Chapter 109
Charlotte was startled. Theodore had removed the honorary brooch, which carried all the time and effort he had invested, and had even pinned it on Aria. Charlotte hastily took a step back from Theodore.
She wanted to look around, but even without seeing, she could tell that many people were shocked at Theodore giving the honorary brooch to Aria. Amid the music, someone had exclaimed, “Oh my!”
“Theodore.”
Charlotte looked up at him with a reproachful gaze. Giving the honorary brooch to Aria, who was now the center of attention, was practically inviting scandal. If she became a noble and the first rumor to spread wasn’t “the hero who became a Marquis of the Empire” but rather “what is her relationship with Aria that he gave her the brooch?” it would be disastrous.
“There’s already a rumor that Aria might be my biological daughter. That she might have been born to another man in secret. If Theodore gets involved in that rumor, and people start speculating that he’s the father, that would be a real blow to his honor…!”
If that happened, the reason for keeping Aria separate would disappear. Charlotte felt her heart pounding. She frantically wondered how she could prevent rumors from spreading about her dear friend Theodore being connected to Aria. At that moment, Theodore reached out and took her hand.
“If Aria is precious to you, she’s the same for me.”
Theodore spoke softly, trying to ease Charlotte’s anxiety, but emphasized each word to convey his meaning. Seeing Charlotte’s deep blue eyes tremble, he traced a gentle line with his lips and kissed the back of her hand. The warmth spread across her skin.
“Don’t worry about me. Even if something happens, I’ll handle it. It’s something I can manage.”
“!”
“So let yourself pour affection into Aria. She’s really lovable, just like you.”
Could she really? Charlotte still hesitated. Could she truly stop worrying? Rumors were sharper, fiercer, and scarier than any blade. Once a negative label stuck, it was almost impossible to remove.
Because Theodore was so precious, she worried even more. But Theodore, as if he understood Charlotte’s heart, held her hand tightly.
After a long hesitation, Charlotte took a step forward, closing the distance she had retreated.
“…But if any strange rumors spread, you have to tell me, okay?”
“Yeah. I will.”
“Promise me.”
“I promise.”
Hearing Charlotte’s near-permission, Theodore’s face lit up like the moment he had received his father’s sword, and he looked at Aria with eyes full of affection.
“You’ll keep it safe, won’t you, Aria?”
“Yes! I’ll hold it carefully so I don’t lose it!”
As Aria fiddled with the honorary brooch and nodded, Theodore pinned the sapphire brooch Charlotte had gifted him to the right side of his chest. The sapphire seemed to shine as if it had found its rightful owner. It suited Theodore far better than expected.
“Thanks for the brooch. Did you choose it on purpose to match my eye color?”
“Yes. Do you like it?”
“I do. I’ll keep it for life.”
“Don’t keep it for life.”
“I’ll pass it down through generations.”
“Just give it back.”
“Giving it and then taking it back? That’s not how it works.”
“You say strange things, so I have to say it. Maybe I should’ve chosen a more transparent gem.”
“Why?”
“Because your eyes are clear and light.”
“Really? I didn’t notice.”
“How could you not?”
Charlotte reached out and brushed his eyes. Beneath the rapidly blinking dark lashes, his blue eyes shone vividly.
“They’re really beautiful, like rippling waves.”
This time, it wasn’t Charlotte’s eyes trembling—it was Theodore’s. His skin slowly flushed pink, turning red, just as the orchestra’s tune shifted to a song typically played for dancing. Theodore, dazed, looked at Charlotte, then grabbed her hand as she wiped her eyes, pulling her with him.
“Let’s go.”
“Wait, where?”
“We promised. First dance is with me.”
Right, that was it. But what about Aria? Charlotte glanced at the second-floor balcony. Hearing “first dance,” Aria suddenly started struggling.
“Aria, be careful!”
Charlotte shouted, alarmed, but Aria climbed down from her arms and looked up at them.
“Mom, dance with the knight quickly!”
“I’ll take you to the second-floor balcony.”
“I’ll stay with grandfather! Knight, take mom with you!”
“Aria really takes after you—so decisive. Let’s go.”
“Wait, Theodore!”
