside the carriage.

“Kisa, did you perhaps not enjoy today’s date?”

Suddenly, Seyard stopped walking and looked at Kisa.

“It’s fine, I’d like you to be honest with me.”

With a face more uncertain than any she had seen from him before, he spoke.

 

Chap 44

Gift

It was a sudden question, and Kisa was quite flustered by Seyard’s unfamiliar expression.

“What? No! That’s not the case.”

Without even having time to think about why he had such an expression, she frantically waved both hands. She just wished Seyard would stop making a face that didn’t suit him at all.

“The date was very good. The food was delicious, the scenery was beautiful, and the dress was pretty. I have no complaints whatsoever. I really liked it.”

Despite Kisa’s desperate denial, Seyard’s face didn’t relax.

“I can’t promise not to feel upset, but I certainly won’t be displeased. So please be honest with me.”

“This is my honest feeling!”

“But I know you weren’t in good spirits throughout our date.”

“That’s….”

She was at a loss for words. She thought she had hidden it well, but how did he see through her so easily?

Despite having learned to conceal her true self like others in high society, whenever she stood before this man, she felt like a child whose thoughts were completely transparent.

However, the most important thing now was not Seyard’s extraordinary insight but clearing up the misunderstanding.

“You’re right. I’m sorry. You planned the best date, but I couldn’t focus on it.”

Kisa admitted the truth straightforwardly, seeing no point in hiding it further as it would only deepen the misunderstanding.

“But that was because of my personal issue, not at all because I didn’t enjoy the date with Seyard. Please believe me.”

“Is that true?”

“Of course.”

His expression brightened a bit compared to before, but compared to his usual self, it was still clouded.

“Could that personal issue be related to how I hastily moved up our engagement schedule?”

“What?”

“Or perhaps the current situation where you’re constantly talked about due to your association with me has become burdensome?”

“Both are wrong!”

As one misunderstanding was cleared up, another seemed to be forming, so Kisa hastily spoke up.

“I’m completely fine with the engagement schedule, and as for people’s attention…”

Kisa, who was about to say that didn’t matter either, stopped herself.

Come to think of it, Seyard had silently encouraged her earlier at the restaurant when she had shrunk from the pressure of people’s stares.

It was obvious he wouldn’t simply believe her if she just said everything was fine.

“Actually, I was a bit startled.”

So she decided to tell the truth.

“When I was just cooped up at home and only heard about it from newspapers or others’ stories, I didn’t really feel it, but when I experienced it firsthand, my body froze without me realizing it.”

It was natural since it was her first time receiving so much attention from so many people.

“But that was only at first. Remember? I ate well at the restaurant, didn’t I? It was truly an excellent meal.”

“Yes, you did. But your mood changed after that. No, looking back, Kisa seemed somehow dejected from the moment I first arrived at this mansion today.”

“…So you noticed that too. You’re really perceptive.”

“I hear that quite often.”

Feeling embarrassed, Kisa cleared her throat a couple of times unnecessarily.

At this point, there was no choice but to reveal everything truthfully.

After all, it wasn’t such a serious issue that needed to be hidden so desperately.

She just needed to endure a bit of embarrassment.

Pursing her lips tightly, Kisa began her story.

“The truth is, I felt sorry for receiving such excessive kindness from Seyard.”

“Sorry?”

“Yes, because I can never return what I’ve received, but your kindness keeps accumulating.”

“You don’t need to think that way. Just by participating in my marriage plan—”

“I know. I know that the kindness you bestow upon me isn’t solely for me.”

“…”

“Being Duke Hillan, Seyard can’t lower his standards just because I feel uncomfortable. Even if it’s a temporary relationship formed by contract, I will be your wife after all.”

Even for the sake of appearances, the Duchess of Hillan should be given the best, whether it was a meal or a dress.

“I understand that. I do understand, but…”

Kisa quickly took out an item that had been sleeping in her handbag all day.

“When I compared what I was planning to give you with your gift, I felt ashamed.”

Was it such an unexpected situation? Seyard opened his eyes wide.

“A gift?”

As Kisa held onto the wrapped handkerchief, feeling too embarrassed to hand it over, he approached with slow steps and asked.

“May I receive this gift?”

“…Of course.”

He unwrapped it as soon as Kisa handed it to him. With somewhat hasty movements.

Upon seeing Kisa’s gift revealed in an instant, Seyard said:

“It’s a handkerchief.”

“Yes, it’s a handkerchief.”

“I see embroidery that appears to be my initials.”

“It’s a bit clumsy, isn’t it?”

“Is this your handiwork?”

“Yes, though I’m embarrassed to admit it.”

It was truly a bland conversation. But somehow it felt warm.

With that realization, Kisa, who had been looking down at her toes not knowing how the recipient would react to her silly gift, gained a bit of courage.

He might look disappointed or perplexed, but she felt that Seyard would at least maintain the formality of courtesy.

“Um.”

Just as Kisa timidly raised her head, the sun, which had been hidden behind clouds, appeared.

Soon, the face of the man silently gazing at the handkerchief entered her field of vision.

‘Huh?’

Expressionless. No, looking carefully, the corners of his mouth seemed to be slightly turned upward.

Which was it? Kisa narrowed her eyes, but the shadow cast by the backlight made everything unclear.

And just as the sun was about to hide behind the clouds again and the backlight disappeared, Seyard smiled softly. It was his usual smile.

“Thank you, Kisa. I’ll use it well.”

He carefully folded the handkerchief he had spread out and put it in his pocket.

“Ah, yes. If you would, I couldn’t ask for more.”

She replied, trying to calm her surprised heart.

How to describe it—it felt like she had stolen a glimpse of his secret self.

The misty, vague smile she had seen a moment ago kept lingering in her mind.

Although it was a vague guess without much basis, she wondered if perhaps that was the most essential aspect of Seyard Hillan.

A raw reaction stripped of all courtesy and formality.

As she entertained such near-delusional thoughts, Seyard smoothly broke the silence.

“By the way, I was really alarmed. I wondered what I would do if the date plan I put so much effort into wasn’t to Kisa’s liking.”

“Oh, come on.”

Finding his exaggerated shuddering motion amusing, Kisa dispelled her delusions and chuckled.

“How many women in the kingdom would dislike such a wonderful date course?”

“That’s a relief then. Well, since I learned about dating from books, I was worried about how it would work in practice.”

“It worked very well, so don’t worry.”

The sunset illuminated the two people chatting, seemingly forgetting about the waiting carriage.

****

Late in the evening, at a tavern on the outskirts of the capital.

Daniel Lowens, occupying a table alone, drained yet another glass of what must have been many.

Damn it. A curse escaped his lips at the indignation that wouldn’t wash away even with alcohol.

He had been in this state ever since he encountered Hazel in front of the Count Vansfelt’s residence, no, since he heard the engagement announcement at the charity banquet.

No matter how much strong liquor he poured down his throat or how many cigars he burned, his mood wouldn’t improve in the slightest.

“What? So you’re saying Duke Hillan stole a woman who was already engaged?”

“It goes without saying. Everyone keeps quiet because they’re wary of the Duke’s family, but it’s obvious.”

That’s when it happened. The conversation between men seated a few steps away reached Daniel’s ears.

Of all topics, it was the one he least wanted to hear right now, and at the same time, the gossip that everyone in the capital was currently excited about.

Damn it all, this one and that one.

Daniel tried to focus solely on his drink, but they were talking so loudly that their conversation pierced his eardrums like claws.

“I thought that great Hillan was different, but he’s just the same as the others.”

“That’s how all nobles are. Acting dignified on the surface while doing all sorts of dirty things behind closed doors.”

Up to that point, it didn’t matter. But what came next inevitably grated on Daniel’s nerves.

“Anyway, I feel sorry for the son of whatever Marquis who was originally engaged to that Count’s daughter.”

His tightly clenched teeth ground together.

How dare these vermin speak of him as someone to pity.

Never in his life had he been treated this way.

A family with both wealth and honor, good looks, superior physical abilities, and a fiancée so beautiful and pure that anyone would covet her.

Daniel Lowens, possessing all these things, had always walked with his head held high, looking down on those who envied him with a sneer on his lips.

But after that nightmarish engagement announcement, the evaluation surrounding him changed in an instant.

More than the criticism that he had been unfaithful while having a fiancée, the sympathetic gazes dragged his mood further into the mud.

Beneath the cheap sympathy lurked mockery—wondering how incompetent he must have been to have his fiancée stolen by another man.

‘Rotten lot. Do you think I’ll just sit back and take this…?’

While he muttered silently with bloodshot eyes, the three middle-aged men, unaware that the subject of their gossip was right next to them, continued their chatter.

“Poor guy, indeed. But he was also caught doing inappropriate things while having a fiancée.”

“The prevailing theory is that Duke Hillan was pulling strings behind the scenes.”

“Really? I didn’t know that.”

It was then that one man, who had been silent until now, just listening to the other two, spoke up.

“A thug’s nature never changes.”

The man with an unkempt beard curled his lips disdainfully.

“He was quite infamous in the region where I used to live. Seyard Hillan, a hopeless thug.”

 

Chap 45

Hopeless Thug

What? Daniel, who was about to stand up, paused and carefully listened.

He had been ready to go flip a table if they mentioned the topic of him being “pitiful” just one more time, but he stopped because something completely unexpected came out of the man’s mouth.

Duke Hillan. What about that man who, along with his hateful fiancée, had inflicted unprecedented humiliation upon him?

Daniel wasn’t the only one whose eyes widened at this new topic of conversation.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Duke Hillan is a thug?”

“Hey, tell us more about it.”

The other two middle-aged men urged the bearded man to continue, their attitudes showing they were dying of curiosity.

Looking pleased with the attention, the bearded man began speaking with an air of importance.

“Well, didn’t I tell you I was in Bonzmos until about two years ago?”

“Why are you suddenly bringing that up?”

“Don’t be stupid. Where is Bonzmos? The monastery where Duke Hillan stayed is in that region.”

“Ah, so that’s where it is?”

Clicking his tongue, the man continued.

“Well, back then he wasn’t Duke Hillan, just a troublemaker from the duke’s family. People in our town were initially curious about what this precious noble young master from the capital looked like, but as time passed, they gradually lost interest. The monastery wasn’t a place you could freely enter and exit, and everyone was busy trying to make a living.”

The tavern was quite noisy, but since they were so close, Daniel could hear every word the man was saying without missing anything.

“But at some point, this rumored troublemaker started showing up occasionally at the biggest gambling house in the area.”

“Wasn’t the duke confined to the monastery?”

“But he was frequenting a gambling house?”

When the other two men asked in surprise, the bearded man chuckled.

“The monastery isn’t a prison. Surely they wouldn’t imprison someone, especially a son from a great noble family, despite his being cast out?”

He leaned comfortably against the backrest and lazily stroked his beard.

“Besides, from the Duke’s family’s perspective, as long as he wasn’t having delusions, whether the troublemaker was holed up in the monastery praying devoutly or drowning in gambling, it wasn’t their concern.”

According to the bearded man, people sent from Hillan periodically came to town and inquired about Seyard’s activities, but they didn’t seem to impose any restrictions regarding his visits to the gambling house.

“In truth, the monastery side was just happy to take the large sum of money from the duke’s family. As long as it came in regularly, why would they bother with unnecessary meddling?”

For a moment, grumblings about how nobles are heartless even to their family members and how clergy are more greedy for money exchanged across the table.

For Daniel, this was all valuable information, so he waited for the bearded man to share more about Seyard Hillan.

His instinct whispered that this would definitely be useful someday.

Fortunately, before his patience ran out, Duke Hillan was mentioned again in the conversation.

“Did you see Duke Hillan at the gambling house? He’s addicted to gambling, isn’t he?”

“Why would he be addicted to…”

“So, did you see him or not?”

“I did see him a few times from a distance.”

The other two men seemed strongly interested in the reality of the recently most famous person in the kingdom and eagerly asked the bearded man for answers.

Thanks to that, Daniel could hear the bearded man’s vivid eyewitness account without much effort.

“I couldn’t get close. He played at tables with high stakes. Despite being exiled, he still seemed to have plenty of money with him, proving that a noble is still a noble.”

It was probably money from the living expenses that the Hillan ducal family provided to Seyard Hillan.

“Was he lucky? Well, he must have won sometimes and lost sometimes. But maybe because he was a noble, he didn’t seem particularly anxious even when he lost big.”

The man’s voice quieted down as if recalling the past.

“He just looked…..terribly bored.”

Somehow, Daniel found himself holding his breath while listening intently.

“Even though he came to gamble, he’d just smoke cigars, play a few rounds halfheartedly, and then always give up his seat to that guy Cobi. Cobi? Ah, he was a fellow who made a living by doing odd jobs for the monastery, but at some point, he started acting like the duke’s servant. Well, if you stick around, you might get some crumbs.”

The bearded man went on for a while about how bad this Cobi fellow was at gambling, losing all the stakes that Seyard Hillan had left behind, before returning to the original topic.

“The duke would return to the gambling house only after a long while. Come to think of it, there was a rumor that he went out to meet a woman.”

Instantly, the other two men’s eyes grew as big as marbles.

“A woman?”

“He had a woman?”

Woman. At that word, Daniel’s hand gripping the wine glass tightened.

“That’s what the rumors said.”

With a lewd smile, the bearded man slowly nodded.

“I didn’t see it with my own eyes, and I don’t know who she was, but I heard the stories they were all talking about. When you think about it, it’s only natural, isn’t it? Would a man in his prime not have a lover? Especially a man with good looks and money.”

“Nominally he was a monk, but among ourselves, we called him a hopeless thug.” At that, the men burst into laughter.

Daniel laughed too. Not a sneer like theirs, mocking others, but a smile of satisfaction.

This is it. He had finally found it.

The clue that would return him to his original position, a place where he wouldn’t need to be pitied by others.

The means to enlighten a chick that had mistaken its master.

Just wait and see, Kisa, how rotten the tree is that you dared to choose over me.

Without any lingering attachment to his glass that was still half-full of alcohol, Daniel stood up abruptly and strode over to the adjacent table.

“Why don’t you report this story to a newspaper or magazine?”

“Yes! Do you know how much money you could make?”

“That’s nonsense. You shouldn’t carelessly gossip about the affairs of high-ranking people. If you accidentally fall out of favor—”

“What? Do you have some business with us?”

The men who had been laughing and chatting among themselves only blinked their eyelids at Daniel’s sudden appearance.

“Hey.”

BANG! Making a loud noise as he placed his hand on the table, Daniel stared at the bearded man among the three.

“What you just said is the absolute truth, right?”

Seeing the large young man suddenly appear and glare at him, the bearded man was visibly flustered.

“W-what?”

Regardless, a plan was already forming in Daniel’s head.

****

One day, when the afterglow of her first date with Seyard had not yet faded, Kisa tilted her head in confusion while holding a letter.

“What’s this?”

The name written on the envelope was that of a dress shop Kisa frequently used, but there was something strange about it.

