Chapter 28
Right… He never actually said he wanted to go with her. But out of all the letters I’ve read, that one definitely showed the most interest.
And there’s no way he asked after Anna’s well-being with kindness. His letters are stiff—practically official documents.
Still, something didn’t add up.
Countess Wendis Edgar had received the most attention in the letters… yet when Kalen saw her earlier, he didn’t seem particularly impressed.
Was he underwhelmed when he saw her in person? I suppose her face was a little plain, considering how highly she spoke of herself. All right then…
Wendice Edgar, Count’s Daughter— lacks quick wit, prone to hasty and self-centered conclusions.
Overconfident.
There was a little subjectivity in her judgment, but El considered it a fairly objective assessment overall.
As she scribbled, Wendice’s voice suddenly rose, as if a new argument had just come to her.
“You mentioned your family’s hunting grounds. No offense, but how large are they exactly? From what I know, ours are significantly bigger.”
Anna fell silent, caught off guard by Wendice’s triumphant tone.
Wendis’s entourage lit up with glee, seizing the opportunity to whisper insults in Anna’s direction.
“O-ours aren’t that much smaller…”
“Don’t try to bluff. Our family’s hunting grounds span over a hundred acres. It’s enormous.”
“Well, um…”
Watching the two young ladies spar, El could hardly contain her exasperation.
Kalen probably didn’t even know who they were.
They hadn’t gone on a single date—barely exchanged proper words—and here they were, tearing each other apart over him.
Clicking her tongue softly, El jotted down another note.
Anna Peyton, Count’s Daughter — speaks before thinking.
Struggles with numbers.
Looking over what she’d written, El chuckled.
It was almost like Kalen himself had composed the notes—blunt, concise, and bureaucratic in tone.
She crumpled the paper and tucked it into her bag, pulling out a fresh sheet.
Seemingly regaining her footing, Anna launched her next attack.
“I heard you pride yourself on being a trendsetter, yet you’re still wearing that hair ornament? Clearly, the rumors have been blown way out of proportion.”
“Well, you’re the one clutching that outdated fan. Wasn’t that in fashion, oh, two seasons ago?”
“Shows what you know. This is a new design from the Kingdom of Herais. And yours is from Belote, isn’t it? Belote may be known for its furs, but when it comes to delicate accessories like fans? They fall terribly short. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“Anna Peyton!”
“Yes, Wendis Edgar!?”
Round two of their fiery standoff had begun.
Watching them square off again, El resumed her notes.
Wendice Edgar, Count’s Daughter — lacks quick thinking, makes snap judgments, self-important, slightly behind the fashion curve.
But must admit: beautiful skin.
Anna Peyton, Count’s Daughter — loud, impulsive, bad with numbers, but absolutely stunning hair.
Owns a very large hunting ground.
Unlike before, El made sure to include at least one compliment for each of them.
She gazed at the unfolding drama with mounting interest.
The lounge buzzed with a stifling tension.
No one dared speak.
Even breathing felt difficult, as if the air had dried out completely under the pressure of the two young women’s battle of wills.
And then—the door burst open.
“Excuse me! The music is starting—it’s time for the dance—oh…”
The young lady who burst in, voice full of excitement, faltered as soon as she took in the electric atmosphere.
Her final words were barely a whisper.
Dance hour had begun.
And a proper gentleman never leaves a lady unattended during the dance.
It was the one time when anyone could ask—or be asked—to dance.
The room filled with the anticipation of turning toward the ballroom, where the Crown Prince, Duke Elias, and even Baron Leo Healy awaited.
Sensing opportunity, the young ladies called a temporary truce.
“We should head out. It would be rude to keep the gentlemen waiting.”
“Agreed. Let’s go.”
As if they’d never exchanged a single glare, Wendice and Anna emerged from the lounge side by side, radiant smiles carefully painted on their faces.
Watching them, El quickly jotted down one last line:
Able to seize key opportunities.
Highly adaptable under pressure.
Hmm.
These ladies have more strengths than I expected. Not bad.
With the flurry of skirts and perfume trailing behind them, the lounge suddenly felt cold and empty.
El hesitated.
Should I just stay here until the party ends?
If she did, she wouldn’t be able to see Callen—but she’d also avoid running into that terrifying man again.
“…But then I won’t have anything to report back to the Archduchess.”
She needed to know who Kalen spoke with, whether any particular lady had caught his eye.
Raising her fan to hide her face, El peeked around, searching for any sign of him.
Joyful music filled the grand hall, where couples had already paired off and begun to dance in graceful rhythm.
Could he be dancing too…?
Wandering slowly along the edge of the ballroom, El scanned the dancers for Kalen.
And then—she bumped into someone.
“Oh! I’m so sorry—”
“…”
Even though El had apologized, the other woman said nothing.
She wore a violet dress that matched her mysterious purple eyes.
