LUW 35

Chapter 35

Cecilia glanced around cautiously.

Seeing her anxious eyes as if worried someone might overhear, Pierre gave a relaxed smile and said,
“Don’t worry. No one can hear us from this distance.”

“That’s a relief. The Border Duke said he’d like to meet again tomorrow or the day after. He said he’d tell me more details then. I think I might be able to get a lead.”

Unlike the confident Cecilia, Pierre’s expression slowly hardened.

“It’s dangerous to meet him alone.”

Cecilia blinked, not understanding.
“He didn’t seem wary or threatening when we talked. I think I’ll be fine. Besides, it seems like he wants something from me, so I doubt he’ll do anything reckless.”

Pierre narrowed his eyes.
There was only one thing the Border Duke could want from Cecilia:
A weakness of Cardinande.

If needed, he would pin a crime on Cecilia. A one-on-one meeting would be the perfect chance to show his true intentions.

But Pierre didn’t like that thought one bit.

His gaze caught the overly flashy accessories Cecilia was wearing.

Her dress was quite revealing too. Her bare shoulders and neckline drew glances from nearby nobles.

Pierre brushed a finger against the bracelet on Cecilia’s wrist and muttered,
“Too flashy.”

“It is a bit much, right? But I couldn’t refuse.”

Cecilia gave an embarrassed smile, but Pierre didn’t respond.
“All of it suits the Border Duke’s taste.”

“He said he’d gift them all to me. I was thinking I might as well sell them and help support my family.”

Her necklace, bracelet, and tiara were all covered in jewels.

Lately, the financial state of House Niberius hadn’t been good. The suspicion of being linked to gun trafficking and her father’s declining health contributed to the situation.

As long as she could help her family, that was enough for Cecilia.

She expected Pierre to criticize her for selling off gifts like a commoner—but he said something unexpected.

“Throw them all away. If you need something, I’ll provide it.”

“But it’s a waste.”

“You don’t have so little pride that you’d wear gifts from someone who tried to slander your family, do you?”

Cecilia flinched at the sharp tone and lowered her eyes.
“…I lost that pride when I took your hand in the first place.”

She whispered gloomily. Her long lashes cast shadows over her pale face.

“I didn’t come this far to protect my pride. I already told you—I’m willing to do anything. Even if it’s dishonorable or disgraceful in others’ eyes, I don’t care.”

A faint smile lingered, mixed with bitter self-mockery.

“…You don’t need to survive on things like that. If you need something, I’ll support you.”

“I don’t really see the difference. Whether I sell the Duke’s gifts or accept your pity, it feels the same to me.”

“It’s not pity.”

“Then what is it?”

Cecilia asked, tilting her head slightly.

Even as the waltz reached its climax, her steps never faltered.

“It means be smart. The person standing in front of you can give you more than any other noble here.”

At the final step of the dance, Pierre wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close.

Startled by the sudden embrace, Cecilia stumbled.

Though surprised by the contact, her misstep was smoothly concealed as Pierre turned them gracefully.

With everyone’s eyes on them, Pierre looked down at Cecilia and whispered,
“It means… you can lean on me a little more.”

At those words, Cecilia quietly bit her lip.

They were just in a business relationship—no more, no less.

She didn’t want to trust Pierre. She had sworn not to open her heart to him.

But he so easily stepped over the line she had drawn.

She knew. He was only being nice because he needed her to solve this case.

If necessary, he’d treat anyone kindly—not just her.

That’s why she shouldn’t lean on him, and must not rely on him.

She slowly raised her head and looked at him.

Don’t be nice to me. Don’t be kinder than you need to be.

Since when… had he started looking at her with such gentle eyes?

As the waltz ended, Cecilia carefully stepped away from him.

“You’re still terrible.”

“…There was no waist-pulling move at the end.”

She protested with displeasure, and he chuckled.

“If you’re a noble, you should be able to adapt. Get used to it.”

Pierre turned his gaze to the crowd.

Following his eyes, Cecilia finally noticed the attention they were receiving.

Unlike before, these were clearly favorable looks.

“Well, you barely passed.”

Pierre lifted Cecilia’s hand and placed a brief kiss on the back of it.

Then he raised his head and smiled at her.
“You did well, Cecilia.”

Cecilia.

It was the first time he had said her name directly to her.

Cecilia pretended not to hear it.

The place where his lips had touched felt strangely hot.

No—maybe it wasn’t her hand, but her face that was burning.

* * *

As the second piece of music ended, the host Zilgirk appeared.

After a brief greeting and formalities, he brought the party to a close.

Once the event ended, many nobles approached Cecilia to speak.

“Your dancing was so graceful! I was shocked you didn’t fall behind His Excellency.”

“Truly! You were like a swan! Miss Cecilia, won’t you attend our next tea party?”

“Oh my, Miss Cotton, don’t be so shameless. Miss Cecilia, I thought from the moment you entered with His Excellency that you made a perfect pair.”

Cecilia was flustered by the wave of praise and flattery.

If Pierre hadn’t subtly pulled her away, she might’ve made a mistake.

Cecilia climbed into the carriage with him, finally able to sigh in relief. She pouted in displeasure.

“They really are shameless, acting like they didn’t badmouth me before.”

“That’s why power matters. Thanks to this, public opinion about your family has changed. You should be grateful to me.”

“Yes, yes. Thank you so much.”

Cecilia responded sarcastically, clearly annoyed.

“Oh, Your Excellency. Since I’ll be coming back anyway, I thought I might stay at an inn nearby. What do you think?”

“You’ve got too many eyes watching you. If you stay at some random inn, your hard-earned reputation will crumble. It’s best you return to the estate first, then head out again.”

Just staying at an inn would ruin her image?

Nobles really were something else. Cecilia nodded silently.

Three days after arriving at Pierre’s mansion, Cecilia boarded a carriage headed to the Border Duke’s estate.

Before she left, Pierre repeated himself several times.

“This is just a simple visit. Don’t do anything reckless.”

“That’s the tenth time you’ve said that, you know? Stop worrying.”

She waved her hand dismissively, clearly annoyed.

Pierre rubbed his aching forehead as he watched her leave.

Since the party, Cecilia had been oddly confident, which made him even more uneasy.

“Are you sure it’s okay not to assign someone to watch her?”

Ian cautiously asked as he approached.

“If I send a knight from my house, the Border Duke might get suspicious.”

“But isn’t it dangerous to let the lady go alone? What if she falls for the Duke’s tricks?”

“No. Cecilia isn’t the type to fall for something like that. What worries me more…”

Pierre trailed off and furrowed his brow.

It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Cecilia’s loyalty to her family.

He was just worried she might act recklessly out of emotion.

It had happened before in the Kymon Territory. Cecilia tended to act before thinking.

If a clue related to the arms traffickers appeared in front of her—would she really be able to hold herself back?

That, he couldn’t be sure of.

He kept watching the carriage as it grew smaller in the distance and muttered to himself,
“Just in case… I’d better be prepared.”

A rare moment of deep concern was etched across his face.

* * *

The next day, when Cecilia arrived at the Border Duke’s estate, Zilgirk welcomed her warmly.

“Welcome, Lady Niberius. Was the trip difficult?”

“Not at all. I’m more worried I might be troubling you when you’re busy.”

“Haha. You’re still so polite. Please, come have a seat.”

In the drawing room, tea and refreshments had already been prepared.

As they sat, Zilgirk looked her over and commented,
“But… that’s not the dress I gave you last time.”

(To be continued…)