There was no reason for them to send a letter addressed to her.

The dress shop where she had recently fitted a dress for the engagement ceremony was a place she had visited for the first time thanks to Seyard, and except for that occasion, she hadn’t needed new dresses lately due to her restrained social activities.

In other words, she had no dresses on order or being altered.

Aside from those two cases, what reason would a dress shop have to write her a letter? Wondering about this, Kisa opened the envelope and checked the contents.

[From Daniel Lowens to Kisa.]

She frowned from the very first line.

[I borrowed this name reluctantly because I thought you wouldn’t receive it if I sent it under my own name.]

He seemed to be quite the schemer. It appeared he had considered the possibility that the servants of the Vansfelt household might filter out letters from her former fiancé out of consideration for their miss.

For a moment, she was tempted to just throw it away, but curiosity won out.

What did he want to say that made him go to such lengths to send a letter?

Since she had some free time, Kisa read on.

[I have something urgent to tell you. It’s about a very serious and dangerous matter concerning the man who might become your husband.

Kisa, you absolutely must not ignore my words. I can guarantee that if you do, you will surely regret it later.

Let’s meet and talk first. It’s a topic that’s difficult to convey by letter.

I understand that given your position, it’s hard for you to meet me where others might see. Don’t worry. I’ll come to you.]

What followed was an audacious demand along with a specific date.

[At midnight on this day, come to the secret door without anyone knowing. That much should be possible, right?

Again, this is a truly serious matter. You absolutely must know this enormous secret.

For your own happiness.]

The letter ended with that rather unsettling phrase.

Kisa’s gaze shifted to the desk calendar.

Whether he had calculated the timing for when the letter would reach her or by coincidence, today was the date specified in the letter.

For a while, Kisa imagined herself tearing this letter to shreds, throwing it in the trash, and falling soundly asleep regardless of who might be waiting for her.

The best strategy would be to ignore such a letter rather than be manipulated by Daniel.

She knew that better than anyone. But…

‘What does this mean?’

One sentence in the letter particularly caught her attention. 

[It’s about a very serious and dangerous matter concerning the man who might become your husband.]

Without a doubt, this referred to Seyard, who was expected to become engaged to Kisa soon.

A very serious and dangerous matter related to him? What could that be? Actually, did such a thing even exist?

Daniel might be using Seyard as bait to lure Kisa out.

Daniel Lowens was vile enough to do that and more.

But somehow, Kisa couldn’t dismiss it lightly.

Because he had mentioned Seyard’s name, of all people.

 

Chap 46

Midnight Dialogue

That night, when thick darkness had fallen everywhere and silence descended upon the Vansfelt townhouse, Kisa secretly slipped out of her bedroom and headed toward the back garden.

After intense deliberation, she had decided to at least have a conversation with Daniel.

If the grave and dangerous secret mentioned in the letter turned out to be merely a lie to lure her out, she would leave without looking back.

By the way, the secret door he had designated as their meeting place referred to a hole in the garden wall that had been there in the past.

In his childhood, when Daniel was forced to frequently visit Vansfelt by his father, he would often sneak out through that hole without the adults knowing.

The Marquis of Lowens had brought him to get acquainted with his fiancée, but for a boy at that age, playing with dolls alongside a girl of the same age seemed to have been quite a torment.

[Daniel, don’t go!]

[Shh, Kisa. Be quiet.]

[Where are you going?]

[I promised to play war games with my friends.]

[Don’t go. Play with me instead.]

[No. You’re boring.]

[…Then, I want to come with you!]

[Are you crazy? Do you want to get killed by your father?]

[Daniel…]

[Shut up, I’m going. Just stay in your room and pretend I’m still here!]

Recalling what could now be considered a memory of the past, Kisa smiled bitterly.

Back then, whenever Daniel disappeared through the hole, young Kisa would wander aimlessly around the garden, waiting for her departed fiancé to return.

Though the hole was large enough for Kisa to pass through as well, she lacked the courage to defy her father’s wishes and venture into the unknown world outside.

Usually, when this happened, servants would notice something strange about Kisa, realize Daniel was missing, and the matter would conclude with Daniel being dragged back and thoroughly scolded by the Marquis of Lowens.

To top it all off, Daniel would blame the innocent Kisa, saying it was her fault he got caught.

But now, their positions were reversed.

The one waiting at the hole for someone who wasn’t coming was no longer Kisa.

Walking with only the moonlight to guide her, Kisa eventually arrived at the spot where the hole had once been, but was now sealed up.

“Daniel?”

When Kisa confirmed in a small voice, an immediate answer came back.

“Kisa! You finally came.”

He was really there. Daniel. On the other side of this wall.

“I thought you might not come.”

“What are you doing here?”

Unlike Daniel, who couldn’t hide his delight, Kisa’s voice was strictly businesslike.

“Didn’t you read the letter? I’ve been waiting for you.”

“No, I read it. I’m not asking why you really came, but why you’re doing something so incomprehensible.”

“What do you mean, why…?”

“We’re not tragic lovers in a romance novel, so what are you doing right now?”

Perhaps taken aback by Kisa’s cold response, Daniel hesitated for a moment before answering.

“Is it wrong to worry about you? I’m out here being dramatic in the moonlight because you’re in danger.”

“Danger? What danger?”

“Let’s talk face to face first. Could you open the back door from the inside? There’s a guard stationed there, but if the door is open, I can slip in while his attention is diverted.”

“What? No. Just talk here. We can communicate perfectly well like this.”

One of the reasons Kisa had come here was because she knew the hole had been sealed long ago, which meant she could talk to Daniel without having to face him.

“It’s quite a long story. Besides, we can’t discuss such an important matter without seeing each other’s faces.”

“I don’t want to see your face. Have you forgotten? At the charity event, you tried to lock me in a room. Why would I trust you enough to let you into the house?”

“Hey, that was because you wouldn’t listen to me at all—”

He awkwardly stopped his protest and, after a few seconds, said in a subdued voice:

“I’m sorry, Kisa. I was wrong. I shouldn’t have done that… I’m sorry.”

The great Daniel Lowens apologizing for his mistake.

As far as she could remember, this was the first time he had apologized without a hint of sarcasm.

Of course, this didn’t mean she was moved or saw him in a new light.

No matter how you looked at it, it was just a soulless apology to placate Kisa and get out of the current predicament.

Well, even if it had been a sincere apology, their relationship was already beyond repair to view Daniel positively at this point.

Kisa quickly said what she needed to say:

“Never mind the apology. Just get to the point. What’s this problem regarding Seyard that you wrote about in the letter?”

Those words seemed to irk Daniel.

“Seyard? Since when are you close enough to call him by his first name?”

Growling, he was upset not because Kisa wouldn’t open the door or because she had ignored his apology, but about something completely unexpected.

“What business is it of yours what I call Seyard? And what’s wrong with calling the person I’m about to be engaged to by his first name?”

“You really…”

Once again, Daniel seemed to have a lot to say but suppressed his voice as if holding back.

“Fine. There’s no use talking to someone who doesn’t know anything. So you absolutely won’t open the door?”

“That’s right, so if you have something to say, say it quickly and leave.”

“Then let’s meet separately later. Somewhere people won’t see us. Tell your father or that guy that you have other business to attend to. That much is possible, right?”

He was still a person who wouldn’t listen.

By this point, Kisa was becoming increasingly convinced that the issue he had raised about Seyard was completely false.

“As it happens, there’s someone I’d like you to meet—”

“I was a fool to believe you.”

Kisa cut off Daniel mid-sentence and turned to walk back toward the mansion.