Aria’s urgency only made Theodore smile as he led Charlotte to the center of the grand hall. The nobles who had come to dance parted like the Red Sea at the sight of Theodore and Charlotte. Theodore wrapped his arms around Charlotte’s waist, and she, in turn, held onto his arm, getting into position. They began moving with the music.
Charlotte worried about stepping on his feet, but Theodore perfectly matched her steps. As they raised their hands and turned, her white skirt spread like a fully bloomed rose. When she lifted her head while holding his arm again, they were very close. Somehow, heat radiated from Theodore’s waist where he held her.
“I wanted to see you debut as a dancer.”
“Huh?”
“I was out on a monster hunt then, so I didn’t get to see it.”
Theodore pressed closer intentionally.
“…Who did you dance your first dance with?”
Charlotte suddenly felt parched. Theodore suppressed his pounding heart, waiting for her to answer.
“With father.”
She gave an unexpected answer when he had been waiting for her to name a noble.
“With Lord Ronan?”
“Yes. Father was my partner.”
Charlotte, surprised by his question, smiled but spoke with a slightly bitter tone.
“After that, I never danced with any nobleman. I could see everyone approached with ulterior motives, so I hated dancing. Some people even said I should be grateful for anyone offering to partner with an ominous young lady like me.”
Theodore frowned deeply, almost letting a harsh remark slip, but restrained himself.
“What kind of person said that?”
“Don’t worry. Father made them kneel until their forehead touched the floor and apologize.”
Charlotte twirled once more. The scent of magnolia wafted from her fluttering white hair as the song neared its end. She whispered shyly to the frowning Theodore.
“So, except for father and grandfather… technically, you’re my first dance with anyone else of the nobility.”
Charlotte blushed. The song ended, and she stepped back to bow, but froze in place.
“Theodore.”
Charlotte spoke, forgetting to greet him properly.
“Your face is bright red. Are you okay?”
Meanwhile…
“Where on earth are they?”
Ash had been pacing near the grand hall ever since hearing that the carriage he sent for the Snow Mountain scouts had already arrived. He felt frustrated, thinking maybe the scouts had gotten lost—they were so familiar with the mountains that it seemed impossible. As he sighed, a familiar voice called from behind.
“Duke!”
“Edmund.”
Edmund came running, gasping for breath. His uniform, tailored by a famous atelier to commemorate being recognized as a knight, was disheveled.
“Did they really get lost?”
“Yes… technically, yes.”
Edmund caught his breath and spoke seriously.
“There’s a big problem. You need to see this.”
Ash pinched his forehead.
“Did they cause an accident?”
“No, it wasn’t our fault.”
With a suspicious look, Edmund insisted.
“Really. While trying to find the way, a woman ran into Pedro!”
“What?”
“And Pedro is big and strong, like a mercenary. She bounced right off him.”
Ash muttered, Great… He remembered one time when he had collided with Pedro while avoiding a monster and had felt as if he’d been hit by a boulder. Ash hurried after Edmund toward Pedro and the woman.
“How badly is she hurt?”
“Fortunately, she didn’t hit the ground. Pedro caught her.”
“Did she protest to Pedro?”
“Not her, but the maid beside her did.”
A maid? To have a maid accompany her, she must be a high-ranking noble.
“Who exactly is she?”
“Um…”
Edmund hesitated before saying,
“Princess Linda.”
“What?”
Princess Linda—the only daughter of Duke Linda of Klagen? Even if she had run ahead and collided, if it was Princess Linda, this was a different story. Ash suddenly felt anxious. But Edmund’s words didn’t stop there.
“And…”
“And what?”
“It seems Princess Linda has a crush on Pedro.”
Ash froze, staring at Edmund. Is he insane? The princess ran into Pedro, yet somehow had fallen for him?
“You must have been the one who collided with Pedro, not Princess Linda.”
“No, really! Look, over there! See?”
Ash turned his head in the direction Edmund pointed and saw an unbelievable sight.
“A lady, please! If Duke Linda sees this, there’ll be trouble!”
“Mona, it’s just for a moment. Please, like this.”
A young woman, clearly smitten, was pushing away her protesting maid and moving closer to Pedro. Pedro, flustered, stepped back. Then the woman grabbed his hand, eyes sparkling, and said:
“I fell in love with you at first sight. So tell me your name.”
She must have hit her head badly during the collision.
