Chapter 103
Theodore seemed quite surprised when he heard that Aria would not be entering with him. His face was filled with the unspoken question: “Why?” It was impossible to tell whether he was genuinely unaware or just pretending not to know. Either way, he had no intention of having Aria accompany him when he entered. A separate partner and guardian would be assigned to Aria.
“I did say I’d be your partner, but that doesn’t mean Aria would enter with us,” Charlotte explained.
“Can I ask why?”
“…Are you really asking because you don’t know?”
“Aria is your daughter. So of course she should enter with you.”
If Aria entered with him, people would notice her instead of Theodore.
Charlotte let out a small sigh. If Aria had been included in the partner position Theodore suggested, she would have refused.
This was the ceremony where he, who had started from the very bottom, would be recognized as a hero and officially granted a noble title. Naturally, the protagonist here should be Theodore. Charlotte and Aria must not draw attention at such a moment. As Theodore’s partner, Charlotte would attend the ceremony, but once the entrance concluded, she intended to stay only near Marquis Blanche and Eshe with Aria, quietly celebrating before leaving.
“Aria will attend the ceremony, but she’ll enter separately,” Charlotte whispered, keeping her voice low enough for only him to hear, glancing at Aria with cheeks full of cake.
“I don’t want us to draw attention on your most glorious day. You are the protagonist, Theodore.”
Charlotte lowered her gaze to look at Theodore’s hands. They were scarred, as one would expect from a paladin. How many injuries had he endured, healed, and endured again to reach this day?
“Even if I’m your partner, people can just say I’m here because I’m the teacher’s daughter. But Aria is different. If she enters with you, people won’t focus on you, Marquis Arbelce, the hero of the empire—they’ll focus on Aria instead. ‘Who is that child? Why is she entering with the empire’s hero and Charlotte Blanche?’ That’s what they’ll think.”
If someone asked about Aria, Charlotte would introduce her as his daughter without hesitation. She was prepared to handle any ensuing rumors, but that burden was hers alone. Theodore must not be entangled in it. If Aria entered with someone else, it might be different—but if she entered with him, from the moment he received his noble title, absurd misunderstandings and gossip were inevitable.
“Just as you have longed to become a noble, I too have eagerly anticipated this day for you.”
“!”
“I know how hard you’ve worked all this time.”
Charlotte could not allow the most glorious day to become the most dishonorable one.
“So, Aria will enter separately. Please allow it.”
Theodore was a dear friend to Charlotte. Knowing what might happen to him, she could not simply let it occur. That’s why she used a deliberately cold tone to refuse. Otherwise, this conversation would likely repeat endlessly.
However, as the silence following her refusal grew, Charlotte began to wonder if she had been too harsh. Just then, under her slightly lowered gaze, Theodore’s hand appeared.
“Sorry for forcing you,” he said.
Theodore slowly took Charlotte’s hand in his. When she looked up, she met his gaze—he was unbothered by her firm refusal, and instead, his expression carried a slight apologetic smile.
“I thought this would make you happy.”
“!”
“Let’s do it your way. Aria will enter separately.”
The one who should have been apologizing was not Theodore. He had been considerate, and yet Charlotte had responded coldly without acknowledging it, causing her dark blue eyes to flicker slightly. Still, knowing that Theodore would not be dragged into rumors because of her refusal, she felt significantly relieved.
“You’ll still celebrate, right? I want Aria to congratulate you too.”
Aria, who had already finished a plate of cake, nodded eagerly at his request.
“Congratulations, Sir!”
“Thank you, Aria. Can you say that again in two weeks?”
“Yes!”
As Aria smiled brightly, Theodore’s own smile deepened. Just then, someone knocked on the door.
“They’re here,” he said.
The door opened, and a green-haired woman appeared, dressed in a stylish, luxurious gown. Behind her came racks full of fabrics and other items needed for dressmaking.
“Hello, Lady Blanche. I am Sibella Silvidro from the Ermanno Atelier.”
‘Wait… Silvidro?’
Ermanno Atelier was a newly popular atelier in society. Its designer shared a surname with one of Theodore’s subordinates.
“Are you perhaps Sir Silvidro’s sibling?”
“Yes, that’s correct. It’s an honor to make a dress for someone so esteemed. I look forward to working with you today.”
