~Chapter 42~
“Lady Sylvia?”
Astia was shocked inside.
Sylvia—who had clearly disliked her at the tea party—was now the one greeting her first.
‘Didn’t she hate me?’
Sylvia’s expression still wasn’t good. Her lips kept twitching, as if something was bothering her.
“Lady Sylvia, are you feeling unwell?”
“What? No! What are you talking about…?”
“Then I’m glad. Your face looked pale, so I was worried.”
“T-that’s not it! Don’t pretend you’re worried about me!”
“…Pardon?”
Astia tilted her head, confused. Sylvia avoided eye contact and raised her voice sharply.
“I never said I was sick! And I was only holding back a smile because you looked too pretty! Don’t misunderstand!”
Astia could not understand a single thing.
Listening to Sylvia babble, she concluded one thing—Sylvia was definitely not sick.
If anything, her awkward expression looked like she was trying to hide a smile.
‘Why is she holding back a smile?’
Where was the Sylvia who had lectured that young ladies must always wear a smile? Why was she suppressing one now?
Astia remembered the tea party. She had been cautious at first because Sylvia bullied Cecilia. But Sylvia had felt more like a harmless little villain than a serious threat.
Maybe this time was the same.
Sylvia, avoiding her eyes, subtly asked:
“…Lady Astia. You really do know Duke Selion, right?”
“No. Today is the first time I met him.”
“…R-really? Don’t worry, I’ll support you. You look good together. Ah—what did I just say!”
Sylvia slapped her own mouth in regret.
Nearby young ladies, who had been watching Sylvia talk to Astia, began sneaking closer.
“Lady Astia, do you really know Duke Selion?”
“You two look perfect together!”
“I knew it! The Duke kept looking at you from the beginning…”
Most looked at Astia with admiration. One girl grumbled that it must be a coincidence.
Astia didn’t respond much. She was just as confused as they were.
Step, step—
Astia lifted her head at the sound of footsteps.
Diego was walking toward her with long strides.
“Oh my!”
The young ladies quickly jumped aside. Diego’s eyes were fixed on Astia, and nobody dared to interrupt.
He reached out his hand gently, his voice soft.
“My lady. Will you dance with me?”
Astia could feel Damian glaring like a hawk from afar, but Diego quietly waited with his elegant hand extended.
His red eyes were focused only on her.
“…Alright.”
Astia placed her hand in his and smiled faintly.
From the beginning, she had already decided she would dance with him.
‘I want to know more about him.’
Was everything a coincidence? Or was he truly connected to Ruby?
She wanted to find out.
Diego escorted her onto the dance floor. Young men and women dancing nearby kept glancing at the beautiful pair.
Soft music filled the hall.
Diego led her perfectly, his hand gently supporting her slim waist as they moved with the rhythm.
When the atmosphere ripened, Diego slowly spoke.
“How was the dessert at Ramos Café?”
“…”
Astia almost slipped in shock. Thanks to Diego’s steady lead, she regained her balance.
“Are you alright?”
“…Yes, thank you. But… does that mean you were the one who made the reservation at Ramos Café?”
“That’s correct. Was it uncomfortable for you?”
“No, not at all… just surprising. I’m curious how you know about ‘Ruby’… Is it a coincidence?”
Diego’s graceful movements paused for a moment.
He lowered his head and met Astia’s trembling eyes.
“If I said I was that Ruby… would you believe me?”
A soft smile curved his lips.
Meanwhile…
After visiting Bluea Boutique, Diego immediately sent a letter to Count Erbel’s family:
I am canceling my decision to invest in the boutique business.
Count Erbel rushed to Selion Duchy as soon as he received it.
[We didn’t mean to offend you. If anything caused displeasure, we will correct it immediately. Please reconsider the investment…]
But Diego rejected him immediately.
Any other noble family would have accepted Count Erbel’s good offer, but not Diego.
Anyone who harmed Astia—even slightly—was someone Diego would never tolerate.
[My lord, I don’t know what happened, but this investment is a huge opportunity… I apologize.]
Alfred timidly tried to suggest they reconsider. But at Diego’s cold glare, he lowered his head.
He simply assumed Diego was in a bad mood.
The long-awaited debutante day.
Dressed perfectly, Diego adjusted his outfit several times before entering the ballroom. Only when he was certain he looked flawless for Astia did he walk inside.
He ignored the many nobles staring at him, focusing only on finding her.
When his eyes finally met Astia’s, he felt an overwhelming urge to run to her and embrace her.
Her beauty stole his breath away.
Her clear gaze made his heart feel like it would burst, and he unknowingly smiled.
While he admired her, Havel approached him.
“Welcome, Duke Selion.”
“…I greet His Highness, the Crown Prince of the Aphrodiole Empire.”
After exchanging greetings, Diego walked past all the nobles and headed straight for Astia.
Today, he would reveal the truth.
He couldn’t keep her confused forever. He wanted to stand before her proudly—as Duke Selion, not “Ruby.”
“We meet again, my lady.”
Her startled eyes trembled.
He tried to continue, but Damian appeared, gripping his shoulder.
They almost clashed, but Astia intervened and stopped them just in time.
Then Emperor Kaiten entered, interrupting the tension. After speaking with Havel for a long time, the emperor left with Calix supporting him.
When Havel resumed the ball—
Diego immediately prepared to ask Astia to dance.
But another young lady cut in first.
‘The Lady from the Alton family… tch. I don’t like her.’
He lowered the Alton family’s image in his mind even more.
Once the girl left, Diego walked straight to Astia.
“My lady. Will you dance with me?”
“…Alright.”
The music swelled as they danced. At the perfect moment, Diego finally whispered the truth.
“If I said I was that Ruby… would you believe me?”