“Hey, come back!”

Hearing her footsteps, Daniel frantically tried to stop her, but Kisa didn’t halt.

“If you leave like this, you’ll definitely regret it! Are you listening? Kisa!”

Until certain words were spoken.

“Did you know that bastard has a woman?”

Her steps halted. Noticing this, Daniel spoke in a sneering tone:

“I guess you didn’t know that far. You’re being deceived right now. That bastard pretending to be a good person—it’s all a red-hot disguise.”

Who on earth was “that bastard”? While the context clearly indicated who the term referred to, Kisa momentarily struggled to connect “that bastard” Daniel was talking about with the person she knew.

As if to kindly inform Kisa, Daniel mentioned the person’s name.

“Seyard Hillan, that bastard is a hopeless thug.”

Kisa slowly inhaled and then exhaled a breath of air. She needed a moment to respond to Daniel’s statement.

“This is ridiculous.”

The content was so absurd.

How dare he insult Seyard?

With the absurdity and rising anger, Kisa unconsciously walked back toward the wall.

“Is this what you’ve come to say? Your mighty pride was hurt because I broke off our engagement, so now you’re going to slander innocent Seyard? Do you think scaring me into canceling this engagement will restore your pride?”

“It’s not about pride! I’m worried about you. You don’t know who that guy really is.”

“I know him better than I know you, at least.”

“Do you really think so?”

Kisa couldn’t immediately retort that she did.

His voice carried an insinuating tone, as if he knew something about Seyard that Kisa didn’t.

“I recently met someone by chance. Someone who knows about his past.”

“…His past?”

“Yes, apparently he’s from Bonzmos. This person knew what kind of things that guy did during his time at the monastery.”

And then Daniel blurted out an utterly unbelievable story.

“Seyard Hillan was a thug who frequented gambling dens. He even had a woman. Kisa, can you accept this? You, who couldn’t even tolerate Hazel? Even though Hazel and I merely shared pure friendship…”

Ignoring Daniel’s subsequent words about Hazel, Kisa carefully considered only what he had said earlier.

It was true that the monastery where Seyard had stayed was in a region called Bonzmos.

He was a celebrity, and his profile had been covered in newspaper articles several times, so Kisa knew this.

But of course, that fact alone wasn’t enough reason to believe Daniel’s claims at face value.

“How can I believe what that person says?”

She threw a question across the wall.

“No, I can’t even trust your claim that you met such a person.”

Daniel didn’t hide his displeasure at her defensive attitude.

“After all the years we’ve spent together, you trust that guy, whom you’ve only known for a short time, more than me?”

“Who was it that ruined those years? Don’t be mistaken. We’re nothing to each other now.”

“…Kisa, if it’s about Hazel arbitrarily coming here last time, I’ll apologize on her behalf. But I didn’t tell her to do that. I only found out later. And don’t mind what Hazel said. She was just saying whatever out of concern for me—”

Kisa couldn’t understand why Hazel’s name was suddenly being brought up.

“Don’t blame others. It wasn’t that woman who betrayed me; it was you.”

“…”

After a long silence, Daniel spoke as if stepping back:

“Fine. Let’s talk about the details when we meet.”

“I’ve told you I don’t want to meet you.”

“I’ll introduce you. A witness who knows about that guy’s past.”

“What?”

“You said you couldn’t believe me? Then you can see for yourself and judge whether that person is lying or not.”

It was a perplexing proposition.

****

“Kisa?”

“…..”

“Kisa?”

“Ah, yes?”

Kisa awoke from her thoughts and looked at the person sitting across from her as fingers waved in front of her eyes.

“I’m sorry. You didn’t answer when I called you.”

Seyard replied playfully, with a smile that made it impossible to see him as a person of bad character.

Today was their second date.

 

Chap 47

Do You Believe Those Words?

It had been two days since Daniel came to visit Kisa in the middle of the night and said something strange.

After suggesting that she meet someone who knew about Seyard’s past, Daniel had to leave the wall shortly afterward.

This was because the sounds of guards periodically patrolling around the Vansfelt townhouse could be heard.

[Anyway, I’ll arrange a meeting soon, so just wait.]

[What? Wait—]

[See you later, Kisa.]

Even though Kisa hadn’t expressed any intention to meet, Daniel drew his own conclusion and disappeared with the sound of quick, running footsteps.

The guards who spotted the suspicious figure shouted, “Who’s that?” but they apparently failed to catch him.

The next morning, judging from the nanny’s story about how they almost had a burglar during the night, it seemed his identity hadn’t been discovered.

Well, whether Daniel was caught behaving suspiciously at his ex-fiancée’s house and humiliated or not, it wasn’t particularly important to Kisa.

The problem was that since then, Kisa’s mind had been constantly troubled by the information he had dropped before leaving.

That Seyard frequently visited gambling houses? That he had a woman he was seeing?

It was so different from the Seyard she knew that, honestly speaking, she couldn’t believe it at all.

However, there was something not quite right about dismissing it as Daniel’s blatant lie.

Having known him for many years, she understood.

Daniel Lowens was an arrogant and contemptuous scoundrel, but he wasn’t the type to slander others by making up falsehoods.

It was more a matter of pride than morality.

He placed considerable value on his characteristic of being straightforward.

That’s why, despite his openly rude behavior toward Kisa and others, he proudly packaged it as straightforwardness or honesty.

For such a Daniel to attempt to defame Seyard by presenting a fake witness was, to be honest, hard to imagine.

‘No. I can’t say I know everything about that guy.’

In fact, hadn’t she been hit from behind several times after harboring naive thoughts about him?

As it turned out, he was the kind of man who could pledge eternity to another woman while having a fiancée, and who could oppress Kisa even by using force.

It wouldn’t be strange to assume that he might reveal an even lower side of himself since he was now backed into a corner like never before.

Above all, between Daniel, who had disregarded and deceived her all this time, and Seyard, who had helped her immeasurably, whom should she believe? This was a question that didn’t even need to be asked.

Kisa should trust Seyard. That was the answer she arrived at after a relatively short deliberation.

In fact, if we were to consider it coldly, even if he really did frequent gambling houses and had a woman he was dating, that wouldn’t be a crime.

Though the perception wasn’t particularly good, gambling wasn’t specifically a crime in the Kingdom of Sorbi, and dating was even less so.

She also had no intention of reprimanding Seyard for not adhering to religious discipline when he hadn’t entered the monastery by choice.

Additionally, he wasn’t obligated to reveal all his circumstances to Kisa.

His past of visiting gambling houses and having a woman he was seeing were all part of his private life.

Daniel, not knowing the truth, seemed to think Kisa wouldn’t tolerate Seyard having another woman, but the two were bound by a contract.

In other words, as long as the terms of the contract were fulfilled properly, they could share love with different partners.

“……”

At that moment, she felt a slight pain in one corner of her heart.

Somehow, she felt uncomfortable and depressed.

Wondering what the reason might be, Kisa eventually found a suitable answer.

If, by any chance, Daniel’s assertion was true, then Seyard would have lied to her.

Certainly, on their first date, in the garden of the Count Vansfelt’s mansion, he had said something like this:

[Since I learned about dating from books, I was worried if it would work in practice.]

If he really had a lover, it would be hard to believe he had never been on a date before, so this statement was most likely a lie.

In fact, not just this, but several other of Seyard’s words and actions had given the impression that he had no dating experience.

So that was it. Kisa’s heart felt uneasy because she had discovered the possibility that he might have lied.

Recently, Kisa had relied on Seyard a lot.

She had consulted him about worries she couldn’t tell others, and honestly shared her true feelings.

