CHAPTER~13
Nothing at All
On an afternoon in spring when the flowers had begun to bloom, Yvonne visited the Glaston Mansion as promised.
It was the first day of her proper bride training.
The lesson went smoothly, so much so that all previous tension felt meaningless.
Catherine brought up an unexpected topic as the class was ending.
“Miss Yvonne, is there a polite and virtuous young lady you could introduce?”
“Introduce, in what way…?”
“Cedric hasn’t married yet. Though he wasn’t born from my womb, he’s a son left in my care. As his mother, I feel responsible.”
“Ah.”
“A woman can often judge another woman better. I wondered if there might be a suitable young lady.”
Yvonne’s lips shut like a clam.
Would a bride chosen by her estranged stepmother really help him?
Until now, she had given Catherine the answer she wanted. But this time, she strangely couldn’t speak.
Perhaps it was the debt she owed Cedric Glaston from the previous banquet.
Even so, the most she could do was delay giving an answer, postponing Catherine’s plan slightly.
“I’m sorry, Madam. I haven’t been in Lucerne long. Of course, I could tell you if you wish, but judging a young lady from a brief encounter at the last banquet might not be accurate.”
“Indeed. It’s hard to judge a person from the first meeting.”
Catherine’s gaze softened briefly as she nodded, but it was fleeting.
She suddenly made a small exclamation, as if recalling something while holding her teacup.
Yvonne blinked in curiosity.
“I mean the young lady of the Lopez family. She was at his funeral, and at the banquet too. They seemed quite close, didn’t they?”
Nadia Lopez.
At the mention of the name, a slight ripple ran through Yvonne’s hand holding the teacup. She soon nodded in agreement.
“Yes, she’s my closest friend. I’ve known her since childhood.”
“I see. She seems polite and kind. How would she be as Cedric’s partner?”
Catherine smiled warmly as she asked for Yvonne’s opinion, though her eyes remained sharp, as if piercing through Yvonne’s thoughts.
Yvonne didn’t avoid her gaze. After a brief silence, she spoke.
“I’ll speak with Nadia and let you know.”
In truth, she didn’t need to ask Nadia. Nadia had longed for Yvonne to help bridge the gap with Cedric.
Yet she avoided giving a direct answer, again because of that debt — for that man.
Only then did Catherine’s satisfied smile appear.
“Thank you, Miss Yvonne. You’ve eased my mind.”
As their conversation ended, the chime of a clock rang faintly.
“Oh, it’s already this late.”
“Then I’ll take my leave for today, Madam.”
Yvonne set down her teacup and left the parlor with Catherine.
Catherine, still appearing slightly reluctant, made a suggestion just before reaching the front entrance.
“It seems a pity to let you leave now. If it’s alright, why not join us for dinner? Derrick might come soon. I’ll make sure the Duke isn’t concerned.”
Yvonne, who had been preparing a polite excuse, paused at Catherine’s last words.
This was, in fact, an opportunity.
If she returned late more often, stopping by the detective office would not arouse the Duke’s suspicion.
Fortunately, she had yet to receive any messages from the detective office.
Her heart began to race with anticipation. The fear that Derrick had previously caused now shifted to excitement.
“If you invite me, I would be grateful. I would like to attend dinner if the family has no objection.”
“Of course. The Glastons will always welcome you, Miss Yvonne.”
Just as the dinner invitation was confirmed, the sound of a carriage outside signaled Derrick’s arrival at the mansion.
Catherine’s face lit up, and she quickly approached.
“Son, you’re back?”
“Mother.”
Derrick replied and approached, only to notice Yvonne standing behind him a moment later.
“Lady Yvonne is here as well.”
Yvonne flinched but quietly bowed her head in greeting.
“Perfect timing. I’ve invited Miss Yvonne to tonight’s dinner.”
“Dinner?”
“Yes. I’ll go inform Grandfather, so please guide Miss Yvonne around the mansion. You haven’t seen all the rooms yet.”
“Of course. I’ll take care of that.”
Catherine walked away with a light step, having successfully paired her son and prospective daughter-in-law.
Left alone, Derrick spoke to the tense Yvonne first.
“I hurried here hoping to meet the young lady early. It seems it was worth coming early.”
What expression should she show in front of her teasing fiancé?
Yvonne thought of her mother for a moment, and her lips moved into a forced smile.
She could play the shy fiancée, even if not warmly.
“Where would you like me to show you…?”
As they climbed the stairs, Derrick suddenly made a small exclamation.
“Shall we visit my room? You haven’t seen it yet.”
Yvonne froze in shock.
Derrick suggested going to his room with a gentlemanly face, but he had teased her under the guise of a gentleman at the banquet.
Yvonne gripped the stair railing tightly, her survival instincts from childhood warning her.
“Perhaps you should wash first. Coming home like this might feel uncomfortable.”
By now, dinner preparations would be finished, and there would be no time to visit Derrick’s room. Still, he didn’t seem willing to back down.
“You are considerate. Or I could explore the room while you wash.”
“No, I’ll wait. It wouldn’t be proper to look around a room with no owner.”
“Still, we will soon be husband and wife, won’t we?”
He tapped the railing lightly with his hand. Though a trace of irritation flashed in his eyes, Yvonne stubbornly kept her composure.
After surveying Yvonne and her surroundings, Derrick masked his expression and stepped back.
“Well, if it makes you uncomfortable, I have no choice. I’ll return shortly. Enjoy looking around.”
He climbed the stairs and disappeared.
Yvonne could finally breathe once his footsteps vanished.
Her hands gripping the railing ached from tension, but letting go seemed impossible.
Her heightened senses slowly returned, along with a new presence.
Startled, she turned to see Cedric approaching from the entrance, just returning home.
‘Since when was he watching…?’
She hadn’t even thanked him at the banquet, and now she wanted to express her gratitude.
Thinking that he had seen her confrontation with Derrick, she suddenly wanted to run.
But running from the fiancé’s elder brother would look highly suspicious to onlookers.
Cedric was now standing at the bottom of the stairs where she was.
Yvonne prepared to greet him, but a low voice stopped her.
Shocked by the word “broken engagement,” she glanced around.
The passing servants were nearby, but fortunately not close enough to hear. Still, she did not wish to continue the conversation.
Cedric stared at her with piercing blue eyes, hands in his pockets, determined to get an answer.
This could arouse suspicion among the servants.
Yvonne reluctantly spoke.
“Family promises are not something easily broken.”
His lips twisted.
Though smiling, his eyes were colder than she had ever seen. A sharp, icy sarcasm struck her like an arrow.
“A promise? No, it’s a transaction. Selling your daughter for money.”
Yvonne’s emotions surged like blood. She bit her lip tightly.
To him, she might look ridiculous and pathetic. Laughing passively at a teasing fiancé.
But that had nothing to do with him. He had no right to scold her.
He didn’t know why or with what purpose she endured this situation.
Her eyes reflected undeniable resentment, yet Yvonne did not hide it.
After all, her feelings meant nothing to him.
Silence hung between them, broken only by the arrival of a maid.
“Miss, the young master asked me to guide you through the garden…”
The maid, coming down the stairs, paused when she saw Cedric at the bottom, bowing quickly.
Cedric finally diverted his gaze and passed by them, ascending the stairs. The chill from his jacket brushed against her.
Yvonne shivered at the cold, but stood firm.
It was, after all, nothing.
Nothing at all.
