Chapter 37
So It Does Not Reach Him
Before she knew it, Yvonne found herself in front of her room, walking in a daze. Just then, Cindy was coming out of the room.
“Ah, milady. Where have you been? We’ve been waiting for a while.”
“…Just went to the restroom for a moment.”
Yvonne was relieved that the sun had already set. Had it been daytime, her disheveled state would have been exposed.
“The Duke has returned. He said to come down to the dining room when you’re ready.”
“Do you want to go ahead? I’ll come down shortly.”
After sending Cindy away, Yvonne entered her room and closed the door. At the same time, the tension released and she collapsed onto the floor. Her rapidly beating heart thumped loudly in her ears.
Yvonne breathed heavily and rubbed her lips with the back of her hand, as if trying to erase the memories and emotions that kept surfacing.
“Sorry for being late.”
Yvonne descended to the dining room after the meal was supposed to have started, to minimize the time she would face Cedric.
However, her effort was in vain.
“Cultivating beauty is a woman’s virtue, but keeping guests waiting is not polite either, Yvonne.”
“It’s fine. Waiting for a lady is also a gentleman’s pleasure.”
Since Logan and Cedric were waiting for her without starting the meal, Yvonne swallowed a sigh as she looked at the still-empty table. Thinking of the long meal ahead made her stomach churn.
Meanwhile, Logan started with a pre-meal drink.
“By the way, what kind of business discussion do you want to have?”
Cedric’s gaze then shifted to Yvonne across the table.
“I’ve kept the evening free, so you can speak at your leisure. It might be somewhat boring for your ladyship.”
When their eyes met, he looked unperturbed, as if nothing had happened earlier.
Her emotions surged and subsided at his composed demeanor.
It was fortunate. If he remained unaffected, she too could try not to be conscious of him.
“I’m fine, so please speak comfortably.”
Yvonne replied while trying to appear calm, immediately lowering her gaze to the table. She felt Cedric’s eyes on her, but they were withdrawn as quickly as they came.
“The businessmen from the Duchy of Parma attending this expo showed interest in the birch tar produced in our duchy. As you know, it’s an essential material for shipbuilding.”
“Are you planning to sell tar to them?”
“If Your Grace gives a positive review, I would like to hold formal discussions with Parma’s businessmen.”
Logan was displeased with Cedric, thinking a commoner dared to challenge a noble’s authority.
Yet Logan was shaken by Cedric’s proposal. Cedric had found bait that Logan couldn’t refuse—an astute businessman’s insight.
Yvonne began her meal, paying little attention to their conversation.
Whenever Cedric’s gaze occasionally landed on her, it felt impossible to swallow, yet she mechanically forced the food into her mouth.
Trying not to be conscious of his eyes.
“The Duchy of Parma… indeed, it seems like a competitive business. I heard it’s hard to obtain birch or pine tar there.”
While Logan was lost in thought, something lightly brushed Yvonne’s foot. She paused mid-fork.
Then it happened again. It was not a mistake.
Yvonne realized it was Cedric’s shoe touching her foot.
It was no accident. Given the table width, he couldn’t have touched her by mistake. He would have had to reach deliberately.
Especially someone more noble than any noble, who valued etiquette.
Yvonne, frozen for a moment, lifted her eyes and met Cedric’s gaze. His unfathomable eyes were flickering low, just like when their bodies had touched, just like when their lips had met.
His eyes were telling her that what happened between them could not be undone.
Lowering her gaze and pulling her legs back, Yvonne ensured he could not touch her.
…Her stomach churned.
“I suppose you two have much to discuss, so I’ll excuse myself. I hope tonight’s dinner was enjoyable, Sir Cedric.”
Having barely finished her meal, Yvonne left the dining room to return to her room in time for when their meal would finish.
But as soon as she arrived, she had to purge everything she had eaten, the pain bringing tears to her eyes.
Even after emptying her stomach, her chest did not feel at ease. It was as if she had swallowed something she shouldn’t have.
“Already done eating?”
Cindy, who had been watching Yvonne eat, asked. Her tone suggested disaster would strike if Yvonne left food unfinished.
“Sorry. Maybe the heat has affected my appetite.”
Yvonne gave a sorry smile to Cindy, who looked at her with worry.
Normally, she might have eaten more to appease Cindy, but lately she couldn’t. The indigestion from that dinner persisted stubbornly.
It even seemed worse. Even with deliberately simplified meals since that day.
“You don’t need to apologize. I’m just worried about you, milady.”
Cindy eventually gave up and stepped back.
After Yvonne had purged the medicine sent by Catherine a few days ago, Cindy never forced her to take it again. Forcing medicine would turn it into poison, after all.
The only good thing was that her indigestion wasn’t improving.
“Shall I help you with your hair, milady?”
“Yes, please.”
Cindy seated Yvonne at the dressing table and began to style her hair from the top down.
Today, there was a horse race at the racetrack near the expo grounds.
Horse racing was common entertainment, but today’s event was special.
Prominent figures attending the World Expo, including King Robert V, were present, making it a high-society event.
In other words, all of Herrington’s nobility would be there. And Cedric would be attending as well.
‘But he’ll probably stay by His Majesty’s side…’
So she wouldn’t have to face him. That fact was her only hope in this tedious social event.
Yvonne finally relaxed and looked at her reflection in the mirror.
Cindy, finishing the hair styling, began tightening the corset. It felt particularly constricting today, despite being the same as usual.
Upon arriving at the racetrack, Yvonne’s expression stiffened.
Cedric’s seat was behind Derrick’s. And her seat, just like at the opening ceremony, was next to Derrick.
In other words, Yvonne’s expectations were completely off. Perfectly off.
“We meet again, Lady Yvonne.”
Cedric was the first to greet.
Yvonne gave him a brief nod. Smiling calmly was too much to manage.
Derrick then acknowledged her presence.
“It’s the first time seeing you since the expo, Yvonne. Feeling better?”
“Thanks to your concern.”
Yvonne sat next to Derrick. Though her eyes were on him, her nerves were entirely directed behind her. She couldn’t look.
“Why did you leave first that day? I was worried.”
Hearing ‘that day,’ Yvonne’s heart dropped. Memories of that day naturally resurfaced.
Things that must not be revealed to anyone.
She glanced sideways at Logan.
Fortunately, he seemed engaged in greeting the nobles beside him and hadn’t heard Derrick.
“…I went to catch a carriage. I was worried leaving it all to you, Sir. If I had known it would cause such a mismatch, I should have just waited.”
Yvonne offered a plausible lie. A lie neither she nor the listener could be fooled by.
But Derrick only gazed at her briefly, without questioning it.
“I see. That would have been better. Then you wouldn’t have been sick for so long.”
Derrick naturally spoke as if all unresolved matters from that day were settled. Yvonne wasn’t thrilled but couldn’t mention it in front of everyone.
Derrick’s reason for not picking apart her lie was probably the same.
Then, from behind, a quiet chuckle echoed. Yvonne and Derrick both looked toward Cedric.