Betrayed by her fiancé, estranged from her best friend, and even her nanny being more her father’s person than hers, Seyard was the only one to whom Kisa had shown her raw self.

Although there might be unavoidable circumstances, if he had really lied, it was natural for Kisa to feel disappointed.

After all, she alone had dealt with him with complete sincerity.

Yes, it was nothing more or less than that.

After defining the emotion stirring within her, Kisa decided on a course of action.

Regardless of her disappointment, she needed to avoid the meeting that Daniel had said he would arrange soon.

To be honest, while she wasn’t entirely uninterested in this so-called witness, she didn’t want to act according to Daniel’s intention to separate Seyard and her, which would be tantamount to betraying Seyard.

Moreover, even if Daniel’s claim was true, Kisa had no intention of backing out of the marriage contract.

The situation had grown too large to easily reverse at this point, and if she were to part ways with Seyard, Kisa would inevitably have to reunite with Daniel. That was the last thing she wanted.

Let’s assume Seyard was truly a hooligan and a liar who hid the existence of a lover.

But even so, could Daniel be considered a better choice than him?

He, too, was hardly faithful in his conduct and had Hazel by his side. That woman who wore the mask of a friend while deeply loving him.

No matter how many times she reconsidered, not only was there no advantage, but he also blatantly disrespected and disregarded Kisa.

In contrast, Seyard was always kind and respectful toward her.

Daniel might call it hypocrisy and pretense, but to Kisa, false kindness was a hundred times better than honest rudeness.

At least, what had changed her in a more positive direction was not the ten years spent with Daniel, but the past couple of months.

It was crystal clear whose hand she should take between the two.

Therefore, it was better to forget the story Daniel had told her that night.

Having sorted out her thoughts and agreed to Seyard’s second date proposal, however…

“You seem lost in thought today. Did something happen in the meantime?”

From inside the carriage heading to their destination, Seyard perceptively noticed Kisa’s unusual demeanor.

In truth, she was partly responsible for this. Despite firmly resolving to forget Daniel’s claims, when she actually saw his face, the distracting thoughts multiplied.

Could there really be another face hidden behind that seemingly benevolent and sincere face?

Despite trying her best not to think about it, such doubts kept welling up in her mind.

To an extent that even Kisa herself couldn’t understand why she was so concerned about his hidden side.

Perhaps it was inevitable that the perceptive Seyard would notice.

“If that’s the case, how about telling me? I can’t promise to solve the problem, but we can think about it together.”

A kind suggestion, as always.

It seemed impossible to believe he was hiding another face.

“Thank you for your concern, but it’s nothing. I just didn’t sleep well last night.”

“Is that so? That’s a relief.”

He didn’t probe further, but somehow it didn’t seem like Seyard was truly satisfied with Kisa’s answer.

Like with the handkerchief incident, he had an uncanny ability to see right through her heart.

Nevertheless, Seyard was the type who wouldn’t force an answer out of her.

But how could she possibly tell him? To share Daniel’s nonsense with him…

‘Huh? Actually, there’s no reason I can’t.’

At that moment, Kisa changed her thinking.

She had vaguely thought she should hide it from Seyard all this time, but thinking back, she wondered if there was really a need to do so.

Daniel was trying to separate Kisa and Seyard.

Of course, Kisa had decided not to pay heed to his story and planned to refuse if he arbitrarily arranged a meeting with the witness, but would Daniel give up so easily?

If, by any chance, Daniel tried to spread rumors and damage Seyard’s reputation, Seyard should be prepared to counter it.

Therefore, sharing the information was the best option.

‘Why didn’t I think of this earlier?’

After a brief contemplation, Kisa soon found the answer.

She was feeling guilty about having her heart swayed by Daniel’s suggestion, even if just for a moment.

To be honest, even now, it was difficult to assert that she trusted Seyard without a shred of doubt.

And to be even more honest, she was curious about how he would react to the suspicion about him.

Because that might reveal the truth.

Kisa wanted to trust him. At the same time, she disliked herself for not being able to say she completely trusted him.

“Um, Seyard.”

So, under the pretext of sharing information with Seyard, she tried to gauge his reaction.

“Actually, a few days ago, Daniel came looking for me and said some strange things.”

With a slightly trembling voice, Kisa spilled everything she had heard that night.

As he listened to the story, the smile gradually disappeared from his face.

After the story ended, he, with an expression that was hard to read emotions from, slowly opened his mouth.

“Kisa.”

Kisa’s heart pounded.

“Do you believe those words?”

 

Chap 48

Seyard’s Explanation

The moment she heard that question, it felt as if time had stopped inside the carriage.

Kisa immediately spat out her answer as soon as she understood the meaning.

“I don’t believe it.”

However, several questions whirled chaotically in her mind.

Did I pronounce it correctly? Did my voice sound normal? Was there an unnatural pause between hearing the question and answering?

‘Did I just lie?’

Did she truly not believe what she had heard about Seyard from Daniel?

That question weighed heavily on her mind, but Kisa soon denied it.

No, it wouldn’t be a lie.

If someone were to ask her which way her heart leaned more, she could confidently answer, “I don’t believe it.”

Even though she knew better than anyone that her heart merely leaned but hadn’t completely fallen, Kisa deliberately ignored this fact.

“I don’t believe it, Seyard.”

Then, as if trying to deny the slightest hint of distrust in her heart, she repeated the same words.

“There’s no way Seyard would be that kind of person. Daniel must have been talking nonsense.”

Her tense gaze turned to the person sitting across from her.

As if hoping for confirmation from his own lips that the answer she had just found was correct.

After a moment, his lips parted.

“Kisa.”

Though it must have been a name he had called dozens of times already, strangely her heart fluttered.

It felt like the beginning of a reprimand for her immaturity in not trusting him completely.

Just as Kisa tightly clenched her fist resting on her knee, Seyard suddenly let out a faint sigh.

“I’m relieved. I was worried you might believe it.”

Fortunately, the emotion reflected on Seyard’s face was relief.

“O-Of course. I don’t believe it.”

Kisa too breathed a sigh of relief. He was the same Seyard as always.

“But truth and lies are cleverly mixed, so others might believe it.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, the person Daniel Lowens claims to have met is probably really from Bonzmos. He might have seen me a few times as well.”

Seyard put his hand on the back of his neck with an embarrassed expression.

“It’s shameful to admit, but the story about me frequenting gambling houses in the past is true. The monastery was too boring for me, and Bonzmos wasn’t a very prosperous area, so there wasn’t much in the way of entertainment or amusement besides alcohol and gambling.”

“That certainly makes sense.”

“After first going with Cobi, on days when I wasn’t in the mood for alcohol or felt awkward drinking during the day, I would spend time at gambling houses. Ah, but not to the extent of becoming addicted to gambling. While watching people was interesting, I never developed much interest in gambling itself.”

At least since she had never come across any articles about Duke Hillan being spotted at a gambling house in the capital, that part seemed to be true.

“Um, who is Cobi?”

When Kisa asked about the unfamiliar name that had just appeared, he kindly explained.

“He was a young man who came in and out of the monastery, taking care of various odd jobs. Though he had somewhat unreliable qualities, his nature was cheerful and optimistic, so he wasn’t someone you could dislike.”

Anyway, he continued.

“I admit that my attitude was poor for someone staying at a monastery, but I find the evaluation of being a ‘thug’ unfair. I decidedly have no memory of bullying ordinary people, breaking the law, or doing bad things.”

Just as she was about to agree with his feelings, Kisa closed her mouth at his next words.

