Chapter 12:
At the Opera House (2)
Among them, one loud noblewoman sneered at me.
“Come to think of it, I didn’t see you either. Even for politeness’ sake, Miss Rosalie—lying is a bit much, don’t you think?”
“It’s not a lie. I was simply late due to circumstances. But I did watch the entire performance.”
I let my cheeks flush slightly, drew my brows together, and lowered the corners of my lips. Then, spreading my fingers, I traced a slow motion from my face down to my chest.
“I believe… this was the gesture used during the ‘sorrow’ lyrics…”
“That’s right! That means ‘sad.’ My goodness, Miss Rosalie—you might have a talent for sign language!”
As soon as I finished my clumsy explanation, the Duchess of Brezé lit up.
“More importantly, you came to fix your makeup, didn’t you? Come over here—there’s not much time left.”
The other noblewomen looked disappointed they couldn’t pick at me further, but with the duchess making space, they couldn’t continue.
“Thank you, Duchess.”
Hesitating, I stepped in front of the mirror and opened my lipstick.
As I raised my head to apply it, I noticed—in the mirror—Ines glaring at me.
“…Do you have something to say?”
Suppressing my irritation, I asked calmly. Ines lifted her chin high, forcing a smile.
“You’ve been appearing everywhere lately, haven’t you? I didn’t expect you to attend an opera performance… Miss Rosalie.”
“Even I occasionally wish to enjoy culture. The prima donna’s performance was captivating.”
“Oh, is that so? I was invited by Duke Valliere today. And you—who did you come with?”
“…As you might expect—Jeremy.”
So Histein was here somewhere.
My heart ached sharply, like a blade had pierced it. I understood why she mentioned it without being asked.
“I noticed at the ball as well—you’ve been spending quite a lot of time with him. I suppose the marriage talks are going smoothly?”
“We discovered we share an interest in books.”
Everyone already knew our meetings were arranged by Lady Alua, but it was proper to say it this way.
Just as Ines was about to speak again, the Duchess of Brezé intervened.
“Come to think of it, it was Jeremy who purchased Agate’s first edition, wasn’t it? Could it be…”
“Yes, that’s right. He gave it to me as a gift.”
“Oh my!”
Exclamations spread among the women. The sharpness in Ines’s eyes softened, as if she hadn’t expected that.
“That was the first time I’ve ever seen him speak. And it was to give you a book…”
“I’m sure he didn’t attach that much meaning to it. If it had been a book he liked, he would have bid on that instead.”
I quickly waved my hands dismissively. Ines shrugged her pale, rounded shoulders.
“Perhaps. But the two of you seem serious, don’t you? That’s how it looks to me. I hope it turns out well.”
Was she mocking me?
I stared at her—but there was no trace of ridicule in her expression.
I had thought she might see me as a rival because she liked Histein… but that didn’t make sense.
Histein and I were nothing officially. And she had already received earrings from him.
Still… those earrings catching the light each time she turned her head were unbearable to look at.
I quickly reapplied my lipstick and spoke.
“If we don’t hurry, the second act will begin.”
“Oh! Already?”
At my gesture toward the clock, the women stirred. Ines began putting away her powder.
I should leave before she looks at me again.
Just as I turned—
Ines lightly took my hand.
“We’ll be seeing each other often at social events now. I only read romance novels, but I do like books too. I look forward to getting along.”
“Ah… yes.”
I nodded awkwardly.
For some reason, I felt embarrassed. I had judged her without really knowing her.
…But I can’t support you and Histein.
Ignoring the worn-out feeling in my chest, I returned to my seat.
Jeremy had already pulled out a book.
The title: The Biography of Queen Marguerite—the same queen from the novel he had gifted me.
“Oh—that one!”
I reacted instinctively. Startled, Jeremy quickly shut the book.
After fidgeting, he met my eyes.
“I-it’s because… you said you liked her.”
“How could I not? Queen Marguerite won two wars and even created a written language for the Kingdom of Iphelda.”
“She did have an affair with her consort, though.”
“Ah.”
My smile faltered.
Jeremy seemed to realize his mistake and quietly closed his mouth. I adjusted my posture and took a sip of sparkling water.
The performance resumed.
“I had a great time today.”
“M-me too.”
“You’re lying… you covered your ears during the climax.”
“I-I don’t like loud sounds…”
After the opera ended, Jeremy took me home in the Alua carriage. Before getting off, I teased him again.
“And yet you got tickets for me. I feel bad always receiving so much from your family.”
“P-please don’t say that… If you enjoyed today, that’s enough.”
“Wow, that sounds like something straight out of a book.”
“P-please stop teasing…”
His face turned red like an apple again.
It was hard not to tease him when he reacted like that.
We had grown much closer in just a few days. Gerard and Lady Alua would surely be satisfied.
And I…
I felt that perhaps marrying Jeremy wouldn’t be so bad after all.
Even if he was a bit naïve.
“I’ll go now. Get home safely.”
I waved as I stepped down from the carriage. Instead of waving back, Jeremy bowed politely.
I turned and climbed the stairs. The air still carried dampness from the rain two days ago.
That night—fortunately or unfortunately—I didn’t run into Histein.
It would have been better if I hadn’t known about the earrings.
For some reason, I felt like drinking something strong.
I stared for a long while at the pale moon hidden behind clouds… then went inside.
The next morning—
News spread through Rodin:
Ines Ankur, a favored attendant of Princess Camille and the woman soon to be announced as the new lover of Duke Histein Valliere… had been found dead.
“Extra! Extra! A noble lady has been found dead in a back alley of Rodin!”
A newspaper boy shouted excitedly, eager to earn coins. He felt no sympathy for the unknown woman.
Standing in the middle of a road where carriages didn’t pass, he sold papers to gentlemen returning from their late-night indulgences.
Gerard, now out of coins, read the paper with Marquis Ramon, whose nose was red from drink.
“Ines Ankur… wasn’t she at the opera last night with Duke Valliere? And now—half her face gone…”
“Really?”
“My wife told me—she went to the theater with her sisters.”
Ramon spoke casually, then realized who he was talking to and cleared his throat.
Between them, the name “Duke Valliere” was practically taboo.
Gerard stroked his stubbled chin, frowning.
So that man had been at the opera too…
Had Rosalie seen him?
“Don’t mind me. He has nothing to do with our family. But more importantly—how does a lady like that end up in a back alley?”
“That’s the strange part. That area is full of gambling dens and taverns. Not a place she’d ever go.”
“Unless it was Duke Valliere.”
Gerard said sharply.
Ramon glanced at him sideways.
