Chapter 7
I bit my lower lip and looked up at Eugene, fumbling for words while my fingers nervously twisted together. The loose wedding ring caught slightly on my fingertip.
“Oh? Seems your husband’s quite the possessive type.”
His mocking tone carried such certainty that sparks seemed to fly in my eyes.
“That’s not it,” I said firmly, glaring at him. Acting on impulse, I placed my hand over his.
“Really?” Eugene’s crooked smile deepened as he tightened his grip, preventing me from pulling away.
“If not, then fine.”
He suddenly closed the distance between us, pulling me closer. His scent brushed against the tip of my nose—a blend of crisp cotton and heavy woody undertones.
The boy in my memories had smelled like a fresh forest breeze. The now-deepened fragrance felt strangely unfamiliar, making it hard to meet his gaze.
We moved slowly in time with the music, side by side on the stage. Despite his arrogant manner, his lead was smooth and gentle.
The boy from the cabin had grown into the perfectly mannered second son of the Peltorwins family.
And yet, I kept recalling the times we used to run through the forest together.
“This reminds me of when we were kids.”
Eugene seemed to share my thoughts. His violet eyes drifted into reverie.
Seeing that look made my chest tighten. Suddenly, there were so many things I wanted to say—so many questions I wanted to ask.
“You’ve grown a lot, Eugene.”
I pushed down my tangled emotions and spoke lightly. Eugene smirked faintly, nodding.
“Time’s gone by, after all.”
I wanted to ask why he had left like that. Why he had only returned now. How he became the Peltorwins’ second son.
But would asking change anything?
Even the answers might not hold meaning anymore. Perhaps silence was better.
While I was lost in thought, Eugene spoke.
“You’ve changed a lot too.”
“…Have I?”
I couldn’t tell what he meant by that. I had no idea how he remembered the girl I was back then.
“You’ve become quite pretty. Arrogantly so.”
The unexpected remark made my face burn. Arrogantly? I snapped my head up, ready to protest.
Just then, the music reached its climax, and Eugene pulled me closer. The distance between us vanished in an instant.
“I still remember—you used to have your nose all sunburned from playing outside.”
He chuckled softly. As the choreography called for him to wrap an arm around me, his hand grasped my waist. The fragile wall between us shattered, and our bodies brushed together.
His striking face was suddenly right before mine, and I reflexively shut my eyes tight.
A second later, his finger lightly tapped my nose.
“Too bad. I can’t exactly kiss a married woman.”
“What—!”
Startled by his teasing words, I opened my eyes to see him smiling mischievously. Feeling utterly mocked, I pushed against his chest.
“That’s not what this is!”
“Sure, sure. If you say so.”
Eugene nodded lazily, unfazed by my glare.
“……”
The questions I’d been holding back tangled on my tongue. I opened my mouth, desperate to say something.
“Why did you—”
—come back? That’s what I wanted to ask. But before I could finish, Chloe and Hayden returned from the dance floor, cutting me off.
“Oh? You!”
Chloe greeted Eugene, her large eyes flicking between us in surprise.
“You two know each other?”
I hesitated, unsure what to say. Eugene was indeed someone I knew—but I’d never known he was the Peltorwins’ second son. Back then, I’d never even imagined he could be a noble.
“Just… a little.”
“What? You never told me you were close with the Peltorwins’ second son!”
Chloe nudged my shoulder playfully. I turned toward Eugene.
I wasn’t sure if it was wise to reveal our shared past. There were already enough rumors swirling around me; I didn’t need to add more fuel.
“We knew each other as children,” Eugene answered curtly.
I nodded slightly in agreement and immediately glanced at Hayden.
I worried he might be upset that I had danced with another man without asking.
“Ah, Eugene Peltorwins. I’ve heard a lot about you. You’re the head of Winter Corp, right?”
Hayden smiled politely and extended a hand. Eugene glanced at it before giving a small nod.
“Yes. That’s right.”
“I hear it’s nearly impossible to book a meeting with you unless it’s for a major deal. It’s an honor to finally meet. Your business acumen is quite renowned.”
“Nothing much to it,” Eugene replied smoothly, accepting the compliment without hesitation.
“Still, since we’ve met, we should share a drink.”
“Hmm… I don’t know. I didn’t come here to talk business.”
“Oh? Then, as the rumors say—are you here because of a wedding?”
For just a heartbeat, Eugene’s eyes flicked toward me. Caught off guard, I quickly averted my gaze.
“…On second thought, you’re right. It is a fated meeting of sorts.”
He gestured to a passing waiter, who promptly brought two glasses of champagne and two of whiskey.
“Let’s have a drink together.”
Eugene handed the glasses to us, a faint smile curving his once-indifferent expression.
Almost entranced, we accepted them.
“Well, I still haven’t forgotten the embarrassment you caused me earlier,” Chloe huffed.
Eugene gave a soft, courteous smile and bowed slightly.
“My apologies, milady. Had I known you were an acquaintance of Winter’s, I wouldn’t have acted that way. I’ve simply been a bit tired—too many ladies have been trying to strike up conversations tonight.”
His polite apology eased Chloe’s expression. A noble didn’t need to apologize to a commoner like her, but Eugene did so effortlessly, as if such things didn’t matter to him.
Chloe’s face softened, faintly flushed.
“I understand. That happens.”
His gracious manner had a way of making people feel a little better about themselves.
It was a striking contrast to the cold, dismissive demeanor he’d shown just minutes before.
“Thank you for understanding,” Eugene said with a light smile. Chloe’s cheeks grew even redder.
At that moment, Hayden’s eyebrow twitched almost imperceptibly. I’d been watching him closely enough to catch it immediately.
“By the way,” Hayden said, wrapping an arm around my shoulders, “is there any special meaning behind your company’s name? Since you mentioned knowing Winter, I’ve always been curious.”
“Hmm…”
Eugene raised his whiskey glass to his lips, tilting his head slightly. His violet eyes, half-hidden by long lashes, swept over me.
“No particular reason. I just like winter.”
“How unusual. I personally can’t stand winter—it’s far too cold for me.”
At that, the strength drained from my fingers.
The champagne slipped from my hand, spilling its contents as it hit the floor. The ivory fabric of my dress was splattered with pale gold stains.
“Ah!”
“Oh my, Winter! Are you all right?”
My face flushed with embarrassment as I hurried to brush the liquid from my dress.
“There was… a reason for that,” Eugene murmured.
When I looked up, his playful grin caught my gaze. He winked, and I instinctively turned away, heart pounding.
“Here, Winter, use this.”
Chloe handed me a napkin she’d fetched. Thankfully, the dress was light-colored, so once I dabbed it clean, the stain wasn’t too visible.
I pressed the back of my hand to my heated cheeks and straightened my posture.
“I’m glad it’s not too noticeable, Winter,” Chloe said with concern.
“Yeah. My hand just… slipped,” I muttered quietly. I worried someone might find my sudden clumsiness strange, but no one commented on it.
“Miss Chloe Bennett?”
As the commotion subsided, a man in royal livery approached Chloe.
“Yes, that’s me?”
He tilted a silver tray toward her. On it rested a small gift box, no bigger than a palm.
(To be continued in the next episode)
