Chapter 9
The door opened, and the butler stepped into the room.
“My lady, the Count will be arriving shortly. Please head to the entrance.”
“Already? Oh, uh—okay.”
As I stood up, the butler gestured toward the hall.
“It’s been quite a while since you last saw Lord Arcas, hasn’t it?”
Honestly, I’d been worried about how to act when I heard that my “brother” was coming.
Until now, I’d only met people who were seeing me for the first time, but he was different.
So his name’s Arcas, huh.
While I nodded silently, the butler said softly,
“You can relax around him, my lady.”
How exactly am I supposed to do that?
When I arrived at the front entrance, the mansion gates opened and a group on horseback entered.
The man at the front dismounted in one graceful leap.
He removed his helmet—and from it tumbled hair the exact sandy color as mine.
“Selly!”
So that must be my nickname, I thought.
When I didn’t respond, the servants around us began sneaking glances at me.
Fine, I get it.
I quickly tried to recall every noble-lady etiquette scene I’d ever read in a romance novel.
If I lift my skirt slightly and bend my knees a little while bowing my head… that should look decent, right?
So I bowed lightly.
“How have you been, brother?”
Then I looked up, gauging his reaction.
“……”
Ah. Not good.
Crap.
My palms were slick with sweat.
I noticed the sword hanging from Arcas’s waist and shot a glare at the butler beside me.
You said I could relax!
Arcas suddenly strode up to me.
“When did my little Selly grow up this much? You’re even using formal speech with your brother now…”
Wait, are you… crying?
Arcas looked at me with tearful eyes. I awkwardly rolled my gaze away.
“Haha… just thought I’d try being polite for once. Brother.”
He laughed and placed a large, gentle hand on my head.
“Let’s go inside.”
When the butler opened the door, Arcas offered his arm. I placed my hand on it, guessing that’s what I was supposed to do.
Matching his stride was a challenge—his steps were huge.
While I was focused entirely on keeping up, he just kept talking.
“You don’t even call me Ar anymore. You used to say ‘Ar-brother’ when you were happy and ‘stupid Ar’ when you were mad. That’s how I knew your mood.”
“……”
He glanced at me, clearly expecting a reaction.
But nope.
There was no way I was calling someone “stupid Ar” at my age. The thought alone made my skin crawl.
He sighed.
“Well, it’s been years after all… you’re a proper young lady now.”
“……”
“How have you been? I’m sorry I couldn’t be around more—I’ve been so busy.”
He looked at me with such tenderness that I almost felt bad.
…Are you tearing up again?
For such a big guy, he sure cried easily.
I quickly patted his arm.
“You must be tired from the trip. Go get some rest.”
“Just give me a moment, alright? I’ll change into something comfortable, and we’ll have dinner together.”
He escorted me to the sitting room and then disappeared.
Didn’t we already talk enough?
I flopped down on the sofa, trying to recharge my drained energy.
***
Later that evening
During dinner, Arcas’s endless chatter got even stranger.
He would stare at me the whole time I ate my soup, only starting his own meal after I swallowed.
Then he even cut his steak into bite-sized pieces and placed them in front of me.
Am I… his food taster?
I hesitated to touch the meat, and he asked gently:
“Selly, is it not to your taste? Should I have them bring you something else? What do you like?”
Wow… he’s actually such a sweet guy.
I was a little moved.
Now that he was out of his armor, he looked rather soft and warm—though not as godly handsome as Sirinyu (world’s top-tier face, no competition), he still had a kind, puppyish charm.
And judging by the armor, he was likely a knight. Strong, handsome, kind-hearted… just also a bit of a crybaby.
While I was lost in thought, he spoke again.
“I heard you got an invitation to a royal palace party?”
“Yeah…”
I replied reluctantly.
Since he seemed like the caring older-brother type, maybe if I told him I didn’t want to go, he’d let me skip it?
“You can buy any accessories or dresses you like. Don’t worry about the cost.”
He turned to the butler.
“Is it ready?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Give it to her.”
The butler handed me a piece of paper.
As I looked at it, the steak in my stomach felt like it got stuck in my chest.
Oh no.
He’s one of those—a planner.
The paper was a detailed schedule:
etiquette lessons, social dance lessons, conversation training… even smiling lessons?!
While I was thumping my chest behind the paper, trying to breathe, Arcas continued warmly:
“I only listed the basics for now, but if there’s anything else you want to learn or anywhere you’d like to go, we can add it.”
No.
If I live like that, I’ll die.
“Tomorrow, Madam Reeman will visit to help with your wardrobe.”
“Madam Reeman?”
The butler answered for him.
“She’s the most renowned wardrobe curator for noble ladies in the capital, my lady.”
“It wasn’t easy getting her to come,” Arcas added proudly, flashing a grin.
“And if you’d like to host a tea party, just say the word. I’ve been working hard to build connections for you.”
I blinked.
For a moment, the handsome man in front of me overlapped with a gym trainer in my head.
‘You’ve rested enough, right, member?’
Oh god.
“About that party…”
Before I could finish, Arcas beamed.
“I knew you were excited about it too!”
“Huh?”
“You were so sad when your debutante ball got canceled because of the monsters, right? I’m glad there’s finally another event.”
He smiled softly, eyes filled with affection.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been there for you, Selly. You’re my only family. I’ll always do everything I can to make sure you’re happy.”
…How do you say ‘I’m not going’ after that?
“Yeah…”
I forced the brightest smile I could manage.
***
The next day
Madam Reeman entered my dressing room with a dazzling smile.
“We’re going out immediately!”
“Huh?”
“All those country clothes—out! Especially this ribboned nightgown, throw it away right now!”
“……”
“We can have your party gown custom-made later, but you need everyday clothes now! We’ll buy ready-made ones and alter them!”
Honestly, I’d been a little excited about the idea of shopping.
I imagined they’d bring fabrics and jewelry samples here, and I’d leisurely pick from the comfort of the sofa.
I do like shopping—but only at home!
“They’re just house clothes, though… is it really that urgent?”
My desperate attempt to avoid leaving the mansion escaped my lips.
Arcas, who’d been leaning casually against the doorframe, smiled and said to the butler:
“Prepare the carriage.”
“……”
And so, with lifeless eyes, I was loaded into the carriage.
Even the gorgeous scenery outside looked dull and gray.
“The boutique is fully booked through next year, but luckily, I’m quite close with the owner,” Madam Reeman said proudly.
“Ha… great…”
When the carriage stopped, we stood before a lovely brick building with a luxurious air.
I stared at the dresses in the display window.
“That one’s beautiful… can’t we just buy that one as is?”
“Absolutely not!”
“…Right.”
I followed her inside with the defeated look of a prisoner heading to court.
The moment the door opened, loud voices rang out.
“Oh my, does Lady Viviana not understand what taking turns means?”
“I picked it up first.”
“Hmm~ well, ‘first’ would mean you entered this shop before me and selected the item before me, don’t you think?”
“I already paid for it.”
Two stunningly beautiful women were standing off, glaring daggers at each other.