Her face looked familiar, but El couldn’t quite place her.
“Are you all right, Your Highness?”
The question came from a young lady standing nearby, and El flinched.
Did she say… Your Highness?
El quickly closed her fan and lowered her head in a deep bow.
“I’m terribly sorry. I didn’t recognize you.”
“……”
There was still no reply.
Instead, a woman standing beside the princess stepped forward.
“Watch where you’re going! You nearly spilled wine all over Her Highness!”
It was Countess Belboa, Princess Ruena’s chief lady-in-waiting.
Her words were sharp, her glare even sharper.
But Ruena raised a hand to stop her.
“It’s fine. Let her go.”
“Oh, such grace—our princess is as kind as she is noble.”
Countess Belboa beamed at Ruena with admiration before shooting El another frosty glance.
Sensing it was best to make herself scarce, El bowed again and hurried away.
But in her haste, she bumped—hard—into someone else.
“Ahh, my nose…”
“Oh dear, are you hurt, my lady?”
“I’m fine… I think.”
El winced, still clutching her nose.
As she looked up at the man she’d run into, her eyes widened in recognition. She knew this man.
He smiled down at her, dazzling and warm.
The mage… Pilate?
He was the man she’d seen at the library—the one she had told herself she’d ask for a name if they ever met again.
What was his name again? Leo… something…
But now wasn’t the time to worry about names.
Still covering her nose, El tried to quickly walk past him.
If he recognized her from the library, he might speak up—and she couldn’t afford that.
No one could know she was at this party.
It was supposed to be a secret.
“Excuse me.”
She made to flee, but Leo gently caught her arm.
Oh no. Did he recognize me?
El turned back slowly, still hiding her nose.
But Leo only smiled again, even brighter than before, and held something out to her.
“You dropped your fan.”
“Oh—thank you.”
She reached for it, but just as she was about to take it, he teasingly pulled it away.
Her eyes widened.
“What are you doing?”
“You just seem so familiar. Haven’t we met before?”
His words made her flinch.
But she straightened her back, lowered her hand, and forced herself to sound poised and aloof.
“What an overused line. Not very gentlemanly, is it?”
“My apologies if I’ve offended you. It’s just—you really do look familiar.”
Not wanting him to recognize her, El lifted her chin higher and glared at him coldly.
“Have you been away from the capital that long? Your manners seem to have suffered for it.”
“You’re not from the capital?”
“No. I just arrived yesterday. Yesterday,” she repeated firmly.
She emphasized the word as if it could somehow erase their shared past.
She prayed he didn’t remember.
“Hm.”
As if trying to act like any typical noble lady, El turned her head sharply to the side in a show of haughty irritation.
Leo chuckled and twirled the fan playfully between his fingers.
It didn’t look like he intended to give it back anytime soon, and El bit her lip in frustration.
“Then how about this—I’ll return your fan if you do me a small favor.”
She desperately wanted to vanish from his sight, but he just wouldn’t stop talking.
Instinctively, El shook her head.
“No.”
“You’re quick to refuse without even hearing me out. Cold-hearted, despite those sweet eyes of yours.”
“I have no interest in granting the request of someone so rude. Now, give me back my fan.”
When El glared at him, Leo simply responded with another dazzling smile.
She still had no idea who he was.
She thought he looked familiar, but it must’ve been a mistake.
He guessed she was the daughter of some obscure noble family from a far-off countryside.
That made things even better.
“As I said, if you want your fan back, you’ll have to grant me a favor.”
“What kind of nonsense is this?”
“Nothing in this world comes for free.”
Her bad feeling had been right.
El’s expression tightened with unease.
She wanted to just walk away and leave the fan behind—it was only a fan, after all—but it didn’t belong to her.
She had to return it to Risa. Abandoning it wasn’t an option.
Reluctantly, El glanced at the fan and asked, “What favor?”
“I’m in love with Princess Ruena. But no matter what I do, she won’t even look my way. I was hoping… you could help me.”
“I heard you’re quite the flirt, though.”
“…Sorry?”
“Ah—nothing.”
The words slipped out before she realized, echoing something Leo had said himself back in the library.
Thankfully, it seemed he hadn’t caught it.
“So how exactly am I supposed to help you?”
“Like this.”
Leo suddenly took her hand and whisked her into the crowd of dancers.
“Eek!”
“I’ll admit it’s a little underhanded… but nothing sparks jealousy quite like this.”
“What do you think you’re doing?!”
“Just one dance. That’s all I ask.”
She tried to pull her hand free, but it was too late—they were already surrounded by dancing couples, and slipping away wouldn’t be easy.
El tried to retreat, but as the familiar rhythm reached her ears, her body began to move on its own.
The melody was unfamiliar, yet somehow her steps flowed naturally in time with the music.
Has my body been brainwashed? My feet are moving all on their own…
Yes—early education really was important.
