Chapter 69
“Your fortress-like walls are even sturdier than an iron stronghold, aren’t they? Honestly, I thought you might waver a little for someone like him, but… you still don’t have any thoughts about marriage?”
“Mm. My thoughts haven’t changed.”
Her feelings toward Franz went beyond simple fondness—they were complicated and delicate.
Admiration and respect, excitement and longing, guilt and helplessness, misery and resentment.
From the start, such emotions were a luxury for her. She only wanted to free herself from the ripples and wreckage of those feelings that disturbed her heart.
“Mother would be so disappointed to hear that.”
Recalling her mother’s lately radiant face, Iella smiled bitterly.
“She’s so proud that her two daughters have become the kingdom’s most eligible brides, I suppose.”
“She believes love and marriage are everything in life. That as long as you have love, the path ahead will be paved with flowers…”
It wasn’t that Iella blamed her mother for her steadfast, hopeful ignorance. But she couldn’t agree that love was something to be matched to convenient conditions.
At her cynical response, Louisa looped her arm through Iella’s.
“That’s because she met Father. She hopes we’ll walk the same path she did.”
“I know. And I love and respect them more than anyone.”
Since childhood, she had grown up hearing the story of her parents, who had married at first sight. Her mother looked only at her father, almost excessively so, while her father was faithful and kind, both as husband and as head of the household.
She couldn’t deny that she had grown up in harmony under such parents. But the expectation that their children, too, must create such households—that was what made her uncomfortable.
“By the way, next week is the ball for the Prince’s birthday. It’s going to be a masquerade. It’s my first time, so I’m excited.”
“Oh. Already?”
Iella remembered a conversation she’d once had with Franz over afternoon tea.
‘For my birthday this year, I’m planning something special for the ball.’
‘How so?’
‘What about a masquerade?’
‘A masquerade?’
‘Yes. As my portraitist, I really want you to attend. But you’re so shy. With a mask, maybe it’ll be easier.’
‘Why go that far for me?’
‘Because it’s fun.’
‘Huh? Is that supposed to be a compliment?’
‘Of course it is. Not many people amuse me. You should feel proud.’
Proud? Of what, exactly?
At the time, she had dismissed it, finding the masquerade ridiculous. But when the invitation arrived, she realized it had been the Prince’s way of being considerate toward her.
“You’re definitely attending, right?”
“I already replied that I would, so I have to.”
Unless she wanted to disregard Franz’s intention entirely, there was no choice.
“You don’t sound very thrilled, though.”
While Louisa was brimming with excitement, Iella gave a faint, bitter smile.
“You know I hate those things.”
“Still, for public standing, some things are necessary whether you like them or not. Just look at Aunt—if you take her as a role model, you’ll see what I mean.”
Nodding as though she understood, Iella changed the subject.
“So what about you? You said you like someone.”
“We’re still getting to know each other.”
Louisa’s cheeks flushed pink like a girl’s. Seeing her shy smile made Iella curious about the man.
“I’m dying to know who it is. I hope it works out.”
“He’s coming here… You know him too.”
“You invited him? Here? Now?”
Someone I know? Who could it be?
Iella couldn’t guess at all who Louisa might have fallen for.
“Who is it?”
“Oh? There he is. That’s him.”
Louisa’s face lit up with a radiant smile.
Who could make Louisa smile like that?
At the end of her curious gaze, a man approached with the same bright smile.
No way!
Iella doubted her eyes for a moment. Shocked, her red lips parted slightly.
“Andrew Mori…s?”
But it wasn’t just Andrew—Franz was with him. At that sight, her mind went completely blank.
Those clear ocean-blue eyes locked directly on her as he walked closer. He looked so composed, as if she were the only one caught off guard.
“What’s going on here? Louisa, care to explain?”
Grinding her teeth, Iella muttered under her breath. Louisa, however, kept smiling as she whispered back:
“I don’t know! I only invited Lord Andrew Mori. Who could’ve guessed the Prince would come along? Oh wow, the gossip sheets will explode tomorrow.”
