CHAPTER 03

Fernando Aiola.

Fourteen years ago, when their parents passed away, eighteen-year-old Fernando became the head of the Aiola family. From then on, he raised six-year-old Elaine as if she were his own child.

When she was young, Elaine once came close to death due to a momentary mistake. Though she barely survived, her body became weak afterward. Since then, Fernando treated her with extreme care—as if she might fly away if touched, or break if handled too roughly.

With such a large age gap, he was not only her older brother but also a father figure.

Perhaps that was why he felt more moved than anyone when his little sister finally came of age.

Of course, in his eyes, she still looked like a child rather than a mature lady.

“Vanessa is already ready. She’s sitting on the sofa downstairs, waiting for you to finish getting dressed.”

“Oh my! We can’t keep Sister Vanessa waiting! Anna, what are you doing? Hurry and finish my preparations!”

“My lady—honestly! I’ve been doing my best this whole time! The reason you’re not ready yet is because you can’t stay still for even a moment!”

Anna protested with the most wronged expression in the world.

“What was that, Anna? Are you done talking?”

Elaine glared at her maid playfully.

“Don’t tease Anna too much. She already has a hard enough time because of you.”

Fernando chuckled as he waited.

At last, when Elaine finished dressing and slipped on her pale pink gloves, he approached her and held out his hand.

“Shall we go, today’s main character?”

“You told me not to call myself that.”

Elaine gently took his hand, tilting her chin proudly.

“I said you shouldn’t call yourself that. This is a royal ball—such arrogance wouldn’t do. Of course, the name Aiola is worthy of even greater praise.”

Fernando smiled as he guided her down the stairs.

“Remember this, Elaine. Many people will approach you today with sweet flattery, all while thinking about how to tear you down behind your back. Never give them an opening.”

“Don’t worry. I’m an adult now.”

Her smugness only made her more adorable, and Fernando’s smile deepened.

On the first floor, Vanessa sat looking bored, her fiery red hair elegantly styled. A maid named Bella was massaging her shoulders.

Hearing footsteps, Vanessa turned her head—and smiled gracefully upon seeing the siblings descending together.

“Oh my, Elaine. I was wondering why you were taking so long. Did Anna put in some extra effort?”

“Sister Vanessa!”

Elaine ran to her.

Though they saw each other every day, she greeted her as if it had been ages.

Fernando followed with a soft laugh.

Vanessa, who had become the lady of the house five years ago, was Elaine’s only family alongside Fernando. As a woman, she fulfilled the role Fernando could not.

Elaine loved Vanessa just as much as she loved Fernando.

Fernando cherished her the most—but Vanessa was the one Elaine trusted and relied on the most.

“Did I keep you waiting? I’m sorry—it’s my first ball, and I was so excited.”

“That reminds me of when I was your age. I made Fernando wait two hours to escort me.”

“It was three hours, not two.”

Fernando corrected her seriously.

“Two or three hours—it’s the same.”

Vanessa laughed it off.

“Anyway, Elaine, you look absolutely stunning today. I bet all the fools of Hermanda will line up just to hold your hand.”

“Then I’ll grant you that honor first, Sister Vanessa.”

Elaine teased, extending her hand.

Vanessa stood up, pretending to be a gentleman, and took it.

Watching the two women walk ahead, Fernando smiled warmly.

Inside the carriage…

“So, Fernando, you have to choose.”

“That’s right, brother. Give us a clear answer.”

Faced with their relentless questioning, Fernando looked troubled.

“I really have to pick one?”

His green eyes rolled nervously.

“Of course. Compliments mean nothing if you say them to everyone.”

“Who’s prettier—me or Elaine?”

“You’ll choose Elaine, right?”

“If you say anyone else’s name, I’ll tell Mother and have the royal guards destroy the estate.”

“But you’ll say Elaine is the best, right?”

Under pressure, Fernando struggled—until the two women burst into laughter.

“Fernando, you’re too cute!”

“How did someone this gentle become the head of the family?”

“…You were teasing me?”

He looked betrayed.

“I was taking this seriously.”

“That’s why I love you, darling.”

Vanessa wrapped her arms around him and kissed him.

Elaine shook her head at their shameless affection.

Then suddenly—

“Hmm…”

“W-What is it, Elaine?”

Blushing, she asked shyly:

“Now that I’m an adult… can I have a passionate love like you two?”

“…What?”

Fernando’s face hardened instantly.

“Does kissing really feel like walking on clouds?”

“Well, it depends on who you kiss.”

“Don’t answer that seriously, Vanessa!”

Fernando snapped.

Then he launched into a lecture:

“You think turning one year older makes you an adult? That’s foolish! You’re just a chick thrown into society! And tonight, the ball will be full of men with bad intentions—if anyone asks you to step outside, kick his shin immediately—”

“Oh, brother…”

Elaine puffed her cheeks.

Vanessa added:

“It may sound like nagging, but listen carefully. If you ever want to seriously date someone, tell us first. We’ll judge if he’s worthy.”

“Yes, yes, I understand. You two really are the perfect couple.”

Elaine stuck her tongue out playfully.

The carriage stopped.

As they stepped into the grand royal ballroom, Vanessa whispered:

“Do you know how much Turner begged his mother to hold this ball for you? This is the first non-royal event here in over a decade.”

“He really got the queen’s permission?”

“That clever boy would do anything for you.”

Vanessa teased: