TFVWMMF 62

CHAPTER 62……………..

“You look wonderful, my lady.”

“Hoho, tell my brother that yourself. He’ll be delighted.”

Lady Charlet bent close to Everett and whispered.

“He may look stern, but he’s very weak to compliments. He’s secretly quite shy.”

Thanks to cheerful Lady Charlet, Everett felt her tension ease.

“Now, this way.”

They passed several doors with ornate carvings and entered the drawing room.

Beautiful murals covered the walls, giving the impression of stepping into a gallery.

Alfred and Harfa, who had been waiting for her, rose to their feet.

“Lady Gronzy, welcome. You are truly beautiful today. You look like a completely different person.”

Lord of Olbreno greeted her with a bright smile.

“Dinner will be served shortly. Please, this way.”

Just as Charlet had said, an endless array of carefully prepared dishes was brought out.

At the sight of the table overflowing with food, Everett murmured quietly:

“I thought it would be a light meal…”

“You may eat lightly, my lady. The rest will be finished off by the strong lads here.”

Charlet, sitting beside Everett, said this lightly.

Thanks to her and Harfa, the meal was lively. Alfred, as usual, ate quietly, only nodding occasionally.

The surprise was Kyle.

Everett had thought he would lead the conversation, but he remained silent the entire meal.

We even promised… surely he won’t suddenly reveal that I’m Naz, will he?

Looking at the pensive Kyle made Everett uneasy.

“Um… Lady Everett? May I ask something I’m curious about?”

Charlet’s eyes flicked toward Kyle.

“Yes, please.”

“You haven’t made your debut in society yet, have you?”

“…No.”

Kyle, who hadn’t raised his head once, reacted faster than anyone else.

He glanced between Charlet and Everett, his brows drawing together.

Seeing this, Charlet smiled meaningfully.

“I have a bit of influence in society, you see.”

Everett only gave a small nod.

“So I was wondering… would you consider making your debut, if you’re willing?”

Not knowing if Charlet was serious or teasing, Everett didn’t know how to answer.

She only shifted uncomfortably, her eyes darting.

“You’re so beautiful, you’d win instant popularity. I guarantee it.”

“You flatter me.”

“No, truly. I’ve been in society for years. Even dressed simply like this you’re stunning—imagine how much more radiant you’d be properly adorned. Young lords wouldn’t leave you alone.”

“I agree. Even when I saw you back in Kuna, I thought you were captivating. Seeing you now, I find Lady Charlet’s words ring true.”

Harfa chimed in to support Charlet.

“Hm…”

Alfred gave only a short grunt and nod.

“Even my brother, with his discerning eye, agrees. I’ve met many young ladies, but you… you have a different kind of aura.”

Charlet pointed her finger toward Everett like a painter assessing his subject.

“You have a presence that draws the eye. Your uncommon black hair and dark eyes alone are strikingly beautiful.”

Even Everett, who had been awkward, gradually warmed to Charlet’s energetic voice.

The atmosphere was pleasant and lively—except Kyle, whose mood only soured.

“But what can I say? I’ve never thought about debuting in society.”

“Oh, a young lady this charming mustn’t say such things. You should at least think about it seriously now. Ah! Isn’t there a banquet coming up soon for Lord Kyle?”

Kyle’s eyes sharpened as he looked at her.

“It’s to be held at the imperial palace, so many people will attend. It seems like a perfect opportunity to debut… what do you say? If you’d like, I’ll make sure to secure an invitation for you.”

She turned to Kyle with a teasing smile.

“It’s your banquet, Lord Kyle. Surely you could arrange at least one extra invitation?”

Kyle’s voice grew heavy.

“Everett said she’s not interested. Forcing her against her wishes would be…”

“Oh my, when a woman says she’s not interested, that doesn’t mean she dislikes it. You men never understand the hidden meaning of our words.”

Charlet laughed brightly.

To Everett, she looked like a sister playfully teasing a younger brother.

“Charlet, she is Kyle’s guest. Don’t make her uncomfortable.”

At Alfred’s quiet rebuke, Charlet leaned toward Everett again.