Her sister’s amused tone, as though it were someone else’s business, was infuriating.
“You—how can you…!”
Words stuck in Iella’s throat at the absurdity of the situation.
“Please, just calm down. Think of it positively. Don’t we need someone to row the boat, after all?”
With that lighthearted remark and a cheerful smile, Iella could only frown. She wanted to know how Louisa and Andrew had gotten involved, but a bigger problem was staring her in the face.
“Lady Clarence, we meet again.”
Andrew greeted her with a graceful smile.
“Good day, Lord Mori.”
Her lips trembled as she forced a smile. Unlike Iella’s awkward expression, the situation unfolded as if perfectly natural.
“Would you grant me the honor of walking by the lake with such a beautiful lady?”
Andrew asked, eyes warm and gentle, his smile radiant as sunlight.
Was the young viscount always this generous with his smiles?
While Iella hesitated, Andrew and Louisa naturally walked ahead. She didn’t even have time to object.
An awkward silence fell between the two left behind. Iella didn’t make her dislike obvious, but her gaze toward Franz carried undeniable discomfort—tinged with wariness.
Franz sighed inwardly at the look.
This must be unbearably awkward for her.
“About yesterday—”
“Yes. I got home safely, thanks.”
Before Franz could finish, Iella cut him off coldly. He only lifted an eyebrow slightly, not at all bothered by her rudeness.
“That’s good to hear.”
As Franz began to walk, Iella had no choice but to match his pace. She managed only a few steps before he caught up.
This was embarrassing for her as well. Realizing she couldn’t outwalk him, she slowed to her normal pace.
Walking half a step behind, Franz studied her flushed, peach-soft cheeks. They looked so sweet he imagined they would burst with juice if bitten. Even though he knew she was uncomfortable, his gaze lingered on her.
Her delicate profile, her firm and resolute eyes, and her red lips pressed stubbornly together—all of it held his attention.
She’s really angry.
The gentle lamb had turned into a wary cat bristling with fur overnight. Since he was the cause, he had nothing to say.
I really have sinned against her.
Franz let out a self-mocking laugh. She shot him a sharp glare, as if to say, “You think this is funny?”
Her eyes were almost insolent, but somehow he didn’t feel angry.
On the contrary, he found her feistiness cute, barely restraining the urge to smile again. She suited this spirited, prickly look far better than appearing cowed or defeated.
Franz kept his gaze fixed on her stern profile for a long time. Even under the curious stares of his friends, he felt coming here had been worth it.
A few hours earlier.
The smell of last night’s alcohol still clung to him when Hans arrived at the club.
“I’ll take you to the hotel, sir. It would be best to rest in your suite until the board meeting at ten.”
“Fine.”
That was preferable to wasting time wandering around Grenville’s streets.
As he stood, Andrew sniffed at him like a hound.
“Do I reek of alcohol?”
“You smell like you bathed in it.”
“So what? It’s not my first time.”
Marco and Richard dismissed it lightly.
“Damn. I’m screwed.”
Andrew ruffled his hair and shot Franz a reproachful look.
“What is it?”
While the others looked at him curiously, Andrew smirked smugly, which only made them less interested.
“I have a date.”
“A date? You?”
Now that was unexpected. His friends stared in disbelief while Andrew grinned, practically mocking them.
“With who?”
“Lady Louisa.”
His broad shoulders lifted proudly.
“What? Are you serious? How did that happen?”
“You didn’t blackmail her, did you? You’re just the type.”
While Richard and Marco reacted with shock, Franz simply watched Andrew silently.
“Do I look like a child? Don’t be ridiculous.”
“I never realized how poor my imagination was. So you’re really meeting Lady Louisa?”
“I told you. We’re going boating.”
“Unbelievable.”
Ignoring their endless questions, Andrew turned to Franz.
“Lady Clarence will be there too. Franz, you’re coming.”
“Why would I?”
Franz replied coolly, voice calm, as though it meant nothing.
He was, in his own way, putting up a front.