“Above all, the claim that I had a woman I was seeing is completely absurd.”

This was the part of Daniel’s words whose truth she had been most curious about.

“At that time, I was in no position to…”

Just as Kisa swallowed dryly and focused on his words, the carriage came to a stop.

Without noticing, the Duke of Darion’s mansion, today’s destination, was visible through the window.

Having been so immersed in conversation, she hadn’t even noticed that the carriage had entered the grounds.

“Your Grace, we have arrived.”

The coachman who had gotten down from his seat opened the door.

“Um, Seyard…”

Kisa looked back and forth between the wide-open door and Seyard with a bewildered expression.

It was vexing that their conversation had to be interrupted just when important matters were about to be discussed.

But she hesitated to ask him to continue, afraid it might seem like she was paying too much attention to Daniel’s nonsense.

Whether aware of her burning curiosity or not, Seyard gave a slight smile.

“Shall we head out?”

“Yes?”

“There’s still quite some time before the concert begins, so shall we walk through the gardens that the Duke of Darion’s family boasts about in the meantime?”

He had already noticed her inner thoughts and was saying he would tell her the rest of the truth.

“Is that alright? Outside there are people…”

“It’s fine. Surely we can find a private space for a confidential conversation somewhere in such a vast garden.”

Seyard, who had stepped out of the carriage first, extended his hand toward Kisa.

“Yes, let’s go.”

Kisa gladly took his hand.

A few minutes later, the two were walking through a garden where spring flowers bloomed in abundance.

The Duke and Duchess of Darion, who regularly held concerts at their mansion and thus loved art, must also be interested in landscaping, as the scenery was truly beautiful.

Seyard, who had been quietly taking in the surroundings, suddenly spoke.

“With gambling, you only lose your stake, but once a relationship is formed, it’s not so simple.”

The conversation that had been cut off earlier resumed.

“It would be a lie to say I had absolutely no interest in romance or love, but at that time, I was in no position to have a lover. If I loved a woman, I would naturally want to spend my life with her, which would increase the possibility of having children. That was a luxury I couldn’t afford.”

Kisa silently listened to his words.

“My family didn’t expect me to become a devout monk at the monastery, but the reason they sent me there, of all places, was because they hoped I wouldn’t start a family like a monk would. One seed of misfortune was enough.”

The Hillan family didn’t want to risk complicating the succession structure because of Seyard’s children.

“It’s true that I went through an embarrassing period of wandering due to my resentment toward my family and rebellion against the old-fashioned ways of the monastery. However, I swear I never formed connections that I couldn’t take responsibility for.”

He stopped walking and met Kisa’s gaze.

“I would like you to believe this one thing.”

His eyes were so sincere that it was impossible to think he was lying.

“If I really had a lover, my family would have noticed first and sent me to a different region. Or they might have even imprisoned me.”

But thinking that Kisa wouldn’t easily believe him, he added a few more words with an awkward look.

“If you were to ask that person from Bonzmos whom Daniel Lowens met about who the woman I was seeing was, they wouldn’t be able to answer. Because there was no such person.”

He seemed strangely flustered, unlike the usually composed Seyard.

“People are really too much. Just because I secluded myself in the mountains after getting tired of gambling, they spread such rumors. Well, perhaps I’m partly responsible too. Even though I knew there were rumors about me having a woman, I was too bothered to actively explain. Back then, I didn’t want to interact with others due to my rebellious spirit—”

“Seyard.”

Kisa gently tugged at his sleeve, bringing his reddish-brown eyes, which had been directed at the ground, back to her.

“You don’t need to say more.”

Unlike before, she could now say with confidence.

“No matter what others say, I believe you.”

After a moment of silence, he smiled somewhat wearily and thanked her.

“I hope you’ll continue to believe me in the future as well.”

Late spring petals fell on the man’s head as he spoke those words.

Afterward, Kisa and Seyard briefly discussed how to respond to Daniel’s scheme before the concert started.

“I’ll make my own preparations for any contingency, so don’t worry.”

“Alright. I will absolutely not respond if Daniel tries to arrange a meeting.”

“It would indeed be better not to get involved from the start. However, if you ever want to speak with that person, I won’t stop you.”

“What? I don’t want to at all. I believe in you, Seyard.”

“…Thank you for saying that.”

Though he didn’t show it, Seyard seemed secretly pleased when Kisa declared this.

Soon Kisa could understand why he had said that.

From his perspective, it would probably be difficult to strongly demand that Kisa not meet the witness Daniel was bringing.

It might look like he was trying to preemptively block the possibility because he had something to hide.

Though she understood his feelings, Kisa wished Seyard would just honestly tell her not to meet with them.

‘Sometimes he’s like this.’

While he would readily step in and help with Kisa’s matters, he tended to be defensive about his own affairs.

How should she put it? It seemed like he didn’t have much faith in the goodwill directed toward him.

Thinking about it, he had experienced being abandoned by his family early on, so it made sense.

If Kisa had gone through the same childhood as him, she would probably have become an even darker person.

Just as her heart suddenly swelled with emotion and she felt admiration for Seyard who had grown up so admirably despite his unfortunate environment—

“I see Duke Hillan here!”

A man appeared before the two who were about to head back to the townhouse.

“It’s been a long time.”

When Seyard greeted him familiarly, the man showed great interest in Kisa as well.

“So this is the rumored fiancée. She’s as beautiful as they say.”

“The engagement ceremony has not yet taken place. Kisa, you can go inside first if you’d like.”

“Yes, I’ll see you later then.”

Sensing that if she stayed, she would be bothered with various questions for quite some time, Kisa accepted Seyard’s consideration and headed toward the mansion.

But it wasn’t long before she had to question whether that was the wrong choice.

“Oh my, Lady Vansfelt.”

She encountered two women who pursed their lips meaningfully upon seeing Kisa.

They were attendees of the princess’s tea party.

 

Chap 49

Blatant Hostility

“Hello, Lady Welf.”

Kisa first greeted the person who had addressed her and then turned her gaze to the person standing beside her.

“And Lady Clifford. I didn’t know both of you would be here today.”

Lady Welf, still wearing what seemed like a mocking smile, answered.

“Indeed. I also didn’t expect to see Lady Vansfelt in a place like this.”

Was it my imagination, or did she put particular emphasis on the words “in a place like this”?

Well, these two, including Melissa, were among the members of the tea party who followed the princess more enthusiastically than others.

Even though they had all been laughing and chatting together the last time they met, it was natural for them to harbor resentment toward Kisa now.

To them, Kisa was a traitor who had stolen the man who was to become the fiancé of the princess they so admired.

This had become annoying. Their raised eyebrows suggested they had been bottling up their feelings for quite some time.

Kisa glanced around, but couldn’t see the hosts of the concert, the Duke and Duchess of Darion.

It seemed they were greeting guests in the reception hall rather than at the entrance of the mansion.

‘If the Duke and his wife had been nearby, I could have used greeting them as an excuse to escape this situation…’

That was impossible in a situation where only the servants of the Duke’s household were guiding guests to the reception hall.

There was no choice. Although the conversation didn’t seem to be over, she had to force her way through.

“Anyway, it was nice to see you both. I hope you both enjoy yourselves. See you next time.”

Just as Kisa quickly bade farewell and tried to pass by the two women—

“Just a moment, Lady Vansfelt.”

“Why are you in such a hurry?”

“Let’s finish our conversation.”

They joined forces to block Kisa’s path.

Strictly speaking, it was against etiquette, but since they and Kisa were, at least nominally, friends who had grown up together, it was difficult to be strict about it.

“But the concert will start soon.”

