Chapter 59
In the end, I missed my chance to retort. Instead, I averted my gaze slightly and replied.
“…Thank you for saying that, at least. It puts me at ease.”
“Then I’m glad.”
The music was nearing its end, and our movements slowed with it.
At last, when the performance concluded, the lights went out all at once. Simultaneously, a voice rang out from somewhere.
“Good evening. I am Count Seymour, the host of this ball. First of all, I would like to thank all the distinguished guests gathered here tonight.”
Since only a woman’s voice echoed in the darkness, it was impossible to tell from where it came.
The voice continued.
“In life, there are many times when one must hide one’s dreams and true self. Burdened by the eyes of others, scarred and hurt… I wished for everyone to forget all that, if only for one night. That is why I arranged this gathering. So please, enjoy yourselves to the fullest before you return.”
Pop.
The lights came back on.
People looked around, but nothing had changed.
I too searched the crowd, wondering if Count Seymour might have appeared during the blackout. At that moment, the duke tugged at me.
“You won’t see her here.”
“…?”
The host of the ball can’t be seen at her own ball? I looked at him in confusion, but he led me on, and I followed without protest.
Despite all the trouble we went through to enter, the duke once again stepped outside. He was headed toward the count’s garden.
“You seem to know your way around here.”
“When I was young, I visited the count’s estate several times. I first met the countess here in this very garden, while hiding away from people’s eyes.”
Looking down at me, he gave a faint, distant smile. He kept speaking as we walked.
“After that, every time the countess and I came to this estate, we would meet there and talk at length. It was like a silent promise between us.”
“So that’s why you said we couldn’t meet her in the ballroom.”
“She never liked balls to begin with. Here we are.”
While talking, we had reached the garden.
It was far from the ballroom, and the surroundings were quiet. Not a trace of human presence.
Yet the duke showed not the slightest doubt.
He truly believed the count would appear here.
Time passed, but still the night remained silent.
Neither of us suggested leaving.
The duke silently waited, and I busied myself with thoughts of Count Seymour, even considering what questions to ask if I had the chance to speak with her alone.
Rustle.
“It’s been a long time, Dietrich.”
With a stir of movement, a woman’s voice sounded.
Startled, I looked over. A woman in a wheelchair was approaching.
That’s her…
I recognized her instantly.
That was Count Seymour, formerly Countess Seymour.
“The last time I saw you, you were just a boy. You’ve grown so tall and handsome since then.”
“…It has been a long time, Countess—no, Count Seymour.”
“Hehe, hearing that title from your lips feels strange. It seems like only yesterday you were following me around calling me ‘madam.’”
“…”
I watched as she and the duke exchanged greetings.
She doesn’t look sick at all.
Despite appearing in a wheelchair, she looked perfectly healthy.
Her build was balanced, her complexion rosy.
Her lips were moist and red, her light brown eyes bright and clear.
When our eyes met, I quickly bowed my head.
“Hello. My name is Ciela Feyrund.”
“Though it was written you could bring a companion, I honestly didn’t expect him to actually bring one. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Ciela Feyrund.”
Count Seymour smiled with her eyes. Watching her, I thought absentmindedly:
A true aristocrat…
It wasn’t the untouchable beauty of Duke Kreyman or Hoyeon.
The atmosphere she exuded was different—serene and dignified. She didn’t bear the pallor of illness at all.
So the rumors were false after all?
“Let’s move somewhere else. I’ll take you to my room. Follow me.”
Turning her wheelchair, she led us back inside the main building, away from the ballroom, and up to the second floor.
Unlike other estates, there were no stairs but a ramp instead.
It wasn’t a recent addition either—the grooves worn into the floor by wheels proved it had been there a long time.
Strange… no people around.
Normally, an estate this size would have plenty of servants, yet not one appeared as we ascended.
It’s a bit too strange to blame on ball preparations.
It wasn’t simply that we couldn’t see anyone; there were no traces of people at all.
Dust coated the railing, and sheets were draped over the statues.
The duke’s expression had hardened, as if he noticed it too.
“This is my room.”
Count Seymour opened the door to the farthest room in the hall.
We entered as she led us in.
The interior was neat and orderly, but…
No signs of life here either.
Except for the bed, everything was perfectly in place—the chairs, the books, even the ink bottle.
Feigning nonchalance, I brushed a finger across the desk. Dust clung to my fingertip.
“Wait a moment. I’ll bring you some tea.”
As she slipped into a side room, I glanced at the duke.
“My lord, I…”
I spoke up but hesitated. Saying the wrong thing might displease him.
After all, he was very fond of Count Seymour.
But unexpectedly, he spoke first.
“Something’s off.”
“…Right.”
“No servants, no trace of life. Most of all—”
“Here we are. I do worry whether it will suit your taste.”
“Ah, thank you.”
The duke’s words were cut short as the count reappeared.
Setting down the cups, she joined us.
When she looked at me expectantly, I sipped the tea.
…No taste at all.
There was absolutely no flavor.
I stole a glance at the duke. His expression was stiff as well.
“How is it? I’m afraid I’m not very skilled at brewing tea.”
“Oh, the fragrance is wonderful. Thank you, Your Excellency.”
“I’m glad to hear that. And you, Dietrich?”
“…It’s good.”
At last reassured, she smiled.
“Now that I see you in the light, you resemble Avon even more.”
“…Do I?”
“Of course. Especially your golden eyes—they’re just like hers. Avon’s golden eyes were truly beautiful.”
Her gaze lowered, as if recalling the past.
From the context, I realized Avon must have been Duke Kreyman’s mother.
“There was a time when Avon, Seredia, and I… the three of us were so happy. Now I’m the only one left.”
“…”
“Sometimes, I miss them so dearly.”
“Count.”
At the deep loneliness in her words, the duke’s expression darkened.
But Count Seymour smiled brightly at him.
“There’s no need to worry. Soon enough, I too will…”
At that moment, a thunderous roar shook the air.
Boom! Bang!
Like a chain of explosions, deafening noises rang out one after another. The duke and I sprang to our feet.
“What on earth is happening?”
“I’ll go check. Ciela, you stay here with the count.”
“But…”
I looked at him anxiously.
Of course, I knew full well the duke’s strength, so I wasn’t overly worried.
In truth, only Vincente could really stand as his equal in this world.
What worried me was Count Seymour.
I might be able to move quickly, but she was in a wheelchair—what if something happened to her?
It seemed better to move her somewhere safer first.
As if reading my mind, the duke spoke.
“Do not worry. This is the safest place in the entire estate.”
“What? What do you mean…?”
Puzzled, I tilted my head at his words.
