Chapter 56…
Adrian continued speaking.
“When you were dancing with His Highness the Crown Prince, what a sight that was as well. You looked like a sparkling paper doll moving beautifully beneath His Highness’s guiding hand.”
That was because Rikaion had completely taken control and led me around however he pleased…
“And how about when you stood alone on the balcony, chewing on solitude so as not to draw attention? That image left quite an impression on me.”
Cynthia stared blankly at him.
This man is serious… completely serious…
“Well… I think you might be misunderstanding me, Count. I’m not really that kind of person…”
“In truth, you’re an incredibly kind and gentle person.”
“Pardon?”
“I wish my younger sister could learn that from you, Lady.”
Cynthia’s parted lips closed again. Adrian smiled softly, meeting her gaze.
“All that before was just teasing. You’re different from others, but in a way that’s warmer, softer.”
Cynthia quietly looked into his eyes.
“How should I put it… some might call it unnecessary meddling, but you seem like the sort of person who can’t rest until you’ve helped someone in trouble.”
“……”
“I’ve lived surrounded by people who only act for their own gain, calculating every move from start to finish. Meeting a woman like you, Lady, was truly refreshing. I wish my sister could live that way—warmly.”
At Adrian’s words, Cynthia felt a prickling at the tip of her nose. It seemed their time spent choosing his sister’s birthday gift together had genuinely touched him.
Lately, everyone around her—and even she herself—had been constantly scrutinizing every action, forcing everything to fit into Elizabeth’s mold.
Whenever she acted naturally, she would immediately correct herself, suppressing her real self to calculate, analyze, and only then finally move.
She had been feeling more and more self-reproach recently… and now, meeting someone like Adrian who offered her such kind words, she felt as if all her struggles had finally been understood and rewarded.
“Count…”
“Lady, might I ask you to give my sister a bit of your valuable guidance?”
“I wouldn’t call it guidance, but… I wouldn’t mind meeting her, exchanging greetings, and perhaps staying in touch from time to time. Would that be all right?”
At Cynthia’s words, Adrian nodded with his characteristic bright smile.
“That’s more than enough. Thank you so much, Lady!”
“……”
Her eyes—soft blue like Adrian’s—were instead filled with hostility and suspicion.
Standing there with her arms crossed, the young Lady Castilo glared sharply at Cynthia. After a few tense seconds, Cynthia slowly opened her mouth.
“Ah, hello…?”
“Yes.”
That’s… it?
Cynthia blinked, glancing toward Adrian in disbelief.
Did your sister just ignore my greeting…?
She didn’t know all the details, but by both rank and age, Lady Castilo should have bowed and introduced herself properly in response. That was etiquette.
“Grace! What do you think you’re doing? Do you realize you’re embarrassing your brother right now?”
Startled, Adrian grabbed his sister’s shoulder and spun her around.
“Let go! You’re hurting me!”
“You really—!”
As Adrian stammered and shot Cynthia an anxious glance, Grace reluctantly lifted her skirt slightly and gave a stiff bow.
“…Grace of House Castilo.”
“I-It’s a pleasure to meet you. Elizabeth of House Bailey.”
Cynthia returned the bow awkwardly.
What…? Didn’t Adrian say she wanted to meet me and get to know me? Was that just a polite excuse?
Lifting her head again, she found Grace still wearing that discontented frown. Her features and coloring were very much like her brother’s, but her personality was clearly the complete opposite.
It was their first meeting—so why did this girl seem to dislike her so much?
“L-Lady, I’m sorry. My sister’s still immature…”
Cynthia gave Adrian a reassuring smile to say it was all right.
Still, Grace neither spoke to her again nor smiled once. She simply ignored Cynthia’s presence completely, as though she didn’t exist.
“……”
Feeling awkward, Cynthia let her gaze wander around the ballroom.
There was no way they could have a proper conversation with Grace’s hostility so blatant. She decided she needed to find Tession and escape this uncomfortable situation.
Tession, where are you…?
As she turned slightly, pretending to look elsewhere, she noticed Grace leaning close to whisper in Adrian’s ear. Cynthia turned her head away, pretending not to see.
“…Weird.”
But Grace’s murmured word reached her ears clearly.
Weird? Was she talking about me?
Cynthia’s heart dropped. She froze where she stood.
Did I do something wrong again? Did I make some obvious mistake that every noble would instantly notice?
Glancing around nervously, she realized that several nobles nearby were subtly watching her.
The sharp gazes peeking over fans pricked at her skin, and faint whispers buzzed in her ears.
“……”
Cynthia bit her lip and lowered her head. Embarrassment and shame flooded her.
As expected… pretending to be a noble in a place like this was impossible for me…
Just when she wanted to drop everything and flee, someone’s arm gently encircled her waist.
“Lady, here you are.”
A low, calm baritone brushed against her ear. Cynthia instantly recognized the voice.
“Your Grace…”
She looked up and met Tession’s eyes. He tightened his arm around her and turned her toward him.
“Count Castilo, Lady Castilo. It’s been a while.”
“Your Grace, it’s good to see you again.”
“Good evening, Your Grace.”
Adrian and Grace both greeted Tession with perfect decorum.
They didn’t greet me like that, Cynthia thought, feeling a small pang of sadness.
“Were you getting acquainted with my fiancée ahead of time?”
“Ah, yes. I was just introducing my sister to Lady Bailey.”
Adrian, answering calmly, cast Cynthia a glance full of apology.
Hmph…
Tession then turned to Grace.
“If I recall, Lady Castilo recently had a birthday. I hope you had a pleasant celebration.”
“Yes, thank you, Your Grace. We were able to enjoy it together as a family since my brother returned after a long while.”
“How could I forget? My fiancée even chose a gift for you herself.”
“Th-thank you deeply for that, Your Grace.”
Grace replied with a strained expression.
Liar…!
Cynthia turned her gaze away, frustration bubbling inside her. She just wanted to leave before she became gossip fodder for the nobles.
She had already greeted the Crown Prince and made her appearance. Wasn’t her role done?
“You don’t seem very thankful.”
Tession’s cool voice cut through the air.
Grace, Adrian, and Cynthia all froze and looked at him.
What? Did I hear that right?
“Your manners, your tone, your posture—tell me, Lady Castilo, is that how you express gratitude?”
“Your Grace…!”
Cynthia murmured softly, placing her hand on his arm.
She didn’t know much about noble customs, but scolding someone publicly like this would only harm his reputation later.
Tession moved his arm, found her hand, and gently clasped it as he continued.
“Or perhaps Count Castilo neglected his sister’s education while abroad?”
“I apologize, Your Grace.”
Adrian immediately bowed deeply at the rebuke.
“I’ll discipline her properly and ensure she learns from this. Please forgive my sister’s shortcomings.”
“I don’t think I’m the one you should be apologizing to.”
“…Grace!”
At Adrian’s urging, the stunned Grace hurriedly bowed her head.
“I-I’m sorry, Lady Bailey. I’m still young and failed to behave properly. Please forgive me.”
Tession, his gaze cold as ice, looked down at Grace for a moment before turning to Cynthia again.
His expression softened instantly.
“My lady, what shall we do?”
