Chapter 39
“Huh. Seriously? I thought we were going to have to call off the bet since he hadn’t shown up anywhere—what’s going on?”
“Right?”
Marco agreed with Andrew’s words. Only Franz remained silent.
“Who’d he come with? Did his sister tag along too?”
“Looks like he came with Lady Linton and Count Clarence.”
“Ahh.”
Andrew nodded slowly, drawing out the sound as if to emphasize it.
“These days it feels like everywhere you go it’s Clarence this, Gieberman that—enough to make you sick. But what’s Lady Clarence doing over there? Standing around like some wallflower?”
When Andrew asked, Marco’s expression turned amused.
“She’s rejecting every dance request that comes her way. Because of that, every man here is going wild trying to get her attention. After all, the club’s trophy is at stake. She’s even avoiding conversation, running away until she ended up stuck in the corner.”
Franz frowned, clearly displeased.
“Pathetic bastards.”
The words were so unexpected coming from his mouth that the two beside him turned their heads in shock. It was Andrew who broke the silence.
“Not that I disagree, but what’s this? You, of all people, showing interest in someone else’s business?”
“Interest, my ass. She must be really pathetic if Franz bothered to say that,” Marco laughed lightly, and Andrew let the matter drop.
“Another reason we ought to leave quickly. I can’t stand noisy nonsense. Right, Franz?”
Andrew jerked his chin toward the man beside him, seeking agreement.
“……”
No answer came.
“Hm?”
When he pressed again, Franz turned to them.
“This is suffocating. I’m heading out for a smoke. You coming?”
He looked back at them as if daring them to refuse. Both men nodded.
“Yeah, sure.”
The terrace was crowded with men smoking cigars. A servant hurried over to light Franz’s cigar as soon as he clipped the head.
Franz drew in deeply. Exhaling with a low sigh, a stream of white smoke curled elegantly between his lips.
“Now that’s better.”
“Something bothering you?” Marco asked, but Andrew answered first.
“Bothering? This whole place is suffocating if you stay in there too long.”
He blew out a plume of acrid smoke.
The ballroom was packed with society’s worst gossips, all plastered smiles and dazzling clothes. Even those who weren’t fond of gossip wore the same masks. The air reeked not of perfume but of greed. Franz found it disgusting—and that Iella was among them irked him just the same.
At that moment, two men stepped onto the terrace mid-conversation.
“She’s close to giving in, I can feel it.”
“You delusional? Where exactly do you see that? She’s a fortress, same as ever.”
“Still, didn’t she seem different tonight?”
“Maybe… I’ll give you that. Seeing her, I finally understood how she could be related to the famous Louisa Clarence.”
“There’s something about that restrained aura—almost makes it seem… alluring.”
“Hah. You’re hopeless. Completely smitten.”
The man drained his champagne and followed his companion away when another group called them over.
“Those two sisters really have the men in a frenzy,” Andrew muttered, shaking his head in disbelief.
Franz only continued to smoke leisurely, eyes lifted toward the night sky. His gaze, dark as midnight, was frozen cold. Whatever thoughts lay behind those eyes, no one could guess.
Then, all at once, the chatter on the terrace stilled. Every gaze turned to a single figure who had just stepped out.
Her eyes were fixed on one man alone—Franz Princeton, the man she had once thought her lover.
The woman wore a dress so revealing it left little to the imagination—her chest barely covered, her back laid bare, the curves of her body flaunted for all to see.
Her steps carried no hesitation as she crossed the terrace, stopping only when she reached his table.
“It’s been a while. How have you been?” she said with a smile.
Franz glanced at Agnes without a flicker of warmth.
“As you can see.”
He spread his arms and gave a careless shrug, a lazy trail of smoke curling from his lips. Even that indolent expression oozed with sex appeal, and Agnes nearly fell to her knees, desperate to cling to him.
“I heard you’ve been doing well too, Agnes.”
He hadn’t asked if she was well—it wasn’t his way. But the fact he even knew of her circumstances made her exhale in relief. There was still a sliver of hope.
Her lips, painted a bold red, curved into a broad smile.
“So you were curious about me after all. I didn’t think you cared.”
Franz exhaled smoke with practiced ease.
“To be honest, I don’t.”
The blunt reply left her speechless, her pride stinging. He had a way of cutting her down with just a few words.
“I heard Baron Nicolai has been begging for money everywhere. I thought that meant you couldn’t show your face at parties. Guess that wasn’t true?”
His voice, edged with scorn, made her flush with humiliation. His gaze, cool and detached, didn’t linger an instant longer than necessary. He had never once looked at her with desire.
Agnes’s cheeks burned hot with shame. Whatever fragile hope she’d nurtured crumbled in an instant. The things she had done to that decrepit old baron just to make it here tonight—how could Franz dismiss her so coldly?
“Is that all you have to say to me?” she demanded, voice trembling.
His expression hardened. If he hadn’t indulged her once, he wouldn’t be dealing with this nuisance now. Too often, people mistook his forbearance for tolerance. He wasn’t in the mood.
“We’ll head inside. Come to the card room when you’re done,” Marco said quickly.
Catching the dangerous shift in the air, he and Andrew exchanged glances with Franz and slipped away. The onlookers, too, dispersed as the tension turned icy. Soon only two remained on the terrace.
“If you’ve more to say, sit down. I hate being looked up at.”
His smile had vanished. His expression was cold, sharp as frost, crushing her into silence.
“……”
She couldn’t form words. Frozen, she could only stare at him across the table.
“What’s wrong? Tongue-tied already?”
The chill in his voice made her flinch.
And hidden just beyond a pillar nearby, Iella watched in secret. She hadn’t come outside intending to eavesdrop, but the stifling air had driven her out. Then she’d heard voices and, before she knew it, had drawn close enough to hear every word.
What kind of mess did I walk into? What do I do?
If she were caught listening, it would be disastrous. Her stomach knotted in dread.
Eavesdropping isn’t proper. I should go back.
But just as she turned to leave—snap! A twig cracked beneath her foot, the sound ringing in her ears like thunder.
Oh no!
Her heart leapt into her throat. She froze, unable to move forward or back.
Did they hear? Oh gods… I’ll just stay still. Maybe they won’t notice.
She repeated to herself that it wasn’t intentional, wishing only for this moment to pass quickly.
“Can you at least tell me why?”
Agnes’s voice trembled, desperate. Her eyes were brimming with tears.
“And if you hear it? Think that’ll patch up your precious pride? Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend it.”
“Even so—tell me. I need to understand.”
“Understand…?”
Franz let out a short, humorless laugh.
“If you still don’t get it, then I was a fool to think better of you. I didn’t realize you could be so stupid.”
His calm tone made her bristle.
“What did you say?”
“Agnes. If you came here to talk, don’t you dare raise your voice at me.”
The command, low and sharp, made her falter. “Sorry,” she murmured quickly.
“Even if you are only a baron’s mistress with no real wealth or standing, shouldn’t you at least have some refinement?”
“I… I didn’t have a choice…”
Since Franz had turned his back on her, the attention of other men had vanished too. No one would have her.
“Think about why it came to that. No one forced you.”
To her, it had been survival. Could survival be called a sin? Women like her would always exist, yet she had been scorned for daring to reach above her station.
Yes, it had been arrogance to dream. But was it so wrong to desire him?
“You did have one talent I liked—your beauty. And I didn’t think the reputation I gave you was too little. But I suppose your calculations were different.”
“B-but that’s—”
Her words choked off as his final sentence fell like a blade.
“Did I ever once promise you anything?”