Even in their brief exchange, Lady Silvidro left a positive impression. Aside from quickly averting her gaze when making eye contact, her bright voice and smile gave the impression of someone reliable. It seemed Theodore had intentionally brought someone trustworthy.
Sibella looked around and cautiously approached Aria. Startled by the presence of strangers, Aria hid behind the sofa, peeking out only slightly. When Sibella came closer, Aria shrank back, surprised. To ease the tension, Sibella knelt on one knee to meet Aria’s eye level.
“Are you Aria Blanche?”
Blinking repeatedly, Aria spoke in a small voice.
“Miss, you look like Sir.”
“Hehe, you mean Sibero?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I am his elder sister. I heard you are mother and daughter. You certainly take after him in perception.”
Charlotte had known that the designer was already aware of her and Aria’s relationship, but she hadn’t expected such thoughtful care. Even her words were meticulous. People like this usually handled their work with the same dedication. Charlotte decided that Aria’s dresses should be entrusted to Ermanno Atelier. Meanwhile, Sibella began roughly checking Aria’s height.
“Do you know Aria Blanche’s measurements?”
“I do, but I measured them myself, so let’s measure again.”
“Very well. Come this way, little lady.”
Sibella smiled kindly and led Aria to the powder room. Left alone in the reception room with Theodore, Charlotte reached for her teacup, only to realize that he was still holding her hand.
‘No wonder Lady Silvidro looked away…’
She must have been surprised—asked to make a dress, only to find the young lady holding hands with a man. Charlotte felt a slight blush. She tried to withdraw her hand, but Theodore did not let go. He held it even tighter.
“You have to dance the first dance with me.”
“Huh?”
The first dance?
“Promise me—you must dance the first dance with me, no matter who else comes. You can do that, right?”
He seemed determined not to let go until she agreed. Normally, Charlotte would have had no issue with this, as she had considered dancing the first dance with the accompanying partner. She had even thought he might not want to dance and would hand it over to someone else. Smiling, she nodded.
“Alright, I promise.”
“Really? Partnered with Theodore? That’s great,” Charlotte said after returning from requesting the dress. She dined with Marquis Blanche and Eshe. The marquis, serving small pieces of beef to Aria, felt relieved knowing Charlotte had partnered with Theodore; he no longer had to worry about matching his granddaughter with someone suitable. If necessary, he could have asked Eshe—but Theodore reassured him.
“Will Aria enter with him too?”
“No, Aria will enter separately,” Charlotte answered, glancing at Aria.
“Feeling disappointed, Aria?”
Aria, who liked Theodore, might have expected to enter together. But she shook her head and swallowed her beef.
“That’s fine. So Aria will enter alone?”
“No, she’ll be assigned a partner and guardian.”
Upon hearing this, Aria tilted her head curiously, then got down from her chair and ran to Eshe, who placed his fork and knife aside and lifted her onto his lap.
“Marquis, please be Aria’s partner.”
“Huh?”
“I think she’d be happy entering with you!”
Seeing Aria’s sparkling eyes and folded hands, Eshe laughed softly.
“Would I be alright for that?”
“Yes!”
“Then it’s settled.”
Aria’s cheerful laughter showed her excitement at entering with Eshe. Watching this, Charlotte still felt uneasy.
“Eshe.”
“It’s fine,” he reassured, gently covering her ears as if tidying her hair.
“I’ll have to return to the north eventually. I don’t mind if rumors spread.”
Although somewhat relieved by his words, Charlotte’s worry did not fade. Just then, Marquis Blanche, who had been silent, wiped his mouth with a napkin and said:
“I’ll also enter with you two.”
“So Aria will have two partners. Impressive, Aria,” Charlotte commented.
Entering with her grandfather and Duke Balian, Aria would have strong support. Charlotte’s face brightened slightly, thinking at least no one would gossip openly in front of Aria.
However, their relief was short-lived. Suddenly, Anna knocked on the dining room door and rushed in.
“Sorry to interrupt the meal. I have urgent news.”
Seeing Anna so flustered, a wave of unease washed over them.
“What is it, Anna?”
“I went to the jeweler you requested, and two young ladies there were talking about Aria.”
“What?”
Charlotte jumped to her feet in shock.
“It seems news about Aria has completely spread through society.”