“Don’t worry. There’s still plenty of time. Enough to share the stories we haven’t been able to tell.”

Lady Welf snickered as she took out her pendant pocket watch to confirm the time.

Damn, if she had known this would happen, she should have spent more time with Seyard in the garden before coming in.

It was a moment when she regretted her past self for being unnecessarily sensitive about time appointments and politely declining Seyard’s suggestion to stroll a bit more.

“Why didn’t you come last time?”

Kisa’s eyes widened at Lady Clifford’s question.

“What do you mean, didn’t come?”

“When we all visited the palace a few days ago to check on the princess’s health.”

Health check? Princess Arta had once been bedridden because of her fiancé’s death, but from the context, it didn’t seem like they were referring to that time.

Moreover, there had been no instance then when the members of the tea party had gathered to visit her together.

“Is the princess ill?”

“My goodness! Lady Vansfelt, you didn’t know?”

Lady Welf raised a fuss, placing her hand over her mouth.

“She took to her sickbed again not long after resuming her social activities. I suppose it’s only natural, given that she experienced another shocking event after already having gone through such hardship.”

Kisa didn’t need to hear what that shocking event was to understand. What else could it be but the announcement of Kisa and Seyard’s engagement?

“Ah, poor soul. Why does misfortune keep befalling the princess?”

“Indeed. Such a kind and caring person.”

Faced with the two who acted as if they might burst into tears at any moment, Kisa was at a loss for words.

“I hate to say this, but Lady Vansfelt, you have quite a cold-hearted side.”

The arrow was going to fly this way even if she didn’t speak first.

Lady Welf asked in a somewhat sharp tone.

“How could you not visit the princess even once? That’s too much.”

“I didn’t know. Neither that the princess was ill, nor that all of you went to check on her together.”

There hadn’t been any such rumors circulating, nor had she received any special notification.

Moreover, she still hadn’t received a reply to the greeting she had previously sent to the princess.

However, Lady Clifford tilted her head as if that couldn’t be true.

“That’s strange. Lady Dos definitely said she conveyed the message to Lady Vansfelt. She also urged you to come along to check on her.”

“No. I never received such a contact.”

As for Melissa’s letters, they came in such mountains that it was overwhelming, but in the end, she had opened and skimmed through all of them.

However, most of them were excuses for her own wrongdoing and inquiries about how on earth Kisa had become involved with Duke Hillan.

If there had been words like “princess” or “health check,” Kisa wouldn’t have failed to remember.

There was, however, one thing that bothered her.

Due to Melissa sending so many unwelcome letters, Kisa had decided to reject any future letters from her.

“I returned some of Lady Dos’s letters, so perhaps it was in one of those.”

Kisa considered for a moment before admitting this fact.

After all, if the other ladies of the gathering had met once during that time, they would know that the relationship between Kisa and Melissa had soured.

As expected, the two didn’t show any surprise upon hearing that Kisa had returned Melissa’s letters.

Lady Welf merely shrugged her shoulders.

“Well, we only heard from Lady Dos that she contacted you but was ignored.”

“Did Lady Dos really say that?”

“Yes, something to that effect, I believe.”

If that was true, it felt nothing but malicious.

Even if the letters were returned, Melissa had plenty of other means to deliver urgent news to Kisa.

Couldn’t she just send someone to convey a message?

But Melissa didn’t do that, and besides, it seemed she had left these people to misunderstand as they pleased.

“Speaking of which, is it true that you severed your relationship with Lady Dos over this engagement issue?”

“Pardon?”

“When we asked why the two of you had fallen out, Lady Dos said there were differences of opinion regarding the princess.”

By this point, it was so absurd it was laughable.

“No. The reason Lady Dos and I drifted apart has nothing to do with the engagement.”

“Really? Then what about the story related to the princess?”

Certainly, one of the things that had disappointed Kisa about Melissa was how she had blabbed to the princess about Kisa and Daniel on her own accord.

But the fundamental reason was something else.

Melissa knew about Daniel’s intimate relationship with Hazel but concealed that fact from Kisa.

Moreover, even after being caught in her wrongdoing, she never once offered a genuine apology.

Kisa conveyed her thoughts exactly as they were.

“The princess has little to do with it. Regardless of her, we were destined to end up like this sooner or later. I considered Lady Dos a true friend, but she didn’t feel the same way.”

Lady Welf rolled her eyes.

“Are you saying it’s Lady Dos’s fault?”

“I won’t deny it.”

“…Lady Vansfelt, I’ve misjudged you greatly. I thought you would at least be too ashamed to face us.”

Lady Clifford chimed in.

“How can you be so brazen? Do you truly have no sense of remorse towards the princess?”

As their voices grew louder, the attention of guests still heading towards the reception hall turned to them.

In fact, many had already been glancing at Kisa, who had become a celebrity alongside Seyard, but now they openly stopped to watch the three ladies.

‘This is exactly why I wanted to avoid this…’

Faced with those loudly condemning her, Kisa had to swallow a sigh of perplexity.

Generally, it was considered embarrassing for nobles to openly quarrel in front of others.

But these two had the justification of acting for the princess—that is, loyalty to the royal family.

Even if it was excessive loyalty, it could still be viewed as a virtue.

The two seemed upset that Kisa, whom they probably expected would offer little rebuttal, was denying each accusation one by one, but she couldn’t just silently listen to what they were saying either.

If she had, Kisa would have become a shameless person who knew the princess was ill but didn’t visit her, and who abandoned her friend because she was blinded by a man.

It was truly a dilemma. As she spoke, she regretted not pretending to be ill to avoid the conversation altogether, after finding herself responding to each absurd statement.

Although she had resolved not to avoid problematic situations after the incident with Daniel, this wasn’t just a matter of her own honor.

As someone engaged to the Duke of Hillan, if Kisa’s reputation was tarnished, it would negatively affect Seyard as well.

Moreover, hadn’t she come here with him?

“Listen, everyone. The concert will be starting soon—”

Just as Kisa was trying to calm them down, a familiar voice came from behind.

“Excuse me, ladies.”

Seyard, who had somehow approached them, put his arm around Kisa’s waist.

“May I have my fiancée back now?”

While Kisa stiffened at the sudden contact, Seyard naturally led her towards the reception hall.

“Come, let’s go. We’ll be late at this rate.”

It was before he could even hear a response from those he had just asked for understanding.

“Just a moment, Your Grace!”

But Lady Welf called out, and Seyard only slightly turned his head to gaze at her.

She seemed a bit nervous, but bravely blurted out what she wanted to say.

“Isn’t there someone else you should be concerned about right now?”

Her tone was desperate, as if hoping that the princess’s foolish match would finally come to his senses.

Kisa had no idea how he would respond to this startling question.

Would he ignore it? Show his displeasure? Or calmly refute it with logical words?

However, Seyard Hillan was someone who made all such expectations futile.

“Well…”

He lowered his head to drop his lips on Kisa’s hair and said in a sweet voice:

“Being born a man, could there be anyone in this world I should care about more than the woman I love beyond measure?”

It was a moment when Kisa’s body became even more rigid.

 

Chap 50

Lovey-Dovey Couple

Kisa was so stunned by Seyard’s impulsive behavior that she couldn’t speak for a while.

The other party seemed equally surprised; Lady Welf who had asked the question, as well as Lady Clifford were both plunged into embarrassment.

Even the other guests who had been watching the situation with interest when Duke Hillan appeared were now wide-eyed with undisguised surprise.

For someone of Duke Hillan’s stature to behave so foolishly in public, especially in response to a sensitive question about the princess.

