~Chapter 100~
The peaceful lakeside began to stir with a small commotion.
Everyone’s gaze turned to one spot.
From a carriage far off, walking toward the lakeshore, were none other than the McCurry count’s daughter and the Duke of Kenwolf.
At their unexpected appearance, people enjoying picnics on the grass by the lake all lifted their fans.
“Look over there.”
Young ladies gathered with curious expressions.
“They say the duke proposed right after the debutante ball, didn’t he?”
“I heard he decided to marry her after their first waltz.”
Riden could almost see the waves of interest in the air.
They must think hiding behind a fan hides them—when they’re all staring this way!
“Since it’s your first appearance after the debutante, it’s like all the attention is shining on you like sunlight.”
Unlike Riden, who was conscious of the stares, Ethan seemed unfazed.
“Enjoy it. And if you feel an unpleasant gaze, tell me. I’ll bury them for you.”
“By the lakeshore?”
When she looked at him in surprise, Ethan just looked back as if to say, What’s the problem?
Riden laughed quietly.
“The soil by the lake is wet and heavy—it’s harder to dig. For you to do that for me… I can almost feel affection that I thought didn’t exist.”
“If you feel it, then it’s there.”
His unchanging certainty made her change the subject.
“You must be used to this kind of attention, right? I hope so. I don’t have the strength to shovel wet soil.”
“Of course. Unlike me, you don’t have any affection.”
Why say it like that…
Riden shot him a sidelong glance, but Ethan only looked back at her as if even that glare was lovely.
He seemed amused, smiling faintly.
“To strangers, we must look like we’re whispering words of love.”
“I wish they’d see it that way, but those young ladies over there don’t think so.”
Through Adele, Riden had heard what people thought about the count’s daughter and the duke who vanished after the debutante ball.
Some admired it as a fairy-tale romance.
Some were curious how she managed to “catch” a duke.
And some didn’t believe one dance could make the duke completely fall for her.
“Riden, they still think they have a chance. They think if the duke shows up, they can take him from you.”
“At least until the end of this social season, they wanted the duke to remain everyone’s beloved—heating up the scene—but I took him too soon.”
“Where are these young ladies?”
“Over there.”
She subtly gestured toward a group.
“Can’t you feel it? Their stares are burning.”
Ethan looked. Sure enough, a group in bright dresses was whispering together, glancing over.
“Ah, those.”
His casual reaction made Riden open her eyes wide.
“Now you understand? It’s quite troublesome. I feel like hiding underground just to escape those eyes.”
“Hmm… sounds bothersome.”
“…Yes.”
She was about to turn away when he suddenly stopped walking.
“Riden.”
He glanced at the group and then pulled her white parasol between them, blocking the view.
Gasps erupted from nearby as people realized he’d deliberately cut off their sight.
Inside the small circle of shade, Ethan leaned closer.
“I’m standing right next to you.”
Riden’s cheeks flamed—the distance was too close, his warm breath brushing her forehead.
“I know that, I didn’t mean you were going anywhere…”
“Didn’t I say I’m the ‘big catch’ of the season? Well, here I am—next to you.”
“……”
“So enjoy it. Whatever they do, it won’t matter.”
This man… was he talking like he was afraid someone might steal him away?
Before she could argue, a spring breeze lifted her hat and parasol.
With only one free hand, she held the loose ribbon, but Ethan untied it and retied it neatly.
Gasps and “Oh my!” spread around them.
“The duke tied her hat himself…”
“I guess it’s true he fell for her at first sight.”
Of course Ethan could hear it too.
He smirked.
“Now no one will dare say they can take me from you.”
Maybe…
“Will they, though?”
She lifted the parasol to peek at their faces—but quickly lowered it again when she saw someone snap a fan in half.
“Your Grace, I appreciate the effort, but that might have been too much. Someone just broke their fan.”
“Mm.”
He adjusted the angle of her hat, nodding vaguely.
“If I get dragged off and torn in two, it’ll be your fault.”
“Good.”
She narrowed her eyes.
Did he just smile at that?
“It’s not fair for only you to rely on me. If you start needing me, I’ll welcome it.”
“……”
“Kidding. Don’t glare—give me the parasol.”
He placed it over her with a gentle smile.
To strangers, they looked like the perfect loving couple.
Seeing the young ladies’ eyes burn even hotter, he laughed.
“Now, want to go over there and get ‘torn in two’ for me?”
“Haa…”
This man.
With both hands free now, she tightened her arm around his.
“I’m not leaving your side, so watch closely.”
“I like this too.”
“Oh? There she is!”
Just as Ethan was pleased, Riden spotted someone and quickly let go to walk ahead.
“How cold.”
He watched her greet a tall, scarecrow-like man warmly.
In the original story, bringing Adele and Young Viscount Fresen together had been simple.
Give Adele a style that suited her, help her gain confidence, and make sure they had a reason to talk—and they’d fall in love on their own.
Fresen would quickly be charmed by Adele’s shy yet quirky appeal.
‘But this time, Mari’s in the middle, so who knows. I’ll have to watch carefully.’
Riden watched with satisfaction as they boarded a two-person rowboat.
“So shy.”
After greeting each other, their words dwindled fast.
Did they already click?
They even looked alike—both with brown hair and calming green eyes.
“Oh, he’s talking. He’s talking.”
“……”
At whatever he said, Adele ducked her head shyly.
Don’t just lower your head—respond, Adele!
“Ah, I can’t hear them.”
“……”
What did he say to make her so flustered she can’t respond?
Reactions were important in conversation!
She pointed toward their boat.
“Could you row us closer to that boat?”
“You mean those two?”
“Yes, quickly.”
“Should I just sink them both?”
“…What?”
She turned sharply.
Ethan’s eyes were cold as he rowed with her.
“My future wife wanted to ride a boat, and yet she ignores me. If I sink the people you’re focused on, your attention will return to me.”
What kind of scary logic…
He’s sulking.
“You weren’t planning to sink two people today.”
“Then please don’t. Digging for two people’s worth would be too much work for you—I don’t want that.”
Surprised, he blinked a few times, then shrugged.
“You’re unbelievably shameless.”
But his expression softened—he wasn’t truly angry.
“Still, even empty words are comforting. Better than nothing.”
Riden lightly held his arm on the oar.
Seeing his expectant face, she spoke firmly.
“Your Grace, the boat’s getting farther away. I’m tired.”
Damian met with Mari to begin her faith lessons, just as Riden instructed.
“Faith? Doctrine?”
But Mari didn’t seem interested.
“I don’t know much, but Riden said it would be good to learn. She told me one big reason she’s tied to the duke’s house is her family’s generations of faith.”
Damian looked at her with curiosity.
Mari felt different from the capital’s nobles he’d met.
Most people here treated faith as absolute—
Is it because Baron Hern’s family is provincial lower nobility?
He began to understand why Lady McCurry had asked him to do this—helping a friend improve her lacking basic education. Truly a heroine’s kindness.
He resolved to do well and earn points with Riden.
At that moment—
“We’re here already!”
Mari looked out the window and exclaimed.