It looked like she was whispering a secret, but she made no effort to lower her voice.

“This is women’s business. We’ll talk more seriously later. Or why don’t you visit my house? We have a beautiful glass garden in the back—I’d love to show it to you.”

It was the same garden Everett had entered countless times disguised as the fortune-teller Naz.

“I’ve heard it’s beautiful. If I get the chance, I’d love to visit.”

“I’ll prepare the tea myself. Please wait a moment.”

A tea table was set in one corner of the stately study.

Kyle sat on the sofa, still looking grave.

“I have something to attend to…”

Alfred rose, placing a hand on Harfa’s shoulder.

“Lord of Olbreno, would you assist me?”

“Huh? Me?”

“It’s something two people can finish quickly. We’d best get it done so we can all enjoy tea together.”

Before Harfa could answer, Alfred drew him out of the study.

Left alone with Kyle, Everett wandered the study to break the awkwardness.

“Lord Kiyor’s tastes are surprising. I’d never have imagined you liked something so ornate and grand.”

She hadn’t expected an answer, but when she turned, Kyle was watching her with a stiff face.

“Everett, do you really intend to enter society?”

Society? Is that what he’s brooding over?

Everett didn’t answer.

“You seemed quite intrigued by Lady Charlet’s suggestion.”

I did? I looked like that?

She smirked inwardly.

When she stayed silent, only looking at him, Kyle grew increasingly restless.

His anxiousness made Everett feel a sudden urge to tease him.

“Well… I don’t really know.”

“Don’t… know?”

Kyle’s eyes widened.

“Everett, debuting in society means beginning to search for a marriage partner. You do know that, right?”

“Oh, does it? I thought it was just about attending parties. I didn’t realize it carried that meaning.”

She nodded casually and sat across from him, smiling sweetly as she watched his worried face.

“By the way, Lord Kyle, what was it you were about to say when the carriage arrived?”

Kyle blinked in surprise at her sudden question.

“Pfft.”

Everett covered her mouth, letting out a short laugh.

Her smiling eyes made Kyle’s neck flush red instantly.

“If I tell you, will you promise not to discuss society and debuts anymore?”

Everett tapped her chin with her finger.

“Hm… I’ll have to think about that.”

At her playful reply, a soft smile tugged at Kyle’s lips.

“You’re beautiful.”

That low voice of his that always made her heart flutter.

“…What?”

“Everett, tonight you’re too beautiful… that’s what I was trying to say.”

This time it was Everett’s turn to be startled, while Kyle’s smile deepened.

“Now that I’ve said it… the society talk is forgotten, right?”

Just then, the door opened and Charlet’s cheerful voice rang out.

“This is tea I ordered specially. I hope it suits everyone’s taste.”

Kyle leaned back into the sofa as if nothing had happened.

Soon Alfred and Harfa returned, and all gathered again.

“Is it time now to hear why Lord Kyle invited us all to dinner tonight?”

Charlet asked as she handed out cups.

“I’ve been learning runes from Everett for some time now.”

“What? Runes?”

“Runes… are those the letters written on that note you once asked me to decipher?”

Harfa recalled aloud.

“Yes. Characters no one had ever seen before, and no one could decipher.”

“If I remember right, Lord Kyle, you thought it was a ciph—”

Realizing his slip, Harfa shut his mouth quickly.

Alfred and Charlet both sent Kyle warning looks.

Was it really safe to speak of this in Everett’s presence?

They all knew that since the incident in the North, when an owl nearly intercepted his letter, Kyle had been searching for a new code.

Only they knew of it.

But unlike their tense expressions, Kyle calmly placed a sheet of paper on the table.

“This is what I’ve been searching for. A script perfect for our use.”

No one dared to ask further.

They didn’t know how much Kyle had already told Everett.

Seeing their hesitation, Kyle gave a short smile, as if to say there was no need to worry.

“I’ve already explained to Everett why I want to learn runes.”

“Lord Kyle, such things should…”

Kyle raised his hand to cut Charlet off.

“The Emperor hates to meet me, yet ironically he’s desperately curious about what I’m doing. The same goes for the nobles.”