Even though they had read in the newspapers about him being deeply in love, seeing it firsthand was quite different, and understandably shocking.

Only Seyard Hillan, who had thrown them all into astonishment, didn’t even raise an eyebrow as he twirled Kisa’s hair between his fingers.

“You look lovely today too, Kisa.”

Even going so far as to say such outrageous things.

When he brought her hair to his lips once again, Kisa momentarily felt her face flush with heat and almost pushed Seyard away.

For someone who had grown up in a conservative environment and who hadn’t even properly heard the words “I love you” from Daniel, her fiancé of ten years, this was too much stimulation.

However, just before shouting “Stop that!” aloud, rational thought returned.

‘Wait.’

To the outside world, Kisa and Seyard were passionately dating lovers.

If Kisa were to forcefully push him away for showing affection, how would it look to others?

The problem wasn’t simply that their image would be compromised.

In fact, the malicious rumor that Seyard had forcibly taken Kisa against her will might be perceived as truth.

That absolutely could not happen. She couldn’t harm him when she hadn’t been much help to begin with.

Firmly resolved, Kisa desperately tried to calm her racing heart.

‘Right, it’s nothing. Seyard’s declarations of love are just an act anyway.’

He was merely playing the role of an affectionate lover in front of people.

And that was the correct answer. Lady Welf’s bold question mentioning the princess was a topic that would inevitably lead to gossip no matter how sensibly Seyard might respond.

If that was the case, it seemed wise to avoid the question entirely by pretending to be too blinded by love to understand.

Considering all this, Kisa’s required reaction was clear.

“Oh, Seyard, really…”

Having barely managed to force the words out of her throat, Kisa awkwardly leaned her body against the man standing closely beside her.

“I get embarrassed in front of others…”

She truly was embarrassed to the point that her face felt like it would explode, but thinking that this was to clear Seyard of false accusations made it somehow bearable.

“Please save such words for when we’re alone. Okay?”

Kisa could only hope that they wouldn’t notice how abnormally her facial muscles were twitching.

“……”

Then came silence. Strangely, not only the others but even Seyard showed no reaction to Kisa’s words.

‘Could it be?’

A terrifying question flashed through her mind.

Was her acting so terrible that even Seyard was left speechless?

As Kisa anxiously tried to check the expression of the person beside her, he finally spoke.

“I was thoughtless, my love. You’re right. Let’s save such things for when we’re alone.”

Having said this, the man turned his gaze back to Lady Welf and Lady Clifford, so Kisa couldn’t see his face.

“I believe that’s a sufficient answer to your question, and we’ll be taking our leave now.”

Before the dumbfounded Lady Welf could respond, Seyard walked quickly toward the direction of the concert hall.

Since his arm was still around her waist, Kisa had to move her feet rapidly to keep pace with him.

Looking back, she saw the two women looking at each other with startled eyes, as if they had just regained their senses.

But what could she do? They had already missed their best opportunity to confront Kisa.

As they headed toward the concert hall, Kisa suddenly noticed something strange.

“Um, Seyard. We’re going the wrong way.”

Having visited this place just a few months ago to attend a recital featuring the Duchess of Darion herself, she knew well where the concert hall was.

“I know.”

But rather than turning back, Seyard stopped at a dead end where no one else was around and turned to Kisa.

“Kisa, did anything happen?”

“Happen?”

“Did those people try to harm you in any way?”

At his worried tone, Kisa hurriedly waved her hands.

“They were confrontational, but they didn’t harm me.”

“Did they say anything harsh to you?”

“Well… harsh might be the word. They said things that I found quite unfair.”

“What did they say?”

Kisa was about to tell him about her conversation with the two women but closed her mouth.

From the incident of her being left out of visiting the princess, to the absurd accusation that she had fallen out with Melissa because of Seyard—there was too much to say.

“I’ll tell you on our way back. If we talk here, we’ll be late for the concert. Let’s head to the concert hall first.”

Seyard looked like he wanted to know immediately, but he agreed with Kisa’s suggestion.

“Alright. Let’s go back.”

“Ah, wait a moment.”

Actually, Kisa had something she wanted to ask too.

It might not be appropriate to bring it up right after suggesting they leave, but this topic would only become more difficult to broach as time passed. Because it was embarrassing.

“Seyard, you know…”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“Just now, was my acting that strange?”

“Acting?”

“You know, when I said I was embarrassed…”

As shame rose up again, causing Kisa to bow her head deeply, he made an “ah” sound.

“No, not particularly.”

At those words, Kisa looked up immediately.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Then why were you so quiet at that time?”

“That’s…”

He absently scratched his cheek.

“I was momentarily taken aback because I didn’t expect Kisa to play along with me.”

I see. That was somewhat reassuring, and Kisa let out a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, it seemed she hadn’t made a fool of herself in front of everyone.

But in the next moment, unexpected words came from Seyard’s lips.

“And I was hoping that perhaps it wasn’t acting.”

“Pardon?”

“Never mind.”

Without giving Kisa a chance to inquire further, he took her hand and led her back the way they had come.

“Now, the concert will be starting soon. Let’s hurry.”

His face wore its usual sociable smile, making it difficult to read any particular emotion.

His demeanor was so ordinary that Kisa wondered if she had misheard.

****

After entering the concert hall, the two exchanged brief greetings with the Duke and Duchess of Darion before taking their seats. They had barely avoided being late.

Having been unsettled by the encounter with the two women at the entrance, and further troubled by Seyard’s problematic remark just now, Kisa found it difficult to concentrate on the performance.

However, before long, the beautiful melody of the string quartet began to gradually envelop Kisa’s consciousness.

Unlike the previous solo recital, which was closer to the Duchess of Darion’s personal hobby, this concert featured invited active musicians.

The Duke and Duchess of Darion often arranged such events to introduce young talents to the world.

Kisa became completely absorbed in the music.

While all four performers were excellent, there was one in particular who captured attention.

The first violinist, a man named Gabriel Williams.

Though her own skills were limited, Kisa occasionally played the violin, so she could tell how dynamic and technically brilliant his performance was.

She wasn’t the only one who felt this way; before the concert began, Gabriel’s name was one of the most frequently mentioned among the guests.

After the final movement ended, listening more closely to people’s conversations, she learned that he was apparently a popular figure who had recently gained fame and was being invited to perform everywhere.

But the secret of his popularity wasn’t just his outstanding musical talent.

“He’s as handsome as I heard.”

“Indeed. His appearance is as delicate as his playing.”

Gabriel’s beauty was eye-catching enough to make some people more interested in his looks than his performance.

With his large eyes and fine features, he gave off a boyish impression despite being an adult, they said.

Strictly speaking, Kisa preferred a more masculine appearance, so she wasn’t particularly interested in Gabriel’s looks, but from what others were saying, he seemed to be undeniably handsome.

So much so that even Seyard teased Kisa during the concert for staring too obviously at Gabriel.

Though she knew it was just his joke, Kisa earnestly explained that she was merely impressed by the performance.

For some reason, she didn’t want Seyard to harbor any such misunderstanding.

In any case, the evening was pleasant in many ways.

At least, it was until she returned home and found a letter addressed to her.

[My dear Kisa,

I wish to see your face, which I haven’t seen for a long time.]

Instead of replying to her greeting letter, Princess Arta had invited Kisa to a new tea party.

Here it comes. That was the first thought that crossed Kisa’s mind as she unfolded the invitation.

She recalled what Seyard had said in the carriage on their way back.

[I think the princess will definitely call for you at least once before the engagement ceremony.]

Just as he had predicted, the date written on the invitation was one week before their engagement ceremony.